The Benefits of Working with a Certified Professional Yacht Broker

A captain guides a ship safely to its destination, but before you need a captain for your boat, you need a boat! Similar to the captain, the right yacht broker guides boat-buyers in their quest of finding the perfect vessel. Whether traveling overseas or trying to find the yacht that best fits your needs, the wrong captain or broker, or going without one, can result in making a very expensive and bad decision.

There’s a lot to consider before writing the check. Knowing your budget and size of the boat you want is just the beginning. How you’ll use it, who will maintain it, where you’ll use it, and even what type of boat matches your style and personality are things to consider. Because of the difficulty and potential risks of buying the wrong boat, many buyers work with brokers to help with the purchase and make sure they won’t regret this significant investment.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than watching the excitement on the faces of the family I’ve helped find their perfect boat,”  says Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB) JC Schwalback of MarineMax Fort Myers. Schwalback is one of around 600 CPYB’s, whose jobs are to work with boat buyers from the research stage to the final delivery of their boat. “We help buyers find the perfect boat for them instead of giving subjective advice on looking at one boat versus another. Our goal is to guide you through the process and look out for your best interests in every aspect of the purchasing process.”

Regardless of the manufacturer or size of the boat, there are both visual and mechanical aspects of every vessel that need to be considered. “People can look at it (the boat) and think it looks great and forget there’s a lot under the boat that needs to be inspected. You can’t equate a clean aesthetic with a good boat — looks can be deceiving.” Schwalback recommends that every used boat should be examined. “There’s a lot mechanically that can be wrong with a boat. A mechanical inspection is a must when buying a boat because you can’t determine what repairs or replacements you might need just by looking at it.

An inspection may seem like an unneeded expense, but you can’t truly know what you are buying without having an expert checking it over. If working with a broker, ask for recommendations on independent inspectors before purchasing a boat.

Certified brokers are required to have expertise on all major boat builders and brands. According to Schwalback, finding the right certified professional broker gives the buyer a full array of possibilities instead of focusing on a select number of boat builders. “A typical retail or yacht salesperson may sell X or Y, while a certified professional broker sells A-Z.” Additional benefits of working with a certified yacht broker include their wide base of knowledge and unbiased guidance due to not being tied to a specific manufacturer. Brokers are cost-free to buyers and receive their commissions from the seller’s proceeds.

When asked about the best time to buy a boat, Schwalback recommends that prospective buyers act sooner rather than later. “There’s no better time to buy a boat than right now. A specific boat may cost less in the future, but they never get less expensive. If considering buying a boat, consider buying one now.”

To find a certified independent broker, he recommends visiting the National CPYB website, contacting local marinas, and asking people you know and trust who own a boat. Research and a managed buying process may not be your idea of fun, but due diligence and finding the right broker are key to making sure that your investment isn’t sitting in the shop when you’d rather be out on the water.

About JC SchwalbackFT_BrokerBio_JCSchwalback_Page_1 (2)

JC is a Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB), licensed Florida Yacht Broker (#6438) and active member of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association, demonstrating professional leadership and knowledge. He is dedicated to broadening his knowledge to benefit his customers and has completed factory training with CABO Yachts, Boston Whaler and Sea Ray Boats, as well as Caterpillar, Cummins MerCruiser and MAN Diesel engines.

To contact JC Schwalback of MarineMax Fort Myers, email him at jc.schwalback@marinemax.com or call at 239-222-5908.

Image Source: MarlinMag.com

 

Newport International Boat Show Recap

Each year, the Newport International Boat Show(NIBS) kicks off the boat show season with a bang, and we had a great time at this year’s show. Held September 17-20, the 45th NIBS featured 13 acres of boating and yachting glory. There were yacht unveilings, a treasure hunt for a sapphire pendant, night cruises, receptions, daily seminars, and more. Among the weekend’s most notable events was the Newport For New Products Awards (click to view award winners).

0916151754Our trip was busy, but we were able to enjoy a lot of what Newport, Rhode Island has to offer. We began our stay in Newport at the unique and beautiful Newport Jailhouse Inn. On Thursday (17th), the show officially kicked off.


Frigibar was one of 600 exhibitors at NIBS, sharing a booth in Tent C 69 with the Island & Harbor Sales team. We ran into many old and new friends, including representatives from Suntex Marinas, Chafe-Pro, Sailor Sams, Cool Boats, and TNT Lifts. Thousands of visitors came through the show over the four days, and many stopped by to visit us. Thank you to everyone who came by!

In addition to NIBS, we visited the Newport Brokerage Boat Show held at the Newport Shipyard and Marina. We had the opportunity to attend the ABBRA cocktail party and a reception hosted by the US Superyacht Association (USSA).

