I had an experience similar to Robert.
I was in the market for a 65c, and started searching the usual sources trying to establish pricing, and which model I wanted. Enclosed bridge vs open. The very first boat I wanted to look at was in Panama City with the open bridge, and had the motors I wanted. I contacted the broker several times, he always had an excuse why he could not meet me. He worked out of Miami, and Boston, and the travel to Panama City was a stretch.
So I looked at other Hatts that brokers would show, form Texas to South Florida, and up the East coast. This went on for over a year. Looked at 7 boats. Decided the open bridge was for me, so I refined my search. Many were over priced because of huge payoffs, and some were severely neglected. Very few were available in the open model, so I had time on my hands waiting for new listings. In the mean time, I kept leaving messages with the broker about the one in Panama City.
Finally he called me back, said he was still too busy, but would have the captain show me the boat. Made the appointment, took off from work, then he called, said a local that knew the boat had made an offer and was accepted. I was pissed. Blew it off, and made an offer on one about 100 grand more in Stuart Fl. The broker said there was another offer received that day, but if I raise my bid, they would accept. Thought this was not right, but agreed, fishing season was around the corner. Broker called back and said other party raised their offer, I needed to go higher, so I told them to go ---- off, and used the 45c I still had.
I had pretty much blown off the search, and I get a e-mail saying the one in Panama City was back on the market. Said the Captain would show me the boat, I agreed, Captain called me to confirm, made the appointment, took off work. The broker called me the day before, and started acting really wierd. Telling me the boat had a bad history, owners did not keep up repairs, looked like it had been holed above the waterline, and the interior was outdated. I asked why the pics looked so good, he said they were old. Asked why the previous deal fell through, stated buyer told insurance company he planned to live aboard. That was a no-no for them and denied coverage. Finance company also did not want to mess with a live aboard, so deal was pulled.
Man I was scared I was wasting time, but went anyway. What if the stories were true, and that is why she was back on the market. Told my wife not to go, canceled my motel, planned on driving straight there and leave really quick to come back. 8 hour drive each way. Got to the boat, and was nicer than the pics, engines fired right up, maintenance logs were up to date. The captain did not know what the broker was talking about, said broker never even visited the boat. I told him I had enquired several times, he stated broker told owners there was not much interest in the boat. I ended up spending 2 days there, got a free boat ride, left alone to snoop the bilges, and decided to purchase. Told the Captain my offer, he said I was in the ball park, but it was up to the owners.
Went back 2 weeks later to take deposit, confirm price, and arrange for surveys, and the owners were there this time. They were pissed when they found out I tried to see the boat over a year earlier. They told me the broker never visited the boat, sent a photographer instead. All paper work was done over e-mail. Even showed me engine and hull surveys done 3 weeks earlier for insurance purposes. Said I could have them, and out of water pics, and since they were in his name with vessel ID, they were acceptable to my insurance company. He spent 7 grand on the surveys.
They even knocked off another 80 grand because the captain showed and demo'd the boat for me not the broker. They had not sent the renewal forms in yet, they were thinking about sitting on the boat until Spring. Since no brokerage contract, broker did not show boat, they were not liable to him or his company. They got a nasty phone call from the owners that day.
So I saved alot of time any money because I ended up dealing with the owners. However I got a boat over a year later than I wanted.
So good luck, quite a journey to end up with the boat of your dreams.
Tim
LOL. Good luck.
