Highway & Harbor

From Captain to CEO: Redefining Luxury Yacht Ownership | Richard Bargas, Pacific Icon Yachts

What does it take to build a luxury yacht company where the relationship doesn’t end when the vessel is delivered?

In this episode of Highway & Harbor, host Ashley Tate sits down with Richard Bargas, Founder and CEO of Pacific Icon Yachts, to explore his journey from professional captain and offshore guide to building a luxury yacht business centered on exceptional service, performance, and lasting client relationships.

Founded in 2021, Pacific Icon Yachts takes a different approach to the traditional dealership model. Rather than focusing on high-volume transactions, Richard and his team emphasize personalized yacht advisement, carefully selected performance vessels, and comprehensive support throughout the ownership journey.

Richard shares the philosophy behind building a luxury brand, why real-world experience on the water matters when advising clients, and what it takes to create an ownership experience that goes far beyond purchasing a boat.

In this episode, we explore:

• Richard’s journey from offshore captain to founder and CEO
• Why luxury yacht ownership is about more than the vessel itself
• The difference between selling boats and building lasting client relationships
• How Pacific Icon helps clients choose vessels that fit their lifestyles and ambitions
• The importance of outfitting, maintenance, education, and post-delivery support
• Building a high-touch luxury business across Southern California, Baja California, Hawaii, and Costa Rica
• The challenges of scaling a company without compromising service and quality
• Richard’s long-term vision for Pacific Icon Yachts

From offshore adventures to entrepreneurship, this conversation offers a look at the leadership, experience, and relationships behind a growing luxury yacht brand.

Learn more about Pacific Icon Yachts:
https://pacific-icon.com

About Highway & Harbor

Highway & Harbor explores the people, leadership, innovation, and stories shaping the marine, automotive, RV, powersports, and outdoor lifestyle industries.

Subscribe for more conversations with the founders, executives, and entrepreneurs building businesses around performance, adventure, and exceptional customer experiences.

What happens when the business you set out to build leads you somewhere completely unexpected?

In this episode of Highway & Harbor, Ashley Tate sits down with Stephen Seger, founder of League City Yacht Sales, to talk about his unconventional path into the marine industry and what it really takes to build a modern yacht brokerage.

Stephen originally arrived in the Clear Lake area while pursuing a software idea. But after getting firsthand exposure to yacht brokerage, his plans changed. What started as an unexpected career move eventually became an entrepreneurial journey that led him to build League City Yacht Sales.

Stephen shares what he has learned about bringing buyers and sellers together, why understanding the systems behind a boat matters just as much as knowing how to sell one, and why successful yacht brokerage is ultimately built on understanding people.

The conversation also explores the unpredictable nature of the marine industry, the lack of structure that creates both opportunity and challenges for brokers, the industry’s evolving relationship with technology and social media, and Stephen’s vision for building a brokerage that can eventually create opportunities and livelihoods for others.

This episode isn’t simply about selling yachts. It’s about entrepreneurship, adaptability, relationships, and building a business in an industry where one phone call can change the entire day.

Featuring Stephen Seger of League City Yacht Sales.

Highway & Harbor spotlights the people, businesses, leadership, craftsmanship, innovation, and stories shaping the marine and outdoor lifestyle industries.

What happens when a plumbing business owner decides to buy a 50-year-old marina?

On this episode of Highway & Harbor, Ashley Tate sits down with Andrew Impagliazzo, owner of Tappan Zee Marina, to talk about his unexpected path into the marine industry and what it has taken to rebuild and modernize a longtime Hudson River marina.

When Andrew purchased Tappan Zee Marina eight years ago, he stepped into a business with decades of history — along with years of deferred maintenance and plenty to learn about an industry he hadn’t grown up in.

Andrew shares what those early years looked like, how his experience running a plumbing company translated into marina ownership, and why he eventually brought in a marina management company to help operate the facility.

They also get into the side of marina life customers rarely see: preparing docks and boats before the season begins, hauling and winterizing boats when it ends, maintaining the property throughout the summer, and continually investing in the facility.

Andrew also discusses how the Hudson River boating market is changing, including the growing popularity of jet skis, Tappan Zee Marina’s rental partnerships, and the importance of adapting to what today’s waterfront customers want.

But underneath the operations is something bigger: Tappan Zee Marina has been part of its community for more than 50 years. Andrew talks about what it means to take responsibility for a place with that kind of history while continuing to build what comes next.

In this episode:

• How a plumbing business owner ended up buying a marina
• What Andrew inherited when he purchased Tappan Zee Marina
• Eight years of improvements and modernization
• What actually happens at a seasonal marina throughout the year
• Why jet ski demand is changing the waterfront business
• The importance of partnerships and adapting to customer demand
• What makes a marina experience worth coming back to
• The responsibility of carrying forward a 50-year community legacy
• Andrew’s vision for the future of Tappan Zee Marina

Highway & Harbor shares the stories of the owners, operators, entrepreneurs, and leaders behind the marine, RV, powersports, outdoor, and lifestyle industries.

Subscribe for more conversations from the people building the businesses that keep us moving, traveling, and getting out on the water.

