Our Clients Say it Best….

My wife and I worked with Rusty Hightower when purchasing our sailboat. Unlike previous brokers who attempted to show us only the good characteristics of the boat (and sometimes attempted to hide problems!) he boarded vessels with us and and picked apart absolutely everything. Rusty made certain that we were aware of both the positive and negative aspects of whatever boat we looked at, and knew exactly what we were getting into. Rusty and the rest of the staff at Little Yacht Sales displayed an extreme amount of patience with a couple of newbies and made the purchase process fun and painless.

Greg Kufchak

It is my absolute pleasure to recommend Rusty Hightower as a business partner in the high end marine industry. Rusty has proven himself to be highly knowledgeable, professional, and a pleasure to work with. Not only did he walk my wife and I through our first yacht purchase with extreme patience, He also made sure we were comfortable with all aspects of the transaction.

In working with Rusty, I found him very personal with great communications skills. He made the overall process smooth and enjoyable. Rusty took the time to show us every inch of the boat and explain the systems and functions (sometimes twice) until we felt comfortable. After the sale Rusty made sure we were doing OK with regular follow up calls. Through the process of purchasing our boat from Little Yacht Sales, I feel a gained a friend in Rusty.

Rusty never tried to pressure us or push into a sale. This is where I think he really went above the typical role of a sales professional. As with a used boat purchase, some things have needed to be addressed. Rusty has come out to our boat on more than one occasion to help with issues and often to correct my self-inflicted user errors. Thank you Rusty.

Please feel free to contact me should you like to discuss Rusty professionalism and courtesy. I’m happy to expand on my recommendation.

Sincerely,
Jeff Peterson

I wish to express my sincere thanks to Josh Johnson for the effort he put into our search for the perfect sail boat. We were referred to Josh from Craig Allison. We first met with Josh over a year ago. He was most patient in his determination to understand what our desires and needs were in a sailboat. We had just moved onto a canal in Bal Harbor and through his questions and showing us a variety of boats came to understand our desires.

Months later we re contacted him saying we had narrowed it down some and raised our price range. After some discussion we made an appointment to see a few boats. While looking at a couple of boats, which he felt were in our window, he suggested we look at another boat which had just come on the market.

When he suggested the type of boat, we said that we had not been looking at that brand because we felt it would always be out of our price range he said it was an older boat but in perfect condition and in his opinion the perfect boat for our usage desires and budget.

After looking at Stardust, an Island Packet 31, we fell in love and it turned out to be the PERFECT boat for us.

Without Josh’s acumen we would never have found this boat. It is beautifully maintained and loaded with everything we could want.
Josh is extremely knowledgeable of all brands of boats and was able to help us compare the advantages and disadvantages of various boats.

I would recommend him to ANBODY looking for a personal fit for a boat.

He is patient, meticulous, knowledgeable, genteel and did I mention patient?

Even after the sale when I had questions he directed us to the right professionals and even contacted the sellers for information I needed.

I cannot say enough about his professionalism.

Plus which I made a new sailing friend.

I will be happy to recommend him to anyone if you have them call me.

Best Regards

Jim Deforest

Hi Kent,

I wanted to let you know that Josh did a great job selling me the 37 c&l. This is the first boat of this size and most expensive boat I’ve bought. The deal took several days longer than it should have because the boat had issues which prevented the sea trial until Thursday afternoon. Josh did his best considering the circumstances and I am happy with the deal.

-Philip Tompkins

Dear Rick,
You folks have been really great to work with and if you need a recommendation ever let me know I have never worked with anyone any better. And that is from start (nearly three years ago) to completion. Thanks to you and Kent and every one at Little yacht sales.

Thanks again,
Bill and Glenda Stallings

I have admired the Catalina 310 for years so when it was time for my wife and I to buy a sail boat we went looking for a 310. I called Josh to ask about the only one in this part of the country. My wife and I own a real-estate office and were surprised at how much similarity there is between buying a boat and buying a house. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that Josh has been a huge help for us through the buying and to my pleasant surprise after the sale too. We have had a thousand questions and Josh has been providing us with much needed information and also services in the area. We have decided to stay in Kemah for a while so we can continue to use Josh’s expertise. It has taken a lot of the worry out of buying this boat having Josh available to help us. I would happily recommend him to friends and family.

Tom MacNeil

Kent,

This testimonial has been long in coming, but my delay in no way diminishes the appreciation that we feel for our broker, Rusty Hightower. We are soon approaching the ownership of our Catalina 42. We believe that Rusty accurately paired us with a sailboat that we continue to be completely satisfied. Equally important, our satisfaction with Rusty, and his ongoing advice and actual sailing experience, leaves us as pleased today as we were almost 3 years ago. My eternal thanks to you and your staff, and especially, Rusty.

M. Sharp

Kent,
Our experience working with Josh Johnson was great. He sold a sailboat of ours a few years back while we moved on to fishing. We have always been drawn back to sailing and would often walk the docks to look. Josh would always greet us and spent time with us answering questions. His knowledge and willingness to share is amazing. This year we were ready to buy. Josh helped us find the perfect boat for us. He always followed up quickly with our many questions during the buying process. After the sale, he has helped out with recommendations for contractors and products. We are totally pleased.

Mike and Denise Harrell

Kent Little,
Really enjoyed working with Josh on our purchase of the Catalina 400. I think he went far above the call of duty on making things satisfactory for us. I noticed the time stamp on one e mail from him was at 1:00 AM. This is the 2nd boat i have purchased from Josh over the years. I remember the great service from the past and that is why i looked him up this time. Thanks again.

Kent,
I can’t imagine having better help selling a boat than Josh. An A to Z guy all the way.
Stunning!!!
Gene Hause

Thanks for your help today in closing the sale for Reflection, and bringing the boat to South Shore Marina. I am impressed with your vast knowledge, and professionalism. I will recommend you to my friends if they ever want to buy a boat.
Thanks again,
Hauk and Carol S/V Reflection

Kent,
I just wanted to let you know about that great experience I had at Little Yacht. I bought my boat from Josh Johnson in 2012 and sold it last week I used Josh as my broker. His knowledge and experience made both buying and selling our boat an easy and stress free process. Our boat. Was posted on your web page listing on a Thursday evening and we had a contract on it the next day. It was had to believe the boat sold so fast. Just an example of you great staff. If I am ever in the market to buy another boat I will contact Josh at Little Yacht.

