Calibre Yacht Sales is in the business of selling boats. However, not all boat owners want to contract with a yacht broker to sell their boat, and we understand that.
We work with both sellers and buyers similarly to how realtors work with their clients. If we can help you sell your boat, we hope to help you find your new one. With this in mind, we have created this “How to Sell Your Boat” outline. On it, you will find the steps required to execute the sale of your boat successfully.
First, let’s remember that boats are an emotional buy, so you want to appeal to people’s feelings when they step aboard your boat. Ideally, you want your potential buyers to feel, “Wow, we just have to have this boat!”
So here we go.
ONE: Determine the price
— Understand that the market establishes the value of your boat, not what you think you should get for it.
— Establish your negotiation margin
TWO: Clean and prepare the boat
— Remove all personal belongings
— Clear the galley countertops of all appliances
— Prepare the sleeping quarters with clean, taught covers
— Clean the head(s) and shower(s)
— Put clean hand towels and new toilet paper in the head, ensuring that they are nicely folded and preferably new. You can afford them since you’re not paying exorbitant broker fees.
— Clean and polish windows and chrome, and why not oil the teak while you’re at it. Remember, boats are an emotional buy. Looking show room clean and smelling wonderful will go a long way to a successful offer.
— Hull and Deck need to be organized and clean:
— Prepare the boat to a ‘ready to leave the dock’ status
THREE: Photography and video
— Shoot photography and upload it to the selling platforms (details following)
FOUR: Upload onto digital platforms
— Marketplace
— Craigslist
— Kijiji
— Used Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo, etc.
FIVE: Respond to enquiries
— The faster, the better
— Walk buyers through the boat
— Ensure everything is in proper working order
SIX: Inspections
— For your legal protection, the buyer should arrange a survey with the surveyor of their choice
— A mechanical inspection should be carried out
— An oil analysis is recommended
— A dry land inspection should be carried out
SEVEN: Offer
— Have a written offer produced, so both parties are clear on the terms
— Counter the offer if necessary—similar to a real estate negotiation
— Agree to the price and terms and prepare a sales agreement
— Agree to the method of payment
— Agree to fuel status upon transfer of ownership
EIGHT: Legal
— Upon receipt of payment, transfer ownership of the vessel through Transport Canada or Ships Registry
NINE: Moorage
— Know the status of your moorage for potential buyers—can you transfer it?
— Know the cost of your moorage for potential buyers
TEN: Prepare the boat for transfer
— Remove all personal belongings
— Clean the boat to the level it was while showing it
— Execute fuel requirements as agreed to
For more information, or to learn more about our services selling and buying boats, please feel free to
contact us at:
Phone: 250 716 2022
Email: info@calibreyachts.com