Listen Up: 6 Tips for Selling Your Boat
May 05, 2018
Selling a boat can be bittersweet. On the one hand, it's exciting to make room for something new, but on the other, your old boat has been a part of many happy memories. Give yourself the best chance at finding your boat a good home with these six tips.
Tidy up. Take every non-essential thing off the boat, and make sure that what remains is stowed neatly. You don't want to show a cluttered boat to a potential buyer. If your boat has a cabin, you might stage the space, like a real estate agent does with a house for sale, perhaps by setting the galley table or nicely making up the berths.
[caption id="attachment_748" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Photo: Larson Boats. (Like that table? Click the pic!)[/caption]
Clean up. Okay, maybe this is a no-brainer, but make sure your boat is nice and clean before you show it. Wipe down seats with a soft cloth or Armor All wipes, sweep and/or vacuum the flooring, and shine up the glass and chrome. Attack rust stains on fiberglass with rubbing compound. And see our tips for making your boat's stainless steel sparkle.
Freshen up. Even the cleanest cabins can smell musty if they haven't been opened up in a while. Air out the space, spritz some air freshener or fabric refresher around, or discreetly stash some air freshener sachets in the cabin. If you're using a freshening spray, try not to do so right before your buyer arrives to see the boat; the scent can be overwhelming if it doesn't have time to dissipate a bit.
Touch up. If your boat or trailer have obvious dings, you can touch them up with matching paint. Boating Magazine suggests spray-painting worn outdrive skegs, too.
Charge up. Especially if the boat has sat for a while, check the battery and charge it if it's low. Put fresh gas in the tank and make sure the boat will start right up. If you're going to be giving your prospective buyer a test drive, warm the boat engine up about an hour before he or she arrives.
Parcel up. Organize your boat's service records, title, and manual so the potential buyer can easily leaf through them. A folder, binder, or large envelope keeps everything neat.
Touch up. If your boat or trailer have obvious dings, you can touch them up with matching paint. Boating Magazine suggests spray-painting worn outdrive skegs, too.
Charge up. Especially if the boat has sat for a while, check the battery and charge it if it's low. Put fresh gas in the tank and make sure the boat will start right up. If you're going to be giving your prospective buyer a test drive, warm the boat engine up about an hour before he or she arrives.
Parcel up. Organize your boat's service records, title, and manual so the potential buyer can easily leaf through them. A folder, binder, or large envelope keeps everything neat.
