suggestions for an email to yacht brokers...

[Scare_Rab]

instead of simply "browsing the ads" what think us of the idea of "emailing yacht brokers"...

along the lines as follows:

(suggestions questions / comments welcomed)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

wanted to buy - Cruising sailboat

between 26' to 39'

I sailed some ways around Australia last Century.
I'd like to complete this before my eyesight fails completely.
willing to pay up to $55,000

in my opinion...
setup / thought out to single-hand more favourable than not
a longer keel is more favourable than a shorter keel
hanked on fore-sails are more favourable than one "roll-up" foresail
slab reefing more favourable than ...
tiller steering more favourable than wheel...
bigger anchor more favourable than lighter anchor
more anchors more favourable than 'only one'
Halyards to base of mast more favourable than to cockpit
a good sea berth more favourable than many "bunks"
strongly built more favourable than ....
newer rigging more favourable than "instruments"
ventilation more favourable than a shower
effective water collecting awning/system more favourable than a watermaker
bigger cleats more favourable than smaller/fewer
oversized strongpoints...(Bow, Stern and quarters)..more favourable than new paint
wind vane more favourable than auto-pilot
storm sails (Tri-sail / gib) more favourable than large diesel tanks
stronger hatches more favourable than ...
Paper charts more favourable than chart plotter
regular adequate maintainace more favourable than life raft
paying more "up-front" more favourable than a lower initial cost with hidden extras then needed to get cruising
less awkward, more protected stowage for hard dinghy more favourable than ...
well thought out anchoring system(s) (bow and stern) more favourable than wind generator.
well thought out reefing system more favourable than ...
comfortable / protected steering position more favourable than less:
more smaller stowage spaces more favourable than fewer, larger.
well thought system to attach harness more favourable than "life-lines"
LED lighting more favourable than oil lamps or A/C
Australian registered more favourable than not
Designed with Tasman crossing in mind more favourable than if not
Jordan Series Drouge more favourable than Parachute bow anchor

[Jim Cate]

Well, my impression is that it is a bit ephemeral... the "this better than that" plan isn't very useful to a broker IMO.

When we were last looking for a boat, we had been cruising for around 15 years, already owned a good boat, had a lot of preconceived ideas derived from experience and a budget of circa 350,000 Au dollars (then equaling about 175,000 USD).

We made up a printed prospectus to give to brokers. It was broken down to say what the general factors were... size, hull materials that were acceptable, rig and keel types and so on. Then we had a list of things that were desirable to us, and another list of things that were unacceptable... real deal breakers.

We would hand this bit of paper to a broker when we first encountered them. The reactions were varied. Some were enthusiastic, one said he wished all his customers were as well organized in their quest. Others pretty well ignored it, and proceeded to show us boats that in no way fit our description. One memorable chap spent about 30 seconds scanning it and said "get out of here... there is no such boat, and you are wasting my time". I was a bit offended! And, as a matter of fact our eventual purchase matched 22 out of the 23 criteria!

So, while making up a list like yours may well help you channel your thinking and searching, I doubt if it will be of much help to many brokers.

Good luck in your search.

Cheers,

Jim

[DRS]

As someone who has been in sales all my career here is what I would like to see.

1. Customer is pre-approved for financing or is paying cash
2. Customer has a reasonable list of requirements for the price range they are looking in
3. Customer is prepared to discuss options to said list
4. Customer has done some homework, understands market conditions for the product they are after.
Sorry but I suspect an unsolicited email such as above would not end up on any immediate call back list if on the list at all.

Might I suggest something like:
Hi. My name is-------
I am looking for a sailboat similar to ABC, EFG or a XYZ brands. I mention these brands because I like their following attributes.
1---------
2---------
3--------
4-------
5--------
I have a budget of 55,000 with 20,000 down and pre-approved financing for the balance.
if you feel you have something that would meet my requirements please contact me at
phone
email
postal address

While I can't speak for all salespeople an email like this would indicate to me that someone is a serious buyer and not "kicking tires"

Like everyone else a salesperson has a limited amount of time. Unlike most they only get paid if the sell (commission) they must therefore try and decide with whom they should be spending their time. (what customers are most likely to buy sooner rather than later)
The more real and realistic you can make yourself the better your chances of a response.

let my lashing begin

[skipmac]

While I didn't actually make and email and send it I did prepare a list that I discussed with brokers. The ones at the top were must haves, the second list preferences but negotiable. By the way I used to be a yacht broker and I would have loved it if customers had brought in such a list.

Rig - sloop or cutter.
Layout - center cockpit with aft cabin
hull modified fin keel with skeg hung rudder
no major structural issues, cosmetic problems OK.

budget - USD $100,000
draft - 5.5 - 6'
length - 35-45'

Of course the first broker I spoke with tried to sell me an aft cockpit, full keel, ketch.

[Scare_Rab]

I can use these suggestions

:0(

[BoomBrake]

Look at boatsales and yachthub. Brokers only want to sell you what they have on their books.

Small piece of advice on your "wanted to buy" yacht search selection (my opinion only), where you say:

...to single-hand more favourable...hanked on fore-sails are more favourable than one "roll-up" foresail

Why not go a self-furler Yankee cut and have a baby stay for other foresail options? Perfect for short hand cruising IMHO. I have that setup and whether I use the Yankee self-furler or whatever size Genoa on the baby stay for the occasion is a great capability.

...wind vane more favourable than auto-pilot... Paper charts more favourable than chart plotter

?? you need "both of each", not "instead of" if you are single hand offshore IMO!

Your general selection is for a blue-water cruiser, probably something along the lines of an S&S 34, I'd start looking there. Interestingly your specs match my S&S Deb33 that I was selling but am now keeping as she is too dear to my heart!