Credit where it's due...

A couple of nice emails from recent satisfied customers:

"Deciding that I wanted to sell my sailing boat (Moody 33 Mk1) was difficult enough, especially after the years of enjoyment that I had got out of it. Simon made the selling process easy and stress free. Specifically I was impressed by the marketing, photos and video approach, but also that Simon was completely aware of the state of the market and how best to price my boat accordingly, and was helpful on other small matters that tend to crop up get the sale process to run smoothly. Despite the miserable weather delaying the start of the season, my boat was sold much quicker than I expected, and in line with the market price, which is exactly what I needed. I would be very comfortable to say that people can put their boat sale confidently in to the hands of Simon and Harbour Yachts" - James Donaldson

... and ... 

"Buying and selling my boat through your Harbour Yachts was a pleasurable experience. Your professionalism in depth knowledge and friendly nature made both transactions smooth and trouble free. Without hesitation I would highly recommend your services and would without doubt use your brokerage again. Many thanks" - John Flintoft.

New listing - Fairline Targa 37

Here we have an excellent example of the ever popular Fairline Targa 37, she is offered in very good condition and has been professionally maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. With timeless lines that give her sleek and sporty styling, she doesn't look out of place against today's new boats. Desirable navy blue hull and luxurious high gloss cherry-wood interior joinery. Spacious living accommodation below offers 6'6" headroom, coupled with large and extensive cockpit seating & dining areas, this boat lends itself to socialising & entertaining with friends, or as a safe and comfortable family cruiser. Twin Volvo KAD44 diesel engines drive her to a top speed of 37 knots. Extras include diesel heating, bow thruster, electric windlass, teak decking, spotlight, RADAR, GPS/plotter, autopilot, bow cushions and many more.

Hatteras - under offer already

A great boat at a good price doesn't hang around on the market for long. The Hatteras 40 featured in my previous blog post is already under offer. It's not been without it's administrative problems, first in tracking down evidence of VAT-paid status, and then in ensuring that the vendor has clear title enabling him to legally sell the boat, but with those issues behind us, and with the sea trial already successfully done, we just have the survey report to await and the boat will be sold.

New listing - Hatteras 40 Double Cabin

Our latest listing on brokerage is a spacious Hatteras 40DC. This particular vessel is Part-1 registered and also coded for commercial use. She was purchased by her current owner in 2009 with the intention of running short day-trip charters from her marina berth at Poole Town Quay. Unfortunately, due to the owner's ill-health, she has had very limited use in this venture (just a handful of short trips) and is now for sale at a much reduced price.

She offers great comfort below decks with large, comfortable interior accommodation and plenty of on-deck space for family and friends. With 2 separate cabins she would also make an ideal live-aboard boat. She is very well-equipped throughout including large fridge, freezer and both heating and air-conditioning giving her the option of all-year round use.

Hardy Family Pilot for sale

This Hardy Family Pilot 20' cruiser has been lavished with love and attention by her owner who is very reluctantly having to sell due to ill health.

The boat is absolutely watertight and dry, and kept heated through the winter so she stays that way. She has everything you'd need for several days at anchor. Powered by a 45HP 4-stroke Honda outboard and complete with a 4-wheel Snipe road trailer. Everything in excellent condition, she certainly won't disappoint.

Full details are on the website now.

Roll on the Spring...

Well, there's a lot of doom and gloom about at the moment isn't there? The news is full of the tough economy, Moody's downgrade of the UK's credit rating, falls in Sterling, etc. Despite the bleak background, we've been fairly busy here at the brokerage and a few boats have sold or gone under offer this month, although it hasn't been as active as the same period last year. Last February was warm and dry by comparison with this year - hopefully March will bring some warmer and brighter days, which in turn will bring out the buyers.

During the long cold winter months, it's a good idea to make sure you start your boat's engines regularly. For all boats on our brokerage listing, we're very happy to start up the engines to warm through for you. Please let us know if can't get to the boat yourself and would like us to do this for you at no charge. (Your boat needs to either be in the water or on the dry stack for us to do this.)

We've negotiated arrangements with local marine valeting professionals which means we can arrange to have your boat cleaned at competitive rates. Just let me know if you would like to take advantage of this. Nothing betrays neglect like a dirty hull, deck or topsides! Finally, please don't hesitate to get in touch at any time - we're always pleased to get an email, text or phone call about your boat and and to discuss anything we can do to help her to sell.

Branded mugs are here!

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that we get excited about... like the good old British mug of tea.  New in the office today we received our Harbour Yachts branded mugs.  Now to decide what to do with them – one free with every boat sold perhaps, or one for each boat newly listed for sale?  Or perhaps we'll just use them to drink from in the office.  Decisions, decisions....