New Listing; 2010 Boston Whaler 320 Cuddy Cabin

My newest listing is one of the only Boston Whaler 320 Cuddy Cabin’s on the brokerage market right now, and what an incredible boat. The Cuddy layout adds an element of versatility above the normal Center Console model, while still having a very fishable offshore layout. 

2010 Boston Whaler 320 Cuddy Cabin; Tampa, FL

Comfort additions include an oversized hardtop with forward seating, step-down console head with sink, fold-down aft seating, and a comfortable forward cabin. 

2010 Boston Whaler 320 CC, Aft Seating; Tampa, FL

2010 Boston Whaler 320 CC, Forward Cuddy; Tampa, FL

2010 Boston Whaler 320 CC, Head Compartment; Tampa, FL

At the same time, the 320 layout features huge in-deck fishboxes, leaning post bait station with tackle storage, plenty of rod holders and equipment storage, and an open aft cockpit perfect for offshore fishing. 

This boat is equipped with a full Raymarine electronics package, including twin C120w Plotters, Radar, Mercury VesselView display, and Raymarine VHF. 

2010 Boston Whaler 320CC, Helm Details / Electronics; Tampa, FL 

Powered by twin 300 Verados with Warranty until 2015, and dealer-maintained since it was brand new. This Whaler is in exceptional condition and ready for a new home!

2010 Boston Whaler 320CC, Stern Quarter; Tampa, FL 

Trading in your boat

I find that often-times when clients see boats that are represented on a brokerage basis they are discouraged because of the misconception that a dealer or broker can only take a trade on a boat they own in inventory. I make a specific point to include “Trades Welcome” in all of my listings because Landmark Yacht Sales is happy to facilitate trade-in transactions on any of our represented vessels, whether owned in inventory or represented as a brokerage offer. 

If you’re considering upgrading, downsizing, or changing the style of boating you do, negotiating a trade is a great way to transition into the new boat while keeping the process as simple as possible. 

Some benefits to considering trading your current boat are: 

• No double-ownership concerns; slip space, carrying costs, etc. 
• Freedom to pursue an immediate opportunity on a new vessel 
• Minimize fees for two sales transactions 
• Sales-tax credit, which often helps to close the gap between trade value and retail sale value 

As an experienced broker, part of my job is knowing all of your options for making a change in boat ownership, including creative trade options. If your current boat is the only thing standing in the way of a new purchase, I’m happy to discuss the options for trade or sale and give my recommendation for the best way to accomplish your goals.  A brokerage trade can be one of the best values in our industry with regard to cost for services, drop me a line to find out how!

Rob Buscaino, rob@landmarkyachtsales.com, 727-422-3914

Tampa Boat Show - 2013

Well, it's September, and in Tampa that means Boat Show time!  This year was the 48th year for the Tampa show, which is sponsored by Progressive Insurance, the NMMA, and others.  This is the longest-running and largest show in Tampa, and features a good mix of new boats from local dealers and manufacturers, brokerage boats, and boating products and services.

Show organizers reported more boats in this years show than any of the last five years, which is great news for a show that's always fun and popular with local Tampa boaters.

Tampa Boat Show 2013; Tampa, FL

Inside exhibits include mostly boats under 30' with the exception of a few of the larger Center Consoles.  Many of the local dealers bring multiple brands to the show, and some of the local custom and semi-custom builders bring their latest models.  There are also booths for boating products, local marinas, etc.

Chaparral Boats; TBS 2013

Chaparral Boats; TBS 2013

Sea Hunt; TBS 2013

Jupiter Boats; TBS 2013

Jupiter Boats; TBS 2013

Cobalt Boats; TBS 2013

Parker Boats; TBS 2013

Contender; TBS 2013

Contender; TBS 2013

Contender Bay; TBS 2013

Premier, Grand Entertainer; TBS 2013

Bar on the Grand Entertainer; TBS 2013

Blackwater Boats; TBS 2013

Blackwater Boats; TBS 2013

Blackwater Boats, Custom Yamahas; TBS 2013

Blackwater Boats, Custom Verados; TBS 2013

Sea Hunt Gamefish; TBS 2013

Everglades Boats; TBS 2013

Andros Boatworks; TBS 2013

Andros Boatworks Offshore; TBS 2013

Release Boats, Classic 15; TBS 2013

Shearwater; TBS 2013

Shearwater; TBS 2013

The in-water portion of the show features new boat exhibits from some of the larger local dealers, and some brokerage-represented boats as well (although brokerage seemed to be a smaller part of the show this year than in years past).  Outside exhibits this year featured everything from the 12' Long X-Fish Microskiff to an 88' Horizon, and plenty in between.

