Best way to sell a boat

Liquorish · 05-17-2021, 07:28 PM

Wanted some advice from forum members on the best way to sell my boat.
Contemplating, haven't yet fully decided to do so, but in case I do. Where have you all had the best luck, concerned about tire kickers, and not so serious buyers.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

8gv · 05-17-2021, 08:09 PM

Are trying to maximize your walk away money or minimize your aggravation?

In 2015 I sold a boat by brokering it with Irwin Marine.

It sold in a week.

It went for list price.

After their cut I had more cash left than I thought selling it myself might bring.

After I brought them the very clean boat there was ZERO effort on my part.

TheTimeTraveler · 05-17-2021, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

Are trying to maximize your walk away money or minimize your aggravation?

In 2015 I sold a boat by brokering it with Irwin Marine.

It sold in a week.

It went for list price.

After their cut I had more cash left than I thought selling it myself might bring.

After I brought them the very clean boat there was ZERO effort on my part.

And it is highly likely that whatever that boat sold for six years ago could be worth the same (if not more) today,

There is a serious shortage of new boats (just like new cars) and it has forced prices up on both new and good used boats.

Sounds like Liquorish just won the lottery!

8gv · 05-17-2021, 08:19 PM

When I sold with Irwin I also bought a larger brokered boat from them.

Just last week the salesman told me I would now likely get what we paid for it back then!

If it weren’t for the season that is already upon us I might sell now and buy new.

loony · 05-18-2021, 08:33 AM

Sold our boat on consignment at meredith marina. They even picked up the boat. Sold in about a week. We did make sure it was spotless before they came and got it.

winterh · 05-18-2021, 09:36 AM

If one was going to sell themselves how do you determine a fair price. I paid 72k new seven years ago. I googled my boat with year and model and found about a dozen spread across the country. Seems to be quite a range. Low at 50k in Florida to over 70 in Nebraska. Most in the low 60's. These are asking prices so who knows what they sell for. Does area of country have a large bearing on price?

burgerunh · 05-18-2021, 09:45 AM

If your boat is in good shape, and ready to go, it should be easy to sell in this market. The prices right now are astronomically high so shoot for the moon and see what happens. You can always negotiate or lower your price after a couple of weeks. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace should be all you need to advertise. Good Luck!

thinkxingu · 05-18-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burgerunh

If your boat is in good shape, and ready to go, it should be easy to sell in this market. The prices right now are astronomically high so shoot for the moon and see what happens. You can always negotiate or lower your price after a couple of weeks. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace should be all you need to advertise. Good Luck!

Agreed. Throw it up on Marketplace or the I Boat Facebook page with a reasonable asking price (which is higher than normal to begin with) and it'll sell by the weekend.

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burgerunh · 05-18-2021, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winterh

If one was going to sell themselves how do you determine a fair price. I paid 72k new seven years ago. I googled my boat with year and model and found about a dozen spread across the country. Seems to be quite a range. Low at 50k in Florida to over 70 in Nebraska. Most in the low 60's. These are asking prices so who knows what they sell for. Does area of country have a large bearing on price?

I would say that absolutely region of the country impacts the price. You figure a boat in Florida probably gets a lot more use and abuse than one in Nebraska. The one in Nebraska is likely used in fresh water only and stored half the year. The one in Florida was probably used in saltwater and used year round.

Descant · 05-18-2021, 11:41 AM

As we've seen on other threads, a dock or slip can make or break a sale. If you have a slip or valet, don't give it up because you aren't using the boat this year. Access to a slip may be worth a lot in determining eventual sale price.

I've bought and sold several boats with Irwin Marine. Good people, and their long standing good reputation makes for good relations with potential buyers.
BTW, it's easier to sell if the boat is in their yard, not at your dock or front yard.

Biggd · 05-18-2021, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquorish

Wanted some advice from forum members on the best way to sell my boat.
Contemplating, haven't yet fully decided to do so, but in case I do. Where have you all had the best luck, concerned about tire kickers, and not so serious buyers.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

You might want to ask a couple of the local marina's. A buddy of mine bought a used Pontoon boat last year that had sat outside in the sun too much with no cover so the interior was very dry and faded. He paid 35K for it, used it all last season the way it was but this year he decided he wanted to put all new seats in it. He asked the marina that he uses for a price and they told him they would buy the boat the way it was for 50K. They said after they redid the interior they could sell it for 70K. They have no boats, new or used. It's a great time to sell!

Liquorish · 05-18-2021, 04:38 PM

Guess I’ll give the dealer whom I purchased from a call. I like the idea of not much to do on my part! That being said, might be an easy sale on my own too. It’s gently used, 63 hrs and a 2020.

Ms Molly McKever · 05-18-2021, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

And it is highly likely that whatever that boat sold for six years ago could be worth the same (if not more) today,

There is a serious shortage of new boats (just like new cars) and it has forced prices up on both new and good used boats.

