Testimonials

We chose Spike to sell Nahla because of his unrivaled performance multihull experience and track record in selling Balance catamarans . He provided me with a very good objective marketplace analysis from which to price our boat . He did an independent technical assessment of Nahla and helped address the pre sale points that were identified and guided both myself and the buyer seamlessly through the survey, sea trial and paperwork process.

Whether you are buying or selling a performance catamaran , Spike is a great resource to use for independent advice.

I recently closed on a 62’ Gunboat – Mach Schnell, formerly Elvis and soon to be Dreadknot, and I can say without a doubt that I couldn’t have done it without the exceptional expertise of Spike and his team at Rapide Yacht Group.

As an experienced lifelong one-design sailor, I was familiar with the water, but diving into the world of performance catamarans, especially with a focus on both competitive racing and cruising, was a whole new venture for me. Spike’s deep knowledge of Gunboats and other top-tier performance catamarans is truly unparalleled, and it made all the difference in this process.

From the very beginning, Spike took a consultative approach rather than trying to sell us on a particular boat. Even though he was the listing broker for the boat we initially inquired about, his priority was always understanding our needs—what we were looking for, how we planned to use the boat, and what our long-term goals were. He patiently walked us through the pros and cons of various options on the market, and even reached out to off-market owners to see if any were open to selling. His ability to navigate this competitive market and offer us unbiased, expert advice was invaluable.

The whole selection and purchasing process was seamless, and Spike’s negotiation skills were second to none. He worked tirelessly and made sure we were completely comfortable with every aspect of the transaction.

Once we had the boat under contract, Spike’s support didn’t stop there. He went above and beyond to ensure our transition to ownership was as smooth as possible. He introduced us to a network of top-notch vendors, experienced surveyors, potential captains, and crew members to help us build our racing program. The level of professionalism and the depth of relationships Spike shared with us were invaluable in getting our boat race-ready and assembling the best team for the job.

Spike’s commitment to our success has been nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to his expertise, relationships, and dedication, I feel completely confident in my new boat and excited for the future of our racing program. If you’re in the market for a yacht, I can’t recommend Spike and Rapide Yacht Group highly enough.

As a seller of a higher-end performance catamaran, Rapide proved to be the ideal choice for me, for 3 main reasons. Spike brought to bear a really effective combination of in-depth product expertise, sound advice on pricing and position, and solid buyers well matched to the boat..

High-performance, blue water catamarans are a very niche market. Spike’s years of experience in this field really set him apart from other brokers who don’t specialize in this area.

For this reason, he provides better feedback on positioning and pricing and most importantly finding qualified buyers that understand and appreciate and are willing to pay for the special capabilities of high performance catamarans.

There are people you meet and immediately sense you can trust. Spike Abram was that for us. My wife and I crossed paths with him at the Annapolis Boat Show a year and a half ago, and before long, he’d talked us out of what would have been a genuinely bad purchase, putting our interests first. That’s not something you forget.

He went on to introduce us to the boat that changed everything for us. It checked every box for the cruising life we’ve been building toward.

Getting there wasn’t without its complications — it was a private transaction with real moving parts — but Spike was present for every one of them. He brought buyer and seller together on the hard issues, found us a top-notch surveyor, arranged for a capable captain to get us trained up on the boat, and even took care of some minor repairs so we could start our journey without anything hanging over us.

If you’re in the market for a blue-water cruising boat, call Spike before you do anything else. He has the sailing background to evaluate boats critically, the market knowledge to help you find the right fit, and the integrity to represent your interests honestly from start to finish. My wife and I couldn’t be happier with where we landed, and Spike will absolutely be our first call when it’s time to move on.

We started sailing in the mid-80s at a club in Newport Beach, California, learning on small Catalinas and sailing to Catalina Island. In the 90s, we chartered in various locations like the Caribbean, the Med and South Pacific, later owning three Island Packet monohulls and cruised through the Pacific.

We’re so lucky to have found Spike at Rapide, and Blue Diamond for sale. Spike handled all the intricacies of the sales process – not just the normal stuff of contracts and paperwork, but the survey and delivery of the boat from the Bahamas to Virginia, and the marina in Virginia.

We’ve worked with a number of brokers over the years, and Spike is right there at the top. He follows through, has integrity, and is very knowledgeable about Balance.

Guy was also great help post close on our passage from Virginia to the Bahamas. While we have spent maybe 120 nights at sea ourselves, Guy’s help in pre-passage prep, weather analysis, and especially multihull boat training was really appreciated. He is professional, easy going, and highly recommended.

Our Balance 526, now “Volare”, is exactly what we wanted. We’re enjoying cruising the Exumas, and looking forward to more adventures

Buying a boat is exciting—and then reality shows up. Deadlines tighten, logistics get complicated, and the distance between “offer accepted” and “keys in hand” can feel like an ocean of details. When we decided to buy a Balance 482 catamaran, we quickly learned how much the right broker can matter. In our case, that broker was Spike Abram.

From the start, Spike was proactive, engaged, and consistently present. He didn’t just react to issues; he stayed ahead of them. He was also generous with his time—willing to spend long stretches on the phone walking through details, helping us evaluate options, and supporting negotiations. We were the buyers, and while Spike also represented the sellers, he handled that role with professionalism and fairness. He was an excellent go-between, keeping conversations constructive and the transaction moving.

The clearest example of “above and beyond” came when we had to complete the survey on a very short time frame. The easy answer would have been to delay for weeks until a closer yard opened up. Instead, Spike flew down and personally helped move the boat: an overnight sail to get her to the haul-out location, the survey, and then another overnight sail back.

That kind of hands-on commitment is rare in any industry, and we don’t take it lightly.

What also stood out is what happened after closing: Spike didn’t disappear. He stayed available, ready to answer questions and help us work through the inevitable issues that come up post-sale. Time after time, he picked up the phone and talked us through problems with practical, steady guidance.

We’re grateful—not only for the outcome, but for how we got there. Thank you, Spike Abram, for the responsiveness, the integrity, the countless calls, and the extraordinary effort that made this purchase possible on the timeline we needed.

We came to Rapide looking for a safe, well-performing catamaran that could take our family around the world. As passionate sailors with a clear vision—and after a frustrating experience with another broker—we knew we needed someone transparent, knowledgeable, and truly on our side. Spike listened. He understood what we were after.

It’s rare to find a broker who genuinely gets it, and even rarer to find one who truly cares. That’s why we’re so glad we found Rapide. Thank you.

Spike’s Rapide Yacht Group had it all together… from the very first contact he gave me solid advice and handled a complex transaction expertly at every hurdle and step. Engaged and responsive at all times, even after the close, I couldn’t be happier.

It has been the longest time since my dad dreamed of owning a Gunboat. With the long dream came the longest road. There has been so much consideration, so much decision making and so many emotions involved in this process.

It has truly been overwhelming and yet so fulfilling. With all honesty, if it wasn’t for Spike we would not be here and proud Gunboat owners. Every text message, every phone call, every trip to see a boat, every decision and indecisiveness we had — Spike was there, answering honestly with our best interest at heart.