News

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What Buyers and Sellers Should Expect on Inspection, Survey, and Sea Trial Days By Brian Duff

For Sellers At BVI Yacht Sales, we work with buyers and sellers from many different countries, cultures, and boating backgrounds. Because vessels are often located across multiple islands and cruising destinations throughout the Caribbean, brokers are not always physically present for every inspection, survey, or sea trial. Over many years of handling transactions throughout the region, we have found that...
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Chris Burke: Director of Sales for the Southern Caribbean

We are proud to announce the promotion of Chris Burke to Director of Sales for the Southern Caribbean at BVI Yacht Sales! Chris brings a lifetime of boating experience and an extensive understanding of the Caribbean yachting market to this leadership role. Raised in a passionate sailing family, he grew up sailing, fishing, diving, and cruising throughout the Grenadines and...
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Why You Should Use a Broker to Sell Your Vessel

By Ocean Petersen Selling a boat sounds easy until you actually try it. You take some photos, put an ad online, and figure someone will come along with cash in hand. But the truth is, it rarely works out that way. Between pricing it right, marketing it properly, dealing with all the calls and emails, handling surveys, sea trials, and...
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Where Are They Now? Memorable Owners: Ron’s Caribbean Seasons

By Liz Day Some sales stay with you long after the closing documents are signed — and Ron was no exception. When we first began working together, Ron, in his seventies, was about to begin something entirely new: sailing. He was a complete novice. But this had been a lifelong dream — to learn to sail, to live aboard, and...
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What Sellers Should Expect From a Yacht Broker | Earning Commission Explained

By Brian Duff Selling a yacht is not a casual transaction. For most owners, it is among the largest and most emotionally charged assets they will ever sell. It represents years of use, investment, maintenance, family memories, and even unrealized plans. When an owner hires a yacht broker, they are not simply paying for exposure or paperwork. They are engaging...
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Material Knowledge and Caribbean Yacht Sales

From the Bahamas to Trinidad: Why telling it like it is, sells more boats. Written by Brian Duff   In the context of a boat sale, Material Knowledge refers to any information about a vessel that would reasonably influence a buyer’s decision to proceed, the price they are willing to pay, or the terms under which they will buy. This...
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Caribbean for the Win: Some factors that lead to the best year ever!

This past year in the Caribbean has been better than “good.” It’s been outrageous. At BVI Yacht Sales we are just wrapping up a record year: nearly double last year’s sales volume, a jump of roughly US$50,000 in average sale price, and an average time on market down to little over 100 days. That’s across the region, not just one island. Our brokers...
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BVI Yacht Sales at Annapolis Boat Show!

Annapolis Boat Show is well underway, and We are enjoying meeting everyone , showing off our boats for sale with virtual reality and interactive tours onboard the boats from over a thousand miles away! Stop by for free goodies or to learn how we sell the most boats in the Caribbean , and in the shortest sale times too!  ...
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BVI Yacht Sales Innovates with 3D Boat Tours for a Seamless Buying Experience in 2025

BVI Yacht Sales Innovates with 3D Boat Tours for a Seamless Buying Experience in 2025 BVI Yacht Sales is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership that will revolutionize the way buyers explore our fleet of boats. Starting this year, potential buyers can take immersive 3D tours of our available vessels, allowing them to step aboard virtually before even arriving in...
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Chesnee Cogswell is promoted to Yacht Sales Director assisting all of our brokers throughout the Caribbean!

We are proud to announce that Chesnee Cogswell has been promoted to Sales Director at BVI Yacht Sales. Chesnee has distinguished himself not only as a top performer year after year, but as one of the most successful yacht brokers in the entire Caribbean. His track record, work ethic, and deep commitment to his clients have consistently set the standard...
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What’s going on with the new ‘Trump Tariffs’ on Imported Yachts: What Owners Need to Know!

Starting April 9, 2025, significant tariff increases are set to impact yacht importation into the United States. Under new adjustments to the Trump-era tariff structure, boats imported from a range of countries—including France, South Africa, Taiwan, and China—may now face duties of 20%, 25%, or even 30%, depending on origin and vessel classification. These changes are poised to add tens or even...
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Avoid the Lacey Act Headache: Why Selling Your Yacht in the Caribbean May Be the Smartest Move.

Avoid the Lacey Act Headache: Why Selling Your Yacht in the Caribbean May Be the Smartest MoveBy Brian Duff, Managing Director – BVI Yacht Sales If you’re considering moving your yacht to the U.S. for sale, it might be time to rethink the plan—especially in light of new U.S. import enforcement under the Lacey Act that took effect December 1, 2024....
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Why Yacht Sellers Should Demand Co-Brokerage from Their Brokers

Don’t Let Your Broker Block Your Sale! 🚨⚓ Did you know some brokers refuse to co-broker your listing, limiting buyers, slowing sales, and lowering offers? Many buyers WON’T work with these brokers due to poor reputation, lack of integrity, and bad service. If your boat is for sale, demand co-brokerage NOW—more exposure means a faster, better sale. 💰 More buyers = More competition = Higher offers! Check with your broker today. We want to sell your boat for you!...
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2024 Caribbean Yacht Market Recap: Sales Trends and Top Performers

The Caribbean yacht market in 2024 experienced a dynamic year, characterized by robust activity, competitive sales, and notable trends across the region. With 468 total boats sold, the year highlighted key players, bustling locations, and valuable insights for industry stakeholders and yacht enthusiasts alike....
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The Steps to Selling Your Yacht with BVI Yacht Sales

Below you will find a summary of the selling process. BVI Yacht Sales act as yacht brokers working to list vessels for sale and seek buyers, and work through the process of negotiating the sale of your boat, through to the acceptance of the vessel, and then hand the process over to the closing company who will be handling all funds and closing documents on your behalf....
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Photos Needed for Yacht Listing

The goal of these photos are to show a potential buyer every specific detail of the vessel which has enabled me to sell a great many boats to buyers the world around, prior to their visit to the vessel or sometimes with no visit to the vessel....
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The Sellers Guide to Getting a Boat Sold in the Caribbean

Selling your boat can be more difficult than buying it was. Instead of just picking out which boat is right for you, you now have to make your boat right for as many potential buyers as possible. With a limited number of buyers for each type of boat, a used boat can take months or even years to sell if not done correctly....
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Navigating the Boat Purchase Process

Below is a summary of the offer process and an outline of the process to complete a boat purchase. You are advised to read the purchase and sale agreement in detail, and invited to ask any questions you might have, directly to your broker. ...
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Details Details for Wire Transfer Information and Closing Instructions

BVI Yacht Sales Ltd. (BVIYS) is committed to delivering a superior level of service, surpassing typical yacht brokerages, and ensuring your boat transaction is both convenient and secure. To achieve this, we’ve teamed up with Details Details Service, LLC (DD), a trusted, licensed, and bonded closing and escrow service based in Florida....
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Broker Spotlight: Liz Day – BVI Yacht Sales

Broker Spotlight:  Liz Day What inspired your passion for sailing and boating, and how did it shape your career path? Growing up on the water and spending summers on our family’s boat in France was more than just a pastime; it was a formative experience that sparked my passion for the sea. The allure of […]...