Thanks,
Ken

I have recently completed the purchase of a brokerage Defever 52 trawler from Kent Little. At the very beginning of our months long interaction he told me that he would be there to help with his services before, during and after the sale. Boy has he! This is my 5th boat, (8th including dinghy’s), and I have never dealt with a better, more diligent, more honest or more helpful broker while either buying or selling a boat. I live in San Diego and the boat was in Texas so it was even more stressful on me trying to get surveys, sea trials, repairs, improvements, etc., scheduled and done. Kent was invaluable in this regard and freely and generously gave his time and expertise in getting everything accomplished and within the time frame needed. I asked for a lot and I don’t recall him ever saying no. I cannot recommend him more highly if you are looking to buy or sell a power or sail boat.

Sincerely,
Jeff Pollak

Hi Kent,
I am the purchaser of the Cheoy Lee “Le Gale” a Golden Wave 42. Josh Johnson was the broker that introduced me to the boat and guided me through the process. He is a true professional and a tremendous asset to your office and the boat brokerage business. He helped me and the seller throughout the transaction while always doing his best to do the right things for his client and me. Even after the sale, he continued to assist me by providing me with contacts to help get estimates and work done on the boat.I have been in the real estate business for 45 years and have always been a broker/owner and manager of a brokerage office. I have trained agents all my life and am still mentoring and training them today. The character and values that Josh displays is something I always try to instill in my agents. I always tell them that our job is not to sell a house, it is to help people get what they want and need. We sometimes have to show them how to get it, and that’s where the “sales” come in. Josh did all that and more. I would whole heartedly recommend Josh and your company to anyone looking to buy or sell their boat.

Thank You for having someone as professional, informed and a pleasure to work with as Josh on your staff.
Buford Eddy

Kent –
I wanted to drop you a note to mention how helpful Josh was in the recent sale of our boat. When my wife and I finally decided it was time to sell it, we were hoping that we could get the transaction completed quickly and with a minimum of hassle. Josh handled everything, gave us some really good advice about how to get her ready, and found a buyer much faster than we had thought. The whole process was very easy and it is obvious that Josh is very experienced and knew exactly what he was doing. We got a fair price and we were both amazed at how smooth the entire process went.I’m sure you know that Little Yacht Sales is lucky to have him and if / when we get ready for our next boat we’ll be starting with your company and with Josh.

Thanks and Best Regards,
John and Annette Coon

Dear Little Yacht Sales,
At the conclusion of our “boat buying experience” we would like to recognize the efforts and professionalism of our sales representative Rusty Hightower. Rusty was always enthusiastic and supportive as we looked, and eventually found our perfect boat. He supplied us with great amounts of financing information and boat knowledge that enabled us to weigh and measure our boat buying options and reflect on what would be our best decision. We could count on Rusty always returning our calls promptly and finding the time for us to take another look at the boat for one reason or another.Rusty became more than a sales representative to us. He became our friend and ally. Our experience with finding our boat had some real challenges but with Mr. Hightower’s expert guidance and positive attitude we persevered! Little Yacht Sales is very fortunate to have Rusty Hightower in their employ and we feel extremely lucky to have had Rusty on our side every step of the way.

Warmest regards,
Priscilla McCool and Benton Ray

Rusty Hightower was the broker that we chose to help us find the perfect boat for us. We looked at several boats online for months, so Rusty made the process a lot faster and smoother. We told him all the things that we were looking for on the boat and he did the research for us.Not only did he show us a few boats, but he saved my purse from the water when I fell off a boat and landed on the pier. He took the time to explain every step to us in a way that we would understand. He walked us through the whole process.

Rusty was always reachable by phone or text whenever we had a question. If I know of anyone looking to buy a boat, I would highly recommend Rusty Hightower as a first class broker.

Robin Hollis

I would like to thank Captain Rick Weiler for all his help through the process of buying our first yacht. He dealt with my constant questions my constant phone calls and texts with a smile on his face. You can tell when you speak to him that he truly loves his job.Chad & Jeanne ’95 Catalina 36 “Back Pay”

Kent:
Thank you, Josh Johnson, and Little Yacht Sales so much for making my purchase of Catalina 30 sailboat “Irie” so pleasant. I am very happy and proud of my boat.
I took a stab in the dark several months ago after viewing LYS videos on Youtube and contacted Josh Joshnson. Josh responded and graciously agreed to assist me in finding a suitable sailboat. He answered all my questions and showed me different boats to assist me in refining my search. I decided the Catalina 30 was just right and selected one of two boats Josh showed me. His expertise and experience proved invaluable to me before, during, and after the sale.
Josh is very amicable and straight forward and a good listener – qualities I admire. His “open-door” policy and willingness to provide assistance has continued after the sale. I really appreciate that.
Josh is an asset to LYS. I will contact him again in the future when I decide to upgrade to a larger sailboat.

Jim Sheffield

Kent, just wanted to drop you a line and make you aware of the great help and service Josh has been to us over the years.
About 4years ago we bought one of Josh’s listings. We didn’t buy through Josh, But through Don at HSH. we had been dealing with Don for years. After the sale we had a chance to talk with Josh be fore we moved the boat. He shared a great deal of helpful information with us.
Since that time we have visited a couple times a year and part of our visits include coming by to see Josh. He is still helpful and forthcoming with information every time we stop by. You may know that Don retired last year so when ever we here of anyone looking for a new or different boat we will be sending them Josh’s way.Thanks for your time,
Terry Williams

Hello Kent,
I just wanted to complement the great job that Josh has done in helping me sell my boat. I have been trying to sell it through different brokers for the past three years, namely Mayer Yachts, but it wasn’t until I contacted Josh this past May that anything was really done. I had moved to Florida and selling a boat in Texas was an experience to say the least but Josh was a tremendous help. Not only was he very professional, at times he seemed to go beyond in helping me repair necessary items to get the boat sold. I feel that this was also done with him trying to keep expenses to a minimum.
He did an excellent job and represented your company very well. If I were ever asked to recommend someone, Little Yachts and Josh would be at the top of my list.

Sincerely,
Johnny Mitchell

I had my boat listed, and now sold with you, specifically dealing with Josh Johnson. We had many issues, but Josh stayed the course, was very patient, and provided much help in finally selling my boat.
I thought you should know.

