Choppy waters may lie ahead. Setting the right price point, developing a marketing strategy and dealing with the emotional impact of a boat sale are stress-makers. That’s especially true if you’ve one eye on your next purchase and need a sale to free up cash.

There are ways to boost your chances of achieving a sale more quickly and to maximise boat resale value. We’re going to take the helm and show you how to navigate the second-hand boating market. Read on for the seven best ways to prepare your boat for sale and learn how to sell a boat fast.

1.   Set the Price: What is Your Boat Worth?

It’s a loaded question. First, you need to assess the market and determine your boat’s value by factoring in its age, condition and the popularity of the brand. However, there are underlying dependencies that boil down to how much you are willing to accept.

You may be lucky and stumble across a cash buyer who wants a quick sale. In this instance, it may be worth accepting a lower offer in return for the time, hassle and money you’ll save. After all, there’ll be no further maintenance, storage or berthing costs to pay.

Your price point is everything, so be realistic, determine what to include and be prepared to negotiate. Have a clear idea about the figure you won’t go below.

2.   Get Your Boat Ready for Sale

A tidy, clean and well-polished boat creates an impression that the owner has cared for the boat. If your boat has seen better days, hire a professional detailer to give your boat a little extra sparkle and prepare your boat for sale. A fresh-looking boat free of clutter will maximise the boat’s resale value.

Although you won’t want to invest in costly structural changes, you will need to ensure the boat is mechanically sound and in good working order. That’s unless you are happy to take a big hit on the price a buyer will pay. It’s often worth spending a little on basic repairs that may impress potential buyers.

Gather together all the service records, title and registration documents, such as the HIN (Hull Identification Number) and relevant Gas Compliance Certificate, usually only needed for bigger boats with galleys.

Remember that most serious buyers will want a survey or inspection done. There’s no point in trying to hide or cover up imperfections or missing files. It can even pay to be upfront about certain defects as it demonstrates a degree of honesty and credibility.

3.   High-Quality Photos

These are your attention grabbers, and in a world of armchair boating enthusiasts, they are one of the most essential components of the selling process. If you advertise your boat with a series of amateurish photos, buyers will simply swipe left. So, great photos can be the key to selling your boat.

Hire a professional and invest in excellent quality, well-lit, wide-angled photos that capture the boat’s essence and selling points. You should also consider a virtual or video walk-through. Drone shots may be appropriate, too, if yours is a particularly high-end luxury boat.

4.   Create a Compelling Listing

Make your boat sound attractive with a copy that hooks the reader in. Put your boat’s best foot forward by highlighting its unique features. Emphasise any upgrades or investments in state-of-the-art technology.

Include the specs, condition and service history. Research keywords that buyers currently use to search for their ideal boat online and insert them into your listing.

5.   Advertise on Multiple Platforms

You must get your boat seen on platforms and magazines that will optimise its exposure. Check out niche boating websites as well as general online marketplaces. Use your social media presence and boating forums to share your listing and promote the sale.

6.   Work With a Broker You Get Along With

A professional broker can open the door to a whole network of potential buyers keen to see a boat like yours. It’s worth getting to know a broker first because building trust and getting on together is critical.

Brokers have experience in negotiating deals. It’s what they do, so they know how to sell a boat and push the right buttons to clinch the sale. They can often speed up the sales process by sorting out the logistics well in advance.

A broker like MW Marine can handle and streamline the entire selling process for you. That takes the pressure off you because you’ll outsource handling the paperwork, creating a marketing strategy and setting up viewings to the experts. Brokers will also take care of weeding out any potential scammers, keeping you safer.

It is in a broker’s interest to secure a deal, so it makes sense to let them take the lead and deal with the advertising and promotion of your boat. Brokers are also time-savers because they’ll be available to handle viewings. They can sort out trials by ensuring adherence to insurance requirements and legal obligations.

7.   Your Final Checklist

Once you find a buyer and have agreed on a sale price, you will typically take a deposit of ten per cent. You must also prepare a Bill of Sale, which should include these details:

  • The date of the sale
  • The buyer’s and seller’s names and contact details
  • Identifying details of the boat, e.g. HIN, make, model, year and colour
  • Registration details
  • The deposit and sales price on completion
  • A statement from the seller that they’ve been the legal owner

You will also have to assure the buyer that you’re selling the boat “as seen” and that it is free of legal issues.

Prepare Your Boat For Sale Today

Learning how to sell a boat is something of an art form. It can be easy to slip up by setting the price too high or low or by advertising on the wrong platforms. Maximise your boat’s resale value by enlisting the support of a reputable broker like MW Marine.

If you have a boat you’re planning to sell, talk to one of the friendly team today.