How to Get the Best Price for Your Boat

You've enjoyed your boat for years, made wonderful memories on the water and come back with a million stories to tell. Perhaps you have enjoyed breathtaking sunrises, warm ocean breezes and glorious sunbathing. Now it's time to sell and get the best price for your boat. There are a few things that are helpful to know when selling your watercraft. At Hampton Watercraft & Marine in Hampton Bays and Eastport, New York, we serve all of Eastern Long Island, New York, and have helped others sell their boats and get the best prices for them.

Spruce It Up

A well-loved boat will show signs of wear. To get the best price for your boat, give it a facelift before you show it to buyers. Clean the carpets, wax it, replace any frayed ropes or cords, repair caulk and replace broken parts. Depersonalize it by removing any personal items in the boat. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves in the craft, so make the boat's décor as neutral as possible. Declutter the space and empty out storage bins, closets and trash receptacles. Consider staging your boat with decorative accents, fresh bedding and towels to enhance its look.

Service the Boat

When your potential buyers take your boat out for a sea trial, you want to ensure that it sails flawlessly. The engine and all of its components need to be in working order. The hull should be free of cracks and blisters. The canvas should be repaired with no rips or tears. The interior and exterior lights should be in working order. The boat should run smoothly and at top RPM. The fuel system should be in good condition, and there should be no signs of water damage. If you have maintenance records, have them on hand for your potential buyer to review.

Study the Market

There are a few factors that determine how much you will ultimately get for your boat. Those include the market, the condition of the boat and the selling price of similar boats. Your buyers will have done their homework before viewing your boat, and they are attuned to how much similar boats cost. While you may have sentimental attachments to your boat or have a price in mind that you want, buyers don't care about these things. Some sellers have existing loans on the boat that they want to pay off, so they base their asking price on how much profit they want to make. Understand that this doesn't matter to your buyer. They simply want the best boat at the best price. Keep that in mind when you price your boat.

When you are ready to sell your model, Hampton Watercraft & Marine is the premier retailer for boats for sale in Hampton Bays. With locations in Hampton Bays and Eastport, New York, we serve Eastern Long Island, New York and can help you get the best price for your model. Visit us today for a free consultation.