...from a SELLER
Absolutely amazing customer service! From the first email I sent to the last text exchange (and all my stupid questions in between), Van's response times were amazing and I felt completely taken care of throughout the process. With the exception of showing Van the boat for about 15 minutes, Van handled every other aspect of prepping and listing my boat, resulting in an almost immediate sell at my full asking price. He kept me in the loop at each step, handled all aspects of getting the boat surveyed for the buyers, and even the closing process was simple and very fast. I can't say enough about the exceptional service I received from Van and Waterline. I am now a customer for life!
~Chance Wales, Kingston, WA
Van Helker
~Agent
mobile - 425 246 5101
van@waterlineboats.com
Waterline Boats / Boatshed Seattle / Boatshed Port Townsend
WLB Agent Q & A Session -
What is your boating background?
While growing up, sailing to Catalina Island on our family's 29 ft C&C sailboat was a true highlight, and I fished a lot with my grandpas on Wisconsin Lakes. A move to Washington when I was a teen brought more family boating, this time on Puget Sound. As a young adult I worked aboard a commercial crab boat in Alaska, then worked aboard NOAA research vessels as both a deck officer and a scientist. It was an exciting time, cruising the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Coast, the North Pacific, and the Arctic Ocean.
After my time with NOAA I started an oyster farm with my wife, and joined the Helmsman Trawlers team. With the farm I get time on small boats in the Hood Canal, and with Helmsman Trawlers I’ve gotten very familiar with trawler design and operation, the delivery and commissioning process, and post-delivery customer support.
At this point, I have fifteen years of working professionally in the marine trades, and I look forward to more.
Do you currently own a boat? What kind?
I recently acquired a 34 ft Downeast style lobster boat. It’s a wonderful boat, with a great layout for my family. We’re really excited about the cruising to come.
Additionally, on the oyster farm side we have a 24' aluminum set net sled that was built in Ballard by Snow Boat Building and customized for tending the oyster farm. It is also an excellent platform for shrimping and crabbing with the crew.
What is your favorite boating destination and why?
Nothing beats shrimping on the Hood Canal!
What do you like most about being a broker at Waterline Boats?
It feels really good when I’m able to make the buying/selling process as easy as possible on my client and can meet their desires of what they want the experience to be like – whether they are fully involved every step of the way, or they totally hand the project over while they tend to other priorities.
I also love applying what I’ve learned working on and around boats over the years to helping boat owners. In 2021 I received my MBA from the University of Washington. Much of what I learned in the program is directly applicable to buying and selling boats (general marketing, digital marketing, negotiations, etc.), and I’m pleased to share these insights with my customers. I also like being part of the WLB Crew. Waterline Boats really has a tremendous network of brokers with decades, if not more than a century of experience. It’s great to be able to reach out to the crew for their insight and expertise when needed.
