At AGL Yacht Sales, we hope everyone is staying healthy and safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. Recognizing that AGL Yacht Sales must observe the needs of our clients and staff, AGL is recommending the use of Facetime, Skype or WhatsApp to walk clients remotely through boats. Our brokers and salespersons are also instructed to wear masks and gloves and use antiseptic wipes on marina gates and boat handles, etc.
Despite the “new normal” of these protections we remain optimistic that the yacht market will continue to push on through these difficult times. In fact, despite the economic downturn, many yacht brokers remain optimistic that the market will bounce back quickly. A recent on-line article from Boat International, written by Malcolm McLean and Holly Overton, entitled Yacht Brokers Remain Positive Despite Economic Downturn, quoted several industry leaders, including the following three:
“Yacht owners feel that the financial downturn will be relatively short-lived”, said Cromwell Littlejohn, commercial director US at Northrop & Johnson.
Jamie Edmiston, chief executive at Edmiston & Company, said he “anticipates a number of opportunities for buyers in the coming weeks and months.”
Will Christie, head of sales at Y.CO., stated he remains “realistically optimistic” that the market will bounce back. “But in the short term, like all businesses, things will be a challenge.”
At AGL Yacht Sales, we have invested heavily in the future of yachting and the technology that comes with it.
For our clients who are shopping for a boat, with any vessel we have on our listings, we have up-to-date imagery and real-time virtual walkthroughs available via Facetime, Skype or WhatsApp to prospective buyers. We can do many things remotely, especially if we already know the boat: the class status, the survey status, maintenance records, hours on the engines, where the vessel has been and overall condition, and so on. Interestingly, just as mortgage rates have dropped, so too for yacht financing. This is a great time to consider purchasing your dream yacht.
We are also helping and advising sellers in any way we can. For those looking to sell their boat, we are still marketing sail and power yachts nationally and globally. We also post videos of our listings on YouTube and our listings are on Yacht World and on our website. We are promoting boats via real time virtual tours and remote evaluations. Yacht transactions are not “on-hold” due to today’s social distancing.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. And contact us if you are interested in selling or buying your boat. You can call or text our Broker of Record, Leilani Wales at 360-621-4682, or email her at Leilani@aglyachtsales.com. If you like, we are also happy to arrange a consultation via Zoom or other video conferencing software of your choosing. Leilani and her team are experienced in all aspects of yacht transactions and the ownership experience.
From Our Family to Yours, Stay Healthy and Stay Safe!
See You On The Water!
AGL Yacht Sales, Inc.
AGL Yacht Sales, Inc.
Mike Wales is a maritime lawyer and co-owner of AGL Yacht Sales, Inc. along with his wife Leilani Wales, CPYB, a licensed California Yacht Broker. You can contact Mike at mike@aglyachtsales.com or at 480.250.5651.
