I'm probably moving in the near future and will need to sell my 28' sailboat. I bought the boat 8 years ago from an individual that had listed it through a local agent. It was early March and the boat was out of the water at the boatyard at the time. The surveyor first checked it over while it was still out of the water, then had it launched for a sea trial and futher checks. The dealer and I were aboard for that sea trial and it turned out to be a great learning experience. There were a few repairs needed, including repair of the delaminated rudder which the former owner paid for. Anyway, it's been a great boat and well maintained since. The boat is currently in the slip at a boatyard. Here are my several questions: 1. If I do try to sell it on my own, would it be better that it already be out of the water or should I just leave it in the slip? 2. Who customarily pays to have the boat hauled and launched for the surveyer and what's involved? 3. Once hauled, should I leave it out of the water if the deal doesn't go through? 4. If I do try to sell it on my own but run out of time before my move, I would plan to list with a dealer then anyway (rather than try to sell from afar)? 5. Am I stupid to try to initially sell this on my own, or should I just list it with a dealer to start with? 6. If I do go with a dealer or listing agent, what is a customary sells charge? Thanks for any comments and advice!
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Selling
1. Leave it in the slip. I sold a C25 last summer without a survey, thus no reason to pull it out. 2. Buyer pays all. He's the one who wants to look at it out of the water, not you. How he has it done is up to him. Normally they'll pull it out, look at it and put it back. If I were you, I would not interfere unless you thought the guys pulling the boat were about to do something dangerous and/or that would hurt the boat. 3. Put it back in the water unless the surveyor finds something very serious that warrants being out of the water to be repaired. 4. If you are not there to clean it and show it, be nearly impossible to sell long distance. 5. Try yourself first. Nobody will keep it up better or be a more enthusiastic salesman than you. 6. In my part of the country the going rate is 10%.
1. Leave it in the slip. I sold a C25 last summer without a survey, thus no reason to pull it out. 2. Buyer pays all. He's the one who wants to look at it out of the water, not you. How he has it done is up to him. Normally they'll pull it out, look at it and put it back. If I were you, I would not interfere unless you thought the guys pulling the boat were about to do something dangerous and/or that would hurt the boat. 3. Put it back in the water unless the surveyor finds something very serious that warrants being out of the water to be repaired. 4. If you are not there to clean it and show it, be nearly impossible to sell long distance. 5. Try yourself first. Nobody will keep it up better or be a more enthusiastic salesman than you. 6. In my part of the country the going rate is 10%.
For whaterfver it is worth, I live in Massachusett
s and have found that it has become very difficult to sell large sailboats. By large, I mean anything 20+ feet. The primary reason is the complete lack of a place to keep it in the water. All of the moorings in MASS. are taken and no one is giving them up. As a result, the dock charges at marinas are out of site. I have a 23' sailboat in my backyard in nice condition that I will probably end up donating to the Maritime Academy. Just me thoughts here in MASS.
s and have found that it has become very difficult to sell large sailboats. By large, I mean anything 20+ feet. The primary reason is the complete lack of a place to keep it in the water. All of the moorings in MASS. are taken and no one is giving them up. As a result, the dock charges at marinas are out of site. I have a 23' sailboat in my backyard in nice condition that I will probably end up donating to the Maritime Academy. Just me thoughts here in MASS.
Selling
Mark: Good questions. From my experience as a part time broker, I think it doesn't matter if your boat is in the water or not. Any serious buyer of an inboard sailboat should have a survey done at his cost, and that survey should involve seeing the boat either on land or in the launch slings, and a sea trial. The buyer pays for any hauling or launching of the boat, too. Boats made by reputable makers, that are CLEAN, and show well, and where everything works, will sell fast. I would have to say however, that 28ft boats have fallen into something of niche market. They are neither big nor small. So if your boat is clean, shows well, is reasonably equipped, and priced right, it should sell. Be prepared to be flexible on your asking price and be prepared to negotiate. You will probably not get back everything you put in, but you would have gotten the pleasure out of the use of the boat. Think of selling your boat like you would a used car -- the boat is not an "investment" with increasing value -- unless you've got some kind of boutique boat. Finally, brokers in our area are moving away from the normal 10 per cent commission for boat under 30 ft and many charge a flat fee, which is often $2,000. Do try to sell it yourself by advertising it here and other online sites. Hope this helps.
