Buyer/Seller Reviews

We’ve chartered catamarans from many different companies and when we made the decision to make the leap to ownership, we knew there was only one place we’d trust with such an investment. We reached out to Lothar Taylor at San Juan Sailing to tell him what we were in the market for and he found the perfect yacht for us. It was no small feat buying a vessel during a pandemic from a foreign country, but Lothar and his relationships with the title company, lender, insurance company, and the importer got us across the finish line.

Jim & Melinda H., SV Perception

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I could not be happier that I terminated my listing agreement elsewhere and listed Ad Libitum with Wes and Lothar of San Juan Sailing Brokerage. Because of the other activities of their company, they not only have access to many prospective buyers but have prime location at Squalicum Harbor to display boats for sale. I found that their protocol of having a professional marine survey completed prior to the formal posting not only eliminates a major barrier to a quick sale but expedites the actual closing. Wes helped by suggesting the key elements for the survey and by working with the surveyor to create the best outcome. Then he used local influence to accomplish a couple of minor repairs almost immediately when otherwise there would have been a two or three week wait for such service. Within two days of the formal posting of the listing, I received two offers, the second of which was for the full asking price. The final element of service was how Wes went out of the way to facilitate gathering of the documents to speed the formal close and transfer of funds.

In sum, I could not be more pleased with the superlative service and the expeditious sale facilitated by San Juan Brokerage.

Gary G.

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Wes, I slept a little easier last night knowing that “Trumpeter” would have a new home. She was an excellent boat and I worried about her. Thank you for your way of handling me, the boat and the boat problems. You are very good….indeed, probably one of the best salespersons I’ve worked with. Your compassion and empathy helped me throughout…I was about to write “ordeal”….but it wasn’t an ordeal thanks to you.

I know there will be more “paperwork” to do in the next few weeks. I am at your call. “It’s a new day."

Again, thanks.

Les B.

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Scanning the web I saw a Baba 30 sailboat listed by San Juan Sailing in Bellingham. I drove north & met Wes Koenig of SJS; we spent time going through the boat. He gave me a good amount of background information, showed me the engine, bilges, nooks & crannies, and provide copies of the most recent survey and engine oil analysis. Following my offer he was very helpful in a sea trial and in seeing survey issues were resolved. I’m now a happy owner and highly recommend San Juan Sailing.

Keith P.

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The staff at San Juan Sailing gets an A+. Wes and Lothar were very gracious and extremely knowledgeable. We truly enjoyed our day with them, learning the details of our purchase and asking a ridiculous number of questions. Leading up to the sale, Wes was willing to adjust his schedule to make it work for us and after the sale, he followed up to make sure everything was covered. His friendly nature, attention to detail and genuine concern for our satisfaction was a true pleasure.

Thank you,

Kit C.

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I am pleased to report that San Juan Sailing and Wes Koenig personally provided me with excellent service when it came time to sell my beloved sailboat and go to the dark side. Wes supervised the preparation of Resolution for the market and kept me scrubbing until the last vestige of dirt and sailboat smell was purged. Only then did he pull the name of a qualified buyer out of the hat and the sales process went smoothly all the way to closing the day after Christmas which was one of the better presents that I can remember. Wes also represented Mary and I in the purchase of our new (to us anyway) Nordic 37. Using Matt Harris for the survey, several deficiencies were found and corrected and paid by the owner. We are now the proud owners of a tug that for all practical purposes is as good as new. And finally on the delivery trip north from Anacortes, Wes and I both learned a lesson in never and I mean never leading a fuel hose thru the pilot house to fill the outboard tank. You can ask Wes for the details.

Thanks again for all of the professional help I received from Wes. I have already referred a prospect to Wes and will certainly do so in the future when appropriate.

Jack D. - Bellingham, WA

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We are currently in San Diego getting ready to sail to Cabo San Lucas in the Baja HaHa and then to cruise Baja and Pacific Mexico, after purchasing our boat just 9 months ago. This is one of our long-term dreams and Wes Koenig helped us to make it a reality in a short time and within our budget. We spent several months last fall working with Wes to identify boats that really fit our needs and Wes provided timely, honest, and extraordinarily useful advice. When we were looking at a boat in Marina del Rey, Wes flew down to help us conduct the sea trial and survey and stayed a further day after we went back to work to observe the haul-out and final parts of the survey. Thank goodness he did, because problems were uncovered as a result of his vigilance that would have made that boat a bad choice for our needs and timeline. As the surveyor told me in an email, “you may not want to keep that boat, but you should definitely keep your broker!” Wes proceeded to help us find the perfect boat for us – Resolution – and to help us through the process of securing coast guard registration, marina slips, yacht club membership, and more. As first time boat buyers, we needed all the help we could get and Wes was, and continues to be, generous with sharing his experience and his professional network. It’s great that Wes views our relationship as ongoing, and not just complete at the sale. We would not be living our dream if it wasn’t for Wes!

Tammy & Mike

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