Michael J. Johnson
MJ Yacht Pro
Brokerage services are provided through Autograph Yacht Group, an independently licensed brokerage. Premium Yacht Marketplace is not a brokerage.
Expertly guiding you to the right yacht and the life on the water you've always envisioned, effortlessly delivered.
Credentials
- Brokerage
- Autograph Yacht Group
- Experience
- 25+ years in sales and business development
- Track record
- Millions in yacht sales and hundreds of deals closed
- Survey
- Independent survey highly recommended on every deal
- Association
- IYBA member
- Service area
- Based in St. Petersburg, servicing the Gulf Coast of Florida and throughout the USA.
Profile last updated November 3, 2026
About Michael
The water can take you anywhere: by current, by power or by wind. You never know where you'll end up, who you'll meet, or what stories you'll bring home. Michael found that out sailing the open waters of the Pacific Northwest, and it changed how he saw travel, freedom and time with the people who matter most. Out there, life looks different: the views, the quiet, the time away, the sense of adventure. It's a perspective you can't get by land, and Michael has spent his career helping others find it for themselves.
As a Licensed Florida Yacht Advisor with Autograph Yacht Group, Michael's purpose is to make stepping into that life easy. Too many people get lost in the boat itself, the specs, the paperwork, the stress, and miss the real reason they wanted to be on the water. Michael takes that weight off. He brings years of owning, running and maintaining boats, complete transparency on every vessel, and service that carries through long after the deal closes. That leaves his clients free to focus on what matters: the sunrise runs, the sandbar afternoons and the stories they'll tell for years.
His vision is to change how people get on the water, from Florida's Gulf Coast to clients throughout the USA. Whether you're buying the boat that's right for your life or bringing yours to market to find its best buyer, you'll have someone who stands behind you every step of the way, built on honesty and real value. Michael's measure of success is simple: clients who are still smiling years later, and who come back with their next adventure in mind.
The story
Beyond MJ Yacht Pro
I've been the buyer. I've owned the boat, run it, maintained it, and learned what nobody tells you until it's your money on the line. I know the feeling of standing on the dock at 7am with a coffee, looking at something you worked your whole life for. I also know the feeling a few months later, when the first big repair bill shows up and the dream starts costing more than it gives back. That second feeling is what I'm in business to prevent.
The industry is set up to move inventory. I'm set up to protect the reason you're buying in the first place. I represent a small number of boats at a time, each one personally inspected, every spec checked against the actual vessel, with an honest account of what's been done and what's coming. If a service record is missing, I say so. We highly recommend an independent survey on every deal.
Buying? I'll tell you what a boat is really worth, even when it's not the number you hoped to hear. Selling? I'll present your boat honestly and put it where today's buyers actually search, from Google to ChatGPT and Gemini.
That's why I built Premium Yacht Marketplace and the disclosure standard every listing on it has to meet. The goal was never just to sell you a boat... it's to get you on the water, at the right price, with your eyes open. That's the whole job.
Listings by Michael J. Johnson
2022 Windy SR44
$750,000 · Tampa, Florida
2021 Regal 33 XO
$269,999 · Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
2003 Sea Ray Sundancer 460
$169,800 · Tampa, Florida
2023 Bali CATSPACE
$474,000 · St Petersburg, Florida
2024 Vanquish Yachts VQ55
$3,199,000 · Miami Beach, Florida
2019 Azimut 55 Fly, Kai Zen
$949,000 · Tampa, Florida, United States
2026 Vanquish Yachts VQ70
$9,200,000 · Miami, Florida
2022 Regal 42 XO
$695,000 · Clearwater, Florida
2022 Jeanneau Leader 12.5 WA
$399,800 · Cape Coral, FL
Reviews for Michael
“Mike handled the sale of my boat with exceptional professionalism. From the marketing and buyer communications to the paperwork and closing process, he demonstrated impressive expertise. Before working with Mike, the boat had been listed with another brokerage group for quite some time and it just sat there with no activity and very little communication from the broker. He had a fantastic marketing plan, generated interest and made the sale happen with no effort on my part. The sale was to an international buyer, which added complexity to the transaction but Mike handled it seamlessly. He managed the paperwork, coordinated shipping arrangements and addressed every detail with confidence and efficiency. I am extremely grateful for his help and would highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a boat.”
Autograph Yacht Group
“In my opinion, the best yacht broker in Tampa Bay. Mike and his team couldn't have been more knowledgeable or helpful!”
Autograph Yacht Group
“Michael and team just sold our boat after a short four month listing. Cannot say enough about the detail and professionalism of the listing itself which garnered outstanding volume of showings. Michael did an excellent job representing our vessel and was able to give the same level of follow up with the buyer. At the end of the day, both parties walked away very happy, which is always ideal. I highly recommend using Michael and team if you want to sell your boat.”
Autograph Yacht Group
“Michael is the consummate professional! I highly recommend him. He is proactive and responsive. I was always treated respectfully and honestly.”
