Deal Flow & Closing

The 30-day close is the goal, not the ceiling. Set client expectations longer than you think you need so US Coast Guard documentation, surveyor availability, and bank holidays can't blow you up.

The standard timeline

1. 1
   Day 0 — Offer signed

   PSA out, offer expiration set 3 days out. Confirm financing path.

2. 2
   Day 3 — Deposit in escrow

   No deposit, no sea trial. Send the seller intro email + finance/insurance intros.

3. 3
   Days 7–18 — Survey window

   Schedule hull surveyor, engine surveyor, haul-out, captain. The 3-week window gives you cushion for a re-trial if needed.

4. 4
   Day ~21 — Acceptance

   Buyer accepts or rejects. On acceptance, money goes hard. There should be zero surprises here.

5. 5
   Day ~30 — Closing

   Funds transfer, title work, registration. On or before.

Why we never recommend a surveyor

Liability. If something goes wrong post-close, an attorney will trace the recommendation back to you. Always direct the buyer to a certified organization (SAMS or NAMS) to pick their own — or have them sign an authorization waiver if they insist you pick.

Survey day logistics

• Have the seller's captain pre-inspect, clean, and exercise every system on the boat.
• Confirm hull surveyor, engine surveyor, and haul-out times all line up.
• If access is tight, move the boat the night before so survey morning isn't chaos.
• Brokers attend. The captain runs the boat. You manage the people.

Insurance & financing — start early

Loop in Melanie (F&I) the moment a deal is real. Insurance problems are the most common deal-killer at the very end — older boats, certain hull materials, claims history, and operator experience all create surprises. Find them in week one, not week four.

When you don't know the answer