Compare Internet Boat Sales Listings
The true value of a boat quite simply depends on how much a buyer is willing to pay for it, and many sellers start with a high price and drop it through time until the boat sells. In fact, the time it takes to get from an initial listing to a final sale is a factor professional boat dealers consider when trying to figure out just how to price a boat.
So, you have to recognize that when you look at boat listings on the internet, many of the asking prices you will see are a bit far-fetched.
- Online boat listings generally run on the high side, since boats that are priced too low get snapped up quickly, and then the listing disappears.
- While you may see a lowball listing here or there, expect that the numbers you generally see can be a bit inflated.
- Also note that while researching how to price a boat by looking at internet listings youll have to sift through a huge number of listings that dont actually state a price.
Boat Valuations: How To Price A Boat For Sale
Make a correct call on your boat valuation and you will save time selling your boat.
Choosing an appropriate starting price can make or break the sale of your boat, yet this is one of the most difficult aspects to get right when selling a boat. Almost all the other processes including presenting it in a clean, tidy condition and creating informative, attractive adverts are straightforward matters, even if they may be time-consuming.
Specialist craft may stay on the market for longer than others, until finding a buyer who recognises the value of the equipment and the knowledge and time invested in setting the boat up.
So How Much Should You Sell Your Boat
Okay: now are you ready to answer the how to price my boat for sale question, once and for all? At this point it should be clear that pricing your boat is as much an art form as it is a science, and youll need to do a lot of research if you want to get top dollar without working to sell the boat for months on end. Most sellers settle on a number, list their boat, and see how much attention it draws. If people dont come rushing, they drop the price incrementally until buyers seem interested.
There is, of course, one other option that greatly simplifies matters: rather than selling your boat, trade it in on a new one. If this is an option youd like to examine, check out Trade-In or Sell Your Boat to learn the ins and outs of the process. Whatever you decide to do, one thing is for sure: when you kiss your old boat goodbye youll be sad, but when you say hello to your brand new boat itll be one of the happiest days of your life.
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Visit The Boat Manufacturers Website
Some boat manufacturers offer a builder tool on their website, and many include pricing. Some will offer to email you a quote after you complete a virtual build. These often allow you to price different features and options and can be very helpful in determining the value of the package youre looking at.
We have a list of links for NMMA Certified Boat Brands & Manufacturers to help lead your search.
Step : Putting It All Together
When you combine the list price and the cost of repairs youll be left with the true price of the boat. Compare this to the comparable estimated price and youll have a sense of whether boat is priced too high, too low, or just right!
This is also a good time to think about transportation costs. You can often score a great deal if you search farther afield but you have to factor in any moving costs and taxes.
Will you have to ship the boat?
Does the price include a boat trailer?
Will you pay import duties?
If youre thinking of buying abroad, you might want to learn about sailboat arbitrage the art of buying and selling boats in the right markets. Some people have even managed to sail around the world for free by buying and selling their boat in the right geographies.
Example:
When I take the list price and add the repair costs I realize the boat will cost me $27,500 in total. When I compare that to my comparable estimated price of $29,000, I can see that this boat is in the right ballpark and probably fairly priced.
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Make Comparison Between Used And New Boats
First make up your mind on whether you are going for new or used boat. Once you drive the boat out of the dealers shop, it starts depreciating in value. This means the initial investment on the boat is depreciated already. You can get an almost-new boat if you look rather for a slightly used boat to buy and such boat can be purchased at just a fraction of the cost for new.
You need to plan carefully before you buy a boat considering the fact that it involves major financial commitment. There is no better way to get helpful hint on how to buy the best boat for your use.
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Can I Buy A Pontoon Boat Directly From You
No. We sell direct to our extensive dealer network, who in turn is able to sell you a Godfrey Pontoon Boat. We recommend working with the dealer that is nearest to where you do your boating, as they will be the dealer to provide any service needs you may have. To find your local dealer, visit the dealer locator.
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How Does Boat Ownership Cost Compare To Purchase Price
Post-purchase needs vary wildly with size, age, condition and intended purpose of the vessel. Consider that youll need to insure the boat, perhaps finance and relocate it, and berth it on land or in a marina, which can get expensive. Then add any repairs, upgrades and regular maintenance. A rule of thumb would be to keep 20% in reserve. So if you buy a $15,000 boat, keep $3,000 aside but in some cases that may be inadequate.
