If you’re in the market for buying a second-hand boat, it’s important to get all the facts about the boat before you commit. It might be tempting to jump at the first listing that ticks most of your boxes (especially price!) but there are some crucial details to consider when you’re in the market for a used yacht.
Before you start scrolling listings, get clear on what you want. Of course you want to get a good deal on a great boat that will serve you well for years to come. But what else? Ask yourself these questions.
What’s your budget? Consider not just the price of the boat, but also what you’re willing to pay in additional repairs or upgrades.
What kind of boat do you want? Sail boat or power boat? Center console or dual console? Yacht?
What size boat do you need?
What will you be using the boat for? Cruising or fishing? Traveling or entertaining? Does it need to be comfortable enough to live on for days or weeks at a time?
Who will use the boat? Is this just for you and your family? For entertaining guests? Will you require a captain or crew?
Where will you store the boat? Slip, stack or trailer? If you have waterfront property, will you need to make any changes to your dock to accommodate a boat of size?
What special features are important to you? What’s a deal-breaker and what’s nice to have?
It’s a lot to keep in mind when scrolling those listings! And since so much of a purchase decision ultimately comes down to price, you need to be able to read between the lines of any listing to understand what certain repairs or upgrades may cost, how rare or common certain features are, and so much more.
How Can a Yacht Broker Help Your Used Yacht Search and Purchase?
Remember that exhaustive list of considerations? When you hire a broker, they’ll be able to flag listings that meet all your criteria including price, and have been vetted to ensure the boat is the right fit for your special requests.
Your working relationship with your Gulfstream Yacht Sales broker begins with a conversation when you can share details about your vision for the perfect boat. We’ll run through a long list of questions to make certain we know exactly what we’re looking for on your behalf.
Because we have so much experience in the marine industry, we know how to spot a problem from a mile away. We’re not lured in by price, and not distracted by flashy features. We know how to spot potential issues, and we’ll make sure you have the whole picture whenever we send you a listing to view.
When you’re ready to move forward on a particular listing, your broker will handle all the back-and-forth with the seller. Our team has a wide network of clients, we know the market well, and we can ensure a smooth transaction from the very start.
These are just a few of the reasons to use a broker when buying a yacht, and if you are considering a broker, we’d love for you to give us a call. We’d love to talk through your vision and get you on the water.
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