Skip to content

Selling a boat question

Featured Replies

Well after 17 years of employment at my job it looks like I’m ready to move on to other work.

Unfortunately since we recently bought a house that was a 2 year money pit. That most likely means the boat will have to go. 
My question is this;

I looked up blue book value of boat, motor, and trailer. That’s easy. 
How do I add up all the extras. (4 graphs, 2 anchors, nmea network, digital gauges, Ethernet module and wires, new batteries, etc) I made a list of the purchase price of everything and did a 40% value of original price. Is that fair asking price?

  • Super User

Right now, boats are in short supply. Before you decide on a price, check on the supply of new and used boats in your area. I just sold a used boat through a dealer that I paid a 15% commission to and got a couple of thousand more than I would have asked even after I paid the commission 

  • Author
Just now, Scott F said:

Right now, boats are in short supply. Before you decide on a price, check on the supply of new and used boats in your area. I just sold a used boat through a dealer that I paid a 15% commission to and got a couple of thousand more than I would have asked even after I paid the commission 

This may be an option too. 

  • Super User

The dealer who sold it for me had no boats in stock and couldn’t get any for a while. He was also out of used boats. Very happy to get mine and got top dollar for it. All I had to do was drop it off and he did the rest including fixing a couple of minor issues. I didn’t have to advertise it, deal with potential buyers who want to get it for next to nothing or be concerned about bad checks. I had my money in just a few weeks. 

  • Super User

I hope this comes across right.  Your stuff is worth what ever you will take for it and what ever someone is willing to pay.  You may be able to get some ideas from the for sale forums here and at Bass Resource.  Normally the seller is more proud of his stuff than the buyer is.  With this crazy market, I’d be inclined to price it a bit high.  You can always come down in a negotiation but never can you go up.

  • Super User

With the boat shortage, now is the time to sell. Ask what you want and see if you get any bites. 

  • Super User

Exactly what Slonezp said.. Definitely ask more than you figured. Your selling while the market is hot.

  • Super User

Don't forget Craig's list.  I sold my last boat for what I asked, many bites fast.  Go high on your asking price, don't be bashful.  You can come down, but not go up as the process progresses.

15 minutes ago, MickD said:

Don't forget Craig's list.  I sold my last boat for what I asked, many bites fast.  Go high on your asking price, don't be bashful.  You can come down, but not go up as the process progresses.

 

Craigslist can be great but if someone offers to pay you with check (often for more than you're asking), and offers to let check clear before taking delivery, don't fall for it, don't even answer the email.

 

  • Author

After looking online what they are going for and telling the wife. She said NO only as an absolute last resort!

She doesn’t even go but maybe once a year.  

I’m not arguing this one.

  • Super User
53 minutes ago, E-rude dude said:

After looking online what they are going for and telling the wife. She said NO only as an absolute last resort!

She doesn’t even go but maybe once a year.  

I’m not arguing this one.

Probably a good idea since replacing it at a later date might be more expensive than keeping what you have.  This is a very odd market right now that I predict will cool some once most everyone gets back to work and won’t have the time to be on the lakes and rivers.   When I buy or sell a boat, there is a base price that I come up with for a boat of the age I am looking at and the condition and hours of the big motor.  After all, that is where your biggest expense goes.  The rest is fluff pricing.  In normal times, you never get a premium price for a lot of the upgrades you do unless it’s big ticket items like lithium batteries and a couple year old networked graphs.  Right now boats are crazy high.   

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.