How to choose the right boat broker
The five things to check before you list with a broker — and the questions most sellers forget to ask.
Picking a broker is the single biggest decision in the sale of a boat. The wrong choice costs you months on the dock and tens of thousands off the final price. The right one quietly does their job and leaves you with a clean closing statement.
Here's what actually matters — in order.
1. What have they sold that's like yours?
A broker's portfolio is the only signal that doesn't lie. Ask for the last five sales in your boat's size and type, with sold price vs asking price and days on market. A broker who specialises in 60ft motor yachts will not get you the best price on a 32ft sailboat — and vice versa.
This is exactly the comparison BrokerCompare runs for you automatically: we surface brokers who have a track record in your boat's cohort.
2. Are they a member of a recognised trade body?
In the UK that means ABYA (Association of Brokers & Yacht Agents). In Greece, HYBA. In the US, IYBA. In the Med superyacht market, MYBA. Membership signals two things: a regulated client account (so deposits are safe), and a code of conduct you can complain to if something goes wrong.
It's not a guarantee — but the absence of any membership is a red flag worth asking about.
3. Where does the deposit sit?
Reputable brokers operate a separate, audited client account. Your buyer's deposit sits there — not in the broker's general business account — until completion. If a broker is vague about where the deposit goes, walk away.
For private sales (FSBO) there are third-party escrow services like DosPay and SeaPay in the UK that achieve the same thing.
4. What's the commission, and what's negotiable?
Standard commission ranges:
- UK / Med used market: 6–8% of sale price
- US new listings: 10%
- Superyacht (MYBA): typically 10%, often negotiable on higher-value sales
What you should also ask:
- Is the commission split if a second broker brings the buyer?
- What's the marketing budget — and who pays if a photographer is needed?
- Are sea trials and survey access included?
Get the answers in writing, in the listing agreement.
5. What's the exclusivity period?
A "sole agency" agreement for 3–6 months is normal. Anything longer than 6 months without performance break clauses is a problem. Make sure the contract has a clear termination notice (typically 30 days written notice) and that if you find the buyer yourself, the commission is reduced or waived.
The questions sellers forget to ask
- How many other boats of my size are you marketing right now? If the answer is 20+, you're competing with their own inventory for attention.
- Who will actually be handling my sale day-to-day? The partner who took the listing isn't always the one running the viewings.
- What's your reference? A broker who can't put you on the phone with a recent satisfied seller is a broker to skip.
A note on valuations
Most good brokers will give you a free valuation in your intro call — they should know the market for your boat better than any "online estimator" possibly can. Beware brokers who pitch you an inflated asking price to win the listing, then push for a reduction three months later. The best ones price realistically from day one.