Selling Your Current Vessel
Our Advice on Selling Your Vessel
Why should I use Boat Showrooms to sell my boat?
Using a Broker to sell your boat will save you a lot of stress from getting involved in issues that can become quite complicated should you choose to sell your boat privately. At Boat Showrooms, we have the expertise and professional experience to deal with any problems, such as the following, and will keep you out of any direct negotiations:
- Worrying about dealing with - and being contacted by strangers.
- Showing your boat to possible timewasters.
- Marketing and advertising your boat in both the digital and traditional media.
- Safe and secure client deposit and money transfers facilities.
- Finding and achieving the best price for your boat.
- Drawing up Sale agreement and implementing it.
- Assisting with organising other activities such as surveys and sea trials.
- Providing title documentation and other required vetting procedures.
How much commission will I have to pay?
Brokerage fees depend on the selling price of your boat, but most brokers charge the standard industry rate of 8% of the eventual selling price plus VAT. At Boat Showrooms we try to be flexible, taking into account any situation which may mean being able to help bring a potential sale to a swift and successful conclusion.
What do your fees cover?
The brokerage fee pays for all the services we provide in selling your boat. These include all administration costs, marketing and advertising costs, transfer of title, documentation and finally arranging a technical handover to the Purchaser by the seller or their representative.
How do you market brokerage boats?
Firstly we meet with you and run through the vessel with you at a pre-determined time that suits you. This will enable us to give you the best advice in relation to any pre-sale remedial work and what price we should ask for the vessel as well as what price we believe in current market conditions we should achieve – the two will vary. Once agreed we will then produce full boat particulars with colour pictures and full specification. Once approved by you, this information is distributed to all applicable customers on our database and other prospective purchasers. Our dedicated marketing team will advertise your boat in a selection of major marine publications, such as 'Motorboat and Yachting'.
These days and with the internet being so prevalent, we will also market your boat on our own extensive website, as well as the leading world-wide boat search sites - Yachtworld, Boatshop 24, Right Boat, Apollo Duck and The Yacht Market.
Details of our brokerage boats for sale are also made available at national and regional boat shows as well as all of the Boat Showrooms offices. Current listings are also regularly mailed to all prospective purchasers and our sales offices are open seven days a week. All this activity ensures that your boat receives maximum coverage and our sales staff will arrange accompanied viewings of your vessel wherever necessary.
How can you get the best price for my boat?
We advise Sellers that first impressions are important and as the owner, you can help your boat create the right impression with potential buyers. We will inspect your vessel with you and check it against our ‘You only have one chance to impress a Buyer’ check list which will bring to your attention any short comings in condition or survivability that may affect the time it takes to sell and any offers and therefore the price it might sell for. This will also prevent any speculative buyers and ensure your boat sells over a less clean or attractive alternative. Remember - There is only one chance to impress! Wherever possible, we would suggest that you bring your craft to one of our sales locations. This gives us the opportunity to display her to her best advantage in our dedicated sales areas.
We ask that you complete our Brokerage Agreement Form in full, providing us with as much background and history as possible with service records, photos, specifications, receipts, etc., supply us with a complete set of keys, which will only be available to our staff. Let us know if you need any help doing so – we are pleased to help! Most importantly, try to ensure if you can that your boat is in a clean and tidy condition; it really does make a difference. Regular cleaning can be arranged on your behalf if necessary.
Can you arrange the survey?
Boat Showrooms cannot ethically recommend a specific Surveyor to a Purchaser. However, we can provide a list of YBDSA accredited Surveyors to the Buyer and liaise between both parties and ensure the minimum of fuss in making the arrangements. We will also assist in making the survey lifting arrangements on Buyer’s behalf if required, usually wherever the vessel is berthed.
Can you organise the sea or river trial?
Our experienced sales personnel are all RYA qualified and can manage or arrange the sea or river trial arrangements on your behalf, not only saving you the time and worry but ensuring your vessel will be demonstrated to its best potential.
Who pays for sales moorings?
The brokerage fee excludes the cost of mooring however if you are moored with us we are happy to give you a concessionary berthing rate paid quarterly in advance and refund any unused berthing fee when the boat is sold.
Our services
