WeBuyAnyBoat???
Discussion
I want to sell my boat - there's nothing wrong with it and has recently been anti-fouled and had a mechanical overhaul - but it doesn't suit the local waters I've moved to and it's getting zero use. I was advised to list it for £25k but listed it for £19,995 but that was at the end of last summer - at the beginning of March I dropped it again to £15k. I'm worried that if I drop it again the assumption from buyers is there's something wrong with it.
Does anyone know a broker that just buys boats? Is eBay a possibility?
Does anyone know a broker that just buys boats? Is eBay a possibility?
Everything will sell - for the 'right' price.
Boats are one of those things which are problematic to price and sell usually, let alone at a time of shrinking household spending power, global uncertainty and changing habits...They are a huge cost ongoing, so against that background the narrow pool of buyers is shrinking I would suggest at present.
Also, are you trying to sell it in the new place which is not so suited to your boat, and could that be a barrier?
Boats are one of those things which are problematic to price and sell usually, let alone at a time of shrinking household spending power, global uncertainty and changing habits...They are a huge cost ongoing, so against that background the narrow pool of buyers is shrinking I would suggest at present.
Also, are you trying to sell it in the new place which is not so suited to your boat, and could that be a barrier?
Brokers don't in general, buy boats.
The odd one will take boats in PX for brand new ones.
There are plenty of brokers who will attempt to sell it for you.
Apolloduck is first choice for advertising?
Values are down compared to the covid era, but many good boats still seem to be selling.
The odd one will take boats in PX for brand new ones.
There are plenty of brokers who will attempt to sell it for you.
Apolloduck is first choice for advertising?
Values are down compared to the covid era, but many good boats still seem to be selling.
interstellar said:
Ebay is good for boats, it seems. What type of boat is it?
Seems like eBay is the best option. It's a Cranchi 24'
https://www.networkyachtbrokers.com/boats_for_sale...
RobbyJ said:
I sold my last boat on eBay VERY quickly with multiple people falling over themselves to buy it. I also bought my 'new' boat on eBay very successfully. I've found the same with cars on eBay too. I HATE eBay these days but at least in my case it's worked out well recently.
Quick question. Did you do sea trials? Petrus1983 said:
Seems like eBay is the best option.
It's a Cranchi 24'
https://www.networkyachtbrokers.com/boats_for_sale...
Looks a nice example of its type.It's a Cranchi 24'
https://www.networkyachtbrokers.com/boats_for_sale...
I hesitate to guess what a new one costs.
The problem is, it's going to cost proper money every year to keep it in a marina and South Wales isn't really the ideal playground for this type of boat.
It's petrol so it will cost proper money to do distance in.
It's a nice toy to have if you've got a cheap mooring and quick access to open water to blat about for ten minutes then anchor up for some beers etc.
People who can easily afford the marina and fuel would probably want something bigger?
You're correct. When it was in Poole I used it circa 80-100 times a year, maybe more. Last summer was 3 times to anchor off Mumbles - but mooring was £250pm, insurance £400 and maintenance around £2k. If I was using it as much as I was it's fine - but I'm not!
It is a nice example - I added shore power and also had the seating redone 2 years ago and the maintenance is exemplary. Would just be nice for someone to use it!
It is a nice example - I added shore power and also had the seating redone 2 years ago and the maintenance is exemplary. Would just be nice for someone to use it!
Edited by Petrus1983 on Friday 25th April 16:23
What's your broker saying?
Are you not getting any interest whatsoever?
NYB no longer pay for yachtworld so you are missing out on the biggest source of boat buyers straight away. If you are happy to pay a brokerage fee, then find a broker who uses YW (they will expect a chunky commission relative to the value of the boat though).
Alternatively take some decent photos / video and put it up on Apollo Duck, Boats and Outboards, Ebay, Facebook marketplace. Clear out all of your personal items before taking the photos and give it a deep clean. (If I were in your shoes, I would go down the private sale route at this price point. Note, I am a yacht broker!)
