Testimonials

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.

Initially when selecting a broker, I spoke with several. They all had their “pitch”, some better than others. Having purchased and sold 6 boats over the last 40 years we were picky. We selected Calibre Yachts because they didn’t talk down to us. Rob was courteous, listened carefully to our requirements, presented a plan tailored to our needs, and through the process didn’t pressurize us to sign up.
When we did, we got regular updates and we were treated with respect and old-world politeness; how novel!

A delightful couple purchased Mayaluga. That was critical to our objectives because our faithful steed had carried us over 14,000 miles across the Pacific safely and comfortably. Being so emotionally invested, she couldn’t just go to anyone. Rob took care of everything with efficiency and we have gained a new friend! And the extra bonus is that, Hans and Lydia, the new proud owners have not only become good friends as well, we get to go sailing with them. How cool is that!
Thank you Rob!!

Tony R.
Vancouver Island Vice Commodore
Bluewater Cruising Association

Certified Sailing Instructor
ISPA, CRYA, IYT

Tony R.

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

Dear Richard.

Calibre Yachts came very highly recommended by a friend as where we must take our boat to sell and then to purchase our next boat. With the first part of the journey over we want to thank you and the entire Calibre team for your high level of professional care and customer service as we sold our boat. Just coming into your North Vancouver office was a pleasure as you and your team always made us feel at home. Your busy and positive colleagues made time to discuss the status of our boat and we always trusted your honesty and integrity. Having had the opportunity to meet the extended Calibre Yachts family from the Island, it is clear you are a special group who sincerely care about your customers. You have set the bar very high in the yacht sales industry and we are happy to have had the opportunity to work with you.

Allan Lamb and Peggy Hunt, former owners of @ Ease.

Dear Doug,

Jan and I want to thank you for all your assistance in the successful sale of our Grand Banks 36 Heritage and its boathouse.
As you know friends of ours, who also used Calibre to sell their Grand Banks, recommended your firm and we are pleased that we took their advice.

From the very beginning you ensured that we established a fair and competitive selling price, you took excellent photographs and created a professional presentation on Yachtworld.com. During the sales period you used innovative approaches to creating interest. Of note was the use of an “open boat” day, very much like an open house in residential real estate, which generated substantial local interest.

The suggestion to have the boat hauled and surveyed prior to sale and make that survey available to potential purchasers was, in my view, an important sales initiative.

Again, we are very pleased with the sales result in what I feel was a difficult market.

Yours truly,

Grant & Janet

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

We decided over the winter to make the move from sail to power boating. After some searching and dealing with several other brokers – of variable competence – we had the good fortune to walk in to Calibre Yachts in Nanaimo and meet Rob Ksyniuk.

Through the purchase of our “new” 2001 Camano 31 and the sale of our Hunter 33 sailboat Rob impressed us with his high professional standards, his sense of humour, and his unflagging work on our behalf to get both deals completed. At one point Rob was prepared to be hauled up the mast of the Hunter to retrieve a stuck halyard in order to move the sale forward: truly beyond the absolute call of duty!

Working with Rob and Neil has made what could have been an anxious and stressful time a real pleasure. Six weeks from the offer to purchase

We are very happy with our new boat and should “two-foot-itis” strike in the next few years we shall look to them again. Meanwhile be assured that any of our boating friends who are looking for a broker will be directed to Calibre.the Camano to the completion of the sale of the Hunter was impressive indeed.

Thanks again for the service,

David Whitworth and Pamela Day

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

We met Richard Evans four years ago when we were in the market for our first power boat. We spent a rainy afternoon while he acquainted us with the options available, showing us through boats, drawing diagrams and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the various hull forms. After listening to our plans and expectations, Richard suggested a semi-displacement hull as the best option for our needs. Unfortunately, we fell for a sunbridge that spring and spent next four years exploring the Gulf Islands and to parts of the Sunshine Coast.

We enjoyed the fun but very soon realized our cruiser was keeping us a little too close to home. For more long-range cruising, we needed a different boat, the very kind Richard had recommended. Yes, although we went in another direction initially, Richard’s quiet advice stuck with us and four years later, we turned to the Camano 31 as the best choice for our plans, slip size and budget. And Richard was the person who made it happen. Thanks to you Richard and to Bernard, Jeff and Akiko for your knowledge, professionalism and cheerful assistance. We would recommend this crew to anyone buying or selling a boat.

