If you were going to list your boat...

[Brian D]

And you have an online ad with a 'single' photo, what angle of the boat would you use for the photo? Although I am not selling my Lancer, I have looked at other ads just to get an idea for the photo.Here is my recent photo of the boat and I think it would be a good photo for an ad.

 

[Scott]

Impressive

The impressive transom mount of the outboard looks like it is something that should be displayed to adequately sell the boat in this case.

 

[NautiDuck]

Too much

going on in that photo. I'd have a picture that included fewer other boats, masts, sail covers, etc and that focused all of the attention on your boat. Personally I like a photo that shows the bow.

 

[Claude Labrecque]

Photo

I think I agree with Randy. There is a lot going on in this picture. The green sail cover in the back ground and the numerous masts and piling make it difficult to see your rigging clearly. I would prefer a more complete view with a simple and uniform back ground.Just my opinion!

 

[Marcia]

Nice shot but.....

I would also prefer a bow shot, or most preferably an under sail shot. While shopping for our boat we did alot of climbing in and out of boats for sale. Hint: CLEAN it up. Just like a house, stage it - clear out the clutter and majority of personal possessions. Use some potpouri to add a nice scent (or help hide a bad one), make all the bright work sparkle, get rid of the partial booze bottles. Clean the woodwork, stove, fridge, head, and touch up the scuffed paint. Good luck!

 

[Marcia]

Brian D. - I didn't mean to imply...

that the response I just wrote was in reference to YOUR boat!! Once I sent the reply I realized that you may take it that way! Most all of boats we saw were filthy, so it made a BIG impression on me when we found our boat spotlessly maintained, even in the dead of winter!

 

[Joe]

boat photo

I concur with those that say there's too much clutter in the background. If you only have one photo, try to get a complete picture from the side to show the sheer and the rig. I would anchor the boat somewhere that I could photograph it without the other boats in the background and so one could see how the boat sits in the water. If I could only use one picture, then a well composed side shot, taken slightly back or forward of center at slightly above deck level with a neutral background (water would be good) would be my choice.That said, I like the idea of your shot but it doesn't show the complete boat. Most boat listings use a 3/4 bow shot because the photographer is standing on the dock and they need a quick photo. Take a look at any manufacturer's magazine ads or brochures and you'll never see a picture of a boat sitting at a dock with a bunch or other boats. Even the brokerage shots in major magazines try to avoid including other boats in the background. So take the time to position your boat in a setting that maximizes its beauty and function.When I sell, I'm going take pictures of my boat under all points of sail with a few friends in the cockpit enjoying a beautiful day. I want to click the prospective buyer's "hot button" so that he pictures himself in my boat.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

2 shots

1. Taken from one side of the cockpit looking up the gunwale while on a 15 degree tilt, at the shiny fiberglass and the rail nearing the waterline. 2. Close up of the boat under spinnaker. Nothing like that to sell the look. My hot tip for selling a boat is to replace or at least thorougly wash all lines. Besides giving a nice curb appeal, it suggests great care by the owner for PM.

 

[John Nantz]

Fenders - ugh!

Lots of good ideas here and it's an excellent question because we'll all, or our estate, be selling the boat sometime.One of my pet dislikes in a photo is seeing fenders over the side. Flipping through boat magazines with dealer display ads or owner ads with pictures of their boat for sale it seems that there are numerous times when there are fenders deployed and no dock! The fenders really detract from the smooth topsides and nice shear lines.The idea of a clean background is good too - no clutter of other boats, especially one with a marina setting.

 

[Brian D]

Thanks all for your comments...

And no problem Marcia, I knew what you meant. I too agree with all that the background is way too busy. But my thought on this was the fact the boat has a nice swim step on the stern. Something that is not found much except on the Hunters.Agree also that there are some very good ideas. Arigato, ne?

 

[Rick Belew]

Get 4 pictures with one photo

I used a beam shot and copied and paste other features about the boat. It like getting 3 or 4 pictures in one photo. It is under 320 in the classified.