selling a boat: on the hard or in the water

[kingfisher]

I have no intention of selling my boat (for the moment). But what is the best place for it to be when put up for sale: on the hard, so that the buyer can inspect everything, or in the water, presented in its natural environment and ready for a trial sail?

I myself as a buyer, I would prefer on the hard: I can more or less gues what the sailing characteristics of a boat will be, based on its shape and size.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Hard

 

[Lakesailor]

It's a good question. I've sold 2 on the water in the last couple of years but they're only small so slipping them was an easy task.
Depends on the buyer. If they need seducing it's better on the water, if they know the type of boat and are looking for condition pointers it's better on the hard.
I would have thought.

 

[michael_w]

Ashore. Only once bought a boat that was afloat; turned into bit of a dog, the worse than useless German surveyor didn't help either.

 

[Koeketiene]

Afloat.

If you stick your boat on the hard - it's "stuck" there.
You won't be able to sail your boat. Worst thing for a boat -> not using it.

We kept our previous boat afloat, and sailed her whenever possible. When punters viewed her she was at her best: ready to go.
She was later hauled out for survey.

 

[Flossdog]

Afloat and in commission. I bought a boat last year after looking at lots ashore but only one afloat! The ones ashore were covered in leaves and the cabins were a mess. The one afloat was ready to go and the trial sail sealed it for me. Helming a boat somehow gives one an "ownership wish" assuming of course that it is a goodun to begin with.

 

[jwilson]

Personally I prefer ashore: I can see what the hull is like. Seen to many boats where the owner swears there is no osmosis and on lifting out problems are found. Also less need to take time-wasters out for trial sails (free days out).

So ashore, interior very clean, all personal kit removed, and decks washed down regularly.

 

[AIDY]

personally.... ashore, but the key to selling a boat, is selling it to the new owners SWMBO.. so that means it must be made easy for her to get on and off whilst ashore. climbing up a ladder could put her off even venturing inside. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Petronella]

Both! Ours was ashore but once we were pretty sure we wanted her we paid to launch her and go for a trial sail with the owners. That, for me, is the best option. It may cost a bit more but you are as sure as you can be then that this is the one for you. After all you are usually shelling out a fair bit of cash and anything you can do (within reason) to increase your confidence that you are making the right choice is money well spent.

 

[billskip]

Motor boats on the hard

Sail boats on the water.

You can test most things on a mobo on the hard.

Try putting the rag up on a sail boat on the hard in a f4 !!!

As for below the W/L inspection the deal can be "subject to"

 

[graham]

If your boat is a well known model I would sell it ashore if possible.Potential buyers can have a good look before engaging a surveyor and wont have to pay cranage.

If its a one off or unusual design people may want to see how she sails/motors before considering purchase.You wouldnt want to buy a boat with massive weather helm for instance.

 

[Birdseye]

Ashore. Otherwise you get lots of viewers just out for a days sailing. And your boats failings might well be more obvious.

The secret is to have it sparkling clean and smelling nice - then only show it to punters who come with their wives. Woks every time.

 

[Lakesailor]

Some people don't like Chinese cooking.

 

[suse]

<G>

S x

 

[peterb26]

Ashore. Without a doubt.

 

[Rob_Webb]

Afloat (and ideally in commission).

Buying a boat is as much about the heart as the mind and how it 'feels'. A boat that is first visited afloat and ready-to-go in it's natural environment just feels a more engaging and attractive proposition. Any purchase done properly should involve both a survey and a trial sail so whether you start on the hard or afloat it makes no difference - the boat has to be hauled either in or out to perform both of those 2 steps.

I bet that if you take 2 identical boats and offer them for sale, the one afloat and ready to go will attract an offer (subject to survey and sea trial) before the one ashore which is covered in yard grime.