Boat Broker Needed

[ironman11]

My wife just inherited a 1995 23 foot Chris Craft Bowrider from her brother. The boat was maintained professionally until he became ill 2 years ago. Since that time the boat has pretty much just sat covered. This boat was his baby and is in excellent condition. We have no use for the boat and want to sell it but do not know any good brokers. We also would like the broker to check out and fix any mechanical problems that may exist from having the boat sit for such a long time. Can anyone recommend a good broker ? We would like to get rid of the boat before winter if possible as we have no place to store it even if we have to take a low price for the boat. Thanks to all.
Scott

[RSGS]

I would recommend that your first step should be to have the boat surveyed. This will give you an independent study of the condition of the boat and what should be fixed before the sale. This will also encourage a buyer when they are tire kicking to see the state of the boat from the surveyors point of view. If the buyer is going to finance and/or buy insurance for the boat, they will need a buyers survey done also. Many times the sale of the boat is conditional on passing the buyers survey. In some cases, if there are issues that are found during the survey, the buyer will negotiate a lower price to buy the boat as is, or ask that the problem be fixed before the sale.

This may save you a lot of money in the long run. A broker is going to cost you 10% of the sale price, plus storage if it’s on his lot. If he does or refers the boat to one of ‘his’ service facilities, you may find a larger bill than you originally planned for.

[SabikiRig]

RSGS brings up great point about the survey.

A buyer will more than likely have a survey done with the purchase contingent on a satisfactory survey and Sea Trial. Let the perspective buyer invest the money in the survey this will allow you to focus any expense on prepping the boat to sell.

The question will have to ask yourself. Are you committed to spending the money to address any structural or cosmetic issues that may be found in a survey you have done to sell the boat?

If the boat has been sitting uncovered for two years it will need a good wash and wax to give it some marketability. In addition you will probably want to change the fluids, install fresh spark plugs and check the condition of the battery(s) to ensure a satisfactory Sea Trial and/or Survey if you or the perspective buyer so choose.

Launching the boat only to have dead batteries during a sea trial may make or break the deal.

You can also easily check the operation of the following on your own:

Navigation Lights
Gauges and Gauge Lights
Bilge Pump(s)
Blower(s)
Trim Tab Pumps (if equipped)
Trim Pump

Instead of commissioning a broker try selling the boat on your own. Call a dealer(s) and explain your situation. I am sure they may be more than happy to give you the Trade-in and retail values from the ABOS Book. This will help you determine a selling price and the minimum you may accept should you recieve an offer.

You never know the dealer may even give you an offer but, becareful because they may try to low ball you.

[Paul Thompson]

For a small fee, you can list it at boat trader.com. I sold a boat overnight once using boat trader. I have purchased two great autos over auto trader.com. Lots of lookers and shoppers on line, and if they are looking, then they are shopping.