Best way to sell a boat

[EvenKeel]

Well, after 2 seasons of getting Even Keel exactly the way I want her in preparation for cruising NE and the Bahamas, changing circumstances have led me to the sad conclusion that I must put her up for sale. This is not meant to be an ad, but a plea for advice in a tough market.

I live too far away from the boat to handle a "For Sale by Owner", so a broker is in order. Even Keel is in a large marina 15 miles south of Annapolis.

Should I:

--leave her in the water ready to demonstrate, maybe even over the winter, or haul it out?

--should I consider moving her to Annapolis where exposure might be better? Possibly even do this by the time of the boat show?

Any other advice?

If anyone has any recommendations or warnings about possible brokers, I'd appreciate it. If you don't want to make it public, you could e-mail me directly via my profile.

Many thanks in advance.

With a heavy heart, :cry:
Gary
Even Keel II

 

[Maine Sail]

Gary..

Sorry to hear you're selling. As a many multiple time buyer I prefer to look at boats on the hard so I can personally examine the entire hull. Being that yours is a newer boat I don't think this matters as much but for some like me it may still matter.

Leaving it in the water will cost you occasionally in terms of a diver to clean her for sea trials. Another thing that I've noticed with "in water" boats is that more folks want to "taker her for a spin" before making an offer. Your broker should be savvy enough to avoid this!

I would personally not bring it closer to Annapolis as this will reduce your overall "loss" on the boat. If someone is looking for a late model 350 they will also be willing to drive some to look at it.

The best money you can spend, especially on a boat as new as yours is, would be on a full detail by a qualified marine detailer.

I would focus on the following items in the detail.

#1 Hull - Needs to be shiny and like new
#2 Boot stripe - Must be cleaned of any tannin or rust staining
#3 Canvas - Glass should be clear and the canvas should be repelling water.
#4 Boat bottom - Prop should be clean as should the shaft and have a new zinc thrown on. Little details like this make can make a big impression.
#5 Deck - Should be clean
#6 Metal - Should be shiny and free of rust spots
#7 Portlights / Hatches - Should also be shiny and a good plastic polish will achieve this.
#8 Interior - Every nook and cranny should be cleaned of any mold or dirt & grime and it should smell fresh and clean.
#9 Bilge - It should be white and spotless! This is a huge thing for many buyers as a clean bilge has been known to represent a well cared for boat.
#10 Engine / Engine Room - Should also be spotless showing no oil drips or fan belt residue. Any rust should be coated with Boeshield to make it less "offensive".
#11 Ice Box - Clean and NO mold.
#12 Lines Running Rigging - If dirty they can eb washed in a front loader with Ivory Snow, Dreft or other non-detergent cleaners.
#13 Engine Oil - Must be clean and recently changed.
#14 Maintenance Records / Manuals - Should be available and in a three ring binder for inspection.
#15 Lockers & Stowage - Remove anything you are not selling with the boat and organize every locker & cabinet to show & display maximum storage space. Get rid of any personal clutter..


By spending the minimal funds to get the above things done it will return much more money than doing nothing. Unfortunately, or fortunately for you, most owners never take the time to make their vessel in the top 2% of condition. This sutff is easy to do! Is a day or two of your time worth another 5-10k?? Clean boats sell and they sell for more money and faster...!

We bought our Catalina 310 brand new in 2005 and sold her after two seasons. We lost only $5400.00 net and it was condition that allowed this. She sold for the highest price of her vintage of any 310...

This is what she looked like:

 

[Tim R.]

Reputation

My last 2 boats sold by reputation. I had people lining up to sail my Pearson 28 and it sold to the first looker for the asking price at the top of the market scale. In fact, I have already gotten interest from folks who want to buy my Ericson even though she is not for sale.

If you can swing it, try to sell it yourself first. Let everyone you know that she is for sale. If you are respected as a good owner then they will pass the word.

 

[Maine Sail]

But...

With all due respect Tim's Pearson 28 was also in tip top, bristol, top 2% of condition!! She still looks good to this day!

This photo was taken just last night and Tim's old boat still looks great, even two years after selling her!!

 

[EvenKeel]

I concur wholeheartedly on the detailing issue. I try to keep her in showroom condition always, though I do still have to clean a bit of dust out of the bilge and I haven't quite gotten all the way through Maine's S.O.P. on polishing and waxing .

I'm one of those misfits that actually enjoys heading down to the marina alone and spending multiple days-at-a-time fixing, polishing, blasting the stereo, and drinking good beer. I'll miss that almost as much as sailing.

