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Tag: The CYBA
Thank You to Our Platinum Sponsor: Wenthur Law Group!
At the California Yacht Brokers Association, we are truly honored to have dedicated sponsors on our side who continuously support our mission and help the CYBA thrive.
Today, we want to take a special moment to shine a spotlight on Wenthur Law Group for stepping up as a valued Platinum Sponsor!
About Wenthur Law Group
For anyone in the marine and business community, having trusted, knowledgeable legal counsel is essential. Wenthur Law Group provides expert legal services tailored to protect your business, assets, and ventures.
Partnership That Drives the Industry Forward
As a nonprofit association, CYBA relies heavily on the backing of dedicated industry partners. Sponsors like Wenthur Law Group enable us to continue promoting professionalism, education, high ethical standards, and vital legislative advocacy across California’s boating community.
When you work with the best, you need the best in your corner. We encourage you to visit Wenthur Law Group at their official website to learn more about how they can support your business and legal needs:
Thank you once again, Wenthur Law Group, for your commitment to excellence and the CYBA community!
John Gerald Driscoll IV
Born in San Diego, John was the eldest of the seven children of Jean and Gerald Driscol, who raised their family on Point Loma. From an early age, his life was closely tied to the waterfront and the sailing community. John became a world class sailor, a yacht broker and 1998 Commodore of San Diego Yacht Club. He was a husband, a brother, a father, an uncle, a grandfather, a godfather and a friend of many.
John began racing overseas in his late teens: with Lowell North in the 1-Ton World Cup in Sardinia; many other races in the Med; for Ted Turner in the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit, and 50-foot boat Regattas on Champosa V in the US Virgin Islands, Northeastern US, Japan in 1989 and the Admiral’s Cup in England, 1991. He was skipper for SDYC when they won the Lipton Cup in 1999 and 2000.
His beloved boat was a Star, the oldest Olympic Class sailboat still in competition. He named it Theophilus (“friend of God” in Greek). John and crew Hugo Schreiner won many races on that boat, including the North American Star Regatta in 1982.
In 2008 he bought Chimaera, a 47′ sailboat designed by Olin Stephens and his father Gerald, that he helped build in 1967 at the boatyard his father built, Driscoll Boatyard on Shelter Island. John located it in Los Angeles in poor condition, brought it back to San Diego, repaired it and raced it in San Diego from then on.
John and Jan Shirley married in 1987. They loved to travel and to enjoy the Southern California boating lifestyle. John opened Driscoll Yacht Sales in the ‘80’s, and in doing so built a respected brokerage that counted clients and broker colleagues among his many friends.
John will be remembered for the force of his personality and his many accomplishments. He had a quick wit and sense of humor, a generous spirit, fierce loyalty, a great gift for storytelling, and was an instinctive problem solver who rarely accepted an obstacle without first examining it from every angle. He had an insatiable curiosity, learned how things work and could be made better, and shared his knowledge and problem solving with many of his friends and colleagues.
The relationships he built with family and friends, in yacht sales and in sailing, were enduring and deeply valued. He will be missed and fondly remembered by his family, Jan’s family, friends, fellow sailors, the yacht brokerage community, clients and others whose lives he touched both on and off the water.
CYBA President Dean West said of John, “We were friends for over 40 years, and we always had a laugh, no matter the health difficulties and challenges he battled in recent years. Losing John leaves a hole in our close-knit boating family. He was one-of-a-kind.”
John is survived by his wife, Jan Shirley Driscoll; siblings Chuck, Tom, Mary Carol, and Michael; sisters-in-law, Laurie, Karen and Lynn; son Christopher; nieces and nephews, Cameron, Andrew, Jessica, Stephen, Jack and Kaitlin; and grandkids Chloe, Greyson and Latham.
A Celebration of John’s Life was held August 21, 2026 at San Diego Yacht Club.
CYBA Partners With MarineSource to Bring Yacht Brokerage Into the AI Era
The California Yacht Brokers Association is partnering with MarineSource to give its members access to new digital tools and market intelligence. The move reflects how quickly technology is changing the way boats are bought and sold. But both organizations insist that technology will complement, not replace, the professional broker.
