Alistairr
Well-Known Member
The website in my signature is my own work, but its made from one of those freewebs sites. Oh and it does need a bit more tidying up.
Cheers
Al.
Cheers
Al.
Would this be a Good move or a Bad move for us?
- Thread starter Alistairr
- Start date
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
Ok, I'm listening to what everyone says, and I'm determined to try a bit harder to shift it.
So too start with I've dropped the price of the boat by a further £4000 to £24,500. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Is that better?
I'm also doing an Adword campain on Google to help.
I am happy to change the description on the Boats and Outboards ad to make it more appealling, but i need some help there, so suggestions please. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Houghn, I can also change the pics, but I personally thought they looked ok.
I will look at upgrading the B&O ad too.
I'm not too keen to put it on Ebay, so will hold off for a bit on that one.
I'm not going to change the interior, but I will concider moving it too the south coast if I still don't get any interest in the next few weeks.
All opinions very welcome.
Cheers
Al.
So too start with I've dropped the price of the boat by a further £4000 to £24,500. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Is that better?
I'm also doing an Adword campain on Google to help.
I am happy to change the description on the Boats and Outboards ad to make it more appealling, but i need some help there, so suggestions please. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Houghn, I can also change the pics, but I personally thought they looked ok.
I will look at upgrading the B&O ad too.
I'm not too keen to put it on Ebay, so will hold off for a bit on that one.
I'm not going to change the interior, but I will concider moving it too the south coast if I still don't get any interest in the next few weeks.
All opinions very welcome.
Cheers
Al.
Elza_Skip
Well-Known Member
Alistair,
I emphathise with your position- been there before myself.
I would not tend to go with the option of the new buy, rather press on with your sale- the Trailer and the time of year are all favourable to improve your chances and I would be inclined to take it our of brokerage and into private sale. At this sort of price level I if a buyer would be more willing to go private than in the £50k up bracket.
When we bought our S23 I put our 21 footer on boats and outboards and had some serious interest, just after I accepted a much lower trade in price?
Also with a trailer opens up the geographical market as it suddenly seems easier and cheaper for a buyer to move it to their home location. If you are new to the market that could otherwise seem daunting.
As for getting back on the water, If I was to sell ours, I probably would get a small day/WE boat on a trailer that we can take out but cut right down on mooring costs. i have seen a few that I thought just right for that. Alternatively get a project boat for 500 quid to do up so you still have boating fun- just not on the water!
As for putting your maring mortgage on the house- we have done that, and got a lower interest rate, however if you keep the term the same you will not save very much or you extend the term out further increasing the total cost. Either way you will probably not get the reduction in costs you are looking for as you still have the mooring, fuel insurance etc. costs.
In short, my advise is to market private, on the trailer at a slightly lower price nationally, investing small amounts of money on advertising. When you are ready then start again with a small boat and work your way up
I emphathise with your position- been there before myself.
I would not tend to go with the option of the new buy, rather press on with your sale- the Trailer and the time of year are all favourable to improve your chances and I would be inclined to take it our of brokerage and into private sale. At this sort of price level I if a buyer would be more willing to go private than in the £50k up bracket.
When we bought our S23 I put our 21 footer on boats and outboards and had some serious interest, just after I accepted a much lower trade in price?
Also with a trailer opens up the geographical market as it suddenly seems easier and cheaper for a buyer to move it to their home location. If you are new to the market that could otherwise seem daunting.
As for getting back on the water, If I was to sell ours, I probably would get a small day/WE boat on a trailer that we can take out but cut right down on mooring costs. i have seen a few that I thought just right for that. Alternatively get a project boat for 500 quid to do up so you still have boating fun- just not on the water!
As for putting your maring mortgage on the house- we have done that, and got a lower interest rate, however if you keep the term the same you will not save very much or you extend the term out further increasing the total cost. Either way you will probably not get the reduction in costs you are looking for as you still have the mooring, fuel insurance etc. costs.
In short, my advise is to market private, on the trailer at a slightly lower price nationally, investing small amounts of money on advertising. When you are ready then start again with a small boat and work your way up
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
Al
My comments about the photos relate to attracting first time buyers on e-bay. You would be up against American 24' petrol cruisers that may be £5k cheaper for the same age, so you have to make her stand out.
OK, this is a brochure shot, and i'm not suggesting you use it, but just to show that it looks a fair bit bigger and brighter inside.
I also remember when I sold my 24' petrol cruiser I had some great photos in glorious sunshine, and i'm sure it helped to attract some interest, 'cos people could imagine themselves on the boat enjoying that kind of weather.
It was just an idea to try and generate some more calls.
My comments about the photos relate to attracting first time buyers on e-bay. You would be up against American 24' petrol cruisers that may be £5k cheaper for the same age, so you have to make her stand out.
OK, this is a brochure shot, and i'm not suggesting you use it, but just to show that it looks a fair bit bigger and brighter inside.
I also remember when I sold my 24' petrol cruiser I had some great photos in glorious sunshine, and i'm sure it helped to attract some interest, 'cos people could imagine themselves on the boat enjoying that kind of weather.
