Avoid These 4 Pitfalls When Selling Your Boat

When it’s time to sell your boat, you want to be sure you are taking the steps necessary to get the highest possible price for your asset. The basics of advertising your boat, taking high-quality pictures of it, and negotiating with buyers are probably already top-of-mind for you, but there are some key mistakes to avoid along the way, too. 

Boat sellers encounter these four pitfalls all too often, and being aware of them beforehand can go a long way in ensuring your transaction goes as smoothly as possible. 

Pitfall #1: Thinking You Have to Sell it Yourself

Many boat owners feel obligated to personally represent the sale of their beloved boat because they’re attached to it, and they feel responsible for facilitating the transaction. While this attachment is understandable, it’s important to know that selling to a private party on your own doesn’t always make the most sense. 

After all, there is a lot of time and investment required to properly market a used boat and walk it all the way through the private party sales process. 

Consider selling your boat to a dealer (like Fort Myers Marine!), or think about consigning it. Working with an established boat retailer gives you access to a market of buyers you might not have been able to reach on your own. 

Pitfall #2: Assuming All Buyers are Created Equal

After listing your boat for sale, it’s likely you will get a lot of initial interest. There will be ‘tire kickers’ and other not-so-serious inquiries that will, in the end, only serve to waste your precious time. 

As a general rule, it’s important to vet your buyer prospects as early on as possible. If they’re serious about purchasing your boat, they will arrange to meet with you to inspect it or to take it out for a water test. 

If you’re not seeing real buying signals within the first few exchanges, move on. The right buyer could be next in line. 

Pitfall #3: Falling For “I Can Help You Sell It!” Scams

If you receive a solicitation from someone who insists that they can help you sell your boat faster and for a higher price than what you’re asking, be immediately skeptical. 

These types of scammers will often use the same advertising channels you’re already using to market your boat, and then they’ll take a hefty commission for essentially providing no value at all. 

If you genuinely need help selling your boat, contact us at Fort Myers Marine. Boat sales is our business, after all. 

Pitfall #4: Neglecting the Finer Details of Detailing

Many boat owners think that a quick washing of the exterior is all that is needed to prepare a boat for a showing to an interested buyer. Don’t make this mistake! 

Perform an extensive detail if possible, taking extra care to repair minor cosmetic flaws in the gel coat or rub rails (great aesthetics are key to great first impression), check the engine and prop, remove personal items from storage, clean bait wells and holding tanks, and ensure that all lighting and rigging works as it should. 

Still need guidance in selling your boat? Fort Myers Marine can help! Contact our team today, and let’s explore the options for getting you the best possible price, quickly and easily.