Every once in a while, I receive emails asking for survey quotes from disgruntled brokers trying to have fun with me. The emails are easy to distinguish because of the lack of personal information and over detail of the questions. I had one of these pranksters this week. After I address all the issues with my as usual customer service, they try to sling me with insults and end up running away with their beaten tails between their legs. On contrast to this, I also receive compliments from good brokers that are not intimidated when I call their integrity to the floor. Another experience I had this week was from an honest broker. He is a second generation broker. His father has been a reputable broker for over 30 years and he has passed on his good business practices and integrity to his son. When the client that was being represented by this young broker told me the deficiencies of the vessels he was interested in buying, the deficiencies turned out to be completely correct. The rest of the vessel turned out to be great. The sale went through without a hitch. Later, I received an email from the young broker saying, “You guys are my new surveyors on the east and west coasts. You did a great job yesterday.” This compliment made me proud to work and hopeful that some brokers have raised the bar and accepted that the truth is the way to go with their clients. I sincerely hope to find more of these diamonds in the rough in my future.

To any and all boat buyers, you are the market for the boat you are looking at today. It is truly a buyer’s market. I have yet to do a pre-purchase survey in which the selling broker has not said one of the following questionable statements:

“I have a back up contract on this vessel.”

“I got two phone calls just this morning from people wanting to see this vessel.”

“I have a very interested international buyer that will buy this boat sight unseen.”

And my personal favorite, “If for any unimaginable reason, you decide not to buy this boat today; you can sell this survey to my backup buyer and recoup the cost of the survey.”

None of these statements are true! You are the buyer, the one and only. Brokers and sellers alike in their usual trickery are now going as far as to swipe a fake backup contract under a buyer’s nose, giving the visual impression of buying competition. Smoke and mirrors my friend.

Your pre-purchase survey is your best tool to negotiate a reasonable purchase price. A pre-purchase survey gives you a written value to the boat before closing. Brokers fear surveyors for this reason alone. If a broker tries to talk you out of using AFMS, it is a huge compliment to me. AFMS represents YOU, the person that pays. Even though you have already made an accepted offer prior to the survey, you can RENIGOTIATE the price due to the findings of the survey.

There are many boat shows in Florida during this time of year. Often, I am asked, “Are you going to the boat show?” When I say, “No, not this year”, the next question asked is, “Why don’t I go to the boat shows?” I love boat shows. I am too busy doing surveys. I survey on the weekends as well as weekdays. My reputation is what I rely on for advertising, not sitting in a booth for several days passing out business cards. For those of you that attend the boat shows this year, please, feel free to email me photos or questions about any of the vessels you are interested in and want to know more. I’d like to hear about the boats you are considering and will be happy to answer the questions you have. Enjoy the show.

Later Gator,
Captain Trip Vawter

It is summer in the southern hemisphere! Australia is a huge importer of vessels from America. Last winter, we surveyed and helped ship 112 vessels to Australia and 35 to New Zealand. As the USD continues to stay low and goes lower, this buying trend should be taken advantage of. International buyers, the major thing to look out for is our old friend, the broker.

In Florida, this is snowbird season, where visitors come and stay for months and when most of Florida counts on the increased income in their businesses. Brokers, being one of them, that make the majority of their income during this season of the year.

I warned in an earlier blog about the "character" of most of these guys. Although there are quite a few who are honest and decent people, many are downright dishonest scammers.

An example:
Last week, we performed a survey on a vessel bound for AU. The broker assured the buyer, whom was overseas at the time; he did not need a survey because he had sold this boat originally 18 years ago. Oddly enough, the broker would have been age12 at that time. The boat was owned by a dear old couple described by the broker. When we set up the survey, I was told, “I don't know why he is wasting your time to survey this Bristol vessel." I was told of the kindly old angelic man whom owned, loved, and cared for the boat as his own child.

Reality: In 10,000 vessels, this one won hands down as the boat with the most deficiencies, 112 in all! Some were minor, but many were costly and damaging. The kindly old owner was at the helm, he was just as the broker described a “grandfatherly type.” That is, if your Grandpa was a rough old salt who drank scotch for breakfast, chain smoked Marlboros, and had a mouth that would cause even the most hardened criminal to be offended and blush. During the sea trial, we lost the port engine because it ran out of fuel. I guess a weeks' notice wasn't enough to prepare for survey. We had a hard grounding and were stuck for six hours awaiting a break in the weather and Sea Tow to rescue us. The broker offered $250 to omit this "minor" detail from the survey and also to overlook that it was "raining" in the cabin! The broker justified, "It's going to Australia. We can blame all of the deficiencies on the shipper." Needless to say, there was no sale and yet another broker has brought shame to his profession. No one at AFMS will sacrifice their integrity to help make a sale for anyone. We, in fact, have been known to not charge for a survey if at first glance the vessel is a garbage scowl.

Boat broker says to client, “For this boat, you don’t even need a survey!” Wow! This is the biggest lie! This statement has been relayed to me by several of my clients this year. First, if you hear this statement, find a buyer’s broker. Second, if it is your own buyer’s broker who said this statement, fire him immediately!

Later Gator,
Captain Trip Vawter

Of the 300 plus surveys AFMS performs, 65% of them are done in the last and first quarters of each year. Many people have asked why?

Well, we in Florida know, we have a time span, season, in each year where visitors come down from the northern states and Canada to enjoy the warmth of the Florida sunshine. We call these wonderful visitors snowbirds. October is here and it is again time to welcome the majestic great northern snowbirds. Good to see you. Welcome back!

Many of you own a boat. Make sure your boat insurance is up to date. Also, you may want a survey done for your boat to give you an accurate report of its condition before your boat is stored for you to return to the North again.

Those of you that are purchasing a boat this season, beware the boat broker. Shop several before you settle for one. Make sure you use a buyer’s broker. It won’t cost you more to purchase the boat of your choice, however, it can cost you more if you don’t use one.

Later Gator,
Captain Trip Vawter

 

As we all know buying a boat is an investment. If you are a prudent buyer, which I know you are, you have hired a competent surveyor. But what about the person selling you the boat? What is their motivation? I have seen many brokers in my time on the water, some good , some bad, and some whom are clueless. Sadly, the clueless ones are the most dangerous. Please do not be fooled by a gimmiky broker or tag line you might expect to hear from a personal injury attorney, such as, "We don't make money unless we sell you a boat." Duh. Thanks for the heads up. The boys in marketing must have been up for days working on that tag line. Also, be leary of the same guys who change their names every two years and reinvent the business. Stick with a broker who has long term experience, 15 or more years experience. Used boat brokers have been around since Noah decided to downsize his vessel. Look around and be smart, be leary, ask questions, and find yourself a buyer's broker to represent you and your interests.

It's been a long time since I was asked to use my infra red camera for a survey. Today, All Florida Marine Survey received two requests for thermal imaging. I let both clients know my view on the thermal imaging gimmick and explained it would add additional expense to their surveys. Both clients still wanted the service done. August is always the slowest month of the year for marine survey requests, so I am happy to have received the calls today. The best I can surmise is that because of today's economy, boat buyers are being especially careful with their purchases. Infrared does have it's benefits when used correctly and honestly.

Later Gator,
Captain Trip Vawter