Testimonials
Buying a boat is hard. Yes, it’s all exciting to think of yourself sailing off into the sunset, or hauling up a monster fish, but the reality of buying a boat is that there’s a lot to it and it’s hard! We knew what we wanted in a boat and were quite stubborn about not compromising, despite the common wisdom that told us that we’d be lucky to get half of what we wanted. However, after documenting 31 boats over a period of 2 years, we found the almost perfect boat, save about 2 small compromises. Rob Ksyniuk showed us some of the first boats we looked at. At first, we did our own legwork, but then we realized how valuable it would be to have a broker on our side, keeping an eye out for “our” boat, making contacts, and walking us through the process. We both really liked Rob. We liked that if he couldn’t answer one of our questions, he didn’t make something up, or condescendingly tell us what the “norm” is: he looked it up, or he called the boat owner and asked. He had our backs and we trusted him 100%. He never pressured us to buy a thing, he just listened—really listened, and he was in it for the long-haul. When we finally found the right boat, it turned out that process was fraught with challenges (a gross understatement) but Rob was right there with us, keeping up a steady line of communication, being up-front, pushing hard to get us what we wanted most in the world. I think he wanted us to have that boat as much as we did! Having dealt with a dozen or more boat brokers, we can unequivocally say that Rob is in the top of his field: an excellent broker, and a fine human being.
David Mitchell and Trina Holt
Dear Richard,
I recently purchased the yacht Puff, a Catalina 320 built in 2004.
I viewed and made an offer for Puff in Oak Bay Marina in December, 2019. Tony Roberts was the agent showing Puff and he had ensured that John the owner presented the boat at its best, decluttered of personal belongings. Puff is in excellent condition having been lightly used and met my criteria in terms of sail plan, accommodation and power. I also own a 32ft. in the UK.
The challenge was that I was returning to the UK on the 15th December, the Christmas period of stagnation loomed and I needed to gather the funds to transmit and complete the sale by 31st January 2020. Tony was marvellous, not only does he possess considerable boat ownership experience he was also prepared to help me fulfil the normal tasks of survey and sea while remaining in the UK. Tony organised the sail to Sidney for survey, recommended the marina for lift and scrub and returned Puff safely to Oak Bay. John the owner being unable to assist due to infirmity.
I received frequent communication on progress and was introduced to the accountant for transfer of funds, a slow process nowadays due to money laundering regulations. Tony also recognised that my UK domicile status would allow me to purchase Puff without GST being applied. Well done Tony, many thanks. This gave rise to our sail to the waters of the USA when I returned from the UK late in January.
I am both surprised and very grateful that Tony, the agent for the vendor was so helpful and prepared to go that extra mile to make my purchase of Puff both successful and enjoyable.
Bon voyage………David R Whiting
I just wanted to write to tell you thank you for all the help and guidance you gave me during the purchase of Anthea an Alubat Onvi 455. You exceeded all expectations. While three countries involved in the sale was enough adding to that the impending time constraints involving the latest pandemic made the sale next to impossible. Your professionalism, persistence and your overall friendliness meant a lot to me.
The research you did in finding out about my back ground and how well I fit with such a special boat was meaningful to me. I love Anthea thank you again for bringing us together. I will cherish her.
Alan Somervell, skipper of Anthea
Part 2 – from the seller
My overall experience with Calibre Yachts was excellent. Andrew was doing a great job, answering to every enquiry and showing the boat many times even on week end. The sale was complicated with a foreign boat sold to a US buyer. Andrew was professional and honest in all manner of ways.
Calibre Yachst are different from another broker. They invest money on the sale. They hire a cameraman and I drone pilot to make a very professional video. They also hire a photographer and a decorator.
I would definitely recommend Andrew and Calibre Yachts to a friend and they will be my first contact when I decide to sell or upgrade my boat in the future.
Jean-Claude and Marlene Maillard
I just want to pass along my thoughts after working with Robert Kysniuk as my broker to sell my Valiant sailboat over that past 17 months.
In summary he is a pleasure to work with.
He is tenacious without being aggressive and is very professional which strikes a nice chord with clients. I have had a potential buyer say how much they have enjoyed their interaction with Robert.
Similarly, working with me he has made suggestions that have helped to sell our boat both in pricing and how the boat was presented. Robert goes the extra mile in offering to help out , including cleaning the boat and even shoveling off the snow last week!
He has kept me informed throughout the sale period regarding potential buyers, their feedback and his own recommendations.
I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Robert to other potential clients and I am more than willing to act as a reference if ever needed.
Bruce W.
