Tips for Selling a Sailboat in California

The First Impression.

Nothing makes a statement like a first impression. We have all grown up hearing this and it is true with boat buying/selling too. It is often at that first moment, a person decides whether or not they would like to see more of that boat. A clean, well maintained boat will attract better buyers and get you more $$. The following are some items to consider before listing your boat. Have the deck and hull been waxed and polished? Are the lines clean or do they look like they were lost at sea for years? Is the woodwork in good shape? Is the canvas in good shape and cleaned? Is there anything on the exterior of the boat that doesn’t look cared for?

A Clean Interior.

Hopefully they have taken the next step and want to look around the boat. Here is your chance to shine and to get them to “fall in love” with your boat. Here are some items to consider.

Does the interior look cared for and free of odors? Have all the floorboards been washed? Does the head smell? If so, flush with a cleaning solution and replace any hoses/clamps that are leaking or corroded. Are the cushions clean? How about the stove & fridge? Storage lockers? Remove as much of your personal items as possible to show how much room for storage there is. A cluttered boat with full storage lockers will look like it doesn’t have enough storage.

The engine room.

Buyers undoubtedly will be spending some time here. Nothing scarier than an engine that looks like it hasn’t been cared for in years. Wipe down any grease/oil that has dripped down on or below the engine. If there are any leaks, corrosion, old hoses, get them replaced. Make sure all fluids are full and clean.

Systems Check

Do all the boat systems work? Make sure all your systems are functional and working properly, especially the items you don’t use frequently. Do all the lights work? Radio transmitting/receiving? Autopilot synched with electronics? Refridgerator cooling? Batteries fresh? Bilge working? Generator charging properly? Buyers will want to switch on everything at some point, including those items you haven’t used in awhile, so be prepared. The less it is used, the better the chance it will fail when you go to use it.

Advertising your boat

Every broker is different in how he advertises your boat. How is your boat being advertised to prospective buyers? Print? Internet? Email? Does the company have a good reputation in the marine industry? We have mutliple marketing campaigns going all the time, your boat will be actively marketed on the major marine websites as well as marine publications to get your boat noticed, faster! We advertize in Yachtworld, Boats.com, Cruising World, Lattitudes & Attitudes, California Yachts, Yachts for Sale, Blue Water Sailing, & Facebook (yes, it works!) Click to see sample of our listings

Keeping it in top shape while listed.

You just never know when a buyer will come take a look at your boat. No quicker way to send a buyer running away then to have a dirty exterior. Pay the boat washer to come around a little more frequently while listed. Spend time on your boat making sure that everything is in proper working order and that you are not scrambling to fix something when a buyer is coming to take a look.

Thanks for taking the time to visit us at South Coast Yachts. We are sure your choice of working with us will be gratifying. Thanks again! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at 619-224-7784.