Rod WatsonAdvisor, Real Estate · Co-Founder / CEO of Distinct Concierge Real Estate

4X NBA Champion John Salley’s worst investment was a BOAT…

14 Jul 2026 · 1 min

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In a brief interview, John Salley discusses his two most notable investments. He describes his worst investment—a 52‑foot Bluewater yacht he named "Tea Time," noting its luxury features (jacuzzi, pink and purple stripes) and the common saying that the best days for a boat are the purchase and sale days, implying it was a financial loss. He then contrasts this with his best investment: an early stake in Beyond Meat, which he entered in 2009 and saw go public in 2018, continuing to stay involved. Salley concludes with advice to listeners: avoid buying boats and instead focus on building relationships and making prudent investments.

Best investment, worst investment that you've ever made?
Worst investment was a boat. They said the 2 best days is the day you buy it and the day you sell it. I loved it though. I loved having a boat. I loved being on the water. How big was the boat? 52-foot Bluewater. That's a yacht. Yeah, baby, yacht. It was flat. It had a pic. Yeah, man. Jacuzzi up top. My wife's an AKA. I'm an Omega. So I called the boat Tea Time. Pink and we have pink and purple stripe. Best investment, Beyond Meat. I got with Beyond Meat in 2009. We went public in 2018. Even before I came up here, I was on a call with the 2 bosses, Drew and Patrick, about what we're still doing. I'm still trying to get done with Beyond Meat.
Guys that's listening, don't buy a boat. Don't buy a boat. No. Also build on your relationships and make investments.
If it flies, if it floats, Rent it. Such is life. Can't have the black without the white.