Meet the father-son duo shaping America’s love affair with Italian yachts

Photo: Courtesy of The Italian Yacht Group

When George Jousma began introducing Azimut and Benetti yachts to American buyers in the 1980s, few could have predicted that decades later, he and his son Boomer would run one of the United States’ most specialised boutique brokerages dedicated to Italian yacht design.

Based in Fort Lauderdale,The Italian Yacht Group (IYG)was founded with one purpose: to pair American clients with the elegance, flair and technical innovation of Italian shipyards and to do so with a personal touch that larger brokerage houses often struggle to offer.“From the very beginning, Italian craftsmanship has been in our DNA,” said George. “It’s what shaped my career, and it’s what continues to drive our business today.”

Photo: Courtesy of The Italian Yacht Group

George’s career spans over four decades, beginning in the American Midwest with a family marine business. After relocating to Florida, he rose through the ranks of the brokerage world, eventually leadingRichard Bertram Yachtsand later becoming instrumental in bringing Italian builders to the U.S. market.“We were early distributors of Azimut-Benetti and later with Allied Marine we became Ferretti Group’s dealer in the US. When we sold Allied Marine to Ferretti in 2008, I knew I wanted to build something smaller, something that focused less on volume and more on relationships,” he recalled.

Photo: Courtesy of The Italian Yacht Group

In 2018, George joined forces with his son Boomer to launchIYG. Boomer had already been embedded in the world of Italian yachting, having worked withSanlorenzo Americas. For him, it was more than just a career move, it was a continuation of a lifelong passion.“I started helping out at boat shows when I was 16,” said Boomer. “I always loved the atmosphere. But what really clicked for me was the chance to work closely with clients, to help them bring their vision to life.”

Photo: Courtesy of The Italian Yacht Group

At the core ofIYG’s brokerage philosophy is the idea of collective involvement. The team is intentionally small, with each member playing a hands-on role in every transaction.“You don’t just get one broker, you get all of us,” Boomer explained. “We stay deeply involved from start to finish. It’s not about passing off the client once a deal closes. We’re building long-term relationships.” 

George also agreed with this mindset, “We’re not just facilitating transactions. We’re building a life around this business. Our clients become part of it,” he added.

Photo: Courtesy of The Italian Yacht Group

This hands-on approach extends beyond their Florida headquarters. With a new office in Palm Beach and deep ties to Italy’s leading yards, theIYGteam positions itself as a trusted bridge between American buyers and Italian builders.Italian shipyards account for nearly half of IYG’s business, a reflection of both the Jousmas’ expertise and the enduring appeal of Italian design. “Americans love that Italian flair, whether it’s in marble, fashion or yachts,” said Boomer. “Italy’s yacht builders were the first to do hull-side windows, balconies, aft pools. They’ve always pushed the envelope.”

For many clients, platform-based builds at Italian yards also offer flexibility with a faster delivery timeline, a compelling alternative to fully custom projects. “Not everyone is ready to start from scratch,” George noted. “Italian shipyards offer semi-custom options that still feel bespoke, even at the larger size ranges.”

Photo: Courtesy of The Italian Yacht Group

IYG’s success is also driven by its network, with Sales Executive Vittoria Santarone bringing ten years of experience atSanlorenzoand maintaining close ties with shipyards across Italy. “Vittoria speaks the language, knows the culture, and understands how these shipyards operate,” said Boomer. “That kind of insight is invaluable when navigating the complexities of a new build.”George added, “We also know the contractors, the furniture makers, the engineers, people we’ve worked with for decades. That means we can guide our clients through every detail, right down to the bolts and upholstery.”

IYG’s impact is best illustrated through its clients. One began with a 62-foot Pershing and gradually scaled up, first to a 126-foot Sanlorenzo, and then to a fully custom 52-metre Baglietto, designed in collaboration with Team for Design, Enrico Gobbi. “It’s a perfect example of how we support clients across their entire ownership journey,” George added.

Another recent highlight includes the in-build 47-metre explorer yachtBerserk, built byRossinavi. “That client wanted a serious explorer,” said Boomer. “We started at 35 metres and ended up at 47. After looking at Turkey,Rossinaviwas the right fit and the end result is something that will actually go off-grid and explore.”Despite growing interest, George and Boomer remain committed to staying boutique. For them, the 35 to 50-metre market represents a “sweet spot” offering the range for global cruising while remaining manageable for private ownership. “We’re not interested in scaling just for the sake of it,” said George. “What excites us is solving problems, creating something beautiful and unique, and doing it as a tight-knit team.”

“We don’t just sell yachts, we build experiences," concluded Boomer. "And if that means staying small to keep our standards high, then that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

Photo: Courtesy of The Italian Yacht Group