Finally Sold the Boat

[Patrick17430]

After listing my 2000 Bene 321 with a broker for 9 long months I canceled and decided to sell her myself because I was tired of hearing how I should sell to a low ball bid of 60k because of the crappy economy and comps were selling for that. ( The advice of the broker ) The next day while cleaning and removing the brokers sign, I have a guy walk up on the dock and ask if he could take a look. When he finished looking he offered me $2500 less than I was asking. $76.500. That was last Wed. I signed the bill of sale today. The buyer payed cash. If you own a 321. I just helped raise the value of your boat. The broker I hear is a little bent. Oh well !

 

[Roy10289]

Thanks for the post. I have had my boat for sale for several months also at first with a broker too. As in your case they told me to take over 12k less than my asking price for tha same reasons they gave to you. At the same time all other comp boats I see on this site or any other site are asking the same as I am or in many cases more. I guess brokers don't care because 10% of a smaller amount is still good money to then and they have less work.
I haven't sold my boat yet but I'm enjoying it while I wait for the fair price that it is worth.

 

[Tim R.]

Congrats pk.

I have never used a broker to sell my boats. You should not need one if it is in good condition and is a desirable boat.

I have always wondered what kind of protections brokers have in their contracts to keep someone from selling a boat privately out from under them. Did you have to wait a prescribed amount of time? There must be something in the contract.

 

[Patrick17430]

The contract was open ended and was only for 1 month even though it was 9 months before I pulled it. The brokers have to be licenced in California to attempt the sale of a boat. That's what I was told but that could be BS too. Its hard to sort out all the crap they tell you. They hang a sign on your boat, post it on Yacht World, wait for the phone to ring and you give em 10% for their trouble. What a racket! Good Luck.

 

[Stu Jackson]

We met the new owners the other day, but they didn't share names or anything. I don't know what you did to them, pk, but they turned the boat around in the slip so we have to look at the butt end of it!

We're gonna surely miss ya on the dock. Come down and visit us and go for a sail with me any time you want. Of course, we're in Canada this week, but the offer still stands. You know how to find me...

 

[Patrick17430]

Well..... I turned it around because I always wanted to and never did. The last maneuver I made with her. Oh.. and a pump out ! I appreciate the offer Stu and you know Ill take you up on it. We never did get to go sailing together so we'll consider that unfinished business. We may try power boating on a trawler for a time but you never know, we do love to sail. Thanks for all the help when we moved.

 

[Tim R.]

They hang a sign on your boat, post it on Yacht World, wait for the phone to ring and you give em 10% for their trouble. What a racket! Good Luck.

Oooo, you got one of the good ones.:dance:

Broker frustrations:
- Pictures that don't enlarge
- No floor or sail plan
- Absence of pictures(hmm, that may be intentional)
- Absence of specs(no excuse for this one)
- Wrong specs(again, no excuse)
- Can you please respond to my email already!
- Hovering while I craw around and take photos(annoy someone else to learn about boats)
- Not knowing anything about the models they represent
- Trying to sell me a boat I am not interested in

And the word "pristine" should be stricken from their vocabulary.

BTW, there are some that are better than others. They are a minority and you are lucky to find one.

Some Friday morning humor - http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8234829/yacht-broker

 

[rgranger]

And the word "pristine" should be stricken from their vocabulary.

Add "Historic", "... by the legendary designer..." and "Classic"

Its seems like every boat older than 40 was designed by the worlds most renowned designer.:naughty:

 

[John]

Then there was the case of ABC Yacht Brokers in Sausalito CA who were found guilty of having embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients. They sold their clients boats and used the money for who-knows-what. See: http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_15017487

 

[Tim R.]

Hey, at least they sold the boats!

Always amazes me that people think they can get away with this kind of stuff.

I have an awesome job that allows me to see dumbasses like this put away.

 

[Deadhead]

Perfect!

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8234829/yacht-broker

Only one thing missing:

. . . .And will you be making your down payment in cash? . . .

 

[Sanfelice]

When I was looking for a boat down south a few years ago I contacted 7 different broker of which only 1 responded. He was less than helpful. Then there are the brokers who list boats nowhere near them and the owner or a friend needs to set up apointments, show the boat etc.. If it sells the broker gets their commission never having done anything other than list the boat. Also, you would think they would at least clean up the interiors before taking pictures. Nothing like dirty dishes and towels hanging evrywhere to make a boat more attractive.

 

[Tim R.]

Also, you would think they would at least clean up the interiors before taking pictures. Nothing like dirty dishes and towels hanging evrywhere to make a boat more attractive.

Here I will defend the broker. It is the job of the owner to clean up and organize the boat to prepare for sale. I do not know any broker that will do that and any owner that skips this is not serious about selling their boat at a premium.

Staging for a boat sale is no different than staging a home.

 

[Patrick17430]

Here I will defend the broker. It is the job of the owner to clean up and organize the boat to prepare for sale. I do not know any broker that will do that and any owner that skips this is not serious about selling their boat at a premium.

Staging for a boat sale is no different than staging a home.

This is what I'm talking about. Even a car dealer cleans up a vehicle before attempting to sell it. It's only seams like common sense too me. The car dealers have much lower profit margins also. Brokers are do nothing, blowhards. At 10% they wont even wash the damn thing. Thats another $80 a month.

 

[Merlin Clark]

This is what I'm talking about. Even a car dealer cleans up a vehicle before attempting to sell it. It's only seams like common sense too me. The car dealers have much lower profit margins also. Brokers are do nothing, blowhards. At 10% they wont even wash the damn thing. Thats another $80 a month.

If an owner is too busy or remote the broker could/should offer to make arrangements for a boat detailing service to be paid for by the owner. And any other service the boat may need. If it were mine, I'd want a broker worrying about selling the boat and not housekeeping. If the seller is still using the boat while it's on the market and doesn't understand that a dirty or cluttered boat doesn't show well the broker could end up being the free maid service.

I know brokers want to get 10% but in this market commisions are negotiable.

 

[John]

We bought both of our boats from individuals and sold our first boat ourselves. After selling the boat, we also went beyond any legal obligations to help fix a major problem that arose. I doubt the new owner would have gotten satisfaction if he'd bought it through a broker.

 

[Brian D]

I purchase out boat from a private seller. Since, we have been shown boats by brokers who do not know anything about the boat. I have a checklist of questions I ask, three to four pages worth, and the majority of the time, the broker cannot answer any of them. Sad! They take no pride in what they do. Even used car salesmen are more knowledgeable than a yacht broker.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Aw, shucks.

It's pretty simple.

My three very best friends, who I will never ever see again, are the three gentlemen who sold us their C22, C25 and C34.

God bless 'em.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Aw, shucks.

It's pretty simple.

My three very best friends, who I will never ever see again, are the three gentlemen who sold us their C22, C25 and C34.

God bless 'em.

I bought and sold my Chris Craft Caribbean thru the same broker. This was in the days before much internet advertising and we got tired of driving all over FL looking at (sailboat trader or newspaper classified ads) boats that were either out of our price range or crap and we needed a liveaboard right away. On the sale, I got sent overseas with short notice for a 2 year accompanied tour and didn't see any advantage in paying for a slip, insurance and boat maintenence for the duration. I'd hang my head but in both cases the broker was a necessity.
The rest of our boats I bought from and sold to private parties.

 

[KoniKoni]

I bought the last Beneteau 321 in SF sold just before yours. You got a great deal. I paid 49k, although mine is a 1995 model and probably not as in good shape. If you haven't bought your new boat yet and are looking to get out there let me know. I'd love to learn from another 321 owner.