One of the best marketplaces to sell a boat fast is Craigslist. I have sold boats on Craigslist and found success every time. Buyers utilize the online platform consistently to find what they are searching for. When you’re ready to sell your watercraft, use these 10 tips on how to sell a boat on Craigslist. 

Take Good Pictures

Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. The higher the quality and the best representation of the boat will increase the likelihood of getting attention and, therefore, showings. 

Delete all the blurry pictures, those that have your finger in it, or are dark. Maximize the number of pictures by adding all 24 instead of just a few. Images give the buyer a true understanding of the condition; therefore, they can better understand the value. 

Without a doubt take photos of the hull, trailer, helm, engine, storage compartments, electronics, cabin, batteries, and more. 

Use The Manufacturers Description

The best written description of the boat you’re trying to sell is the manufacturer’s description. Manufacturers describe the boat in an appealing manner to drive more sales. Use the writing to your advantage. 

Locate the original description of your vessel from the company and paste it into your Craigslist listing. With that being said, don’t hesitate to add extra descriptive notes such as recent upgrades, maintenance history, accessories, and more. 

Detail The Boat For Showings

To put it bluntly, a dirty boat listed on Craigslist and shown to prospective buyers is less likely to sell than a clean boat. 

The watercraft must be detailed before taking pictures for the Craiglist listing. Additionally, arrive to the boat early and wash the boat before prospective buyers come. Wash away dirt and stains, buff the stainless steel, and clean the glass. Beyond the external appearance, take a peak in bilges, storage lockers, and the engine compartment. The strongest buyers will look over the boat with a fine tooth comb.  

Start The Boat Before The Prospective Buyer Arrives

Luck or specifically bad luck would have that the boat would have trouble starting when the prospective Craiglist buyer arrives. 

Without question, always arrive at the boat before the prospective buyer and start the engine or engines. Allow the engines to reach normal operating temperatures. For this reason, the motors will start easily when it counts most. 

List All Of The Accessories Included With The Boat

Yes, when added to a Craigslist listing, accessories make the complete package more appealing to buyers, especially first-time buyers. 

Remember, new boaters have no gear since they did not previously own a boat. Gear includes life jackets, water toys, anchors, coolers, spare parts, and more. Comparatively, without adding all the extras, boat shoppers will find a more attractive Craigslist listing than calling you. A bonus is to add pictures of the accessories included with the purchase of the vessel. 

Price The Boat Fairly

Without question, listing the boat over fair market value will prevent you from selling. Utilize the resources available to determine the actual value of your watercraft. 

One of the best resources to determine the actual value of your boat is J.D. Power. J.D. Power has a data base of major makes and models. Furthermore, the website allows you to input your location. Believe it or not, a boat’s value is impacted by where it is located. 

A boats value is listed in a range. The range is the low to high end value. I highly recommend listing the vessel in the middle of the range. However, there are exceptions, such as accessories and condition. If the boat is pristine, list it on the high. Conversely, if the watercraft is poorly maintained, list it on the low end. 

Have Maintenance Records Available

One of the best ways to move a boat quickly is by showing the prospective buyer that it has been properly maintained. 

No matter if you’re performing the work yourself or a marine mechanic, log the routine maintenance. A routine maintenance record comforts the buyer because they are at less risk of entering a mechanical nightmare. I can tell you first hand that documentation sells. I have sold personal boats and company boats. With each, the buyers felt at ease knowing they were making the right decision. 

Locate And Bring The Title To Showings

Never arrive to a planned showing without the title in hand. Without question, be prepared if the buyer is ready to commit to purchasing the vessel. 

Failing to bring the title often results in the buyer getting cold feet. When the buyer is ready, complete the deal. A buyer who has a chance to think things over often reverses the decision to purchase the vessel listed on Craigslist. 

I listed one of my boats on Craigslist but was traveling extensively. The afternoon of the day, I showed my boat to a Craigslist prospect I was scheduled to fly out to the Bahamas. I used my inconvenient schedule as leverage to complete the sale. My first scheduled showing resulted in collecting the money and signing over the title within one hour of meeting the buyer. 

Compare Your Listing To Other Similar Listings

Watercraft listing are prevalent on Craiglist because it is highly effective for selling boats. One of the best measures of the strength of your listing is to compare it against other similar makes and models. Also, don’t assume you need to compare a boat local to your area. Expand your search. 

Reading other listings will provide you with insight into what you may be missing in your description and how you compared in cost. Unquestionably, a lot can be learned from viewing fellow boater’s listings. Beefing your listing up will expedite the sale because it will garnish the most attention. 

Sell Your Boat At The Onset Of Prime Boating Season

When it comes to how to sell a boat on Craigslist, understand that seasons play a role. Areas subject to seasonal weather changes are more challenging to sell a boat during the offseason. 

The reason that boats are more challenging to sell during the offseason is storage. Buyers are required to find a location to store the boat until prime boating weather sets in. For this reason, prices dip during the winter as compared to the spring and summer. To maximize attention to the listing and showings, sell the boat with the onset of good weather.  

Now You Know How To Sell A Boat On Craigslist

When you’re ready to put your boat on the market use these ten tips for selling your boat on Craigslist. Again, I have sold boats on Craigslist in short order but take your time to create the listing, cleaning the watercraft, and ensuring it runs properly for showings. While you’re creating your listing, see what replacement options are available if you’re looking for an upgrade.