My advert not working

barryhall

barryhall

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I currently have a Colvic Victor for sale on Apollo Duck - 302677.

I have looked at all the past advice given by forumites about presentation, price etc. but have not had a single viewing.

Can someone look at the advert and give me an HONEST opinion as to where I am going wrong?

Price - I have had 1200 "hits" and I think it is realistic, but I could be wrong.

I have put "no offers" is this the problem?

Location - is it too far away (Cornwall)?

Photos - I have tried to show all the features and it is clean and tidy.

Description - can it be worded better?

Model - is it just an unpopular or niche boat?

Any advice? - constructive criticism gratefully received.

Barry
 
Looks like a good advert to me - well worded, good clean photos....and the price doesn't seem unreasonable given the money you have spent on her - if its any consolation it took 8 months to sell our last boat ; good luck!
 
barryhall said:
I currently have a Colvic Victor for sale on Apollo Duck - 302677.

I have looked at all the past advice given by forumites about presentation, price etc. but have not had a single viewing.

Can someone look at the advert and give me an HONEST opinion as to where I am going wrong?

Price - I have had 1200 "hits" and I think it is realistic, but I could be wrong.

I have put "no offers" is this the problem?

Location - is it too far away (Cornwall)?

Photos - I have tried to show all the features and it is clean and tidy.

Description - can it be worded better?

Model - is it just an unpopular or niche boat?

Any advice? - constructive criticism gratefully received.

Barry
Click to expand...

Like the ad, but do think the boat is niche (not knowing the UK market, though).
Bet the right person will show up eventually. (Oops just realized that you want to sell now - hope the right person shows up tomorrow).
 
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Advert looks fine to me. A photo of the new winches might help. You could add a photo of the engine bay but then you have additional photos upon request.
It may be worth adding if the mooring will be available to the purchaser.
 
The pics are fine; not outstanding but more than able to convey the tidiness and extent of the fittings and layout. (though the one of the mast and halyards makes them look a bit dirty and unused)

I'll take issue with the narrative at the beginning of the advert.

There is too much 'spoken' text. You need to hit the new reader with about three facts in the first impression, otherwise it is a pain to read through a lot of perfectly good, normal English prose - that unfortunately is how ads work.



I bought her in 2006 as a live-aboard with the intention of doing some blue water cruising when I retired.
Consequently, I have completed an enormous amount of work - all new standing rigging, the wooden bowsprit has been replaced with a stainless steel fabrication, new self-tailing lewmar winches and brand new vetus windlass.
The sails have been re-furbished and the Thornycroft engine overhauled. Mast steps have been fitted to both masts.
This boat is now ready for some serious cruising or alternatively she is an ideal live aboard as the deck saloon is light and airy.
The interior is functional rather than designer.
Has an extensive inventory including radar, chart-plotter etc. More photos available upon request.
Currently lying on a seasonal mooring in Cornwall.
I am after a quick sale so the price has been adjusted accordingly. The original survey report from 2006 is available for inspection.
PRICE NOW REDUCED FOR IMMEDIATE SALE
Just a note about the price - with the purchase price and subsequent upgrades, this boat has cost me in the region of £56k. I am asking less than half of this.


Something like:

Extensively re-fitted with new rigging and stainless bowsprit, new windlass, new winches, new anchor chain

Raymarine electronics and Autohelm.

Extensive LED lighting and tricolour

This boat is ready for long-distance comfortable cruising, or would make an excellent liveabord.

Presently afloat in Cornwall, ready for inspection, with recent survey.



Try to avoid whole sentences; use 'bullets'.

Don't mention total costs, it's frightening.


Later in the advert, just make a plain list of all the equipment:

Radar
Chartplotter
Deck stepped masts

etc



MMM ! I wish I had the money to buy her !
 
barryhall said:
Description - can it be worded better? Any advice? - constructive criticism gratefully received.....
Click to expand...

I can't answer for the 'niche interest' aspect, but I am aware that advertising copywriters win and keep their jobs by VERY careful crafting of language which is effective in engaging interest..... the 'hook'. Sometimes they pore over a phrase, and its effect, for hours before deciding to go with it. Those who are good at it catch many more inquiries/customers than those who aren't......

Much as I am interested in boats, the description I read didn't provoke, in me, an immediate desire to know more. In hyper-critical mode, I noticed 2 or 3 phrases that communicated/created 'negative mood'. Most people would respond that such was too nit-picking to be significant. I don't agree.

Something is needed to catch the eye and engage the interest. For example, I found myself peering at the jumble of halyards dangling from the mast, then wondered what it was the vendor actually wanted me to notice....

What is it about THAT BOAT that would provoke a dozen of us to phone/email for more info?
 
There's nothing essentially wrong with it. In fact it looks like one of the better adverts on Apollo Duck. I like the accommodation plan.

But . . .

Yes it's not a mainstream design (although there's nothing 'freakish' about it either).

It's a ketch.

It's in Cornwall. Together with Scotland, N Wales, Pembroke etc, you will never get as many casual viewers as the Solent / East coast areas, etc. Any boat that needs people to see it to really appreciate its qualities, needs to have feet on deck. Only if the 'type' is well known, is it easy to sell them remotely.

If it's on a mooring, then again people who only 'might' be interested won't bother to arrange a viewing. But any of these 'might be interested' people could easily full for its charms once they see it. So why make it hard for them?

You make a comment about the interior being more 'functional' than beautiful (or something) - there's no need for that - the photos reveal it for what it is.