We met Tony Roberts in June 2019. Through a local boat charter company, we hired Tony to skipper a 40 foot power boat we had chartered for a week to explore Desolation Sound. We knew absolutely nothing about ocean cruising and while we hoped to learn something, we mostly wanted to have fun and relaxation. And we accomplished all three, fun, relaxation and knowledge. Unaware that Tony was a certified CRYA instructor, he cunningly taught us plenty and managed to keep it fun and relaxing at the same time. Because he was also a boat broker with Calibre Yacht Sales, we discussed boats, engines, layouts, electrical systems, heads, dinghys, water conservation, flybridges, navigational instruments………you name it, and we discussed it!!!! After our superb week, I researched boats relentlessly and asked Tony hundreds of questions in our mission to find the “perfect” boat. At the end of August, Tony helped us to successfully close on a 40 ft Mainship. It wasn’t “perfect”, but pretty darn close. Tony was a delight to work with, polite, calm and never pressured us. He promptly replied to all my calls, texts and emails. We highly recommend Tony to assist you with your questions and hopefully your future purchase.
Ted and Sandra Beath, Alberta
We currently live in Beijing but we are planning our move back to Canada this year, likely Victoria. We also want to buy a boat and you make the very best videos we have seen. My son watches all the videos that you do, even if the boat is already sold or from a few years ago. You have taught us a lot of the terms and you make every boat so interesting. We love the way you tell us how to use the space in the boat and explain the features. You always add the boat on the water in use which really improves the viewer experience.
We will come and see you in Vancouver and hopefully you can sell us a boat. We do not have a lot to spend but we do want to start our experience with a power boat as this will be our first boat ever.
We look forward to meeting you sometime later this year but I just wanted to reach out and thank you. Please keep making more videos, we will certainly watch them all.
Yours truly,
Scott and Luc – beginners in boating.
Tony’s extensive knowledge and experience as a boat broker were key to successfully selling our boat at close to the healthy asking price. First of all, Tony found us a moorage spot with excellent exposure to potential buyers, and put us in touch with a hard-working and reasonably-priced boat-cleaning fellow at the marina. Tony also provided great advice on the touch-up work needed to show the boat to best advantage, and found us a reasonably-priced boat painter to refinish the window and door trim. Finally, Tony was very patient while I worked through the extensive paperwork needed to sell our ex-corporate boat, and helped us drive the boat to and from the up-Island boatyard for her marine surveys and maintenance work. I highly recommend Tony’s boat-broker services and would definitely want to hire him again when buying our next boat. Tony was a pleasure to work with, and you won’t find anyone better!
Dr. Dennett Netterville, P.Eng. (ret’d)
Victoria, BC
The experience I had with Calibre Yachts was very good. I felt the video was a great way to show the public the features as well as drone shots showing the vessel under way. I had a great time working with you, and believe you understood what I was saying. You also listened to my thoughts. Calibre Yachts represents their clients very well.
Thanks for your work
Barry
I have owned four cruising boats over the years; two sail, two power. I have spent a good deal of time and worked with many brokers trying to find the right boat for what we needed at the time. I can say without any reservations that working with Richard Evans and his people at Calibre Yachts defines for me what marine brokers ought to be about. The service level was beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. Although it took more than a year (and offers on four boats), Richard’s enthusiasm and steady support never flagged. Moreover, the service didn’t end when the contract was signed. It is ongoing. He doesn’t build client lists; he establishes relationships. I would not remotely consider buying (or selling) a vessel without Richard’s involvement. He is knowledgeable, personable, and above all, operates with the strictest of ethics. I would gladly expand upon these remarks to anyone whom Richard may wish to refer.
Stuart J. Whitley, QC
The generosity, kindness, and most of all, patience shown to us by Richard Evans and his team at Calibre Yachts knew no bounds in the process of buying a boat. We needed the perfect boat for our National Geographic Assignment off the BC coast.
After hundreds of emails, dozens of phone calls and many pick up at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal, Richard held out until we found a beautiful 40′ Tollycraft. I wish that buying other items in my line of work was this much fun. Calibre Yachts showed true integrity and class throughout the entire process. We can’t thank you enough.
Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier
Jeff,
Calibre Yachts, with you at the helm, matched us and our 32′ Nordic Tug
with the perfect buyers! It has been a pleasure to work with you and we are
very satisfied with the process, feeling that our boat will go to a good
home. And, we have made new friends. We certainly will recommend
CalibreYacht Sales to our yachting colleagues.
Thank you, Jeff.
Hugh and Anna Gilmour
Dear Richard, We regret this “thank you” is so overdue, but we’ve been so busy (and happy) on our new boat. What fun!
We are so thankful to have had you on our side as our broker. What a stroke of luck that we met you. Your absolute honesty, boat knowledge and kind and gentle manner were extraordinary. Your suggestions as to tradespersons were very helpful – we liked them all and will continue to use them.
Best of luck in the future – you know we’ll be telling everyone how delighted we were to have dealt with you.
Sincerely,
Jack and Jennifer