selling up - how?

[wotayottie]

After almost 30 years, SWMBO has put her barrow down. She's either bored or frightened on the boat and since I dont wish to sail without her, I am selling up. I need up to date advice - its 10 years since I last sold a boat and that was to a pal. Before that all my boat sales were private, after adverts in the then popular classifieds in YM or PBO. But those classifieds seem to have died a death so where now do I advertise? I want to give private sale a go since the typical brokerage charge ( about 5k in my case) is extortionate for what they do.

There is a second issue though - all the bits and pieces acquired in a long boating life. Everything from old Seagull engines to 50 gallon drums of ropes andspare spinnakers and generators and anchors and dinghies and stainless bits and pieces. Wind generator - - I'll stop here before I fill the page. Anyway, whats the best was of getting rid of all this stuff?

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Don't suppose you've got a hydrovane to flog?:encouragement:

 

[Guise]

There's a range of sites for private sellers, such as Boats & Outboards & Apollo Duck, not to mention ebay; where there seem to be more and more yachts of reasonable quality in the classifieds. For good boats there's a market, the key is a clean, tidy looking boat and loads of quality pictures, especially of the accommodation (SWMBO won't even glance at a boat unless the cabin photos are good) and a detailed description. To do this properly yourself takes a heap of worthwhile effort, but using a broker is almost as much work and a lot more costly.

For the rest there are boat jumbles, ebay, the for sale forum here, gumtree and numerous more

 

[Moderator]

As far as the smaller items are concerned, the For Sale forum is an ideal place, providing the max price per item is £400.

It seems to be a very successful forum with rapid turnover.



And of course, I must mention the YBW Boats for sale forum too, but that will cost you a bit.

 

[Bobc]

Facebook, Apolloduck, and ebay.

There is a great group on Facebook called "yachts and yachty bits for sale". Join this and post your boat up there.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I'm the mod on that FB group...

 

[Tranona]

. Before that all my boat sales were private, after adverts in the then popular classifieds in YM or PBO. But those classifieds seem to have died a death so where now do I advertise? I want to give private sale a go since the typical brokerage charge ( about 5k in my case) is extortionate for what they do.

That is a bit head in sand. The only thing that matters is the net amount you get for the boat - not what the broker may charge. They clearly have expertise to offer and access to potential buyers that you do not have, otherwise they would not exist.

 

[Budgieboy]

That is a bit head in sand. The only thing that matters is the net amount you get for the boat - not what the broker may charge. They clearly have expertise to offer and access to potential buyers that you do not have, otherwise they would not exist.

Agree totally .... ��

 

[Sandyman]

Don't do it. You'll be back. You'll see.

 

[JumbleDuck]

They clearly have expertise to offer and access to potential buyers that you do not have, otherwise they would not exist.

I suspect that in most cases what brokers offer is time. If the OP is retired and can show interested parties the boat he doesn't need that part of the service ... or at least can could try doing without it. Mind you, if the typical commission is 5%, and the expected sale price therefore around £25k, I'd have thought it on the edge of the price range where a good broker could be worthwhile.

I'd suggest talking to the local Boatshed franchise. I've bought one boat through them (Boatshed Wales) and very nearly sold another (Boatshed Scotland - had an offer the week I was going to sign), and in both cases I found them very helpful. There commission seems moderate, they don't seem to turn their noses up at the cheaper end of the market and there is a pleasant absence of unctuousness.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Agree totally .... ��

Remember that the broker's aim is to maximise return per hour worked; s/he has no incentive to sell your boat for 20% more if it would take 25% more time to do so. A private seller, on the other hand, only has one boat to sell and may well have enough spare time to spend getting a better price.

Brokers offer the seller simplicity and a saving of time. Clearly these are good things, otherwise brokers would not exist. They do not necessarily offer higher returns.

All that said, I would use a good broker for a boat of any size, because I value simplicity and time saving. The Hunter 490, however, will be taking its chances on eBay.

 

[Bobc]

I'm the mod on that FB group...

and jolly good it is too.

 

[chrishscorp]

and jolly good it is too.

Yes i would have suggested the facebook site too, the adverts seem to get a quick response

 

[Talulah]

A friend of ours recently sold his Malo through the Malo dealers at Lymington. He speaks very highly of them. The dealer was able to discuss with potential buyers the differences between all the Malos, something our friend wouldn't be able to do. The dealers knowledge paid dividends.
Now the seller has two rooms at home full of all the 'other' stuff. This weekend I'll be taking photos and listing it on his behalf. I hadn't heard of the Facebook group so have just sent a join request. Stuff to sell ranges frome rope, cutlery, handheld vhf etc through to an unused Danforth anchor. I haven't seen it yet.
On top of this he has a berth at Gosport Premier Marina with about 20 years left on it. He doesn't want to sell it in case he gets a new boat. (Moving from sail to motor.) In his senior years of live he realises he doesn't really miss his old boat and the prospect of a new boat is looking less and less. Selling the berth would close the book on his sailing.

 

[Tranona]

I suspect that in most cases what brokers offer is time. If the OP is retired and can show interested parties the boat he doesn't need that part of the service ... or at least can could try doing without it. Mind you, if the typical commission is 5%, and the expected sale price therefore around £25k, I'd have thought it on the edge of the price range where a good broker could be worthwhile.

I'd suggest talking to the local Boatshed franchise. I've bought one boat through them (Boatshed Wales) and very nearly sold another (Boatshed Scotland - had an offer the week I was going to sign), and in both cases I found them very helpful. There commission seems moderate, they don't seem to turn their noses up at the cheaper end of the market and there is a pleasant absence of unctuousness.

Yes, not all brokers are the same. You need to choose one that will put effort into your boat, particularly if it is specialised. National franchises have certain advantages of coverage, and dealers in a particularly brand may do better with that brand. Location is often a big problem, so if you are in the Solent you have lots of choice of brokers and potential buyers, but in more remote locations the choice may be limited, and somebody like Boatshed may be the best bet - perhaps shorter on specific boat expertise but long on coverage.