Step : Do Some Comparison Shopping
We always start by comparing the boat were interested in with similar boats in the local area. The easiest way to do this is by searching yacht brokers, Craigslist, and Kijiji within a 500 mile radius.
Next, we do a search on Yachtworld and Sailboat Listings of the boats exact year and model. While searching, weve noticed that in places like Mexico, boats will be much cheaper. So searching in other areas has limited applicability for buying a boat locally.
There are three important things to consider when comparing used boats
- The condition Some boats are better maintained than others which will be reflected in the price
- The location some boat markets are cheaper than others
- The year the boat was built expect lower prices for older builds
Example:
I search for Dufour 35s on Craigslist, Kijiji, Yachtworld, and Sailboat Listings and here are the results:
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Tips To Increase The Value Of Your Boat
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Get Accurate Nada Boat Values Quickly Online
Whether you’re looking to buy a sleek powerboat, to sell your trusty old fishing boat or to trade one yacht for another, you’ll have to have an accurate boat value to be sure you’re getting the most out of the deal.
For boats, outboard motors or trailers, simply click the link at the bottom of the page to begin calculating their value. You’ll be taken step by step through the process of choosing the model, selecting the features and calculating the most accurate low and high resale values.
NADA is one of the most trusted names in car and boat values. They collect resale information about hundreds of manufacturers and the sales transactions of thousands of boats annually. That’s why we partnered with them to provide a quick and easy tool that allows you to instantly find the proper value for practically all used boats made between 1970 and last year.
We’re delighted to provide this service to our online guests. By becoming a member of the American Boating Association, you’ll receive more exclusive benefits. Get great deals on boat loans, boat insurance and discounts and more can be yours for only $15 per year. Join over 30,000 fellow boaters who support ABA’s mission to promote boating safety, affordability, growth, a clean environment and fun! Get all the details of membership now! Want a free one-year membershipin the ABA? We’ll show you how to get yours.
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Setting Used Boat Prices
Another place to look for used boat prices is on boating websites. Boatdealers.ca attracts hundreds of buyers looking for boats every day. Look at boats for sale that are similar to yours and see what they are selling for.
Features are important, as buying a boat tends to be an emotional decision. That said, however, pricing your boat properly is crucial. Used boat prices vary widely based on the size and type of boat you are selling. Price is one of the first things that first-time buyers look for. They may not know enough about boating yet to realize that price isn’t the only criterion for a purchasing decision.
We believe that selling your boat should an easy process, so we offer our clients a simple way to list boats for sale. For a one-time flat fee, you can list your boat with any length description and as many photos as you deem necessary. You pay no commissions on your sale, and you can leave your ad up until your boat sells, without paying extra. Finally, we give you double exposure by placing your ad on our sister site, boat-listings.com. To get started, visit boatdealers.ca and place your ad today.
What Will Increase A Boats Value
Good cosmetics and visual appeal always add value or at least they get the boat noticed by a potential buyer. A washed, waxed and covered vessel shows it has had good care and that raises the perceived value.
Good cosmetics and visual appeal always add value and help the vessel get noticed by interested boat buyers.
A well-documented history and maintenance records help immensely. Regular upkeep, proper winterization and frequent oil changes all show that a vessel hasnt been neglected and the boat will command a higher price perhaps 10% 20% over the listed average.
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Boat Prices And Boat Values
How and where you can find an accurate value for your boat, to determine boat prices and insurance values.
- NADA guides are the first step in assigning a boat value prior to selling or insuring it.
- A thorough survey of similar boats for sale on the open market can give more of a real-time feel for boat prices.
- You need to account for your individual boats unique perks and flaws.
The NADA guides are an excellent starting point, when determining boat pricing and value.
Pricing A Classic Or Vintage Boat
Buying a vintage boat makes the purchase of a regular used boat look like a walk in the park. Such vessels are difficult to find and price, and to some degree, even to define. The Antique & Classic Boat Society has five categories of older vessels based on age .
Boats Built:
- Prior to 1918 are considered Historic Boats
- 1919-1942 are considered Antique Boats
- 1943-1975 are considered Classic Boats
- 1976-1995 are considered Late Classic Boats
For our purposes here, well refer to them interchangeably as classic or vintage since many sellers would refer to them that way in the market.
Classic boat brands such as Chris-Craft or Riva have increased 5% per year over the past two decades . However, finding a fair valuation is difficult due to a lack of comps and prices fluctuate over time like with other collectibles.
