www.iFourWinns.com

Hello All,


Like most of you here boating is a passioned lifestyle. As such, have any of you ever attempted or thought about opening a boat brokerage business? I am flirting with the idea and am looking for sincere feedback


Thanks!

Where are you located? Location and the local market is probably the biggest determining factor on whether or not it "makes sense".

Other than that, do you have a location that you would "sell" boats from or would you just be a listing agent searching for buyers of boats that are located elsewhere.

Boat brokers are often compared to used car sales men...especially the ones that aren't located at a marina.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

I have known one and I know that in order to make it worth while, you will need to either move a high volume of smaller boats or a decent numbernof boats in the $1-200 k. When you get into the higher priced used boats, there is aLot of time in closing a sale...surveys, financing, sea trials, not to mention matching buyer and seller. Good luck!

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Current: SL 222 2010 - AQUAVIT
Previous: 180 RX 1997 - BATTEN

You bought your boat on Memorial Day this year, so with 2-1/2 months of being a boat owner under your belt, you obviously love it.
Being an independent broker is extremely tough in today's market. Those with 20 years in brokerage and Boat Sales have failed.
They end up in a large brokerage company, working their ass off to sell enough boats to live off of.
As was said, your geographical area, and the market conditions for boats determines how many brokerage opportunities will arise.
Brokerage boat sales so far this year are like a rollercoaster. A decent month, followed by a horrible month has been commonplace.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

My wife was office manager at the Whitby office of Clift's Marine Sales. Also it was advertised as Canada's largest yacht brokerage.

Clift's no longer exists.

Soooo, as a financial venture in today's economy, I wouldn't touch it with the mast of a big stickboat.

_________________
07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

Thanks All,


I keep my boat at a marina on the Northern Chesapeake. It's a well located active area for boating. When I was shopping for my boat I was not real impressed with some of the dealers/brokers in the area. Being entrepreneurial I still think I could fill a gap and it could fly, I still may. The boat industry just seems to be a pretty decent environment for some business ventures.