I've sold 3 "old" boats over the last 20 years. An 79 O'Day 22 in 2008, a 1973 Viking 33 in 2015, and a 1985 Tartan 40in 2023. All for pretty much asking price. All those boat were gone thru, by me, and in the case of the Tartan, a lot of boatyard upgrades. Of course this also made me the buyer of 3 old boats. I was always looking for a bargain so I bought boats that needed substantial TLC. But, I don't think I'm the average buyer. However, I'm not that buyer now. I'm looking for something far more turn-key. I'm just getting a little older and don't really want to take on another project. I'm also looking for more comfort and something the admiral really wants to spend time on. So that mean a big head, walk thru transom and an Island Berth. So, I'm looking at floating condos. I have to say, there is an appeal to the new boat from a luxury standpoint, But I digress... I left as much as I could on board to make it more bang for the buck for the buyer. With so many boats on the market right now, I think it's important to make the boat as appealing, and ready to sail as possible. The idea is to create an image for perspective buyers. That Image should be that, they want to go out sailing your boat, before, during and after that first walk through. That means, take really good pictures. Have the boat "staged" in that, it looks like your actively enjoying it and taking care of it. It needs to be clean, bright, tidy and well put together. Most yacht brokers do a terrible job of presenting your boat. Just look at most of the photos on Yachtworld! You want to give "big picture" views of the boat. Views of the whole main salon, views of the whole berth, the whole head. Those closeup shots are great for spec details but, they don't make the viewer get a feel for the boat and make them think, "ooh, I want to see this boat." Photos of a dirty boat, or a boat stripped for storage are not going to bring up sailing dreams. It's going bring up "how much work does this boat really need" vibes. It's also hard to sell a boat in the deferred maintenance realm. If it needs everything from sails to halyards to lifelines, you're going to turn off some buyers. If you've bought new stuff for the boat, leave it with the boat to show value in your boat over others. Have the boat clean and smelling fresh for showings. You don't want potential buyers getting on and think, "What's that smell?" Clean the bilge, take as much clutter off as possible, clean the lockers. You don't want them looking at your boat, you want them looking at their next boat. If you have the thing littered with your personal stuff, it'll be hard to see it as a clean slate just waiting for the buyer's personal touches if it's filled with yours. It's all elbow grease and time that would really should consider spending. Leaving it all smelly and filled with clutter makes it look more like you're trying to unload a headache, rather than reluctantly selling your prized possession. If you can get someone to see this as a great deal on well kept vessel, you'll be able to find a home for it and a decent number. I've never made any money on a boat sale, but I always look at it as what did owning the boat cost me to enjoy for the years I've owned it. I've always felt I did really well in that regard! I got sail on nice clean, well upgraded boat for many years at a relatively low cat of ownership. Anyway,, I hope there is something in all this drivel that you might find helpful! All the best and good luck with the sale! Thank you,Daniel HaugheyIn the market for our next...
---------- Original Message ---------- From: Joel Delamirande via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Janet Schilling <janet.schillin...@gmail.com>, "Della Barba, Joe" <joe.della.ba...@ssa.gov>, Joel Delamirande <joel.delamira...@gmail.com> Subject: Stus-List Re: [EXTERNAL] Selling boats Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2025 18:57:12 -0400 is it a mark two On Wed, Sep 3, 2025 at 12:10 PM Della Barba, Joe via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:You surely can sell boats or give them away here (for us longtime members at least). The boat market is quite odd to say the least. Prices seem to be high for used boats for the most part, but older boats seem to be about impossible to sell. Probably half the C&Cs for sale right now were for sale years ago. Old boats are about impossible to finance and difficult to insure. Dark Star is about as nice a C&C 30 as can be found and is not moving at 11K. I would leave the boat in the water, prospective buyers can pay for a haul themselves. Joe Della Barba Coquina -----Original Message----- From: Janet Schilling via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 11:51 AM To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Janet Schilling <janet.schillin...@gmail.com> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Stus-List Selling boats Is it permissible to offer a boat for sale here? I’m on the fence about keeping, selling or donating my 1980 C&C 30’. Is the economy badly affecting sales? Should I take some of the newer items off first to part some things out like new lifeline covers, throwable cushions, $500 new halyard, sail and binnacle covers? Would it be better to leave in the water (slip paid through end of year) vs. on the hard so it’s easily inspected (but no test sails)? I’ve enjoyed racing this boat since 1993 and am ready to move on. Janet Schilling Penniless St. Michaels, MD Sent from my iPhone Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. -- Joel Delamirandewww.jdroofing.ca
Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated.
