When is the Best Time to Sell a Boat?
By Alycia Downs
Jul 23, 2020
If you’re in the process of deciding the best time to sell a boat, chances are you’ve stumbled across endless advice on the internet. From a certain month to the best season; or dependent on the type or the condition. The short answer is: there is no perfect answer. Here are a few things to consider when deciding the best time to sell a fishing boat.
Are you looking to buy a new boat? If the answer is yes, the best time to sell a boat is ASAP. Boats depreciate quickly at 15-25% in year one, according to some boat-selling specialists, and continue south at a reasonable rate each year until leveling out. Of course, many variables can skew that number such as how well the boat is cared for and the type of watercraft it is. If you are planning to buy a new boat, then it’s best to sell soon for more negotiating power and the chance for more cash.
Are you selling your boat with no plans of purchasing another? Then you may want to consider additional factors such as time of year and location. Some say the best time to sell a boat is right before boating season which varies depending on where the vessel is located. Spring and summer are universally popular boating months—think spring break, warm weather, summer vacation, and eagerness to thaw those winter scaries. You’re likely to have a larger pool of buyers when the seasonal demand is greater as well.
Regardless of the best time to sell a fishing boat, here are a few essential tips for selling a boat you should follow:
- Detail the boat and ensure everything is in working order.
- Take a variety of quality, well-lit photos including interior and exterior.
- Advertise heavily in local boating publications.
- If the boat is especially unique, you might consider expanding your advertising regionally or beyond.
If you are getting a new boat, make sure you register it. Registering your boat is an important step in boat ownership. Requirements vary from state to state, and depending on the size and type of your boat, registration numbers and validation stickers may need to be displayed.
