A lifetime of buying and selling my own boats has taught me several things that have always sold my boats fast (usually within 30 days) and for their true full value.   I also gained very valuable information via a research project that I set up with a boat brokerage in California.   They were selling an average of $50,000 in boats a month.   I created a "Boats 4 Sale" TV show and aired it weekly from Santa Barbara to LA and Bakersfield.  Within 30 days their sales reached $500,000 per month.  The sales personal bought the brokerage from the owner within a couple of months. 

The specific details of that project are more complex than one would think but that is the simple overview and yes, the increase was directly due to first time boat buyers.   

I can pass all that information on to you in in detail via a one on one consultation (or seminar for groups) but here are some points to consider:  

First time boat buyers are the best boat buyers to cultivate because you are bringing new people into this great sport.   Without new people in this sport (or any sport), it will be operating far below its true potential and then die.  First time buyers are very excited about the new adventures that await them and simply want to know what the boat costs and if the price is fair (comparable to similar boats).  Quite often they know little to nothing about boating so you should willingly assume your full responsibility as an experienced boater and bring them into this sport as safely as possible.  Explain everything to them from the survey, slips, and insurance to maintenance etc (both the pros and cons and they will greatly appreciate and reward you for your honesty).    

Since they are new to the sport it is a major plus to always offer free training on all systems and equipment in the boat as well as on the water boat handling and safety instruction.   It is very important when seeking first time boat buyers to design and place your advertising specifically with them in mind.   Many people new to boating do not even know that sailboats have engines or that boats have cooking, sleeping and head facilities etc...   That should get you started. 

How to save thousands of dollars when buying a used or new boat.   You can easily save 5% to 10% and even up to 20% or more when buying used boats or new boats IF you know what to ask, how and when to buy, (the real secrets of boat buying).   Knowing the best time of year to make an offer (which is different for new vs used boats) and what is very negotiable can easily save you many thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars!  

Fall and winter is the best time to buy a used boat because their owners are resigned to not selling their boats until spring and thus willing to negotiate their best deals.   This is even true in California where one would think that boating is an all year sport.  That is only one way to save a lot of money.  There are several other things you should know and utilize that can also save you a lot of money.   Even new boat prices are very negotiable if you know what to ask for, when and most importantly, how.

If you are buying a new or used boat do not forget about tax incentives such as using it for business, charters or as an office to being a primary or secondary residence.   Check with your tax advisor to see what the current laws are and which ones might be of greatest benefit in your personal situation.  

Also keep in mind that boats can retain their value for many years, even decades especially when they are well maintained and have the records to prove it.   In the 1970s new sailboats sold for about $1,000 per foot so a 50 ft sailboat might be around $50,000 but today those same boats like the Gulfstar 50 (which are 30 or more years old) are selling for $50,000 to $250,000 depending on their condition.  A well maintained boat can be a great investment as well as a lot of fun.

• How to rig your boat (and even your dinghies) for maximum comfort, safety and long term disaster survival as well as "self rescue systems".

Indeed it does take a seminar to properly cover these very important topics but here is a very brief overview of only some of the things I cover.

Almost all of the gear and systems I recommend are things you can use on a regular basis vs gear that will sit on a shelf collecting dust and then fail when you really need to use it.  Learn how easy and inexpensive it is to convert your engine and generator to run on very inexpensive fuels that you can make yourself (if you want to or need to)!   Knowledge is power and the "proper knowledge" (if utilized) can save your life.  Simple inexpensive system conversions or alterations can save you a lot of money!

The best and safest way to survive an overboard emergency or sinking ship situation is by being rescued as "rapidly" as possible.   These Self rescue and survival systems can save your life even if you are stranded for a long period of time (if the world ended as we know it and there is no outside help thus you are totally on your own forevermore).   If you are prepared for that type of situation then anything less will be much easier to navigate and survive.  And no, I am not talking about a rescue sling.  I am referring to complete self rescue systems that consist of current gear and technology that can be configured and used for rapid "self rescue".   The details are too complex to explain here but that is what my FREE consultations and seminars are for.

Currently if a husband falls overboard the wife is left to handle the boat, find and rescue him.  Good luck even in mild sunny conditions much less in a storm at night.  These "self rescue systems" make that process easy and extremely rapid even if you are a solo sailor.  You do not want to end up like Steven Callahan in the book "Adrift" 76 days lost at sea.   With the proper knowledge and preparations your survival odds will easily exceed those of 99% +++ of all other recreational boaters even if you only day sail in coastal areas.   The rapid self rescue and survival systems can save your life faster and better in everything from an overboard situation to your ship sinking or being stranded forevermore on an isolated island.