Bad points which I can see that would be issues for buyers:
- Headlining needs replacing
- Exterior upholstery is tatty
- Steering wheel tatty
- No engine hours shown (this is important to buyers. If your dial no longer works, it can be repaired for approx £15 and 30 mins of simple work)
- Due engine service soon
- GRP all needs a polish/ wax
- Nav gear is outdated
- Lacking sprayhood/ Bimini/ enclosure
- Location
I appreciate that this is a 1998 cheap boat, so you cannot expect everything to be all shiny and new, however buyers at this price point are likely spending a significant portion of their savings on this so even small fixes often become a sticking point for them.
Compared to the other two on the market, your biggest competition is the one in Brixham (2002 @£19,500, been on the market for over 500 days) which I would say offers better value than yours as it doesnt need the level of works yours does.
Sorry the above may all sound a little harsh, but hopefully it helps give you an idea of what the buyers may be seeing.
Are you not getting any interest whatsoever?
NYB no longer pay for yachtworld so you are missing out on the biggest source of boat buyers straight away. If you are happy to pay a brokerage fee, then find a broker who uses YW (they will expect a chunky commission relative to the value of the boat though).
Alternatively take some decent photos / video and put it up on Apollo Duck, Boats and Outboards, Ebay, Facebook marketplace. Clear out all of your personal items before taking the photos and give it a deep clean. (If I were in your shoes, I would go down the private sale route at this price point. Note, I am a yacht broker!)
Bad points which I can see that would be issues for buyers:
- Headlining needs replacing
- Exterior upholstery is tatty
- Steering wheel tatty
- No engine hours shown (this is important to buyers. If your dial no longer works, it can be repaired for approx £15 and 30 mins of simple work)
- Due engine service soon
- GRP all needs a polish/ wax
- Nav gear is outdated
- Lacking sprayhood/ Bimini/ enclosure
- Location
I appreciate that this is a 1998 cheap boat, so you cannot expect everything to be all shiny and new, however buyers at this price point are likely spending a significant portion of their savings on this so even small fixes often become a sticking point for them.
Compared to the other two on the market, your biggest competition is the one in Brixham (2002 @£19,500, been on the market for over 500 days) which I would say offers better value than yours as it doesnt need the level of works yours does.
Sorry the above may all sound a little harsh, but hopefully it helps give you an idea of what the buyers may be seeing.
It's certainly worth giving it a deep clean and changing the photos.
The headlining is a negative too. It should not be too hard or expensive to make that look acceptable in a photo.
It's an old boat and all the competing old boats will have faults too!.
Worth mentioning to buyers that it can be trailered to the Solent for £600 or whatever (plus lifting presumably?), for many boats not much bigger it would be expensive enough to be a deal-breaker.
The headlining is a negative too. It should not be too hard or expensive to make that look acceptable in a photo.
It's an old boat and all the competing old boats will have faults too!.
Worth mentioning to buyers that it can be trailered to the Solent for £600 or whatever (plus lifting presumably?), for many boats not much bigger it would be expensive enough to be a deal-breaker.
Simpo Two said:
The mouldy WC and saggy headlining are a bit bleuch.
This. It looks like a right state, and the headlining is riddled in mold too. All the upholstery looks very dirty/grubby like it hasn't been touched or cleaned since it came out of the factory 27 years ago. 
It's also in Swansea. Nobody has got a pot to piss in round there so the number of people looking to buy a boat can be counted on one hand. And it's a petrol guzzler. In the unsightly interior condition it's in I think you'd struggle to sell that for more than beer money even where you had it! As soon as people see those 2 pics they are going to close the ad and move onto the next one I'm afraid.
You're going to have to spend some money cleaning all the upholstery and sorting out the headlining if want to sell that for more than pocket change.
Edited by Tisy on Friday 25th April 19:47
OutInTheShed said:
It's certainly worth giving it a deep clean and changing the photos.
The headlining is a negative too. It should not be too hard or expensive to make that look acceptable in a photo.
It's an old boat and all the competing old boats will have faults too!.
Worth mentioning to buyers that it can be trailered to the Solent for £600 or whatever (plus lifting presumably?), for many boats not much bigger it would be expensive enough to be a deal-breaker.
I've spent so much money on the headlining it's likely to stay like that - maybe better photos will help as after the steam cleaning it's not as bad as it looks. The headlining is a negative too. It should not be too hard or expensive to make that look acceptable in a photo.
It's an old boat and all the competing old boats will have faults too!.
