AI and Ambition: How Autograph Yachts is Reshaping the Luxury Market

WILMINGTON, NC – January 05, 2026 – In a striking debut that has sent ripples through the luxury marine industry, Autograph Yacht Group, the newly launched luxury brokerage division of Off The Hook YS Inc. (NYSE: OTH), has reported formidable first-quarter momentum. Since its launch in October 2025, the division has secured approximately $100 million in listings and closed 22 deals valued at around $35 million, signaling a powerful entry into the high-end yachting segment.

This rapid success is more than just a strong sales report; it’s a validation of a disruptive business model that fuses a boutique, high-touch service with a powerful, data-driven technology platform. By targeting yachts in the $500,000 to $20 million range, Autograph is challenging the established norms of luxury brokerage, leveraging the scale and integrated services of its parent company to offer a uniquely streamlined experience for discerning buyers and sellers.

An AI-Driven Tide Change in Luxury Yachting

At the core of Autograph's competitive edge is Off The Hook's proprietary AI engine. While the world of high-end yachting is often associated with tradition and personal relationships, Autograph is proving that technology can enhance, rather than replace, the human element. The AI system is designed to intelligently match buyers and sellers by analyzing a vast array of data points, including client preferences, historical transaction data, vessel specifications, and real-time market conditions.

This data-centric approach directly addresses a major pain point in the traditional brokerage model: trade-ins. Historically, luxury brokerages have been hesitant to accept trade-ins due to the financial risk and logistical complexity of valuing and reselling a secondary vessel. Autograph, however, leans into this challenge. Powered by Off The Hook’s established position as America’s largest buyer and seller of pre-owned boats, the platform can generate fast, accurate valuations and provide immediate liquidity for clients looking to upgrade. This capability removes a significant barrier to transactions, accelerating deal velocity and enhancing the client experience.

“Autograph was built to elevate how premium yachts are represented and sold, while also making our entire platform stronger,” said Brian John, CEO of Off The Hook, in a recent statement. “When a high-end buyer wants to trade in, we can leverage Off The Hook’s scale as a leading pre-owned buyer and seller to create liquidity fast.”

This technological advantage aims to bring a new level of transparency and efficiency to a market that can sometimes be opaque. For sellers, it means more accurate pricing and strategic marketing; for buyers, it translates to a more curated and efficient search process.

Anchoring Success in Florida's Elite Marine Corridor

The strategic decision to base Autograph Yacht Group in Jupiter and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been pivotal to its early traction. This coastal stretch is widely recognized as one of the most active and competitive luxury boating corridors in the world. By establishing a physical presence here, Autograph has placed itself at the epicenter of the market it aims to serve.

The division is led by a team of seasoned professionals, including its president, Mike Burke, an industry veteran. The brokerage team collectively boasts over 100 years of combined experience, bringing with them deep market knowledge and an extensive network of contacts. This expertise is crucial for navigating the nuances of the high-end market, where trust and discretion are paramount.

“Autograph launched with a clear mission: deliver the highest standard in yacht brokerage for the most discerning customers,” commented Burke. “Our Florida team brings more than 100 years of combined experience, and we’ve assembled nine brokers focused on executing a boutique, high-touch process that earns trust and closes transactions.”

This boutique approach, which emphasizes personalized service and expert valuation, has clearly resonated with high-discretion clients. The initial results—nearly $100 million in listings and $35 million in sales—underscore the market's appetite for a brokerage that combines deep local expertise with the power of a national, technology-enabled platform. The company's new Jupiter office is set to become the headquarters for the luxury division, further solidifying its commitment to the region.

Beyond Brokerage: A Vertically Integrated Fleet

Autograph's impressive launch is not an isolated success but a direct result of Off The Hook's broader strategy of vertical integration. The parent company, which went public in a successful IPO in November 2025, has built a comprehensive ecosystem designed to capture value at every stage of a boat's lifecycle. This model differentiates it from competitors like traditional dealerships or online marketplaces.

When an Autograph client requires financing, they can be seamlessly connected with Azure Funding, Off The Hook’s in-house marine finance division. This integration provides tailored lending solutions that can expedite closings and simplify the purchasing process. This synergy is a key part of the value proposition, creating a one-stop-shop experience that is rare in the fragmented marine industry.

“When a buyer wants financing, Azure can help provide tailored marine lending solutions,” CEO Brian John explained. “Ultimately, when a luxury yacht owner demands white-glove brokerage, Autograph delivers it, supported by the data, reach, and transaction infrastructure we’ve built across the Company.”

This integrated model is designed to create a powerful flywheel effect. The high-end listings from Autograph feed data into the AI engine, while trade-ins are efficiently absorbed and resold through Off The Hook’s wholesale channels. This not only improves inventory turnover but also allows the company to capture more margin opportunities across its various divisions. The success of Autograph is expected to contribute significant brokerage commission revenue, bolstering Off The Hook's ambitious 2026 revenue projection of $140 million to $145 million. The company is also well-positioned to capitalize on favorable economic tailwinds, such as the reinstated 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying business-use yachts, which is expected to further stimulate demand in the coming year.