I just re-read a story in CW about preparing for your next boat. We are, but are going to do it wayyyy different this time. We are going to take our time, research and have been making lists of what we would like and what we do not want in the "last boat". Yes, the Islander is huge fun to sail, very fast and responsive. However, for example, what I considered to be a plus in the cabin design turns out to cause more issues. Fold out startboard sette just happens to be a bed in the kitchen so to speak.....anyhow.

What exactly is the purpose of a broker? Our last broker basically pointed us in the direction the boat was stored, presented the offer to the owner and wrote up the bill of sale. In the CW article, the broker featured was shown giving the potential buyers a tour of the boat, explaining systems and features and answering questions. Of course the broker's company did the advertising (although we bought the Islander before it was ever listed). We also worked with a broker on the other end of Lake Erie and it was also a hands off experience. Nothing like the CW article describes. None of these guys made any effort to make sure the listing was accurate, equipment lists were actually what was on the boat, etc.

Are we pretty much on our own when boat buying?