New and brokerage boats. Power and
sail. Monohulls and catamarans. Specializing in 5 star, custom production
boats for private ownership, or for our Boat-As-A-Business Plan.
Our management and charter company, Lets Go Cruising manages & charters
boats in the Chesapeake and Caribbean.
(List your boat here! or, maybe you should sell it yourself-find
out here-Considerations when selling yourself)
Remember the old
saw, "Location, location, location!" Annapolis is the nations
"Boating Capital". We have over 100 active brokers within 10
minutes of our office. Our office is on the harbor, in Annapolis.
Arguably, the best location in the U.S. If you bring your boat
here, you get maximum exposure. But, in addition, we have one of
the most active, informational web sites on the web. With over
5,000 pages (and growing!) we have been called the Informational
web site for boats.
More on all of
this later. The point is you need exposure and experience to get
the best price for your boat. We've got both.
We also have
extensive capability to convey information electronically. With
our high speed internet, we answer e-mails as they arrive from our registered
clients. Now find out even more...
Eric Smith,
President, welcome!
(A comprehensive form for entering your
listing info. follows)
•Put your boat in our management plan while it's for charter.
•You will normally earn enough to cover all expenses while it's for
sale.
•We have a special listing agreement that lets
you out of the charter agreement once you get a contract.
•Often times, this program increases chances of a sale. A client who
charters finds it very affordable buy your boat and take over the
charters already booked and to keep the boat in charter.
Want to know more about our "Free Sale program"? Call
410-263-2311 and ask for Bobby.
Special program.
If you're looking to sell your
boat, because you want a new boat--here's a unique way to
proceed...
Visit us...At our Annapolis location. How to get
here. What to see and do. Weather. Sailing itinerary and more.
Selling your boat
for profit-what you need to know.
The danger of this discussion is that it might sound like an advertisement for our services. However, after
30 years in the business, selling 100's of boats there are some common sense facts that have emerged.
Before you start...
For all of the reasons that we attract buyers, you may want to list your boat with us. Before you contact us, see if you shouldn't sell your self or open list. Our article FIZZBO (For Sale by Owner) offers some good advice!
Here's a discussion... (Or, go see the listing form
without reading intro.)
(NOTE: If your boat's value is less than $75,000 we suggest locating a broker who specializes in smaller boats (unless you want to purchase a boat from us, in which case we will take your boat in trade or work with a small boat broker we know). If you have a small boat then, or are not willing to move the boat to Annapolis to take full advantage of our capabilities, then you might simply use this information to interview a broker from your area.)
•The longer it takes to sell your boat (once you're serious) the more it costs! Not only do dockage, insurance, maintenance and loan expenses continue, but the value of your boat does not increase with time--in fact, your boat is, probably, a continuing, depreciating asset.
•There are advantages and disadvantages to selling your boat yourself.
•You don't get the advantages the commission buys. Here's a thought, in addition to the other advantages shown here. Doesn't it make sense that a buyer knowing that you're not going to pay a commission, and that you can't offer the services a broker can, will simply make an offer
that's less? That's just what we've heard over and over when sellers finally come to us out of frustration. By all means, contact the one or two people that expressed an interest "...if you ever decided to sell your
boat, let me know...". But, if they don't bite, come to us and let's get the job done!
•You need to spend a considerable amount on advertising to be effective. The larger, and more expensive your boat, the more you need to spend because the size of the market rapidly diminishes with price point!
•You need to spend time following up. Be there to answer the phone, or get good messages. Return the calls promptly.
•Time (Money!) is lost while you decide whether you're really cut out to be a Yacht
Broker. Typically, clients don't show up--or you meet them at the boat and do a demo--they'll think about it. They ask you about financing. Taking their boat in trade. Documenting, upgrades, repairs, choosing a surveyor. What about state sales taxes. Are you prepared to offer accurate advice?
Be careful--you could even be held liable for giving wrong or inaccurate information!
•Some additional advantages a professional broker offers that you just can't
match...
•We offer you advice on setting your boat up for sale and the option to place it in the best possible viewing location to get a fast sale for top dollar.
•We can draw from our extensive data base of people looking for a boat like yours while we're waiting the 6 weeks or so it takes an ad to show up.
•Your boat will be listed in the "Yacht World" central computer system--the largest used boat data base in the world.
•We are one of the few brokers who contacts 100's of clients
every week through letters, e-mails and a constantly updated web site.
•We're there 7 days a week.
•We're on the WEB 24 hours a day.
•We qualify. We can ask the questions to find out in advance if the client is financially capable because...
•We offer financing packages clients just can't get on their own.
•We draw from a client base of 1,000's that have already made inquiries--we don't start from scratch. These clients are just waiting for the right boat and our computer tools are ready to make a match.
•WE HAVE THE LOCATION!
•We simply do more than other brokers (and more than you can do yourself) to get your boat sold fast, for more.
•Finally, we have an extensive list of resources to offer clients which includes: Financing, a list of surveyors, accurate quotes on follow up work, insurance, and just all kinds of other advice.
To find out more, request our brochure: Selling your boat for profit (in our Request for information form). NOTE: We will only send this brochure if you are listing your boat with us. You must fill out this form to get the information!
•The price you get is determined by the market, not your best case scenario.
•Location means a lot! Just like with Real estate, where you place your boat for sale means as much as what it looks like and the price! Our office is
"On the harbor, in Annapolis--America's sailing capital." We're within about
a 10 minute drive for over 100 active brokers. (Many brokers are lazy, and clients don't have much time--they will show boats close by first.) We've had cases of boats languishing on the market for a year or more at their home marina and then selling within two weeks when moved to our location! Ask us how we can arrange this for you.
