Tips for Selling Your Boat

The following are some items to consider before listing your boat. Have the deck and hull been waxed and polished? Are the lines clean or do they look like they were lost at sea for years? Is the woodwork in good shape? Is the canvas in good shape and cleaned? Is there anything on the exterior of the boat that doesn’t look cared for?

The First Impression

Nothing makes a statement like a first impression. We have all grown up hearing this and it is true with boat buying/selling too. It is often at that first impression when a person decides whether they would like to see more of that boat. A clean, well-maintained boat will attract better buyers, sooner, and get you more $$.

A Clean Interior

Here are some items to consider getting them to “fall in love” with your boat.
Does the interior look cared for and free of odors? Have all the floorboards been washed? Does the head smell? If so, flush with a cleaning solution and replace any hoses/clamps that are leaking or corroded. Are the cushions clean? How about the stove & fridge? Storage lockers? Remove as much of your personal items as possible to show how much room for storage there is. A cluttered boat with full storage lockers will look like it doesn’t have enough storage.

The Engine Room

Buyers undoubtedly will be spending some time here. Nothing scarier than an engine that looks like it hasn’t been cared for in years. Wipe down any grease/oil that has dripped down on or below the engine. If there are any leaks, corrosion, old hoses, get them replaced. Make sure all fluids are full and clean and there is a clean absorption pad.

Systems Check

Do all the boat systems work? Make sure all your systems are functional and working properly, especially the items you don’t use frequently. Do all the lights work? Radio transmitting/receiving? Is the autopilot synched with electronics? Refrigerator cooling? Batteries fresh? Bilge working? Generator charging properly? Buyers will want to switch on everything at some point, including those items you haven’t used in a while, so be prepared. The less it is used, the better the chance it will fail when you go to use it.

Advertising Your Boat

Every broker is different in how he/she advertises your boat. How is your boat being advertised to prospective buyers? Print? Internet? Email? Does the company have a good reputation in the marine industry? We have multiple marketing campaigns going all the time, your boat will be actively marketed on the major marine websites as well as marine publications to get your boat noticed, faster! We advertise in Yachtworld, Boats.com, 48 Degrees North, Facebook & Google as well as our monthly newsletters to all our current and past clients.

Keeping It in Top Shape While Listed

You just never know when a buyer will come take a look at your boat. No quicker way to send a buyer running away then to have a dirty boat. Pay the boat washer to come around a little more frequently while she is listed. Spend time on your boat making sure that everything is in proper working order makes all the difference in the when a buyer is coming to look.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us or call us at (206) 284-9004.