How do I find a broker?

[First Mate]

Here's a broker tactic we've seen twice in a row on different boats. We view the boat. We don't make an immediate offer. The broker tells us that there is a foreign buyer flying in to look at the boat. Several months later, the boat hasn't sold - i.e. still on Yachtworld.com.

Do they think we'll suddenly make an offer if a foreign buyer is on the hook? Makes me lose respect for the broker when they play games.

We were about ready to pick this broker to help us when he told us someone was flying in from South Africa to look at the boat. It was like hearing a gong.

[kevingy]

Originally Posted by Hud3

I've been dealing recently with Ed Whiteaker (Whiteaker Yacht Sales in Bradenton, FL).

I called Ed early this week. I spoke with him for 10 minutes or so. He was on his way to another appointment, so we couldn't talk long. He said he'd call me back after the appointment. He called me back the next afternoon. (It must have been a long appointment.) I was on my way to the airport, so we couldn't talk again. I returned his call the next day. Ed asked what I was looking for. As soon as the word "catamaran" came out of my mouth, he referred me to his "catamaran guy".

Honestly, though, I felt a little put off. I appreciate Ed being honest enough with me to have someone more experienced with catamarans work with me. However, it also seemed like Ed was too busy even if I had been looking for a monohull.

Ed's "catamaran guy" seems to have a lot of catamaran experience and knowledge. I haven't figured out yet how much is fact and how much is opinion. I'm cautiously proceeding with Ed's "catamard guy".

[kevingy]

There were a couple other pieces of information Ed gave me. I'll throw them out here for discussion if nothing else.

1. On average, in his experience, the final sales price is only about 10% of the YachtWorld.com list price. At most, he's seen about a 15% difference. Reports made in this forum of a 30%-50% discount are over-stated.

2. For the most part, a broker doesn't know of any boats for sale other than those listed on YachtWorld.com. (The YachtWorld.com data source is a marine MLS.) Occasionally, brokers know someone who is getting ready to sell, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. From what he said, the buyer is really looking for thier own boat and just uses a broker for information and to complete the transaction. I assume that leaves the buyer, not the broker, to walk docks and scour boatyards.