Buying boat from broker

J

jwws007

New Member
Jan 2, 2010
48
Rochester,NY
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
I'd like to know how much work a broker does to check out a boats condition before listing it. Does he check it over himself mechanically etc. I'm going to get a survey and mechanical check done, but how much does the broker figure out before that
 
jwws007 said:
I'd like to know how much work a broker does to check out a boats condition before listing it. Does he check it over himself mechanically etc. I'm going to get a survey and mechanical check done, but how much does the broker figure out before that
Click to expand...

Depends on the broker.i know M.M. checks them out really good from what i understand...
it would be to there advantage...
 
Can’t speak for all brokers but the one I used was pretty thorough. The boat I got through him was a new listing--the first time I saw it was the first time he saw it. When we arrived to the boat, he had his mechanic in tow. The mechanic started the engines, check temps, compression, out drives....went through the electric and etcetera. It was pretty cool.

now, he could have did this for show but I know how much the broker got for the sale and probably lost money or just about broke even.

And when I brought my mechanic to the boat a week later, the brokers Mechanic was there just to answer questions and point out what he found wrong.

Even though the broker and I both knew, I was going to buy the boat; his mechanic still came out for the test ride. I asked the Mechanic why, he was there, and he told me that he had to go through an all points inspection checklist on every boat they list.

In my Case, I have to say, the brokers mechanic was more thorough then my mechanic.

Suggestions

1. Ask to meet the brokers mechanic who inspected the boat
2. Speak to the Mechanic directly to what he found on the boat
3. Be at the boat with the mechanic and ask him to show you the negatives and positives.
4. When you have your surveyor or mechanic at the boat, require the broker to have his mechanic there as well
5. Push the issue of dealing with the mechanic
6. Ask the broker to view the Mechanics notes from when he reviewed the vessel
a. If the broker cannot produce documents, use his lack of effort as a bargaining chip
7. Ask the broker for some references and do your part and contact these references
8. Check around the marina that this broker works around and other nearby marina’s and ask about the integrity of the broker.
a. Every broker that I worked with when looking at boats knew about each other and they were miles away from each other.

Good luck
 
I have bought two boats and looked at several others. I have never seen a brocker with a mechanic. If I ever buy an other boat or sell mine I will try to find a brocker like yours.
 
A broker is a "broker". They are there to list and sell the boat, and to "facilitate" the deal. DO NOt depend on them to do your due diligence.

Is the broker going to warranty the boat?
 
I guess I'm hoping that the broker does enough checking out of the boat that when i spend the money on a surveyor and a mechanic, there won't be any major gotchas
 
Make sure you get your own surveyor, not the brokers
 
A broker typically will not check out a boat mechanically. That is up to you and your surveyor. If you have a buyers broker then he/she will offer you advice as to condition and may help you determine whetehr or not the boat is worth pursuing and investing in a real survey.

As a broker, I will typically check out new listings, but more from a standpoint of condition, options, etc. My job is to market the boat and facilitate a deal. A surveyors job is to determine condition.
 
I'm sure there are some great brokers out there. However, I would rely upon my own judgement and surveyor.

In the end, brokers are basically salesmen, and they only get paid when they sell a boat.
 
Nacho Boat said:
I'm sure there are some great brokers out there. However, I would rely upon my own judgement and surveyor.

In the end, brokers are basically salesmen, and they only get paid when they sell a boat.
Click to expand...


IMHO - A good broker should be a lot more than just a salesman. Yes there are a lot of salesman that say they are a broker.
 
I bought my first boat privately w/ a survey and that was a nice experience ,then we bought the 320 from a sea ray dealer who was brokering it for a customer yes they are just selling the boat for another party but they could have been a little more patient in our opinion. Were talking a lot of $$$$ changing hands here and i feel we were thrown the keys and pointed to the boat, not even a question of have you ever operated a boat before? we love sea rays this is our second one and feel they make a quality product and if we upgrade again it makes you think maybe i'll try a dealer somewhere else for my new boat. I heard they can get as much as 10% commish on a brokerage not sure how true that is but thats a lot of money and he could of been nicer about the deal, .(just our opinion):smt013
 
Usually the brokerage gets 10% of the deal, however the single broker involved does not make all that 10%. The deals are usually split 60/40 in favor of the brokerage house.
 
We had a completely different and positive experience with our broker and local Sea Ray dealership, Lake Union Sea Ray in Seattle. We spent 2 years looking at boats, trying out boats, shopping for boats, attending boat shows, etc. with completely polite, non-pressure, supportive attention from our broker. When we finally bought a brokered boat through LUSR, their service staff went completely through the boat, checking it out, servicing it, cleaning and detailing - a process that took about 2 weeks. At delivery day the boat looked brand new, and when we had friends over for the first "party" on board they couldn't believe it was a 6 year old boat.

LUSR said it was a "certified boat" and that the complete service review was required by the bank. We also got (paid for) a 2 year extended SR warranty. The lead mechanic then spent 1-1/2 hours explaining all the systems, walking us through the engine room, how to check fluid levels, etc. and basicly said if I have any questions just give him a call. We were introdcued to other service staff and the parts manager in their retail store.

I was totally impressed with their thoroughnees - replacing light bulbs, 4 new batteries (no charge), new lines & fenders, etc. The broker also gave us referrals for financing, insurance and new canvas, and secured our marina slip on a dock together with 6 other Sea Rays (including our broker's boat jus 2 slips away - I know where to find him :grin: )
 
I see a broker as a valuable resource. I think a broker with a mechanic on his/her team would be an asset as well. There may be a boat that you are pursuing that is only available through a broker, so you will have to work through them. You still do your own appraisal and survey.

I was after a specific boat and the broker representing seller was so bad he did nothing but get in the way of my purchase. Fortunate for me the broker listing expired several weeks after we said "no thanks". I was then able to go direct to owner and make the purchase. I made my offer, ordered survey, completed purchase.
 
I sold my 37 foot sea ray to a dealer who brokered the boat. The dealer did a full blown survey prior to writing me the check. In this case he became the broker and had to know what he bought.
 
Maybe i was misunderstood, I have nothing against a guy who works for his money but when you make $6000 for opening up the shrink wrap dont you think you would do a little more for the money? I would feel very guilty .we received NOTHING from them no service records no free lines and fenders no referrals for canvas, nothing . All they were interested in was getting us to pay for a slip at theyre marina. we were not introduced to anyone else in the building except the dock master (to try and get more $$$) im sure, it just left a very bad impression p.s. i happen to know two friends who actually work there and i even mentioned them and the salesman says " oh yeah " just a bad experience for us .
 
frozen with salt said:
Maybe i was misunderstood, I have nothing against a guy who works for his money but when you make $6000 for opening up the shrink wrap dont you think you would do a little more for the money? I would feel very guilty .we received NOTHING from them no service records no free lines and fenders no referrals for canvas, nothing . All they were interested in was getting us to pay for a slip at theyre marina. we were not introduced to anyone else in the building except the dock master (to try and get more $$$) im sure, it just left a very bad impression p.s. i happen to know two friends who actually work there and i even mentioned them and the salesman says " oh yeah " just a bad experience for us .
Click to expand...

I stiil feel very bad that had happened to you.:smt009.but my own experience with M.M.S.S.3 has be excellent, but my buying scenario with them was defintely to there delight...:thumbsup:
 
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