- Do you represent the buyer or the seller?
- Both, but never on the same boat. On a purchase we act only for the buyer, which means our advice on price and condition is not compromised by also owing a duty to the seller. On a sale we hold the listing and market the yacht.
- What does it cost a buyer to use a broker?
- Nothing directly. Brokerage commission is paid by the seller out of the sale price and is split between the listing broker and the buyer's broker, so having your own representation does not increase what you pay.
- How does a yacht purchase actually work?
- You make a written offer subject to sea trial and survey. On acceptance a deposit, usually ten per cent, goes into a client account rather than to the seller. The trial and survey follow, and you can renegotiate or walk away on what they find. Once you accept the vessel the balance is paid and title transfers.
- Can you find a yacht that is not on your list?
- Yes, and that is most of what we do. Tell us the brief, the budget and where you want to use her, and we will search the central agency listings, the co-brokerage network and the boats that have not been advertised yet.
- Do you handle yachts that are still in build?
- We do. We have sold hull one of a new series in build, and we supervise construction on behalf of owners. Buying in build shifts the diligence to the contract, the payment milestones and the specification, which is where we concentrate.
- Where do you work?
- Mainly the United States, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Our listings are held in central agency and in collaboration with our partner Divo Yacht in Imperia, Italy.