Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Van Tuyl.
Hi Ian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been around boats as long as I can remember. You could say that boating has always been big in my family. As a young child, my parents always placed me at the helm, showing me how to guide the boat through the water. Soon I learned to fish off the boats, and eventually I was sailing and driving boats for real. I got to experience boating on lakes in Nevada, California and Oregon, and in the ocean off the coast of San Diego.
But boats were just for fun. I never dreamed I would build a business around them.
When I was 20 years old, I decided to move away from Oregon where I spent high school, and work for my Dad in San Diego. He ran the service department for one of the largest yacht dealerships on the West Coast. But it wasn’t glamourous. He had me doing everything from fixing toilets on boats to troubleshooting electronics on large yachts. I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty.
Soon, I worked my way up to project management, where I was tasked with commissioning all of the new boats sold through the company. This basically means I assembled the boats and put them together after they were shipped out from Europe. I outfitted and customized the boats for the clients, doing everything from installing water makers and underwater lights and installing state-of-the-art electronics. I even would step the mast and handle all rigging for sailboats.
In 2007, after seven years of working in project management, I made the jump into yacht sales. I was nervous to move from a salaried job to commission-only, but I knew that my experience in project management working with all the boat buyers would serve me well. I also felt that my first-hand knowledge of boat systems would give me the confidence to sell with ease.
I knew I was on the right path when I sold my first boat at the San Diego International Boat Show at the Marriott Marina. From there, things just got better. Within the first year, I became one of my company’s top producers, selling boats up and down the West Coast.
I’ve worked for two different yacht dealerships, but made the decision to go out on my own this year. But I’ve teamed up with top manufacturers and charter companies, representing catamarans, motor yachts and sailboats, most of which are built in France and Italy. While I continue to help buyers and sellers up and down the West coast, this year, I look forward to teaming up with charter companies and selling new yachts in the Caribbean and beyond. It’s an attractive option for massive tax savings and those seeking fun and adventure.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Working in sales means you are on call 24/7. When I first started sales, we had small children but I was working almost every day of the week, and always on weekends. But I knew that being someone who always answered their phone and would bend over backwards for my clients would earn their trust, resulting in referrals and additional sales. 18 years later, I still always answer my phone.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The IVT in IVT Yacht Sales stands for me, Ian Van Tuyl. I am a yacht broker based in Coronado, specializing in new and pre-owned yachts, both sail and power. I represent Fountaine Pajot Catamarans, Dufour, Bavaria, Jeanneau, Beneteau, to name a few brands. I represent clients all over the world, whether they are a first-time buyer or a seasoned sailor. I currently have more than 42 listings where I represent the seller. While some people work with either power or sailboats, I specialize in helping clients buy and sell virtually every type of yacht.
My product knowledge really sets me apart, thanks to my years in service and project management. I was also an early adopter of YouTube and have shared more than 2,000 videos of boats new to the market. This earned me a large following and global recognition as an expert in my field.
Any big plans?
As I mentioned earlier, I look forward to teaming up with charter companies to help clients buy new yachts to put into charter in the Caribbean and beyond. Not only does this help offset boat prices for buyers, but it serves as formidable tax shield. I am also excited to team up with more yacht manufacturers and become a top producer in my industry.
But most importantly, I want to be a resource for my clients again and again. I am grateful to have earned the trust of so many boat buyers and sellers and look forward to representing them in the years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ivtyachtsales.com
- Instagram: ivtyachtsales
- Facebook: ivtyachtsales
- Youtube: ivtyachtsales
- Yelp: ivtyachtsales
