Make Sure Your Boat is Clean
There are very few people like my friend Captain Paul who will rescue a dirty, sunken boat and clean it up. Most people are drawn to a clean boat. This is especially true with first-time boat buyers. As a seller, you could have a husband sold on your boat but when the wife shows up to see a dirty boat she will kill the deal. On the other hand, wives are typically excited about clean boats even if the engines have 6,000 hours on it.
If you are not an expert on detailing a boat hire a professional to wash and polish. You can wash it yourself much easier after a good compounding (if needed) and polish. Yes, even the nonskid can be compounded if you have the right tools.
2. Replace the Clear Plastic Windows and Fix the Seats
A professional detailer will remove the mold from your vinyl seats. If there are small tears in the seats repair them, and if they are large, I would recommend recovering the seats. If you have Isinglass or plastic windows on your boat replace them if they are yellow or cracked. You can save 50% or more if you take your canvas and seats to an upholstery shop vs. hiring a company that specializes in boat canvas. I have saved thousands by using Sandy’s coverings in Edgewater, MD. Some people have had luck with polish but I have not found that that will fix yellowed plastic.
3. Hire a great Broker and List your boat in Yacht World
While it is possible to sell your boat without a broker it is going to take longer. Only a broker can get your boat listed in Yacht World. In the U.S listing in Yachtworld is like having your house in MLS. Everybody looks there and you would be lucky to be found in other places. Your broker should make a video and take professional pictures. Be careful of discount brokers as they may not pay a fee to selling brokers (co-brokerage) and this may limit your potential buyers. Do your homework. Don’t just hire the first broker. Interview them like you were hiring them for your company. Check references.
4. Price your boat similar to other boats
When you own a boat most people have a tendency to overprice their boat. On the other hand, if it has been for sale for a while, you might be tempted to lower the price too far. Your broker can get data on the actual listing and sales prices for boats similar to yours. Pricing your boat too high or too low might make a buyer skip over your listing.
5. Store your boat in a location that is easy to see
Boats in remote places sell for a lot less than boats near major airports. If it is difficult to haul the boat, get to the boat, or hire a good surveyor that smart buyer will look at other options first. If you are in a remote location you may want to have a broker in a major boating town store the boat at their office.
6. Keep Good MAINTENANCE Records
It does not matter whether you hire a good mechanic or do the work yourself. A well-maintained boat should be worth a lot more to the experienced buyer. If you do the work yourself save the receipts for parts to show what you did and when. If you use a yacht yard print copies of all repairs and have them on your boat for your broker to show prospective buyers. Not only will a well-maintained boat sell for more it will sell faster.