Selling Tips
Selling The Boat Yourself
There are many people who simply like to do it themselves, be it installing their own radar set or selling their boat themselves. As with many other do-it-yourself projects, for some the reward is worth the effort, fortunately, there are a lot of excellent tools available to you to make the process easier.
One great tool is the Internet. Unlike printed mediums, such as classified ads where your boat appears as a two-line teaser, your listings can be as complete as possible, with all the details you can think of thrown in, and phone numbers and email where you can be easily contacted.
Tips on creating an effective listing
When creating your listing, complete as much of the standard form as possible, especially information involving the engines. For the description/condition and additional features, do a complete walkthrough of the boat and list the standard equipment and features area by area. Don't forget electronics, upgrades and information about the condition of the boat! For late-model boats, we often have much of the information already entered for you, including dimensions and a complete list of standard equipment to save you time.
We recommend multiple photos to enhance your description. Take pictures of the engine, cockpit, staterooms, bow, stern, or anything else that enhances your description and helps to sell your boat.
When pricing your boat, view comparable boat listings on Boats.com to determine a fair asking price. Keep in mind that in certain areas of the country season also plays a factor, and that a boat may be worth less at the end of one boating season that the beginning of the next.
Create and display a full motion video of your boat for sale with a Boats.com Video Brochure. A Video Brochure adds action to your listing and can be created quickly and easily using your own photos. These professional quality presentations combine background music, narration and video-like effects to highlight the features of your boat and to grab the attention of potential buyers. For more information on creating a Video Brochure, please click here.
Once your listing is online
Listing your boat is only the beginning of the selling process. Respond to inquiries as quickly as possible. Your buyers are accustomed to the quick response they receive from professionals, and you will be competing with them. You may be asked for additional photos of specific areas of your boat, or additional information about the condition. If you find that you have missed something in your description or are regularly asked for a photo of a specific feature, you are always welcome to return to Boats.com and modify your listing free of charge.
You may also get questions from potential buyers about financing and shipping of your boat. To help, Boats.com offers boatsbank, which brings multiple lenders together to find the best rate or program for your buyer, and boatshipping, featuring dependable transportation companies that know how to move boats safely.
If you find that showing and marketing your boat yourself is not for you, you can always contact one of Boats.com’s brokers or dealers who would be happy to offer their professional assistance in helping you sell your boat.
