Trust, closeness and teamwork are the hallmarks of all good crews and that epitomises the ethos of the family that have taken over at Fox's Yacht Sales in Wherstead.

Tim Long, wife Sarah and her brother, James Lancaster have combined forces to offer a brokerage service to buyers and sellers of yachts, primarily based on the east coast.

The trio have stacks of experience in sailing, selling and customer service which makes this business a natural fit for them, combining work with what they all love. 

James, Sarah and Tim in their Fox's Yacht Sales office (Picture: Nub News)

Tim, previously an insurance broker, has sailed these waters and far beyond for more than 30 years. He has previously bought and sold yachts through Fox's so is now living his dream to do this full-time. 

He explained how it all came about: "I had wanted to get into yacht broking and a friend tipped me off that the 'two Roberts' as they were referred to, were retiring. After a short conversation and a bit of number crunching, I decided to go for it."

Crucially, Tim and Sarah needed someone with more expertise and knowledge of yacht broking, so they were able to call on Sarah's brother James, an experienced yacht broker on the Orwell.

James's invaluable yacht broking experience came through his connection with another peninsula broker. He honed his skills in the motor trade with the family business Lancaster Garages.

"I have learned from my experience as a motor trader to give people time," said James. "We are dealing with successful people seeking to enjoy their leisure time doing something they love so you can't rush things. 

"It is about sitting with them, talking about lifestyle, priorities and not always boats. It's about building understanding, a relationship and trust. 

"As a broker we are the 'middlemen' and there must be an element of trust to ensure advice is sound and the right boat is matched to the right owner.

"Our location is key and Fox's is ideally positioned for the East Coast sailor.

"The name Fox's is widely known for its fantastic marina and boatyard facilities, as well as Fox's Chandlery and, of course, Oyster yachts. It is a huge sailing hub employing many skilled Suffolk people serving the boat industry.

Sarah has an administration and marketing background, so her role is to ensure that buyers and sellers think of Fox's Yachts when they need a broker. She is arranging functions and sailing opportunities with yacht clubs and hopes to reinstate the Beneteau Owners Sailing weekend later this year. 

Being immersed in the Orwell yachting scene is also a plus point for the family crew. The personal touch is important to them, so they are excited to be able to underline their commitment to the sailing community by sponsoring this years Haven Combined Clubs Series. More on that to come. 

Although face to face is hugely important to Fox's Yacht Sales, they also use Yacht World online, one of the biggest boat sales websites in the world. This cascades to their own website Fox's Yacht Sales website here.

Websites are important but Tim understands how vital it is for purchasers to get on board vessels that interest them.

He said: "People will browse online but it is important they get a feel for the space, the quality and flow of things, how she sits in the water and the whole aspect of being on that particular boat.

"Seeing how a boat moves is also important, so Fox's Yacht Sales now offers a new service; in-house drone footage.

"Boats are dynamic and they are at their best when they are on the water sailing and that is where drone footage comes in. They will be able to watch the boat they like before committing to a sea trial."

See Fox's Yacht sales on YouTube

Drone footage live on You Tube (Picture: Fox's Yacht Sales)

Fox's Yacht Sales see their main customers visiting from the East Coast but some will come from afar. 

The customer and vendor demographic is wide in terms of age and experience. They may be from dinghy sailing but might be new sailors that have been to the sailing school and are looking at boats with accommodation or to venture further. 

Tim added: "They might go for a pocket-rocket or for a larger cruiser to take out friends and family. 

"We have the expertise to guide them and connect them with the right boat for them."

With a used boat priced from £30,000 to £500,000 and new boats from between £60,000 and £2.7m buying is not for the faint-hearted. 

Competition often makes margins tight, but Fox's believe their mix of experience, expertise, giving time to buyers and consideration to sellers in this wonderful Suffolk location makes them serious players in a tough market.

Tim said: "We have all sailed the east coast and beyond, so our first question is what sort of sailing is the buyer looking to do? 

"Without asking this key question a broker can never be sure of making that long-term match of boat to buyer. We are there to secure what suits them, maybe racing and more pizazz, or in and out of the rivers on a Sunday jaunt.

"There are many different needs. It is about having fun with your boat, so we look not just to sell a boat but sell one that is suitable."

There will be opportunities to see a top quality, brand-new Beneteau 34.1 on the water as Fox's anticipate the arrival of a brand-new demonstrator coming to the River Orwell. Look out for 'Grey Fox'.

If you are thinking of buying or selling your motor boat or yacht contact Fox's Yacht Sales website here.

Check out Fox's YouTube channel here...

Look out for Beneteau demonstrator 'Grey Fox' (Picture: Fox's Yacht Sales)