My advert not working

Think about using a broker like Yachtnet. A lot of people are nervous about a private sale. Whether they are justified in thinking it's 'safer' working through a broker doesn't matter, it's their perception that's important.

Paying 8% for a sale is better than saving 8% on a non sale.
 
Twister Ken has got it right. You said you
I have looked at all the past advice given by forumites about presentation, price etc
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but the boat looks like a work in progress. There is nothing in the pics that would get me out out of my armchair.
The market is there for very clean and top quality boats, according to people on here. The other end of the scale is people looking to spend considerably less for a boat that looks tired and needs a lot of work. I know you have spent a lot on it, but it doesn't show cosmetically. That's what gets people out and viewing.

I had a quick Google and found an image of a Colvic Victor 34 at less than yours. (it is a Boatshed pic so I apologise for posting it here and will remove it if Boatshed ask, however a nice clean pic of a nice clean boat may attract a buyer, wherever it is posted)

Compare and contrast


Coachroof.jpg



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I'm also curious as to why you are selling. Obviously you don't want to give your life story in an advert but simply stating changed circumstances/medical reasons/whatever seems better than possibly leaving the impression that you just lost interest/turned out to be a dreamer - and might colour their impression of the boat accordingly.
This can also make a big difference if people perceive that you are under pressure to sell - they will then feel they have some leverage to haggle the price down, but in this case you are saying that you want a quick sale but won't accept offers which limits their approach - it feels a bit 'take it or leave it' with no room for them to negotiate. Perhaps stating 'priced for a quick sale' would give the right information without being too limiting; after all you'll probably get some silly offers but be in a comfortable position to politely decline...
 
TimBennet said:
Think about using a broker like Yachtnet. A lot of people are nervous about a private sale. Whether they are justified in thinking it's 'safer' working through a broker doesn't matter, it's their perception that's important.

Paying 8% for a sale is better than saving 8% on a non sale.
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There seems to be a half way house now. Look at https://www.fsbo-yachts.com/

Looks like, for a bit of money upfront you basically get a brokerage package and sell privately. Also, you get some feedback on who is actually looking at your ad.

Might be worth a punt. The site looks a bit American but does have a UK tel.
 
I think most has been said. I think it comes down to price. 9,000+ hits on mine and 2 enquiries over 4 months. I think will have to drop the price, but I am not in that much of a hurry to sell as I can keep mine outside the house at no cost.

I think a third of the boats in my marina are up for sale so the market is full of people selling up. I think people weathered the recession for as long as they could but many are now finding they are having to sell up as the number for sale seems to have risen dramatically where my boat is over the last year.
 
I think you have echoed the general situation.
Whilst the reports on business and housing are full of optimism, the people who are actually involved at the coal face are staggering to maintain their position. Many by trying to liquidate assets or reduce outgoings.
Yes there are people who crow about doing well. You would wouldn't you?
But the majority are looking to keep going by whatever means.

There may be people with money to buy boats, we see lots passing by on transporters. What we don't know is at what price a deal was made and if it's just the better boats that are shifting.
 
Despite some of the upbeat news reports the boat market does remain tough.

Yachtworld report sailing yacht sales are some 15% down on last year.

A few photos on a couple of websites and then sitting back waiting is really just hoping for the best.

Worse still you could pay someone upfront with a non-refundable fee to "sell" your boat, only to find you have to produce most of the details yourself and when it doesn't actually sell your money is gone forever.

You may get lucky but buyers have 1000's of boats to choose from so you have to be very very visible across multi advertising platforms and very proactive.

Here is one I have just listed. It took three days just to produce the photos and video let alone the inventory etc.

http://www.jryachts.com/boat-details?boatid=824456

Now it will be listed across multi yacht sales platforms (internationally), mailshotted to an active buyer database, telephoned to registered buyers and pro actively marketed across social media, twitter, various blogs, youtube (with daily monitoring of performance and tweaking of the SEO) partner organisations, additional co brokers and most crucially face to face marketing.

Prior to listing the yacht's title history, mortgage record and VAT status were checked so that any prospective purchaser will know it has already been done so they can feel confident arranging travel to view and surveys etc.

And despite all that it will still be hard work and take a lot of effort to find the actual buyer.

.....and then the work really will start with viewings, contracts, client accounts, surveys and legal transfer of title etc.


Best of luck with it all.
 
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Colvic Victor 34 is a real niche boat, biggish by any standards but only one sleeping cabin, and none too big a cabin at that for a 34 footer. That makes it very hard to appeal to families / grandchildren which is where 30+ footers are usually sold. The photos aren't special, the fore cabin looks much scruffier than I'm sure it is, the bed needs making and put some new linen on the duvet and pillows. The location is an issue for large numbers of viewings and the price is unlikely to get people excited. I'd serriously consider a broker, ask around locally for recommendations of brokers' who've done well for sellers. At the end of the day you'll need a combination of:
1. Good marketing
2. Sought after boat
3. Good equipment and ready to go
4. Keen price
5. Time to wait for a sale

To be honest, at the moment you've only really got number 3 and that isn't reflected in your photos. Good luck and I hope a good buyer comes your way.
 
The advert is average, it is not great. The first few photos which show the hull, are poor, the boat does not look clean enough to attract the attention and desire to carry on reading further. The photos do get better later but it is too late; you need to hit the advert with fresh, clean photos to begin with. It is a great boat and the price is right, but the advert lay out lacks excitement and it is not "sexy" enough. I hope this helps.
 
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