Preparing Your Boat For Sale
Putting in the effort
At any one time, there are many boats for sale and probably several like yours on the market, at the same time that you want to sell your boat.
Timing is important and boats tend to sell from early spring onwards, through to the month after the Boat Show at Southampton, in October. Unfortunately this can mean preparing your boat in the cold and potentially damp months or February and March, just when your boat is looking at its worst! But don't let this put you off; the early bird catches the worm as they say. Others experienced in selling boats will know this and will try to be the 'early birds' in the marketplace and you need to be there too.
So, if you want to sell your boat quicker than the rest then your boat needs to stand out from others on the market; and that requires effort, as well as a little investment.
Cleaning
Your boat needs to be clean and kept that way during the time that it is up for sale. So, for example, the hull, the superstructure, the decks, rails, windows, carpets, curtains, galley surfaces, toilet, bilges, engine compartment, fenders, canvas covers and sails. Your boat needs to show visually just how much care you've probably taken over the years, even if it is looking a little weary and well used by now. None of us live in a showhouse but that's how it has to be, if you want your boat to stand above the crowd.
Operational checks
Check everything operational, to see that they function correctly, in particular that the engine starts easily from cold, as well as from a warm start, that rigging and sails operate smoothly, and that the navigation lights work, as should the horn, bilge pumps, internal lights, winches, heating, gas appliances, generator, cooking facilities, taps and toilets.
Also, if there is any ancillary equipment, safety or otherwise, that you plan not to include in the sale of your boat, remove it, at the very least when the boat is being viewed. What the purchaser doesn't see, they're less likely to worry about or miss.
Replace or refurbish
Within reason, replace or at the very least refurbish anything that simply won't clean up, is badly worn, or is not working. So bulbs, punctured or badly stained fenders, badly worn lines, rigging, and torn sails. If the boat is out of the water, check the condition of the antifoul and decide whether it will bear inspection or needs re-coating. Also check the prop for condition and alignment.
Engine checks
Then there's the engine. Check the oil and water levels, consider whether it would be better to have the engine serviced before sale, so that you'll have documentary evidence of care, as well as have an engine that will start first time and have clean oil in it. Also look around the engine and check for worn hoses, connectors and fuel lines that would be better replaced.
Self Appraisal
And when you've done all of the above, use our appraisal checklist for buyers in this guide and carry out an objective self appraisal of your boat. You might as well confront what buyers are likely to say to you in advance, so that you can decide what your responses will be.
Maybe they bought a boat that they found too big or difficult to manoeuvre for their experience, or they got into a situation that they found frightening, through a lack of confidence or knowledge. Although they often won't admit it, it is usually for these kinds of reasons that the few people who regretted buying a boat, did so. They obviously wanted to be on the water, they just needed to buy a boat that matched their needs, abilities and maybe in some cases limitations.
Think very carefully about what you and your family want out of a boat before you take one step outside your door into the world of boat buying.
Use our Lifestyle Checklist to help you decide.