So can anyone tell me when might be a good time to sell a boat. I have a hunter that I have for sale (posted on this site but I'm not saying which one becuase I'm not pushing my ad). I've been trying to sell her for about 3 months now and have had very little interest. I though that now would have been a better time to sell then in the fall when it migh have to be stored for the winter. Anyone got any thoughts. I love my boat but I'm looking to move up. Jaosn
- Status
my advice...
...based on very recent experience, is that it pays to have a large number of very well composed pictures in your ad. I placed an ad on this site in April with no pictures, and got very little interest. I also ran the same ad for 2 months last fall, with only a couple of nibbles. In late June, when the ad expired, I paid extra (not much extra) to put 7 pictures with the old ad. Within a week, I have had 4 inquiries, and I just sold the boat. My take on this is that buying any sailboat is an irrational act. You would think that anyone seriously in the market would look at most of the boats in the nearby area which met their requirements. But this appears not to be the case. Good pictures get people worked up, and motivate them to get out and do the irrational thing of actually buying. I'd take a lot of trouble with the pictures, making sure you clean up the boat, and taking lots of shots so that you get the exposure and focus right. I ended up taking shots on 4 different days, because I wasn't happy with some of them. (Mostly exposure problems.) It's amazing how many ads you see on yachtworld.com with tons of pictures in which the boat is cluttered with junk, spray bottles, etc. It seems worth the effort to present a nice picture, given that you're selling a dream more than a boat. As far as time of year, I think this is still fine. Maybe by late September, it's getting slow, as obviously people don't want to buy and then store the boat right away for the winter. It's probably obvious to you, but it also seems to just take a while sometimes. Like maybe a year or more for a bigger boat. Also pricing realistically, etc. Good luck!
...based on very recent experience, is that it pays to have a large number of very well composed pictures in your ad. I placed an ad on this site in April with no pictures, and got very little interest. I also ran the same ad for 2 months last fall, with only a couple of nibbles. In late June, when the ad expired, I paid extra (not much extra) to put 7 pictures with the old ad. Within a week, I have had 4 inquiries, and I just sold the boat. My take on this is that buying any sailboat is an irrational act. You would think that anyone seriously in the market would look at most of the boats in the nearby area which met their requirements. But this appears not to be the case. Good pictures get people worked up, and motivate them to get out and do the irrational thing of actually buying. I'd take a lot of trouble with the pictures, making sure you clean up the boat, and taking lots of shots so that you get the exposure and focus right. I ended up taking shots on 4 different days, because I wasn't happy with some of them. (Mostly exposure problems.) It's amazing how many ads you see on yachtworld.com with tons of pictures in which the boat is cluttered with junk, spray bottles, etc. It seems worth the effort to present a nice picture, given that you're selling a dream more than a boat. As far as time of year, I think this is still fine. Maybe by late September, it's getting slow, as obviously people don't want to buy and then store the boat right away for the winter. It's probably obvious to you, but it also seems to just take a while sometimes. Like maybe a year or more for a bigger boat. Also pricing realistically, etc. Good luck!
the othe side of the coin
I am shopping for a boat now, and I echo Jay's comments. Ads that only say 'nice boat' and have one picture really turn me off. I tend to want to know EVERY single detail, so I'm looking for lots of description and lots of pictures. Especially if the boat is too far for me to go physically look at on a Saturday afternoon, I need to do as much info gathering as I can from home before committing to a long drive or even worse a plane ticket. Good luck to you!
I am shopping for a boat now, and I echo Jay's comments. Ads that only say 'nice boat' and have one picture really turn me off. I tend to want to know EVERY single detail, so I'm looking for lots of description and lots of pictures. Especially if the boat is too far for me to go physically look at on a Saturday afternoon, I need to do as much info gathering as I can from home before committing to a long drive or even worse a plane ticket. Good luck to you!
Thanks
Ok, I have most of those things. I think I have a good price and lots of pictures and a reasonable description. Guess I've just not found the right person yet. Jason
Ok, I have most of those things. I think I have a good price and lots of pictures and a reasonable description. Guess I've just not found the right person yet. Jason
Get rid of clutter
as a new owner, I can also appreciate many pics and details - as one poster said one pic and a one sentence description won't get anyones attention. Also, I am amazed at how many ads I see where the boat is full of junk. Even dishes (clean), beer cans, and cleaners, etc. all visable. Just like selling a home, a boat with NO clutter and maybe the galley table set with wine glasses and plates make (I think) a huge impact. Get all the sail bags and fenders out of there too. Remember how nice they make the boats look in the boat shows - no clutter and very elegant.
as a new owner, I can also appreciate many pics and details - as one poster said one pic and a one sentence description won't get anyones attention. Also, I am amazed at how many ads I see where the boat is full of junk. Even dishes (clean), beer cans, and cleaners, etc. all visable. Just like selling a home, a boat with NO clutter and maybe the galley table set with wine glasses and plates make (I think) a huge impact. Get all the sail bags and fenders out of there too. Remember how nice they make the boats look in the boat shows - no clutter and very elegant.
