Boat retailer buys super-yacht brokerage

Clearwater-based MarineMax, already the largest recreational boat and yacht retailer in the country, is about to get bigger — particularly in the size of some its vessels.

The Clearwater-based firm, with $1.17 billion in sales last year, recently announced it has entered into agreement to acquire Fraser Yachts Group from the Italy-based Azimut Benetti Group. Founded in 1947, Fraser is one of the largest super-yacht brokerages and services companies in the world, according to a MarineMax statement. Based in Monaco, it has 20 offices worldwide — including a large presence in yacht-heavy Fort Lauderdale — and some 160 employees. The Azimut Benetti Group has had a stake in Fraser for 15 years.