Sincerely,
Steve Krupp

To whom it may concern:
I recently completed a boat purchase transaction with Kent Little of Little Yacht Sales and Texas Power Yachts. Kent actually represented the seller as the listing broker and I contacted him as an out of state (California) buyer who was interested in the boat. From the very inception, the whole process was handled very professionally by Kent and all my anxiety and concerns about being an out of state buyer were thoroughly put to rest. Kent and his team really went out of their way to make sure everything went absolutely smoothly and all questions were answered promptly. This included the initial dialogue, purchase price negotiations, purchase/sale and Coast Guard documentation paperwork, setting up a mechanical inspection, setting up a professional vessel survey, scheduling and completing agreed repairs before shipping and even the boat transport arrangements to ship the boat to California. All in all, I can say the entire experience probably could not have gone any smoother and successfully. Everything as was as advertised and the boat was delivered as planned. I confidently recommend Kent to anyone in need of a boat or wanting to sell one, whether in Texas or anywhere else.
Ray Meyer

I feel for a first boat purchase, we were really lucky to find someone like Rusty. He was very helpful and informative, as well as being organized and on time with all of our appointments. Throughout the process there were many different people involved and Rusty always managed to bring in the best. Our inspector Lou, was incredibly thorough and extremely knowledgeable about boats. The mechanic Will was able to install the parts we needed to get the boat up to speed and even came back to make another repair after the purchase. He was so professional and reasonable that I will use him for all of our mechanical needs. Captain Scott was also great at handling the boat and explain what to watch for. Even Rusty’s recommendation for financing and who to go to was a success. After our purchase, Rusty has written to check in on us and reminds us that he is there to answer any questions…. and he has been! I realize too that with Rusty comes the best of the best and we now know a team of people we can trust which is huge in the sailing world. Especially for those of us that are new to this lifestyle. I feel like there are many who would look to take advantage but Rusty has surrounded himself with people you can count on. Just a few months in the boaters world and I have heard horror stories about lackluster brokers…. that’s not an issue with Rusty!
~Rachel G.

Hello Kent- I want to thank you for having Josh Johnson on your broker team. Josh helped us buy our first sailboat in February and turned -what we thought would be cumbersome- into an enjoyable experience.
Josh has the experience, knowledge, and the patience we heard so much about. But, what made the experience different is that Josh made us into lifetime customers for him and for LYS.
Josh never came across as a “Transactional” broker to us even though we were rookie buyers and buyers of an entry level vessel. He invested time and effort in making sure we were completely comfortable with the boat evaluation and purchase process.
Please don’t let him retire anytime soon! He can keep buying and selling for as long as we keep coming back to him for help.
Thank you again from your very satisfied clients, Orlando & Silvia Saenz.
Boat purchased- 1995 Hunter 336 “The Bounty”

I’m from Louisiana and had been looking at boats online for about 24 months when I decided to travel to the Galveston Bay Area and purchase my first sailboat.
After meeting with several sales people I came across Little Yacht Sales and more specifically Rusty Hightower.
Even though I am new to sailing and had a lot of questions Rusty was always, available, friendly, and most of all informative. He took extra time showing me a variety of boats and helped me understand the differences between them.
I found Rusty to be as professional as he was friendly and he made my purchasing experience as enjoyable as it was successful.
I’ve named my boat “Gratitude” and that sums up my feeling toward Rusty and Little Yacht Sales.
Thanks Rusty for helping make my sailing dreams come true…
Kind Regards,
Chris D Lormand
S/V Gratitude

Hi Kent,
I would like to express my appreciation for the great job that Josh Johnson has done for us in helping us with the purchase of our dream boat.
Not only did Josh display a high level of integrity and honesty during the purchase process but he was always very helpful and accommodating with our requests for information.
Josh has gone out of his way to make this a very hassle free and pleasurable experience for us, and I would recommend him to anyone considering buying a boat in Texas.
Cheers!
Tony & Cheryl Bale

Kent,
I’m sorry I never met you, but I wanted you to know that your people, and in specific, Josh Johnson, were “above & beyond” what would normally be accepted as expected normal business practices. I cannot brag on Josh enough! He was so very helpful to me in a lot of extraordinary situations. They may or may not have been normal to him, l don’t know, but he made me feel that they were normal to him and they were not a “complication” to the purchase of my boat. Thanks to you and your staff, and in particular Josh, for making a difficult process, EASY.
THANX AGAIN!
Gary Surber

Rick,
Thanks for your good advice and guidance throughout the vessel acquisition process. We were lucky to have found you and could not have successfully completed this deal on our own. It has been quite an experience but I have to admit, I am happy it has concluded.
Rick, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thanks again for everything.
Ron & Dianne ’95 Catalina/Morgan 45

Once again, Little Yacht Sales has been a great partner in our sailing adventures. We’ve now purchased and sold three boats with the outstanding help of Josh Johnson. He knows boats, has the eye to help buyers sort through the truly important from the trivial, and has the gift to bring transactions to a conclusion in a fair way for both sides. Two of our purchases were Island Packets, including our most recent transaction of selling an IP27. Josh found a buyer within three weeks!
As we’ve hung around the docks and yards of Galveston and Aransas Bays I’ve been amazed to hear how many others know Josh or know of Josh. His fine reputation is well deserved.
We’re taking a break from ownership to do a little chartering. When that time comes to pick up another saltwater boat, we’ll be calling Little Yacht Sales and Josh.
Rev. Dr. Dave Wasserman, Honorably Retired

Hello David,
Just a short note to thank you for hanging in there with us as we worked through the Sea Ray 240 purchase. I am sure the little boats are a pain compared to the larger ones you guys broker, but you never made us feel that way.
Boat purchases don’t happen very often for us, so we appreciate your experience and knowledge.
As we take our next step, you will be the first one we look up for help – hopefully it won’t be too long.
Also thanks to John for the test drive and personally delivering the boat to my drive way.
I will not hesitate to recommend LYS to anyone.
Thanks again,
Jeff and Beth

