Do You Know A Good Broker?

[Prairie Virgin Sailor]

I am looking to buy a 32' - 40' sailboat most likely on the Pacific Ocean side of Canada. I MIGHT consider a boat on the great lakes (Ontario/Quebec) but probably prefer the west. I am not ready to buy yet, and would probably want to do some serious looking for the next several months. Does anyone know a good broker I could work with, that understands I am not ready yet but is ok with getting to know what I am wanting and eventually working towards getting the boat I want. I am very inexperienced and will need some obvious hand holding. I taught myself to sail on a West Wight Potter 19 and am now wanting to move up ($30,000 - $50,000 range). I need a broker that understands my situation, knows my price limitations and is willing to be patient with me while I look around. Does anyone know someone that might be willing to work with me?

 

[dlochner]

Give Allison Lehman a call. She usually deals with higher end boats, however she is a good fair broker. If she can't help you she can probably direct you to someone who can. You can tell her I sent you.

When you go shopping remember the boats in your price range do not generate a large commission. The standard commission rate is 10% of which the broker will only get a portion of that and the brokerage will get the rest. If the boat is co-brokered, meaning the selling brokerage is not the listing brokerage the rewards are even slimmer, each brokerage gets half the commission and the listing and selling agents get a portion of that. How much the broker stands to earn will drive the amount of time the broker is willing to spend helping you find your boat.

Allison Lehman
Swiftsure Yachts
510 912-5800 cell
510 860-4640 fax
allison@swiftsureyachts.com

 

[Prairie Virgin Sailor]

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

 

[jssailem]

Boats here in the PacificNW are priced a bit higher that most other regions. As @dlochner stated the commission on a boat gets skinny in the range you identify. You might find doing the searching (I.e. looking on line) to narrow the boat down then reaching out to the listing broker a more successful path.

Looking in the Victoria, Sidney, and Vancouver area is likely to give you the best choices. I have not had any dealings with the brokers in this region so can not make a recommendation.

 

[AlastairLC]

Just remember, he’s the broker, you’re the brokee.

 

[dlochner]

Boats here in the PacificNW are priced a bit higher that most other regions. As @dlochner stated the commission on a boat gets skinny in the range you identify. You might find doing the searching (I.e. looking on line) to narrow the boat down then reaching out to the listing broker a more successful path.

Looking in the Victoria, Sidney, and Vancouver area is likely to give you the best choices. I have not had any dealings with the brokers in this region so can not make a recommendation.

If you have a specific boat in mind contacting brokers with that information may lead to a good find. Brokers will have an idea about boats coming on the market and if they can move a boat for someone who is buying a new boat it will help seal the deal on the more expensive boat.

Vague inquiries to brokers don’t always get a response. Also, if you are not in the area the broker will be less likely to spend much time and energy on your search. State travel plans and the one or two boat models you are looking for. Something like “I’ll be in Vancouver the first week in May and I’m looking for a dreamboat 30 or go fast 32 or something similar. Are you aware of any coming on the market that I may inspect?”

One of the first questions a broker may ask is whether you intend to keep the boat nearby or truck back home. If the answer is truck it, expect a less enthusiastic response. Trucking is expensive.

Your job as a buyer is to convince the broker you are a serious buyer and not just another tire kicker or dreamer. Time is money to the broker.

Good luck.

 

[Mikem]

Try Lawrence Fronczek at Specialty Yachts in Vancouver. Highly recommended.

 

[DArcy]

When I was shopping in a similar price range I had very poor response from all of the brokers I reached out to. My experience is you need to be in a higher bracket to work with a broker. I ended up with a private deal that went very smoothly. I won't go so far as to say don't bother with brokers, but don't limit yourself to only working with a broker. I have been sailing and working on boats since I was young so YMMV.

 

[Hello Below]

Try Lawrence Fronczek at Specialty Yachts in Vancouver. Highly recommended.

I can say nothing bad about Lawrence. I found him to be very patient, professional and understanding when I worked with him 10 years. He went out of his way to ensure I was satisfied with all of my concerns. Give him a call, it will be worth your quarter.

 

[sail sfbay]

Suggest going to the websites for the Vancouver, BC boat brokers to see what they are listing (1) sailboat brokers in vancouver bc - Search (bing.com). You also might want to look at Yachtworld and limit your search to sailboats in your price range.

 

[Prairie Virgin Sailor]

If you have a specific boat in mind contacting brokers with that information may lead to a good find. Brokers will have an idea about boats coming on the market and if they can move a boat for someone who is buying a new boat it will help seal the deal on the more expensive boat.

Vague inquiries to brokers don’t always get a response. Also, if you are not in the area the broker will be less likely to spend much time and energy on your search. State travel plans and the one or two boat models you are looking for. Something like “I’ll be in Vancouver the first week in May and I’m looking for a dreamboat 30 or go fast 32 or something similar. Are you aware of any coming on the market that I may inspect?”

One of the first questions a broker may ask is whether you intend to keep the boat nearby or truck back home. If the answer is truck it, expect a less enthusiastic response. Trucking is expensive.

