Would this be a Good move or a Bad move for us?

Hi Al,
Sold our sealine s240 last year through boats & outboards, got a good price for her too, without paying a broker you can afford to be slightly more flexible on price.

Take a look at the current asking prices & go in at midway, dont underestimate the power of Ebay, there are thousands of potential buyers looking there, even a few brokers use it as the coverage is so vast.
Place it as a private add & not an auction if your unsure, prospective buyers will contact you without you selling direct through ebay.
It's the coverage you need.

It shouldn't be hard selling your boat this time of year & I had many enquiries in August & September when we sold ours.

PM'd you our final price to give you an idea.
 
just checked out all the ads on b& o. yours isn't the most expensive nor is it the cheapest. There are several for sale. you need to get yours to standout from the crowd.
as you say drop the price to make it standout. when they look and are interested enough to make an offer you don't have to except it until it's what your looking for.
it's all about getting people through the door, so to speak
 
Al

Everyone's different, but here's what i'd do.

Drop the price to £22,950 and be prepared to drop by another £1,000 at least to clinch a sale. You probably end up with the same as you would selling through a broker at £24,500 in a few months time, when you consider loan repayments and commission. In two minutes I found a 2002 diesel S24 at just over £30k, so yours has been overpriced.

Take some better photos than you have on your web site, the interior looks dark and small, and the weather in the last picture looks cold and dull. Don't forget the cliche, "you're not selling a boat, you're selling a dream". This is even more essential given your location, as people wont travel unless they think they're getting something special.

Get it advertised where people look to buy boats. Your web site is very nice but who's going to see it? You must have it on e-bay. I just sold a fairly up market car, and had it in Top Marques, and on other sites, but all the interest, and the eventual buyer, came through e-bay. I hate the site, its full of scammers and time wasters, but it seems the genuine buyers are in there amongst them. Also put it on boats and outboards and pay the £30 to keep it on the first page.

I'd even consider changing the upholstery to beige, light green makes the boat look dated and will put people off. It would only cost maybe £200.

Finally, as mentioned, i'd consider moving it to the south coast. Its all about getting people to see your boat.
 
Agreed moving south doesn't guarantee a sale. All I would say is that the S24 is an excellent Solent boat and it'll be seen by a lot more potential purchasers if it's for sale that way. There are loads of boats for sale around that value, inc S24s, and I can't see anyone travelling a long way to view one. Well I wouldn't, be maybe that's just me.

Understand what you're saying about brokers fees.... Just as a suggestion if you've not done this, why not call up a few south coast brokers and ask them what they think a realistic sale price is for your boat and what sort of interest there is out there at the moment? If you ask a few you may end get a sensible picture....
 
As it seems you want to keep boating but reduce your outgoings I would use the equity in your house to repay the marine mortgage and repay the part you add on to the mortgage on an interest only basis. As long as the new mortgage term has no redemption penelty you can re-organise your finances at a later date. This would certainley reduce your outgoings. Keep a boat your happy with and not have to give it away.

You may find a better deal for the existing mortgage as well to make a saving there also.

Good luck whatever you do.
 
Hi ali , as i dont post that much, 3 reasons 1 cant type fast .2 some on here can . make the last one up your self
Bite the bullet let it go. I know you will think its the best boat you have ever had and because you bought it from new its your second babby. I am going through the same thing myself .LET GO
She's my joy and sorrow too.
And although she is untrue, Well I cannot live without her,
For my heart's a boat in tow, And I'd give the world to know
Why she means to let me to, As I sing horee, horo.
Full words here

http://www.incallander.co.uk/scottishsongs/song25.htm
 
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Moving it south was something I'd thought about, wonder if we could set up a relay south again!!

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Count me in. It's downhill, so I should be able to pull it.

Seriously, the man reason you got the trailer was to make it more saleable. Yes, you are now coming into the selling season, so with the trailer you have a better chance.

To trade it in for another boat is probably not a good idea as it will still cost you money, even if it is sat in the drive - I know, I have been there.
 
Drop the price, flog the boat, we had some problems around 2000 and had to get rid of our much loved S34.....

There is only one feeling better than when you get your new boat, when you sell it!

Take a break, get yourself sorted financially, your family is more important than a boat! Then in a few years get another.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

WIth the doom and gloom surrounding the economy, probably a good idea to act now.
 