By Fábio Borges, Every Media Productions.
The boating industry is changing. As buyers increasingly research boats online and artificial intelligence reshapes how people search for information, yacht brokers are being asked to adapt without losing the expertise and personal service that define professional brokerage.
Now, the California Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA) is taking a significant step in that direction. Founded in 1975, the nonprofit was formed to raise standards for California’s newly licensed yacht brokers and it has represented the state’s brokerage industry for five decades.
The association has partnered with MarineSource, an AI-powered marketplace built specifically for the boating industry. The agreement makes MarineSource an official digital listing destination and data partner for CYBA, giving members access to listing tools, market data and comparable-sales information.
A New Digital Toolbox
For CYBA Executive Director Mark P. White, the partnership is about giving professional brokers better tools in a rapidly changing marketplace.
“It is an enhanced digital experience adding a toolbox for every broker/salesperson unlike ever experienced before,” White says.
Chris Kanaley of Marine Source and Mark P. White of The CYBA
CYBA members will gain access to MarineSource’s platform, including digital listing tools and market data designed for professional brokerage. The goal is to expand the reach of California brokers while giving them technology that works alongside their expertise rather than around it.
The timing is deliberate. White says the move reflects the rapid shift toward digital-first boat buying and the growing use of AI-assisted search tools. For CYBA, entering the digital marketplace now also means giving professional brokers a voice in how that technology develops.
Why MarineSource?
Watch Dean West Explain Why Marine Source
CYBA says it considered the needs of licensed professionals when choosing MarineSource. Rather than focusing on unvetted seller listings, MarineSource was selected for its emphasis on professional brokers, transparent technology and market data. White says the partnership is intended to address what he describes as fragmented listing channels, high costs on legacy platforms and unreliable valuation information.
For MarineSource CEO Chris Kanaley, the relationship also represents a broader statement about the future of boating technology.
“CYBA has a storied legacy that we’re thrilled to be part of,” Kanaley says. He believes marine trade associations have historically been underserved by technology companies and sees CYBA as an important bridge between technology developers and the professionals working in the industry every day.
Kanaley points to MarineSource’s other alliances as part of that same strategy: exclusive partnerships with Nautical Network, the marine industry’s largest influencer network; BoatTEST, a leading source of new-boat reviews; and Informa, a major marine trade show operator. Its investors, he adds, are a consortium of brokers and dealers spanning every segment and region of the industry, a structure he says keeps the company grounded in the business it serves.
Where AI Enters the Picture
MarineSource describes itself as an AI-powered marketplace with tens of thousands of listings and a team with decades of combined experience in marine, technology and finance.
But Kanaley emphasizes that AI is not simply about creating a smarter search box. It is also changing how quickly technology companies can develop and respond to users.
“AI coding tools allow us to build faster and with fewer people,” he says.
That flexibility, he explains, allows MarineSource to respond more quickly to customer feedback, market trends and changing consumer expectations while operating with lower costs than traditional platforms.
For buyers, that technology is already being applied directly to the search process. MarineSource says its AI question tool allows users to ask questions about a boat and receive answers drawing from web data, expert opinions and other sources.
Data That Can Change the Negotiation
Perhaps the most practical benefit for brokers is access to comparable-sales information.
White says verified sold-boat data and real-time market trends can help brokers move away from guesswork when pricing vessels and advising clients during negotiations.
Kanaley sees comparison as fundamental to the way consumers make purchasing decisions. MarineSource’s tools are designed to bring more information together, while data sharing by brokers can improve the accuracy of the marketplace.
For sellers, the partnership can mean broader exposure without additional listing overhead. For buyers, CYBA argues that a marketplace centered on verified professional listings can reduce the risks associated with outdated or fraudulent posts on open platforms.
The Broker Still Matters
Technology may make the search faster, but CYBA does not see it replacing the broker.
“While AI and digital tools make search faster, they cannot replace local market expertise, contract protection, or hands-on negotiation,” White says.
That may be the central idea behind the partnership: technology handles more of the information, while professionals remain responsible for the judgment.
