David Whidden’s connection to the ocean began on the shores of West Florida, where his upbringing in a family of watermen and sailors sparked a passion that would chart the course of his life. From building makeshift sailboats and navigating the mangroves in his youth to becoming a professional captain, David’s roots are deeply anchored in maritime tradition. His early fascination with marine biology and ecology also led him to spend significant time aboard research vessels doing work for R/V Heraclitus, the Biosphere 2 Project and the Smithsonian’s R/V Marsys Resolute.
David’s experience as a captain and his hands-on involvement in every facet of yacht maintenance and operation allow him to provide unparalleled insights and guidance as a yacht consultant. His commitment to client education and his attention to detail ensure that each yacht handover is not just a delivery, but a welcoming introduction to seafaring life.
Beyond his professional endeavors, David is a champion of sustainable maritime practices, an award-winning sailing instructor of the year with the American Sailing Association 2016, and a culinary aficionado who’s known to take his clients for jaunts through the vineyards of Saint-Émilion, just south of the Fountaine Pajot and Dufour manufacturing plants in La Rochelle. Whether advising on the nuances of yacht acquisition or sharing the thrill of discovery in remote sailing destinations, David embodies the spirit of adventure that attracts so many to the open seas.
Praise from David’s Customers
“David Whidden provided exception service and expertise through the almost 2-year process of the purchase of my Alegria 67. His knowledge of the boat and selection of options for the 67 is superb. He kept me updated throughout the build and made any changes I decided to make during the build as painless as possible. He was present during the handover in La Rochelle and was on top of any corrections needed on the punch list. He has always been available, and a knowledgeable resource and I look forward to continuing to work with him during my ownership of my FP 67.”
— Dr K. Black
“My experience with David Whidden has been fantastic. I started my search for a cruising catamaran over 5 years ago. Looking at multiple models and manufacturers, I have worked with many sales professionals over the years. David was patient and enjoyed sharing his vast experience and knowledge of sailing. He has been a great guide through our first new boat purchase. My wife and I have gone to David multiple times, post-sale, for his advice and guidance through the many post-sale decisions. I can always count on David to respond quickly and thoroughly. He demonstrates, over and over again, how he cares about us. We will definitely be going to David when it is time for our next purchase.”
— Craig Connolly
“I can’t say enough good things about our experience with Mr. David Whidden when we purchased our new Dufour 390. As the nearest Dufour broker to us, we contacted David by phone and he set up a subsequent short-notice visit in his office in St. Petersburg, where we explained our sailing experience, and our desire to own a new Dufour. David told us all about the company and explained the process we would go through if we decided to purchase. My wife and I felt an immediate sense of assurance that we were in good hands with this gentleman.
After a bit of discussion, we decided to purchase a new Dufour 390, configured to our specifications and cabin layout. David walked us through all the paperwork, explained company policies and benefits, and got us under contract expeditiously. Although the entire acquisition process took a little over two years from down payment to boat acceptance, David Whidden was there with us every step of the way, from recommending financing, wealth management, business considerations for the boat, etc.
During our boat acceptance in Ft. Lauderdale and on the trip home, David monitored our progress and met up with us to help coordinate punch-list items in St. Pete. While we were there, he treated us to a visit to the Dali Museum and provided a wonderful picnic lunch for the next leg of our journey. David was an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish. Oh, and after finish, because less than a week after arriving home with our new boat, a waterspout took down her mast! I let everyone at ACY Yachts know about the situation, and David quickly recommended a friend who owns a nearby rigging company to help us deal with it. Now we have another new sailing friend and outstanding rigger! If anyone ever asks me to recommend a yacht broker, there is only one name that will come out of my mouth – David Whidden.”
— C. Stegall
Testimonial: Lynn & Craig Connolly
After five years of researching the Connolly’s made their decision to purchase their Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 from David Whidden, ACY YACHTS
Watch this testimonial video to find out how they made their final decision.
