Top Tips: Prepare Your Boat to Sell
The key to a quick and successful boat sale is to create good first impressions.
Vendors who make an effort to present their boat with care and attention are far more likely to receive attractive offers when they put their boat up for sale, so it is worth spending some time sprucing up your vessel to make it look appealing to prospective buyers.
Here Paul Hardy, Refit & Service Manager at Ancasta Yacht Services, shares his boat selling preparation checklist:
WELL-ORDERED PAPERWORK
- Proof of ownership
- Title documents
- VAT status
- Original purchase invoice
- Service records
- Engine logs
Paperwork is just as crucial as the paintwork when selling a yacht, so gather all of the boat’s documentation and check that everything is complete and up-to-date, including service and maintenance records.
Boat owners are strongly advised to ensure they have proof of ownership, valid title documents, confirmation of VAT status, and the original purchase invoice. The builder’s certificate and complete service and maintenance records should be on hand. Any evidence of upgrades or refits, complete engine logs and hours, manuals for onboard systems and equipment, and current insurance documentation should all be gathered into a single, accessible file.
Ancasta offers a paperwork check service to help you with this, so contact your local Ancasta office to book an appointment.
CLEANING
- Deep interior and exterior clean
- Polish topsides
- Bail water
- Steam clean carpets and upholstery
- Sanitise heads and galley
A clean boat will make the best first impressions to any potential buyer, so make sure your boat is in pristine condition before a viewing. A deep clean inside and out, including a topsides polish, is advantageous, and regular top-up cleans throughout the winter will prevent any mildew, dirty rainwater, birds muck or fallen leaves from building up.
Soft furnishings, carpets and upholstery should be steam cleaned to restore freshness, and engine rooms and bilges must be degreased thoroughly, ensuring there’s no standing water or unpleasant odours. The heads, galley and cabins should be sanitised, and all lockers and storage spaces emptied and wiped down to demonstrate available storage space and cleanliness.
It is also advisable to use a heater and dehumidifier on board to keep the boat dry and prevent mildew or damp throughout the colder months.
OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
- Check all electronic systems
- Inspect the rigging
- Service winches and deck gear
- Service bilge pumps and water systems
Buyers often want to test onboard systems during a viewing, so ensure all equipment onboard is in good working order. Carry out a comprehensive check of navigation electronics, cabin and deck lighting, and radios.
On deck, make sure the winches, windlasses and furling systems run smoothly, and inspect the rigging for any damage or severe wear and tear.
Fresh water and waste systems should be clean, bilge pumps and float switches responsive, and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems working efficiently.
In the galley, all appliances should be tested for safety and usability, and professionally repaired or replaced where needed.
HULL MAINTENANCE
- Check through-hull fittings
- Apply fresh antifoul paint
- Polish propulsion and steering gear
Serious buyers are likely to inspect the hull before making an offer, so make sure the underside of the boat is well maintained. This is especially important if the boat is out of the water. As a minimum, pressure wash the hull to clear it of any algae.
It is also worth considering a fresh coat of antifoul which is a cost-effective way of making the boat look well-looked-after and making a good impression – this will appeal to buyers who don’t have time to do it themselves and want to get out on the water quickly.
Lastly, polish propellers, drive shafts and rudders, and inspect sacrificial anodes, through-hulls fittings and bow thrusters to confirm they’re damage-free.
DECLUTTER
- Remove clutter
- Empty all lockers and cupboards
- Tidy lines, fenders and other equipment
Don’t overlook the basics – de-clutter the boat to clearly show all of the space onboard. If there is any personal equipment onboard that you do not want to include in the sale including remove it from the vessel and put it in storage. This includes emptying cupboards and lockers wherever possible.
Lines, fenders and deck gear should be neat and tidy, and any expired flares or outdated safety items responsibly disposed. Presenting the boat as clean, tiny and spacious, can help buyers can visualise how they would use the vessel with their own belongings onboard.
ENGINE SERVICING
- Service the engine(s)
- Clean the engine bay
- Replace any worn engine parts
A recently serviced and smooth running engine is an attractive selling point for any yacht buyer. Whether it’s an inboard engine or an outboard motor, make sure everything is mechanically sound, and if your boat is in the water, make sure the engine starts first time.
Consider a full engine service before putting your yacht up for sale and replace the oil, filters, belts, and impellers if required. A clean engine bay is also a good sign to buyers that the yacht is in good condition.
Any worn hoses, clamps or mounts should be checked and replaced where necessary, and the engine’s start-up and idle performance should be tested thoroughly.
With a well equipped engineering workshop and mobile repair facilities, our experienced marine engineering team can help you with anything from the most basic engine service to a full overhaul or rebuild. Ancasta Yacht Services is an approved agent for Nanni Diesels and Yanmar Marine. We also commission Volvo Penta engines and IPS drives for new boats in our fleet.
SIMPLE UPGRADES
- Replace worn upholstery
- Upgrade navigation systems
- Refresh boat covers and awnings
Making small upgrades to a boat can be very effective in increasing its appeal. An experienced boat seller or a repair specialist, will be able to suggest ways to enhance the boat’s value without spending lots of money.
For example, replacing worn-out fabric and updating items like lights and kitchen fittings can make a big difference. Upgrading navigation equipment can also be beneficial, along with modern conveniences like USB ports and Bluetooth speakers.
On deck, refreshing or replacing covers, sun shades, or side curtains can improve the boat’s appearance and help your boat stand out.
SURVEY AND SEA TRIAL
When you reach the final stages of selling a boat, potential buyers usually commission a survey and request a sea trial. Having an experienced broker and/or boat repair specialist onboard can be extremely helpful in demonstrating the boat and resolving any last-minute concerns. This can speed up the sale process significantly, and give buyers confidence that the boat is in good condition and safe to use.
Sell Your Boat with Ancasta
A well-prepared boat not only attracts more buyers but also leads to better offers and a quicker sale. From a shiny exterior to a clean engine area, fully working electronics, and tidy interiors, every little detail helps make a great first impression. So, if you put in the effort to prepare your boat well, and it will likely sell more quickly and for a better price.
If you’d like more advice on how to prepare your boat for a successful sale, please speak to your local Ancasta Broker who can organise everything for you. They can also suggest extra modifications that may help the vessel sell quickly and for the best price.