Sounds like Liquorish just won the lottery!

Any one know fee the marina's around the lake charge for selling a boat. Is it a flat rate or a %

hd333 · 05-18-2021, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquorish

Guess I’ll give the dealer whom I purchased from a call. I like the idea of not much to do on my part! That being said, might be an easy sale on my own too. It’s gently used, 63 hrs and a 2020.

Throw it on Craigslist for $75k, I bet it sells within a few weeks. That boat is basically new, a boat that sold new for $72k a year ago would now sell for $85 plus as a new boat.

Cash in if you want out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

8gv · 05-18-2021, 08:26 PM

Regarding price...

The intrinsic value of a boat for sale today matters little.

What matters more is what the alternative boat costs.

How much does today's new version of your boat cost?

How long must one wait for an ordered boat?

With boat manufacturing being disrupted by materials and possible labor shortages, how certain is the projected delivery date?

For the seller who paid $72k a few years back, I suggest that you price it close to what you paid.

Descant · 05-18-2021, 09:13 PM

This is a tough market to figure out. You want to "move up"
but the dealer has no inventory. Second question: "Can I get a slip?"

Pricestavern · 05-19-2021, 07:37 AM

I sold my boat last year via posting on a few Winnipesaukee-themed Facebook groups. Got a lot of attention and sold very quickly.

Biggd · 05-19-2021, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquorish

Wanted some advice from forum members on the best way to sell my boat.
Contemplating, haven't yet fully decided to do so, but in case I do. Where have you all had the best luck, concerned about tire kickers, and not so serious buyers.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

If you are on Facebook, Facebook market place has pretty much taken over from Craigslist.
Craigslist is nothing but scammers now.

Blue Thunder · 05-19-2021, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggd

If you are on Facebook, Facebook market place has pretty much taken over from Craigslist.
Craigslist is nothing but scammers now.

Totally agree. Craigslist is nothing but scammers. At least you’re dealing with a name and a profile when using FB Marketplace...

MAXUM · 05-19-2021, 12:30 PM

Craigslist works if used wisely.

I put my boat on there a couple of months ago, it sold in three hours. I NEVER post my phone number only an email address. I ask those that are interested to respond back to me and provide a name and contact number. Takes two seconds to do a reverse lookup on any number provided to ensure the number is legit, plus it gives me the chance to review the email sent to ensure I have a serious buyer on the other end.

thinkxingu · 05-19-2021, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Totally agree. Craigslist is nothing but scammers. At least you’re dealing with a name and a profile when using FB Marketplace...

Marketplace is no panacea, either, though. Crazy low-ball offers, no-shows, and tire kickers galore.

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DesertDweller · 05-19-2021, 12:58 PM

I sold a boat through a marina last year and, to me, it's the way to go. The marina told me to list it for a higher price that I thought was realistic but I had multiple offers within the first couple of days and sold it for pretty much the price the marina recommended. Closed within a week and the marina did all of the paperwork and handled showing the boat. Yes, I paid the marina a commission but it saves a look of hassle/headaches. There's not much new inventory out there so if you have a clean used boat it will likely sell very quickly.

Biggd · 05-19-2021, 03:30 PM

That's what you have to deal with when you sell it on your own. If you don't want to deal with that then you will have to pay someone a fee to do it for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Marketplace is no panacea, either, though. Crazy low-ball offers, no-shows, and tire kickers galore.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Juiced06GTO · 05-23-2021, 08:30 AM

If our vacation was earlier this year I would highly consider taking it on vaca and selling it right after, I may still although who knows what the market will be in late August! I just saw my exact boat posted for sale, same year, color, and options, posted for 36K with similar hours to mine, I paid 20k 5 years ago....I don't see it up anymore so am assuming it sold. What is crazy is mine is in better shape than the one that was posted and has been upgraded substantially over the last few years with radio/electronics/led lighting etc....who ever thought a boat would be an investment haha!

05-17-2021, 07:28 PM	#1
Liquorish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Medfield Ma & Meredith Nh Posts: 93 Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	Best way to sell a boat Wanted some advice from forum members on the best way to sell my boat. Contemplating, haven't yet fully decided to do so, but in case I do. Where have you all had the best luck, concerned about tire kickers, and not so serious buyers. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

05-18-2021, 11:41 AM	#10
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,310 Thanks: 1,328 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,047 Posts	Storage? As we've seen on other threads, a dock or slip can make or break a sale. If you have a slip or valet, don't give it up because you aren't using the boat this year. Access to a slip may be worth a lot in determining eventual sale price. I've bought and sold several boats with Irwin Marine. Good people, and their long standing good reputation makes for good relations with potential buyers. BTW, it's easier to sell if the boat is in their yard, not at your dock or front yard.