Kanaley describes the desired outcome in similarly broad terms: “Success to us looks like a long-term partnership where everyone feels heard.”
For CYBA, the objective goes beyond putting boats on another website. It is about giving brokers modern tools while preserving the association’s emphasis on professionalism, integrity and best practices.
In Kanaley’s words, the larger ambition is to create a platform that “honors CYBA’s successful legacy while building for the next 50 years.”
Set Sail with Us: The 2027 CYBA Annual Dinner at Sea!
Ahoy, CYBA Members, Friends and Partners!
Can you believe it is already time to look ahead to another incredible year of fellowship, networking, and industry leadership? We are thrilled to announce our upcoming 52nd CYBA Annual Dinner Cruise, taking place January 21–24, 2027.
This year, we are taking things to a whole new level—literally! We are setting sail aboard Royal Caribbean’s magnificent Serenade of the Seas for a three-night voyage from San Diego down to Ensenada, Mexico.
What to Expect Aboard
If you’ve attended our past annual events, you know how valuable this time is for connecting with fellow yacht brokers, maritime stakeholders, and industry leaders. The 2027 cruise combines the luxury and relaxation of an ocean getaway with high-touch professional experiences:
- Networking Receptions & Industry Fellowship: Kick back with premium cocktails, enjoy sophisticated dining, and take in stunning Pacific sunsets alongside colleagues who share your passion for the water.
- The Annual Awards Dinner Event: Join us for our formal gala celebrating the best of our community, highlighted by the prestigious presentation of the Merle B. Parke Award and The Women of the Waterfront Award. This evening will include dancing, awards, celebration, a raffle and a ton of excitement.
- Unmatched Relaxation: Between our scheduled events, you’ll have plenty of time to unwind and enjoy world-class shipboard amenities.
As a nonprofit association, CYBA relies on your incredible community spirit to advance our mission of promoting professionalism, education, ethical standards, and legislative advocacy across California’s vibrant boating community.
Elevate Your Brand: Sponsorship Opportunities Available
For businesses looking to make a splash and connect directly with top-tier marine industry professionals, we offer exclusive sponsorship tiers designed to provide maximum visibility and engagement:
- Presenting/Title Sponsor ($10,000): Enjoy speaking slots at every major event, premium logo placement across all event materials and swag, and a special digital feature interview on the CYBA.info Blog.
- Admiral Sponsor ($5,000): Includes a dedicated speaking opportunity at the Welcome Reception and a specialized spotlight email blast to all CYBA members.
- Commodore Sponsor ($2,500): Gain exclusive interview features on our blog and dedicated member-wide email blasts celebrating your partnership.
- Specialized Event Sponsors: Opportunities are also available to sponsor specific highlights, such as the Welcome Aboard Reception or our exclusive Guadalupe Valley Wine Tour.
Secure Your Spot Today!
Spaces and partnership packages are limited, and you won’t want to miss out on the premier maritime networking event of 2027.
To secure your sponsorship or ask questions about the upcoming voyage, please reach out directly to our Executive Director, Mark P. White, at (310) 968-9376 or via email at markpwhite@cyba.info.
Download our Sponsorship Packet
We look forward to setting sail, celebrating our community, and continuing to set higher standards together aboard the Serenade of the Seas!
See you on deck,
The CYBA Board of Directors
DAVE ABRAMS DONATES THE LOG TO CYBA,
GIVING THE BOATING NEWSPAPER A NEW STEWARD
After years as owner and publisher, Dave Abrams decided The Log needed more than a buyer, it needed a steward. He chose the California Yacht Brokers Association to preserve the publication’s local identity, editorial character and connection to California’s boating and fishing communities.
By Fábio Borges, Every Media Productions
Long before Dave Abrams became the owner and publisher of The Log, he was one of its readers.
Abrams first picked up the Southern California boating newspaper after moving to the region in 1990. He read it when he owned a boat and even when he did not. He followed the stories, kept up with the community and, like countless readers, checked the boats for sale. Eventually, The Log became part of his weekends.
“Hanging out on the back of the boat reading The Log became a ritual on the weekends,” Abrams said. “And still is to this day.”