• The story behind Troy Marine and its family roots

• Why staying independent matters

• How Troy Marine approaches customer trust and transparency

• What Yamaha Pro Elite Plus status represents

• Why repowering has become such an important part of the business

• How boating creates memories across generations

• Troy Marine’s involvement in its local community

• Andrew’s perspective on the future of the marine industry

How do you build one of the world’s most recognized multihull yacht brokerages?

In this episode of Highway & Harbor, host Ashley Tate sits down with Will Miller, founder of The Multihull Company, to discuss the journey of building a global yacht brokerage, the evolution of the multihull market, and what it takes to lead a company with multiple locations and an international team.

Will shares the story behind The Multihull Company’s growth, the lessons he’s learned from decades in the marine industry, and how leadership, customer relationships, and innovation have helped establish the company as one of the most respected names in multihull yacht sales.

Whether you’re in the marine industry, own a dealership or brokerage, or simply have a passion for boating and entrepreneurship, this conversation offers valuable insights into building a lasting business and navigating an ever-changing marketplace.

• Building one of the world’s leading multihull yacht brokerages
• Leadership and scaling a growing organization
• The evolution of the catamaran and yacht market
• Creating exceptional customer experiences
• Trends shaping the future of yacht sales
• Advice for entrepreneurs and marine industry professionals

About Highway & Harbor

Highway & Harbor is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories behind the leaders, innovators, and businesses shaping the marine, RV, powersports, automotive, and outdoor recreation industries. Each episode explores the people, strategies, and experiences that drive success.

Hosted by Ashley Tate, Founder of Momentum Motors Marketing.

Learn more about The Multihull Company: https://www.multihullcompany.com

 Chris Bennett grew up in a racing family, reached the highest levels of professional motorsports, and then stepped away from the sport—only to realize his greatest purpose wasn’t winning races, but helping others chase their own racing dreams. In this episode of Highway & Harbor, Chris shares the highs and lows of professional racing, the lessons learned from rebuilding engines on the tailgate of a truck, why he believes too many talented drivers never get a chance, and how Drive BMS is creating a more affordable path into motorsports through driver development, track support, and mentorship. It’s a conversation about perseverance, legacy, entrepreneurship, and making the impossible feel possible.

How do you go from working on nuclear submarines to owning a thriving powersports business?

In this episode of Highway & Harbor, we sit down with Ethan Faulls, founder of NK Powersports, to hear the remarkable journey that took him from military service and wrenching on submarines to building a fast-growing powersports business from the ground up.

Ethan shares how he launched NK Powersports through hard work, word of mouth, and a commitment to putting customers first. We also dive into what’s really happening in today’s golf cart and powersports industry—from the rise of Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) and the influx of overseas brands to what every buyer should know before making a purchase.

Whether you’re a powersports enthusiast, business owner, or someone who enjoys hearing authentic entrepreneurial stories, this episode is packed with practical insights, industry knowledge, and an inspiring vision for what it takes to build something that lasts.

Learn more about NK Powersports: https://www.nkpowersports.com

Dan Watkins joins Highway & Harbor to discuss leadership, culture, customer experience, and the lessons he’s learned helping build one of the most respected automotive organizations in the country.

In this episode, Dan shares how Principle Automotive has created a people-first culture that focuses on relationships, community impact, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. We also discuss leadership, employee development, industry challenges, and what the future of automotive retail looks like.

Whether you’re in automotive, marine, RV, powersports, or any customer-focused business, this conversation offers valuable insights on building trust, creating strong teams, and growing a business the right way.

Principle Automotive operates multiple dealership locations and is built around a mission of helping people live better lives through exceptional care and service.  

• Leadership and culture in the automotive industry
• Building customer trust and loyalty
• Developing high-performing teams
• Community involvement and giving back
• Creating memorable customer experiences
• The future of automotive retail
• Lessons that apply across automotive, marine, RV, and powersports businesses

• https://www.principleautomotive.com/

Highway & Harbor spotlights the people, businesses, leadership, craftsmanship, and stories behind the marine, RV, powersports, automotive, and outdoor lifestyle industries.

Powered by Momentum Motors Marketing.

Welcome back to the Highway & Harbor Podcast.

In this episode, Ashley Tate sits down with Ryan Struble, founder of Hamptons Adventure Company, to discuss entrepreneurship, outdoor recreation, tourism, and what it takes to build a unique adventure-based business in one of the most recognizable destinations in the country.

Ryan shares the story behind launching Hamptons Adventure Company, becoming the first dedicated e-bike rental and tour company in The Hamptons, and how creating memorable experiences has helped the business grow.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, outdoor enthusiast, or someone who loves hearing stories about building something from the ground up, you’ll enjoy this conversation.

-Starting a business in The Hamptons
- Building an outdoor recreation brand
-E-bike rentals and guided tours
-Creating unforgettable customer experiences
-Tourism, entrepreneurship, and growth
-Lessons learned along the journey

Visit Hamptons Adventure Company:

Hamptons Adventure Company⁠

Subscribe for more conversations with leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from the marine, RV, powersports, automotive, and outdoor lifestyle industries.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896913072

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033wAMl3MoM3U3ENFGpP5I

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@highwayharbor-k9g