Advice On Selling My Sailboat

[Barn-dog]

I want to sell my cruising sailboat, which is currently on the hard for the Winter. Would it be better to leave it there, so the hull can be examined,
or should I launch and put her in my slip , in the Spring , so that potential buyers can easily board and run the engine ?

 

[kappykaplan]

I think there would be two schools of thought here. Given that the boat is on the hard, it will be easier to inspect through-hulls, hull, etc. A serious buyer will want a sea trial. On the other hand, sea trial is easier with the boat already in the water, but a serious buyer will want a short haul to inspect through-hulls, hull, etc. Quite the conundrum.

 

[dlochner]

If you don't sell by launch time, what are your plans? Do you have another boat? Are. you getting out of sailing? Do you want to sail the boat until it is sold?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

We used the same method to test run my engine as is done for winterizing - an intake hose running into a bucket of water. We topped the bucket off with a garden hose as needed

 

[jssailem]

Set a price that will be attractive. Not a give-away, but realistic in the market. Understand that it is rare for boats to sell for what you paid plus what you invested in the boat. A boat sitting around, overpriced, means you don't have money in your pocket.

Seeking your best pricing would be through getting a survey. You'll then know what needs work.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Launch it when it’s time, and let a buyer arrange a short haul at the same time as the survey. It’s on their dime. That way it looks like a boat that’s being used, and you can act like you’re interested but not desperate.
A boat that’s still on the hard after the season is in full swing starts to look like a derelict, or conveys that the owner is not keeping it up. Seller may be more desperate and has moved on due to illness or next boat, or whatever. It might be an easier sale if it’s in the water and ready to go.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Set a price that will be attractive. Not a give-away, but realistic in the market. Understand that it is rare for boats to sell for what you paid plus what you invested in the boat. A boat sitting around, overpriced, means you don't have money in your pocket.

Seeking your best pricing would be through getting a survey. You'll then know what needs work.

Talking with brokers might also help, even if you don't sell with them

 

[shemandr]

If you want to sell it, put it on the market. Make it clean!

 

[PaulK]

List it now. Your buyer will have a chance to see the entire hull and inspect the keel for any damage, look over the deck and interior as much as he wants. He can make an offer subject to survey, launch & sea trial later. Waiting to list the boat until she's launched may mean your buyer finds something else before yours is even listed.

 

[dLj]

Take good photos with her out of the water. Include photos inside all the thru-hulls showing they are in good shape (assuming they are), put new zincs on her. Get her fully ready to launch and then launch at launch time and put her in the slip. Begin advertising as soon as you get all the photos including all the standard photos you put up anyway.

Good luck.

dj

 

[Paul356]

I listed my boat in the fall, was contacted by a potential buyer over the winter. They came to look at it on the hard. We agreed to terms in Jan or Feb, they paid the buy money minus a bit. They escrowed that part of the purchase price contingent on any repairs that might be needed after a survey at launch in the spring. Spring came, boat launched, survey passed, deal closed, escrow paid, and off they sailed.

 

[Barn-dog]

I'm going to scrape and paint the bottom, prop and shaft, and install new zincs. I'll Take some good photos. Then, try advertising her on
the internet at a reasonable price in early March. Then, I'll launch and put her in my slip in early April, as usual and sail her till she sells.

I've taken very good care of her, and hate to let her go, but my wife doesn't want to go sailing anymore; too slow, she says. Too many times motoring, due to no wind. I will miss anchoring in a nice creek and spending the night there, and the yacht club. I can sail her alone, but it's difficult , unless I go with just one sail. It's hard to find someone else to go out with. Other sailors that I know are also looking for someone to sail with on their boat.
I'll probably buy a daysailer that I can handle alone. But, I'll miss cruising. My thanks for all the good replies . I really appreciate it !

 

[Barn-dog]

If you don't sell by launch time, what are your plans? Do you have another boat? Are. you getting out of sailing? Do you want to sail the boat until it is sold?

Dave, I hate to pay the annual slip fee, which is due in March. But, if she doesn't sell by then, I will pay and launch, and sail until she is sold. See my reply to all owners, below. Thanks for your reply.
Barn-dog

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I you want to sell your boat, advertise it now, or list it with a broker. Let the buyer worry about a survey and a sea trial. The boat out of the water is a good place to start for inspection or for a surveyor. First of all, since it was on the hard for some time, the hull will be dry so an accurate moisture reading can be expected. If you wait to put the boat in the water, before listing, then you take the boat off the market and have lost some precious exposure. Also, then to do a hull inspection after pulling it will introduce a wet hull, which in most cases must sit a while to dry for an accurate moisture testing. A survey is usually a two part process with the boat in the water and the boat out of the water. If you find a buyer over the course of the winter storage period, depending on what you agree on, the out of water portion of the survey can be done as soon as weather allows and then after the boat is launched. the second half can be completed and if something comes up to make the buyer legitimately get out of the contract, your boat is in the water ready to go until the next prospect comes along.
People are looking for boats now so they can also procure a place to put it. Maybe or maybe not your slip will be available if you're not going to put another boat in the water or maybe the buyer keeps it elsewhere.

 

[Barn-dog]

Again, thanks very much for your helpful comments ! Boaters and especially sailors, are a special breed of folks; knowledgeable, friendly,
adventurous, helpful and fun to be around.
Barn-dog in the Chesapeake