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What Affects Used Boat Value And Price
There are a number of factors that determine the value of a pre-owned vessel. The most obvious ones include size, age and model. After that, there are more subtle elements like condition, location and equipment.
Condition divides into three general categories. Mechanical , rigging , and cosmetics
Boat location and condition are big factors in the value and asking price for boats for sale.
As previously mentioned, location will increase or decrease the price as well. In areas where boats are highly-concentrated such as lakes, rivers and the East Coast of the U.S., prices may be somewhat depressed due to a larger supply. However, selling a boat where there is a small population can also decrease the number of buyers and the price may adjust 10-15% downward. Use in salt or freshwater also affects the value since freshwater boats often have fewer corrosion issues.
Finally, the way a boat is outfitted makes a difference. Updated electronics are attractive and will raise the appeal of a vessel. However, electronics become obsolete quickly, so a savvy buyer will not put much of a premium for these if they are getting older. If the vessel has advanced electronics including AIS, satellite communications and radar, these will generally raise the price because they arent typical upgrades.
Boat electronics, navigational and communications equipment can add value to the vessel making them worth more in the eyes of interested buyers.
Kelly Blue Book Boat Tips
You need to be aware of the true value of the boat before going out to make your purchase. You need to properly prepare so as not to be taken for a ride while buying. A good knowledge of the boats value will help you arrive at a fair final price.
Some of the top tips needed to achieve your aim is highlighted below:
No one will be able to take you into buying an expensive boat if you already have your mind settled on the type of boat you want to buy. The salesmen will attempt talking you into buying the very expensive ones since this is where they get their daily breads. You will however be able to save lot of money if you already have a clear mind on what you want to buy. Never allow yourself to get talked into choosing a boat you do not have adequate fund for.
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Should I Hire A Surveyor To Appraise A Boat Im Selling
Yes. A pre-sale boat survey may help price the boat more accurately and sell it quickly. In some case, small issues may surface that can be fixed prior to the boat being listed and that will help it show better and possibly sell for a higher price. Boats that have a recent survey are perceived by the seller as being better cared for and will stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Get Your Instant Trade
Are you ready to buy or thinking about it but want to find out what your current powersport is worth? Use our FREE Instant Trade-In Value tool below to instantly find out what your Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile, Personal Watercraft, Boat, or RV is worth.
Consumers visit our website looking for Motorcycle values, ATV values, UTV values, Personal Watercraft values, and Snowmobile values. Use our FREE tool above to find the instant trade-in value in 30 seconds. The most popular powersports used values come from J.D. Power , KBB , and Black Book. These are the 3 top resources that dealers use to value trade-ins at their dealership.
If you are interested to find out what your vehicle is worth, you have come to the right place. We can provide values on over 10,000 vehicles from the top manufacturers including: Honda, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Can-Am, Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo, Polaris, and many more. Find the 5 year depreciation of a Harley Davidson FLHX Street Glide.
This tool above provides the estimated value assigned by J.D. Power, a well known pricing guide used by dealers, banks, and insurance companies. All vehicle values presented are estimates only and do not constitute an offer to purchase. Actual value may vary based on mechanical condition, reconditioning costs, local market and other factors.
Trade Accelerator® is a registered Trademark of ValueMyTradeIn.com
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How To Find The Right Price When Buying Or Selling A Boat
Naturally a boat buyer always wants to pay the lowest fair price possible, so after presenting a boat as best as you can, it makes sense that pricing is perhaps the next most important step of selling a boat. And its very difficult to assess exactly what a boats worth is in the most buoyant of markets, let alone the relatively weak one thats bumped along for the past few years.
So, how do a buyer and a seller know if the price being negotiated is fair? The most common advice says that all you need to do is to look at similar boats that are currently advertised, and use their prices as a guide. Unfortunately, many owners have an inflated idea of their boats value, often as a result of mistakenly assuming that theyll recoup most of the money theyve spent on upgrading on the vessel, or perhaps letting their emotion for the boat get in the way of reason. The bottom line is that there are a disproportionate number of advertisements for over-priced boats on the market, at any given time. And unfortunately, most of these boats dont get used and maintained regularly and as a result they quickly start to look shabby. Most are eventually sold, years later, for a fraction of the original asking price. And by then, they may have cost their owners thousandsor even tens of thousandsof dollars.