Hi Josh,
Our neat boat arrived in Corpus Christi last night. We are extremely pleased with the boat and especially with the expert professional service you provided us during our search.
While searching around for a boat we saw a potential listing you had, and we recalled that we had bought a new S2 from you back in the 80’s. Time flies by, but we got re-acquainted and provided you some idea of what we were looking for. Shortly then after you recommended an Island Packet 27 that you had just taken in. After some discussions, and pictures, etc. we decided to make an offer and you assisted in working out a fair and equitable deal to both parties with a minimum of hassles. We made the trip to view the boat and arrived on a Sunday night. We didn’t dream that we would ever be able to concluded the deal in one three day trip. But you made it happen.
We decided to take the boat and by some magic we had a survey and haul out on Tuesday, signed the papers and made the necessary financial arrangements on Wednesday, and yesterday the really excellent Captain you recommended delivered the boat after a 36 hour journey.
So we found the perfect boat thanks to your expert advice, and we concluded the deal in record time due to you organizational skills and contacts.
We are extremely pleased with the advice, service, and excellent communication you provided during this transaction. We highly recommend you to anyone looking for the “right” boat.
Thanks again, and you may offer our recommendation to others as desired.
Best Regards,
Lillian and Chuck

We listed our boat with Little Yacht Sales and Capt Rick Weiler because we were familiar with their professionalism and position in the market. Rick helped us get the boat ready to sell and even found a minor issue with the boat when he moved it over to the brokerage docks. With his help we got it fixed and the boat sold in just a few weeks and for a good price. I will be coming back to Capt Rick when we are ready to buy our next yacht.
Bud and Christel 2005 Catalina 387

I’d just want to share my experience purchasing my boat with Capt Rick, Rick was very attentive in responding to me and representing the boat and process of purchasing a boat to me. He worked hard to get everything set up for the survey in advance as I was coming in from out of State. The surveyor did an outstanding job and even pulled me aside to tell me I was working with one of the best brokers in the area. I would highly recommend using Capt Rick Weiler as your broker.

Brad & I want to thank you for being the best boat broker ever! Our Catalina 38.7 sailboat had been on the market for almost a year in the Pensacola/Mobile area with only 1 offer which eventually fell threw. You provided a Captain to take our boat to Houston to your brokerage company. That was such a worthwhile investment. It was so much less stress on our part in the delivery process of our boat. Your attention to detail was fantastic. You de-cluttered our boat. You cleaned and detailed the boat inside and outside. Your pre-survey found flaws which we addressed ahead of time. The one survey performed previously in our area did not detect any problems which was not accurate. You detailed mechanical parts to eliminate any corrosion which had occurred from use. You were able to provide us with a top dollar price for our boat plus we felt so secure that the new owners had a truly sound vessel. Thank you again for your professionalism. You followed through with everything you promised.
We would highly recommended you & your brokerage company to everyone.

Sincerely,
Brad and Janet Newhall

Kent, Just purchased a used Hunter 33 from Josh, he also sold a boat for us last November, a boat that had been listed at another brokerage for around a year. Josh sold it in a month or so. I am really impressed with his service & knowledge, good guy to do business with…

I just want to take the time to say how much we appreciate Josh Johnson. We first met Josh when we purchased “Big Fun” in 2003. We had never owned a Sailboat and he took the time to help us through the entire process including bringing her to her new home since we had never sailed before. We had problems getting into the slip and although the on-lookers wanted to continue to pull her in, Josh had the good sense to advise us to hire a diver to further access the situation. We did and lo and behold, we would have drug our new boat onto an oyster bed!
Fast forward to 2014 and it is time for new adventures and putting “Big Fun” on the Market. We knew immediately who we wanted to list with. We called Josh, he gave us advice on what we should do to make her ready. We followed that advice and it wasn’t a week later we were writing a contract for the sale! Josh is extremely knowledgeable, professional, courteous and has a knack for matching up people with the right boat for them. We are proud to have known Josh as a friend through the years.
Thanks Josh Johnson!

Josh Johnson has been a wonderful help in selling our boat. He not only acted as our broker, he guided me in preparing the boat and acted more like a friend in preparing me for losing what has been part of our life for many years years.
D.Pickering

We were very pleased with the level of service and the professionalism of everyone associated with Little Yacht Sales. I contacted Kent about selling our boat when we were considering buying a new one. Once we decided to list the boat Kent turned me over to Rusty Hightower to handle everything. What a great move!!! Rusty did a great job on the photos and listing and went right to work finding a buyer. Much to our delight, he found one quicker that we ever thought possible. I can’t say enough about how helpful Rusty was. He kept us informed about any inquires and showings of the boat and was there to help if needed. I highly recommend Rusty Hightower and Little Yacht Sales to anyone looking for a brokerage company.
Ted & Claire E.

Thank you, Kent, Liz and Dave. It was a pleasure working with you. Dave was very cordial, helpful and professional, every step of the way.
Best regards,
Rhonda

Rick,
I just wanted to thank you again for taking time out of your Sunday to help me move the boat. I truly appreciate it. Your effort, patience, guidance and professionalism throughout this process both on the selling of Many Miles and the purchase of Intrinsic Value made it simple and very pleasant. My experience in business has taught me that people that make a difference in regards to the success of a company. I will surely recommend you and Little Yacht Sales to anyone wishing to sell or purchase a boat.
Thanks,
David

Rick,
Everyone I worked with at Little Yacht Sales (you, Josh, Betty and Liz) was very professional and very helpful in helping me sell my boat. I am very happy with my decision to list with your company – I don’t think I could have made a better one.
I was quite pleased and impressed by the work you did to photograph and video the boat then market it on the internet. I am also grateful for the help you gave me in setting a realistic selling price and working my way through the rest of the process. All in all, I don’t see how things could have gone much better, and I am most satisfied with the result. I think Bob Wingard is too. That’s a pretty good net result – a satisfied seller and a happy buyer – don’t you think?
Please feel free to use me as a reference if the need should arise in the future.
Thanks again, and all the best to you and the staff of Little Yacht Sales. -Pat

David Jackson helped me purchase my sailboat, and then when my plans changed eight years later, he helped me sell my boat. Throughout the entire process, he and the LYS team have always been honest, professional and hard working. They broadly marketed my boat, appropriately negotiated and successfully closed the transactions without any glitches or surprises. David was also a great source for advice as well as referrals to maintenance and other service providers. I happily recommend David and LYS without any reservations or hesitation. – Robert Shelton

We had a wonderful experience with buying our Catalina Sailboat from LYS and Josh Johnson. This was our first time to buy with a broker and it helped with understanding how to do it correctly and not have any unexpected surprises later. I would definitely call on Josh again.-Brian & Sherry Boles

We have nothing but high praise for our recent boat buying experience with LYS and Josh Johnson. We are first-time boat buyers, and we are very appreciative of Josh’s experience, knowledge, and patience. He took the time to thoroughly explain the buying process, to show us a variety of boats (which really helped us figure out exactly what we wanted), and to define terms we were unfamiliar with and explain repairs that were needed. We anticipate a long happy relationship with LYS in the future, and would definitely call on Josh again when it comes time to sell or buy. We are incredibly thankful to have worked with such a knowledgable professional. (And we are “Love Struck” with our new sailboat!)

