Thinking of Selling - Re: Selling Agents?

[Nonchalant1]

We're thinking of selling our big toy (1978 53MY) and I've never sold a boat before. I don't want 100 e-mails from agents offering to list her, but I would appreciate comments from experienced frequent HOF contributors about what's good and what's not, or who's good and who's not.

I know the boat market is really bad right now and I'll probably only get half price, but I'm in no hurry to sell and don't need the cash. I love the boat but we plan to do more vacationing and less boating in future years and I'm not sure the expense of keeping her as a dock queen and hurricane season storage is worth the pleasure of 4 to 8 weeks cruising per year. We'll still use it while it's for sale.

We're at Marina Jacks in Sarasota now and they have Sarasota Yacht and Ship Services here. They're a "Certified Professional Yacht Brokers endorsed brokerage" (only one in Florida?) and members of all the big broker's associations, etc. They want 10% and an exclusive agreement with 90 days to cancel and 1 year for any buyer they had on the boat. They'll do the 360 degree interactive pictures for marketing the boat, all the big websites, etc. I have no experience with them.

What are the regular HOF contributors opinions?

Thanks - Doug

 

[StratPlan61]

Doug,
Sure hate to hear you and Kathy are thinking of selling, but you know what is best for you. I have worked with a gentleman named Alan Bernard from Luke Brown & Associates. He is one of the principals there and he runs the Newport, RI office. There are bunches of nice yacht brokers, Alan is one which has impeccable integrity. He is not a BS artist and he has a diverse background in the commercial (shipping/Boating) and yachting industry. He spends Jan-May in FL and can be reached through the Luke Brown office in Ft launderdale, FL. PM me if you want his cell phone, etc.
This guy is a real professional and has departed brokerage firms where they 'bend the rules'. A square shooter in an industry smitten with some real jerks.
My .02 worth. Good luck. Bear'

 

[DLCameron2]

Hi Doug:

Talk to Chuck Grice at Virginia Yacht Brokers (757) 482-6630 or (757) 287-6344. He sold our 43DC (in Detroit) and sold us our 53ED (in Long Island), licensed in FL and very well connected. A true Southern Gentleman.

My 2 cents.

DC

 

[Genesis]

10% commission is standard, as are the deals for "anyone we had on the boat." The latter is a mixed bag; if you agree to it, demand that they provide you contemporary copies of lists of all people they have on the boat for your files (that is, all who qualify.)

The key is not to have the listing produce nothing and then get a surprise later with a claim that they were someone who they "introduced", after the buyer beats you over the head post-expiration on price because you believe it's a private sale with no "rake" due.

 

[SeaEric]

You will probably be best served by a broker with geography that is similar to your boat. Most of us (brokers) are inherently (lazy) more prone to showing and selling inventory which is convenient, and within our control. Its true that plenty of brokers have historically shown and sold boats that are far, far away. That is less true now than in the old pre-internet days. Buyers tend now to search YachtWorld, find who has the boat they want, then they go to that broker to view that boat.

You could also pick a good broker and then relocate the boat to their dock.

When the boat is in proximity, it gives the broker control over how she is kept (clean) and shown, especially in the case of an absent owner. This is more important now than ever before. Buyers are few. You only get one shot at making a good first impression.

Pick a broker that you like and can trust, with proven integrity and a track record in selling older boats.

There are many good ones to choose from.

 

[Capt K]

I've also used Chuck Grice in the past. He's a little more pro-active than many (at least he was back when we had dealings). I know he will go far and wide when necessary and also arranges dockage when the vessel is in his area (Va).

Good luck, sorry to see this happen.

K

 

[Nonchalant1]

Sold the boat!

The new owners are live aboards in Charleston, and very nice people. Thanks to all for thoughts and best of wishes to the new owners. The broker (Sarasota Yacht & Ship) traveled to Key West 3 times, as did the buyers broker (Krogen dealer). I'll keep checking in here at HOF as I still love Hatts and will rent some in far away places.