That personal connection would eventually shape one of the most important decisions in the publication’s history.
Carrying the Baton
The Log was founded in 1971 and has spent more than five decades chronicling California’s boating and fishing communities.
Abrams, owner of the Maritime Institute and now former owner and publisher of The Log, credits Duncan MacIntosh, who preceded him, with building the publication into what it became. Abrams saw his own role differently: as the person who stepped forward when the baton needed to be passed.
“First, I must give credit to Duncan MacIntosh. He made The Log what it is today, I just took over as the next steward and tightened up on the systems and processes to make it a little more efficient to run,” Abrams said.
“What I am most proud of is just making the decision to step in and carry the baton when it was time for Duncan to pass it off, allowing The Log to continue to serve our boating & fishing community.”
For Abrams, The Log’s staying power comes from something simple.
“It is the community newspaper,” he said. “It tells the stories, shares the news, sells the dream.”
Choosing a Steward, Not a Buyer
When Abrams realized he no longer had the time to give the publication and its team the attention they deserved, he began thinking about succession.
The question was not simply who might buy The Log. It was who would understand why it mattered.
“I wanted to ensure that whomever became the next steward of the publication, would have more than just a monetary interest in keeping The Log what it is today,” Abrams said.
That led him to the California Yacht Brokers Association.
“While I had other options that were perhaps better for me, I could not think of a better option for The Log,” he said.
For Abrams, CYBA’s connection to the boating industry made the organization a natural fit. He also saw a practical opportunity: a strong network of marine businesses and brokers could help sustain a free community publication through advertising.
“My goals in the transition were simple: take care of the great team of people that we have producing the publication and ensuring that The Log continues to have that feel of the local community paper.”
Dean West, CYBA’s Board President, said Abrams “expressed his desire to identify and secure a succession strategy for one of his most iconic and beloved publications, The Log.”
West also pointed to the credibility The Log has built over the years, the product of consistent, trustworthy reporting and a loyal readership.
Protecting the Local Voice
For Abrams, preserving The Log’s identity was essential.
“It was critical that The Log retained the character that it has today,” he said. “Some options I was presented would have just made The Log into the local version of larger national or regional publications. I want to make sure that The Log stays a locally produced, locally focused publication.”
CYBA leadership has made a similar commitment.
“The Log isn’t changing its core mission, it is gaining a stronger foundation,” said Mark P. White, CYBA’s executive director. “CYBA’s acquisition represents a firm commitment to preserving California’s premier boating publication for generations to come.”
Looking North
Abrams also sees an opportunity to restore something The Log once had: a stronger presence throughout California.
“Years ago, The Log served all of California. There was a Northern California edition, and a Southern California edition,” he said. “I would love to see that become a thing again.”
He believes CYBA’s membership could provide the advertising base needed to make that possible.
“I hope that CYBA members will be able to provide that support, so that The Log can carry the message to the entire boating and fishing community in California.”
West shares that vision.
“As pertains to The Log’s readers, we intend to broaden the distribution of The Log and to give Northern California boaters and interested readers the same access to this great publication that Southern California has had.”
Passing It On
For Abrams, handing over The Log is inevitably bittersweet.
“I am proud of taking the leap when no-one else would, and The Log needed a new home,” he said. “I wish I had the time to keep doing it, and do even more.”
But there is also satisfaction in knowing that the publication has a new steward.
The future he imagines isn’t so different from the one he helped preserve: readers picking up The Log, settling in on the back of a boat, and letting the paper carry them somewhere for a while.
And Dave Abrams’ own place in its history?
“I hope that I will be remembered as someone who helped The Log find its ‘forever’ home.”
Member Update: Where & How to Share Your Boat Listings on Social Media
Dear CYBA Members,
Our community’s collective reach is one of the greatest benefits of belonging to the California Yacht Brokers Association. As digital networking becomes an increasingly vital part of brokerage success, we want to ensure every member knows how to get the maximum visibility for their listings while helping us maintain a clean, organized, and professional online presence.
To help clear up any confusion around our social media platforms, here is a quick guide on the difference between the Official CYBA Facebook Page and the CYBA Facebook Group, along with where your boat listings should be posted.