Sincerely,
Steve and Amy Holdaway

I also want to express my sincere appreciation for what you have done for us in selling these two boats (one power and one sail). In my opinion you and your team have gone above and beyond any expectations I had for these transactions and what I thought would be a long drawn out process has happened so much faster than I ever thought possible. And all of this while my wife and I have been half a world away. Every time we speak to anyone about the sale of both of these boats please know that everyone will know that we could not have done it without you. I will recommend you to everyone I meet that wants to buy or sell a vessel and when we return and start looking for our retirement cat please know you will be in the middle of that deal whichever way we decide to go. Once again thank you for all you have done for us. I’ll see you when I return at the end of the month.-Gary Vaughan

I use a Kent Little Yachts sales to guide me through the purchase and followed his advice. Best thing I ever did. He recommended several Surveyors. I used Rick Shelley out of Cape Coral Florida. He was familiar with the Gemini’s but not what I would call an expert on one. However he knew exactly what to do. Over a 4 hour period the he looked at and tested everything more than once. When He didn’t know exactly how something work(head valves settings) he looked over the manual and then tested it several times. Every inch of the boat was looked. He found chafe points and point out everything that was even OK but felt maybe there was a better way. I’ll use both men in the future. Sorry for the sales pitch on these guys but they deserve it, I got a great boat at a good price. I had my little issues along the way and this list has solved them. ~Joe Gemini 34 “Sunrise”

Kent has been our (husband Gary & I) yacht broker/consultant >20yrs. He knows all there is to know about boats (sail & power), readily shares his knowledge & has endless patience. We wouldn’t think about buying/selling a boat without consulting Kent. He has earned our friendship & respect. Kent has impeccable integrity, is always reliable, trustworthy, & consistently solid/stable.~Debbie Leonhardt

Thank you for making this adventure possible! We have enjoyed working with you and appreciate your prompt attention .– KARI & DOUG, NEW CATALINA 385 CUSTOMERS

Thank you Captain Rick for a wonderful experience aboard the O’day. We are very pleased with the boat and the service you have provided. It is rare to find people today that take such pride in their job, but you have gone over and beyond our expectations with answering all of our questions. It has been a great buying experience. Regards,–BRENT COLEMAN

My wife and I would like to express our satisfaction with our recent experience in listing and selling our IP 350 within a month. Josh Johnson provided the experience, knowledge and professionalism to facilitate this excellent result. We were very impressed with the entire Little staff and would definitely recommend Little Yacht Sales to anyone looking for a broker who is dedicated to achieving results. ~Ed and Lucille Rainwater

Dear Josh,
Thank You for making our recent boat purchase such a positive experience. I had been out of boating for a number of years and this was Lisa’s first boat purchasing experience. Your knowledge of boats, the boating community and your patience were greatly appreciated. Although our purchase was small your time, availability and attention to detail was large. We look forward to doing business with you in the future and would recommend you to anyone looking to buy or sale a boat.

Sincerely,
Tom & Lisa Slagle

My wife and I just returned from the maiden voyage of our Catalina 320 sold to us by Josh Johnson, Little Yacht Services. The boat is everything promised and more!
Hats off to Josh for sticking with us for 4-5 years and dozens of boats. He never flinched while we meandered our way through the buying/discovery sequence one takes when shopping for just the right boat.
When it is time to trade up, Josh, your our guy!
Thanks for hanging in there,
Gene and Katherine Hause

Dear Kent and Liz,
Wishing you and the girls a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous and very prosperous New Year! Sharon and I thank you very much for our “Gypsy Moon” polo shirts… which we will get around to ordering shortly…. It has been a hectic Christmas this year. And Kent I want to personally thank you for reigniting my passion in sailing… giving me something positive to focus on during a very difficult time in my life. Now I can finally spend more time sailing and less time as a nautical mechanic! Sincerely, Sharon and Ellis ~ New Catalina 355

We have purchased two boats with Kent’s assistance over the past five years. The ultimate testimony to our complete trust in his professionalism and honesty was the purchase of a used Beneteau 42cc sight unseen in October 2007 and when it landed in Brisbane, Australia we were delighted. She was in even better condition than what Kent had represented. Throughout the sale process nothing was too much trouble for Kent who provided informed answers to all our questions and also arranged the preparation and delivery to port of shipment. We are now the proud owners of a Vagabond 42 (now cruising the States and Caribbean) courtesy of Kent’s expert market knowledge and tireless efforts. ~Gary & Rae Nicholas

Dear Kent,
I seldom take the time to write letters, particularly testimonial type letters but your standard of service and performance throughout the search for and purchase of our boat has been so good that I would be remiss if I did not thank you in writing.
Throughout the process you were always willing to educate and humor me without ever making me feel badly about my relative lack of knowledge. You were always willing to go the extra mile whether it was showing of boats here in the area or going out of the way while in another area to check out a possible lead. You helped us narrow down choices and prioritize needs until we were able to make an informed decision.
You were always willing to share your thoughts and your resources and never once did you show impatience with either me or my wife with our myriad of questions and concerns.
Also your service and commitment did not end when the sale was completed and you had your commission- it has continued through the delivery. This commitment to excellence is not seen often in business and speaks well for you personally and professionally. So this is a long way to go about saying it but Thanks for everything you have one for us and please feel free to use me as a reference at any time.

