I recently purchased and sold a boat through Alexis de Boucaud and The Multihull Company. They made research and paperwork swift and effortless for me and the monies worked out in my favor. I highly recommend their professional services and knowledge of the boating industry to anyone buying or selling a sailing catamaran.
Keith Miller
Lioness
You helped us out way more than you ever needed to. We literally shiver when we imagine how things might have gone with someone else. Phil, Andrew, Lauren and Jan made the whole process go really smoothly. THANKS!!
Guillermo Suescum
LUAR
As first time boat buyers, our experience working with The Multihull Company (TMC) and Phil Berman was immeasurable and completely over the top. As Type “A”, anal retentive, detail oriented people; we required/needed a lot of attention, hand holding, guidance, and care which included multiple emails and calls (some hourly, most daily) during this process for which we knew nothing about. After chartering a several catamarans and a few boat show visits, the only decision we had made, prior to contacting TMC, was that we wanted a Catana 471 –we had no clue how to handle everything else. As most Catana boats are out cruising, finding one within US waters was pretty much impossible. We were very interested one in particular, an owner’s version, Catana 471, located in Turkey. At the time, there was only one lender that was willing to lend money under those parameters. Phil used his vast array of experience, contacts and knowledge to help us secure our loan, insurance broker, documentations company, maritime attorney, surveyor, flagging, transportation (Turkey to BVI to US) and so much more. Meeting Phil in Turkey during our survey proved to solidify our working relationship and start the beginnings of a new friendship. Phil and his team have endless patience, and an amazing commitment to providing the best customer service! We could always rely on Phil to be candid, honest, reliable and professional (regardless how silly the questions were). It was because of Phil and TMC’s diligence and commitment to seeing us in this boat that our dream has been realized. We would not buy or sell a boat without working with TMC and Phil Berman – as they took a challenging experience and made it pleasurable adventure.
Matt and Christine Mitchell
Catana 471
“Sugar Shack”
Matt and Christine Mitchell
“Sugar Shack”
We have been on our Admiral 380 that Jeff Jones helped us find for 12 weeks this Winter. We love it and Jeff! Wanted to let you know that Jeff’s expertise was invaluable. Not only did he help us find the right boat, he walked us through the purchase with ease and became a friend. When we are ready to sell or move up you will definitely be hearing from us. Thanks Jeff!
Mike Maloney
TRIDENT III
I want to tell you about the positive experience that I had doing business with The Multihull Company.
For background, Sandy, my wife, and I live in Hawaii. We began our search for a catamaran on line, with for sale by owner boats. Both of the prospective boats we lined up, one in Guatemala and another in St. Lucia. Our one day layover in Miami grew into a ten day stay in Miami one was taken off the market and the other failed it’s survey.
We saw where Multihull Company had a listing that peaked our interest so we called Alexis. He was in St. Maartin and was not sure if he could be back in Florida to meet with us, so he assigned Jeff Jones to help us. What a stroke of luck. Jeff worked very long and hard for us, and we looked at several boats and made an offer on a boat.
Once back in Hawaii we received the survey report that was a failing grade. Disappointed, but not deterred, we asked Jeff to continue the search since he knew what we were looking for. That led to a long distance completed boat deal.
This long distance process went very well because of Jeff and the procedures you have established as a business model. We have so much praise for you, your company and Jeff.
Not only have we gotten a boat, but I believe a friend in Jeff.
Jim and Sandy Anderson
Presently cruising the Caribbean on their newly purchased 46′ catamaran.
Commitment, follow-through, integrity, trust and outstanding results – that’s what Phil Berman and the Multihull Company mean to us.
We wanted a foolproof process for acquiring the best catamaran at the best possible price and Phil and his company proved to be the best vehicle for achieving this goal.
We selected the Multihull Company as our exclusive buyer’s representative and benefited immensely. Phil has many unlisted catamarans that we never would have heard of or seen if it wasn’t for him. As a matter of fact, one of Phil’s unlisted boats was the one we purchased!!!
Phil will not only find you the best available catamaran but he will also provide objective analysis and invaluable help in putting together the deal, finalizing it and getting you on your boat as trouble-free as possible.
If you are looking to buy a catamaran and want the best insurance against mistakes and a guarantee for coming out a winner, Phil Berman and the Multihull Company are the only logical and smart choice.
George & Jo Florit
Bahia 46
It has been a real pleasure dealing with such an honest and knowledgeable person rather than simply a broker and now someone we truly feel we can call a friend. We will very definitely refer you to any of our friends knowing that you will treat them as fairly and professionally as you have with us. You have an uncanny ability to know what type of boat best suits your clients. Thank you for helping to make our dream a reality and as we write this from France sitting in the harbor after our maiden voyage we couldn’t be happier. We know that we will always remain in contact with you and share our adventures and dreams with yours.
Cheers!!! from “Moonshine”
I just wanted you to know that your level of service and the high degree of customer satisfaction have made owning my Dolphin a great experience. Most boat buyers, like myself, are obsessed with their new toy and every option results in questions and more options. Your team of professionals made a very difficult purchase less overwhelming. I look forward to sharing my new experiences and cruises in the future.
I have been sailing since I was a child and attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy. But when my wife and I began the process of purchasing an ocean cruising/racing catamaran, I realized that this is a world unto itself. Obviously, we needed to find someone knowledgeable to help us make an informed decision. More importantly, we needed someone honest and willing to put our interests before his or her own. I was lucky to work with Phil Berman at The Multihull Company. He repeatedly shunned the fast buck, choosing instead to work the long road to connect us with the “perfect boat”. I would be glad to recommend Phil and his company to anyone planning to purchase or sell a performance sailing machine.
It is with bittersweet irony that I write you, Phillip, to thank you for your advice. I wish I had taken it when you offered it some three years ago. You had counseled me on a range of cats that you felt would best suit my cruising plans and budget, not pushing any one brand or builder, but going over the pros and cons of the various models you felt might work for me. Sadly, I later found myself infatuated with a new boat and brand you did not recommend. Just before signing the contract to buy the boat I called you and you warned me about the builder and the design. When it became clear to you I was going to get the boat one way or the other, you recommended I get an independent surveyor to really survey the boat carefully before I signed the final papers. I unfortunately didn’t heed your advice and bought the boat “of my dreams” without having a proper independent survey done. Aside from having my share of problems while sailing and owning her, I took a huge hit when I sold the boat and “lost” over half of what I paid for her, not even considering all the expenses I had while owning her. It was painful to have three different surveyors tell me that I had vastly overpaid and that the boat was not worth half of what I had paid for her.
I feel stupid, but it’s so easy to be blinded by builder claims that I lost focus and did something rash. They say that hindsight is always 20/20 and I know that when I buy my next boat I’ll not make the same mistake. I sailed that boat for 2.5 years and got from Norway to Australia, and saw and met a lot of sailors/cruisers along the way. One thing was evident: A lot of people have made the same mistake I did. They think they know more than they know, and fail to realize that there are some truly expert brokers who really want to make sure they get the right boat, not the wrong one. It’s funny, but I would never buy a house without going through a broker, yet somehow I felt “confident” enough to do so when I spent the same amount of money on a boat. I don’t plan to make the same mistake twice, so for my next purchase I hope you can help me, so I can avoid all the trouble I went through the last time. My advice to anyone buying a catamaran, new or used, is to find a real professional, a true buyer broker with vast experience and integrity, who understands that counting happy customers is far more important than turning a fast dollar.