Mark: Good questions. From my experience as a part time broker, I think it doesn't matter if your boat is in the water or not. Any serious buyer of an inboard sailboat should have a survey done at his cost, and that survey should involve seeing the boat either on land or in the launch slings, and a sea trial. The buyer pays for any hauling or launching of the boat, too. Boats made by reputable makers, that are CLEAN, and show well, and where everything works, will sell fast. I would have to say however, that 28ft boats have fallen into something of niche market. They are neither big nor small. So if your boat is clean, shows well, is reasonably equipped, and priced right, it should sell. Be prepared to be flexible on your asking price and be prepared to negotiate. You will probably not get back everything you put in, but you would have gotten the pleasure out of the use of the boat. Think of selling your boat like you would a used car -- the boat is not an "investment" with increasing value -- unless you've got some kind of boutique boat. Finally, brokers in our area are moving away from the normal 10 per cent commission for boat under 30 ft and many charge a flat fee, which is often $2,000. Do try to sell it yourself by advertising it here and other online sites. Hope this helps.
Marketing a Sailboat
personally I don't like dealing with brokers. When it was time to sell my h34 I used one and was very impressed. He did however want to list it with a very high price which I refused. When issues were found on the survey the broker negotiated with the buyer and made a better deal than I could have. If you use a broker be sure NOT to sign an exclusive contract so you can sell it without yourself without paying his commission. I have bought and sold several vessels on ebay. This is a cheap and easy method to get a lot of exposure for a low price
personally I don't like dealing with brokers. When it was time to sell my h34 I used one and was very impressed. He did however want to list it with a very high price which I refused. When issues were found on the survey the broker negotiated with the buyer and made a better deal than I could have. If you use a broker be sure NOT to sign an exclusive contract so you can sell it without yourself without paying his commission. I have bought and sold several vessels on ebay. This is a cheap and easy method to get a lot of exposure for a low price
Selling your sailboat
My replies in order <G> I think it's best to leave the boat in the water if you are in Annapolis or nearby, it's springtime, and a sea trial will be most attractive to a potential buyer. A serious buyer is responsible for all costs related to a survey haul, and the survey. If the buyer decides to pass, and unless there are any problems, I'd refloat the boat and prep for the next sea trial. So far you have paid nothing. You are smart to try to sell it on your own, target your buying audience, you are the best broker for your own boat. No one has more enthusiasm for your boat than you, no one knows more than you do about your boat. Folks prefer to buy direct when possible, brokers are generally rated about as low as car dealers. Buyers would rather do business with the boat owner/seller. If you have to list with a broker, do some research and find someone who you trust, and you get a good feeling from when you talk to them. At best, that broker is looking out for himself not you. Find your target buying audience, network on the Sailnet List that is appropriate, advertise in small local papers. Be wise and be generous, right now there are way too many sailboats available out there. It is a BUYER'S MARKET! Good luck! Jim
My replies in order <G> I think it's best to leave the boat in the water if you are in Annapolis or nearby, it's springtime, and a sea trial will be most attractive to a potential buyer. A serious buyer is responsible for all costs related to a survey haul, and the survey. If the buyer decides to pass, and unless there are any problems, I'd refloat the boat and prep for the next sea trial. So far you have paid nothing. You are smart to try to sell it on your own, target your buying audience, you are the best broker for your own boat. No one has more enthusiasm for your boat than you, no one knows more than you do about your boat. Folks prefer to buy direct when possible, brokers are generally rated about as low as car dealers. Buyers would rather do business with the boat owner/seller. If you have to list with a broker, do some research and find someone who you trust, and you get a good feeling from when you talk to them. At best, that broker is looking out for himself not you. Find your target buying audience, network on the Sailnet List that is appropriate, advertise in small local papers. Be wise and be generous, right now there are way too many sailboats available out there. It is a BUYER'S MARKET! Good luck! Jim
BTW, what is your 28?