Although the show is over, we’d still love to connect with you and talk about how Frigibar fits into your life on the water. Feel free to reach out to us, or come out in less than two months to Fort Lauderdale. We hope to see you at the 2015 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) November 5 – 9. Connect with Frigibar by visiting our blog and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Visit Frigibar at the Newport International Boat Show September 17-20 in Rhode Island

Show Image

The Newport International Boat Show will feature 13 full acres of powerboats, sailboats, yachts, marine equipment, service providers, accessories and more at the Newport Yachting Center. For their 45th anniversary, the September 17-20 event will be hosting unique events, including a treasure hunt for a sapphire pendant, the unveiling of new yacht models, and the 5th annual Cruisers Party with giveaways and raffle prizes.

There’s no shortage of things to do, see and learn about during the four-day show, including a diverse offering of daily seminars and sail training sponsored by Sail America and Discover Sailing.

Over 600 exhibitors will be on hand for the largest in-water boat show in the Northeast. Meet Frigibar Industries President Shuly Oletzky and the Island & Harbor Sales team at Tent C 69. We’ll have Frigibar units on display for you to see and touch.

Show organizers encourage attendees to contact exhibitors before the event if they plan on attending and visiting their booth. Feel free to contact us leading up to the show or just stop on by Tent C 69. View the full list of 2015 Newport International Boat Show exhibitors.

Site Plan NewportThe Newport show is one of our favorite events of the year and is the show that kicks off the fall boat show season. We hope to see you there. Online tickets are available, so avoid the lines and reserve your ticket today!

Make sure to follow Frigibar on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to join in on the fun of the Newport International Boat Show. #NIBS15!

Looking for the Best for Your Yacht, Go to the Experts: Whiticar Boat Works

As boat and yacht owners, we take pride in our investments. Every decision we make either improves our experience and style, or takes away from it.

When it’s time for a repair, new accessory, or appliance, you don’t go to a back alley or any old pawn shop. When only the best will do, consulting with a trusted source and expert is the best decision to make.

Based out of Stuart, Florida, Whiticar Boat Works has been in the boat business for over 70 years, and is known for providing only the best in boating and yachting. With an average of 28 years of experience among their talented staff, they provide the most dedicated and versatile services with what they like to call “white glove treatment.”

WHiticar boats

As the exclusive Frigibar dealer in Martin County, Whiticar welcomes their customers to touch and feel what Frigibar has to offer at their facility, along with guiding customers to make the best possible decisions when it comes to their adventures on the water. Asked why they carry Frigibar products, a Whiticar representative stated, “We as a group feel their quality and long-standing market presence are the main reasons we recommend them and are proud to represent their product. We also appreciate the fact that they are “locally” made and customizable!

Frigibar freezers, the best in marine refrigeration, along with other products, services, and repairs, can be purchased directly from the experts at Whiticar Boat Works, or other authorized dealers. Contact Whiticar Boat Works at 772-287-2883, or visit Whiticar.com.

What’s New at the Miami International Boat Show? 4 Things to Look Forward To  

MiamiBoatShowLogo-0000This upcoming February, the 75th Miami International Boat Show will bring over 100,000 visitors to the area for the five-day event. As you can imagine, a show of this size yields benefits to not only the attendees but the entire state. “The show is a tremendous economic driver for the state of Florida with an annual economic impact of $600 million annually, creating in excess of $30 million in sales tax,” says Cathy Rick-Joule, Vice President of the Boat Show Division for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

Rick-Joule has spent several decades working with the show and was kind enough to take a little bit of time out of her busy schedule to tell attendees what to expect and what’s new at the 2016 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show — “the world’s premier boating event.” Not only is there a brand new location, there’s a lot of new features the show is bringing to enhance your experience. Here’s a list of our favorite new additions to this year’s event:

Maimi Marine

  • Firsts: Large events have so many moving parts, it can be difficult to add new features and opportunities for attendees, but this hasn’t stopped the NMMA and event organizers from providing a whole host of firsts, including free events and activities. “For the first time ever, boating enthusiasts will be able to view boats directly in the water, take a boating course through Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training or test drive the dreamboat they’ve been eyeing. Plus, they can get their feet wet at Try It Cove, a brand new area at the Miami Boat Show offering up free paddle boarding and more.”
  • Miami BBQFresh Tastes: What would a Miami show be without great food? According to Cathy, the whole family has something to look forward to when it’s time to eat. “This year’s show features a variety of exciting new food and beverage options and experiences, including a BBQ restaurant, beer garden, cigar and wine bar, on the go lunch options, and an interactive kids’ area where they can build their own pizzas.”
  • Free shuttles: The show is partnering with Freebee to provide free rides on routes in popular, high-traffic areas, and are outfitted with mini HD televisions and audio systems.  To request rides select the “Take me to the Boat Show” button on the home screen of the Freebee Mobile App.
  • MORE Parking: This year’s new location and the efforts of the show staff have resulted in seven times more parking spots than last year in Miami Beach. The additional parking will allow for attendees to easily venture in and out of the show and relax instead of spending hours looking for a spot.

Make sure to join Frigibar Industries at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show February 11 – 15 at the Miami Stadium Park & Basin. For more information, visit MiamiBoatShow.com.