Chicago-area Brokers & Surveyors, etc.

[Kevin]

I am planning to buy a C30 in the near future and I have two big questions: 1) Can anyone recommend a good broker to help with the purchase? 2) Likewise, can anyone recommend a good surveyor?I have never owned a sailboat before, so I assume that these professionals would be invaluable to me. Does anyone have an opinion about using a broker or not? How will I benefit from using a broker? I have been assuming it's a lot like using a real estate agent.Also, how much will brokers and surveyors cost me?Thanks.

 

[Mike Elmore]

Chicago Brokers

Bruce at Sailboat Sales Co located at Crowleys Yacht Yard is a good guy. He brokers a bunch of boats each season and has been honest in my dealings with him. www.crowleys.com, www.sailboatsalesco.com Bruce usually has a couple C30's each offseason...but they go quick. He will search for you and find you one elsewhere though. I bought my C28 when I was 23, and he was really the only broker I saw who gave a grungy looking 23 year old any sit down time to look for boats. Larsen Marine up in Waulkeegan does a large brokerage business, but I haven't dealt with them. www.larsenmarine.comSail Place, Inc. also in Waulkeegan is a Catalina dealer. He has probably the most C30's and Catalina's in general for sale at any time in the area, but didn't really give me any attention so I looked elsewhere. Maybe you'll have a different experience. www.sailplaceinc.comMike Elmoremwelmor@yahoo.comChicago, ILWindward Hull - C28 #7

 

[Kevin]

Thanks, and related Q's

Thank you for the informative reply. From the research I've done, and one other person I asked, I had already been favorably impressed with Sailboat Sales Co. Is Crowley's a good place to winter your boat? What kind of cost is involved? Services?Thanks again.