Wallace G. Donker

My interest in yachts and ships came at an early age, crewing as a paid hand on a 54' Herreshoff yawl during the summer school months on Lake Michigan. Eventually, after serving four years in the U.S. Navy, I pursued a professional sailing career for several years participating in many of the major Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes racing events, including several Bermuda and Transatlantic races. The transition to yacht brokerage came easily, and after forty years experience specializing in the sale and new construction of large yachts, I feel well qualified to offer advice to prospective buyers, meet their requirements and above all, protect their interest.
Call me anytime if I can be of service.
You can reach Wallace at wallace@ardell.com.

Gage L. Powell

Originally from Texas, Gage's romance with yachting began during college days when he worked summers aboard a 100' Alden Schooner sailing Long Island Sound and New England waters. Relocating to Florida in the seventies after college and several years in the Pacific as a U.S. Naval Officer, he has been active in boating ever since.
Gage's experience in the yachting profession encompasses finish carpentry work with a well know American Boat Builder, cruising aboard large sailboats, cruising his own boat and many years as a yacht broker.
You can reach Gage at gage@ardell.com.

Ron Rickard

Boats are my business, but they are also my passion and there is not much that I would rather be doing then talking to you about them.
You might be curious about my background, so here is a bit of information about that: I am a lawyer (but I have been reformed for some time now!) and was a Partner and Department head at a large downtown Los Angeles law firm. After a good many years practicing law, I joined one of my major clients, an airline, and spent several years in that industry. My last airline position was VP-Flight Operations, with responsibilities for pilots, flight attendants, schedulers, dispatchers, flight crew training, fuel programs, in-flight food and beverage and FAA compliance matters.
My wife and I decided, in the late 1980’s, to take a bit of time off. We ended up in Fort Lauderdale, bought a boat and went cruising in the Bahamas and up and down the east coast for two and one-half years. Needless to say, that is good work, when you can get it!
My next business experience was as owner of Windmill Point Resort on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. Our operations included a 150-slip marina, hotel, conference center, restaurants, lounges and a variety of recreational facilities. Our marina was very busy, with many annual slip renters and some 2000 overnight boats each year, all of which gave me the opportunity to get to know a great many east coast yachtsmen.
Finally, in 2003, we received one of those offers you cannot refuse for the Resort and we immediately returned to Fort Lauderdale where I was very fortunate to be able to join Ardell Yacht & Ship Brokers. I am very lucky to be doing what I love and I hope that I will be able to count you among my clients in the near future!
Please contact Ron at 954-525-7637
Email: ron@ardell.com
Website: www.luxury-yachtsforsale.com

Mike Sharpe

Our resident Aussie began working as a professional Skipper in 1973, and since then has sailed well over 200,000 miles world-wide as a Captain of both power and sail. He began racing in Sydney as a junior sailor in 1958, the same year ARDELL opened for business in Newport Beach!
With numerous long passages in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and with his trans-ocean experience ranging between 50' and 140' in ocean-racing, cruising and mega-yachts, Mike's hands-on offshore experience has always been beneficial to his clients' search for the 'right yacht'. Having run yachts throughout the Med, Caribbean and U.S., he is also an experienced source of information to his associates.
During 30 plus years in the industry he has been involved in new builds, project management, re-fits and brokerage. Presently Mike has listings ranging from conventional motor yachts to new construction of large sailing and motor yacht. He is currently working on proposals for 50m mega-yachts, both power and sail. He has sold both power and sailing yachts during his years with Ardell and is 2004's 'National Broker of the Year'. Mike's vast range of experience with all aspects of the industry, from recreational private vessel usage to charter and commercial interests, will benefit Ardell clients searching for the 'right boat', or just researching information in line with their future plans.
Mike began sailing professionally in 1973, after a successful racing career in dinghies and offshore yachts, and has continued success racing single handed dinghies in Fort Lauderdale's very competitive racing fleet.
His international association with various yards and designers is useful when discussing new construction or brokerage vessels. Whether considering a 'new-build project', for power or sail, or starting a search for your next vessel, what-ever size, please call Mike if you would like to talk to an experienced yachtsman/broker.
“I can be contacted directly at ARDELL, or on my GSM mobile or e-mail. I look forward to assisting you in all yachting matters, and hope to provide interesting and informed answers to you questions”.
Mike.
Visit my website at www.largeyachtforsale.com.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Mason Staring

Originally from the Western Pennsylvania area, Mason Staring had his first taste for boating aboard his father's Chris-Craft and Owens in the Pittsburgh area. Along with summers in Pompano Beach, sailing and boating on the intra-coastal helped Mason realize his dream was to eventually get into the boating industry.
He attended college in Utah sailing on Mountain Lakes whenever possible. Prior to becoming a yacht broker, Mason was in real estate for several years which helped him prepare for the yacht brokerage business. In 1987 he moved to Newport Beach from Salt Lake City where he immediately procured a position selling new and brokerage sailboats. From that time on he has steadily increased his knowledge of the yachting industry and joined Ardell in the Fall of 2000.
"Honesty, courtesy, patience and follow-up are key ingredients which make service the key in the yachting business. After over 13 years in the industry I have built up an extensive client base and a loyal following."
Mason may be reached directly by e-mail at mason@ardell.com.