Jean-Marie Cabri

The first time my wife and I met Jean–Marie was at the 2006 Long Beach Boat show, where we went to start our search for our first new boat.

At that time he was with Sailboats Inc., and he showed me around the Beneteau line they were selling.

As an avid sailboat racer, I was looking for something faster and more cutting edge. My wife on the other hand was new to sailing and was looking for some amenities for cruising. We bought a new Beneteau First 36.7 right out of the show.. It is a fast performance cruiser.

Jean-Marie true to his word helped us through the sea trial and installation of the instruments and canvas. Unlike a lot of salesmen, he did not “move on to the next sale”, he actually helped me find crew for my new race team. He even race with us whenever he could.

I have gotten to know Jean-Marie and his family over the years and he is an honest and true “stand up guy". I continually turn to him for advice and help 7 years later and he never fails me.

I have known Jean-Marie for some 6 years. In 2008 I communicated with Jean-Marie from Australia, re the purchase of a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 (Paloma Blanca) berthed in Marina Del Rey.

I subsequently purchased the yacht through Jean-Marie and it was a most pleasurable experience, we have had boats for the last 30 years and this was the most professional of experiences.

His sincerity, honesty, knowledge of customs procedures, assistance in settling into our 9 month stay in LA – all contributed to a stress free purchase and a wonderful 9 months in California, after which we sailed the yacht back to Australia over some 3 years.

I commend Jean-Marie and have no hesitation in presenting him as a most honest and decent person.

From the time I made the decision to buy a new sailboat to the delivery Jean-Marie was there as my confidant and teacher.

I first met Jean-Marie at the 2012 Long Beach sailboat show he was demonstrating the drop-down transom of the Oceanis 45 I had never seen anything like that before and was inspired that's what sold me on the boat, I was aware of the Beneteau quality but until you walk on board and see the fit and finish it all comes together Jean-Marie was there explaining all the benefits of the boat clearly so even and novice like me could understand.

We made arrangements for a demo sail of the boat back at there yard,when I went to demo the boat Jean-Marie was very patient with me he explained everything I was sold so we started the process of ordering the boat,he got me set up with the boat loan and insurance.

I was looking to buy the Oceanis 45 out of their stock, problem was I didn't qualify for the loan at that point Jean-Marie suggested that I get the Oceanis 41 the only one they had in stock wasn't what I wanted so we ordered a new one from Beneteau the way I wanted it, he helped me submit the loan papers, I got approved for the smaller boat game on....

Jean-Marie made their Oceanis 41 available for me to learn how to sail on, he was very patient with me and taught me a lot about how to sail the boat.

During this entire process I was a giant pain in the ass but he (Jean-Marie) took it in stride and was easy-going and then calmed me down and told me my boat would arrive soon. So the day came when my boat arrives and Jean-Marie calls me and tells me it's there in their yard I don't know who was happier him or I. So about four weeks later we have our final walk-through and he and Philip the yard manager go over everything with me about the boat and finally .....she's mine... So the next morning I make arrangements to take the boat on her maiden voyage from Marina Del Rey to Ventura some eight hours north up the coast of California, Jean-Marie went with me to make sure that he felt comfortable with me on the boat and handling the boat. He brought along wine and lunch that was a French gourmet meal it was incredible.

I just want to say this about Jean-Marie. If it wasn't for Jean-Marie the person he is I wouldn't be in my boat today, he held my hand thru the entire process it wasn't always easy I know I was a giant pain but he didn't give up on me he saw it through.

This is a letter of recommendation for Jean-Marie Cabri who has served as our boat broker and advisor since 2004. His knowledge is exemplary; his judgment, excellent; and his integrity, superb.

He has been honest and forthright in all of our transactions with him such that we have come to rely on him greatly and have never been disappointed.