Buyer Broker East Coast

[kmahren]

I'm looking to enlist a Buyer Broker in my search for a sailboat to purchase this fall, probably somewhere along the East Coast. Has anyone used a buyer broker in their search, and how did it turn out? Any recomendations as to a particular broker whould also be most welcome.

Thanks,

Ken

[SJ34]

I use a broker for a couple of reasons. These guys are professional boat shoppers and can usually find deals not available to the average Joe who doesn't have time to search yards, peek under tarps etc. If you can find one you can trust (rair as hens teeth) they should be looking out for your interest. A broker should know the market and as such he/she should let you know if the boat is a good or bad investment or just a fair deal on a good boat.
My broker does business on both coasts but has just moved permanently to MD. He has been in the business for 30+ years and is a performance boat sailer. If interested send me a PM and I can give you his contact info.

[chuck5499]

i used a broker for my first boat - jeanneau ds40 - i knew little about boats and the first time i met him in his yard he spent 5 hours with me showing me the difference between a bavaria and elan and jeanneau and bennie ect - ie what makes one boat better than another - during that time he was able is access me and what i wanted - he did try to sell me a smaller bennie (many many folks had recommended that to me) but after i explained my thinking as to my stage in life and the boat financial market he understood what my thinking was and worked with me -
he also understoond that when i said i wanted to go cruising i really did mean it (a lot talk about it but few go and broker needs to figure that out) and that i need to be able to handle a boat short handed -
he worked with me for almost 3 years (one problem was my company went bankrupt and i had to find a new job - put a stall on buying a boat) to find the right boat - when it came we jumped on it - we then together worked on what upgrades it needed both short term and long term - he found me financing and insurance - and that was not easy -
you see this was my first yes first boat and a 40' to boot - took a lot of work to find both but he did it - and both at extremely reasonable prices
when i have a problem i still call him and actually stopped in to see him the other day with a main sail furling problem and he was a great help -
his name is ted novakowski president of sound yachts in westbrook ct and has an office in south fla - but ted is a very talented guy who will sell you want you need not just any boat he can get away with and convince you you want it -
give ted a call and tell him chuck and svsoulmates said to call (no i get nothing out of it - just a very very satisfied customer) - 860-399-8800
or check it out on the web at soundyachting.com
and i get nothing out of this
chuck and svsoulmates
ki4sry
a long term crusing sailor
on the hook in sag harbor,ny head to elizabeth isl next week

[BarryL]

Hello,

I can recommend Warren Trafton and Sailing Yachts Rhode Island:

Sailing Yachts - Rhode Island, Warren Trafton (Lafayette Village, RI)


Good luck,
Barry

[Hesper]

I'll second Barry's recommendation of Warren Trafton. I bought my current (first and last) boat through Warren and found him to be very helpful, professional, knowledgable and not at all "salesy". In fact, he sealed the deal by knowing exactly the right moment to shut up and walk away so my wife and I could look and talk privately, then being close enough to call over for a few last questions.