Sincerely Yours,
Matthew Dehn

Hi Cap’n Rick, … That’s fantastic (Regarding closing sale of their boat)! A really great job by you and your team. By the way, we really liked the video that you shot. We will be waiting for the contract, will sign, scan, and send back ASAP. Thanks again.–BOB AND JO CASTO, MAY 26, 2012

Credible, honest, trusted, helpful, personable!–TIM CLIPSON, SAILOR, PRESIDENT LIFE! INC., PROFESSOR SFASU

Kent,
What can we say that has not already been said? You have been so incredibly patient with us over many years in our ongoing search for the perfect live-aboard sailing vessel. You are a true professional, extremely knowledgeable, and willing to share your experiences to help guide us in our pursuits. You allowed us time to grow as we picked your brain for ideas and went from a pocket-sailor to a weekend sailor. Finally after many years of bearing with us, you listed & sold our Beneteau 331 when the economy was going down. You were fair on all levels of the deal (Jan2011). Having always purchased a new vessel you were there to guide us through the used vessel market as we searched for the live-aboard that will take us into retirement and the islands. Thanks for allowing us the time to find our “old gal” (Beneteau 44 CC) and sharing you network of trustworthy providers in the marine industry to help refit the old gal. You have become a trusted friend, appreciated for your honesty and steadfastness. We wish you nothing but success!
Fair winds,
Gary & Debbie Leonhardt, s/v Aldebaran

Kent,
I want to thank you for all of the help you have given us in purchasing our dream. From the start you provided the information we needed to choose the right boat and then went above and beyond to gather details, get pictures, travel with me to inspect, etc. We have really been impressed with your “after sale” involvement, too, even to the point of helping us dock for the first time at the pump-out station! We appreciate all of the local professional references you have provided and your 28+ years of experience made our experience a lot of fun. You eased the stress of learning all the many things and people we needed to know. We’ll be referring any prospective boat buyers to you.
Bill Carmichael
“Kairos”
Tayana 48

We listed our boat with Kent in December and in less than 30 days we had a buyer! Thanks for a job well done.
Kirk and Tricia Knorr
Ex Owners-Catalina 400

I want to thank Kent and his crew for such a Great job and listing and selling our sailboat. He was available whenever we needed him and even took the time to be available for the survey when we were out of town. Thanks for your service and such a pleasant experience.
Wade & Debra Bradford

Hi Kent,
Back in Nov. 2007 you brokered the sale of a Stamas 44 named “Gemini Dream” – I was the buyer. I’ve been out of the “loop” for a while cruising on that boat. The boat is now docked at Isla Xalaja (www.xalaja.com) on the Rio Dulce in Guatemala and is ready for more fun in Honduras and Belize this spring. I saw that you now have your own brokerage… that’s great. I hope all is working out for you there. I just wanted to drop you a note to wish you well and let you know that three years after purchase, we’re enjoying our boat to the MAXIMUM extent humanly possible… Thanks!
Russ Williams

I’ve bought 2 boats thru Kent and sold 2 boats thru Kent and each transaction exceeded my expectations. Kent does a great job! Also he has an extensive support network that he uses to “help with the details” and get the deals done smoothly and right. Looking forward to the next Boat!
Also happens to be a great guy and good friend!
Coby Knox

I Met Kent about 10 years ago when a buddy bought a new sailboat from him. Kent got my email address and has kept in constant contact ever sense. When it came time to buy our 65′ Marquis Motor Yacht I knew who to call.
We purchased literally the largest boat on Lake of the Ozarks with the intention of moving it overland to the Mississippi and ultimately to the Gulf. I’m going to really test Kent on this one. Oversize and overweight – this will be one to watch.
As a first time boat buyer, I needed a lot of hand holding and Kent was a real trooper. It was very important in this deal to have the experience and contacts that Kent provided.
Hopefully, I’ll be trading up in a couple of years and you can bet Kent will be involved.
Mark Huffstutler
65′ Marquis “Alpenglow”

Hi Kent-
I wanted to thank you for your assistance in our recent purchase of our Beneteau 311. As the broker for the seller, you exceeded my expectations as far as being professional, patient and fair.
I also appreciate your continued assistance in sharing your experience/knowledge in response to the many questions I seem to keep coming across in getting going on my “new” boat.
Kindest regards,
Mike Strachan

Kent,
I’m very pleased with the deal and I am very excited to have this boat (Albin 28). It is more my style than the sail boat, although I am happy to have had the experience with the Beneteau 393. It was a pleasure to work with you too Kent. I have confidence in your integrity and respect for your work ethic – although it took you almost four days from the sale of the Beneteau before you offered to sell me another boat (are you slipping)?
Bill and Barbara Brock
Albin 28TE

Dear Kent:
I want to thank you for an outstanding job in helping me sell my sailboat, First Choice. After sitting with another broker for over a year, you had an offer on First Choice in 30 days and we closed shortly thereafter. You did a very skillful job in this currently slow market.
I also have great respect for the way you handled the final negotiations. Not only was the buyer from another state, he was often hesitant to move forward and concerned about minute details. Every time it appeared he might back off, your experience and creativity saved the day. And you are now going the extra mile to supervise shipping the boat to California for the buyer as a part of the closing negotiations.
I would be pleased to recommend you to anyone wanting to sell a boat. I can surely assure them that you and your team will work smart and hard on their behalf, which is what any seller would be seeking first and foremost.
Thanks again for all of your hard work.

Sincerely,
William H. Choice

Dear Kent,
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for all of your help in helping us find the perfect sailboat for us. You made the shopping and purchasing of our boat very enjoyable. We appreciate your being available whenever we had questions or issues concerning the process.
We are enjoying our boat and have been out on it every weekend since we signed the papers. It also nice to have you check in with us and make sure that everything is going well.
If we ever know of anyone interested in purchasing a boat we will definitely give them your name. For sure we will be calling you if we ever want to upgrade to a larger boat.
Thanks again,
Chuck and Barb Dusold

Dear Kent,
Shirley and I wish to express our appreciation for your efforts in the sale of our sailboat, Moon Shadow. Early last summer we decided that we were more suited to living on land rather than living aboard. We had taken our boat from Kemah, TX to the Florida Keys. Our experience purchasing the boat from you was so pleasant that we felt that selling the boat would be just as good of an experience. At that time we contacted Kent about the sale of our boat.
Before we left our boat in Marathon in July, Kent started preparing a sales brochure. We contacted a delivery captain who was unable to move the boat until later that month. Due to the unusual weather conditions this summer he had to make the trip in two legs. When the boat arrived in Kemah, Kent contacted us as the boat was being tied to the dock. Since we still had personal items on the boat I went to Texas to retrieve those items and make sure the boat was ready to be put on the market. While I was at the marina, Kent informed me that he had prospective buyers scheduled to see the boat within seventy-two hours of its arrival.
When I returned home, I told Shirley that the boat was already schedule to be shown. We were both surprised to find out that we had two offers the day after I returned. Later that afternoon all the details had been worked-out. Everything went smoothly with one exception, Hurricane Ike, struck the marina. The boat survived and during those stressful times Kent kept us fully informed of the conditions on Galveston Bay and Clear Lake.
Kent kept us continually informed of the process as it progressed from the beginning to the end of the sale. In our case, Kent took care of the many details on the “two best days in a boat owner’s life.” Thanks again for all of your help and the professional manner you handled all of our boating needs.

