A Breakdown of the Class Action Lawsuit Against Boats Group
What began in early 2024 as a legal challenge over brokerage commissions has now evolved into a broader reckoning for the marine industry's dominant listing platform. In August 2025, Brill Maritime—parent of Export Yacht Sales—filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, accusing Boats Group of engaging in monopolistic practices that suppress competition and burden dealers with exorbitant costs.
Boats Group, headquartered in Miami, operates a sweeping portfolio of marine-focused listing platforms, including Boat Trader, YachtWorld, and Boats.com. The complaint alleges that the company commands approximately 75% of the online boat listing market in the United States and uses restrictive subscription agreements to stifle alternatives. Dealers claim they are effectively locked into Boats Group’s ecosystem, unable to explore or scale competing platforms without risking exposure to steep penalties or total market exclusion.
A History of Frustration
This latest legal salvo follows a wave of industry backlash that began building in 2024. That February, Ya Mon Expeditions LLC brought a class-action suit against multiple brokerage entities, including the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA), the California Yacht Brokers Association, and major listing platforms like Boats Group. The plaintiffs argued that these organizations conspired to fix brokerage commissions at 10%—split between buyer and seller agents—resulting in inflated costs for private sellers and restricted competition.
However, in January 2025, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore dismissed that case, ruling that plaintiffs had failed to present sufficient evidence of collusion. The judge characterized the defendants' actions—such as preferring to transact with represented sellers—as independent, rational business choices rather than evidence of an unlawful conspiracy.
Despite the dismissal, frustration within the dealer community only intensified, driven largely by soaring subscription fees required to list on Boats Group platforms. What was once a manageable marketing cost has, for many dealers, ballooned into a burden threatening their bottom lines.
“I’m paying close to $3,000 a month just to list,” said Stewart Roach of Norwood Yacht Sales. “That’s more than double my office rent.” Others must agree; the internet is full of creative protests about Boats Group's policies.
Industry Pushback and Unofficial Boycotts
Reports have surfaced of dealers being forced to agree to five- or six-figure monthly contracts or risk losing access altogether. Former Boats Group executive Cindy Sailor recalled heated exchanges at industry gatherings where dealers likened the price increases to extortion. In more extreme cases, some businesses have canceled their accounts entirely, opting instead for alternative marketing strategies and grassroots networks.
One such dealer described the decision to leave Boats Group as a turning point. “We walked away and never looked back,” they said. “Our business is thriving without them—and we’re no longer paying blood money.”
That sentiment has given rise to forums like “BoatTraderSucks.com,” where frustrated dealers exchange tactics and promote listings outside of the dominant ecosystem.
MRAA Steps In
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) has emerged as a key intermediary, facilitating conversations between Boats Group leadership and its dissatisfied clientele. While Boats Group acknowledged that communication around rate hikes was lacking, it defended its pricing model as fair and in line with broader digital marketing trends.
In a public statement, the company cited its value proposition: national visibility, search engine dominance, AI-powered marketing tools, and dealer services that would cost substantially more to replicate independently. “We understand the concerns,” said a spokesperson, “but we also believe we offer unmatched reach and return on investment.”
The August 2025 Lawsuit: A Different Fight
Unlike the earlier commission-focused case, the August filing goes directly to the heart of Boats Group’s market dominance. Plaintiffs allege that the company’s overwhelming control of listings makes it nearly impossible for competitors to attract dealers or scale viable alternatives. The legal complaint seeks monetary damages and regulatory action to restore competition and prevent Boats Group from enforcing allegedly exclusionary contracts.
If certified, the case could impact thousands of dealers, reshaping how yachts are marketed and sold in the U.S. and beyond.
A Crossroads for the Marine Marketplace
With legal scrutiny mounting and dealer dissatisfaction boiling over, the yachting industry may be approaching a turning point. At stake is not just the cost of doing business, but the future structure of how yachts are bought, sold, and marketed online.
For now, Boats Group remains the most powerful force in the marine digital marketplace; but for how long, and at what cost to its standing in the industry, remains to be seen. But in the wake of growing discontent, a new generation of marketplaces is emerging to challenge Boats Group’s dominance. Among these, YachtWay.com has positioned itself as the most serious contender, offering transparent pricing and platform analytics, advanced listing tools built for both dealers, shipyards, and a host of industry-first platform features to enhance the buying and selling experience. With integrated financing, seamless digital closing, and a fast-growing network of industry partners, it is rapidly gaining traction as a high-tech, high-touch alternative for those seeking a smarter way to buy and sell yachts. As the tides shift, platforms like YachtWay may soon redefine the digital yachting experience.
