What do you expect to see when buying a boat

[wonkywinch]

Just keeping an eye on how our model of boat is doing in the market and I saw this. It just shouts that the owner isn't bothered about prepping the boat for sale although to be fair, the other 2/3rds of the pics look OK.

https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/beneteau-oceanis-38-1-for-sale/801330

 

[KevinV]

The picture?

No. Nor the yacht.

Too Moody?

 

[petem]

If you're planning on using the boat whilst it's for sale then I think it's acceptable to have personal belongings in drawers / cupboards etc. But I wouldn't leave anything out in the saloon / cabin / galley.

Any photos should make it look as if it's just left the factory (perhaps with the beds neatly made up).

Something that I do find naff is union jack cushions / bedding.

 

[dunedin]

I have never allowed the sails, cover & running rigging to suffer the uv over the winter. I bag all the halyards & running rigging is removed. Sails & cover go to the sailmaker if necessary. I actually have a spares so main & cover can be repaired mid season if needed.

Sails with cover on don’t suffer from UV - especially over the winter. Similarly running rigging not to any material extent.
Just trying to save you a lot of wasted effort - removing then refitting stuff, people viewing the boat would expect to see the running rigging.
Lots of us keep boats in commission all year. If ashore I would certainly remove any genoa on a furler though.

 

[wonkywinch]

Sails with cover on don’t suffer from UV - especially over the winter.

Lots of us keep boats in commission all year. If ashore I would certainly remove any genoa on a furler though.

If you know where I can find strong UV in the UK in winter, do let me know!

MDL & Boatfolk insist on removing furled genoas before they will lift the boat.

 

[Daydream believer]

Covers degrade & go green. have you never seen boats on the hard with horible stiff ropes all covered in mildew.
My ropes are generally soft & pliable. The sail cover is clean & in goodcondition having spent the last 8 off season years in the loft
Normally the mainsail is flaked & folded on the battens then stowed in the cover & bag-not left screwed up all winter

 

[dunedin]

Covers degrade & go green. have you never seen boats on the hard with horible stiff ropes all covered in mildew.
My ropes are generally soft & pliable. The sail cover is clean & in goodcondition having spent the last 8 off season years in the loft
Normally the mainsail is flaked & folded on the battens then stowed in the cover & bag-not left screwed up all winter

Covers tend to “degrade” more in sunlight during the summer. The magic solution to avoid covers and ropes going green is … Patio Magic. Works very well, though I try to ensure doesn’t go through onto the sails.

 

[flaming]

Trouble is the boat just looks like every other 311 on the market and the only selling point would be a low price. I need a few points to make it attractive to a buyer. They are all clean & stark.
I am having it professionally cleaned & polished in & out in 10 days time. But that is all I have for it
It is on the hard & if it does not sell by November i will strip the mainsail & running rigging for the winter & put it back on the market next year.
.
I just wonder what a broker will use to sell it. When a salesman sells a car he might point to cruise control, sat nav and various gadgets to get the customers juices flowing. But in an empty boat there is nothing other than- here is a list of bits somewhere in a shed in st lawrence bay you can have FOC if you want

the problem is that your idea of a selling point is the exact way you have set the boat up, because you liked that so did it. That may not be universal.

If your boat is a known make in demand, then your selling points (in my opinion) are

1. Engine condition and service records
2. Evidence of big ticket items such as new sails, new rigging etc.
3. Boat giving a clean, tidy impression with things taken care of. I absolutely agree that sails have to come off over winter, and halyards moused out. Everyone should be doing that. If I was viewing 2 boats over the winter with a desire to be starting sailing in the spring, the one with the sails below, a dehum running and the halyards moused out wins every time. It says it’s been owned by someone who has taken care of it.

What really adds nothing but clutter is the “stuff” you’re talking about. None of it is expensive enough to curtail a deal. Needing new standing rigging can be. Or massive question marks over the engine condition. I’m never going to chose one boat over a sister ship because one of them came with a boat hook for example…

 

[benjenbav]

For me as a buyer, the gold standard would be to see the yacht emptied and deep-cleaned with a range of accessories that could be included in the purchase in a nearby lock-up.

