Looking For A New Career? How To Get Into Yacht Sales
If you’re looking to enter the job market, or are looking for a change of career, why not consider becoming a yacht broker at a luxury yacht brokerage?
As you may imagine, this job entails travelling the world, attending international boat shows and yacht fairs, forging deals with the rich and famous and touring luxury yachts, but what else does it entail?
What does it take to become a yacht broker?
What are the skills you need to become a yacht broker, are there any specific qualifications you require, and what kind of compensation can you expect? Let’s take a look.
Why yacht sales?
Why boat sales? If you are passionate about yachts and life on-the-water, a career as a yacht broker might be for you, allowing you to work in an area that you genuinely enjoy and understand. Your passion will shine through and help you sell yachts all the better.
What skills do you need for yacht sales?
To succeed in this highly competitive market, it will help if you are a confident people-person, capable of networking, negotiating and of winning the trust of some of the world’s most influential and demanding individuals.
A solid understanding of yachts is essential, and you’ll need to keep up-to-date regarding market trends, such as the recent developments in sustainable yachting and solar powered yachts.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are vital, as is a knowledge of digital marketing and promotion. You’ll also be expected to know about cruising grounds and all the industry rules, regulations and ethical standards.
You’ll need to be professional, self-motivated and trustworthy, and committed to providing excellent customer service. You must be able to pay attention to your clients’ particular needs, placing them above your own gain. As you will be selling high-value items, you will need to look the part, too, dressing with elegance and style.
How do you get into yacht sales?
Experience in sales and a passion for yachting will help get your foot in the door, and it’s worth starting at some of the smaller brokerages to get a solid base of experience, before working your way up to the high-end superyacht brokers.
Once you are working in a brokerage, you can start looking into gaining recommended certification and association membership, which will help towards building your reputation, while creating access to professional links, networking resources and regular industry news.
The Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents (ABYA) offer a Professional Yacht Brokerage Course, or you could aim for a British Marine Boat Retailers & Brokers Boat Sales Qualification, which recognises the competence and experience of those selling new and second-hand boats.
What is the commission on a yacht sale?
Most yacht brokers work on a commission basis, of which the industry standard is typically 10%, paid by the seller. When dealing with superyachts, the commission usually works on a sliding scale, with 10% on the first $10 million of value, 5% on the second and 2.5% on anything above that. The distribution of commission between the yacht buyer representative and yacht seller representative is usually 60/40, but can sometimes be split 50/50.
If you have all the right skills and enthusiasm, are presentable, self-motivated and confident, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to join a reputable luxury yacht brokerage and excel in the exciting world of yacht sales.