m1021
Member
Hi everyone! I'm just concluding my buying experience of an American Tug 34 and wanted to give some recommendations for anyone else buying a boat in Pensacola, FL.
Thanks to another member on here's recommendation, I am very glad that I went with Seth Mosley of Mosley Maritime for the general survey: https://mosleymaritime.com. The guy is super knowledgeable - surveys personal and all the way up to industrial boats/jobs. Detailed. Reasonable price for all that he offers/does. The survey report was long and very helpful. Afterwards, he spent tons of extra time with me, both on the boat after the survey showing me issues and explaining PLUS via email and phone afterwards counseling me on price of repairs and parts so that I could prepare my post-survey "ask" of the seller to come off the price. I have since heard from other people in the boat industry that I've been dealing with down in Pensacola that Seth is well-known around there as being top notch.
As for engine-specific surveyors, I went with the local Cummings dealer Saunders Yachtworks. I was warned that they were pricey and are the company that handles all the mega-yachts down there. But I was told it was important to go with a Cummings certified shop as they'd be the only ones who'd have the special computer equipment to plug into my digital engine. They cost 1,000 more than any other quotes I received, so it was a big decision to go with them. This cost more than the general survey by far. I spoke to the service supervisor about this and the nice fellow he sent out to do the survey. However, I was later told they couldn't get their computer thing to work, so I didn't get the benefit of the readout. I wasn't told that at the time during the sea trial. They did (without me having to ask first) knock a few hundred off the price in the end, which was good. But I was a bit worried to not have this service, as the boat did overheat during the sea trial and I'd wish I'd had more data on why as well as service history, etc.
The seller's broker was Kevin Barber of Edwards Yacht Sales. He was a good negotiator for the seller.
But I felt he was a fair and warm person, and didn't rush me through the tour or survey at all - on the contrary - he allowed me to spend half a day crawling all over the boat on the tour alone. His communication throughout the process was excellent, and he went the extra mile to arrange details for me like getting the haulout, and just so much more. He made the entire process smooth. I would have liked it if Edwards Yacht Sales had permitted this to be co-brokered so I could have been represented directly myself, but that said, Kevin was excellent and has helped so much. The man works hard.
Finally, Performance Yacht Deliveries will be trucking the boat up to Maryland where the boat will live. So far, I am very impressed. I'll update when the job is done. Colt is the owner/operator. He seems to truly love his job and appreciate boats. I get the idea he will handle my baby with love. He is also highly regarded around there - all the other tradesmen spoke highly of him. His communication is excellent. He gave me a quote very quickly and it was fair.
Looking forward to getting her home and doing some work on her. She's not been serviced for a couple years. The poor thing will need the TLC and I can't wait to give it!
Final note: I am a 30's gal buying the boat on my own, showing up alone to the survey, and making all the arrangements myself. And I'm no pro either. Plus I get giggley/silly excited around my dreamboat. Given this fact, I was happy to find that Seth, Kevin, Colt all have treated me like I have a brain throughout this process. Respectful but still explaining stuff. Its been nice and empowering too!
Thanks to another member on here's recommendation, I am very glad that I went with Seth Mosley of Mosley Maritime for the general survey: https://mosleymaritime.com. The guy is super knowledgeable - surveys personal and all the way up to industrial boats/jobs. Detailed. Reasonable price for all that he offers/does. The survey report was long and very helpful. Afterwards, he spent tons of extra time with me, both on the boat after the survey showing me issues and explaining PLUS via email and phone afterwards counseling me on price of repairs and parts so that I could prepare my post-survey "ask" of the seller to come off the price. I have since heard from other people in the boat industry that I've been dealing with down in Pensacola that Seth is well-known around there as being top notch.
As for engine-specific surveyors, I went with the local Cummings dealer Saunders Yachtworks. I was warned that they were pricey and are the company that handles all the mega-yachts down there. But I was told it was important to go with a Cummings certified shop as they'd be the only ones who'd have the special computer equipment to plug into my digital engine. They cost 1,000 more than any other quotes I received, so it was a big decision to go with them. This cost more than the general survey by far. I spoke to the service supervisor about this and the nice fellow he sent out to do the survey. However, I was later told they couldn't get their computer thing to work, so I didn't get the benefit of the readout. I wasn't told that at the time during the sea trial. They did (without me having to ask first) knock a few hundred off the price in the end, which was good. But I was a bit worried to not have this service, as the boat did overheat during the sea trial and I'd wish I'd had more data on why as well as service history, etc.
The seller's broker was Kevin Barber of Edwards Yacht Sales. He was a good negotiator for the seller.
But I felt he was a fair and warm person, and didn't rush me through the tour or survey at all - on the contrary - he allowed me to spend half a day crawling all over the boat on the tour alone. His communication throughout the process was excellent, and he went the extra mile to arrange details for me like getting the haulout, and just so much more. He made the entire process smooth. I would have liked it if Edwards Yacht Sales had permitted this to be co-brokered so I could have been represented directly myself, but that said, Kevin was excellent and has helped so much. The man works hard. Finally, Performance Yacht Deliveries will be trucking the boat up to Maryland where the boat will live. So far, I am very impressed. I'll update when the job is done. Colt is the owner/operator. He seems to truly love his job and appreciate boats. I get the idea he will handle my baby with love. He is also highly regarded around there - all the other tradesmen spoke highly of him. His communication is excellent. He gave me a quote very quickly and it was fair.
Looking forward to getting her home and doing some work on her. She's not been serviced for a couple years. The poor thing will need the TLC and I can't wait to give it!
Final note: I am a 30's gal buying the boat on my own, showing up alone to the survey, and making all the arrangements myself. And I'm no pro either. Plus I get giggley/silly excited around my dreamboat. Given this fact, I was happy to find that Seth, Kevin, Colt all have treated me like I have a brain throughout this process. Respectful but still explaining stuff. Its been nice and empowering too!
