How to sell a vessel is a question we often overlook, but it is crucial to complete the sale of our boat smoothly and promptly. It can be a short and simple process or long and tedious depending on the steps taken. Selling a boat requires proper preparation to ensure a smooth sale without surprises and to get the best price.
The first step is to empty the boat of unnecessary items that take up space, such as clothes, towels, skis, water toys, fishing gear, etc. When it's empty, it gives a feeling of more space. Then, thoroughly clean the interior, furniture, bathroom, carpet, upholstery, and bedding if any. If you're not planning to use the boat again, you only need to do it once, and when a customer enters your vessel's interior, they will have a positive feeling of space, and if they like the boat, even a sense of belonging, as the spaces will be empty and ready for their new owner.
Lastly, and no less important, clean all bilges, the engine, thoroughly clean the exterior stainless steel parts, exterior awnings, teak, and deck. Once this is done, further cleaning will be maintenance.
Finally, in the technical aspect, check the condition of the batteries, the systems, and perform engine maintenance if not already done. This is a positive point for future buyers, even if the sale price increases slightly. The buyer will have fewer reasons to negotiate for a price reduction and will find a second-hand boat that inspires confidence from the start.
We always recommend seeking professional help. There are marine service companies in your port that can handle all the sales procedures and guide you through every step of the process, which can be listed on professional portals like Boatsall.com
Documentation
Make sure the documentation is in order, meaning the ship's technical inspection, EPIRB, and/or life raft are up to date if required. Also, keep maintenance and repair invoices if available, as well as the boat's manuals, electronic equipment manuals, and other instruments on board.
If the boat is under a foreign flag, ensure that the documentation is correct; you can always use a marine management service.
Although we may sometimes think the market price is the price of the same boat found online, this is only an approximate estimate in some cases but never accurate. Many factors affect the price, such as foreign flags, whether VAT has been paid or not, and for boats over eight meters, the buyer will always have to pay a registration tax if it is under a foreign flag, which is a significant amount, over 13%.
You also need to consider the extra features installed, which can greatly influence the price, the boat's real condition, and whether any major repairs are needed. As mentioned earlier, we always recommend consulting your trusted marine service provider, who can advise you and help you bring the sale of your boat to a successful conclusion.
If you are taking the photos yourself, ensure they are high-quality and capture all the boat's areas without missing essential details like the engine, mast, or other sensitive areas. This way, the potential buyer can have a full visual experience when viewing the listing. If you decide to leave the sale to a marine service provider, you will have made a wise choice. They will create a complete photo report, highlighting the boat's potential in every shot, as part of the sales process. Regarding marketing, there are professional sites like Boatsall.com where industry professionals will list your boat, providing it with broad exposure both nationally and internationally.
In conclusion, you may have heard that the two best days are when you buy the boat and when you sell it. But in reality, there are many pleasant days in between, both at the port and at sea, where the most enjoyable and satisfying aspect is disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
21-09-2024
