1 Scour the boat:
Clean everything—bilge, sole, upholstery, cabinets, lockers, the shore-power cord, and under the sink in the head. Everything. If your boat is spotless, the buyer will think you’re detail oriented and that all the systems have been well maintained. If the boat is a mess, a prospective buyer might think you also neglected to change the oil in the engine. Remember the last time you went to the boat show? Make your boat look like it’s in a new-boat show.

Declutterize:
Your personal items on the boat may mean a lot to you, but they only make the boat look smaller and cluttered to the buyer. Empty all hanging lockers, drawers, and cabinets. It may sound crazy, but a buyer will look at a hanging locker full of foul-weather gear and think, “Where am I going to put my foul-weather gear?”

3 Comfortize:
Make sure all the cushions are in place and periodically open all the ports and hatches. It’s got to be “fresh” belowdecks. Remember, you only get one shot at making a first impression, and musty-smelling accommodations aren’t the impression you want to make.

4 Dress it up for the Internet:
A strong Internet presentation is critical, so make sure your boat is as enticing as possible to those online shoppers. You should provide a complete history of the boat and its upgrades; a detailed inventory of everything, including sails, electronics, and major systems; and photos that allow Internet tire kickers/prospective buyers to enjoy a photographic walkthrough of the entire boat.

5 Spend wisely:
It’s a good idea to get the boat surveyed so you can learn about and fix any potential problems before the boat goes on the market. If the bottom or the topsides need a paint job, do it. If you’re painting the hull, use only white or dark-blue paint. However, one broker recommends not spending money on electronic upgrades. You’ll only get a small part of that investment back.

6 Price it right:
If you want to sell your boat in this market, you’ve got to get in, get aggressive, and get out. That means you may have to price it below the lowest priced comparable boat on the market (by at least 5 percent), even if your boat has better equipment, fewer engine hours, and the like. A quick sale means less pain. Once you’re no longer the seller, you can take advantage of the situation in reverse.

7 Close the deal:
Selling a used boat can be a full-time job. If you plan to do it yourself, be prepared for appointment no-shows and comments such as “It’s exactly what I want, but next year” or “It’s exactly what I want, but I’d offer half the price.” When talking to prospective buyers, listen equally to both the husband and the wife, and always respond to their questions honestly. If you’re not up to the challenge, hiring a certified yacht broker could make the whole process a bit easier. Then you can focus on the fun things, like shopping for that new boat you’ve always wanted.

Top tips if you’re selling privately

Picture perfect: For your adverts in print magazines or boat marketplace websites, it’s essential to include really good quality photographs – and lots of them – if you want potential buyers to fall in love with your boat! You can use a good quality digital camera or even a decent camera phone but for the best results. Enlisting the help of an experienced photographer will guarantee eye-catching and attractive images to sell with.

Be ready for enquiries: Plan in advance how to deal with the enquiries you will receive. If a potential buyer requires more information and photographs than is featured in the advert, it’s a good idea to have a pre-prepared a ‘Specification Sheet’ ready, to send at a moment’s notice. Make yourself readily available for viewings and boat inspections.

Anticipate buyers’ concerns: The secret to sales negotiation is to be well prepared, anticipate what potential buyers are likely to say about the boat you’re selling, and work out in advance how you’re going to react. Always keep in the back of your mind what price you’ll be prepared to accept!