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Give up being a yacht broker to become a deckhand?

Discussion in 'Yacht Crews' started by Ahoy2939, Sep 29, 2024.

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  1. Ahoy2939

    Ahoy2939 New Member

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    I got a job as a yacht/boat broker but its an entry level position at more of an entry level brokerage - we mostly are only selling boats under 300k - I’m debating if I should give this up and get my STCW certification so then I can go work on yachts as a deckhand - The only thing that is stopping me is that I’m thinking that maybe if I stick this out that one day after like a year or two i would maybe have the opportunity to get a job at a more prestigious brokerage selling bigger yacht’s but I’m not sure it’s kind of gamble…….what should I do? I’m in Florida
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That's funny..
  3. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    I'd call that an oxymoron, rather than funny! :)
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  4. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Ahoy, Ahoy. In spite of my friends cracking us up with their responses, I have a few questions: what is your boating background? Level of knowledge? Level of experience?

    YF has been in existence for more than 20 years. If you are just now discovering YF, it makes me question your marine knowledge and experience.

    Selling boats is not a sales job like working in the mall. If you can't answer clients' questions, you will lose credibility. There's a lot of $$ involved and a buyer wants to be assured he is spending it wisely (well, as best as "wise" can be used in purchasing a boat).

    Commissions from a sale, the payoff, can be far in-between (not speaking from experience of course!) And there is a lot of time, work and expense invested to even get close to the payoff.

    FLIBS is coming up. Maybe go to one of the big (there is no such thing as prestigious brokerage in case you couldn't tell by the responses) brokerages. You will get a lot of experience working on a boat at a show. Pay attention and learn how to and what to and the what not to's. And if you don't know what FLIBS is, try the mall.
    Capt Ralph, mapism and YachtForums like this.
  5. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    As in all human fields, there's the rule, and there are exceptions.
    Based on first hand experience - and I guess the same goes also for CR - you are firmly in the tiny group of the latter, with respect to my above comment! :)

    And your circumstantiated reply also proves that, BTW.
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2024
  6. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    We need a smiley emoji with a hug :)
  7. Ahoy2939

    Ahoy2939 New Member

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    As I stated it’s an entry level position. I just started a few weeks ago I had no prior boating experience before this. I’ve been learning 24/7 getting up to speed to learn everything I need to know about the boating and yachting industry. I’ve already made many calls to sellers and have acquired a few listings so my sales skills are not a concern. And yes I know what the ft laudy boat show is and I was already planning on going. I’m mostly just asking advice on my original question as to whether continuing to pursue a yacht broker position and hopefully transfer to a brokerage that sells more expensive boats is worth pursuing or if I should become a deckhand.
  8. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    At the risk of ruffling feathers, I believe working on a vessel (in almost any position) should be mandatory for anyone working in a brokerage capacity.
    leeky likes this.
  9. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Deckhand.

    If you want the bottom line answer, that's my opinion. Do you also want to know the reasons behind it?
  10. Ahoy2939

    Ahoy2939 New Member

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    Yes. At the end of the day I’m very passionate about the yachting and boating industry that’s why I’m pursuing all this but of course my goal is to be financially successful.
  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Or you could do both…. I doubt your current job is a full time position so you could also freelance / day work and learn a ton of things.

    three years ago I hired a young guy as a crew on the 110 I run. He didn’t know much about anything like the typical 19 year old but was willing to work while getting a degree. Now he handles most of the maintenance on the boat with minimal supervision, making all the right decisions. He s also switched his major to engineering and probably knows more about boats than many brokers
    Maxwell likes this.
  12. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Why "of course"?
    While there's nothing wrong in setting yourself a goal to get rich, the world is full of remarkably successful people who liked their job to the point of creating an empire out of it. And for them, becoming financially successful was "only" a consequence, not the primary goal.
    Let me ask you a question: what would you LIKE to do most, regardless of what can generate more cash?
  13. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    This is a very friendly group here, so please don't be put off by the harshness of my answers. I am trying to sincerely respond to your question if you should be a yacht broker. Here's what lead me to the conclusion that this might not be your best shot at being a successful one after reading your post #7:
    1. "I’ve been learning 24/7..." You just exaggerated if not lied = loss of credibility.
    2. "learn everything I need to know..". There is no such thing. That's why YF has millions of readers. = you have now shown unrealistic expectations or perhaps that you don't know what you don't know.
    3. "My sales skills are not a concern..." Your sales skills were never in question, so now it raises issues of communication, the ability to hear what the other person is saying.

    Should you become a successful yacht broker, please let me know so I can apologize profusely. Otherwise, I am trying to spare you from charting a course full of hazards.
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    hugging-smiley-179-1451908327.jpg
  15. wac45

    wac45 New Member

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    Becoming a successful yacht broker takes time. It is about building relationships and trust with clients. Trust is built over time and you have to have the knowledge and experience to offer them guidance which is most beneficial to them. It takes years to develop these types of relationships for the long term. You don't start at the top selling million dollar yachts, its something to aspire to as a long term goal. But that takes time, integrity and experience if you want to be successful. Quite a bit different from selling cars at the local car dealership.