Selling - opinions?

harryrezz · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

Just looking for opinions here ....
I have a great boat, but family situation is causing me to start to look at selling options. She's currently located in Grenada in the southeren Caribbean which is a great place to sail, but perhaps not the greatest place to sell a boat. If I were to try to sell, do you think I'd be better off (price-wise) to leave her there or bring her back to the states to someplace like, for instance, Annapolis or Newport?

JohnRPollard · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

Assuming you will be returning to the states/east coast, I would bring the boat up to Annapolis. You'll be able to supervise the sale much more easily if you are within driving distance or at least a quick/cheap flight.

From the perspective of a potential purchaser, I don't think I'd want to buy a cruising boat down in the islands. I'd want it nearby where I could spend 6 months or so re-outfitting the boat while still working the day job, rather than having to use vacation or sabbatical time to do that in the islands.

Just my opinion...

eherlihy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

I agree with John.

As a prospective used boat buyer, I wouldn't even consider buying a boat in the islands. Unless she is a unique, high-end vessel (in which case I wouldn't be looking at her at all), the requirement that I fly to Grenada just to look at her would be a show stopper to me. From your website I see that she is a '77 Center Cockpit CSY 44.

If your target buyer is someone from the US, then you would be making it easier on them, thus increasing the likeleyhood of a sale, by bringing the boat to the US.

Realize that the worldwide economy is currently in the holding tank. As a result, it may take a while to find the right buyer.

- Ed

NauticalFishwife · #4 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

For the last nine years I've lived aboard 1/2 the year in Annapolis in boat broker heaven, or now, hell. I'm not a broker, but a pretty good observer. You must be able to visit the boat frequently to make sure she is CLEAN and kept clean. Do not rely on the broker to do this. And for heavens sake, remember, it is the brokers job to sell your boat. They should be hungry to find buyers now. But as the seller, you need to keep on top of them as well.
People come to Annapolis to find a boat. Have her in a place where the Saturday-Sunday lookers can see her. Price her to sell-have her spotless inside and out. Clean everything OUT of her that does not go with the boat. Take the time to paint the bilge and clean her underneath the floorboards. I recently looked at a boat and was apalled at the filth under the floorboards. If that's the way they prepared her to sell, what does that say about the way they took care of her. Make a thorough list of her plusses-even her sailing qualities. And please make sure she does not stink down below of mold, mildew and head odors. Rigging-sails-stainless... tight, clean, and polished. No rust should be anywhere. Just like when you're selling a house, it takes a lot of elbow grease, but worth it. Buyers will be comparing your boat with others in the same quality and price range and you want yours to stand out as favorable.
Good luck...there are still buyers out there... and remember, it just takes ONE.
You didn't mention the price range of your boat.... higher end buyers will still fly somewhere to look at the quality of boat they are shopping for...but mid-range buyers do not have that option. And cruisers who will be in that area on their boat would more than likely have to sell their boat in order to buy yours.

camaraderie · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

Harry...yup...the further south you go...the lower the price. I think you really limit your potential customers in the islands but if the boat MUST stay there, I'd suggest bringing her to Tortola which has a bit more active market. I took my own boat to Annapolis rather than leave her in NCarolina for the same reason! There, Miami and Newport are the three big buyers towns on the East Coast with a nod to Oriental NC as another decent place.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

Bring it to Annapolis at a minimum. More buyers, easier access for buyers, easier for you to have someone maintain it in good marketable shape, etc.

chucklesR · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

Texas would work too, and be a shorter, less expensive trip

TxLnghrn · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

But,
Grenada to Houston ~2500 miles
to Miami ~1500
to Annapolis ~2000

However,
I'd be glad to crew if a trip to Houston is in the works

Michael

harryrezz · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008

Thanks for the thoughts - and confirmation of what I thought. Now I just hope I won't have to do it for a while!