As a seller I doubt I could be bothered to go to the trouble.

 

[Daydream believer]

OK the forum & my son win. I will let him strip the lot & I have started a full list of components that are readily available for viewing & will be supplied in with the deal if a prospective buyer wants them.
What I do not want is a load of wallies turning up at my house to look through the toolbox etc.
However, thinking about it the extra effort might put tyre kickers off wasting my time

 

[oldgit]

Speaking to chap yesterday who is packing it in, owned the boat, a Moody ? of some sort for well over 20 years, could not quite believe just how cheaply the boat sold for. No survey just deposit.
Buyer did not turn up for first viewing and sea trial.
On second viewing turned up with car load of possesions and bit miffed when not allowed to leave them on aboard.
Seller seriously considered (after couple of sleepless nights) not selling on discovering the purchaser was intending taking the boat away last week single handed to the West Country, despite those weather forecasts.
Suspect more concerned about his old boat than the buyer.

 

[Daydream believer]

One final thing
I have a spreadsheet with every job performed on the boat since 2009 ( File corrupted prior to then)
It also includes all the details such as spare part references ie filter & impellor Nos
In addition boat details HIN , SSR etc
The broker thought that was good as it shows when stuff was replaced - ie rigging, mainsheet, sails etc
When it had oil changes & so on
I also have filed 95% of the purchase invoices since I bought the boat

Should I show any of this to a new owner

 

[petem]

Should I show any of this to a new owner

Why wouldn't you? I have the same for my boat and I'd certainly be happy to share it with any prospective buyer.

 

[flaming]

One final thing
I have a spreadsheet with every job performed on the boat since 2009 ( File corrupted prior to then)
It also includes all the details such as spare part references ie filter & impellor Nos
In addition boat details HIN , SSR etc
The broker thought that was good as it shows when stuff was replaced - ie rigging, mainsheet, sails etc
When it had oil changes & so on
I also have filed 95% of the purchase invoices since I bought the boat

Should I show any of this to a new owner

You see THIS is what will set your boat apart from the other 311s. You’re giving prospective buyers the confidence that the line in the advert that says something like “well maintained and updated by current owner” isn’t just broker bullshit.

And I also wouldn’t mention the inventory of tools spare parts etc unless asked until there’s an offer on the table. Don’t complicate matters. It isn’t the sell you think it is, it’s a Brucey bonus at the end to be asked as the buyer if you want them.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Just keeping an eye on how our model of boat is doing in the market and I saw this. It just shouts that the owner isn't bothered about prepping the boat for sale although to be fair, the other 2/3rds of the pics look OK.

https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/beneteau-oceanis-38-1-for-sale/801330

View attachment 199502

I thought the sea sickness pills were a nice touch…

 

[Daydream believer]

Sorry but I just cannot get rid of that Monkees song from my head :

Daybream believer and a home-coming queen !!

Believe it or not that is NOT why I named the boat that.
You would be surprised how many HMs start singing it when I call them on VHF. But they get stuck when challenged to go further.

 

[ylop]

Should I show any of this to a new owner

Absolutely. Give a copy to the broker - he should show it, or at least make buyers aware it exists.

 

[Refueler]

Believe it or not that is NOT why I named the boat that.
You would be surprised how many HMs start singing it when I call them on VHF. But they get stuck when challenged to go further.

My name is such that I get called Nigel Mansell quite often ...

 

[dansaskip]

OK the forum & my son win. I will let him strip the lot

I think it a shame that you have been persuaded. Just because it appears to be a majority in favour of a clearout doesn't mean that are right. Just consider how many times the "majority" have voted the wrong way in the past. Yes ask for views but make your own mind up, your boat your decision

 

[Refueler]

OK the forum & my son win. I will let him strip the lot & I have started a full list of components that are readily available for viewing & will be supplied in with the deal if a prospective buyer wants them.
What I do not want is a load of wallies turning up at my house to look through the toolbox etc.
However, thinking about it the extra effort might put tyre kickers off wasting my time

Do a compromise ? Remove the not so important - buyer probably doesn't care stuff - but leave the really useful stuff ... if your boat is as tidy and sorted as you claim - that would be best IMHO.