Best way to sell a proven blue water cruiser

[Erico]

Aliz Motte, our much loved Rival 34 is soon to go on the market following our purchase of a Rival 41. The question is, what is the best way to sell? Should I place her with a broker who will take 8% of sale price? She is epoxied, has a new engine and Aries gear and all the equipment necessary for shorthanded blue water cruising but at around £35,000 a broker would take around £3000!

She is located nearby on the River Orwell so easy for me to arrange visits. But costs of advertising would mount up if she didn’t sell quickly. What do you think?

Please excuse cross-posting.


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[Rob_Webb]

Try:

http://www.myboatdetails.com/

I used it to sell my boat last year. Very quick and successful. And you can get package deal to have baot also advertised in Sailing Today as well.

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[piscosour]

Does anyone know the best way to sell a second hand Ford Cortina. 47,000 miles, never been taken out in the rain, one lady owner, MOT and Tax, VGC, PAS, CC, PDM, etc Sorry to be flippant but it's a bit obvious.

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[Sea Devil]

Because it sells throughout Europe I have found 'Boats & Yachts For Sale' a very good way to sell boats in the past - If I were selling again I would certainly use them.



<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[BobOwen]

Bought ours via "myboatdetails" early this year. The boat was overseas but the ad had enough detail to get my interest. Some time after the sale, the seller told me she had had dozens of serious interest calls over the next month as it was mistakenly left on the site.

Today, the internet is a real help, but you have to use it correctly. From my experience of buying a boat via the net, I'd say there are a few essentials.

Have as many good pics on the ad as possible to generate initial interest.

Make sure there is a good description of the boat without going into huge lists.

Have plenty more high resolution detailed pics available for any requests that come in. (Engine, mast, instruments, windlass etc etc) and a full and comprehensive inventory to mail out to those interested.

And above all - be honest. You'll fool no none describing the gelcoat as new, when in fact its like a blackboard. You'll only antagonise the potential buyer, who may then overlook the rest of your boats vertues.

Carefull scrutiny of the pics gives the buyer a really good idea of what to expect when he arrives to view her. Our boat had dozens of pics showing just about everything. I requested a few more that came back next day. When I viewed her, she was almost exactly what I expected.

I did drive many hundreds of miles to view boats that looked ok from the fuzzy pic taken with someones phone. After the 1st two fruitless visits I didn't bother unless I could see plenty of good photos - why, when plenty of others do have them?

Finally, if you don't have a good digi camera or one you can beg or borrow, the cost of a good snapper (£100 - £200) is seriously less than the brokers fee and yours to use after!

Good luck whatever you choose.


<hr width=100% size=1>Beer - its not just for Breakfast you know.

 

[roly_voya]

Problem with selling blue water boats is that unless you sell them to blue water users they look at all that heavy quality equipment as unessessary cost not useful kit - have you thought of taking all the stuff off that you could use on the new boat and selling her as 'standard'

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[Rob_Webb]

What on earth are you talking about cos it's not remotely obvious to me?

In case it's a comment about it not being a suitable place then if you take a look you'll already find a Rival 36 for sale.

So I have't got a clue what you're talking about.

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[piscosour]

Sorry erico. I got the wrong end of the stick

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[Erico]

Thanks for all this good stuff. Looks like the internet is the way to go - but not surprising coming from we internet junkies.

Not sure about taking gear off. It really does depend what people want. I guess I could advertise her with basic equipment and then add an options list for people to pick and choose from.

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[pragmatist]

I'm not sure you should. Many people looking for an R34 will be keen to sail off - you could always put a note to the effect that you'd negotiate if someone didn't want it. But personally I always find a long inventory attractive - it's why I'd never buy a new boat because of the cost of adding all those items.

In terms of internet or private sale I still see a downside - at least with a reputable broker they sort out title and the all important money - admittedly at huge cost. But were we to sell - or buy - privately I'd be very very careful.

<hr width=100% size=1>a pragmatist is an optimist with a boat in the UK - but serious about not being in the UK !