•We create a great listing for your boat on-line on Yacht World, but also
send out links to 1,000's of people a month through our electronic
newsletters.
Most other brokers let your listings
languish on line with 1,000's of others waiting to be discovered. We
send information to 1000's of clients and other brokers every month. We also have extensive
capability to convey information electronically once an inquiry is made. With our T1 line, we answer
e-mails as they arrive from our registered clients.
Summary...
The bottom line is that our professionals can get you results. In today's
competitive, international market you need the best marketing plan available--and we offer it!
We even have a plan where we can totally manage your boat and even generate some income while its waiting to find a new home. Ask about our
Bay Yacht Group, Free Sale
Program.
Whether you just want a free
appraisal, or are seriously interested in selling your boat, please fill
out this form so that we can give you a better idea of what to expect.
Must fill if a Trade or equity advance situation! Want to find out what the payoff is on your loan. Get a
complete, free, amortization table for your loan if you fill in this
information--Skip this if you don't want/need this service. Enter $0 for amt. if
there is no loan.
The original amount of the loan was:
The loan started on (Date)::
The interest rate was:
The term (in years) was:
Please send info:
Boat Information
Boat Name
Boat Category
Brand
Asking
Price
Model
Condition
Custom Built By
Type
Year Built
Reason for Sale
Engine Manufacture
# Engines:
Length
Engine Type
Beam
Horse Power
Draft
Hours
Hull Material
Fuel Capacity
Electrical System
Cruising Range
Water Capacity
Sleeps (Berths)
#
Tub/Showers
# Heads
Dbl. Cabins
Describe interior and accommodations (Also, submit, layout)
Upgrades. Briefly describe most recent. Last bottom paint, etc.
What's the location of your boat (Please be specific)?
Have you ever filed an insurance claim or sustained damage
that exceeded 5% of the boats value? Describe. Any Other Comments:
Please note here if you would like to place
your boat in our Free Sale program in Annapolis.
You may now provide this self survey, or skip to submitting
On
a scale of 1-10 (1=poor, 10=outstanding, or like new) list the condition of the boat/systems.
HULL.
Cosmetic condition of the finish. (10) Recently painted or immroned or gel coat
less than 5 years old, waxed, no scratches or gouges. No evidence of repairs or
delamination.
BOTTOM.
(10) Clean and recently painted (within 6 mo.). No paint buildup. No evidence of
Blistering. Keel fair and not corroded, no weeping seams. Rudder--no
delamination, movement on shaft, bearings good.
DECK/PORTS/HATCHES.
(10) Gel coat fair and smooth. No evidence of delamination. No leaks at ports or
windows or deck fittings including the mast. Ports and hatches work, don't leak,
and are not crazed.
EXTERIOR
WOOD. Finished natural (sanded and smooth-light silver gray-no open grain) or
varnished (no peeling, chipping, chaffing or other deterioration. No open grain,
with accompanying evidence of mildew in the wood. (Black streaks in the grain.)
RUNNING
RIGGING/WINCHES. (10) Less than 3 years old. No evidence of fraying or
deterioration. Blocks turn freely and are not distorted. Winches turn freely
with no evidence of wear.
STANDING
RIGGING. (10) If more than 5 years old, passed recent dye or X Ray test. No
evidence of stress cracks or distortion of swages or turnbuckles. No evidence of
broken wires. All anchor
points (chain plates) leak free, non-distorted.
SAILS.
(10) If over 5 years old, deduct 2 points for each year over. Gone over and
maintained each year. No loose threads, batten pockets. No evidence of chaff or
worn spots. Shape still designed in. (No fall off of leech, draft blow-back,
excessive need of leech cords, etc.)
CANVAS.
(10) If over 5 years old, deduct 4 points. No fading, no chafe tears or worn
spots. Frame & Frame anchoring condition.
ENGINE/RELATED.
(10) If over 5 years old, checked by a mechanic with heat sensor, oil analysis
(minimum). Oil changed regularly. No evidence of overheating, excessive smoke,
noise, etc. Cutlass bearing shows no wear or play. Prop no electrolysis.
Stuffing box adjustable and works properly. Cables and instruments function
properly.
ELECTRONICS.
(10) If over 5 years old, deduct 2 points for each year if the manufacturer is
still not in business. Fully operational with no evidence of moisture intrusion.
ELECTRICAL.
(10)If batteries over 4 years old,
deduct 4 points for each year. All lights and fixtures show no evidence of
corrosion. All components fully functional. Wiring shows no evidence of
corrosion If wiring is not tinned, is run in bilge, or shows green streaks
against surrounding area--deduct 5 points.
MECHANICAL.
(10) All heads, pumps, A/C, refrigeration, etc. fully functional--serviced
regularly.
INTERIOR.
(10) All wood components recently varnished or oiled. Floor uniformly finished
with no peeling, cracks or scrapes evident. No evidence of leaks, rust steaks.
No secondary bonding delamination. No evidence of stress cracks in liners.
Upholstery--clean with no rips, tears or worn spots. No evidence of sagging,
stretching or mis-fitting.
handy form to register and
receive confidential information: Insider news, technical brochures, in
depth articles, business plans, pre-announcement of new models and charter
specials and more.
Do you want to sell your boat for profit?
To find out more, request our brochure: Selling your boat for profit
brochures, in
depth articles, business plans, pre-announcement of new models and charter
specials and more.
