When you decide to sell your catamaran, there are several things you need to take into consideration in order to maximize what the final sale price will be. Notice I said final sale price, not your asking price. There is a difference, and the more you prepare your vessel prior to listing it for sale directly correlates to how big that difference is. That said, I’ve put together a quick pre-listing checklist for your review.
Amphibious Plane Finally Complete!
For all you down-island sellers, I’m now in position to hop on my plane to come see your listing personally. I can’t even begin to describe how crucial this first-hand knowledge is when presenting your boat to a potential buyer…
1) First impressions are often the truest…
When a potential buyer sees a clean boat with well-finished woodwork they are geared up to delve deeper. When they see chalky, dull fiberglass, poorly finished or damaged woodwork they see neglect and disinterest. If they want to see more they are already thinking of a bargain basement price for the boat!
Prior to listing your boat:
Clean, buff and wax the hull and deck
Repair any damaged wood and refinish if necessary
Make sure all lines are in good condition, coiled neatly and not green with algae
Wash all canvas and repair and reproof if necessary
2) Buyers are in the market for clean, well-maintained boats
Assuming the exterior beckons the buyer to head below decks, the interior needs to hold its end of the bargain up as well. It should look homey and well-cared for. Make sure everything is neat and tidy, that the interior is as clean as possible. Pay special attention to areas where buyers will look (bilge areas, engine room and especially the heads).
Be sure to:
Clean the bilges, and wipe down all the floorboards
Remove all cushions and clean all storage areas
Have the engine cleaned. Maybe even add a bright engine room light if don’t already have one.
Clean the commodes and sinks. We all know that head hoses can cause odor. Consider replacing the hoses or, at a minimum, flush all of them with a strong cleaning solution and then fill with fresh water (not salt).
3) Make sure all equipment is operational…
Make sure whatever equipment is fitted onboard, actually works! If it doesn’t, any potential buyer will assume the worst and want an allowance for new equipment. It is much easier and cheaper to have the systems checked and to fix everything prior to listing the boat, then to have to pay to have it fixed later. Additionally, once a boat is surveyed by a potential buyer, if everything works your sale is virtually assured whereas a long list of non-functioning items can often cause a buyer to have doubts. If this occurs, you’re looking at a much reduced selling price for the vessel rather than losing the sale entirely.
A functionality checklist should include all electronics, all cabin and navigation lights, air conditioning and refrigeration, the engine room for fuel, and oil or water leaks (if they are present any surveyor will find them).
If you’re interested, we now have a pre-inspection program available called ‘Cat-Chek’. Depending on the location of your vessel, for $159, a professional surveyor will be sent to your location to examine the hull, deck, superstructure, cabin interiors, propulsion and electrical systems, freshwater, sanitation, steering, ground tackle and electronics, as well as safety equipment and sailing gear. The surveyor will also take quality photos of these areas which are great for the listing. Contact me today if you’re interested in setting a Cat Chek up on your vessel.
4) Prospective buyers want to imagine the boat as theirs
Just the same as when buyers walk into a home and try to imagine their furniture and decorative tastes within… the same applies to a boat. They want to see how much storage there is and how spacious it feels. If they open a locker and stuff falls out, the message conveyed is that the boat lacks an adequate amount of storage. If one of your berths is filled with sails or cushions or other equipment, it gives the boat a smaller, cluttered feel. Maximize the opportunity to sell your boat by removing as much stuff as possible; leave only a few books or cushions to give it a homey and cared for appeal.
Be sure to:
Remove all personal non-essential items leaving only a few things to make the vessel look cared for
Remove all non-essential boating equipment (even though you may include it in the sale of the boat). Renting a storage shed for additional sails, canvas, etc. will save money if it means selling your boat more quickly.
5) Keep the boat clean while it is listed
When owners list a boat for sale, and especially when they have it moved to a brokerage dock… they have moved on mentally. They are ready for their next boat or new home or what have you. Though it’s hard to stay motivated about the vessel for sale, it’s EXTREMELY important to keep the vessel in good shape once it is listed. A buyer may see your boat at any time and it is important that it shows well. Boats that are neglected take the longest to sell and when they do sell it’s for a lower amount than necessary.
So before you list your boat for sale, make the commitment to clean the vessel regularly. If you decide to have the boat docked at one of our locations, we have numerous maintenance programs available that include regular system checks of the engine, a/c, refrigeration, etc. Equipment that is not used will often fail to work later.
Now is the time to sell. If you are serious about selling your boat and want to get the best possible selling price, pick the right broker, prepare your boat properly, and place it where it can be seen both physically and virtually. Email me today discuss in further detail the listing process and marketing tools available to you through The Catamaran Company. I look forward to hearing from you!
