?'s on selling the boat
 

Ive decided to toss my boat up for sale come spring time due to a new baby, and lack of use due to work and other things. I do have a few questions though. What is the best place to advertise an entry level sport boat? Im thinking the local paper and the Auto/RV/Boat traders magazines to start. Do you guys have any luck doing internet classifieds? My second question is, how do you deter the tire kickers who just want to spend a couple hours on the water on a hot saturday? I just dont want to waste time on people who arent serious about buying a boat, and are just bored and looking for something to "dream" about. Thanks for the insight guys, first time selling a boat.

40 views and no advice??:D

Start with the auto rv trader and OSO which is cheap comparde to what some papers get for adds.Only take people out for a sea trail after the final purchase price has been set and a down payment has been made, that should work.

I listed my old Scarab in the "Salty Dog", it's a local boat trader magazine. I also put it up on Ebay, Speedwake and here on OSO.

I got the most traffic from OSO and sold it to someone here on OSO.

What I found the best thing to do to eliminate tire kickers is to price the boat to sell and don't waiver on price when they call.

I got more calls about the boat AFTER I set a deal, one was exactly what I was looking for. I could have gotten like 3-5K more for the boat if I waited it out but then "opportunity cost" comes into play. Be firm in what you need, not what you want.. :drink:

My first time selling a boat as well.

Panther - what time of year did you sell the boat. When did you start getting more hits? Was it all different months, or primarily spring time?

Anybody else have any input on what time of year they get the most hits?

Good question, is it better to get the ads going late winter/early spring, or wait until prime boating season? Thank you for the other replies guys, appreciate the insight.

I listed the boat in June/July, it sold the last week in August and the person picked it up the week after Labor Day. I believe they used it a bunch of times before winterizing.

I thought about selling it in the spring but it seemed like the market was inundated with a lot of other boats in the same size/price range.

I bought my next boat (current) in October.

Thanks for the reply Panther, helpful info.

Along with your paid OSO ad, place free ads on craigslist.com, speedwake.com and screamandfly.com. Good luck. DN

contact the guy you bought it from, that's how I sold my last one.

I would run an ad in your local big newspaper.

OSO or boat trder has always worked well for me.I have never had anything except tire kickers and dreamers from local newspaper.When I sold my first boat back in 1993 the guy showed up at the marina with his wife, kids a cooler and towels.I told him "I dont know what you are thinking but this test drive(ride) will be over in about 5 min!" Good luck with the sale.

I've tried forums, magazines, papers, ebay...
By far have had the best luck with just finding a place to sell it with good visability along a busy road.
IMO people that shop online or from magazines are looking for a deal, those who see it in person, want it and try to figure a way to afford it.

Don't know if I would have even bothered untying from the dock for a clown like that.

If it clean and in good condition, list it with a lot of pictures on OSO and Traderonline. Traderonline has the option package to put in the trader magazines as well. My friends and I have had great success doing these 2. Most importantly, put a realistic price and it will sell. Good luck.

If it is a baja list it on www.bajaboatsforsale.com and OSO.

That is how mine sold.

Kid, U may want 2 try the Detroit Free Press 2 catch alot of boaters eyes in the lake St. Clair and northern Erie areas! Good Luck! Tracy

I've sold two boats using the Boat Trader. Each sold in about 4-6 weeks one boat in the winter, and one in early spring. I've been told spring is the best time to sell but don't honestly know. I would try OSO as well next time (didn't know about OSO when I sold my others). Good luck.