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Boat Repo guys working hard........

Old 07-15-2008, 08:15 AM
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Default Boat Repo guys working hard........

In bad economy, life is good for the repo man

By TAMARA LUSH | Associated Press Writer
7:48 AM EDT, July 15, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE - In a bad economy, fun is often the first casualty.

For James Hedrick, that means it's a busy time in his line of work. He's one of those dreaded repo men.

He spends his days scanning megayachts, sailboats and fishing skiffs as he steers his dinghy through a marina west of the city's skyscrapers, looking for a piece of the American dream.

This particular piece is a gleaming white, 65-foot Hatteras with two master bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a full galley kitchen with glossy teak cabinets. The owner is $35,000 past due on his $1.5 million boat loan.

Hedrick is an agent with National Liquidators, considered by industry experts to be the world's largest marine repo company. The Fort Lauderdale-based company has tripled its business in the past three years, and now takes possession of about 200 boats a month in Florida, Ohio and California. The company's competitors also say they've seen similar increases in business.

``They're going to hang on to the car, they're going to hang on to the house. But they're going to give up on the boat,'' said Hedrick, whose employer has doubled its staff in two years to 85 repo agents so they can meet demand from the banks and lenders.

It's not just boats: Repo agents say banks and lenders have been asking them to reclaim all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, small planes, snowmobiles, semi-trucks and, of, course, cars. Vehicle repossessions were up 10 percent in 2007 over the previous year, said Tom Webb, an analyst for Atlanta-based Manheim, the largest car auction company in the nation.

One boat dealer, whose company also does recovery for banks and lenders, says those facing boat repossession were typically involved in the housing boom either as a real estate agent, construction worker or mortgage broker.

``A lot of this is self-inflicted. It's somebody who three years ago made $50-$60,000 and didn't save a penny,'' said Ray Jones, the owner of Long Beach Yacht Sales in California. ``They thought the income would never end. But the income stopped and the toys went away.''

Rising gas prices have also made it harder for owners to make room in their budgets for boat trips. Marine diesel fuel is over $5 a gallon in some places, which means a five-hour jaunt on the water can easily cost $250 for some gas-guzzling yachts. Last year's marine diesel cost about $3.40 a gallon.

``For about a year now, it's been good for the repo guy,'' says Don Mashak, the owner of First National Repossession in Minneapolis.

Overall, the marine industry is hurting. Bankers say new boat loans are declining. MarineMax, the nation's largest boat retailer based in Clearwater, reported in April that sales fell 28 percent for its second quarter.

Because prices for used boats are falling, buyers can buy repossessed boats under 60 feet for as low as 40 percent of what the boat would cost new, said Robert Toney, National Liquidators' president. Boats larger than that are less likely to be repossessed because their wealthy owners are in a better position to weather a slowing economy, Toney said.

Sometimes, owners turn the boats in to the repo agencies when they realize they can no longer pay. But other times, they hide or vandalize the boats before they can be seized, said Megan McQuaide, the owner of Repo Yacht Sales in San Diego. She's boarded boats with oil splashed around the cabin, engines intentionally overheated and feces on the deck.

``Sometimes it's really malicious stuff,'' she said.

On a recent June afternoon, Hedrick finds no such surprises aboard the 65-foot Hatteras. He and his assistant board the yacht to take photos and catalog any personal items. There aren't many aboard, and the boat is unusually clean, save for a six-pack of Diet Coke and a children's video in one of the VCRs.

Occasionally, he finds the remnants of parties: bikinis, champagne bottles and even drugs. He calls police if he comes across anything illegal.

Most of all, he tries to avoid confrontations. He carries a sharp knife on his belt to swiftly cut dock lines and a company credit card in his wallet in case he needs to pay past-due dock fees. If the owner shows up, Hedrick will politely leave and let lawyers, lenders and the boat owner sort it out.

``I'm not 'Dog the Bounty Hunter,''' says Hedrick. ``We get paid not to have trouble. But does it bother me sometimes? You bet.''


Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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Old 07-15-2008, 08:24 AM
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I just cut and pasted this article off of my Comcast Home Page to start a thread..... Too funny
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Old 07-15-2008, 10:23 AM
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You cant rent a slip in Newport Harbor because the recovery companies have them all rented. One section of the Harbor had 14 pulled in a day. Doom and Gloom. The upside is that for those who can afford it there are some sick deals.
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Old 07-15-2008, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by IDRPSTF
The upside is that for those who can afford it there are some sick deals.
Downside is that all of us who already spent the $$$$, cant sell our boats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 07-15-2008, 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by rchevelle71
Downside is that all of us who already spent the $$$$, cant sell our boats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't think the 26 year old Pantera market has been affected by the "repo" boats. Now if you owned a 05-08 Formula you just got killed by 30% due to the 200 repo Formulas that recently became available.
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Old 07-15-2008, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Jupiter Sunsation
Don't think the 26 year old Pantera market has been affected by the "repo" boats. Now if you owned a 05-08 Formula you just got killed by 30% due to the 200 repo Formulas that recently became available.
I wasnt necessarily referring to my boat, but some friends with newer ones. But in a way it has, who would pay more than $10000 for my boat when thay can get a much newer 22 scarab for around 15???
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Old 07-15-2008, 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by rchevelle71
I wasnt necessarily referring to my boat, but some friends with newer ones. But in a way it has, who would pay more than $10000 for my boat when thay can get a much newer 22 scarab for around 15???
I like Panteras much better than Scarab 22's but that is just me.
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Old 07-15-2008, 12:44 PM
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just got some info about the repo situation...

a STEAL today is gonna look like a horrible deal in the fall winter...

the number of boats key bank has in default is STAGGERING

soooooooooooooo many thay cant even repo a tenth of them... we r talking about an INSANE large number
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Old 07-15-2008, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Jupiter Sunsation
I like Panteras much better than Scarab 22's but that is just me.
I'd rather have a 10 year old Pantera anyday.
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Old 07-15-2008, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by dreamer
the number of boats key bank has in default is STAGGERING

soooooooooooooo many thay cant even repo a tenth of them... we r talking about an INSANE large number
okay, i'll bite.... where can I get this list to consider my next purchase... ??
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