📢 Official CYBA Facebook Page: For Association Announcements & Public Outreach.
The official CYBA Facebook Page serves as the public face of our association. It is where prospective buyers, industry partners, regulatory bodies, and the general public come to learn about our mission, events, educational programs, and industry standards.
- What goes here: Official association news, legislative updates, event announcements (like our Annual Dinner or educational seminars), and high-level industry updates.
- Listing Policy: Please refrain from posting broker listings on the official CYBA Page. Keeping this page reserved for administrative and educational news maintains a consistent professional broadcast channel for the association as a whole.
🤝 CYBA Facebook Group: The Place to Post & Share Your Listings!
We built our dedicated Facebook Group specifically for peer-to-peer networking, active discussions, and listing exposure across our network. This interactive environment is designed for back-and-forth engagement among brokers, industry affiliates, and maritime professionals.
- What goes here: Your boat listings! Price reductions, open houses, co-brokerage opportunities, industry questions, and member-to-member discussions.
- Why use it: The Group format allows post interactions, comments, tag notifications, and direct messaging, making it far easier to collaborate with fellow CYBA brokers and move inventory faster.
👉 Join and post your listings here: CYBA Facebook Group
Quick Summary
| Platform | Purpose | Listings Allowed? |
| Official CYBA Page | Official news, public announcements, association updates | ❌ No listings |
| CYBA Facebook Group | Member networking, co-brokerage, discussions, active inventory | YES — Post your listings here! |
Start Sharing Today!
We strongly encourage all members to join the Facebook Group, post current inventory, and engage with colleagues throughout the state. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our social channels organized, efficient, and valuable for everyone!
Fair winds,
The CYBA Board of Directors
Built for the Next Generation: The Future of Harbor Island West Marina
For more than five decades, Harbor Island West Marina has been a cornerstone of San Diego’s boating community. Since acquiring the property in 1981, the Beauchamp family has focused on long-term ownership and community service. That ongoing commitment is now being realized through a comprehensive 70 million dollar redevelopment.
The project features a complete replacement of the marina’s aging docks with a modern concrete dock system. Upon completion, the marina will offer over 620 new slips, wider fairways, upgraded utilities, enhanced ADA access, improved pumpout facilities and a fully redesigned fuel dock. Landside plans include modern boater amenities, marina offices, retail spaces, secured parking, a pool, a fitness facility and a public viewing deck.
Construction is being executed in phases so that the marina remains operational throughout the project. General contractors Bellingham Marine and Pacific Building Group are leading the construction effort, while Beauchamp Leslie Development & Management serves as the contracted developer and manager.
The Beauchamp family is also applying this long-term approach to Ventura West Marina, a property they originally built in 1974. Preliminary planning and entitlement work are currently underway for a potential redevelopment to replace aging infrastructure and improve accessibility there as well.
With four generations of the Beauchamp family attending the recent groundbreaking, Harbor Island West remains proudly family owned. The phased opening will allow the boating community to watch the transformation unfold as the family preserves its legacy for future generations.
Protecting the Horizon: How Attorney C. M. Brainard Defends California’s Yacht Brokerage Industry
In complex commercial litigation, maritime transactions, and trade association defense, few legal practitioners possess the specialized expertise and strategic foresight of Christopher M. Brainard, Esq. As the principal of C.M. Brainard & Associates based in Southern California, Brainard has served as trusted counsel across business law, complex civil litigation, and maritime matters since 1998.
A central pillar of Brainard’s practice is his role as legal counsel for the California Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA)—an organization dedicated to maintaining ethical standards, consumer protection, and professional integrity in California’s marine sales industry. Through targeted procedural strategy, regulatory expertise, and a firm defense of ethical trade standards, Brainard has consistently shielded the association and its members from multi-million-dollar liabilities and high-stakes legal challenges.
A Shield for the CYBA: The Ya Mon Expeditions v. IYBA, et al. Defense
The value of C. M. Brainard’s counsel was demonstrated in the high-stakes antitrust litigation, Ya Mon Expeditions, LLC v. International Yacht Brokers Association, Inc., et al.
