Zipper Boat

Preparing Your Yacht For Sale

Sooner or later every boat owner is confronted with selling his/her boat.  You desire to sell her as soon as possible yet obtain the best price you possibly can.

Below are a number of pointers to make the transaction go as planned.  

Prepare the Vessel for Sale:

Make any needed repairs.  Shattered glass, rotten or discolored wood, ripped canvas or zippers, stained upholstery, are damaging attention getters.  Bear in mind that $5,000.00 spent up front to correct problems may net you an extra $10,000.00.  The majority of purchasers do not desire to purchase a boat and have to leave it in the yard.  Turn-key yachts go for top dollar.

Clean, clean, clean!  Clean heads, vacuum carpets, scrub cushions, wash windows, window treatments, mirrors and of course, the engine room.

Eliminate the clutter.  Eliminate all unnecessary stuff, personal  property, rubbish, tools, knick-knacks, magazines etc. both inside and out including lockers and cabinets.  You Want your boat appearing ship-shape and close to showroom perfect.

Look for any water leaks near windows, sinks, plumbing, thru hulls, rudder posts.  Fix as necessary.

Dock appeal.  Be sure your vessel has a first-class look to her from the dock.  First impressions decide the stage for the actual viewing:
buff and wax gel coat
touch up all exterior varnish 
wash and organize dock lines
inflate and clean fenders
inflate tender
varnish bright work
scrub metals to eliminate superficial rust
clean any growth on hull at waterline
get and analyze oil samples to demonstrate to the buyer the health of engines.  Your buyer will do it in the survey.  We know how to assist you with that.
 

Prepare for Yacht Viewings:

Keep her clean

Make up berths with linens

Make certain lights function in cabin and engine room

Be sure air conditioning/heat works.  If a buyer believes air conditioning is not cooling, he’ll think about the money it will take to replace it.

Free vessel of any odor sources.  This is a huge turn off

Provide all upkeep records in easy-to-read notebooks.  This also means operating manuals, logbooks, etc.

Prepare for Survey/Sea Trial:

Check all hose clamps.  Change all corroded clamps; be sure hoses are double clamped.

Check hoses.  Change any cracked or worn hoses.

Inspect all engine instrumentation.  Change inoperable gages or calibrate as needed.

Inspect all electronics.  Make note on disclosure any item that won’t work.

Check all sea cocks for functionality.  Exercise as required.

Run boat up to operating temperature.  Any extreme reading ought to be investigated.

Get engine(s) tested for operating temperature, belts, fuel or oil leaks, mounts.  Rectify deficiencies; add oil or coolant as necessary.

Get underside and props and shafts cleaned by diver.

Get running gear inspected.  Clean and replace zincs.

Test all appliances, heads, inverters, stereos for operational condition.  Repair as needed.

Inspect all strainers.  Clean as necessary.

Check batteries. Fill up wet cells.

Start and run all engines.   Any hesitation in starting or strange operation must be investigated.

Inspect all bilge pumps and floats.  Replace as needed.

Inspect flares and other safety equipment.  Replace as necessary.

About the Author

Mike Dickens, the author, is a boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts. Paradise Yachts is a Yacht Brokerage offering used yachts to customers worldwide. Visit our website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats .

Interact with us at our Paradise Yachts Blog

National and international sales. We ship Used Yachts and Used Boats worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Replacing a Finished Zipper on a Boat Cover

Hagerty Zippered Holloware Bags HAGERTY SILVER KEEPER STORAGE BAGS come in various sizes to store the small and large pieces of your fine sterling silver and silverplate. Now that you’ve made the purchase of fine silverware, go one step further with this once in a lifetime investment to preserve it.Do you love Grandma’s antique sterling, but find everytime you want to use it, it is tarnished? Once you polish it, KEEP IT THAT WAY…

Boat Tote Bag, Black $6.75 This durable nylon Boat Tote bag features a exterior front open pocket. Tote bag is made out of 600 Denier with PVC Backing for waterproof protection. Boat Tote is lightweight and easy to carry perfect for all your travels….

Boat Tote Bag, Red $6.75 This durable nylon Boat Tote bag features a exterior front open pocket. Tote bag is made out of 600 Denier with PVC Backing for waterproof protection. Boat Tote is lightweight and easy to carry perfect for all your travels….

1999 Subway, Blues Clues, 3.5 Stuffed Pouch Zipper Purse Doll Toy …

Shrink Wrap Access Door Clear $19.99 Shrink Wrap Access Door. Easy access into your winterized boat! Convenient! Tape Access Door to shrink wrap, cutting an opening behind it. Instant access to the inside of your shrink wrapped boat. 30 x 36″, 30 x 48″ or 30 x 72″. State Size. Order Now! Shrink Wrap Access Door, Clear…

Max Burton 12 Volt 59 X 43-Inch Heated Blanket $20.37 Plugs into any 12 volt power outlet! Keep this stashed in the car, truck, motor home, even the boat. You’ll be thankful to have this on hand for that unexpected emergency or just for personal comfort (for you or others) on long road trips. With 8 foot power cord and zippered storage bag. Polar fleece, imported. Approximately 59 inches x 43 inches….

Heavy-duty Cotton Canvas Shoulder Zipper Boat Tote Shopping Bag 100% Heavy-Duty Cotton generously sized Boat tote shopping bag. Bag features Full Zipper gusset, front open pocket. Size: 20″W x 16″H x 5.5″G Handle Length: 28″…

Clear ZIPPER tote with color trim and bottom $9.99 Clear zipper tote with color trim and bottom. Features a full length zipper top, shoulder length handles and large front clear pocket. 19 inches wide x 14 inches high x 6 inch gusset. Also comes with a handy detachable ID tag. Materials: .3mm clear PVC with 600D Poly bottom….

Zipper Travel Tote $24.99 This stylish, versatile large nylon tote bag is a perfect companion for all your travels. Lightweight and easy to carry, it features a spacious main compartment, three outer pockets, full length top zipper and shoulder length handles. Constructed of 600 Denier Poly Ripstop Nylon with PVC backing for waterproof protection. 20″ W x 15″ H x 5″ D…

Hi-Boy Heavy Duty Truck & Boat Round Top Garage W/ Zipper Door, Solid End and Bungees (10’6H x 12′W x 28′L) mfr: Jewett-Cameron Companies Storage Solutions RoundTop Garages Our professional-grade Storage Solutions RoundTop Garages are durable, compactand add space and protection. A D V A N T A G E S• Provides temporary or year round storage protection for mowers, gardening tools, vehicles, motorhomes, ATVs and more.• Offers home owners and renters a portable part-time or full-time storage solu…