Hints To Get Your Yacht Ready To Sell

Sooner or later every boat owner is faced with selling his/her boat. You want to sell her as quickly as possible yet obtain the best value you possibly can.

Below are a few ideas to make the deal go as intended.

Prepare the Boat for Sale:

Make any evident repairs. Damaged glass, rotten or discolored wood, ripped canvas or zippers, discolored upholstery, are negative attention getters. Remember that $5,000.00 invested up front to correct problems may net you an additional $10,000.00. Most purchasers do not want to purchase a vessel and have to put it in the yard. Turn-key vessels sell for top dollar.

Clean, clean, clean! Clean heads, vacuum carpets, cushions, wash windows, blinds, mirrors and of course, the engine room.

Eliminate the clutter. Remove all excessive stuff, personal property, trash, tools, knick-knacks, periodicals etc. both inside and out including lockers and cupboards. You want your boat appearing ship-shape and close to showroom perfect.

Check for any water leaks near windows, sinks, plumbing, thru hulls, rudder posts. Repair as required.

Dock attractiveness. Make sure your yacht has a first-class look to her from the dock. First impressions decide the stage for the real viewing:
buff and wax gel coat
touch up all exterior varnish
scrub and organize dock lines
inflate and clean fenders
inflate dinghy
varnish bright work
scrub metals to remove surface corrosion
scrub any growth on hull at waterline
get and analyze oil samples to show purchaser the health of engines. Your purchaser will do it in the survey. We can assist you with that.


Get ready for Vessel Showings:

Keep her spotless by regular cleanings

Make up bunks with linens

Ensure lights function in cabin and engine room

Be sure air conditioning/heat operates. If a buyer feels air conditioning is not cooling, he'll think about the thousands it will take to replace it.

Free vessel of any odor sources. This is a big turn off.

Keep all maintenance records in easy-to-read binders. This includes operating manuals, logbooks, etc.

Prepare for Survey/Sea Trial:

Check all hose clamps. Change all corroded clamps; be sure hoses are double clamped.

Check hoses. Replace any cracked or worn hoses.

Inspect engine instrumentation. Replace broken gages or adjust as required.

Inspect all electronics. Make note on disclosure any item that will not work.

Check all sea cocks for functionality. Exercise as needed.

Operate vessel up to operating temperature. Any extreme reading ought to be investigated.

Get engine(s) inspected for operating temperature, belts, fuel or oil leaks, mounts. Correct deficiencies; add oil or coolant as needed.

Have bottom and props and shafts cleaned by diver.

Have running gear inspected. Clean and replace zincs.

Test all appliances, toilets, inverters, televisions for operational condition. Repair as needed.

Check all strainers. Scrub as required.

Check batteries. Fill up wet cells.

Start and run all engines. Any faltering in starting or odd operation must be checked out.

Inspect all bilge pumps and floats. Replace as needed.

Inspect flares and extra safety equipment. Replace as needed.