Hello All- first post and need help please

[FloridaBoy]

I live in NW Florida around PCB and Destin area and have sailed in a few regatta
and with some friends but we are now in the process of narrowing down the list of boats we may want. The wife and I are looking at a couple boats with a full keel like the IP and the Cabo Rica in the 32 to 38ft range but i dont know anyone around here that has one and was hoping maybe there was someone in our area that might be willing to give us a tour of there boat.

P.S. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this forum for all your help and advice.

[skipmac]

Hi FloridaBoy and welcome to the forum.

If you're really shopping for a boat why not contact a yacht broker, tell him the models you're interested in and ask him/her to arrange for you to visit the boat?

[Don C L]

I'd say welcome but it appears you have been here for a while! Congratulations on being able to start your search. You have picked two respected brands... Are you set on those? I am guessing you are planning to cruise the Caribbean? Perhaps you have already viewed the threads regarding shoal draft or not for the Caribbean? Good luck in the search.

[FloridaBoy]

Hi skipmac

I thought about that and I just thought it might be a little early to involve a broker. It is looking like that is the route I may have to take.

thank you

[FloridaBoy]

Hi Don

No I'm not set on those boats. Just from some research they caught my eye and wanted to take a closer look face to face if you know what I mean. Yes some cruising in the Caribbean and hopfully further on.

thanks Don

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by FloridaBoy

Hi Don

No I'm not set on those boats. Just from some research they caught my eye and wanted to take a closer look face to face if you know what I mean. Yes some cruising in the Caribbean and hopfully further on.

thanks Don

Hi Don,

In a previous life I was a yacht broker. I had customers that I dealt with for 2-3 years before they finally bought a boat. Not everyone shows up with a checkbook in hand ready to sign on the dotted line. I would try to find a good broker, be honest with him/her that you are just starting the search and might not be ready to buy for a year or so.

A broker that is in the business as a career knows that some deals take a while to come together. Of course don't abuse the situation and come back every couple of weeks to look at another half dozen boats. Then if you find a good broker that is helpful, stick with that person and when you are ready to buy, if you buy a boat listed with brokers for sale give him/her the deal.

[tkeithlu]

Welcome, FloridaBoy; we're just east of you in Carrabelle. Our trawler has a 5 ft draft; the only problem we've found is the area on the west and northwest of the keys - you can go straight to Key West from where you are, or cut through the Okeechobee waterway if you want to get to the Bahamas or the keys without going around Key West first. We found no problem with draft in the Bahamas, but there were a few areas we shied away from. Good luck with it.