Wayne and Jude DeClercq

We bought our lovely 1998, 42 Kadey-Krogen, Widebody from Calibre Yachts in Nanaimo in February of this year. Rob Ksyniuk was the sales representative we dealt with throughout this experience. He is very respectful, and has an easy going manner, and we were made to feel very comfortable in the process of negotiation and purchase of our boat. It was a big deal for us because we only dreamed we would have a boat like Natural Selection one day, and here we were making our dream a reality. Both Rob and Richard are honest, knowledgeable and kind people, and we felt very looked after. They went beyond the sales agreement and did a few extra things that showed us that they cared more for us than just making a sale. It was said and proven that they are more interested in developing a relationship, and that they will be there long after the sale is complete. Rob even had a coat made with the Calibre Yachts symbol embroidered into it for our beloved ship mascot, our black pug, Sydney. Thanks Rob! I think you will agree by looking at the picture that she look adorable! We could not be happier. Our boat is our home now and we are in love…thanks for everything!

Your friends,

Jeannette and Barry

Our friends greeted us with Champagne as we pulled up to the dock in our beautiful 39 ft. carver. We want to thank you for the excellent service you gave us, you truly went “above and beyond” in making the whole purchasing process go smoothly and quickly We will certainly recommend you to anyone we know who is thinking of buying or selling a boat.

Thanks so much,

Sandy & Dennis Goosen

Hi Rob,

My wife and I wish to Thank You for your help with the purchase of our new 30′ Commander “Blue Heron”. It was our first experience working with a Yacht broker and appreciate your guidance through the many steps involved in the process. Owning a 30′ Commander has been on our “bucket list” for over 10 years now and we are very pleased and excited the Blue Heron became available.

It is quite evident the previous owners took pride in their “Blue heron” and cared for it meticulously. I can assure them their Blue Heron has gone to a great family who will continue to appreciate its beauty and craftsmanship . Thank you again for your help in making our dream a reality.

Best regards,

Ken and Tricia Kienzle

Jeff,

Dianne and I just wanted to drop you a note let you know everything has gone extremely well with the boat and all the processes to bring her into the U.S.

Once again, thank you for your services in this buying experience. We have used other brokers over the many years we have had boats but your service has been the best.

Ron & Dianne Fry, Anacortes, WA

After much discussion my Wife and I had decided to try and sell our boat that we had owned and enjoyed for the past 12 years. A friend recommended Calibre Yachts to us. His research had found that they were selling boats despite the difficult economic environment.

We met Richard Evans when he came to evaluate our vessel. We were impressed with his enthusiasm and professional manner. He had a 37′ Tollycraft already listed for sale and this was just what we were looking for. Within 6 weeks Richard and his team had found a buyer for our vessel and we were proud Tollycraft owners.

Richard’s guidance through the survey, purchase and transfer process was invaluable. I would not hesitate to recommend Calibre Yachts to any one looking to buy or sell a boat. Thanks Richard you are a class act!

Jim and Avon Dykeman MV Avonski, North Vancouver, BC

Loved working with Richard from Calibre Yachts. He nursed me through all the things that I needed to know about purchasing a boat and guided me to a choice that was ideal for our special circumstances. He came with us on multiple trips to Washington, from where we finally purchased our 1989 Nordic Tug.

He more than earned his commission. Richard is more like a father than a broker. We love the Tug, giving up speed for comfort. Right decision.

Michael Klein, MD

I chose Richard Evans as my yacht broker because of his knowledge of Camanos and his experience.

I was immediately impressed with the speed of his response to my initial inquiry. My boat was listed the very next day. In addition to giving me advice on how to prepare for a showing he arranged the survey and the necessary mechanical repairs in short order.

Listing a boat just prior to a major recession required a lot of patience. Throughout this time Richard remained calm and encouraging. Although I needed to keep the boat clean for showing, he had to put in a lot of time with prospective buyers. It could have been very frustrating but I knew I was in good hands. His final marketing push involved taking her over to the Nanaimo Boat Show and spending the whole weekend aboard extolling her virtues.

When the offer came, Richard expertly walked me through the process in short order and then co-brokered the purchase of my new sailboat. Even though all this occurred while he was about to take a much needed vacation, he continued to keep in touch and coordinate the necessary procedures. One would assume that was the end of it but no, Richard came down to help me celebrate with a bag of very nice gifts!

I highly recommend Calibre Yacht Sales and Richard Evans to anyone who wants to sell and/or buy the boat of their dreams!

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