In or out of the water when selling

Frontier

Frontier

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I have asked this before, but maybe worth an update. The boat is currently out of the water and that seemed to be the advise when you are selling, but I cant help thinking they look better afloat. Of course the problem then is, where is the cheapest place in the Solent to keep her on a pontoon.

With the weather they way it has been recently makes me want to keep her, but working 6 days a week for the foreseeable, it doesnt make sense.

Cheers

D
 
Frontier said:
Yes that was my thinking. You need to know you can live with a boat before you think about a survey.
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Having been looking to buy recently , I am undecided. There is something nice about being able to see the full hull and props/shafts/outdrives all polished and painted out of the water and be able to see any damage which might save you getting to the stage of a sea trial or survey
 
Boats look better in the water, it's where they are designed to be, so long as in the water means marina & easy access. If in the water means swing mooring somewhere then better out the water. IMO
 
It's going to have to be both in and out of the water at some point during the buying process so I would go for the option that allows you to keep the boat as clean and presentable as possible. Out of water the buyer can have a good walk around the boat and see it from all angles. That might not be possible on a pontoon. In the water seems more natural and allows for easier sea trial but you don't want to be taking it out every 5mins for trials.

I don't think either option is wrong. Much more important is to keep it presentable especially with the sun out :) :) :)
 
Many people have no idea of how a boat feels so if it's out then they won't want to pay to have it launched for a sea trial only to find they don't like it. If it's in then they can try it before deciding on a survey.
 
U4 said:
One other bonus of keeping it in is the fact that you can still have use of it until its sold..
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True, but that also means keeping it clear of your personal junk, and alot of cleaning. Fair enough if, as you say, you will be using it. If not, I would say keep it out. Easier to clean, get some a.foul on it, clean the props etc...It also requires a bit more conviction from the buyer to go further, which isnt a bad thing. You can always take some lift in/out costs if you feel it is going somewhere, but the idea of some upfront costs as a commitment stops,I think, the time wasters.
It might also take a year to sell, so out could have advantages.
 
Our 1st and 2nd boats were viewed in the water but this one, we viewed out. It was great to be able to have a thorough look at the hull and everything else normally below the waterline. Also, it gave a much better idea of just how big these boats are. However, if you've got her in the water and in beautiful surroundings on a lovely summers day, then 'in' may well tip that balance for some buyers??
L
:)
 
I asked the same question on the raggie section a few weeks ago as I was considering selling. The general opinion and advice from the broker was to have the boat on hardstanding so people can see the underneath and it could have a full survey without the need to be lifted out. However, it would have to be lifted in for a sea trial, so i remain unconvinced. But possibly a sea trial is more important when selling a mobo than a sailing boat? So maybe it's better for a mobo to be in the water to get the interset prior to a survey, also (I'm told) people are more inclined to buy a mobo on a spur of the moment, where as raggies like to bang the hull and wiggle anodes etc.
 
The normal process is for the sea trial to take place after the survey - not a demonstration run. Out of the water is better for keeping the boat in presentable condition, reducing the cost of the survey and in most cases easier access for potential buyers.

No right or wrong, but out of the water is more common, particularly if going through a broker and having the boat in a display area.
 
Even then surveys dont give full assurance. When I bought her I had to fit new fuel tanks 2 months later, not covered in the survey because they couldnt be accessed.

I think I will just let the broker worry about in or out. Hopefully someone will be along soon so we can test the merits of each approach! :-)

Cheers

D
 
If it's out make sure you have reasonable access to the boat - at the very least a good ladder that is secure. I've felt like a freestyle climber trying to get on to some boats when they're on the hard.
 
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