Fine Line Yachts inc. understands that each yacht purchase is unique. We offer a professional team of Yacht Brokers and Sales Agents, well-qualified to handle the complexities involved in financing, finding a yacht slip, proper purchase agreements, thorough purchase and documentation procedures and yacht delivery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the purchase process work?
What is documentation services?
How, When and Where do I begin my search for a slip?
If I list my vessel for sale with you, where and how is it advertised?
Where can I access the MLS listings of yachts available?

Contact Us for the following questions regarding the following subjects which are unique for each situation:

1. Offshore Delivery
2. Out-of-State Delivery
3. Out-of-State Purchase
4. International Purchase
5. Delivery Inquiries

Purchase Process

Thanks for inquiring on a yacht purchase through Fine Line Yachts, Inc. Buying a yacht is serious investment and all of the proper steps must be followed to ensure that you purchase exactly what you want and where you want, at your agreed purchase price.

1. Begin the search.
2. Narrow the search to 2-3 preferred vessels.
3. Make an Offer to Purchase on the preferred vessel.
4. This offer must be accompanied by a 10% deposit check. The check will be deposited into the Fine Line Yachts, Inc., Client Trust Account upon your acceptance of the vessel following a successful Sea Trial.
5. Upon acceptance of a purchase price, the vessel will be made available for Sea Trial.
6. A Sea Trial usually lasts 1-2 hours, dock to dock. It is the buyers' opportunity to test any and all equipment and features of the vessel as listed in the vessel specifications.
7. An oil sample is drawn from the engine immediately upon arrival back from the Sea Trial. The sample can be drawn by the Yacht Broker, Sales Agent or your hired Mechanic. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis. Results typically take 1-5 days, depending on the location of the lab.
8. A Marine Surveyor is always recommended prior to purchase. Most insurance and financial institutions will require a Marine Survey. Marine Surveyors are not required to be licensed in the state of California , so it is important to do your research and hire a reputable Marine Surveyor. Upon completion of the Marine Survey, you will be given a detailed report on the overall integrity of the vessel as well as a suggested value on the vessel.
9. Examination of Survey Results: The reason you had these professional services performed was to gather information concerning the overall quality of the vessel and its features therein. Take the necessary time with your Broker, Sales Agent and/or Surveyor to ensure that you completely understand the results. If further surveys are necessary, this is the time to hire mechanical surveyors, electrical surveyors and any other system-specific surveyors that you deem as necessary to complete you investigation of the vessel.
10. Acceptance of Conditions: When you feel that you are comfortable with your intended purchase, you will sign an Acceptance of Conditions stating to the seller that you do not require any further surveys. You are prepared to close.
11. Closing: Your Broker will provide you with a Closing Statement showing the distribution of funds. It is important that the funds are delivered in the form of a cashier's check or wire transfer, no less than three days prior to the scheduled closing date. The Broker and Documentation Company require several days (usually no more than three) to ensure that all liens are paid and cleared prior to transfer of ownership.
12. The following fees are associated with the closing:
    • Prorated County Property Tax – Roughly 1.5% of the assessed value of the vessel
    • Prorated Slip Rent (if necessary)
    • Invoices due to surveyors, mechanics, and boat yards as hired by the buyer

Documentation Services

Most yachts show ownership on their respective United States Coast Guard Documentation. A documented vessel is recognized worldwide. In a transfer of ownership of a yacht, it is important that both buyer and seller do all of the necessary preparation and investigation prior to transferring ownership. If you would like to inquire about our Documentation Services, please click the link below and you will be directed to our documentation specialists. If you would like to proceed with a Documentation Transfer or Addition/Division of Ownership, please click on the link below marked "Proceed with Documentation."

Contact Our Documentation Specialists
Proceed With Documentation

How, When and Where do I begin my search for a slip?

If you are purchasing a yacht for use in Southern California, it is critical that you reserve a slip PRIOR to your purchase. You will most likely NOT be able to find a slip in your first marina of preference.

Some marinas will transfer the slip to a new tenant when that tenant purchases a vessel within that marina. There are a few marinas that have no waiting list. The norm, however, is to add your name to the waiting lists of the top two or three marinas of your choice. Be advised that there will be fees associated with waiting on these lists.

Once you have successfully obtained a position on the waiting list(s) at the marina(s) of your preference, you should then reserve a slip at a marina that has availability. The marinas with availability are usually a further distance away or more expensive, but you will NEED to reserve a slip somewhere PRIOR to completing your purchase. Connect to our slip services section for premier assistance regarding all of your slip needs.

If I list my vessel for sale with you, where and how is it advertised?

We appreciate your business and the opportunity to sell your yacht. We work hard to keep ourselves extended into every possible option of marine advertising, allowing as many buyers as possible the opportunity to see your yacht for sale.

We have a variety of advertising strategies, and we will use creative marketing for a unique vessel. These include immense internet marketing, nautical print ads and numerous local companies which offer ad space targeting specific communities within the yachting world. To complete our intense advertising, our offices are located right on the water in local marinas, offering clients the opportunity to walk in and chat with us within the marina environment.

If you have other marketing ideas or sources that you would like to add, please feel free to extend those options to us to better serve you. For further information regarding the sale of your yacht, please connect to Looking To Sell .

MLS Link

Follow this link to take you to a search and listing of all yachts available in your area.

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