Sparkman & Stephens Under New Ownership

Sparkman & Stephens has announced that Donald Tofias, of Newport, R.I., has purchased the iconic yacht design and brokerage firm. Tofias will assume the role of President of the firm, having purchased 100 percent of the assets.

Tofias is a lifelong sailor and founder of the W-Class Yacht Company. Over the past 30 years he has owned and campaigned a Waldo Howland and Ray Hunt, Jr. Concordia Yawl, a W. Starling Burgess Cutter, and for the past 20 years, W-Class Racing Yachts, including the W.76 sloops, designed by Joel White, which will now be marketed by Sparkman & Stephens.

Tofias said, "We intend to preserve the history of Sparkman & Stephens, while at the same time building and expanding on its great tradition in yacht design and brokerage."

The company will be headquartered in Newport, R.I.