I would suggest that it doesn't take a $2 million investment for a boat to qualify as a large investment (when compared to the net assets of some boat owners)
, to say nothing of the fact that as a boat owner, I do what I can to minimize problems (such as arguments over who caused the damage, was it there prior to the viewing and starting of systems, who will pay, the hassle of having to repair, etc.). Why go there??
In my area, the first viewing is a general viewing to determine many things. Is this style/model of boat appropriate for how I plan to use the boat? Will it meet my and my wife's needs, wants, and desires for a boat? What is the general condition of the vessel? Does the boat have any bad smells such as mould, sewage, etc.? Overall impressions about the care that the owner has given the boat. Nothing was actually operated, as in the vast majority of cases, I was not interested in purchasing the boat I was viewing then. However, giving a boat that does "tick off" some of your boxes a thorough inspection (ER, all compartments, visual of systems, batteries, etc.) for any obvious signs of issues is no problem (although I did P_ss off a broker or two with how long I wanted to stay aboard to satisfy my investigation on a boat that I was actually giving serious consideration).
Around here, most brokers DO NOT WANT the owner on board (at least for the first viewing). I am told the reason for this is the owner can "get in the way" of the buyer(s) and/or their broker from feeling free to have a good look around and to privately discuss their findings as they go along. They want to "form their own first impressions", etc.
As far as allowing a broker to start up and properly operate and close down my boat's systems is concerned (as a seller), NO WAY without me being there! I have come across too many brokers that really don't know as much as you think they should, or are just plain lazy!
For example, there was one broker (seller's broker) showing us a boat that had many errors in his listing for the boat. When asked for an engine serial number so I could contact the manufacturer prior to viewing the boat, he would not walk from his office to the boat (a distance of 200-300 feet) to write it down. Once on board, I got the number, called the manufacturer (whose main office was only a few miles away from the boat) and found out that the engine was not the one listed in the for sale documents. This took me about 3 minutes of my time.
On another boat, the broker allowed the owner to store a propane bottle and gas can in a sealed compartment where there was also 2 batteries and a battery charger, as well as the motor for the stern thruster. This boat was at the broker's docks!
When I pointed out that this boat also had a stringer that had separated from the hull, the broker told me that stringers were not that important and it wasn't anything to really worry about!
Sorry, but those guys are not going to operate my boat (should I be selling) just so someone who has not demonstrated any serious interest in purchasing my boat can "play with my systems".
If a potential buyer is truly interested in a boat, write up an offer and give the broker a deposit check (if the second viewing or surveys are scheduled very soon, the check may not even be cashed). Only someone that is actually interested will do this, but withdrawing from the deal is still fairly easy with a full refund. If the buyer is worried about the cost of survey, then ask to operate systems and engines prior to the survey. Most sellers would make themselves available to accomodate that request as the buyer has demonstrated a true interest. Yes, it is possible someone could write an offer and not really want to complete (and just "play around" with your boat), but that is very, very unlikely and should that occur, at least the seller would be there to operate or oversee their boat.
To me, it is a lot different to selling a car. However, I would not just hand my car keys over to a "stranger" (to me) and let him "drive off" and operate my car and it's systems without supervision.
Just my opinion, and the way it seems to be done around these parts