Begonia: how to sell a dream yacht

At Boatshed Barcelona, in the course of ourafford her. But Josep had been dreaming about
business as used yacht brokers we sometimesthis kind of boat for the past 20 years, so with
get confronted with very nice challenges. One ofsome help from family and some concessions
the recent ones was “Begonia“. During 21from Bill, we could finally agree on a price.
years, this very well kept Cape George 38 wasThe next step was to have the boat surveyed
the home of her first owner, Bill. When Gert Vanand to arrange for the paperwork to have the
den Bergh, owner of Boatshed Barcelona, firstboat registered in Spain and CE-certified. As Josep
came on board, to view and photograph the boat,didn’t know how to go about this, Boatshed
as they always do with every second hand boatBarcelona put him in touch with Proname , who
listed at Boatshed, he was already bowled overcan solve all of these as a 1-stop shop, at very
by the quality of the boat.competitive rates.
Bill had the boat built to his personal specificationsThe survey went very well and after the bill of
at the Cecil Lange yard in Seattle, USA. She wassale had been signed, Gert Van den Bergh, owner
then sailed extensively in the Pacific. Afterof Boatshed Barcelona, made sure that the boat
crossing the Atlantic, she has had her home basewas deleted from the US Coast Guard
in Spain, first in Majorca and later in Barcelona.documentation. This deletion is required to enable
From here, she cruised the Mediterranean.registration of the boat in Spain.
The challenge to find a buyer for Begonia wasIn the mean time, Proname did the necessary
multiple: in Europe, few people know about themodifications to get the boat CE-certified and to
Cape George designs, so it was difficult tosmooth out any problems with Spanish customs.
convince people of its quality. Moreover, as sheThe collaboration between Proname and Boatshed
had never been registered in Europe, getting herBarcelona is one of the many key partnerships,
CE certified proved to be more of a challengethat allow boat buyers to realise their dream in
than most people are willing to take on. Howevergood faith, knowing that they are in the hands of
Gert stepped up to the task knowing that overa team of professionals.
the years, selling used motor and sailing boats heAs a result, Boatshed Barcelona now has 2 more
has developed a great network of contacts tovery happy customers: one boat owner who is
deal with just this kind of thing.certain that his boat is in good hands, and a new
But first a buyer for this beautiful yacht: And thenboat owner who is willing and eager to lavish the
Josep called about a few different boats. As soonboat with loving care, which is what Begonia really
as he came on board Begonia with his wifedeserves.
Hannah and their daughter, all three of them fell inIf you have a boat to sell or are looking for the
love. Nevertheless, in the beginning it appearedyacht of your dreams then please do get in touch
that this would be one of those impossible lovewith Gert Van den Bergh to discuss things further.
stories: they thought they’d never be able to