What is that 28 you are contemplating selling? Mfg? Draft? Power? We want to know <g> thanks, Jim
What is that 28 you are contemplating selling? Mfg? Draft? Power? We want to know <g> thanks, Jim
Some things no one else has mentioned
It doesn't matter what size the boat is, or whether it's power or sail... Take everything off that doesn't go with the boat...if they don't see it, they won't want it...but will if they do. Repair everything you know about...make sure everything works. Clean, shine--detail--the boat. Shiny clean ones sell a lot faster than boats that aren't. Make up a "spec sheet" for the boat that includes the make/model/year, a photo (preferably one taken on the water under sail...sell the "sizzle" along with the "steak"), and lists all equipment and anything else that goes with the boat. Also include any upgrades, options and any owner added extras, and make note of anything that you've recently added or replaced. Make sure your asking price and your phone # is on it. Make a bunch of copies...post 'em on every bulletin board that'll let you...and if your boat is in a slip, put some in a clear plastic sheet holder and hang the holder on a rail that's readily accessible from the dock, with a label on it "take one." It's prob'ly more of an issue with powerboats than with sailboats...but beware of "tire kickers" who want a "test drive" before they're ready to make an offer, especially after the weather warms up...'cuz the woods of full of people who have no intention of buying, they just want a boat ride...or two or three. Keep your antennae out...they're easy to recognize 'cuz they don't ask enough questions before they want to take the boat out. Just a few suggestions from someone who's bought and sold a few boats.
It doesn't matter what size the boat is, or whether it's power or sail... Take everything off that doesn't go with the boat...if they don't see it, they won't want it...but will if they do. Repair everything you know about...make sure everything works. Clean, shine--detail--the boat. Shiny clean ones sell a lot faster than boats that aren't. Make up a "spec sheet" for the boat that includes the make/model/year, a photo (preferably one taken on the water under sail...sell the "sizzle" along with the "steak"), and lists all equipment and anything else that goes with the boat. Also include any upgrades, options and any owner added extras, and make note of anything that you've recently added or replaced. Make sure your asking price and your phone # is on it. Make a bunch of copies...post 'em on every bulletin board that'll let you...and if your boat is in a slip, put some in a clear plastic sheet holder and hang the holder on a rail that's readily accessible from the dock, with a label on it "take one." It's prob'ly more of an issue with powerboats than with sailboats...but beware of "tire kickers" who want a "test drive" before they're ready to make an offer, especially after the weather warms up...'cuz the woods of full of people who have no intention of buying, they just want a boat ride...or two or three. Keep your antennae out...they're easy to recognize 'cuz they don't ask enough questions before they want to take the boat out. Just a few suggestions from someone who's bought and sold a few boats.
What Bert says, except it's only 6% here
for brokers. Also my local yard will do a "lunchtime haulout" for surveys, they pull the boat at noon then go to lunch and leave it on the hoist with some stands for a survey then when they come back it gets splashed. Little cheaper than regular standby charge.
for brokers. Also my local yard will do a "lunchtime haulout" for surveys, they pull the boat at noon then go to lunch and leave it on the hoist with some stands for a survey then when they come back it gets splashed. Little cheaper than regular standby charge.
Check with your marina
At my marina, they want a % of any boat that is advertised (for sale signs)and sold while in their slip. That's whether they are involved in the sale or not. It's part of the rental contract. On my last boat, I made sure that all advertising was word of mouth, on-line, or in the newspaper and made the sale while on the water with the eventual buyers.
At my marina, they want a % of any boat that is advertised (for sale signs)and sold while in their slip. That's whether they are involved in the sale or not. It's part of the rental contract. On my last boat, I made sure that all advertising was word of mouth, on-line, or in the newspaper and made the sale while on the water with the eventual buyers.
Another perspective
I'm probably a little strange but I'd rather deal through an agent than with the actual owner. The last thing I'd probably ever do would be to look at a "For Sale By Owner" house, purely for personal reasons, and I don't think I'd look at a boat again unless it was being represented by a broker. Just a glimpse into how the other half lives.
I'm probably a little strange but I'd rather deal through an agent than with the actual owner. The last thing I'd probably ever do would be to look at a "For Sale By Owner" house, purely for personal reasons, and I don't think I'd look at a boat again unless it was being represented by a broker. Just a glimpse into how the other half lives.
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