Advice on selling our 1994 Hunter Passage 42

Don S/V ILLusion · Oct 25, 2025

The good news is you are in Florida so it’s a good time to sell. The bad news is that boat is a liability to you now with slip fees, insurance and loan payments so the broker fee becomes a minor concern. A current condition, quick sale and finding a good broker with good references should be your priority. A “condition and value” survey would give you a good market value basis to start.

shemandr · Oct 25, 2025

I would look at the broker question like this: If you can find a broker that will list and market your boat you should go that way. The marketing costs them time and money. Many brokers will not take a boat that they feel won't give them a return on their time and money. Some brokers will take a listing and basically show up at the sale to collect their commission - you don't want that guy! So if you find someone who will list your boat, it should be a time limited contract so you can move on if the broker isn't successful..
Since you self described novices at selling a boat this size I'd favor using a broker. They can screen out the keel kickers, the bottom feeders and the scammers. And guide you with regard to hauling the boat for bottom inspection, sea trials, the boat loan process for the buyer, deposits, contracts, contingencies, the survey, delivery options as well as pricing advice. I've sold a boat through a broker and never met, talked to, or had any contact with the buyer. It was very nice. Last time I sold it was 10%. A number that would make a real estate broker blush. But...
Do expect to hear a high opening price (To draw your business), and a lower final price ("Because the boat has problems").
Take high quality pictures and now I suppose a video. It should be under 5 minutes and I would skip the fluff like music and graphics. People just want to see what they are buying, in my opinion. They don't want a sales presentation.
With regard to seeing what is being sold clean the boat aggressively. Remove all personal items, and clutter in the stowage areas. That means cleaning supplies, buckets, bumpers, extra lines and whatever you don't need for a test sail. Buyers want clean and clutter free. I walked away from a J30 because when I looked in a cabinet to check the thru hull installation, there was so much crap in there I couldn't see the thru hull. I was NOT going to unpack and repack every area of the boat I wanted to see. "Thanks, but no."
Don't forget to make listings in local media and provide online access to pics to potential buyers. I have sold boats with supermarket bulletin board ads. Do you have a sign on the boat?

marcham · Oct 28, 2025

For a selling price below 100k, I'm not sure a broker makes sense. I'd list it on Facebook marketplace or whatever people use in your area, and have an insurance survey handy for a prospective buyer. You will not get back what you put into it, best let the new owner decide what is important to them. Brokers typically take 10 pct, but don't like to take listing below 50k, as it's not worth their time. If your close to the boat and flexible for showings, you're leaving money on the table.

If the gelcoat is shot, you will find yourself in 20-30k territory, irrespective of all the rest.

Make it spotless clean, empty it as much as possible, fix what you can for under $1000, then decide if you want to move on or hold out for the max price....

dlochner · Sunday at 12:31 PM

The only money you want to invest in the boat is for cleaning products and polishing. Don't worry about electronics, most knowledgeable buyers would prefer older electronics as they will install new electronics to their liking. If you are not up to cleaning and waxing the boat, hire someone to come and do it.

Get all your stuff off the boat. It should be clean and neat below decks. If you have a maintenance log, leave it on the boat.

Don't bother fixing broken or failing items, account for that in the asking price. Do fix small inexpensive things, a broken latch, missing drawer knob, sticky drawers etc. Do clean the bilge and engine room. There will be a negative return on investment for any big ticket items you fix before the sale.

Brokers typically get a 10% commission with a minimum. A good broker will handle the marketing and will facilitate the transaction. They can also sort out the tire kickers from the serious buyers, something as an inexperienced seller you will find difficult. The further you live from the boat and the busier your schedule will make selling the boat harder. As a FSBO you will have to field inquiries and spend time at the marina with potential buyers, this can be quite time consuming and frustrating.

The broker can also handle the negotiations. Since there are some big ticket items that need to be factored into the selling price, expect some low ball offers. A broker will help you handle these offers. A broker works for the seller and is motivated to get the highest price possible for your boat, the higher the price, the higher the commission.

Search Yachtworld.com for similar boats to get an idea of the asking prices and their condition.

Good luck.

dlochner · Monday at 10:25 AM

Wanderwind said:
However, I tried to hire someone to wax it and they refused b/c they said my gelcoat was too chalky and it would only look good for a month or so. He told me I needed to paint it. I've owned boats with gelcoat that was beyond painting, crazing and crackling basically everywhere, this isn't that. It's just chalky with a few random cracks here and there.

If the hull is buffed first, the wax job won't last long. It is more work and some quality time with a buffer but it can be done and is cheaper and less work than painting. Try another company.