Perhaps if you go for a rib and have weekends all over the Uk dont look at it as a come down but rather as a tool to be used for exploring the west coast of Scotland, then in say five years time, just think of the knowlledge that you will have ,all those lochs explored , tides that you care not a jot fer . Stay B+B etc and meet the locals for craic and learn about the local waters
Only a thought
Cheers a
 
Al, IMHO, the worst thing you can do is dump the boat for a low price. The interest on your £24k marine mortgage is only costing you about £1800 pa (@ 7.5%) which is a relatively small figure. Selling your boat at a low price could lose you a lot more than that relative to it's market value. Worse than that, if you sell below what you owe back on your mortgage, you'll be writing a cheque for the difference in favour of your finance co and that really is money thrown away for nothing
If you're having difficulty affording the capital + interest payments on the mortgage, why not speak to the finance co, explain your circumstances and ask them if you can pay the interest only for a few months until you sell the boat or even ask them for a payment 'holiday'?
I agree with the others in that it is more likely that the boat will sell quicker and for a higher price down on the S Coast but on the other hand you don't want to end up paying storage charges for a few months, sell for a low price, pay a 6-8% brokerage fee and end up with less cash than your mortgage. I would certainly try e-bay and some cheap advertising in Boats & Outboards and other sites first before moving the boat south. IMHO, your website pics are fine. OK the green upholstery is not to my taste but the boat looks clean and cared for
 
I see that you make a living in transport, as do I. If you don't design websites as well then from what I have seen you should, & use the money to buy a bigger boat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I was in a similar situation many moons ago & started present business as a part time extra money type thing. (you would probably have heard of my company now if you are in the business) pm me if you think I could help.
This time next year Rodney.......... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
A word.

Put a property up for sale. Estatate agent said 2010 thousand.

I thort a bit noncense

Offers around £150,00

Point is, I used to sell lettuce and cabbages and things.

What you paid for it, has no relation to what it's worth now.
Doubte if there are any buyers out there, except sharks wanting to sell on.
 
Have you thought about a boat share?

It would generate some cash to pay of some of the mortgage plus reduce your runnning costs! BUT you will have to SHARE!!!

I used to rent computer equipment and we had a saying that when it came to disposing of assets "your first loss was always the smallest..." ie take good offers even if it doesnt match you expectations, the next offer could be considerably lower.

Also boats like computers seldom appreciate.

Good luck
 
I don't strictly make my living in the transport industry.
I am a Transport and Warehouse manager and Director of our family business, actually a director of 4 businesses!! Only have an income from one at the moment though, hopefully that will change in the future. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Don't think i could make any money designing website, I know nothing about web design.

I am open to suggestions and help from everyone, I'll Pm you.

Cheers

Al.
 
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Hi ali , as i dont post that much, 3 reasons 1 cant type fast .2 some on here can . make the last one up your self
Bite the bullet let it go. I know you will think its the best boat you have ever had and because you bought it from new its your second babby. I am going through the same thing myself .LET GO


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I have missed your posts, keep posting please.
We didn't buy this boat from new, it was our last boat we'd bought from new.
I do like this boat, but I have absolutely no problem letting it go, It was bought for a purpose, one that we haven't been able to use properly.

I only wish we were trading up, as i know someone with a VERY nice F37 forsale at kip Marina! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers

Al.
 
My twopenneth

I wanted to sell on my Fairline Weekend last year - had not a sniff!

Ok mines worth a lot LOT less than yours, I'd like 10k for it, but it's now up at 9k because the broker is sh!t.

Anyhow long and short of it is, not a snifter so in April / May I will be moving it South Coast to see what I get.

I'd suggest a swapsy for you, but
a) I doubt you'd want mine
b) I don't think I can afford yours if you want about 24 for her.

So I would agree with others - move to South Coast if you just want sold, but if you want to keep and use until sold, consider eBay, but the secret with eBay is a FABULOUS description, and I think either a VERY new boat or a VERY old one - I think the boats like mine don't really do well on there - I have watched several fail to even reach £5k which is silly for a Fairline Weekender.

Anyhow, best of luck but I think the market will be totally flat this year, so the re-mortgage the house is a very good one - I am pretty sure you'll pay less on that than a marine loan, and if/when you sell the boat almost certainly you can just pay that lump off the mortgage.

Best of luck

Grant
 
Happiness is a boat you can afford to run. I would love a bigger boat but the problem of paying for it would spoil the fun. If you enjoy life on the water it really doesn't matter what size boat you have. Have you considered a sailing boat?
 
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