Selling a boat

[mendler]

I am plannig to sell my boat this offseason. I am planning on using online platforms such as CL to advertise my boat and am wondering what people think are the best tips and suggestions for making an advertisement stand out among the many others. What types of things do you like to see in an advertisement that gives you confidence in the seller and willing to pay top dollar for a boat?

 

[Pony]

Re: Selling a boat

The first thing I did was fix any of the little things so that a new owner wouldn't have to. I see hundreds of listings where it the seller says "runs great but needs a carb rebuild"......okay well it cant run great with bad carb, and a carb rebuild is cheap so why not do it before listing. If a motor needs anything and the seller is going to guess at the problem then I will offer significantly less.

Also I find myself skipping ads that don't contain pictures.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Selling a boat

Turn key rigs always sell better than projects, especially if you cant sea test due to weather. Having all the documentation, receipts, in order will also give the buyer confidence. Just like selling a house, make sure it looks very inviting. Pictures are a must with details on every feature your boat has. Not miss-leading folks about what you have, only to disappoint them when they show up to see your boat.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Selling a boat

Also use clear detailed pictures. Don't know how many times I look at an add and see a picture of the boat all covered up. the pictures are not clear or to close to get an overall look.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Selling a boat

I've had buyer frenzy when I put my boats online using this approach:

a) A bullet list of all the maintenace items in the last 3-4 yrs to give the buyer some perspective. Maybe even a paragraph of storytelling about how you used the boat.
b) on craigslist, figure out how to embed pictures using HTML tags. That way you can put 30 full sized pics in your ad vs. the little postage stamps craigslist gives you. This also get those tire kicker people out of the way that request more pics/info/etc etc.
c) For the motor & drive, include the manufacturers spec sheet so people see the Hp ratings and don't bother you with questions about drive ratios, rpm ranges, oil capacity, etc etc.
d) Most people will want a sea trail. In your ad, timebox people and say something like "boat can be seen/trialed on Tuesday and Thursday, Saturday from 6pm-8pm." That way you are not trying to juggle schedules.
e) Keep the boat barebone basics to keep price low. Don't include your skis, tubes, 60 lifejackets, coolers, rod holders, fishing poles --- sell those seperately. Buyers view these things as worth $0, but you view them as $1000 and include it in the price of your boat inflating the price.
f) If there is a porti-potti - throw it out. When selling my last two boats, the ladies focused on the potti, if they were used, and then were even trial fitting their rear ends on them. A potti is important to the ladies, but don't let them sideline your boat sale over it! let them figure out a porti potti that works for them when they own the boat.
g) lastly ---- price. Be aggresive so you get people to search and find your boat. Most people search for price, then model and specs. If you have a $10k boat, advertise it for $9250. The perception is a "hot" deal, then when they see all your pictures and info, they can confirm it is a "deal", and want to act quickly with little negotiation on the final price. There is a sense of urgency to get the hot boat deal. Compare that to a $10k boat that sits and people low-ball you with $8k offers.

Good luck in the sale !

 

[eavega]

Re: Selling a boat

+1 on the pictures. Don't overdo it, but 4-8 good pictures of the interior, exterior, outdrive (or motor leg if an outboard) a good shot of the motor with the hood/cover off, trailer, etc.

I like to anticipate the questions I would ask if I were buying the boat; compression numbers, when was the last service, what was done, do you have any upgrades/add-ons (fish finder, Bimini, etc), any components that were refreshed or replaced and when (power pack, fuel pump, plugs, etc).

One thing that most people don't consider vital information but I always ask it of a buyer; why are you selling your boat? If the seller is honest the answer can give you clues as to the use or abuse the boat has had.

Good luck.

rgds

Eric

 

[mendler]

Re: Selling a boat

Thanks for the feedback especially the in depth from calvinator. I didn't think about embedding the pics on the CL, that's definitely a good point. I also like the idea of selling the jackets, anchor, etc. seperately, even if it's to the potential buyer of the boat.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Selling a boat

Just keep in mind that fall boat sales are tough. The only people shopping now are the ones that are looking for a bargain.

 

[Pony]

Re: Selling a boat

For a comparison here is mine that I just listed. I am hoping to get $1700 or $1800 which is why I listed $2000. Its at the higher end of the market, but I can sit on it until I get the right price. I'm not a "motivated" seller yet.


I guess I will find out soon if the ad was effective.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Selling a boat

If at all possible, have the boat ready to run and demo for potential buyers.

The words "water ready" or "turnkey" are always good to put in the ad title, if indeed it is water ready.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Selling a boat

Pricing it right. Way too many boats are overpriced.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Selling a boat

No water or leaves inside the boat-- no weeds growing along side or inside it!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Selling a boat

Lots of pics, and either date stamp them or state that they were just taken. I've wasted time looking at boats whose ads contained plenty of pics... then I get there to find they were obviously taken when the seller purchased the boat 5 years ago.

Mention early in the ad that you have all transferable registration/title paperwork, that they're current and in your name.

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Selling a boat

I would like to offer my perspective having just purchased my first boat Aug 2. I was looking for a boat to use with my wife and kids.

1. First filter I used was my maximum price. Mine was 10k. If it was over, I didn't even see it (The boat I bought was listed $9900)
2. Clean Clean Clean and then clean some more. Dirty really knocked it down in my list (neglected not babied is what I thought)
3. Lots and lots of CURRENT pictures . Seen a lot of 5 year old pics and that said they are hiding something.
4. What was around the boat impacted what I thought . (Clean your yard )
5. I wanted water ready. I wasn't looking for a project boat and was willing to pay more for that
6. Good detail of the state of its mechanical condition. Be honest, mine had a a few minor issues that I negotiated off the price of the boat, then had repaired before I put it in the water
7. Mechanics Inspection on hand.
8. Why selling.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Selling a boat

Very good advice above. One more item. Spend the off season getting the boat ready. Don't start your ad off season; have it ready to post on the first few warm spring like days in early spring. Only bargain hunters are looking in the fall and winter and selling prices will reflect that. I could not get a single response in the fall. The first person who responded bought it for more money in the spring.

New buyers often confuse beam and bottom width, I suggest you include both in your ad copy. State hull style in the ad. Don't call a v or semi-v a Jon boat like some many dumb butts do.

 

[dlos]

Re: Selling a boat

Approach your ad this way:

What would you want to know about the boat? -- Description
What would you pay for the boat? -- Appropriate pricing
What sort of pictures would you want to see? -- Include the right pics, don't forget trailer/tire pics
Why are you selling? -- tell buyers why in ad - moving up?, getting out? kids in college?
What are you willing to do for buyer? -- Sea trial (when?), meet somewhere?
What does the deal include/exclude? -- Life jackets/water toys?, spare prop?, manuals?, service records?

As far as listing it, all depends on how motivated you are to sell, the wider the net, the more you'll catch. I used CL, Boat Trader and Iboats. Sold in a week.

 

[rasbury]

Re: Selling a boat

I just listed my boat on CL and here....would welcome anyone taking a look at the add...2007 Tahoe, listed in the ski boats, florida. I think I pretty much covered everything that was listed here. Give me your thoughts!

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Selling a boat

it pulled out your link