Yacht Buyer & Seller Guides
Know before you go
Straight answers on buying, selling, taxes, costs and chartering, from my years helping clients in Fort Lauderdale and the Hamptons.
For Buyers
Buying a Yacht
Buying · 4 min read
Buying a Yacht, Step by Step
How a yacht purchase works in the U.S., from the written offer and 10% escrow deposit through survey, sea trial, acceptance and closing, explained by a Fort Lauderdale yacht broker.
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Buying · 4 min read
Surveys & Sea Trials Explained
What a pre-purchase condition and valuation survey covers, how the haul-out and sea trial work, how to choose a SAMS or NAMS surveyor, and what to do with the report.
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Buying · 4 min read
Florida Yacht Sales & Use Tax
Florida's 6% sales and use tax on boats, the $18,000 maximum tax, discretionary surtax on the first $5,000, nonresident exemptions and decals, the 20-day rule, and credit for tax paid elsewhere.
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Ownership · 4 min read
Closing & Ownership Costs
What to budget for when you buy a yacht: survey and haul-out, sales or use tax, documentation, insurance, plus the ongoing costs of dockage, maintenance, crew, fuel and management.
Read the guide →For Sellers & Charter Guests
Selling & Chartering
Selling · 4 min read
How to Sell Your Yacht
How to price a yacht from real comparable sales, prepare her for showings and survey, choose a listing broker, and get through offers, survey and closing smoothly.
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What's my yacht worth?
Share a few details and I'll review comparable sales and reply personally, typically within 1 business day.
Chartering · 4 min read
Hamptons & Sag Harbor Charters
How summer yacht charters work in Sag Harbor and the Hamptons: crewed vs. bareboat, Coast Guard passenger rules, what's included, how to spot an illegal charter, and how to book.
Read the guide →Guides are general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Each guide lists its sources.