Don't put the 'no offers' in the advert. You can decide when you get an 'offer' whether to take it. All boat buyers will want to haggle so they can think they are a) in control, b) getting a bargain. There's no point in turning down £28000 this Autumn if it's going to cost you over £1000 to keep the boat until next summer.

You say you've spent a lot of money on the boat. You might want to give more details of all the work done.

And specify the age / model / make of the electronics. (But note that if it is more than 3 or 4 years old, it contributes nothing to the boats value).

The Apollo Duck website is pretty clunky. Can you do your own boat website with a link from Apollo Duck (plus every other website you can get on) that can handle photos better.

Alternatively if you think a broker might be helpful, consider Yachtnet as they are Falmouth based, but work well with 'remote' buyers as the photos on their website are the best in the business. There's also a slight 'quirky' (old fashioned) feel to their website that seems appropriate for boats at the less 'mainstream' end of the market.

Good Luck
 
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barryhall said:
I currently have a Colvic Victor for sale on Apollo Duck - 302677.

I have looked at all the past advice given by forumites about presentation, price etc. but have not had a single viewing.

Can someone look at the advert and give me an HONEST opinion as to where I am going wrong?

Price - I have had 1200 "hits" and I think it is realistic, but I could be wrong.

I have put "no offers" is this the problem?

Location - is it too far away (Cornwall)?

Photos - I have tried to show all the features and it is clean and tidy.

Description - can it be worded better?

Model - is it just an unpopular or niche boat?

Any advice? - constructive criticism gratefully received.

Barry
Click to expand...

. What other steps have you done to promote the boat? A bit of marketing needed perhaps? IMO you need to use a broker - a good one is worth the commission and they will actively look for someone for you.

I just did a quick online search for Colvic Victor 34 and frond a number for sale in the UK from 19K to 35K. That is your competition - yours did not come up on the search....
 
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Pix -
The halyards hanging from the mast look like they haven't been cleaned this century.

The coachroof ahead of the pilot house needs a good clean, or a repaint.

Varnish on the coachroof window frames looks like it needs re-doing.

That patch of Treadmaster needs renewing.

The inside of the gunwale is very mucky.

Underwater, the antifoul seems to have been partially stripped and not redone, and there's a nasty looking patch just ahead of the keel.

Looks like corrosion on the P-bracket.

The last exterior shot shows her with work going on and is very unflattering.

Interior shot with table - upholstery looks terminally worn on corner nearest the camera, table top has four nasty non-wood bits showing.

Heads look unappealing and maybe unhygienic. Maybe remove this shot?

Shot of the corner of the saloon - rubbish bag on floor, manky looking curtain or towel obstructing the view, curly carpet visible on deckhouse floor.

Second pic of galley - tiles need re-grouting.

Foredeck shot - Treadmaster and visible GRP looks mucky.

Words - very factual but nothing emotive - "fantastic long-distance cruiser" "easily handled by two" "in tip-top condition" "lots of money spent, now ready to go" "genuine live-aboard comfort" "warm and cosy" "just right for year-round sailing", etc

Well, you did ask!
 
Look like a pretty good advert to me. The only thing I would change is your use of the word "fabrication" in relation to the bowsprit. We know what you mean but at first reading it sounds a bit like "bodge". Perhaps "specially designed" would sound better? Just a thought. :)
 
Twister_Ken said:
Pix -
The halyards . . . .
Click to expand...

Ken's comments made me go back and have a closer look at all the photos.
And . . . he's right!

For example - think about what the photo or the prop says to help sell the boat. All buyers will know it has a prop and a description would tell them it is fixed. All the photo adds is that the prop is quite worn, it's been roughly cleaned and it's connected to a strut that might have 'issues' and is on a shaft that has a bandage on it.

So where the photos show things that can be rectified, then do the work! The halyards, the deck cleanliness, tile grouting etc should all be sorted out and re-photographed), but where the wear and tear is actually representative of the condition of the boat, don't try and hide it. The condition must be honestly represented in the photos otherwise viewers will feel conned when they see the boat for real and will quickly walk.
 
Thank you for your comments thus far, they have all been extremely constructive - I can now see the boat as others would see it.

I will make appropriate amendments.

Thanks again,

Barry
 
If I was reading this, I'd wonder why you were selling. So maybe either mention why you are selling or don't mention your reasons for buying in the first place (you don't really need to justify yourself in the advert).

Being really honest, my impression after a casual reading of the advert is that you bought a boat which you've ended up having to spend too much money on, aren't getting any enjoyment from and are now desperate to get rid of. So, that's not a good starting point. It needs more good points about the boat (what's to love about her, how is she to handle, what is the new owner going to get etc etc).

I'd also miss off the bit about having spent 56k - that's not the concern of any new potential owners. They will either want to spend the best part of 30k on this boat or not. It's rare that you would get back the cost of repairs and upgrades in a resale anyway. Try to put yourself in the mind of a potential new boat owner, with a whole host of boats to choose from. Try to get them excited about your boat rather than anyone else's. That said, I've had no luck with mine either. All the best with it.

Nicola
 
I am so glad that I asked the question on here as I am getting the honest replies that I needed.

Most of the photos are dated - the "bandage" on the shaft is masking tape!! - and are pre/during work.

Rather stupidly, I had no idea that you could enlarge the photos and can now see that a new set is required.

The text needs to be bullet points too.

Thank-you all again for taking the time to point me in the right direction.

Regards,

Barry
 
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