Advice on how to sell

[Chris_Robb]

I am about to sell my Victory 40 "Corsair" referred to as the double decker in recent post by Mr Virtual sailor- a much loved and cherished boat. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the purpose of buying her - extended voyaging - will not be acheived as SWMBO really only likes fine weather and Gin and Tonics.

How would you go about selling her - Broker - Private sale - or what. Which broker would be the best for this older type of boat? I had been considering Williams and Smithells.

Any comments greatfully received - of course if you did know of someone looking for such a brilliant bluewater yacht..... a PM or 2 would be appreciated.

Chris

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Stemar]

I wish I could buy her, but alas, reality and the Bank Manager rear their ugly heads!

I don’t know about brokers, but one thing I’ve gleaned from nosing around boats and boaty forums, is that for your boat to sell, she needs to look loved – clean, smelling fresh, etc. No matter how many boxes she ticks from a sailing point of view, if her prospective skipper’s admiral doesn’t like the grubby curtains, ‘She Who Must Be’ will be, and they’ll go elsewhere.

(Apologies to the many excellent lady skippers, and anybody else I’ve managed to insult out there, but you know what I mean!)

Good luck!


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Agreed - started the process of decluttering, and cleaning - yes - they have got to be sqeaky clean to get passed initial inspection.

Arriving at the right price is a problem too - I have noticed that a lot of boats initially have a highish price on them - invariably you see them at a reduced price some months later.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[DeeGee]

Agree about appearance, inside and out, get rid of the aspidistra for a start... I would consider moving her to a clean hard (if out of water) or marina (if in) - should you have any doubts as to the state of her current environment. A boat will sell better from good company. Make sure the boat is warm and dry when visitors come a-looking. I looked at a Bowman 48 recently, and it was a big put-off that the boat was damp-ish and cold, specially for her indoors.

<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all

 

[1114C]

A lovely looking boat indeed

There is one for sale at Kip Marina ("Fiona" I think) which has been for sale for a good while - always admire her when I pass and amazed noone has bought her

Can only agree with the previous posts - as soon as you go on board and you get the idea of a lack of care on cleanliness and appearance you wonder what else the past owner has not cared about



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

The boat is currently in the water, but coming out in 2 weeks at a small yard (Wilsons) on hayling island for the rest of the winter.

Do people prefer to see a boat in its element (water) or would they be concerned that the owner was not pulling out for the winter? (she has always been out over winter before)

I run a dehumidifier over the winter and run the heating regularly so I hope I will pass that one!


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[DeeGee]

Half the world likes out, the other half likes in. Personally, I prefer 'in' her element, with haul out for the surveyor.

Keep the heater at warm, not just above ice level. The warmth is all pervasive, in the woodwork, cushions etc. Makes the boat nice and womb-like. In the water gives the rocking motion to complete the subconscious association! ;-)

<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all

 

[jimi]

Acshully some radical things need doing .. get rid of that unsightly second sticky up thing .. get some decent venetian blinds and refurbish the upholstery on the cane furniture .. in fact you''l get more money by sellin off all the bits individually .. I know Para is interested in sails,JohnM in a conservatory and TwisterKen in anything that moves ..

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..

 

[jimi]

In is easier for a test sail

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..

 

[ParaHandy]

Re: London Taxi Cab driver writes ....

'ere mate, sell me the engine? good runner that one ...

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[qsiv]

Disappointing - but I'm going through the same process. I'm using a broker, if only for the advertising, as I will probably choose to show any prospective buyers round the boat.

Does this mean you'll be able to sign up for the infamous "sail around the bay", as TK described? After his recent effort I would expect a pull out supplement, not just 3 or 4 pages! I thought we could do a "SB goes racing" if the boat arrived in time for the RTI and isn't committed elsewhere.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: London Taxi Cab driver writes ....

Ay - bout time you upgraded yon auld bateaux ainit.

Spect I'll be having withdrawal symtoms soon.....

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

The one in Kip started at £75,000 and is now on at 65,000. so was obvoiusly way over the top.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Nah - all bloody Para wants is the engine for his taxi.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Robin]

Sea Ventures at Hamble did a good job for us when we sold our W33. They have a deal that they will collect and deliver to Hamble FOC, you then pay for liftout, then they store free for 3 months on their walkway sales area whilst they sell her. They did a very professional brochure with colour pics and gave us the impression at least that ours was the only boat they wanted to sell. In the end they collected her on the Wednesday and sold her the following weekend! If you are about to spend money on storage ashore this could be a good deal.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Up for anything as I'll (hopefully now I've made the decision) - be boatless. so a SB race round the bay sounds interesting!!!!

Hope your sells ok

Chris



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Sorry to hear that your selling. On the "in" or "out" aspect, I'd put my £0.02 on the "out" side - this (to my mind) has benefits:

o They get a chance to see the whole boat before the survey
o It reduces the cost for any buyer to do a survey of the boat
o Only really keen people want a test sail - so they will pay for lift in/out

They would have had to for a survey, so less time wasting "free test sails". After all, a serious buyer will be able to judge how she'll sail from looking at her. This is how I would have prefered buying a boat - instead the survey on Aeolus cost us £700 by the end of the day, since she was in the water.

So that was 3p worth.

Regards, Jeff.

(OK, I know we did buy her anyway, we fell in love with her at first sight, after that it was not if but when)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Our next door neighbour is one of the owners of Seaventures - hence Im very carefull about not slagging off Jenneaus!!!!! He would be well pleased with your comments.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Good point - the last thing I want is to give joy rides to non serious people. The kind of Guy buying an older heavyweight like a Victory will know what he wants and what he wants to do with her. They will also know that the chances that a Van de Stadt design will be a bad sailor are about the same as the Pope not being a catholic!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Rowana]

All I can say is that I hope that ERNIE is good to me and comes up with enough beer tokens! I may even splash out a quid on a lottery ticket this week! (That's a big MAY, me being an Aberdonian!)

Otherwise, best of luck with the sale.

<hr width=100% size=1>