sailboat purchase formal consultancy

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

About the same amt as a broker charges. About 10% on smaller items then less than 5% above 1 mio boat.

Basically such people avoid working for less than say 10k a stunt. Hence in most cases such consultancy applies to boats 250k and above. I believe major part of the fare are boats 500k and above though.

Cheers,
b.

Yes, that $$$ fits with what I suspected, based on the kind of clients the Naval Architect tries to attract for custom design jobs. $$$$

If one is going to spend a million or more, I think it would be wise for some people to hire a consultant since the financial risk is so great.

If I were in the market for a superyacht, a Perini Navi, a Wally, or similar, I would want a consultants advice.

[buzzstar]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

....I also think a true consultant would have no incentive to pitch a more expensive boat, in order to get some kind of commission, or kickback from the seller or broker or builder.

So a "true" consultant works for a flat fee?

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by buzzstar

So a "true" consultant works for a flat fee?

Yes, or an hourly rate, or time plus travel. A consultant is not a broker, or a surveyor, or really a vested party at all. What a consultant is doing is selling their knowledge of boats to help you select what design you should buy. They should have no financial incentive even in if you buy a boat.

As an example... a SOR might look like

65 year old woman wants a daysailor to putter around locally.
She is physically limited
The boat will need to be moved to Jamaica
Stored in a shallow water bay with deep water sailing
No nearby marinas or highly protected anchorages
Frequent hurricanes in home location
Carribean location so shade is a priority
Fair weather coastal sailing only
Carribean swells are common
Wants to carry large groups comfortably
Length is not a priority
Budget $75,000 max

A consultant will look at that SOR and say go buy X boat. A broker will say I have X boat for sale, a surveyor will say this example of X is a good one.

A good consultant will also help you develop a realistic SOR. That then drives a better choice of X.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Stumble

Yes, or an hourly rate, or time plus travel. A consultant is not a broker, or a surveyor, or really a vested party at all. What a consultant is doing is selling their knowledge of boats to help you select what design you should buy. They should have no financial incentive even in if you buy a boat.

As an example... a SOR might look like

65 year old woman wants a daysailor to putter around locally.
She is physically limited
The boat will need to be moved to Jamaica
Stored in a shallow water bay with deep water sailing
No nearby marinas or highly protected anchorages
Frequent hurricanes in home location
Carribean location so shade is a priority
Fair weather coastal sailing only
Carribean swells are common
Wants to carry large groups comfortably
Length is not a priority
Budget $75,000 max

A consultant will look at that SOR and say go buy X boat. A broker will say I have X boat for sale, a surveyor will say this example of X is a good one.

A good consultant will also help you develop a realistic SOR. That then drives a better choice of X.

Again, I am struck by how similar we see this topic (role of consultants) related to boats. While I may word it a bit differently, I chuckled when reading your description, because it was so similar to my view too.

[buzzstar]

Originally Posted by Stumble

Yes, or an hourly rate, or time plus travel. A consultant is not a broker, or a surveyor, or really a vested party at all. What a consultant is doing is selling their knowledge of boats to help you select what design you should buy. They should have no financial incentive even in if you buy a boat.

As an example... a SOR might look like

65 year old woman wants a daysailor to putter around locally.
She is physically limited
The boat will need to be moved to Jamaica
Stored in a shallow water bay with deep water sailing
No nearby marinas or highly protected anchorages
Frequent hurricanes in home location
Carribean location so shade is a priority
Fair weather coastal sailing only
Carribean swells are common
Wants to carry large groups comfortably
Length is not a priority
Budget $75,000 max

A consultant will look at that SOR and say go buy X boat. A broker will say I have X boat for sale, a surveyor will say this example of X is a good one.

A good consultant will also help you develop a realistic SOR. That then drives a better choice of X.

OK, a flat fee works, but an hourly fee has the same drawbacks as a buyer's broker (or a seller's broker) earning a commission based on making a sale. But a real stumbling block (unintentional pun) can be finding one with the actual practical knowledge that fits the buyer's desires. Are there any licenses, professional organizations, or general fee schedules? In the end, putting together a good statement of requirements, and posting it on CF can be a very effective way to start the process inexpensively, and without commitment, and still have the freedom to move forward. Steady Hand seems particularly good at creating lists (if anything in addition to yours (Stumble's) is needed) so perhaps it would be a good thing for a permanent spot since it is a question that comes up repeatedly, but the OP's usually provide very little information.

[AKA-None]

I go with the bob perry choice as there isn't much he doesn't know about boats.