Solar-Powered Pontoon Boat; TBS 2013

Azimut; TBS 2013

In-Water Exhibit; TBS 2013

In-Water Exhibit; TBS 2013

Sea Ray, "Concealed Outboard Propultion"; TBS 2013

Sea Ray, "Concealed Outboard Propultion"; TBS 2013

Formula 350 Crossover Bowrider; TBS 2013

In-water Exhibit; TBS 2013

In-water Exhibit; TBS 2013

Tampa Bay Redfish ; Lifetime Best

Last weekend my friend Andrew and I took off from the Tampa Harbor Marina in search of some big 40# black drum that I had heard were being caught around some of the local bridges here in Tampa Bay.  We took my little Action Craft 18' away from the THM around sunset, and set off in search of fish.

After catching a few hand-sized pinfish, and with a cooler already full of blue crabs, we anchored up underneath the bridge so that the current would take our bait back toward the bridge pilings.  Once we got set, we put out a chum block, put a few large blue crab on the bottom with a 2oz lead, and started fishing the pilings for smaller snapper or pompano while we waited for the big rods to go off.

About 10 minutes in I heard a few slow clicks, then the telltale *ZZZZZZZZZZZZ* that we all know and love. I picked up the rod and assumed it was one of the big black drum we had been after.  It was dark, so as the fish came to the surface I still wasn't sure what it was, but as we got it closer to the boat I realized it was one of the biggest redfish I had ever seen!

40" RedFish; Rob Buscaino
Tampa, FL

At 40" it was the biggest red I had ever caught, and definitely a "bucket list" fish for me.  We put another blue crab down and shortly after, Andrew hooked up and landed a 40" of his own!

40" RedFish; Andrew Watson
Tampa, FL

We fished for about 5 hours, hooked 8 more monster reds, and landed 5 total.  Fish measured from 33" to 40", with two 40" being caught back-to-back.  Definitely one of the best nights fishing I've had in Tampa Bay, and the biggest redfish I had caught anywhere! Here are two of the others at 33" and 37" respectively:

RedFish; Andrew Watson
Tampa, FL

RedFish; Rob Buscaino
Tampa, FL

If you're looking to chase some inshore monsters of your own, check out a few of my inshore or near-shore fishing boat listings: 

2007 Cobia 211 Bay; Tampa,FL
Click Here for Listing!

2004 Action Craft 1802; Tampa, FL
Click Here for Listing!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...

"Can you send me more pictures?"

"Got any better photos?"

"Do you have any pictures of the...?"

If you've ever tried to sell something online, I'm sure you've heard some variation of the above questions.  In the global boat market, these are common questions as buyers in other states, and sometimes other countries, try to make major purchase decisions based largely on photographs.  The ability to reach buyers across the world is one of the biggest advantages to using a yacht broker, and it's the broker's job to make sure your boat is as attractive as possible.

When looking at dozens of possibilities, buyers are much more apt to be drawn toward a nicely photographed listing as opposed to one that's carelessly snapped with a point-and-shoot.  When poor photos are taken, it can make even the nicest boats look dingy or dirty.  A good quality photograph will show more detail, better color, and give the buyer something to get excited about!

I've taken a few photos showing the difference between a Nikon DSLR and a Nikon point-and-shoot.  The DSLR is even one of Nikon's more basic models, but the jump in quality is amazing.  The boat is one of my newest listings, a 2004 Meridian 381 Sedan.

DSLR  /  P+S

DSLR  /  P+S

DSLR  /  P+S

The photos on the left were taken with the DSLR, and the photos on the right were taken with a point-and-shoot.  The first thing you should notice is how much better the color quality is.  In the photos on the left, the wood looks brighter, the lighting is good, and the upholstery looks much nicer.  You'll also notice how much wider the field of view is in the DSLR photos.  This gives the buyer a much better idea of the space inside the boat, as opposed to narrowly-focused pictures of key areas.  It's nearly impossible to photograph some of the tight spaces on boats, like head compartments or engine rooms, with a point-and-shoot camera.


They say there's no second chance at a first impression, and it's important to have your boat represented by a broker who understands that.  Take a look at my listings to see other examples of how a nicely built ad can help make that first impression a good one!