Jason, I have had mine on the market too.
I am no expert but here is what I have learned so far. Advertise on www.traderonline.com, this site reachs the most people. Dont waste money on newspaper adds. You may be priced to high. Its a buyer's market. Lot's and lot's of boats for sale. Talk to a broker in your area for info. Broker's love to talk boats and can give you a pretty good idea on what the market is doing in your area. Take the first offer you get. The longer it sits on the market the lower the offers get. Ted
I am no expert but here is what I have learned so far. Advertise on www.traderonline.com, this site reachs the most people. Dont waste money on newspaper adds. You may be priced to high. Its a buyer's market. Lot's and lot's of boats for sale. Talk to a broker in your area for info. Broker's love to talk boats and can give you a pretty good idea on what the market is doing in your area. Take the first offer you get. The longer it sits on the market the lower the offers get. Ted
Bigger the boat, the longer the wait
Also, we notice slightly less activity in the heart of the season. The shoulder seasons -- spring, fall -- when folks are done using their boat for the year, that's when they're buying, I think.
Also, we notice slightly less activity in the heart of the season. The shoulder seasons -- spring, fall -- when folks are done using their boat for the year, that's when they're buying, I think.
I wish I had taken my own advice.
I first put my boat on the market at $11,800. My first and only offer was $9500. I countered with $10,800 and he walked. That was 6 months ago. I have progressively lowered my asking price till now it is at $7,900. That first offer is looking real good about now!! Ted
I first put my boat on the market at $11,800. My first and only offer was $9500. I countered with $10,800 and he walked. That was 6 months ago. I have progressively lowered my asking price till now it is at $7,900. That first offer is looking real good about now!! Ted
Selling in the Fall
Phil, I wouldn't think that people would like to buy boats in the fall. I live in the north and generally where I am people have to store their boats in the winter becasue the ice is kinda hard to sail on. Ted, I would love to take the first offer I get. I've yet to even have a reply. Jason
Phil, I wouldn't think that people would like to buy boats in the fall. I live in the north and generally where I am people have to store their boats in the winter becasue the ice is kinda hard to sail on. Ted, I would love to take the first offer I get. I've yet to even have a reply. Jason
Fall and winter are big times...
Surprises me too, but that's what the brokers around Annapolis say. The falls shows put everyone in the mood. Serious buyers wait for the fall shows and know that the manuf's offer the best deals on new boats. That, in turn, puts a lot of used boats on the market. Buyers of used know that the best boats will come on the market then too. Sellers via their brokers know this is the market it best with serious buyers, not the "spring fever" folks who want a boat ride and might buy a boat but just as likely won't. Although you may get the hot buyer in early summer that logic seems to say would be there, apparently more folks trade-up, make changes, etc., in the fall and winter. I'm amazed around Annapolis at the activity that goes on in the winter. Come to think of it, I bought and sold my last 2 boats in the dead of winter. I know several others who have done the same. Go figure.....
Surprises me too, but that's what the brokers around Annapolis say. The falls shows put everyone in the mood. Serious buyers wait for the fall shows and know that the manuf's offer the best deals on new boats. That, in turn, puts a lot of used boats on the market. Buyers of used know that the best boats will come on the market then too. Sellers via their brokers know this is the market it best with serious buyers, not the "spring fever" folks who want a boat ride and might buy a boat but just as likely won't. Although you may get the hot buyer in early summer that logic seems to say would be there, apparently more folks trade-up, make changes, etc., in the fall and winter. I'm amazed around Annapolis at the activity that goes on in the winter. Come to think of it, I bought and sold my last 2 boats in the dead of winter. I know several others who have done the same. Go figure.....
Strange
That just seems strange to me. I don't think that I could buy a new boat and then put it into storage for a few months and not get to do anything with it. That would drive me nuts. Anyway thanks again for the tips. I might have to wait until this fall to see if she sells. Jason
That just seems strange to me. I don't think that I could buy a new boat and then put it into storage for a few months and not get to do anything with it. That would drive me nuts. Anyway thanks again for the tips. I might have to wait until this fall to see if she sells. Jason
selling your boat
In the Northeast, my experience has been that March and April are the best months to sell a sail boat. If you get into May without selling it, you are probably not going to move it until next spring.
In the Northeast, my experience has been that March and April are the best months to sell a sail boat. If you get into May without selling it, you are probably not going to move it until next spring.
- Status