Epirp and calling the Coast Guard should be viewed as your secondary rescue system.   Epirps and marine radios can and do fail to operate especially (as luck would have it) when you need them the most.   Your primary rescue system is the most rapid system which is "self rescue".  You are the "first responders" to any emergency on land or at sea because you are already on the scene and in most emergencies, every second counts.   Boaters and their boats at sea have to be as self sufficient and independent as possible but independence comes with responsibilities.   It is your primary duty to seek out and use the "proper" knowledge and make the "proper" preparations that can save your life on land or at sea.  The details of these topics take some time to go over but that is what seminars are designed for.

• Alternative Fuel / Propulsion Systems.

This information will allow you to compare different alternative fuel and propulsion systems and their cost of installation or conversion vs their cost and effort to use and maintain them.   They are all covered and these technologies have all been used for some time now (some by our government for many years).  This is an opportunity to learn about them and then use the best one (or any combination thereof) for your situation.   You can cut your fuel bills 10%, 50% or even up to 100% if you take the first step and learn about the options that exist today in 2010.

• Learning how to sail or operate a power boat even in the most extreme conditions imaginable.

I can put you on a safe course to learn how to sail (such as sailing clubs if you do not own a boat) or with personalized instruction on your own sail or power boat.  Over the years I have taught many people on a "one on one" basis but most often they were first time boat buyers that I helped get into this great sport.  I am not available to do that as it is very time consuming.   I am available (as time permits) for consultations or seminars about maximum boating safety which includes sail and power boat information about surviving even the most extreme conditions imaginable.

• Proper boat maintenance.

Many problems (and even life or death situations) can be avoided with simple proper boat maintenance like running your engine for 1/2 an hour each week.   Oddly, 99% or more of recreational boaters do not even do that much and many have or will pay a very high price for their poor boat maintenance.  If you can not do it yourself there are people or services that can do it all for you but first YOU need to know exactly what you want them to do and how.   Otherwise they will simply wash your boat once a week and not turn on your engine (or all of your electronics etc) thus negating your main goal of proper boat maintenance.  Of course there is much more to it but that gives you the basic idea.

• And of course, the best land & sea preparedness & survival tips.  

You can easily learn what you need to know to protect your boat, crew and loved ones better than 99%+++ of all other recreational boaters and even better than many professional fulltime boaters.   You can also learn what you need to know, have and do to avoid a disaster or survive an unavoidable disaster at sea or on land (even a major extremely long term disaster) with a maximum of comfort and safety. This knowledge can save your life even if you will never own a boat.  

Sadly, a lot of this information is simply not taught via the structured government or quasigovernment instructional facilities which are mainly focused on teaching what the law requires and the simple basics vs disaster avoidance or what will save your boat and / or your life in an emergency.   Everyone should learn how to avoid disastrous situations and how to be better prepared to handle and survive a challenging situation if it can not be avoided.  

You have to take the first step and seek this information out.   Simply email your request for a free personal consultation or to schedule me as your next guest speaker on boating topics (or disaster preparedness and survival even if you will never own a boat).  Getting started on the proper course to safe enjoyable boating and "proper" disaster preparedness (on land or sea) has never been easier :-)

You and your crew will have much more fun on the water when everyone knows that your boat is "REALLY" properly maintained and that you have the proper gear and knowledge to bring them all home safely every time (and that you have cross-trained them on the very important life saving basics).

Boating is very easy and a lot of fun but like anything from driving a car or 18 wheeler to flying a plane, you just should not get in, start the engine and take off.   There are several things you should know and do first.   I can easily teach the most important ones to you in one consultation or seminar.   For the rest (the small stuff) I can set you on the proper course to acquire all of the knowledge, gear and experience you will need to be as safe, secure and thus a very happy boater.  

For the ole salts (that know boating is a life long learning process) I can guarantee that they will learn many new and valuable things that will increase their knowledge base, safety, and comfort increasing their relaxing entertainment on the water as well.

Contact me via email for a FREE consultation about boating (land or sea) disaster preparedness and survival or to inquire about having me as a guest speaker.     

Email: CLICK HERE
Your contact information is ONLY used by MIB Studios and never shared or sold.

Captain Mark Gray