Becoming a yacht broker?

[sab30]

As a second career I am interested in becoming a yacht broker. My entire life has been built around sales and working with customers and prospects...love sales and getting to bring people together with something they want. Although we wont be required to work once we leave our current career (financial world) I would like still like to be involved with something on a more laid back level. As we will be living on a boat seems to be something that might be perfect for me...sooo I have some questions:

1. Are there any special courses or exams or is it all dependent on knowledge, sales experience and personality?

2. Im assuming its 100% commssion based which is fine but what is the normal "split" with the employer. I have been told that standard commission is 10% up to the 100k and then 5% after that..not sure if thats accurate but Im assuming a 60/40 split - 40% to the company...

3. Any former brokers that can offer advice of the good bad and ugly would be much appreciated...

Any constructive comments would be mucho appreciated...

Thanks in advance...

[SailorMitch]

I just checked your profile and you're on the left coast, but there are a couple of ads for brokers in the current issue of SpinSheet, a Chesapeake Bay sailing mag. One in particular specified prior sales and service experience of any kind, so you'd qualify for that one. Good luck!

Oh yeah, there is an association of yacht brokers that does certify people. Can't recall the exact title, but surely someone on here knows about it.

I recently retired after 37 years on the job and I have to say I have not considered two second careers you read about retirees pursuing all the time -- surveyor and broker. Both seem pretty well staffed as of now. But that's just me.

(The wife of the marina owner where I keep my boat did tell me that if I keep hanging around there she will give me some sand paper and a paint brush when the weather breaks and people want their bottoms done. FYI -- I didn't go there at all last week, but will go tomorrow. I'll stay out of the office so she won't see me.)

[Freesail99]

FYI -- I didn't go there at all last week, but will go tomorrow. I'll stay out of the office.)

It's going to rain tomorrow. I went to the boat today it was 66F.

[uspirate]

you gotta learn the basics like:
turning back the engine hour gauge
using silver spray paint to paint the entire engine (hoses and all)
using wd-40 to quiet all the squeaks in the bulkheads
using armor all to make the faded parts look new
and tell people ie: (cap'n Ron style)
prospective buyer: it sure burns alot of oil.
broker: all diesels do that.
prospective buyer: why is that?
broker: well..., nobody knows.
then your on your way to being a broker

[Moonfish]

Me and my ex were looking at boats one day with a broker. She mentioned how they all started to look the same after awhile (gasp!). The broker recommended taking pictures. She told him that I remembered every single boat we've ever been on, and can describe them accurately, even years later. Then, out of the blue, she said I should be a yacht broker. The guy's response was immediate and seemingly unrehearsed: "Sounds like you'd make a good one. Just be sure you have 12-18 months of money set aside to live on, because it'll take that long to make your first sale..."

[sailingdog]

Glad to see USP is apply Las Vegas ethics to the situation.

[eherlihy]

Originally Posted by SailorMitch

Oh yeah, there is an association of yacht brokers that does certify people. Can't recall the exact title, but surely someone on here knows about it.

CPYB - Certified Professional Yacht Brokers... I have no idea what this entails.

[ehmanta]

Don't forget, brokers need to work weekends......