Your job as a buyer is to convince the broker you are a serious buyer and not just another tire kicker or dreamer. Time is money to the broker.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. Very much appreciated. Based on recent comments and the small amount of experience I have already, it somewhat appears (to me) that the use of a broker can be pointless, or at least not overly helpful (unless I am spending a lot of money). Understanding my comment to be at least somewhat truthful ... how be a rephrase my question? Does a broker bring any value to the table if you are only looking to spend $50,000?

 

[dlochner]

For a new buyer, the broker can help with the details of the sale, provides a buffer between you and the seller, and may have knowledge of something you are interested in coming on the market.

A common scenario, a boat owner wants to buy a new boat that is larger or more expensive than his current boat. But he has to sell his boat first or at about the same time. If the boat is one you would like, having you as a buyer will help the broker make the sale on the more expensive boat. Everybody is happy.

Don't expect the broker to go to great lengths to find you a boat or to spend a lot of time explaining the differences between boats. Remember he works for the seller not you. If the broker takes a liking to you he may send out an email to fellow brokers in the area letting them know he has a buyer for a particular model of a boat.

Do your homework. Know what you want to do with your boat, daysailing, short cruises, weekender, travel the world, etc. Narrow down your list of possible boats. Read reviews. Practical Sailor, Good Old Boat, and Sailing magazines all publish reasonably good reviews of older boats. Find and join owners' groups and listen to the stories and concerns. If you're interested in a Catalina, follow the Catalina Forums here on SBO. As a new old boat owner, consider a subscription to Good Old Boat, in addition to the monthly reviews there are lots of articles on restoring and maintaining old boats.

When you are looking for reviews, learn to sort the wheat from the chafe. There are folks out there who present themselves as experts, who aren't really all that knowledgeable. Get your information from multiple sources, the reliable ones will soon stand out.

Find a mentor, in person is best or online. Someone who will guide you through the process and the multitude of questions you will have.

And enjoy the process as frustrating as it may be at times.

 

[Prairie Virgin Sailor]

For a new buyer, the broker can help with the details of the sale, provides a buffer between you and the seller, and may have knowledge of something you are interested in coming on the market.

A common scenario, a boat owner wants to buy a new boat that is larger or more expensive than his current boat. But he has to sell his boat first or at about the same time. If the boat is one you would like, having you as a buyer will help the broker make the sale on the more expensive boat. Everybody is happy.

Don't expect the broker to go to great lengths to find you a boat or to spend a lot of time explaining the differences between boats. Remember he works for the seller not you. If the broker takes a liking to you he may send out an email to fellow brokers in the area letting them know he has a buyer for a particular model of a boat.

Do your homework. Know what you want to do with your boat, daysailing, short cruises, weekender, travel the world, etc. Narrow down your list of possible boats. Read reviews. Practical Sailor, Good Old Boat, and Sailing magazines all publish reasonably good reviews of older boats. Find and join owners' groups and listen to the stories and concerns. If you're interested in a Catalina, follow the Catalina Forums here on SBO. As a new old boat owner, consider a subscription to Good Old Boat, in addition to the monthly reviews there are lots of articles on restoring and maintaining old boats.

When you are looking for reviews, learn to sort the wheat from the chafe. There are folks out there who present themselves as experts, who aren't really all that knowledgeable. Get your information from multiple sources, the reliable ones will soon stand out.

Find a mentor, in person is best or online. Someone who will guide you through the process and the multitude of questions you will have.

And enjoy the process as frustrating as it may be at times.

Thanks so much. This was very helpful. I will take your advice and write down in detail exactly what it is I am looking for. I was thinking they were indeed working for me trying to find me a boat ... but as you have stated ... they are working for the seller. If I specifically tell them what I want, they will know at a glance whether they have it to sell me. If they don't, they can simply tell me no and I can move on to the next one (generally speaking). Again, Thanks!!

 

[dlochner]

Thanks so much. This was very helpful. I will take your advice and write down in detail exactly what it is I am looking for. I was thinking they were indeed working for me trying to find me a boat ... but as you have stated ... they are working for the seller. If I specifically tell them what I want, they will know at a glance whether they have it to sell me. If they don't, they can simply tell me no and I can move on to the next one (generally speaking). Again, Thanks!!

do your homework. Make sure you are not looking for a unicorn.
Share your list with experienced sailors. They will help you what is reasonable and what’s not.

 

[Mikem]

Thanks so much. This was very helpful. I will take your advice and write down in detail exactly what it is I am looking for. I was thinking they were indeed working for me trying to find me a boat ... but as you have stated ... they are working for the seller. If I specifically tell them what I want, they will know at a glance whether they have it to sell me. If they don't, they can simply tell me no and I can move on to the next one (generally speaking). Again, Thanks!!

FYI, Lawrence at Specialty Yachts was the largest Hunter dealer in the world for several years running. He now has the Catalina line. Again, he is very knowledgeable, personable and honest.