What is the best month to sell a boat?

Why is fall the best time of year to buy a boat?

Part of what makes fall the best time to buy a new boat is that most sellers don't list their boats for sale that late in the season. Boats are typically listed for sale earlier in the summer when prospective buyers can still use them before the end of the summer.

Whether you're buying a fishing boat, a powerboat, or a pontoon boat, buyers in the market for a boat have a few things going for them when they purchase in the fall.

Boating season is over

There's virtually no more time to use a boat for the season, and sellers know this. Anyone who buys may have to wait six months before enjoying their new purchase. Not many people shop for boats once the weather turns cool. Most have moved on from boating for the year and some people are preparing their kids to go back to school.

Time for dry storage

Sellers also know that anyone buying a boat in the fall will have to pay for storage costs until it can go back in the water in the spring.

Deferred maintenance

Many people try to hold off on maintenance for their boats until fall and winter, so they won't lose time enjoying the boat during the season. But that also means they're putting off the cost of service. If a seller doesn't sell their boat to whoever is buying in the fall, they'll have to cover those maintenance costs before their boat goes back in the water in spring.

What is the worst month to buy a boat?

The worst month to buy a boat would be the summer months. Everyone wants to be out on the water as soon as it warms up, and sellers know that if they sell, they're probably giving up the rest of their time on the water for the spring and summer. Plus, they've already arranged dock space and had their boat serviced, so it's ready to use.

With so many buyers looking for boats and sellers wanting the best price, it isn’t easy to negotiate a price on a new boat in the peak summer months. That's why waiting until fall can help you find the best deal. Learn some tips to guide you when you are buying a boat for the first time.

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There is a classic rock song that goes, “to everything there is a season.” And just as that applies to a “time to every purpose, under heaven,” it is also relevant as to when it is the right time, or the wrong time to sell your yacht!

Generally speaking, you would think that the best time to sell your boat is just before and through the beginning of the boating season, when you have a pool of interested and motivated buyers. It is rare that you will get as much offered for your boat in an “off-season sale,” as during season.

Statistics have borne this out. Analyzing sales over a period of years, statistically speaking, (adjusting for other market influences), the best “season” to sell your boat is between the months of February and June. This is because, particularly in between February and April, you have a glut of owners who are getting ready to pull their yachts out of storage/winterization and planning to use them for the boating season, and at the same time, you have boat buyers looking to get a vessel to use for the spring and summer. This creates a kind of perfect storm of basic supply and demand economics. You have lots of buyers looking for vessels, while at the same time, you have a lot of boat owners, who may not want to put their boats on the market because they desire to use the boat themselves during spring and summer. So, you have a huge demand with a shorter supply, and the closer spring nears, buyers are feeling more pressure to get a boat, with less to choose from. Therefore, if you put your boat on the market at this time, it is likely to sell that much quicker to maximize enjoyment for spring and summer.

Is There a Worst Time To Sell Your Boat?

Similarly, statistics show there is a “worst,” or at least, a less ideal time to sell your yacht, and that would be the months of July through November, with July traditionally being the worst month for boat sales. Simply put, summer is over, and people are not likely to shell out millions of dollars, for a luxury motor yacht they cannot use until a few months later.

Of course, this is all quite a bit less true in areas such as South Florida, which pretty much have a boating season all year long!

Tips for Selling Your Yacht Faster

Even if you decide to sell your yacht at the best possible time relating to the season, and the marketplace, there is still a lot you can do to make the process smoother, and quicker.

In my years in the business, I have seen both yacht owners and yacht brokers make the same stupid mistakes that can draw out the sales process. Here, in no particular order, are my “Top Five” tips for selling your motor yacht as quickly as possible.

1. Prepare your boat – This may seem obvious, but there is a right way, and a wrong way to prepare your boat to sell quickly. If your yacht broker is doing their job right, a lot of people will be coming to see your yacht. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of that first impression. Make sure your boat is waxed, cleaned and detailed to the nines – inside and out. Makes sure all systems work, the engines fire up right away, and sound smooth, check for any oil leaks, water leaks, etc. This is another advantage of signing on with a professional yacht management company when you first purchase your boat. When it comes time to sell, you can be sure she will be “ship-shape.”
2. The right price – Of course you want to price your boat to sell, but how do you find the right listing price?  First up, look on the internet for similar yachts, and see what they are selling for. Call those brokers, tell them you have a similar model, ask them what they would list it at, ask them why they think the boat listed hasn’t sold, is it the price? Then once you have done all your research, take a serious look at how much it is going to cost you every month that your boat does not sell, and come up with the lowest price that you are comfortable with. The big mistake I see a lot of owners make, is they over-price to allow for “haggling.” But, you will not have to negotiate if no one comes to see a boat that is priced too high!
3. Exposure – In selling real estate they say it is “location, location, location.” In yachts, it is “exposure, exposure, exposure.” If you want your yacht to sell quickly, she has to be seen. Beyond advertising, making your yacht available to charter is an excellent way to introduce her to potential buyers.
4. Upgrades – Upgrades are a tricky thing. Upgrading your boat’s interior amenities and systems to the latest styles or models, may not raise the total value of your boat. Upgrading may not even allow you to recoup the cost of the upgrade in the selling price. However, when you are competing with other boats on the market, upgrades can help your boat sell.
5. Have a Professional Marine Survey – A professional marine survey of your boat before you sell will save you a lot of hassles. Any serious buyer is going to have a survey done. It is better you do one first, and find and fix any problems. Repairs that may cost only hundreds, could cost you thousands off of your selling price if they are found later on.

Ultimately, a buyer takes a lot more than these 5 things into consideration before deciding to make an offer on a particular yacht. Whether it’s the layout, condition, location, or price — it really all comes down to one key element, VALUE.

Think back to when you were looking to buy your boat. What affected your decision? What made you choose this boat over the others you looked at? Put yourself in the Buyer’s shoes!

It’s not always easy to stay on top of what’s new in motor yachts. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas, or if you have any questions or comments about this blog post, do not hesitate to contact our Sales Specialists, or call us at 954-900-9988.

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