Story by Andrew Holland / June 20, 2017
No matter what kind of catamaran that you own, there are several things that hold true for sellers no matter what kind of boat that you have. The intention of the following guide is to give you as a seller some valuable tips and information to help you sell your boat as quickly and smoothly as possibly and for the best possible price.
Make sure that you’re working with a broker who is an expert in what you are selling. If you are selling a catamaran, you do not want to be represented by a broker who specializes in Trawlers. Make sure you are represented by someone who has first hand experience in the type of boat that you have and who has a proven track record of getting results.
It’s important to understand that every yacht has a value in any given market. However, too often sellers believe that this price is determined by the price that they paid for the boat, plus the cost of any repairs or upgrades that they have done to the boat. In short, if this is the remedy that you are using in gauging an asking price for your boat, be prepared for your boat to sit idly on the market for a while.
The asking price of your boat can only be determined by a thorough examination of the current market. By looking at the reported sold comparables, other boats that are also on the market that are comparable to the boat you are trying to sell and by comparing the condition and inventory of each of these boats you can begin to gauge a proper asking price.
It’s important to understand as a seller that the quality of the information that you place in the online and print advertisement of your boat directly coincides with the overall number and quality of the leads that are generated. With this being said, it’s vitally important that you as the seller provide your broker with a detailed inventory of your boat, along with a detailed analysis of work that has been done on the boat.
Most importantly, however, is the quality of the photos that you present along with any videos that might be available. High quality photos of each and every angle of the boat are essential to putting together a quality presentation for your yacht. So when the time comes to sell your yacht, consult with your broker on how to best achieve a listing that will generate as much interest as your yacht deserves.
Where your boat is lying will directly affect how quickly and at what price your boat will sell. Without question, a boat that lying on the docks in Fort Lauderdale will generate more interest than one that is lying in a far flung part of the world that is not is easily viewable.
To remedy this, when you are getting close to the time of selling and you are still voyaging on your yacht, discuss with our partner and get in touch with a knowledgeable broker on what your best course of action would be on where to end your journey and where your boat will be best marketed.
Always make sure that your broker has the current showing instructions and keys to your boat readily available. Boat showings can often be last minute affairs and it’s important that your broker has easy access to the boat.
Make sure that the boat is showing nicely when you have clients coming to view her. Stow away loose items so that the interior is showing as nicely as possible. In addition, you may want to consider having the boat cleaned and/or professionally detailed to give the potential buyer a great first impression.
These are just a few tips on selling your catamaran for the best price possible. For more information or advice, feel free to contact me at Andrew@multihullcompany.com or by phone at 215-508-2704 or 215-630-3273. Fair sailing!
My wife and I worked with Andrew Hodgdon to sell our 2021 FP Elba 45. In addition to skillfully carrying out the traditional yacht broker responsibilities, Andrew went above-and-beyond to ensure that we were well-positioned to sell in a competitive market. For example, Andrew helped out with much-appreciated repairs and hurricane prep, among other things. Trustworthy, intelligent, and conscientious, Andrew’s communications with us and the buyer were always thoughtful and forward-thinking, and fairly represented our interests.
We really lucked out in connecting with The Multihull Company. We made a cold call to Cynthia Wummer, a Multihull Company broker and told her we wanted to buy a catamaran to cruise The Great Loop and experience the Bahamas. We particularly wanted a PDQ power catamaran. From our first contact she was so helpful and responsive. She immediately contacted a selling broker who represented a prospective seller. Because we are new to a bigger boat and boating on the ICW, Cynthia assisted us through the entire process. She is a captain which was an added bonus to the process; she knew all the right questions to ask the selling broker as well as the surveyor. She drove 3 hours to be present during the survey, she developed a good relationship with the selling broker, she called and checked in with us regularly, was very enthusiastic about our purchase, and answered all our questions. We could not have done it without her. The Multlihull Company support team, Andrew Holland and Courtney Greider, were so helpful in the closing process: the paperwork was easy to complete and communication was smooth and timely. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend The Multihull Company and Cynthia to anyone who is the market for a boat large or small. Thank you!!!!
Multihull Company has succeeded again. This is my second time using their services and they are extremely professional and honest. Working with their brokers and their administrative team was easy. Communication occurred at every level and constructive advise was always given. They know this business inside and out and acted as my fiduciary in every way. I will use them again for their service and knowledge.
Great to deal with and very patient in our questions. They were able to find us the perfect vessel for our needs.
Successful relationships cannot exist without it. At The Multihull Company we base every relationship on a firm commitment to earning and retaining our client’s trust.
Advice of any kind is valuable only when grounded in hard-won expertise. It too, must be trustworthy. Trust and expertise define the heart and soul of The Multihull Company. We are a team of skilled professionals who thrive on providing expert, trustworthy advice and service to catamaran and trimaran sailors around the globe.
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