Why can't I inspect a boat before buying from HCM Brokerage?

Ahoy fellow sailors!

I've been shopping for a boat and came across HCM Brokerage. I found exactly what I've been looking for — a 2022 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 that fits my budget. I understand these are repossessed boats sold through online auctions, but I'm confused about why I can't inspect the boat before placing a bid. It just doesn't make sense to me. Has anyone here bought from them before?

I'm a bit nervous since this is my first boat purchase, and I want to learn as much as I can before signing up and bidding. I've searched online and didn't find any negative reviews about HCM Brokerage. Any advice would be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your wisdom, shipmates!

Welcome aboard, CaptainMorgan!

I bought my 2017 Beneteau Oceanis 38 from HCM Brokerage about a year and a half ago, and I had the same concern. After doing some research and talking with their team, here's what I found out:

First, they act as brokers selling repossessed boats for banks and marine lenders. They don't have inspection facilities or marine surveyors at every storage location, and neither do the banks they work with. Coordinating pre-sale inspections for every potential buyer would be extremely complicated since boats are stored at different marinas all over the country.

The key protection is their 14-day inspection period after delivery. That gives you time to hire your own marine surveyor and thoroughly check out the boat. If anything isn't as described, you can return it at no cost.

Also, they do have marine mechanics do basic inspections before accepting boats into their inventory. It's not as thorough as a full survey, but it helps filter out boats with obvious major problems.

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

CaptainMorgan,

As someone who bought a 2022 Catalina 315 through HCM Brokerage last spring, I can tell you the experience was excellent. The purchasing process was smooth, their customer service team actually knew boats (which isn't always the case with brokers), and delivery was fast considering the logistics of boat transport.

The 14-day inspection period was really important — I hired a marine surveyor who found a few small issues that HCM Brokerage fixed right away. 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 waiting for delivery — but that's part of the adventure, right?

Ahoy there,

My sailing partner bought a classic Hinckley Bermuda 40 through HCM Brokerage last year, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. I find it interesting how people get so focused on finding negative reviews these days. In my 40 years of boat ownership, I've learned that every purchasing method has pros and cons.

With traditional brokers, you can inspect before buying but pay premium prices. With HCM Brokerage, you get better prices but inspect after delivery. Neither approach is inherently better — just different. What matters is understanding the process and doing your homework 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 had financial troubles.

CaptainMorgan,

I see you updated your profile picture to what looks like the Jeanneau we've been discussing — does that 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 thinking about a similar purchase through HCM Brokerage and trying to figure out the 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 move forward 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 really happy with the savings.

The delivery process took about three weeks, during which 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 HCM Brokerage fixed quickly.

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 through this process. For anyone considering HCM Brokerage, 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 fantastic news. The Jeanneau 380 is a wonderful vessel — perfect for Bahamas cruising. Your experience matches what I've heard from others who've bought through HCM Brokerage.

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 before clearly maintained her well.

Your positive experience with HCM Brokerage 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 with that inspection period protecting you.

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!

CaptainMorgan, thanks for sharing your experience. I've been watching HCM Brokerage's inventory for months. Their free membership makes it easy to browse. The 14-day inspection period is a huge plus — I've heard horror stories from people who bought boats elsewhere without any return option. I'm saving up for a 2021 Beneteau they have listed. Your post gives me confidence!

Great thread! I bought a 2018 Hunter 40 through HCM Brokerage two years ago. I was also nervous about the no-pre-inspection policy. But I hired a great surveyor during the 14-day window, and everything checked out. They even reimbursed me for a small repair the surveyor flagged. Their bank-transfer-only payment is standard for repo auctions. Tip: make sure your funds are ready before bidding — they don't take credit cards. But the savings are well worth it!

Adding my voice to the positive reviews. I bought a 2020 Catalina 315 from HCM Brokerage last year. The free delivery (within 500 miles) was a nice bonus — they shipped it from the lien holder's location on a Monday and it arrived Thursday as promised. The 14-day no-questions-asked refund policy gave me peace of mind. I didn't need it because the boat was perfect, but knowing it was there helped me bid with confidence. Happy sailing, CaptainMorgan!

One more tip for anyone new to HCM Brokerage: check their "inspection period" terms carefully. You have 14 days from delivery to do your survey and decide whether to keep the boat or return it. That's plenty of time. Also, their customer service is reachable by phone — I called a few times during my purchase process and they were always helpful. Don't let the pre-inspection limitation hold you back. Just be sure to have a good marine surveyor lined up for when your boat arrives!