05-19-2021, 07:37 AM	#17
Pricestavern Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Valencia, Spain (formerly Rattlesnake Isle) Posts: 388 Thanks: 135 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts	Fb I sold my boat last year via posting on a few Winnipesaukee-themed Facebook groups. Got a lot of attention and sold very quickly.

05-17-2021, 08:09 PM	#2
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,079 Thanks: 63 Thanked 721 Times in 470 Posts	Are trying to maximize your walk away money or minimize your aggravation? In 2015 I sold a boat by brokering it with Irwin Marine. It sold in a week. It went for list price. After their cut I had more cash left than I thought selling it myself might bring. After I brought them the very clean boat there was ZERO effort on my part.

05-17-2021, 08:19 PM	#4
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,079 Thanks: 63 Thanked 721 Times in 470 Posts	When I sold with Irwin I also bought a larger brokered boat from them. Just last week the salesman told me I would now likely get what we paid for it back then! If it weren’t for the season that is already upon us I might sell now and buy new.

05-18-2021, 08:33 AM	#5
loony Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 104 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Sold our boat on consignment at meredith marina. They even picked up the boat. Sold in about a week. We did make sure it was spotless before they came and got it.

05-18-2021, 09:36 AM	#6
winterh Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 246 Thanks: 26 Thanked 134 Times in 61 Posts	If one was going to sell themselves how do you determine a fair price. I paid 72k new seven years ago. I googled my boat with year and model and found about a dozen spread across the country. Seems to be quite a range. Low at 50k in Florida to over 70 in Nebraska. Most in the low 60's. These are asking prices so who knows what they sell for. Does area of country have a large bearing on price?

05-18-2021, 09:45 AM	#7
burgerunh Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 100 Thanks: 7 Thanked 32 Times in 22 Posts	If your boat is in good shape, and ready to go, it should be easy to sell in this market. The prices right now are astronomically high so shoot for the moon and see what happens. You can always negotiate or lower your price after a couple of weeks. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace should be all you need to advertise. Good Luck!

The Following User Says Thank You to burgerunh For This Useful Post:
ApS (05-18-2021)

The Following User Says Thank You to Biggd For This Useful Post:
welovethelake22 (05-20-2021)

05-18-2021, 04:38 PM	#12
Liquorish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Medfield Ma & Meredith Nh Posts: 93 Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	Guess I’ll give the dealer whom I purchased from a call. I like the idea of not much to do on my part! That being said, might be an easy sale on my own too. It’s gently used, 63 hrs and a 2020.

05-18-2021, 08:26 PM	#15
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,079 Thanks: 63 Thanked 721 Times in 470 Posts	Regarding price... The intrinsic value of a boat for sale today matters little. What matters more is what the alternative boat costs. How much does today's new version of your boat cost? How long must one wait for an ordered boat? With boat manufacturing being disrupted by materials and possible labor shortages, how certain is the projected delivery date? For the seller who paid $72k a few years back, I suggest that you price it close to what you paid.

05-18-2021, 09:13 PM	#16
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,310 Thanks: 1,328 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,047 Posts	This is a tough market to figure out. You want to "move up" but the dealer has no inventory. Second question: "Can I get a slip?"

05-19-2021, 12:30 PM	#20
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	Craigslist works if used wisely. I put my boat on there a couple of months ago, it sold in three hours. I NEVER post my phone number only an email address. I ask those that are interested to respond back to me and provide a name and contact number. Takes two seconds to do a reverse lookup on any number provided to ensure the number is legit, plus it gives me the chance to review the email sent to ensure I have a serious buyer on the other end.

The Following User Says Thank You to MAXUM For This Useful Post:
ApS (05-19-2021)

05-19-2021, 12:58 PM	#22
DesertDweller Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV and Moultonborough, NH Posts: 366 Thanks: 24 Thanked 85 Times in 71 Posts	I sold a boat through a marina last year and, to me, it's the way to go. The marina told me to list it for a higher price that I thought was realistic but I had multiple offers within the first couple of days and sold it for pretty much the price the marina recommended. Closed within a week and the marina did all of the paperwork and handled showing the boat. Yes, I paid the marina a commission but it saves a look of hassle/headaches. There's not much new inventory out there so if you have a clean used boat it will likely sell very quickly.

05-23-2021, 08:30 AM	#24
Juiced06GTO Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 213 Thanks: 9 Thanked 84 Times in 49 Posts	If our vacation was earlier this year I would highly consider taking it on vaca and selling it right after, I may still although who knows what the market will be in late August! I just saw my exact boat posted for sale, same year, color, and options, posted for 36K with similar hours to mine, I paid 20k 5 years ago....I don't see it up anymore so am assuming it sold. What is crazy is mine is in better shape than the one that was posted and has been upgraded substantially over the last few years with radio/electronics/led lighting etc....who ever thought a boat would be an investment haha!