Some advice about selling

tawcat

tawcat

New Member
Apr 14, 2007
699
Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
Boat Info
320 Sundancer
Engines
6.1 V drives
Sadly the Admiral has decided to sell our 320DA. We've been boating together since 1998 and she says it's time we take a break. So being the good first mate, I am supporting her decision, I don't like it, nor am I happy about it, but nonetheless I'll support her.

So I have a few general questions for those that may have undertaken this process.

There are so many scam alerts out there that it makes doing a sale of this nature pretty scary. Any tips or advice?

Do we use a broker at a 10% commission rate or do we attempt this one our own? Last boat we sold was a party barge eight or so years ago for $7,000. Selling a $120,000 boat is a bit different.

Thanks in advance, really appreciate the input.
 
Here's how I do it:

I usually have a trusted dealer and I go in asking for the butt naked truth of what to ask,, and what to expect to get.
It's not the amount ya really would like to get, but the advise has served me well.
Especially in this market and economy.
Motorhome boats are mostly Bic lighters here on the Left Coast.

If you let the dealer sell it they offer financing,,, trusted re-peat customer base,, usually offer a warranty of some sort,, and often they can get new boat sticker shock new buyers interested in buying used. - To me,, worth the commission.
 
If you really want to sell the boat it needs to be the lowest priced 2005 320 and the cleanest. Otherwise it will just sit. It will probably sell in the high $80,000 range.
 
If my wife announced we are "selling the boat" there would be big trouble in Dodge city!
 
srt8mag said:
If you really want to sell the boat it needs to be the lowest priced 2005 320 and the cleanest. Otherwise it will just sit. It will probably sell in the high $80,000 range.
Click to expand...

I would think high $80's there would be a lot of buyers, my SR dealer tells me their trade-in would be almost $92K and low retail is like $105K!
 
I have sold two boats, both 38 feet LOA, on Ebay without any problems. It mostly comes down to price anyway, especially with potential buyers of a boat your size. Just make sure everything works, service is current and that it is super clean and don't let the boat out of your sight until the check clears. Expect the usual broke-ass dreamers to waste your time though. Good luck.
 
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I think the 80's are too low to start, unless you want to give it away.. that's your call..but do some research online and you'll find the median asking price.. be a little lower and a little cleaner and you should have no problem getting it sold..... I'd definitely sell it yourself.. With so many people buying thru online sources (boattrader.com, iboats.com, etc), you can grab a buyers attention from anywhere.. I bought my 320 online from Kentucky (and I live in South Florida)... and I've sold all my boats online as well..

Go to a lot of online sites and look at the asking prices of the same boat you have, same options etc.. I'd definitely try it that way first... In my opinion that's all a broker would do anyway and why give him 10% when you can do it yourself.. If the boat were larger or more of a specialty boat, then a broker would be the way to go...
 
Surprise390 said:
I have sold two boats, both 38 feet LOA, on Ebay without any problems. IMO, it mostly comes down to price anyway, especially with potential buyers of a boat your size. Just make sure everything works, service is current and that it is super clean and don't let the boat out of your sight until the check clears. Expect the usual dreamers to waste your time though. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Yes, price is a big factor for the buyer, but boats are not commodities. I found my boat out of state on Craigslist, the only place the seller advertised, but I was power searching for exactly that boat, not browsing. I would never want to offer the courtesies the seller offered me to total strangers. There are thieves perfecting their mayhem every day, just waiting to find a fresh mark. Let the broker qualify the buyer, be responsible for collecting the money, and generally helping the buyer close. There is also an advantage in having a 3rd party negotiate between the buyer and seller, they can buffer or say what needs to be said as a professional. Some buyers won't trust buying direct from a seller either. A good broker earns their keep. MM
 
Your exact boat, '05 320 6.2V-drives, was listed out here last fall on craigslist, it was in great shape, sold in a few weeks for $85k. You can ask a lot more... and spend the summer and perhaps next couple saying, honey, sorry, we just have to keep boating since no one will buy it!
 
Jim240 said:
Your exact boat, '05 320 6.2V-drives, was listed out here last fall on craigslist, it was in great shape, sold in a few weeks for $85k. You can ask a lot more... and spend the summer and perhaps next couple saying, honey, sorry, we just have to keep boating since no one will buy it!
Click to expand...

I like that approach!! But, I have to believe that the OP is ok with the sale or he wouldn't be going along with it. In marriage we all know that you have to choose your battles and this is a significant one!
 
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