Selling a boat

Prepare your boat for sale

Before posting the listing:

• Clean the hull, deck, seats, cabin, and engine compartment.

• Remove clutter and personal belongings.

• Test the engine, electronics, lights, bilge pump, and other equipment.

• Gather maintenance records, engine hours, manuals, trailer information, and title documents.

• Be upfront about mechanical problems, damage, or repairs needed.

You don't necessarily need to spend much on repairs. Focus on inexpensive improvements that make the boat look cared for.

Set the right asking price

Research comparable boats in your city such as Bonita Springs or  Fort Lauderdale with the same make, model, year, length, engine, and similar condition. Compare asking prices, and remember that asking prices aren't necessarily actual sale prices. Boat Trader also offers a pricing tool for sellers.

Boat Trader Blog

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• Decide the lowest price you are willing to accept.

• Leave some room for reasonable negotiation.

• Price based on condition, engine hours, service history, and included equipment.

• If you aren't getting serious inquiries after a couple of weeks, reconsider the price and photos

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• Take photos that help sell the boat

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Take 10–20 clear photos if your listing allows it:

• Full boat from both sides and the front.

• Helm, gauges, electronics, seats, and deck.

• Engine and engine hours.

• Cabin, storage areas, and trailer, if included.

• Any cosmetic damage buyers should know about.

A short video showing the boat, a cold start, and the engine running can help serious buyers evaluate it. Only demonstrate the engine in a safe, appropriate setting.

Write a listing buyers can trust

Here's a template you can copy and customize.

Writing

[Year] [Make] [Model] — [Length] ft — $[Asking Price]

For sale: my [year, make, and model] boat, located in [city, state].

• Length: [feet]

• Engine: [make, model, horsepower]

• Engine hours: [hours]

• Condition: [excellent, good, fair, or needs work]

• Features: [electronics, GPS, trolling motor, seating, etc.]

• Trailer: [included/not included; details]

• Maintenance: [recent service and maintenance history]

• Known issues: [honest description]

• Title: [title status, as applicable]

The boat is available for inspection by appointment. Serious buyers are welcome to arrange a viewing and discuss a sea trial, weather and safety permitting.

Asking $[price]. Reasonable offers considered after inspection.

Message me for additional photos, details, or to schedule a viewing.

 Protect yourself from scams

• Never accept an overpayment and send the difference back.

• Avoid buyers who insist on unusual payment arrangements, shipping agents, or verification codes sent to your phone.

• Don't rely on a screenshot of a payment or an emailed payment confirmation. Verify cleared funds directly with your financial institution.

• For a high-value boat, consider completing the transaction through a bank or reputable marine closing service.

• Verify the buyer's identity and document the sale. Arrange inspections and sea trials with appropriate safety precautions.

Complete the sale and paperwork

Use a written bill of sale, resolve any outstanding loan or lien, and properly transfer the title and registration according to your state's requirements.

If you're selling in Florida, the state says sellers must notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days of the sale. A bill of sale alone does not replace the required title transfer for a titled vessel