It was just an idea to try and generate some more calls.
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
Is there any copyright problems to stop me using brochure pics of the interior?
Cheers
Al.
Cheers
Al.
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
I don't have many pics of the boat in a nice sunny day, it doesn't happen very often up here, and when it does, we usually miss it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Is this pic any better?
Al.
Is this pic any better?
Al.
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
Or what about this one?
Al.
Al.
msimms
Well-Known Member
I agree. Lot's of photos help.
I knocked up a simple website to sell our old boat. Still available here. Got a couple of what sounded like sensible enquires which came from an ebay ad that linked link to the site. Actually sold to a Guy walking passed the boat who noticed the for sale sign which gave the website address. Think we put it up for sale end of Nov 06 and sold it over the Christmas/New Year break. All done privately so only cost was a url and an ebay/boatsandoutboards add.
I knocked up a simple website to sell our old boat. Still available here. Got a couple of what sounded like sensible enquires which came from an ebay ad that linked link to the site. Actually sold to a Guy walking passed the boat who noticed the for sale sign which gave the website address. Think we put it up for sale end of Nov 06 and sold it over the Christmas/New Year break. All done privately so only cost was a url and an ebay/boatsandoutboards add.
jfm
Well-Known Member
Al, I really dunno what to suggest about pricing, I dont know the market. I would look hard at moving it to S.Coast UK though.
Your pictures could be improved by a quick photoshop/paint. It's dead quick - I just took out the boat in the foreground and tidied your fender away using microspft paint (which you must have on your PC) and it took literally 8-10minutes (eating sandwich, making a call!). I'm no photoshop guru, a complete amateur and what I have done here is very rough, but it's fine for pics on the web and it's easy peasy.
Best of luck anyway
Your pictures could be improved by a quick photoshop/paint. It's dead quick - I just took out the boat in the foreground and tidied your fender away using microspft paint (which you must have on your PC) and it took literally 8-10minutes (eating sandwich, making a call!). I'm no photoshop guru, a complete amateur and what I have done here is very rough, but it's fine for pics on the web and it's easy peasy.
Best of luck anyway
itsonlymoney
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I would look hard at moving it to S.Coast UK though.[ QUOTE ]
I have to disagree......... if you cant sell her on a lake like L, Lomond or Windermere (It being petrol I assume) then you wouldnt do any better on the S, coast surely....IMO
I would look hard at moving it to S.Coast UK though.[ QUOTE ]
I have to disagree......... if you cant sell her on a lake like L, Lomond or Windermere (It being petrol I assume) then you wouldnt do any better on the S, coast surely....IMO
Ballistix
Well-Known Member
Al, I'm quite interested in your boat, and would be interested in doing a deal where you might be interested in my lovel Doral 230CC. She is 2001 and lovely...if you are interested send me a PM old chap...might be worth a chinwag.
TT
TT
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
E-mail sent to you.
Cheers
Al.
Cheers
Al.
David_Jersey
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Al, I really dunno what to suggest about pricing, I dont know the market. I would look hard at moving it to S.Coast UK though.
Your pictures could be improved by a quick photoshop/paint. It's dead quick - I just took out the boat in the foreground and tidied your fender away using microspft paint (which you must have on your PC) and it took literally 8-10minutes (eating sandwich, making a call!). I'm no photoshop guru, a complete amateur and what I have done here is very rough, but it's fine for pics on the web and it's easy peasy.
Best of luck anyway
[/ QUOTE ]
I think adding a couple of semi naked babes on the bow would be a quality touch /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
FWIW, if the financial side of things is a "Blip" (even if for a year or 2) I would keep the boat, even if it meant mothballing her to keep the running costs down and maybe even refinancing the debt for a longer period to drop your monthly outgoings.....selling and buying (and then selling?) another boat will not be a cost free excercise.
Otherwise, the quicker you sell (at pretty much whatever the price) the better - sounds like you will be left with some debt - but at least the boat costs will stop and you have some certainty as well as being able to (having to?!) refinance what's left over a longer period.
Or altertnatively trail her to Merseyside..........and let the "gods decide" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Al, I really dunno what to suggest about pricing, I dont know the market. I would look hard at moving it to S.Coast UK though.
Your pictures could be improved by a quick photoshop/paint. It's dead quick - I just took out the boat in the foreground and tidied your fender away using microspft paint (which you must have on your PC) and it took literally 8-10minutes (eating sandwich, making a call!). I'm no photoshop guru, a complete amateur and what I have done here is very rough, but it's fine for pics on the web and it's easy peasy.
Best of luck anyway
[/ QUOTE ]
I think adding a couple of semi naked babes on the bow would be a quality touch /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
FWIW, if the financial side of things is a "Blip" (even if for a year or 2) I would keep the boat, even if it meant mothballing her to keep the running costs down and maybe even refinancing the debt for a longer period to drop your monthly outgoings.....selling and buying (and then selling?) another boat will not be a cost free excercise.