Sincerely,
Mark & Shirley Fickie

Dear Kent,
I just want to thank you for helping Lynn & I find our perfect sailing yacht to fulfill our retirement dreams. This process began when we sold our Catalina 250 and bought a Catalina 30 from you almost 5 years ago. The C30 was a good boat but most of all it was what Lynn called our “Hop boat”. I worked on the C30 to make it like brand new and in the process learned about the all the systems on a beginning level cruising boat. It took two years of working on the C30 2-3 times a week to get her in Bristol condition. During the last two years however, I started researching the internet for our next boat which I determined would be a 38-44’ cruising boat that would be safe, comfortable, and fun to sail. I compiled a list of over 60 sailboats that might be the one and created a spreadsheet so I could compare their specifications, design ratios, and market prices. Every time one of the boats on the list showed up in the Kemah area for sale I called you up and asked to see the boat/s. You always accommodated our time schedule and patiently showed us every boat that was of any interest to us and even some that I am sure you knew was not the right boat for us. I am not sure how many weekends we came to the Kemah area to look at boats but I know you must have showed us no less than 25 different yachts in the 38-44’ range.
I remember coming down to look at a couple of boats and as we were about to leave the docks and head home you suggested that we look at this Endeavour 42 you had just sold. I was not that interested in the boat since it was not on my list but Lynn wanted to board the boat and look around. Sure enough the boat was impressive enough to make it to the top ten on the list, and to make this long story short the boat came up for sale two years later and with your help we are now the proud owners of that very same E42.
Your ability to personalize the experience and be on call all the time to answer questions/concerns made, what could have been an overwhelming experience, a great experience. Your support after the sale is priceless as we learn how to navigate the Kemah area to find a boat yard, marina, and who to turn to for any service that we need for the boat. We found our boat with and made a great friend,
Thank you,
Lynn & Steve Steakley

Kent did a great job assisting us buying a boat. We pestered him with questions and calls and he never lost patience. He was extremely helpful in guiding us on our boat buying experience and we are grateful for all he has done. We now have a Catalina 42!
Rodney Tow

Kent was an awesome when assisting me with purchasing my new boat. Like everyone I guess I bugged him with with silly questions sometimes. But always he was a gentleman and professional. I’m the proud owner of a new Beneteau 34 (ME II), thanks to Kent.
Carlos Townsend

Have now bought two boats with Kent’s assistance. Being a good Brit I need to shop hard and view every possible vessel at least ten times. Kent’s patience during this process is truly impressive – not a single “hurry up” from him.
Both boats have been unusual and Kent’s knowledge and advice has been invaluable when making decisions on suitability and price.
He’s someone that can be trusted.
Regards,
Greg Donnelly

I was pleased with the professionalism and ease of dealing with Kent Little on the recent sale of our C&C 115. You guys made it easy !
Sincerly
Dave Christensen

Rick was great. He closed a deal that required international correspondence while I was in South America and the seller was in Asia. He put everything together, helped sail her for a short sea trial and still took the time to check in after the sale to make sure everything was okay. Rick’s help and patience is appreciated. He is an experienced professional … I’ve recommended him to friends who also dream of owning a sailboat.–ARTIE MAXWELL, CUSTOMER

Rick, Just wanted to touch base. First of all, thank you very much for the bottle of champagne. That was a very nice touch, thank you for helping us secure this boat. We are very happy to have her.–WAYNE AND CONNIE, TARTAN 37 BUYERS

Kent,
As you know, Kathy and I are very happy with our Catalina and with your service. Below is an entry you can add to your blog.
I just completed the purchase of a used Catalina 387 from Kent Little. Kent worked his tail off for us. He not only did his job as the selling broker but also filled in when the seller and listing agent seemed lethargic. My friends know me as the “picky old bastard”. I can complain about almost anything. Kent was perfect! He answered all of our questions and took care of every detail. I have absolutely no complaints, only praise for the service that Kent provided. I most highly recommend Kent Little to anyone in need of the services of a professional yacht broker.

Sincerely,
Dave Cochrun

To Whom it may concern,
I’ve known Kent Little for about 10 years. He has assisted me in 4 boat transactions. All have been very professionally handled from start to finish. 2 have been out of the area and were a little complicated. Not “Cookie Cutter Deals” and all still went smoothly. I would not consider buying or selling a boat without the expertise of Kent. Not only is he a great broker but a good person that I call friend.
Good Sailing,
Rick Erwin

Kent,
Thanks for all the effort and time you put into finding us the perfect boat at a price we could afford. Sorry it took us 3 years of looking. Jackie and I will always be greatful for the time you spent searching for us. Like you said, our old Lord Nelson was a great boat, but when it comes to sailing, it doesn’t compare to the Pacific Seacraft. Also, want to thank you for loaning us all your charts of the lower Caribbean. We’re on our way back to Texas and should be there mid June. Would love to have you and Liz over for dinner and drinks again. I’ll call as we get closer. Thanks again for everything.
Bill and Jackie Chalmers S/V Freya

The ad for the boat came out on Thursday, I saw the ad Friday, looked at the boat Saturday, and signed the papers that afternoon. After a quick haul and survey began one of my fondest dreams of having my own Yacht with the transaction completed in 3 days. WOW! That was FAST! With his knowledge and support this was a very quick and pleasurable experience.
Thanks Again and C-U-Later
Terry Minter

Kent helped my wife and me with a deal that I wouldn’t have thought could be done. We traded our boat for another used boat, which was in turn traded for another. Getting everyone involved in the transaction to understand what was going on and shepherd it through to completion required patience and knowledge, both traits that Kent has in ample supply. The deal went through with nary a bump, and I couldn’t be happier.
John Lehman

A friend recommended that I talk to Kent about buying a sail boat several years ago after the Harvest Moon Regatta. After looking at countless boats over the last several years he helped me get into the perfect boat and my wife and I are very proud owners.
Kent has taken great care of me from financing to after sale service and I have already recommended them to several people.
Thanks Kent for helping make my sailing dreams come true, your patience and professionalism was very much appreciated during the whole buying and commisioning process.
Fair Winds
Mark Romanchock

