Have you been wondering, How do I protect myself when selling a boat? Or How can I get my used boat to sell as quickly as possible? If so, you may want to learn a few key sales strategies before putting your boat on the market. Even if you have extensive OC Boat Insurance, it may simply be time to part with your current vessel. Whether you want to bring in some additional income or whether you simply want to upgrade to a newer boat, there are several tips to help sell your used boat in a pinch. How do you prepare a boat for sale with little to no sales experience? Keep reading to find out.
Take Your Personal Items Out and Do a Thorough Cleaning of the Boat
If you haven’t already done so, the first step to take is to remove all of your personal belongings from the boat and start to clean it. This is an especially important step if you plan to offer potential buyers in-person showings of the boat. Prior to taking further actions, make sure that you:
- Remove all personal items of any significance to you
- Clear out furniture and equipment that you do not plan to sell along with the boat
- Hire a cleaning crew or spend a weekend deep-cleaning the boat yourself
- Check that everything is functioning properly and get any necessary repairs done immediately
Work With a Boat Agent To Set an Appropriate Listing Price
In some cases, you may need to bring in a professional to help you with some of the stickier aspects of selling a boat. One of these cases may be setting the right listing price for the boat. The right boat price can help incentivize buyers to purchase the boat, thereby getting it off your hands quicker. You can:
- Contact a boat agent to help you do your research
- Compare your boat’s features, age, and condition with comparable ones on the market to find an appropriate price
- Avoid setting too high or too low a price that could scare off prospective buyers
Sharpen Your Marketing Skills and Pitch Your Boat To Potential Buyers
Finally, lay out a plan for marketing your boat. For the perfect pitch, make sure to:
- Take high-resolution, aesthetically pleasing boat listing photos
- Advertise the boat both online and in person at places such as local boating clubs
- Let your friends know the boat is for sale and have them tell their friends to make the most of word-of-mouth marketing
- Highlight the positives of your used boat in your ads and descriptions
After double-checking your OC Boat Insurance policy and making the decision to sell your used boat, it’s time to polish your sales skills and map out your marketing strategy. Even if you’ve never had to sell a boat before, you can make a quick sale of your current vessel by following these three tips.
About Mariners Insurance
Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.