Otherwise, the quicker you sell (at pretty much whatever the price) the better - sounds like you will be left with some debt - but at least the boat costs will stop and you have some certainty as well as being able to (having to?!) refinance what's left over a longer period.
Or altertnatively trail her to Merseyside..........and let the "gods decide" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Your pictures could be improved by a quick photoshop/paint. It's dead quick - I just took out the boat in the foreground and tidied your fender away using microspft paint (which you must have on your PC) and it took literally 8-10minutes (eating sandwich, making a call!).
[/ QUOTE ]
How the heck did you manage to do a job like that in 8-10 minutes??
No, I don't have microsoft paint on this PC. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Cheers
Al.
Your pictures could be improved by a quick photoshop/paint. It's dead quick - I just took out the boat in the foreground and tidied your fender away using microspft paint (which you must have on your PC) and it took literally 8-10minutes (eating sandwich, making a call!).
[/ QUOTE ]
How the heck did you manage to do a job like that in 8-10 minutes??
No, I don't have microsoft paint on this PC. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Cheers
Al.
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
Thanks David, but i don't see the point of keeping a boat and letting her mothball for a couple of years.
We are happy to let this one go, and then decide what the best route for us would be.
BTW, The boat IS still for sale, in case anyone is interested. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Cheers
Al.
We are happy to let this one go, and then decide what the best route for us would be.
BTW, The boat IS still for sale, in case anyone is interested. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Cheers
Al.
jhr
Well-Known Member
Are you sure you haven't got it? Try Start/Programmes/Accessories and Paint should be one of the programmes.
You can even use it to add blue skies and sunshine:
Only took me a couple of minutes /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
You can even use it to add blue skies and sunshine:
Only took me a couple of minutes /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
jfm
Well-Known Member
Al, here is the other pic with fenders tidied away (tsk!) and foreground cleared. And a nice copilot. (If you want it without the girl for your website it is same url but with the "girl" deleted)
David_Jersey
Well-Known Member
The Bow is the pointy end /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
If only life was that simple /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
If only life was that simple /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
alt
Well-Known Member
Alistar - If she was a diesel i'd have snapped her up a long time ago /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
As for the photo's. The outdoor photo's you have are great - If you were looking for scenic photos
The thing is, prospective buyer's don't give a [--word removed--] about the trees behind you. What you want are pictures where the boat takes up the whole screen ie. you want the bow at one end, and the stern at the other end of the picture.
You have your own webspace - Take pictures of every angle of the boat internally and externally. Imagine that you are trying to sell your boat to someone before they've inspected it.
If there are no marks or scratches on the gelcoat - mention it, this is a sign of care been taken
If there are no marks or tears in the upholstery - mention it
What about pics of the head? Did you clog the toilet or something?
How about some pictures of the hull/sterndrive? Taking pics of these will show you've got nothing to hide - Personally i'm proud of my stern-drive - not a mark on the skeg - This shows that i've never hit rocks etc.
What about this trailer you mention? If someone just had a quick glance at the pics they'd think "Damn, no trailer" and move on to the next ad
On your website, you describe the spec/detail in an essay format. If it were me, i'd do it in bullet point form - Makes it easier to read and spot out particular goodies. For example, you have hot water. If I was upgrading boats one of the first things i'd want to know is if it had hot water - I have to read half way through your description to find this out, whereas i'd have spotted it straight away if it were in bullet format
Hope this helps
As for the photo's. The outdoor photo's you have are great - If you were looking for scenic photos
The thing is, prospective buyer's don't give a [--word removed--] about the trees behind you. What you want are pictures where the boat takes up the whole screen ie. you want the bow at one end, and the stern at the other end of the picture.
You have your own webspace - Take pictures of every angle of the boat internally and externally. Imagine that you are trying to sell your boat to someone before they've inspected it.
If there are no marks or scratches on the gelcoat - mention it, this is a sign of care been taken
If there are no marks or tears in the upholstery - mention it
What about pics of the head? Did you clog the toilet or something?
How about some pictures of the hull/sterndrive? Taking pics of these will show you've got nothing to hide - Personally i'm proud of my stern-drive - not a mark on the skeg - This shows that i've never hit rocks etc.
What about this trailer you mention? If someone just had a quick glance at the pics they'd think "Damn, no trailer" and move on to the next ad
On your website, you describe the spec/detail in an essay format. If it were me, i'd do it in bullet point form - Makes it easier to read and spot out particular goodies. For example, you have hot water. If I was upgrading boats one of the first things i'd want to know is if it had hot water - I have to read half way through your description to find this out, whereas i'd have spotted it straight away if it were in bullet format
Hope this helps
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
Thats brilliant jfm, I'll save both pics, and show that one to my mates and tell them i had a good weekend on the boat!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
SWMBO thought it was very good too.
My PC runs Ability based software, so don't think its got Mircosoft Paint, and if it has, I haven't found it yet.
Cheers
Al.
PS. Can you turn her round?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
SWMBO thought it was very good too.
My PC runs Ability based software, so don't think its got Mircosoft Paint, and if it has, I haven't found it yet.
Cheers
Al.
PS. Can you turn her round?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif