TESTIMONIALS

When we decided to buy a Hallberg-Rassy 46 in 2001, I contacted John to pick his brain about how to equip the boat. We went through options, safety equipment and spares to carry around. John was very helpful to share his knowledge with me, and we ended up with a very good setup, as close to the "perfect boat" as possible!

My wife and I also joined one of the expeditions on Mahina Tiare to become comfortable with the HR46 before taking delivery of our own .

John not only provided a wealth of information, but we also started a lasting friendship with John and Amanda, and any time our cruising paths converge, we make sure we have the opportunity to share an anchorage with them and have dinner together !

Giorgio and Laura
s/v Indeed

I am pleased to provide a reference for John Neal’s cruising boat consultation service. My wife and I used John’s services to help select our new performance bluewater cruising boat, a Saga 43 we have named Sarah Jean II. READ MORE

Due to his knowledge and connections, John saved us both time and money in finding the right boat for us. He explained to us what to look for in our future home and consulted with on our purchase. John steered us toward the right boat and people, and with some unusual luck we bought our boat within 2 months of the beginning of that complicated process.

Livia and Carol

"John's help was invaluable when we were looking for that "perfect boat" to fulfill a life-long dream of sailing offshore. I had some ideas and he was a great sounding board for them and would send me notes back with his thoughts. Buying that "last boat" is a painful process and he helped guide us through it. He put us in contact with people he knew for "checking out their boats" and he gave us the name of the broker that would be instrumental in helping us buy KTooT (she was in Annapolis.). As this process took almost year from the first email to the purchase, John never let us down as he always answered our questions - sometimes we sent several a day!

We would highly recommended his services to anyone who is thinking of buying a boat for offshore. We look forward to our journey ahead and feel he helped us make a great choice - she is comfortable, seaworthy and most important - we feel safe in her. Thanks John!"

I took advantage of John Neal's boat purchase consulting service when I was in the market for my first boat. My goal was to buy a 35 to 40 foot yacht capable of blue water cruising, should I decide to do so in the future. Having never owned any type of boat in the past other than a 12' aluminum fishing boat, I figured that I was probably a mark waiting to be taken advantage of in the used yacht market.

Frankly, I was surprised at how quickly John answered all of my questions. Over the space of a couple of months we exchanged many emails and two or three phone calls. Typically I would send John a link to a Yachtworld ad and ask him what he thought. He had several original suggestions of boats he thought might be on the market soon that fit my specifications. As a result, I purchased an Island Packet 35 with which I am extremely happy, with no doubt that I got a great deal on a very seaworthy boat.
J.G. Seattle

Hi John,

I think you will be glad to hear that Stefan and I closed on the purchase of our new (used) boat in June. That means we're one step closer to sailing off into the sunset and you're off the hook for providing consultation! We've had a wonderful summer getting to know the boat and sailing all over So Cal.

We have a lot to thank you for, including answering a bazillion questions, reviewing numerous Yachtworld listings, saving us countless hours by steering us away from junkers, and hooking us up with an honest broker. As far as the recommendation of the surveyor, Robert Noyce, he did a lot to accommodate us with buying the boat remote, and provided a very detailed summary of the survey. Warm Regards,

Ginny & Stefan

John working with Marc on route planning - April 2001
Marc took delivery of his new Amel 53 in France and sailed it to Los Angeles.