You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the first impression your boat makes on buyers, online and in person, has a direct effect on how quickly it sells and for how much.
Clean it, then clean it again
A clean boat that is tidy and well organized tells buyers it was loved and well cared for, and leaves them with the impression that the things they cannot see are just as well kept. A dirty boat cluttered with unfinished projects gives the opposite impression.
- Wash, compound and wax the hull and deck
- Clean the bilges and engine room
- Take personal belongings off the boat
- Empty lockers so buyers can see the storage
- Air out the cabin and deal with any odors
Fix what a buyer will notice
Small, visible problems make buyers wonder about the invisible ones. Replace blown bulbs, fix dripping fixtures and repair obvious gelcoat damage before the photos are taken. Larger issues are usually better disclosed and priced in than half fixed.
Gather the paperwork
Maintenance records, receipts for major work, manuals, the title or documentation and any recent survey all build a buyer's confidence and speed up the closing.
Four mistakes to avoid
These are the mistakes that most often cost sellers time and money.
- Overpricing. Buyers research the market and skip boats that are priced high, and every month on the market adds holding costs.
- Overvaluing upgrades. What you spent on improvements is a sunk cost; buyers pay for the boat's condition, not your receipts.
- Listing before the boat is ready. The first two weeks draw the most attention, so do not waste them on a boat that is not clean and photographed.
- Being hard to show. A boat that is difficult to access for showings and sea trials loses buyers to the one that is not.
Want a broker to walk you through it?
How we sell boats