Following sweeping class-action litigation that disrupted the residential real estate market, plaintiffs attempted to draw parallel claims against the recreational boating industry. The class action targeted regional trade associations—including the CYBA—alleging price-fixing, antitrust violations, and anti-competitive practices related to broker commissions and co-brokerage protocols.
Brainard’s legal strategy directly countered these claims:
- Demonstrating Ethical Integrity: Brainard established that the CYBA’s standard forms, rules, and Code of Ethics were designed to foster consumer protection, transaction transparency, and professional licensing compliance—not to inflate or fix commissions.
- Early Procedural Defenses: Following an initial dismissal of the original complaint by U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore, plaintiffs were required to re-evaluate their arguments.
- Complete Exclusion from Amended Lawsuit: Recognizing the strength of the defense mounted on behalf of the CYBA, the plaintiffs completely omitted the California Yacht Brokers Association from their amended class-action complaint.
This total omission marked a decisive victory. It validated the legal structure of California’s yacht brokerage community, saved the association from prolonged trial expenditures, and allowed the CYBA to refocus its resources on member education, standardized agreements, and regulatory advocacy.
Comprehensive Advocacy for the Boating and Marine Sector
The defense in Ya Mon Expeditions is part of a broader track record of advocacy for the CYBA and the recreational boating industry at large. Brainard’s work for the marine trade association spans several key operational and legal areas:
- Regulatory & Administrative Defense: Representing the association and its members in navigating complex regulatory environments, commercial docking agreements, state tax rules (CDTFA), and licensing compliance enforced by state agencies.
- Standardized Contracting & Forms: Continually refining and defending the standardized listing and purchase agreements used throughout California, ensuring they withstand scrutiny under maritime contract law.
- Public Advocacy & Industry Protection: Serving as a key legal voice during legislative proposals, industry updates, and public forums to protect brokerage practices against overreach or misapplied statutory claims.
About C. M. Brainard & Associates
Founded by Christopher M. Brainard, C.M. Brainard & Associates is a premier California litigation and advisory firm with offices serving Los Angeles, Orange County and the broader state. The firm specializes in:
- Maritime & Yacht Law: Private sales, Coast Guard documentation, maritime liens, title dispute resolution, and vessel financing structures.
- Complex Civil & Federal Litigation: Early procedural dismissals, Motions for Summary Judgment, and trial-level defense in state and federal courts.
- Business Counsel & Estate Planning: Transactional structuring, liability mitigation, and legacy planning for business owners and high-net-worth individuals.
For yacht brokers, vessel owners and trade organizations navigating regulatory shifts or litigious environments, C. M. Brainard remains a steadfast legal champion ensuring that legitimate commercial standards and industry integrity remain protected under the law.
CYBA Acquires The Log, Prioritizing Editorial Independence
The deal pairs two California institutions, each with more than 50 years of history serving the boating community. CYBA leadership says the priority is preserving The Log’s editorial integrity, while investing in the paper’s digital growth and expanding its reach statewide.
By Fábio Borges, Every Media Productions.
For more than half a century, The Log has been a familiar name along California’s waterfront. Since its founding in 1971, the publication has chronicled the people, businesses, boats, marinas, races, fishing communities, regulations and issues that shape life on the state’s waterways.
Now, one of California’s best-known boating publications is entering a new chapter. The California Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA) has acquired The Log, taking on responsibility for preserving and growing a publication that has developed a distinct identity and a loyal readership.
The move traces back to Dave Abrams, owner and publisher of The Log through the Maritime Institute, who approached CYBA seeking a long-term succession strategy for the paper. According to Dean West, CYBA’s Board President, Abrams “expressed his desire to identify and secure a succession strategy for one of his most iconic and beloved publications, The Log,” and concluded that an established, respected association like CYBA would be a fitting steward for its future.
For CYBA, the decision is about more than acquiring a newspaper. It is about preserving an important source of independent information for California’s boating community while giving The Log new opportunities to reach readers in an increasingly digital media environment.
