How to Get More for Your Boat

If you're thinking of selling your boat or even trading it in on a new boat, here are several suggestions that will help you maximize the value of your old boat:

Clean It Up! Obvious as it should be, too many sellers have mentally moved on to their new boat and disregard the impact of showing a clean boat. This includes not only the interior, deck and hull, but should also include the bilge, lockers, all stainless steel (topsides and below), running rigging, etc.

The Head. This deserves a separate statement. Boat sales are won and lost based on the condition of the head and, for that matter, the overall "scent" of the boat below. Imagine opening the door to the head on a stranger's boat and being able to have pleasant thoughts. This is what you need to strive for.

Other Mechanical Systems. Float switches, bilge pumps, freshwater pumps, seacocks, etc. should be kept in working condition. If a buyer becomes interested, your boat will be surveyed and the equipment will be tested. Chances are that if these items aren't working, then interest in your boat and/or price will be impacted.

Electronics and Electrical Systems. More and more, bells and whistles are becoming an important part of boating. Your boat should have the basics (at least VHF, depth, knot and GPS) and having more helps when two similar boats are in the buyers final choice. Although electronics can be a decisive factor in a buyers choice of boat, rarely does it impact the "Price" of the boat. Accordingly, care should be taken if you choose to add such items prior to selling your boat. However, like mechanical systems above, a survey of your boat will disclose non-working items and you need to evaluate the cost of repairing known problems up front.

Equipment Inventory. As with electronics, equipment can help make a deal happen. While adding equipment is rarely the case, deciding what is to go with the boat upon sale is important. Decide up front what you are going to include and take off what you will keep behind. This will help avoid disputes and a buyer becoming attached to something the seller doesn't want to go with the boat.

On the subject of inventory, remember that an empty boat looks bigger and better than a boat crammed full of years of accumulated items.

Teak Work and Bottom Paint. Once again, sellers have typically moved on once making the decision to sell and the last thing they want to do IS REFINISH THE TEAK OR PAINT THE BOTTOM! No smaller investment can make such a large return on your sale than a fresh coat of bottom paint and beautifully finished teak on deck. Remember, it's an old boat to you, but it's a brand new boat to your prospective buyer.

Access. Make your boat easily accessible for buyers and brokers to board and inspect. You can't sell a boat from a piece of paper (brokerage listing or ad). In addition, make your broker aware of when the boat is unavailable for showing. Nothing disappoints a buyer more than getting to a boat that's out sailing.

Hopefully these comments will help guide you to maximizing the value of your boat and affording that new boat you are moving into. Although the market will dictate how much you are able to sell your boat for, a clean well presented boat will sell quicker and for more than a tired poorly presented boat. These comments are not all-inclusive and calling or e-mailing your Cape Yachts broker can further help you get onto the road of selling or trading in your boat.