[165264]
...
Preamble. I suppose lockdown is teaching me that even if I am not the world's most keen sailor, I might as well get a boat to use just as and when I want. I enjoy my own company, but I don't want to spend the rest of my days doing, well, nothing. Not every week, that's for sure, but having had some time at a boat-share type of thing for two years, I don't want to go back to that. (We can discuss why if you wish but that's not my main topic.) So, I look at the adverts form time to time. Essentially I'd be after the proverbial AWB, and up to about 34 ft as I'd sometimes be taking it out alone for short hops along the SW coast from the Southampton area, and days out. I've also looked at threads on here, and it has been interesting. I've even been to look at a small number of boats to see if they feel "comfortable" for me, with my height. But all the time, I am conscious that the broker is acting for the seller exclusively. Just like an estate agent. I do not doubt the bona fides of most of them, but I have this nagging worry always, as I think someone once said as a journalist, when interviewing a politician, "Why is this bar steward lying to me?". Apologies to the occasional broker who might be reading this!
The issue. I wondered to myself, given that I felt to some extent as a sheep amongst wolves (just as when buying a car really, though that market is totally different now, as you all know) why shouldn't I get a broker to look out for a yacht for me? I could tell them my own personal "must haves" (a wheel, NOT a tiller) and then a list of "desirables". (In mast- furling and a bow thruster.) And I'd pay them of course. I even wrote to my chums in the RYA to ask about it, and someone from the legal department took the trouble to phone and explain that it just didn't happen. Of course, I could see the whole idea was littered with perverse incentives, as I am sure all of you can. But then yesterday, I saw an advert for "Indigo Yachting", based near Chichester. I don't know what they charge, but given that I'd have the final say, I'd happily pay them to find something decent for me. So long as I knew their hourly rate, and disbursements, well, it would be great to end up with a short list of one or two boats to have a look at. They might even negotiate the price for me?
Questions. I can see still potential issues but given that they would be acting for ME, I'd feel a lot safer. Any thoughts, O Nautical Ones? Even better, anyone used them? My internet provider says their website is insecure and won't let me on it!
One Plea. Please do not reply asking me WHY I don't want a tiller or why I SHOULDN'T have in mast furling. I have thought this through, taken opinion, and know what I want to do with my money!
Thanks
The issue. I wondered to myself, given that I felt to some extent as a sheep amongst wolves (just as when buying a car really, though that market is totally different now, as you all know) why shouldn't I get a broker to look out for a yacht for me? I could tell them my own personal "must haves" (a wheel, NOT a tiller) and then a list of "desirables". (In mast- furling and a bow thruster.) And I'd pay them of course. I even wrote to my chums in the RYA to ask about it, and someone from the legal department took the trouble to phone and explain that it just didn't happen. Of course, I could see the whole idea was littered with perverse incentives, as I am sure all of you can. But then yesterday, I saw an advert for "Indigo Yachting", based near Chichester. I don't know what they charge, but given that I'd have the final say, I'd happily pay them to find something decent for me. So long as I knew their hourly rate, and disbursements, well, it would be great to end up with a short list of one or two boats to have a look at. They might even negotiate the price for me?
Questions. I can see still potential issues but given that they would be acting for ME, I'd feel a lot safer. Any thoughts, O Nautical Ones? Even better, anyone used them? My internet provider says their website is insecure and won't let me on it!
One Plea. Please do not reply asking me WHY I don't want a tiller or why I SHOULDN'T have in mast furling. I have thought this through, taken opinion, and know what I want to do with my money!
Thanks