Best way to sell a used Hunter

ben solomon · Aug 6, 2014

I bought my new to me 37.5 last year, in Rock Hall. As a buyer, I found the broker to be constantly accessible which was very important. The other hunter I was going to buy was a FSBO (for sale by owner). I could never get in touch with him and when I did, it was impossible to schedule a visit due to our scheduling conflicts. Consequently, I bought the brokered boat. I bought from Salt Yachts, Tom Lippincott. He is a sailor and grew up shipwrighting. He was very honest with me, and always picked up the phone to answer any questions.. I used Fred Wise as the surveyor. As a side note, I never met the PO of my boat. I LOVE my boat and I am exceedingly happy.

Ben

fifedog · Aug 6, 2014

Place an add in Spinsheet (monthly Chesapeake region news mag).

Try also sailboatlistings.com

I would also try to channel the northeast market. Remember, Sandy wiped out thousands of boats, and a lot of folks are ready to dive back into the market. We had a fellow from NY city buy a big Beneteau from our marina last year.

Chasemixon · Aug 6, 2014

I might be interested in the boat, I really want a bigger one, any chance you are looking for a smaller one? I have 85 Hunter 22. btw you could always list it on here...

just saying

Benny17441 · Aug 6, 2014

I would use a broker. Selling a boat in a timely manner entails a number of exposure to buyers. The faster that number for your boat is attained the quicker it will sell. The broker uses listings, referrals, advertising, location, cleaners, finance and documentation contacts and the structure to show the boat at the buyers convenience. An owner seller will not get as many showings as a professional broker so in order to be able to sell the boat in a comparable timeline he will need to ask a lower price or present the boat at a higher state of maintenance or better equipped. Calculate your maintenance and keeping costs for a month and consider that any delay in selling the boat will effectively lower your proceeds from the sale by a corresponding amount. Also the broker brings some skills and qualifications that will help him close a deal where the owner may have failed to perceive the options. I have seen deals fall through because the buyer has made some criticism about the maintenance of a boat and the owner seller took them as personally insulting. A broker may brush those aside and talk about any required work to be done in monetary terms. Lastly the broker has no authority to accept a deal other than sales offering and that will present the seller with an opportunity to properly analyze any digest any offers. This avoids the ultimatums and retractions of verbal negotiations. I would submit the idea that a broker will cost a sales commission but as far as overall cost that commission will be not be as large as it may appear as reflected by selling price, time, and keeping costs.

quadrille38 · Aug 6, 2014

As others have posted it can depend.

The local market can make a huge impact
Condition of your boat
Time of year can have big impact.

Brokers commission has to be factored in and if you sell yourself you avoid that, but on the other hand if its a tough market a broker can be worth their weight in gold. Or in dealing with getting survey and handling an escrow of the buyer wants one.

I've been fortunate and sold a S2 Grand Slam by owner in 2 weeks time by just sticking a sign on it. But it was a 2 year old boat.
I also sold an ODay 28 in 1 week by just sticking a sign on it but it was spring, it was in the water, and there were some other positive things going for me.
With my Catalina 34 we traded it in when we bought the Hunter 38 but then the dealer began showing it before they even had possession (he actually had me show it for him because we were on the other side of Lake Michigan from him). When he did take possession he sold it in 3 days.

Fall is a tough time to sell a boat so a broker may be a good idea.

Stu Jackson · Aug 6, 2014

How did you originally BUY the boat? Could that give you a clue?

Dan Johnson · Aug 7, 2014

Mac...

Contact Tony Tumas, Great Blue Yachts, 800-604-3242 / 443-553-5043

artboas · Aug 7, 2014

Simple

NauticalMac said:
What is the best way to sell a 1991 Hunter 36 located in Annapolis?
List on line (DIY) - what are the best sites?
OR
Use a broker. If so, local / Hunter Dealer, etc.?
C

Trade it in for a new one.

rardiH36 · Aug 9, 2014

I'll try not to be too much "tongue in cheek" here, BUT ...

Irrespective of what channel you use to market your boat for sale, nothing is more important than the price vs. time equation.

I have seen many boat-selling dock neighbors price their boats at the higher (or even higher) end of what they deem is the "market" price. To their dismay, 12 months later (and now having spent 12 months x say $400/mo. in dock fees = $4800 plus $500/year insurance plus say another $1000 for registration and other incidentals) they have let go of another $6000 - $7000 in holding costs. And their boat has suffered another year of depreciation and degradation of curb appeal. And to add insult to injury, maybe they haven't even used the boat at all during the year.

What I am saying is that if you want to sell your boat, price it so that it will go TOMORROW! That is much more important than deciding whether to consign it to say a broker (one of whose interest's is to keep used boat prices propped up), or eBay, or Craigslist, or just hanging out a sign. And then recognizing 12-24 months later and the bank account being depleted of another $7000 - $14000, that the boat is still unsold.

For each person the calculation is different ... But just do the calculation of price vs. time vs. likelihood of making a sale scenario.

When I bought my bought, I made a vow to myself that I would not forget that I was engaging in a hobby. My $ value/investment was my enjoyment of owning a boat, a floating condo, and the experience of it all. But that I would never have any expectation of getting a return on my monetary "investment".

And that when time came to let go of my hobby (or upgrade to a new/bigger boat), my current boat (which I prize highly) will be priced for a new hobbyist to start enjoying within days after I list the boat for sale.

Stu Jackson · Aug 9, 2014

Very wise counsel, and well written, thanks, Rardi.

The other part of the equation is : clean, clean, clean. Get ALL your crap OFF the boat, except tools. Including dishes and pots & pans.

Good luck, follow the advice given, and you'll do just fine.

cjfj · Aug 10, 2014

Try Grab Bag Sail Boats in Mayo. I've bought and sold a couple of boats through Greg. He's a good guy to deal with and is spot on on his assesments of how quickly he can move a boat.
No affiliation with GBS just keep buying and selling through him