My wife and I had been discussing the sale of our 1999 Catalina 320 due to possible job relocations later this year. Since we purchased the boat from Kent Little, and were happy with that transaction, we felt he would be the right person to sell the boat for us. Based on a discussion with Kent during the 2009 Reliant Center boat show about the market for vessels such as ours, we listed the boat a couple of weeks later. When we signed the listing agreement, we had an expectation that we would continue sailing her for another few months until a buyer was found. Ultimately, that was not the case as Kent located a buyer and provided a written offer a week later.
During the process of offer and acceptance, Kent was realistic about what we could expect regarding the negotiation and closing process, and his assessment of the situation proved to be spot on. In addition, the staff at Kent was very helpful in explaining the process of closing and funds transfer. In the end, we were extremely satisfied with Kent’s efforts, and our only disappointment was that the transaction occurred so quickly, we did not even have time for a farewell sail before turning her over to the new owners. When the time comes for us to purchase our next sailing vessel, we will definitely call on Kent Little.”
Regards, Chris Manges

Kent helped us buy Heatwave our Beneteau 42s7 new in 1997. He was very patient with us to be sure that we got the boat that was right for us. Great boat.
As we moved on, he sold that boat and helped us buy 3 more (one lost in Ike, still have the other 2). On each deal Kent has found a way to make or save money for us in the negotiation process but, even more importantly, he has been my friend and consultant every step of the way. I trust his judgement and advice completely. He’s my guy!
Thank you Kent for all you have done and will do going foward!!!!
Chuck Buckner
Grand Banks 42–Valerie Ann
One Design 35–Revolution

Kent,
I just thought I would drop you a line and tell you how much Carmen and I enjoy sailing “C Charmer”. Owning and sailing the C&C 121 has been a great experience for us.
Tom and Carmen Washburn

I met with Kent one week before hurricane Ike struck, I had come down to see a Beneteu 37. Kent had just sold it so we looked at a 34 and just talked for a while about what we were looking for in a new boat. Between September 08 and May 09, I must have called, emailed, stopped by for a visit or otherwise contacted him more than a dozen times. It did not matter if I was asking about his listing, his competitor’s listing, an out of state listing, or his general opinion of a make of boat, he was always freindly and helpful. He never pressured me in any particular direction or to make a decision. In May of 09, we finally decided on a Beneteau 37, the same place we started 8 months before. We took delivery and have been very happy since. I can recommend Kent without the slightest hesitation and I will buy my next boat from him also.
James and Debbie Copeland

Kent,
A note to thank you and all the Kent folks for working with us on the purchase and commissioning of the first Catalina 445 in Texas. I am especially grateful for your traveling with us to the Catalina factory to assist in the outfitting process.
I’m amazed at the level of service we received after the commissioning from your staff as well as Catalina. This is how customer service should be defined. Thanks again and smooth sailing.
Dave Jupp

Just want to say thanks again for the help in buying and
selling the boat. It became part of the family and was tough to let it go.
I hope I can give you some more business in the future.
Thanks again,
Danny Quick

My father purchased a 47′ Catalina from Kent in 2007. In 2008, about a year after I graduated from college, my dad passed away and the economy took a turn for the worst. My family and I were not in the position to realistically keep the 470 so we turned to Kent. Kent treated us like family. Over a period of a few months and 3 boat deals later Kent was able to help us get a fair deal out of the 47′ and left me with a 34′ Catalina. Kent was a pleasure to work with.
Chad Colwell
Catalina 34

Kent Little is the most knowledgeable and professional yacht broker I have ever worked with. I have purchased two boats with Kent, one of which we have put more than 20000 miles under the keel wandering around in the Caribbean. Anytime I have had a question, a problem, or an issue, Kent has been there with his contacts and his expertise. When you buy a boat with Kent Little you get a lifetime of service after the sail and a good friend in the deal.
Bryan Sawyer
S. V. Callisto
Vagabond 42

Kent has sold two sailboats for us and in each case I have been most happy with his professionalism and manner in which he treated both the buyer and the seller. His ability to locate suitable buyers (even in these difficult times) is remarkable. To me, Sealake and particularly, Kent is the only place to buy/sell a sailboat in the Galveston bay area.
Tom and Jan Taggart

We initially met Kent through an online search for sailboats in the Texas area. It was a stroke of good luck, as it turned out Kent was knowledgeable about most boats anywhere especially in Texas. We are new at sailing and with that lack of nautical background, we could have opened ourselves up to any sort of slick salesman’s tactics. Everything I asked Kent about, he responded with an honest, forthright answer. He never tried pressure sales, but we were enlightened as to what type of boat we would enjoy for our type of sailing. Although we slightly broke our budget our commitment to the quality of boat we were wanting, steered our decision more than Kent had to. Kent is a true sales pro and I would whole-heartedly refer him to a friend and I do hope he can be our broker when we upgrade. And if it is any further proof as to how positively both parties feel after the sale, using Kent… we bought the boat from the Taggarts. Thanks again Kent for your help and friendship!
Tim and Sharon Daugherty

Rick was a great asset to have on this trip. Thanks again Rick!!! If anybody out there is looking for crew give him a shout, I can’t recommend him enough, he even cooks!!! Also, if you are looking to buy or sell a boat he can help you out.–STEVE SCHLOSSER, OWNER OF CHARTER CAT “ALTERNATE LATITUDE”

Sailing has been a true joy to both my wife and I, so it was a tough decision to sell our Catalina 310. Having ruined my knee badly, I finally admitted that a wet, rolling, pitching deck was no longer the place for me. Josh worked hard and sold the boat in 7 weeks and apologized profusely because “it took so long”. We couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome and we appreciate all the effort Josh put into finding a new home for our sweet boat.-Lee Mixon

To whom it may concern,
I recently purchased a boat with the expert help of Capt. Rick Weiler. I wanted to let you know what a great experience it was to work with Rick. His wealth of knowledge and contacts within the local boating community were a tremendous help as he was able to provide me with information on the costs and lead times for work that may need to be performed or possible upgrades. Thank You Capt. Rick for all of your hard work and dedication! I would highly recommend Capt. Rick Weiler to anyone who is in the market to purchase a boat!!!!

~Most Sincerely,
Robert Arnold