To Find the Right Boat, First Choose the Right Broker!
Buying a sailboat or a power yacht is a major purchase…probably your largest expenditure, with the exception of you home. Don’t choose someone who will be learning their trade at your expense! If you’re not sure about what boat to buy, at least be sure of your Broker.
The number of types and models of boats to choose from is overwhelming. There are good choices and poor choices…endless compromises and trade- offs. One person can’t possibly know it all. But clearly, the more experience your Broker has, the more likely he or she will provide you with sound, reliable advice. Since you don’t go through the buying process everyday, it makes sense to work with someone who does.
There are generally two ways to shop for a boat: You can look at ten boats with ten different brokers; or choose a single Broker, and evaluate them together, to determine the best choice. In the former, each salesperson is simply trying to make a sale, and will try to convince you that “this is the one”. You get pulled ten different directions. You might buy the right boat, or you may buy the most convincing sales pitch.
Why not select a knowledgeable broker whom you can trust…like choosing a Realtor to work with in buying a home? Yacht brokers work co-operatively, just like in real estate. The Seller ultimately pays the commission, so it costs you no more. Your own Broker will have your best interests at heart, and should help you throughout the entire purchase: before, during, and after.
An ethical Broker can point out the positives and negatives in comparing one boat to another, BUT ONLY as long as they possess a broad scope of knowledge! There is so much to know about boat builder’s reputations, engine reliability, design features…quality, performance and value.
Most boaters are quite opinionated. Boating friends may tell you what you should do…and their input should be considered, since they know you. But do bear in mind that their scope of knowledge is probably limited to the few boats they have purchased in their lifetime, not hundreds of boats. Unless one has many years of experience as a Marine Surveyor, general repair person, a Yacht Broker, or a Professional Captain, one cannot really give reliable opinions. There is simply too much to know. Experience makes the difference, and with the right Broker, all that knowledge can go to work for you.
Since 1987, I have closed over 350 transactions. I was a top producer at several of the better San Diego Yacht Brokerages, accumulating a wealth of knowledge from each of them. In 2001, I became an independent Broker and founded YachtSource. In the past 21 years, I have maintained a good reputation in the industry.
I am a member in good standing of the California Yacht Broker’s Association, which has a high code of ethics. I use the CYBA contracts in my transactions. This provides the best possible protection available for my clients, as most every stumbling block or issue is covered. I attend continuing education seminars, to keep updated on yacht sales and the law.
While I sell more powerboats now than sail, I grew up in a sailing family. It has been a passion my whole life. I taught sailing for 5 different charter companies in San Diego, and became USCG licensed captain in 1982, at the age of 21. I eventually upgraded to a 100-ton Master’s License. I have skippered yachts in Southern California and the Caribbean. I am qualified to teach on sail or power. My wife and I owned a 38 footer for 6 years. We are members of Mission Bay Yacht Club, where I sail and race a high performance Nacra-Inter 20 catamaran, a real adrenalin rush. We are certified scuba divers. I skipper in corporate sailing regattas about twice a month; not for the money, but because I love teaching, and turning people on to the thrill of sailboat racing. I have a private pilot’s license with instrument rating, and a general-class ham radio license.
I want you to have a great boating experience, so I am happy to share my knowledge with my clients. The first goal is to assist you in finding the closest thing to the “perfect” boat, within your budget restraints. My sales skills were enhanced by my experience and training as a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, the closest parallel to yacht brokerage. I will do a comparative market analysis, and will negotiate the best possible price and terms for you. I will guide you through the entire process with sound advice. My professional connections will make things go smoother. I can refer you to the most qualified marine surveyors, most hassle-free financing companies, lowest insurance rates, most competent mechanics, skilled and honest boat repair personnel, best canvas vendors, most reliable dive services, best boat detailers, best marinas available, there are too many to mention. Rest assured that you will get a very high level of service, and all the details will be handled. It may interest you to read my article entitled: “What Past Clients Have to Say.”
Boating is one of the best things that life has to offer. Don’t miss out on the fun any longer…make that call today and turn your dreams into reality!
Yachtsource
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4004 Bernice Dr. San Diego, CA 92107, USA |
Toll-free 866-343-2864 Tel 619 847-1122 Direct/Cell Fax 619 226 0456 Email Us |
