Dave Nolan, CPYB

Cape Yachts president and founder, Dave Nolan, has spent nearly his entire professional career in the marine industry building the company from one of the leading small sailboat dealerships to the respected full-service yacht sales and servicing company it is today. During this time, Dave has been hands-on in nearly every aspect of boating from bottom painting, launching, and hauling, to leading complex yacht customization projects at South Wharf.

Dave grew up just outside of Syracuse, New York boating on Skaneateles Lake in the summer, skiing in the winter, and playing jazz piano nearly anytime in between. After graduating in 1984 from St. Bonaventure University, Dave became a CPA with Price Waterhouse working with a group of diverse clients from public companies to smaller growth businesses. It was during this time while working with entrepreneurs that Dave discovered his true calling as the founder of his own business. In 1986 he established Cape Water Sports as a seasonal boat rental company on Cape Cod and never looked back.

The success of Cape Yachts is due in large part to Dave’s Rule #1: One Customer at a Time. As his customers graduated from Sunfishes to daysailers, Dave added the boat lines to keep them part of the family. Today Cape Yachts can proudly boast they have not only sold many customers several yachts over the years but have also sold boats to their children as well.

Over the span of his career, Dave continues to participate in boards and charities including Beneteau’s Development Council, contributing to Make-A-Wish Foundation and many local community programs. It should come as no surprise that Dave is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting upland, bow, and flyfish. When not at the yard with our customers and dedicated employees, Dave is aboard his powerboat cruising with his family in New England and the Florida Keys. Dave and his wife, Jane have been married for over 30 years and have three children.