Our Journey to Southwest Florida’s Boating Lifestyle
We’re Kelly and Steve Edwards, founders of Southwest Yacht Sales.
Our journey began in Chicago as boating enthusiasts with a dream of life on the water. That passion led us to become yacht owners while simultaneously selling our home, relocating to Southwest Florida, and turning our love for water into a way of life.
We purchased our first Beneteau yacht when we opened SailTime Southwest Florida, an experience that deepened our appreciation for the brand and the lifestyle it represents. While we continue to operate our SailTime business, Southwest Yacht Sales became our way of offering something even more personal and lasting: a dealership built on honesty, service, and long-term support for every client we meet.
Today, we live aboard full-time with our family, fully immersed in the lifestyle we share with those we serve. We didn’t grow up in this industry, but we are building our place in it, one relationship at a time. As Beneteau yacht owners ourselves, we are truly humbled to represent Groupe Beneteau and to help others experience the quality, freedom, and joy that first inspired us.
Our Boating Journey
As we immersed ourselves in the Southwest Florida sailing community, our passion for the industry only deepened. After years of successfully running SailTime Southwest Florida, we recognized a greater opportunity—to help more people experience the joy of sailing. That’s why we founded Southwest Yacht Sales.
Our mission is to provide exceptional sailboats and catamarans, expert guidance, and personalized service, ensuring that both seasoned sailors and newcomers can embark on their dream yachting experience.
2020 - 2022
Our family transitioned from powerboats to sailing in Illinois, earning our ASA 101 certification on Lake Michigan. We started on a Hunter 33 before upgrading to a Beneteau 38.1 in Chicago’s Burnham Harbor, enjoying skyline views, swimming, and Lake Michigan crossings. In 2021, Steve and Kelly purchased SailTime Southwest Florida.
2024
The Edwards family became the BENETEAU Dealer for the Gulf Coast of Florida and the Keys, June 10, 2024.
Your Exclusive BENETEAU & EXCESS Catamarans Dealer in Southwest Florida
As the exclusive dealer for BENETEAU and Excess Catamarans in Southwest Florida, we proudly represent brands known for innovation, craftsmanship, and performance.
Our journey began with a BENETEAU Oceanis 38.1 in 2021, so we understand both the excitement and challenges of boat ownership—and we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Our latest BENETEAU sailboats and Excess catamarans have arrived at our locations, offering the perfect combination of elegance, performance, and cutting-edge design. Whether you're looking for a sleek monohull or a versatile catamaran, we’re ready to help you set sail on your dream vessel.
Steve
Steve Edwards is the founder of Southwest Yacht Sales, combining a strong background in professional sales with a genuine passion for the boating lifestyle. He leads a hand-picked team focused on transparency, customer satisfaction, and long-term client care. Together, they’ve developed a complete after-sales support system, including warranty, service, parts, and yacht management, to ensure every ownership experience is backed by lasting support.
Marty
Marty Lonergan is the Sales Manager and a Broker at Southwest Yacht Sales. After a successful career in the tech industry, he shifted his focus to boating and now spends much of his time aboard his boat at Burnt Store Marina. Marty’s hands-on experience and passion for the water make him a trusted guide for clients buying or selling their next boat.
Kelly
Kelly Edwards is the cornerstone of Southwest Yacht Sales, grounding the business in integrity, service, and team excellence. As co-founder, she actively supports every team member, ensuring they are aligned, empowered, and focused on delivering an exceptional client experience. With a background in leadership, service, and business development, Kelly brings calm strength, clear direction, and a deep commitment to others that fuels the company’s success. While Steve drives the vision, growth, and strategic direction of the business, Kelly anchors the internal operations and culture, together creating the strong, complementary team behind Southwest Yacht Sales.
David
David Steeves brings hands-on expertise and a true love of the boating lifestyle to his role in sales at Southwest Yacht Sales. A skilled rigger and experienced sailor, David lives right in the marina, giving him a unique, day-to-day connection to the boating community. His technical knowledge, approachable style, and passion for matching people with the right boat make him a trusted partner for both buyers and sellers.
Zach
Zach Edwards represents the next generation of leadership at Southwest Yacht Sales, bringing a strong commitment to customer service, honesty, and transparency. He works across every area of the family’s marine businesses and blends a solid foundation in sales with hands-on operational experience, reflecting the work ethic and values instilled by both Steve and Kelly Edwards. A licensed captain who is actively searching for his own liveaboard yacht, Zach shares the same passion for the lifestyle as many of his clients, making him a trusted guide on their journey to ownership.
Mike
Mike Russell brings decades of technical and boating expertise to the Parts and Service Department at Southwest Yacht Sales. He has commissioned and serviced Beneteau sailboats and catamarans for over 24 years, building on a background that includes service in the U.S. Navy and a 19-year career at Eastman Kodak. Living aboard his sailboat with over 5,000 nautical miles of blue water sailing experience, Mike offers clients real-world knowledge and support.
