How long does it take to sell a Boat/Yacht

[nordic_ranger]

I've been trying to sell a small yacht for a friend for some time now. The yacht is well found with no apparent problems except for slight osmosis has good sails and an almost new engine. The asking price is very reasonable too, it reflects the age and condition of the yacht.
Is the market really depressed. The last time I sold a boat it took me 8 months but that was 7 years ago.
What do the learned members of this forum think?.

 

[landaftaf]

anything is only worth what ppl are willing to pay

I am looking to buy but why do it now when prices will drop /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[MoodySabre]

It took me about three months two years ago.

The problem with the boat will put off people new to sailing and who would otherwise be attracted by other benefits and reasonable price. You'll just have to wait for someone who is more confident and knows a bargain. Who knows how long that might take.

 

[nordic_ranger]

Fair comment, but when something is competitively priced to start with its hard on the seller.

 

[wotayottie]

Well it clearly doesn strike people as a bargain or it wouldnt still be here.. What is it? The boat market seems to be changing to more like the car market - ie why buy a second hand Westerley when for the same dosh you can buy a new Bav. And surely a 35 footer is a small starter boat etc.

So I get the impression that small boats from the 60s / 70s are not easy to move unless cheap.

 

[mainmarine]

Depends where you have it advertised, have you tried the owners association, boatsandoutboards, local free ads? as a last resort you could put it up for auction on eBay.

 

[johnalison]

The trouble is, slight osmosis = dry the boat out and fix it = probably lose a whole season, so why not get a boat ready to go. A friend of mine is trying to sell a fine wooden boat in A! condition but I expect he'll have problems too.

 

[moondancer]

How long is a piece of string?

What boat? How old? How much?

 

[NBDS]

The osmosis may dissuade some potential purchasers in this specific case but I agree there is also a wider problem.

The market for older boats, including those from respected brands built in the 70s and 80s is depressed and I think that's because people just don't see any reason to gradually work their way up through a progression of boats, building up skills, knowledge and confidence in the process. Boats of between 24 and 30 feet seem particularly affected as most potential buyers will view the accommodation as sparse compared with what's now available on slightly larger and newer craft. When we were buyers, I was persuaded that enhanced sea keeping qualities were reason enough to sacrifice accommodation but that argument seems less persuasive to others now that I am trying to sell !

Keen pricing may help but canny buyers are in no hurry to complete at this time of year and it is really hard to come up with a mutually fair price.

 

[Lakesailor]

Usually about 6 weeks on Boats and Outboards.
I've sold two small yachts, as mall mobo and a dinghty on there.
If it doesn't sell you've got the story wrong, the boat's not good or the price is too high.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Sold my boat (32') a few weeks back, advertised on boats and outboards, took about 3 weeks. I made sure it was well priced, ie lowest of its kind on the market and was clean and tidy and very well equipped. First person who phoned bought her.

 

[Captain Haddock]

Got a link to the advert so we can take a look and maybe give some feedback?

Many things can affect the sale does it look well kept? Is the interior clean? Is there a substantial history? What's the condition of the gear etc. etc.