# Melanie Sunshine Neale, Conversation with a Yacht Broker, Selecting the Right Boat

An episode of [Offshore Sailing and Cruising with Paul Trammell](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1521702830), 28 Apr 2025, 1 h 11 min.

Audio: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/paultrammell/Melanie_Neal_-_42625_3.35_PM.mp3?dest-id=2179424

Melanie Neale grew up on sailboats and has always lived the sailing and cruising life. She's been a yachtbroker for ten years and now owns Sunshine Cruising Yachts based in St. Augustine, Florida. I met Melanie years ago when I was looking for my first boat, and we've stayed in touch. We talk about boats Melanie likes, the Caliber 40 LRC, Island Packets, the Nicholson 31, the right size boat to singlehand, bolt-on keels, water intrusion around keel bolts, the steps involved in buying a boat, boat shows, common mistakes in boat buying, marinas, insurance, financing boats, maintenance, affects of Covid on the market, the market today, looking at boats, Melanie's dream boat, the benefits of a forgiving boat, moorings, The Bahamas, sharks, and more. Photos and links are on the shownotes page Suppoert the show through Patreon

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