Time to sell my boat :(

Hello all,
Well the time has come to sell my boat. We just dont use it enough and someone else will probably enjoy it more. Anyways, my question is do I let people take it for a test ride or is just having it running at my house good enough? I realize the best would be to take it out to the lake and let them try it out, but I am concerned about people just wanting to go out for a joy ride. I just sold my classic Jeep and had several 'joy riders". Big waste of time.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Time to sell my boat

You'll have to determine if the buyer is serious.
I have sold several boats and have always taken the buyer for a test run. The first person to ride was the first to buy.

I don't think you have to worry about joy riders with a boat as you would with the jeep. You're dealing with a different group.

Re: Time to sell my boat

pwherman512 said:

Hello all,
Well the time has come to sell my boat. We just dont use it enough and someone else will probably enjoy it more. Anyways, my question is do I let people take it for a test ride or is just having it running at my house good enough? I realize the best would be to take it out to the lake and let them try it out, but I am concerned about people just wanting to go out for a joy ride. I just sold my classic Jeep and had several 'joy riders". Big waste of time.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

Why not try and sell it from the house and then if someone wants to take a test run then you will at least have met the person and know how serious they are.

Is the lake far away to do test runs?

Re: Time to sell my boat

Thanks for the tips. The lake is not too far so I guess I will just see what comes my way. Thanks again!

Re: Time to sell my boat

What you do is arrange it so the sale is contingent on a successful test drive. A person commits to buying your boat, has payment in hand, and you take them for a ride. Then is too many issues crop up they are free to walk and you've eliminated the tire kickers.

Re: Time to sell my boat

I don't really like having people come to my house to look at things I have for sale. I have lots of other things that might interest someone to come back later and help themselves.

The last two boats I sold, I assessed the person on the phone. When I found a person who was serious, I had them meet me at a lake near my house, where I met them with the boat on the trailer, parked at the ramp parking lot.

We launched the boat, with me showing them the best way to do that. Then, we both got in, I fired it up, and we went for a nice boat ride. In one case, I asked the guy if he wanted to fish a while, so he brought his tackle.

During the ride and during the fishing, I described (and demonstrated) the features of the boat. Then, when we returned to the ramp, I showed them the best way to retrieve.

Both boats sold to the first person who came to the ramp, and for the asking price. In both cases, they had cash in hand, and I had the papers. We moved the boat from my tow vehicle to theirs and that was that. I even had the right sized ball and tools. In one case we switched balls on the buyer's truck.

Nothing like a boat ride on a well-running boat to make the sale. Of course, I always throw in PFDs, an anchor, ropes, and all safety equipment, along with other goodies in the boat.

I recommend it.

Re: Time to sell my boat

I've always bought and sold boats the way EZmobee says. Make the deal, cash in hand, then if everything works as described on the test ride the deal is done. If something comes up on the test ride that wasn't covered previously, the deal is re-negotiated.

Re: Time to sell my boat

... you'll hopefully get a vibe and just say you'll meet them at the lake if they insist on a sea trial. also make sure the bill of sale states "as-is". be bold and blunt as possible, no verbal or vagueness. make sure the buyer fully understands that. after reading a couple posts on this, you'll see why.

good-luck