The 21st Century Broker

The purchase of a modern sport-fisherman is an incredibly complex process. Not only do the boats contain hundreds of thousands of moving parts and come with price tags pushing into the six, seven, even eight digits, but the boating market offers an array of options, models, hardware packages and layout configurations as well. These days, an offshore fishing boat can be anything from a 27-foot centerconsole to a 150-foot yacht-fisher. And at times, the process can be dizzying.

Thankfully, there exists a category of sport-fishing professionals whose specialty lies in putting their clients into the right boat—at the right price. The modern boat broker is more than a salesperson, but is, rather, a boating consultant who leverages knowledge, experience and professional network to guide the client’s journey into boat ownership. Most every successful broker is also great with people—someone who understands preference, taste and, generally, what makes people tick.

The relationship between the client and broker starts well before the first sea trial and extends far beyond the boat’s delivery date. A trusted broker often becomes a friend of the program, and it’s not uncommon for brokers to fish with clients long after the ink on the contract is dry. A good broker will be a great resource for boat owners and captains through time. From helping with warranty claims to sourcing technicians and delivery crews to recommendations on the latest and greatest in marine electronics, a broker’s network and knowledge