Worth mentioning to buyers that it can be trailered to the Solent for £600 or whatever (plus lifting presumably?), for many boats not much bigger it would be expensive enough to be a deal-breaker.
If I sold it on eBay I'd mention delivery to anywhere can be arranged - and I'm weirdly sitting in the pub with the guy who'd do it: Weymouth to Swansea was £450 - cash, obviously.
Audis5b9 said:
What's your broker saying?
Are you not getting any interest whatsoever?
NYB no longer pay for yachtworld so you are missing out on the biggest source of boat buyers straight away. If you are happy to pay a brokerage fee, then find a broker who uses YW (they will expect a chunky commission relative to the value of the boat though).
Alternatively take some decent photos / video and put it up on Apollo Duck, Boats and Outboards, Ebay, Facebook marketplace. Clear out all of your personal items before taking the photos and give it a deep clean. (If I were in your shoes, I would go down the private sale route at this price point. Note, I am a yacht broker!)
Bad points which I can see that would be issues for buyers:
- Headlining needs replacing
- Exterior upholstery is tatty
- Steering wheel tatty
- No engine hours shown (this is important to buyers. If your dial no longer works, it can be repaired for approx £15 and 30 mins of simple work)
- Due engine service soon
- GRP all needs a polish/ wax
- Nav gear is outdated
- Lacking sprayhood/ Bimini/ enclosure
- Location
I appreciate that this is a 1998 cheap boat, so you cannot expect everything to be all shiny and new, however buyers at this price point are likely spending a significant portion of their savings on this so even small fixes often become a sticking point for them.
Compared to the other two on the market, your biggest competition is the one in Brixham (2002 @£19,500, been on the market for over 500 days) which I would say offers better value than yours as it doesnt need the level of works yours does.
Sorry the above may all sound a little harsh, but hopefully it helps give you an idea of what the buyers may be seeing.
GRP was professionally cleaned and polished at the same time as being anti fouled - so within 5-6 months - along with the anodes. The engine was also sorted at that time and has done sun 30 mins since. The nav is probably outdated but it's actually good - especially the VHF and I use my iPhone more - and spending a couple of £k doesn't make any sense. The steering wheel comment is interesting and if it's dry tomorrow I'll head down and sort it!Are you not getting any interest whatsoever?
NYB no longer pay for yachtworld so you are missing out on the biggest source of boat buyers straight away. If you are happy to pay a brokerage fee, then find a broker who uses YW (they will expect a chunky commission relative to the value of the boat though).
Alternatively take some decent photos / video and put it up on Apollo Duck, Boats and Outboards, Ebay, Facebook marketplace. Clear out all of your personal items before taking the photos and give it a deep clean. (If I were in your shoes, I would go down the private sale route at this price point. Note, I am a yacht broker!)
Bad points which I can see that would be issues for buyers:
- Headlining needs replacing
- Exterior upholstery is tatty
- Steering wheel tatty
- No engine hours shown (this is important to buyers. If your dial no longer works, it can be repaired for approx £15 and 30 mins of simple work)
- Due engine service soon
- GRP all needs a polish/ wax
- Nav gear is outdated
- Lacking sprayhood/ Bimini/ enclosure
- Location
I appreciate that this is a 1998 cheap boat, so you cannot expect everything to be all shiny and new, however buyers at this price point are likely spending a significant portion of their savings on this so even small fixes often become a sticking point for them.
Compared to the other two on the market, your biggest competition is the one in Brixham (2002 @£19,500, been on the market for over 500 days) which I would say offers better value than yours as it doesnt need the level of works yours does.
Sorry the above may all sound a little harsh, but hopefully it helps give you an idea of what the buyers may be seeing.
Petrus1983 said:
Simpo Two said:
The mouldy WC and saggy headlining are a bit bleuch.
I've spent so much on the headlining but I'm sure I can sort the WC. I know you KNOW boats so thanks for your feedback - it's appreciated. 
When I was buying my first boat, and I viewed about a dozen, you learn to look for the obvious weak spots, whether the owner is the sort of chap you'd want to buy a boat from, and also the 'sniff test' - if the saloon smells of diesel or damp, politely run away.
How have you managed to spend £££ on the headlining but it still looks like that?
Also I would remove the WC; it just looks wrong stuck in the middle of the saloon.
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