Story by Andrew Holland / June 20, 2017
No matter what kind of catamaran that you own, there are several things that hold true for sellers no matter what kind of boat that you have. The intention of the following guide is to give you as a seller some valuable tips and information to help you sell your boat as quickly and smoothly as possibly and for the best possible price.
Make sure that you’re working with a broker who is an expert in what you are selling. If you are selling a catamaran, you do not want to be represented by a broker who specializes in Trawlers. Make sure you are represented by someone who has first hand experience in the type of boat that you have and who has a proven track record of getting results.
It’s important to understand that every yacht has a value in any given market. However, too often sellers believe that this price is determined by the price that they paid for the boat, plus the cost of any repairs or upgrades that they have done to the boat. In short, if this is the remedy that you are using in gauging an asking price for your boat, be prepared for your boat to sit idly on the market for a while.
The asking price of your boat can only be determined by a thorough examination of the current market. By looking at the reported sold comparables, other boats that are also on the market that are comparable to the boat you are trying to sell and by comparing the condition and inventory of each of these boats you can begin to gauge a proper asking price.
It’s important to understand as a seller that the quality of the information that you place in the online and print advertisement of your boat directly coincides with the overall number and quality of the leads that are generated. With this being said, it’s vitally important that you as the seller provide your broker with a detailed inventory of your boat, along with a detailed analysis of work that has been done on the boat.
Most importantly, however, is the quality of the photos that you present along with any videos that might be available. High quality photos of each and every angle of the boat are essential to putting together a quality presentation for your yacht. So when the time comes to sell your yacht, consult with your broker on how to best achieve a listing that will generate as much interest as your yacht deserves.
Where your boat is lying will directly affect how quickly and at what price your boat will sell. Without question, a boat that lying on the docks in Fort Lauderdale will generate more interest than one that is lying in a far flung part of the world that is not is easily viewable.
To remedy this, when you are getting close to the time of selling and you are still voyaging on your yacht, discuss with our partner and get in touch with a knowledgeable broker on what your best course of action would be on where to end your journey and where your boat will be best marketed.
Always make sure that your broker has the current showing instructions and keys to your boat readily available. Boat showings can often be last minute affairs and it’s important that your broker has easy access to the boat.
Make sure that the boat is showing nicely when you have clients coming to view her. Stow away loose items so that the interior is showing as nicely as possible. In addition, you may want to consider having the boat cleaned and/or professionally detailed to give the potential buyer a great first impression.
These are just a few tips on selling your catamaran for the best price possible. For more information or advice, feel free to contact me at Andrew@multihullcompany.com or by phone at 215-508-2704 or 215-630-3273. Fair sailing!
Your team delivered on every mark. You’ve got an amazing broker in Mark Wattrus and I’m confident you will have continued success moving forward together. He was available 24/7 whenever I had questions. We had a great initial visit on the boat and his marketing plan and photos were superb
I bought a yacht that I had never seen. I did this because I trusted my broker Andrew Holland. It was not an easy job for Andrew, as I am an experienced boat builder and owner of previous yachts, but work in West Africa. Imagine how hard it was to communicate what I was looking for. Andrew came up with exactly what I wanted. He dealt with time delays, all my questions at odd hours, and was there for the survey. He reported honestly and professionally. After buying the yacht, I arrived at the boat on a Sunday night, after dark, after travelling from West Africa to the Caribbean, and found it was better than expected. He never pulled punches and made me aware of shortfalls. I expected to spend my one month leave working on the boat, but actually spent less than one week, and was able to spend 3 weeks sailing – wonderful bonus.
Thank you Andrew for putting up with all my questions, all my worries and all my crazy out of the time zone concerns – you were totally professional, but also I know that if and when we meet up, it will be like a friend finally meeting. You are always welcome on Aseka.
Outstanding company with professional subject matter experts. If I were to buy or sell cruising sailboat, particularly a catamaran, Andrew would be my go to broker.
I have been sailing since I was a child and attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy. But when my wife and I began the process of purchasing an ocean cruising/racing catamaran, I realized that this is a world unto itself. Obviously, we needed to find someone knowledgeable to help us make an informed decision. More importantly, we needed someone honest and willing to put our interests before his or her own. I was lucky to work with Phil Berman at The Multihull Company. He repeatedly shunned the fast buck, choosing instead to work the long road to connect us with the “perfect boat”. I would be glad to recommend Phil and his company to anyone planning to purchase or sell a performance sailing machine.
Andrew Hodgdon was our broker when we bought our 2018 Lagoon 450F in Antigua in April 2922. He provided great service and was very attentive to our needs. We would highly recommend Andrew and the Multihull Company.
Successful relationships cannot exist without it. At The Multihull Company we base every relationship on a firm commitment to earning and retaining our client’s trust.
Advice of any kind is valuable only when grounded in hard-won expertise. It too, must be trustworthy. Trust and expertise define the heart and soul of The Multihull Company. We are a team of skilled professionals who thrive on providing expert, trustworthy advice and service to catamaran and trimaran sailors around the globe.
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