Autograph Yacht Group
“Michael was an incredibly helpful broker. He has gone above and beyond in assisting us with the tradespeople necessary to maintain a yacht like we purchased and was a great mediator in discussions between us and the seller. I look forward to a long and beneficial relationship with Michael.”
Autograph Yacht Group
Showing 5 of 25 Google reviews.
Reviews are of Michael J. Johnson, sourced from Google. They are not reviews of Premium Yacht Marketplace.
Read all 25 reviews on GoogleArticles by Michael J. Johnson
Regal 33 XO: The Complete Buyer's Guide
This expert guide covers the Regal 33 XO's unique features, running costs, and key comparisons, offering essential insights for prospective buyers of this versatile express cruiser.
Comparable Guide: 2022 Jeanneau Leader 12.5 WA
Explore why the Jeanneau Leader 12.5 WA is a top choice for buyers seeking a versatile luxury walkaround that excels at cruising, entertaining, and overnighting.
Premium Yacht Marketplace Buyer's Guide: The Windy SR44
The Windy SR44 combines Scandinavian build quality with thrilling performance, making it a versatile superyacht tender, dayboat, and capable weekender for discerning owners.
Buyer's Guide: 2022 Jeanneau Leader 12.5 WA
A yacht broker's guide for buyers considering a Jeanneau Leader 12.5 WA, detailing its performance, accommodations, common inspection points, and typical ownership costs.
Regal 33 XO Buyer's Guide
This guide details the Regal 33 XO's performance, ownership costs, and key inspection points for prospective buyers evaluating this versatile express cruiser.
Comparable Guide: 2024 Vanquish Yachts VQ55
A direct comparison of the Vanquish Yachts VQ55 against its key rivals, including the Wallytender 58, Pardo 60, and Fjord 53 XL.
Marquis 65 Motor Yacht Buyer's Guide
This guide covers the pricing, common issues, ownership costs, and key inspection points for a used Marquis 65 Motor Yacht from a broker's perspective.
Bali CATSPACE: How It Compares in Its Class
The Bali CATSPACE prioritizes unparalleled living volume and at anchor comfort over pure sailing performance, making it a unique offering in the 40 foot catamaran class.
Expert Insight: 2022 Regal 42 XO
The Regal 42 XO is a luxury express cruiser for buyers who want outboard performance for day boating, entertaining, and comfortable weekend trips on the water.
Sea Ray Sundancer 460 Buyer's Guide
The Sea Ray Sundancer 460 is a capable coastal cruiser that offers a great balance of interior volume, social space, and proven diesel performance.
A Broker's Guide to the Vanquish Yachts VQ55
This buyer's guide explores the Vanquish VQ55's unique performance, distinctive features, running costs, and key inspection points for a discerning, social focused owner.
2019 Azimut 55 Fly Buyer's Guide: What to Inspect, What to Negotiate
What a working broker actually looks at before signing a purchase agreement on a 2019 Azimut 55 Flybridge: engines, gelcoat, electronics, and the price ranges that hold up in 2026.
Azimut 55 Fly vs. Sunseeker Manhattan 55: A Broker's Head to Head
Two European 55 foot flybridges, two very different personalities. Here is how the Azimut 55 Fly and the Sunseeker Manhattan 55 actually compare on the water and on the resale market.
20,000 lb or Less: Lift Friendly Day Boats for Tampa Bay
Compare 12 day and weekend boats for a 20,000 lb lift on Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast canals. Loaded weight, beam, air draft and a checklist for owners.
St. Pete Boat Show 2027: Walk the Docks With a Broker on Your Side
Plan the St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show, Jan 14 to 17, 2027, with a Tampa Bay yacht broker. Buyer checklist, VIP tour and FAQs.
Fort Lauderdale Boat Show VIP Buyer Experience: Find Your Boat With an Advisor at Your Side
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is the largest in water show in the world. Walking it with a licensed yacht advisor turns an overwhelming week into a focused, comparable shortlist.
How AI Is Changing Yacht Brokerage, Yacht Marketing and Yacht Search
Buyers now research yachts through Google, ChatGPT and Gemini before they ever call a broker. Here is how AI integrated yacht brokering changes yacht marketing, search and discoverability.
Best Luxury Walkaround Yachts Under $500K
The 38 to 42 foot luxury walkaround segment is the fastest growing category in the U.S. brokerage market. Four contenders compared head to head, with the framework I use to match a buyer to the right boat.
Yamaha Helm Master EX: Buyer's Guide
Yamaha Helm Master EX brought IPS grade joystick docking to outboard powered cruisers. What it actually does, which boats ship with it, what to verify on survey, and what it adds to resale.
The Tampa Bay Yachting Guide: Marinas, Cruising Routes, and Storage
Tampa Bay is one of the most underrated cruising grounds in the U.S.: protected water, easy Gulf access, and far less crowding than the east coast. Here is what owners need to know.