Have been looking into a few boats over the past 2 weeks some are brokered boats and some are not. What are the pro's to a brokered boat compaired to privite party or the other way around. Have had a few dealing that were not so pleasent with both.

I've bought 3 private party and 2 brokered boats.

There may be more wiggle room on price if a private party doesn't have to pay the 7-10% brokerage fees.

Hopefully the broker is also a dealer that can scan and verify hours, facilitate a sea trial, help with some paperwork, etc. Maybe they serviced the boat in the past? Sold it new? At the same time they could know absolutley nothing about the boat. Broker may have to collect sales tax.

One of the brokered boat I bought, the dealer was helpful in tracking down a trailer title. Boat was in a title state originally, being sold in a non-title state. I flipped it and was going to a title state....it was a mess.

In the end it's up to you, the buyer, to cover your bases. Get a survey, arrange financing, a test ride and cut your best deal.

I always prefer a private party sale over any middleman taking a cut of my sale or the inability of my offer price to cover the sellers lowest price and his brokers fee.
I like to offer 20% with my "offer to purchase contract" for the down payment and subject the unit to a survey.
I do this on used truck and car, excavation equipment, dumptrucks, and boats etc..
If a seller gets edgy or unwilling I retract my offer and move on.
I hate to say that I think they're hiding something but you never know until a mechanic looks at it. During a sale I also offer my buyer the opportunity to do the same and will deliver to the auto shop of his choice.
Your BEST SERVED having a Pro look at any used mechanical vehicle before you consummate the deal, especially older ones.

See ya,
Kelly

Seeing fast I like the privit sellers much better. No offense to any brokers on here. Just getting answers and dealing with 3 people in 3 diffrent places with each state having diffrent ways of doing things. It's a lot of hassle. Plus knowing the market isn't great and still not wanting to deal or even call you with what you inquired about.

I had great luck dealing with a private party. We keep in touch to this day.

Doesn't add much to your thread, but.....

Private party. Broker is just a middle man and is going to end up costing you 10-20%. If i found a boat at a broker Im not saying I wouldnt buy.

The last boat I had was a nightmare with the broker, never go that route again. They want to be so helpful then when something goes wrong they drop you like a box of rocks and claim no ownership

sometimes dealing with a broker is better....
a broker will price the boat for what its worth and many times less (want his 10% and move on)...

some owners are so upside down and emotionally attached with their boats and its difficult to strike up a deal..

I've bought from a broker and private party. As far as selling, I've only done that myself. Overall, my experiences were good on all purchases and sales.

I guess I prefer private party. I've become friends with the guy who bought my last boat and he knows he can call me anytime with questions. Same thing with the guy I bought my current boat from. He is just a phone call or email away.

The most important factor is to get the boat that you want!!, regardless if its for sale by broker or private sale. Don't settle because of who has it listed for sale. Boats aren't as easy to sell and move around as they once were. Good luck

The only issue with a broker is, there is no property ownership, like you said they are concerned with their 10% and thats it. I would rather buy from a dealer, they have more invested and its always somebody to go back to or back on if there was issue. Dealer has a rep to maintain vs a broker is a lot of cases can change business names and slither back into the wood work.

But I agree not dealing with an owner can be a bonus. A lot of current owners are way upside down on their boats right now. But thats what you get for taking out a 20 year loans on something you couldnt afford from the start.