First of all, find out the fair market price for the boat. Get an estimate of what the boat is worth. You can do this by consulting a boat sales professional and have the boat appraised. A second option is to consult the marine blue book value and adjust the price based on the accessories included,depreciation and the final touches you'll add to increase buyers appeal. Such items would include, polished wood, carpet replacements and anything that might appeal to you if you were the buyer.

Making an estimate on your own will require that you take the task seriously. Start by finding out the going price for the boat and then deduct value according to the age and the condition of the boat. Next, you will add any value according to the accessories that you have and the condition that they are in. Minor touch-ups and repairs here and there can go a long way towards increasing your boats value. Once you have done this you should be able to come up with a price that is fair to both you and the potential buyer.

Boat Sales: When to sell

Knowing when to sell your boat is just as important as knowing how to set the price. Certain times of the year will make a difference in the amount potential buyers are willing to pay. For example, trying to sell a boat in the middle of winter is not a good idea. This is especially true if you live in very cold regions. People are just not interested in boat sales during this time of the year. The offers that you do get may leave you a little disappointed.

However, trying to sell a boat at the beginning of the boating season will have a completely different effect. This is when people are out searching for that perfect boat and many of them will be willing to pay a little more for the boat of their dreams. This also means that you will need to put less effort into selling your boat because more people will already be interested.

Know How to Negotiate a Boat Sale

Knowing how to negotiate a boat sales means having everything in order. One of the most important things to make sure you have is all the paperwork ready and available. Put all the important papers needed for the sale in a nice binder. Add pictures of the boat that show it in its best light. Make up a flyer that shows the features and benefit of ownership. Include a breakdown of insurance, slip fees and other expenses so the potential buyer understands what is needed to store and maintain the boat. Add repair statements so the buyer knows how well the boat has been maintained.

The quickest way to lose a sale is by not knowing where the title is or not having everything you need to legally sell the boat. Make the buyer feel he is dealing with someone who knows boats and can justify the asking price.

You also want to make sure that the boat looks its best. So take time to clean it up and make it look nice. Make sure the battery is charged and ready for show. Point out the unique features of the boat, drawing attention to those areas that show the great condition the boat is in. You might even go to a boat dealership and let a professional salesman try to sell you a similar boat. Use these tips and strategies to sell your own boat.

Basically, you just need to be prepared when a buyer shows up at your boat sale and everything will fall into place.

Joel is an avid boating enthusiast. Buying and trading boats has provided him with his dream boat. If you're interested in boats then you are missing out if you aren't constantly trading up. It is one of the best ways for you to get into the boat of your dreams. Check out his website at