A Miami Horizon & A First Conversation

Our story began eleven years ago in Miami, amidst a world of lenses, light, and open water. Travis was working as a photographer, and Caterina was modeling, but it wasn't the industry that truly brought us together—it was a shared obsession with the sea. Our very first conversation was about sailing. We discovered a mutual passion for the wind and the waves that would ultimately shape the entire trajectory of our lives.

Since those early days in Miami, our journey has taken us across new horizons. Carrying on a proud family legacy, Travis answered a multi-generational call to service and joined the military, where his entire family has served. He traded his civilian camera for a uniform and perfectly merged his military duty with his love for the sea, becoming a boat captain for the Army.

Roots in the Sands of Noirmoutier

For Caterina, the water has always been home. Her father gave her the passion for the sea when she was just six years old, setting her on a lifelong path of navigation. She spent every childhood summer on the breathtaking Island of Noirmoutier, nestled in the Vendée region of France. It was there, surrounded by rugged Atlantic beauty and classic maritime heritage, that her soul was forever tied to traditional seafaring.

When Travis traveled to France for the first time, Caterina took him straight to the shores of Vendée. He fell so deeply in love with the timeless elegance, the coastal rhythm, and the history of the region that it seamlessly became part of our everyday family life.

Falling for Vendée & MINE

That profound connection to France is exactly why our flagship vessel bears her name: Vendée.

Interestingly enough, we are sailors at heart, and as any true sailor knows, it usually takes a long time to ever consider a powerboat! While overseas in lake Como, we watched in awe at the elegance of those classic Italian motor yachts. We realized then that no modern boat compared. After a lot of research and a couple broken hearts (especially a particular 1929 60-foot Flat-top cruiser).. like any relationships, were led to “the one”… our beautifully restored 1929 38ft Matthews cruiser. We completely and utterly fell in love. While that 60-foot dream hasn't happened yet (stay tuned, because one day it absolutely will!), Vendée has captured our hearts completely. She is a permanent, treasured anchor of our fleet, and we enjoy every single second on board with her.

And when we aren't cruising on Vendée, you will find us aboard Mine, our classic Watkins sailboat, honoring the pure rhythm of the wind.

A Family Legacy

Today, the water is more than just our business—it is our entire world. Every single weekend, we are out on the water, passing this rich maritime legacy down to our children.

Yorktown Classic Yachts is our way of opening the doors to our world and inviting you to step aboard, leave the shore behind, and share in the quiet luxury and timeless romance that defined our very first conversation eleven years ago.