How do I prepare my boat for sale?

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 is our boat selling preparation checklist:

• Gather all of the boat’s documentation and check that everything is complete and up-to-date, including service and maintenance records. We offer a paperwork check service to help you with this, so contact your local Ancasta office to book an appointment. 
• 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. This will also ensure that your boat is ready to view at short notice. It is also advisable to use a heater and dehumidifier on board to keep the boat dry throughout the colder months. 
• Serious buyers are likely to inspect the hull before making an offer, so make sure the underside of the boat is clear of algae. Also, if your boat is stored out of the water, a new coat of anti-foul is a quick and cost-effective way to make the hull look clean and tidy.
• Check that all equipment onboard is in good working order. For example, rigging, sails, navigation lights, horn, bilge pumps, interior lights, winches, heating, gas appliances, generator, cooking facilities, taps and toilet etc. 
• Make sure that the engine is in good working order. Consider booking the engine in for a service to make sure everything is mechanically sound, and if your boat is in the water, make sure the engine starts smoothly.
• De-clutter the boat to clearly show the space onboard. If there is any equipment onboard that you do not want to include in the sale, remove it from the vessel and put it in storage. This includes emptying cupboards and lockers wherever possible. 

If you want more advice on how to prepare your boat for a successful sale, speak to your local Ancasta Broker. They will also be able to suggest extra modifications that may help the vessel sell quickly and for a reasonable price. We can also arrange for cleaning and maintenance work to be carried out for you.