Even Keel

(P.S. I tried to upload a picture that looks just like yours, Maine, but it wouldn't let me. It was a jpg that did not exceed the limits specified)

 

[sailaway78]

Sell it yourself

I would seriously try to sell it myself first. I sold a 28 not too long ago, and sold it through the classifieds on this site. They are very inexpensive. Lots of buyers are like me, and they want to talk to the owner face to face, to get an idea of how he takes care of, and how much he cares about the boat. It doesn't take a lot of your time if you screen the lookers pretty good. After the first few calls, it's pretty easy to pick out the tire kickers. With serious buyers, you can set appointments on weekends. Save that 15% brokers fee, and maybe get yourself a free ride from the new owner when ever you like.

 

[Tim R.]

Ah yes but

That boat was not as nice when I bought her. It was my reputation for maintenance, upgrades and general care that helped to sell the boat. One of the people after my Ericson is the guy I sold the Pearson to. He and his wife keep telling me that they will buy it when I am done with my restoration.

If someone hears "hey this guy is selling his boat and he takes great care of it" they may just consider your boat when they were not even looking for a C350.

 

[EvenKeel]

You've talked me into it...

Thanks for the advice. I believe I will try selling on my own for awhile. In fact, I got an e-mail inquiry about it today from someone who read this forum or my post on the C350 Int'l Assoc. website.

Nice 'n Easy, I never thought of the face-to-face thing. With the boat being in the condition it's in, I think it would be an advantage to talk face-to-face with prospective buyers.

I'm sad to see that listing prices for boats on Yachtworld.com have dropped significantly over the past several months, but it's clear that the market is soft these days.

Gary
Even Keel II

 

[sailaway78]

When you talk to a prospective buyer

Be sure to be very straightforward and up front. Not that you are one of those who wouldn't but many do. If you come across as a totally honest man, and don't try to deny or cover up anything, you will be three jumps ahead of most others. Not too long ago, I helped Seadance and her hubby look for a boat. I kind of idled in the background, and listened. Being the bumpkin bystander. It is amazing the amount of BS a selller will try and spin if he thinks the prospect in not knowledgable. If I ever catch someone in the smallest falsehood, I walk. One guy tried to pass off a totally worn out engine off as a fresh rebuild. It was obvious the engine had not been out of the boat. The fact that it smoked like a mosquito fogger not withstanding. I asked him how much oil it burned, and he sort of said three quarts in short day, then tried to correct himself by saying he meant he carried three quarts with him. I told Seadance to run, not walk away.

 

[Steve Dion]

As perfect as you can get her!

I agree that you need to make her look as perfect as you can. Even if you need to have someone buff out the gelcoat & varnish the teak, you should do it.

Clean out all of the personal stuff that is NOT going with the boat and bag up everything that you are going to leave with the boat.

Clean bilges & icebox. Everything should work (lights, pumps etc). Just don't leave anything for someone to complain about.

Remember: you only have one chance to make a first impression.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Selling a boat...

Sorry to hear you need to sell your boat. There is a lot of good info on this thread about the importance of making sure your boat is in top condition, both visually and mechanically. Everything must work -- or get it fixed, replaced, or removed. Makes sure everything you leave on the boat will convey to the new owner. You are fortunate to have your boat very near a boating capital as that will help a lot. Selling a boat in a down market will be difficult, but good boats in good condition, and priced right, will sell. While I would recommend trying to sell it yourself, you appear to be too far away to be able to do that effectively (i.e., show and "sell" the various aspect of your boat that need emphasis to a prospective buyer). If you do decide to sell it yourself, I would advertise it on this site and in "SpinSheet" magazine, a regional Ches Bay sailing publication read widely in this area (I should note that I'm a contributing writer there). It may be possible for you to get someone to act in your behalf in this area who can show the boat for you? If not, you'll need a good broker. I can recommend Greg Rutkai at "Grabbagsailboats" who is just off the Rhode River south of Annapolis. Let me know if you need contact info for him.

I would haul your boat. I think prospective buyers will want to see (and perhaps survey) the "whole" boat prior to a sea trial. If you need to do a sea trial, make sure you have a deposit and contract in hand first. If you do haul (and it'll be cheaper on the hard than in the water), make sure the bottom is freshly painted. Also make sure that the boat can be launched for a sea trial if a buyer is interested. Normally (yet anything goes), you pay for the launch for a sea trial if the buyer buys the boat. If he does not, he pays for the launch and haul out afterward.

If you'd like the name of other brokers in this area, let me know. Good luck with the sale.