I am planning to sell my 1997 boat soon. It is in very good condition, engine, hull, interior. My husband and I are discussing different approaches. He wants to try for two weeks to sell it as is. I want to get the bottom pressure washed and painted, change the zincs, and shine the hull. Which approach is better for netting the most money in the sale? Will the extra work produce enough of an increase in the sale price to cover the expense?
how to sell a boat
- Thread starter Marianne14937
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Its just like a house. You will not get the money back for the things you do to it from the sale, but doing them will get you a sale faster and save you the extra pmts,dockage, etc.
Simply, put yourself in the position of the BUYER.
Also, it would be helpful to do more than just cosmetics if there are other issues involved with the boat and its systems. If you reverse roles for this, too, then "How to Buy a Sailboat" would help, like this: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=102541
Also, it would be helpful to do more than just cosmetics if there are other issues involved with the boat and its systems. If you reverse roles for this, too, then "How to Buy a Sailboat" would help, like this: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=102541
Believe it or not - number one - get rid of any bilge smells and head odors.
Definitely clean the boat and buff it up. If it's out of the water - absolutely pressure wash and buff the outside and change the zincs and polish the prop!
Don't spend a nickle on pretty much any unseen problems. Other than anything that is a safety issue - and even then - telling someone about a problem is not always a bad thing - they don't necessarily mind doing something on their new boat, but the first time they see it - feel it and smell it - make it a good experience and you will sell the boat if you have priced it to the market.
Given the fact that your boat is a 1997 I'm assuming the sails will look great - in a couple of instances in the past I paid the moderate sum it takes to send the sails off to SailCare - they come back crisp, clean and like new.
I have bought and sold about 9 boats - I have always made money on my boats even after ALL expenses are taken into account - even the dock fees. Every boat sold to the first 3 people that saw them and many of the buyers are good friends. (I happen to take very good care of my boats, but some of them I just flipped after cleaning and buffing).
Regarding pricing to the market:
A sentimental price won't get it - what you think its worth and what its worth should not differ much. Shop around on the internet and your local sailing rags - it will become clear what your boat sells for.
Most pricing has at least 10% that can be taken off the top. Dealers charge 10% and their is no reason to use them unless you just want them to do what I advised above - which they will do - and run a few ads in local rags - (which generally cost practically nothing).
In today's market be prepared to drop 20% from your price. Be aware that boat prices will not reach their bottom in the current economic hangover we are suffering until another 1 or 2 years - prices will drop another 30 to 50% (in the Reagan recession that started in 1989, prices did not hit bottom until 1994 and by then boats that were 178K at the start were selling for 75K if you could sell them at all).
Clean it - buff it and you will sell it.
Fair winds,
David
Definitely clean the boat and buff it up. If it's out of the water - absolutely pressure wash and buff the outside and change the zincs and polish the prop!
Don't spend a nickle on pretty much any unseen problems. Other than anything that is a safety issue - and even then - telling someone about a problem is not always a bad thing - they don't necessarily mind doing something on their new boat, but the first time they see it - feel it and smell it - make it a good experience and you will sell the boat if you have priced it to the market.
Given the fact that your boat is a 1997 I'm assuming the sails will look great - in a couple of instances in the past I paid the moderate sum it takes to send the sails off to SailCare - they come back crisp, clean and like new.
I have bought and sold about 9 boats - I have always made money on my boats even after ALL expenses are taken into account - even the dock fees. Every boat sold to the first 3 people that saw them and many of the buyers are good friends. (I happen to take very good care of my boats, but some of them I just flipped after cleaning and buffing).
Regarding pricing to the market:
A sentimental price won't get it - what you think its worth and what its worth should not differ much. Shop around on the internet and your local sailing rags - it will become clear what your boat sells for.
Most pricing has at least 10% that can be taken off the top. Dealers charge 10% and their is no reason to use them unless you just want them to do what I advised above - which they will do - and run a few ads in local rags - (which generally cost practically nothing).
In today's market be prepared to drop 20% from your price. Be aware that boat prices will not reach their bottom in the current economic hangover we are suffering until another 1 or 2 years - prices will drop another 30 to 50% (in the Reagan recession that started in 1989, prices did not hit bottom until 1994 and by then boats that were 178K at the start were selling for 75K if you could sell them at all).
Clean it - buff it and you will sell it.
Fair winds,
David
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