1. First of all, do not contact other brokers about boats that you see on the Internet.  Contact the SFY office at 1-800-262-7939 to discuss your personal yacht ownership plans with Barb Hansen.  She will answer any questions you may have.  Barb Hansen would love to meet you and to customize an ownership program to fit your current situation and your plans for the future.  Then, together we will search for the right boat for you! 

 

  2. Visit our charter facilities and meet Barb and the staff of Southwest Florida Yachts. Inspect our yachts. Observe our operations. You will have the opportunity to question us on every aspect of our business, firsthand.

 

  3. Let Barb Hansen be your "Buyer's Broker."  After consulting with you about your boat preferences, your experience and your budget, Barb will walk your through the Yacht Purchasing Process.  If you have not already done so, you will want to have your financing in order.  If you are paying cash, that's great.  However, if you need financing Barb can assist you in contacting some marine financing sources. 

 

  4. You will need to be ready to move quickly when the right boat comes around.  A 10% deposit is required to make an offer on any vessel and will accompany the Yacht Purchase Agreement.  You should have the funds for your deposit ready when you start the boat-buying process.  Once the buyer and seller have agreed upon the price, we will set up the Marine Survey for the vessel.  

 

  5. Occasionally, SFY will take yachts into the fleet that have been owned by someone for years.  That client may be facing some changes in their life which would call for him or her to place their boat into a yacht management program.  In cases like this, if we accept the boat there is an entry fee paid at the time the boat comes into our fleet.  

  6. Sign a Yacht Management Agreement.  Barb will review this document with you.  Our Management Agreement is generally for a minimum of three (3) years.  There may be exceptions to this policy depending on the vessel.  However, over time we see that the longer a yacht is in our fleet the better it performs.  There is no time limit on keeping a boat in the fleet.  We have had boats that have stayed in our fleet for more than 15 years.  

 

  7. Upon completion of the Marine Survey and receipt of the approval from your financing source, a closing date will be established for the purchase of your new or pre-owned yacht.  Again, Barb will walk you through the entire process, from start to finish.  We also have sources for handling the vessel's Coast Guard Documentation and State Registration.

 

  8. Where delivery is required, delivery arrangements will be made immediately upon execution of the Management Agreement.

 

  9. Final "commissioning" for charter service will be completed prior to the yacht's first charter.  This includes repairing any items found during the Survey, servicing the mechanical systems and outfitting the boat with new linens, galley gear, safety gear and spare parts.  Once all of this work is complete, your new boat will be ready for both you and our charter clients to enjoy!

 

  10. WELCOME ABOARD!