Wits End, Drastic Measures Considered

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AlistairM

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I bought a small vivacity boat, which I sailed quite happily up untill now. We (swmbo anyway) have decided it is becoming to expensive to keep (in south wales), and it has been for sale for the last year or so. I am having huge problems trying to sell it, I have reduced the price dramatically and will actually be losing money on it.

I am now at my wits end and may even consider ("ducks to avoid impending barrage of nastiness) getting rid of it by breaking up (are there people about who actually do this). This is a last resort but I am completly out of ideas.

I suppose the question is that failing everything else is breaking up an option, if so where would I enquire.

I know I know Im very sorry for even contemplating this, but I really dont know what else to do.
 
everything will sell but with boats, all depends on price and time of year.
very few people will want to be looking at boats in this weather.. and then have the costs of overwintering before they can sail .
if you are desperate you will get a sale on ebay maybe not hat you expect but..
otherwise -are you advertising it widely enough. boats and outboards is free as is sailing today.you might be best off waiting till spring and then try again.
finally are the costs that mich. have you thought about relocating to milford haven- lovely sheltered waters with offlying islands for the summer weekends..for a 20 ft boat you can find some v cheap moorings if you are prepared to look around.
 
You could 'give' it to me ... it IS my birthday! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Seriously though, where is it advertised? ... Never mind, found it!
 
I sold a 23 foot boat two years ago after I had had it advertised for a year. I had it on various web sites and had quite a bit of interest but no buyers. I finally sold it through a broker. It's really a question of waiting for the right person to come along. I had built in some margin to cover the broker's commission and a negotiation if they wanted to knock me down after a survey. But it was one of those fortunate things I had two people looking on the same day [April] and the buyer was concerned he would miss out so paid my asking price.
I feel it is a question of hanging in there. If the boat looks good it will sell, just wait for spring. But make sure you have done the antifouling and scrubbed all the mold away and touched up the paint and varnish where it needs to be touched up.
 
if you are not getting enquiries via a site like www.boatsandoutboards.com then something is wrong........

[ QUOTE ]
I have reduced the price dramatically and will actually be losing money on it.

[/ QUOTE ] suggests price is a possible factor. from a relative perspective starting from a position of not loosing money and being concerned it's not shifting are poles apart.

for a subjective view where's it advertised etc as others have asked?
 
I tried ebay without much sucess, also boats and outboards its on there now, also boat shop 24 as another one. As was mentioned I have had quite a bit of interest but no actuall offers.

I have advertised it at £1000, but put in the advert to make an offer. I will accept anything people think is right.

hmmm maybe I should just hang on in there.
 
Alistair
If the problem is finances and you just need to sell , you'll have to hang in there until the right offer comes in , if the problem is the costs of mooring have you thought about moving her to a cheaper mooring . If things are desperate can she be moved to the East coast where some moorings are free , and although a trek would be involved at least you'd still have your boat . Before chopping up you should think of other options , and some have given the option of making them a present of her , add me to the list
Dave
 
OK here's subjective comment..........

firstly it's still at 1500

second - th eopening paragraph sets the scene as to what to expect if one pursues a boat (not a whole lot different to a person walking into a room)............. [ QUOTE ]
The boat is extremely safe and seaworthy, with a large deep cockpit for its size. It needs a good clean up and some attention to bring it back to sea going standard. This will only require a few weeks work and some soap and water. The hull and keels are in superb condition, with no blistering or paint cracking anywhere, which is unusual for this type of boat.


The Price is NOT fixed and is negotiable I am open to sensible offers and am looking to secure a sale.

Please note there is NO trailer available, though if resonable and it would secure a sale, transport costs May be covered.

The yacht has been extensively used and comfortably crossed the Bristol Channel on several occasions.


[/ QUOTE ]

listing a weeks work to make it seaworthy would turn me right off for a whole lot of reasons - this may well be well intentioned statement designed to manage peoples expectations but (I believe) is a problem.

really glad the hulls etc aren't cracked or blistering - really unhappy that this is a common problem with these boats!

extensively used = knackered; great to highlight it's capabilities poor choice of words.

hope this helps
 
How drastic?

Just how drastic are the measures you'd consider? Would spending a bit of your time and energy cleaning the boat be too drastic for you? It isn't easy to sell any secondhand boat, and it's vital that the boat is properly prepared for sale. Then, as Duncan suggests, you might re-write the ad so as to attract people rather than put them off.
 
I agree with the above - there must be avenues worth exploring further: why not give yourself until next April, as this is no time of the year to be trading a boat.

Final thought - were it to come to the crunch for some reason, why not approach local scouts or a club, and donate it / loan it at their cost pending sale?

PWG
 
I agree with Duncan; you're not "selling" the boat. And I would also be a bit suspicious of a 20' boat at only £1000; is this the going rate?

How about advertising it for £1500? Too much of a bargain can put folks off as much as too high a price.

How about spending some time on the boat getting it ready for use, by which time it'll be coming round to spring and demand for such boats will be increasing again.
 
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