Real Buyer Examples

 

Buying a used yacht—especially a complex bluewater cruiser—often means making expensive decisions with incomplete information. Before committing to travel, haul-outs, or a formal survey, many buyers are simply trying to answer one question: is this the right boat to pursue further?

 

Buyer Case Study

Using Model-Specific Survey Preparation to Reduce Risk When Buying an Amel 55

Buyer: Dan Cooper
Yacht Type Evaluated: Amel 55 (bluewater cruising yacht)
Services Used: USD 29 Survey-Prep Guide
Next Steps: USD 149 Pre-Survey Support, USD 99 Documentation Package

​

Below is an unedited case study written by a recent buyer who used one of our model-specific survey-prep guides during that early decision stage:

 

"The Situation

I was in the process of evaluating used Amel 55 yachts—boats that are complex, highly engineered, and expensive to correct if issues are missed. Listings were geographically dispersed, and I was conscious that travel, haul-outs, and surveys could quickly become costly if applied to the wrong candidate.

While I understood the general yacht-buying process, I found that most available advice was either too generic or came too late in the process (at the formal survey stage). What I needed was a way to evaluate boats intelligently before committing time and money.

 

The Problem

At this stage, my main risks were:
• Incomplete or selective listing information
• Not knowing which Amel-specific systems truly mattered
• Wasting travel or survey costs on boats that should have been eliminated earlier
• Entering negotiations without clear, defensible points

Generic checklists were insufficient for a yacht like the Amel 55, which has unique systems (electric furling, enclosed cockpit steering, encapsulated keel, etc.).

 

The Solution

I purchased the Amel 55 Survey-Prep Guide from TrueNorth Yacht Advisors.

What immediately stood out was that the guide was not general advice—it was model-specific, structured, and clearly written by people who understand how these boats are actually built and used.

The most valuable component for me was the pre-survey photo checklist. It fundamentally changed how I evaluated listings. Instead of relying on broker descriptions or a handful of flattering photos, I had a clear, system-by-system framework for requesting meaningful images and documentation from sellers.

 

The Outcome

Using the guide, I was able to:
• Identify which listings were worth further attention and which were not
• Ask better, more targeted questions of sellers and brokers
• Evaluate key Amel-specific risk areas remotely, before any travel
• Approach the process with significantly more confidence and discipline

 

The guide did not replace a professional survey—and it never claimed to—but it ensured that when I do proceed to survey, it will be for the right boat.

 

Given the value I received from the USD 29 guide alone, I decided to continue with TrueNorth Yacht Advisors’ USD 149 pre-survey support and USD 99 documentation package for the next stage of my search.

 

Final Assessment

For a serious yacht purchase, particularly a complex bluewater cruiser like the Amel 55, this guide delivered disproportionate value relative to its cost. It reduced uncertainty early, helped avoid wasted effort, and provided a structured way to approach sellers and surveys.

I would recommend TrueNorth Yacht Advisors to other buyers who want to make informed decisions before spending heavily on travel and surveys."

 

— Dan Cooper, private buyer
Published with permission.