1.

Contact your local Boatshed broker

Whether you’ve definitely made up your mind to sell your boat or whether you’re not sure and want a better idea of how much you can expect for her and the costs involved in selling her the first thing you need to do is get in touch with your local Boatshed.com broker.  You can either find your nearest broker from this list or simply complete this online form and we’ll get them to contact you. Unfortunately if we don’t have a broker nearby we won’t be able to list your boat as we believe that we do need to see her to be able to provide our boat buyers with all information first hand.

2.

Commission 
We charge industry standard rates depending upon which country the boat is lying in.

3.

Price
Our brokers have access to 1000’s of used boat sale records, they are continually studying the price of used boats and we have a team of dedicated pricing experts they can call on if they are unsure about unusual , custom designs and special boats.  They will fully research the market before listing the boat so they can advise you on price and will discuss this with you to set the advertised price and any possible price reduction schedule.

4.

The detailed description, inventory, VIDEO and up to 80 photographs.
When you want the broker to list and actively market your boat you will need to arrange a convenient time for our broker to prepare the detailed description and inventory and take photographs and video of your boat.  Most of our brokers prefer to meet you at the boat, go through our comprehensive listing form and take the photographs and video at the same time.  We’ve found over the years that this works well but if it’s not convenient we can work round you.  Our standardised forms ensure that the brokers don’t miss anything out and keeps the listing as efficient as possible.  It’s a good idea if you bring any documentation and paperwork along, our brokers can photograph them on the spot and return it all to you for safe keeping until the sale is finalised. The boat is yours and you should never hand her papers over until a sale has been agreed. Because we take so many photos of all the areas of your boat to give our boat buyers as much information as possible we would ask that you make sure the boat is really clean and tidy and that any very personal items are moved so they aren’t included in the photos.  The broker will then input all the information onto the Boatshed system and will let you know when the boat is “live” so you can check how she looks.

5.

Keys
Over the years we’ve come to realise that keys can be the source of problems and complications because everyone seems to need a set.  We recommend that you have a set yourself and have another set which you can leave with the marina or yard.  Our brokers are always happy to pop into the office and sign them out and back in once they’ve finished with them.  If it’s not possible to leave a set with someone we’ll need to make other arrangements.  Our brokers can keep a set and most have designated key safes for this purpose but please make sure you do have another set for when you want to go down to the boat yourself.. 

6.

Viewings
Boatshed.com average 2.2 viewings per sale which is very low compared to the industry average.  This is because we provide so much information and pictures to potential buyers that they are pretty sure of what they are looking at before they even pick up the phone.  And when they do talk to our brokers they are talking to someone who has been onboard the boat, spoken with the owner and prepared a very detailed description so the broker really does know an awful lot about the specific boat the customer is interested in.  This means that it is only very interested potential buyers who actually come to view the boat and we often do get offers on boats and even sell boats before a viewing takes place.  All our viewings are accompanied by the Boatshed broker, there’s no need for you to do anything other than make sure the boat is in a clean and tidy condition and the broker is kept informed of her exact whereabouts.

7.

Offers 
We are duty bound to put any offer we receive to you.  Our brokers are used to dealing with these types of negotiations so they will always try to ensure that everyone gets the best possible deal.  This can mean a little bit of going backwards and forwards but generally our brokers can work things out given a little time. Once an offer has been agreed the buyer will pay a 10% holding deposit which is held in a client account (link to explanation of client accounts) and you will be asked to sign our standard sale agreement (link to sample document)

8.

Survey
The buyer now has 21 days to arrange the survey and any other checks such as sea trials and engine testing before completing the sale.  All costs for surveys and lift outs are down to the buyer. Our broker will be informed of when the survey is taking place and will try to be there to meet the surveyor; this gives them a very good and early indication of any problems if they are found and how severe they are which puts them in a very good position for the post survey negotiation although most of our surveys are straight forward and the sale can proceed.  If the survey, or any other trials or checks reveal material problems then the buyer can choose not to proceed and we will refund their deposit in full.  However it’s far more usual for our brokers to enter into negotiations. Our brokers will be able to provide details of local companies who can quote for any work needed following the survey to enable a fair price reduction to be agreed.

9.

Paperwork
Once the final price and the date of sale are agreed our broker will need to collate all the necessary paperwork and documentation to ensure a smooth transaction on the day.  They will guide you through this and assist the buyer with any registration and import or export formalities so you won’t need to become involved except for a few signatures. Before the day of the sale you’ll need to remove all personal items from the boat and check that everything included in the sale is returned to the boat such as electronic equipment which has been taken off for safe keeping. You will also need to forward any keys you have.

10.

Final payment. 
The final payment from the purchaser will be paid into a client account.  Our broker will then distribute the monies in accordance with a schedule they have previously agreed with you.  It’s quite normal for final marina and yard bills to be settled by the broker from these funds but there may be other payments due.  They will also deduct their commission and forward the balance to you.

11.

Handover.
Our broker will handle all of this for you; they will meet the new owner at the boat and check that everything is correct. If you now find yourself boat-less then why not check out the vast selection of used motor and sailing boats Boatshed.com have for sale and try out the other side of our brokerage service.