Why boats can't be inspected prior to delivery - A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC.

Ahoy fellow boaters!

I'm looking to buy my first boat and came across A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. I found exactly what I've been searching for—a 2022 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 that fits my budget perfectly. I understand these are repossessed vessels sold at online auctions, but I'm a bit confused about why I can't inspect the boat before placing a bid. Has anyone here purchased from them before?

I'm feeling a little nervous since this is my first boat purchase, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything right. I've done some searching online and haven't found any negative feedback about A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. Any advice or experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your wisdom, shipmates!

Welcome aboard, CaptainMorgan! Great to have you here at The Bilge Pump!

I purchased my 2017 Beneteau Oceanis 38 from A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. about a year and a half ago, and I had the same concern initially. After chatting with their team and doing my research, here's what I learned:

They work as brokers for banks and marine lenders, selling repossessed vessels. They don't have inspection facilities or marine surveyors at every location, and coordinating pre-sale inspections for every potential buyer would be a logistical nightmare with boats stored in different marinas across the country.

The good news is they offer a 14-day inspection period after delivery. This gives you time to hire your own marine surveyor and thoroughly check out the vessel. If anything isn't as described, you can return it at no cost.

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

Hey CaptainMorgan,

I bought a 2022 Catalina 315 through A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. last spring and had a great experience. The process was smooth, their customer service team was knowledgeable, and delivery was prompt considering the logistics of boat transport.

The 14-day inspection period was key - I hired a marine surveyor who found a few minor issues that A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. promptly fixed. 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 wait for delivery - but that's part of the adventure, right?

Ahoy there CaptainMorgan,

My sailing partner bought a classic Hinckley Bermuda 40 through A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. last year, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. 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 A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, 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.

Hey CaptainMorgan,

I see you've updated your profile picture to what looks like the Jeanneau we've been discussing - does this mean you went for it? If so, congratulations! That's a beautiful boat. Would you mind sharing what the final price ended up being? I'm considering a similar purchase through A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. Sales and trying to figure out the potential savings compared to traditional brokers.

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

Ahoy SailAway and everyone,

Sorry for the delayed response - I've been busy getting to know my new boat! Yes, we decided to go for it 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 happy with the savings.

The delivery 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 A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. fixed right away.

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 A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, 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 boat! That's awesome news. The Jeanneau 380 is a wonderful vessel - perfect for Bahamas cruising. Your experience matches what I've heard from others who've purchased through A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, 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 A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, 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!

Hey CaptainMorgan,

Congratulations on the new boat! I'm in a similar situation - looking at a Hunter 33 through A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. Your positive experience is really encouraging. Did you find the photos and description on their website accurate to what you received?

Also, how was the communication during the delivery process? Were they good about keeping you updated?

Hi SunshineSailor,

Thanks for the kind words! To answer your questions:

The photos and description were actually more accurate than I expected. They included close-ups of any imperfections, which I appreciated. The boat was exactly as shown in the photos.

Communication was good throughout. I had a dedicated representative who responded to emails within 24 hours. They provided tracking information once the boat was picked up for transport and gave me regular updates.

The Hunter 33 is a great boat - perfect for coastal cruising. I'd say go for it, but definitely budget for a marine survey during the inspection period. Good luck with your purchase!

Hey everyone,

This thread has been really helpful! I'm considering a powerboat through A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. - a 2020 Sea Ray Sundancer 320. Has anyone here purchased a powerboat from them? Any differences in the process compared to sailboats?

Also, CaptainMorgan, how was the engine condition on your boat? Were there any surprises there?

Hi BeachBum,

The Sea Ray Sundancer is a beautiful boat! The engine condition on my Jeanneau was excellent. It had only 150 hours, which is practically new for a diesel. The surveyor did a full engine inspection and compression test - everything checked out perfectly.

I don't think the process differs between sailboats and powerboats with A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. The key is still that 14-day inspection period where you can have a mechanic check everything out.

The Sundancer 320 is a popular model, so I'd imagine there might be more competition in the bidding. Good luck!

Hi all,

I just wanted to add my experience with A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. I purchased a 2019 Ranger Tug R-23 last month and the process was smooth. The boat arrived exactly as described, and the 14-day inspection period gave me peace of mind.

One tip I'd offer - make sure you have a marine surveyor lined up before your boat arrives. That way you can get the inspection done quickly within the return window.

CaptainMorgan, your thread here was really helpful in my decision-making process. Thanks for starting it!

Hi WaterWings,

That's great to hear about your positive experience with A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC! The Ranger Tugs are wonderful boats - perfect for lake cruising.

I'm glad this thread has been helpful to others. That's what The Bilge Pump community is all about - boaters helping boaters!

We just returned from our Bahamas trip and "Sea Breeze" performed flawlessly. We had perfect weather and the boat handled everything beautifully. It was worth every penny and the slight anxiety of buying without a pre-inspection.

To anyone on the fence about A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC. - based on my experience and what others have shared here, I'd say go for it. Just make sure you do your due diligence during the inspection period.

CaptainMorgan and everyone,

I just wanted to thank you all for sharing your experiences. After reading this thread, I decided to take the plunge and just won a 2018 Catalina 315 through A & E AUTO-TRUCK BROKERS, INC!

I was a bit nervous about the process, but your detailed accounts gave me the confidence to move forward. I've already lined up a marine surveyor for when the boat arrives here in Portland.

This community is fantastic - so helpful and supportive. Thanks again everyone!