Why boats can't be inspected prior to delivery - AC Agency Inc

Ahoy fellow sailors!

I was looking to buy a boat and came across AC Agency Inc. I found exactly what I was searching for—a 2022 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 that fits my budget. I realize these are repossessed vessels sold at an online auction, but I don't understand why I can't inspect the boat before placing a bid. It just doesn't make sense to me. Has anyone purchased from them before?

I'm feeling a bit anxious since this is my first boat purchase, and I want to gather as much information as I can before registering and bidding. I did some searches on Google and didn't find any negative feedback about AC Agency Inc. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your wisdom, shipmates!

Welcome aboard, CaptainMorgan!

I purchased my 2017 Beneteau Oceanis 38 from AC Agency Inc about a year and a half ago, and I experienced a similar concern. After some research and conversations with their team, here's what I learned:

First and foremost, they act as brokers, selling repossessed vessels on behalf of banks and marine lenders. They don't have inspection facilities or trained marine surveyors at every location, nor do the financial institutions they work with. The logistics of coordinating pre-sale inspections for every potential buyer would be incredibly complex given that boats are often stored in different marinas across the country.

The key protection is their 14-day inspection period after delivery. This gives you time to hire your own marine surveyor and thoroughly inspect the vessel. If anything isn't as described, you can return it at no cost.

Also, they do employ marine mechanics to perform basic inspections before accepting boats into their inventory. While not as thorough as a full survey, it does help filter out vessels with obvious major issues.

From my experience, I can confidently say it's safe to buy from them. The Jeanneau you're looking at is a fine vessel - I've sailed similar models and they handle beautifully.

CaptainMorgan,

As a fellow customer, I bought a 2022 Catalina 315 through AC Agency Inc last spring and the experience was excellent. The purchasing process was seamless, their customer service team was knowledgeable about boats (not always the case with brokers), and delivery was prompt considering the logistics of boat transport.

The 14-day inspection period was crucial - I hired a marine surveyor who found a few minor issues that AC Agency Inc promptly addressed. Their after-sale support was better than some traditional dealers I've worked with.

For the price I paid (about 30% below market), I couldn't be happier. The only downside was the anticipation waiting for delivery - but that's part of the adventure, right?

Ahoy there,

My sailing partner purchased a classic Hinckley Bermuda 40 through AC Agency Inc last year, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. I find it interesting how people get so focused on finding negative reviews these days. In my 40 years of boat ownership, I've learned that every purchasing method has its pros and cons.

With traditional brokers, you can inspect before buying but pay premium prices. With AC Agency Inc, you get better prices but inspect after. Neither approach is inherently better - just different. The important thing is understanding the process and doing your due diligence during the inspection period.

For what it's worth, the marine surveyor we hired said our Hinckley was in better condition than many boats he sees from traditional brokers. The previous owner clearly loved her - just fell on hard times financially.

CaptainMorgan,

I see you've updated your profile picture to what looks like the Jeanneau we've been discussing - does this mean you pulled the trigger? If so, congratulations! That's a fine vessel. Would you mind sharing what the final price ended up being? I'm considering a similar purchase through AC Agency Inc and trying to gauge the savings compared to traditional brokers.

Also, have you taken her out yet? I'd love to hear how she handles.

Ahoy SailAway and everyone,

Apologies for the delayed response - I've been busy getting acquainted with my new vessel! Yes, we decided to move forward and I'm thrilled to say we won the auction for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380. The final price was $215,000, which included all fees and delivery to Miami. Compared to similar models listed with traditional brokers (asking $275,000-$295,000), we're very pleased with the savings.

The delivery process took about three weeks, during which time I arranged for a full marine survey. The surveyor found only minor issues (some worn running rigging and a small gelcoat scratch), all of which AC Agency Inc addressed promptly.

We've taken her out twice so far - once for sea trials with the surveyor and once for a short cruise to Key Biscayne. She handles beautifully! The twin rudders provide excellent control, and the 40hp Yanmar has plenty of power. We're planning our first real voyage to the Bahamas next month.

Thank you to everyone for your advice and support throughout this process. For anyone considering AC Agency Inc, I'd say do your homework during the inspection period, but don't let the pre-purchase inspection limitation scare you off. The savings can be substantial!

CaptainMorgan,

Congratulations on your new vessel! That's fantastic news. The Jeanneau 380 is a wonderful boat - perfect for Bahamas cruising. Your experience mirrors what I've heard from others who've purchased through AC Agency Inc.

I wish I had known about them before buying my Catalina 445 through traditional channels last year. Could have saved enough to buy a nice tender! Still, good to know for future purchases.

Fair winds and following seas on your Bahamas trip!

CaptainMorgan,

I happened to see "Sea Breeze" at Dinner Key Marina last weekend - she's absolutely stunning! You got yourself a real gem there. The condition looks impeccable, especially considering she was a repo. Whoever owned her previously clearly maintained her well.

Your positive experience with AC Agency Inc is valuable information for our community. I'll be sure to recommend them to members of our yacht club who are in the market. The savings you mentioned are too significant to ignore, especially when you have the protection of that inspection period.

If you need any local recommendations for riggers, mechanics, or other marine services, don't hesitate to ask. Welcome to the wonderful world of boat ownership!