Scams can start anywhere, but the only serial production beach cat built in S.America nowadays is the Hobie 16 made in S.Paulo, Brasil. Freight form California to Equador is cheaper than shipping from S.Paulo (land), so the deal makes sense.

As already recommended, a wire transfer to an escrow account is an apropriate solution.

A letter of credit from a bank is ideal, but the cost and paperwork are heavy.

Chances are that a genuine beach cat buyer in Equador is associated to a Yacht Club, has very good or excellent education and the capacity to provide banking (or other) commercial references. A Yacht Club reference is very easy to verify. Also, some US banks have branches in Equador.

You mentioned that he has a company. If his company does business in the US, he may be able to have it handle the deal with you, pay, receive the boat and arrange freight to Equador. This would make the deal domestic, greatly reducing risks for both sides.

All the best,