Generally, there is no shortage of advice when it comes to buying a boat. But what about when you want to sell it? Succeeding in a sale is not always easy, which is why we wanted to put ourselves in the shoes of a buyer… Because we tend to forget – and this is a truism – but a buyer has strong chances of one day selling his boat. How do you stack the odds on your side? Answers…
1 – Have your boat appraised to reassure the buyer
Expertise is a good way to reassure the buyer, especially when presented with a report. Above all, this makes it possible to demonstrate that, on the boat, everything is in good condition. This is a technical expertise, without price evaluation. An additional report will be necessary to obtain the price. It is up to the buyer to commission the expert author of the expertise or another if he wishes.
2 – Clean your boat to make you want
A clean boat will increase its chances of selling quickly. The goal is obviously aesthetic, but it allows, again, to reassure the buyer. Your unit must really have been cleaned from top to bottom, or rather, from the mast to the keel, passing through the bottoms of the holds. Don’t you feel the courage? Professionals take care of it very well and will certainly do it better than you, so do not hesitate to ask them. They will make an estimate before any intervention. Take the opportunity to clear the boat of all your personal belongings, groceries, decoration, so that the potential buyer feels in his “own” boat from the first visit. Seek to make your boat the most neutral unit there is.
3 – Be objective about the qualities and faults of your boat
Mentally make a list of the pros and cons of your boat. You’ve owned it for many years, so it makes sense that you know it like the back of your hand. Be prepared to answer the questions that often come up in a buyer’s mouth: Why are you selling? Can we discuss the price? Is it first hand? If it’s a motor boat, does it consume a lot?
4 – Choose the right price before selling
Want to sell? Get your boat right from the start at the right price! This is THE golden rule. Take help from the rating of L’Argus du Bateau, go see a professional or your dealer to get an idea of the estimate, etc. Look at the classifieds, but be careful: these are advertised prices and not sale prices, after negotiation.
5 – Make an inventory of your equipment
Your equipment list can tip the sale in your favor. This is an argument that justifies your selling price (if it is reasonable, of course), but above all, if it is complete, it will allow the buyer to tell himself that he can leave by just adding his touch personal. An inventory takes equipment into account, but it is not limited to that. You can also list the sails, rigging, fittings, etc.
6 – Tell the story of your boat
Do not hide anything, you are bound to latent defects. Did you stalk? Say it! There is nothing wrong with that, especially when the repair has been carried out in the rules of the art by a professional (supporting invoice).
7 -Provide official and up-to-date documents
Be ready to provide the necessary documents (administrative of course, such as the deed of sale, the pleasure sheet, etc.), but also the invoices for maintenance, wintering, renovation…
8 – Obtain for a sale between individuals or go through a professional
Generally, a professional will take over your used car cheaper than a private individual. Nothing illogical about that, because the pro will have costs for repairs, storage, offer a guarantee, etc.
9 – Organize a sea trial before selling
It seems illogical to buy a boat without trying it, whether it is a motor unit or a sailboat or without seeing its inner workings if it is afloat. It remains to be seen who pays in the event of a launch or dry run. As a general rule, the seller pays for these handlings if the buyer takes the boat. Conversely, the buyer will pay his costs if the transaction is not completed. But there is nothing official, everything is a story of compromise, of a commercial agreement between the two parties.
10 – Make sure you pay
Bank check, cash, transfer… All means are good, but they require verification, even for a bank check: check the solvency of the buyer with his bank, contact his agency. Hence the interest of carrying out the transaction on a working day or, failing that, of requesting a deposit or a deposit. Please note that there is a difference between the two: a deposit is recoverable by the buyer if the transaction does not go through; conversely, deposits are cashable and non-recoverable.
