Staff

At 65, Captain Doug has found his true calling as a charter yacht captain on the waters of Lake Michigan. His journey to this point has been full of twists, turns, and unexpected adventures. After a lifetime of work across the globe, he chose to pursue a passion that had been with him since childhood: boating.

Doug’s story began far from the water. He spent over 25 years in the restaurant industry, opening and managing restaurants across the U.S., Asia, Australia, and Africa for well-known brands like Houlihan’s, Spaghetti Warehouse, and Planet Hollywood. Although he wasn’t supposed to return to the U.S., life had other plans. Twenty-two years ago, Doug moved to Chicago to care for his father, leaving behind his international life and career. Little did he know that Chicago would become his permanent home.

While caring for his family, Doug shifted gears and launched Mad Style, a fashion brand that grew from his basement into a global business. His company made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for four years in a row and collaborated with prominent retailers worldwide. However, as the retail industry faced challenges in 2019, he sold the business.

Then came COVID-19. Doug leveraged his experience in sourcing products from Asia to pivot into the PPE industry, where he quickly became a recognized authority, particularly in exposing fraud in the nitrile gloves market. His work was featured in multiple media outlets, including CNN, and he consulted on high-profile fraud cases. While this was rewarding, at 62, Doug knew it was time to focus on something closer to his heart—something that would allow him to enjoy life rather than simply chase business success.

That’s when Doug became a yacht captain—a passion he had nurtured since childhood summers spent on his dad’s boat. Now, he shares that love for boating with others, creating unforgettable experiences for clients on Chicago’s beautiful lakefront. In just three short seasons, Doug has become one of the city’s most highly reviewed and sought-after captains, dedicating himself to making every trip amazing and memorable.

For anyone looking to sell their boat in Chicago, Captain Doug is the perfect choice. As a dedicated captain with intimate knowledge of the Chicago boating community, he now proudly works with Knot 10 Yacht Sales. With his expertise, passion for boating, and strong connections, Doug is the only logical choice to help find the right buyer for your boat.

I got my love for boating at an early age spending time on Long Island Sound and then the Potomac River on my fathers Trojan F-32’s. We ended up in Maryland where I spent most of my downtime boating on the Chesapeake Bay. I have lived in Pasadena, MD for the last 25 years on the Magothy River with my wife and 2 kids where I got the itch and experience to sell boats by flipping quite a few boats on my own.

After 25 years of selling Information Technology solutions I decided to follow my passion for boating and move on to brokering boats for Knot 10 because of their high level of expectations and commitment to the customer.

With a successful sales background I bring a high level of customer satisfaction to my clients in being very transparent and communicative to ensure your boat buying and selling is a positive and stress-free experience. I look forward to working with my soon to be boater friends to make sure your dream boat ownership becomes reality and an enjoyable adventure.

Growing up in the Lowcountry, Matthew became accustomed to life on the water. He has a natural love for the ocean and has spent the majority of his life in the Charleston boating scene.

Becoming a captain has led him to become an active offshore fishing guide and charter boat captain. Nothing excites him more than combining his coastal lifestyle with work.

Matthew has extensive boating knowledge and is also skilled at sales. He has over a decade of experience in real estate and values his client relationships above all else.

Matthew enjoys surfing, fishing, taking his dog on adventures, and spending time on the water in his free time. Give Matthew a call to see what the Lowcountry lifestyle is all about.

As a passionate and dedicated boater, I bring a blend of enthusiasm, professionalism, and deep industry knowledge to my clients. My commitment is to help them navigate the world of boat ownership smoothly. I prioritize building lasting relationships by understanding each client’s unique needs, ensuring a seamless buying or selling experience from start to finish. Whether it’s finding the perfect vessel or securing the best deal, I leverage my extensive network in Ocean City and the Chesapeake Bay area to deliver exceptional results. As an avid boating enthusiast, I stay current on the latest trends and technologies, making me a valuable resource for my clients. When I’m not assisting clients, you can find me on the water, whether fishing, captaining, or browsing boats. I am dedicated to turning the dream of boat ownership into reality.

Dean’s love for the water began in 1994, renting jet skis on Belle River’s West Beach. His passion for the water quickly grew into a career at Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, where he became one of the top salespeople worldwide for Cruisers Yachts. During his time there, Dean also specialized in selling luxury brands like Viking and Sunseeker Yachts, honing his expertise in the high-end yacht market.

Building on this success, Dean founded Freedom Marine in Harrison Township, MI, where he became the exclusive Great Lakes distributor for Riviera Yachts, a leading Australian brand. His dealership earned a strong reputation for delivering exceptional service in both new and used boat sales.

More recently, Dean became the first Canadian broker for Knot 10 Yacht Sales, introducing the company to the Canadian market with great enthusiasm. His efforts helped establish Knot 10 as a trusted option for Canadian clients seeking quality boat brokerage services at great value, further solidifying his role as a leader in the industry.

Today, Dean and his family run a successful boat rental company in Lakeshore, Ontario, on the shores of Lake St. Clair—Canada’s premier sport lake, which borders Michigan. His extensive experience in cross-border transactions makes him an invaluable resource for clients navigating boat sales between Canada and the U.S.

An active member of the Windsor Yacht Club and Beach Grove Golf & Country Club, Dean is deeply connected in the Ontario boating community. With decades of experience and a genuine passion for life on the water, Dean is dedicated to helping others find the perfect vessel.

Captain Paul was raised in Mantoloking, NJ where his affinity for the ocean flourished through surfing and boating. Following his graduation from the University of Colorado Boulder, Paul went on to establish several technology companies on both the east and west coasts.

His countless boating adventures have led him to explore multiple locations including California, Mexico, the Bahamas, Florida, and all along the eastern and western seaboard. His extensive travels have helped Paul develop his passion for exploration and maritime expertise.

Paul utilizes his mechanical knowledge, comprehensive understanding of boating, technology and negotiation skills to ensure satisfaction for both buyer and seller.

Paul and his wife Sara reside in Naples, Florida with their two children and dog Hurley.

Jeramie Devries was born and raised in west Michigan along the beautiful coast of lake Michigan. I fell in love with boats and lake life at a young age. I have years of experience in sales both buying and selling boats.

When I’m not helping others pursue there dream on the water I love to golf, fish, and spend time at the family cottage. I’ve been married 16 years and am a proud father of two awesome kids age 10 and 13.