Sooner or later every yacht owner is confronted with selling his/her boat. You want to sell her as quickly as possible yet get the best rate you possibly can.

Below are some hints to make the sale go as designed.

Prepare the Yacht for Sale:

Make any obvious repairs. Damaged glass, rotten or discolored wood, torn canvas or zippers, discolored upholstery, are damaging attention getters. Bear in mind that $5,000.00 spent up front to correct issues may net you an additional $10,000.00. As a rule purchasers do not desire to buy a boat and have to put it in the yard. Turn-key boats go for top dollar.

Clean, clean, clean! Clean heads, vacuum carpets, scrub cushions, clean windows, blinds, mirrors and of course, the engine room.

Remove the clutter. Eliminate all excessive stuff, personal property, rubbish, tools, knick-knacks, magazines etc. both inside and out including lockers and cupboards. You want your yacht looking ship-shape and near showroom perfect.

Check for any water leaks around windows, sinks, plumbing, thru hulls, rudder posts. Fix as required.

Dock attractiveness. Be sure your yacht has a good look to her from the dock. First impressions decide the stage for the real showing:

buff and wax gel coat

touch up all exterior varnish

clean and organize dock lines

pump up and clean fenders

inflate dingy

varnish bright work

clean metals to remove surface oxidation

clean any growth on hull at waterline

take and analyze oil samples to show purchaser the health of engines. Your buyer will do it in the survey. We know how to aid you with that.

Get ready for Yacht Showings:

Keep her clean by frequent washings

Make up bunks with sheets

Make sure lights work in cabin and engine room

Make certain air conditioning/heat operates. If a purchaser thinks air conditioning is not cooling, he'll think about the thousands it will take to replace it.

Rid vessel of any odor sources. This is a huge turn off.

Keep all maintenance records in easy-to-read binders. This encompasses operating manuals, logbooks, etc.

Prepare for Survey/Sea Trial:

Inspect all hose clamps. Replace all corroded clamps; ensure hoses are double clamped.

Inspect hoses. Change any cracked or worn out hoses.

Inspect the engine instrumentation. Change broken gages or adjust as required.

Check all electronics. Make note on disclosure any item that will not operate.

Inspect all sea cocks for operation. Exercise as required.

Run yacht up to operating temperature. Any high reading must be investigated.

Have engine(s) tested for operating temperature, belts, fuel or oil leaks, mounts. Rectify deficiencies; add oil or coolant as necessary.

Have underside and props and shafts cleaned by diver.

Get running gear checked. Clean and replace zincs.

Test all appliances, toilets, inverters, stereos for operational condition. Repair as required.

Inspect all strainers. Scrub as necessary.

Inspect batteries. Top off wet cells.

Start and run all engines. Any wavering in starting or strange performance should be investigated.

Inspect all bilge pumps and floats. Replace as necessary.

Inspect flares and other safety equipment. Replace as necessary.