Best Regards,

Doug Shuman

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I'm happy for you Doug and sorry to hear it at the same time. I really enjoyed your blog for the last couple of years and I was hoping to meet up with you and Kathy by boat sometime. Best wishes on your next adventure, whatever that may be.

 

[captddis]

Doug,
I too will miss your blog and am sorry we never got to meet although we got close a few times. What are you going to do without the Hatt?
Best Wishes. Dave

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Theyre gonna stay on my Roamer when so inclined! Good luck guys... see ya again sometime! ws

 

[bigbill]

good luck kathy and doug, i will really miss your blog, hope to meet up with ya'll some time. post here when you are going to be on the gulfcoast. bigbill

 

[Angela]

Sad to hear that you're out of boating, but happy for you at the same time since you have other things in life that you want to do. You've already accomplished so much with your Hatt that many of can only dream about. For far less than what you will spend in keeping and maintaining such a yacht for the little time you would use her, you could charter a yacht, whether it be a Hatt or another quality vessel, for a week, or whatever, in many different locations all over the world to get your "fix" - that would really extend your cruising grounds.

 

[Nonchalant1]

Doug,
I too will miss your blog and am sorry we never got to meet although we got close a few times. What are you going to do without the Hatt?
Best Wishes. Dave

Dave,

My other hobbies are restoring a 1949 Mercedes (and keeping it running as a driver), wakeboarding (we have a 22 ft. Mastercraft), scuba diving (Saint John USVI is my favorite), playing the guitar (a 1969 Epiphone FT79N like Paul McCartney's) and my favorite thing is that I love repairing and restoring antique repeater watches (they go "dong dong-ding-dong) to tell you what time it is when you push a button and are spectacular little machines inside.

Also, Kathy's Irish (a Flanagan) and has never seen Ireland but wants to. I want to go see the Aurora Borealis in Alaska in February. We both enjoy fly-in fishing in Canada. And we have three kids, one just married, another engaged and the 3rd carries a gun and badge in our National Parks as a Park Ranger, so we visit a lot of National Parks.

Doug

 

[Nonchalant1]

Sad to hear that you're out of boating, but happy for you at the same time since you have other things in life that you want to do. You've already accomplished so much with your Hatt that many of can only dream about. For far less than what you will spend in keeping and maintaining such a yacht for the little time you would use her, you could charter a yacht, whether it be a Hatt or another quality vessel, for a week, or whatever, in many different locations all over the world to get your "fix" - that would really extend your cruising grounds.

Ang - That's the plan. Do you know anybody that charters a Hatteras, like maybe a 58MY?

Thanks,

Doug

 

[Nonchalant1]

Doug,
I too will miss your blog and am sorry we never got to meet although we got close a few times. What are you going to do without the Hatt?
Best Wishes. Dave

Dave,

Thanks very much, particularly for your considerable help.

Regards,

Doug

 

[Nonchalant1]

good luck kathy and doug, i will really miss your blog, hope to meet up with ya'll some time. post here when you are going to be on the gulfcoast. bigbill

Bigbill,

Thanks... Will do.

Doug

 

[Nonchalant1]

Theyre gonna stay on my Roamer when so inclined! Good luck guys... see ya again sometime! ws

Bill,

I 'druther stay on yer Hatt.

Regards,

Doug

 

[Nonchalant1]

I'm happy for you Doug and sorry to hear it at the same time. I really enjoyed your blog for the last couple of years and I was hoping to meet up with you and Kathy by boat sometime. Best wishes on your next adventure, whatever that may be.

Sky - Well if you come through Chicago, give us a shout. dshumans@gmail.com

Doug

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Bill,

I 'druther stay on yer Hatt.

Regards,

Doug

Doug... are you PSYCHIC?????? When my dad got the Roamer in '72 the PO had it named "DRUTHER SWIM" !! Get a tetanus shot and welcome aboard anytime. Bill