“The Log isn’t changing its core mission, it is gaining a stronger foundation,” said Mark P. White, CYBA’s executive director. “CYBA’s acquisition represents a firm commitment to preserving California’s premier boating publication for generations to come.”
Dean West, Dave Abrams and Mark P. White
Editorial Independence at the Center
Perhaps the most important question surrounding the acquisition is also the simplest: Will The Log remain an independent editorial voice now that its owner is an organization representing yacht brokers?
Both Mark P. White and CYBA President Dean West emphasized that editorial autonomy will be fundamental to the publication’s future.
White said CYBA intends to establish “clear operational independence” between the association’s administrative leadership and The Log’s editorial team.
“The Log has served as California’s maritime journal of record for decades because readers rely on its objective news, regulatory reporting and community coverage,” White said. “CYBA is committed to maintaining complete editorial independence for The Log’s journalism.”
He added that news reporting, harbor coverage and policy analysis will remain impartial and separate from broker advocacy or commercial interests.
For West, that credibility is one of The Log’s most valuable assets. “Their trust and integrity, along with their readership, has been built due to the solid efforts, great reporting and intellectual integrity that The Log and its employees have demonstrated for years.”
From Southern California to the Entire State
One of CYBA’s most ambitious goals is expanding The Log’s reach beyond its traditional Southern California base.
Dean West said he wants Northern California boaters to have the same access to the publication that Southern California readers have enjoyed for decades.
“My hopes are that CYBA members will recognize and appreciate that this Board is doing everything we can to provide our members with the tools they need for prosperity and longevity,” West said. “As pertains to The Log’s readers, we intend to broaden the distribution of The Log and to give Northern California boaters and interested readers the same access to this great publication that Southern California has had.”
The editorial expansion is also expected to be statewide. According to Dean West, future coverage will place greater emphasis on regulatory and legislative developments, market trends, boat sales, new products, marketing, access to California’s waterways and opportunities for more communities to participate in recreational boating.
The goal is not to abandon the subjects that made The Log successful, but to broaden them.
Sailing and sailboat racing will remain important parts of the publication, as will FishRap, its long-running recreational fishing section. At the same time, CYBA envisions coverage of the entire boating experience, from buying and selling a boat to maintaining it, preserving it and finding new ways to get on the water.
A Digital Future
The biggest transformation may occur beyond the printed page. Mark P. White identified digital expansion as “a central pillar” of CYBA’s forward strategy for The Log.
Plans include improving the website and mobile experience, expanding searchable digital archives, developing targeted newsletters and creating new multimedia programming.
Among the possibilities are weekly email briefings focused on breaking coastal news, regulatory alerts and marina and harbor updates, as well as video features, expert interviews and a dedicated maritime podcast.
The strategy reflects a simple reality: the way people consume news has changed.
The Log’s challenge, and opportunity, is to preserve the authority and depth of a traditional publication while becoming more accessible to younger and more digitally oriented audiences.
The objective is not simply to put more content online. It is to create new ways for readers to interact with the publication and for advertisers and marine businesses to connect with the boating community.
A Broader Role in the Boating Community
Under CYBA, The Log is also expected to expand its role as a source of education, covering maritime regulations, environmental issues, boat ownership and access to California’s waterways. The vision aligns with CYBA’s more than 50-year commitment to professionalism, ethics and best practices in the yacht brokerage industry.
Together, the organizations bring complementary strengths: The Log informs the boating public, while CYBA promotes higher professional standards across the industry.
Preserving What Works
The success of the acquisition may ultimately depend on finding the right balance between preservation and change.
The Log has survived more than 50 years because it has remained relevant to a specific community while evolving with that community. CYBA now wants to accelerate that evolution without sacrificing the characteristics that made the publication valuable in the first place.
Mark P. White’s message to longtime readers and advertisers is straightforward.
“Longtime readers can expect the same trusted marine coverage, harbor news and local boating features they depend on,” he said. “Advertisers and partners will benefit from enhanced digital reach, greater community engagement and expanded value across both print and digital platforms.”
For The Log, the future is about using the credibility earned over 50 years as the foundation for what comes next. And, as Mark P. White put it: “We look forward to steering The Log into an exciting next chapter together.”