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Boat in, Boat out?

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bakbone
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/27/2009 : 14:01:02

I'm mentally in the process of possibly selling

my 1990 winged C-25. My question is, would it be better to leave the boat in the water or out of the water on the trailer to sell

Advise needed!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2009 : 14:54:02

One vote for water--mast up, rigged, and ready for a demo sail or just to step aboard. That's how to get the emotional response that makes for a quick sale. If a buyer wants to haul it for a survey (or just a visual check), that's up to them. Also, clean out the cabin clutter so it looks as roomy as possible--especially before you take an pictures for a listing.

Just be careful with your decision--you won't find another C-25 as nice as the '90!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 10/27/2009 14:55:58

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2009 : 16:56:14

I agree with Dave on all counts.

Sold my 1981 about 2 years ago - happy day. Just bought a 1989 wing - another happy day. Ths is America, the land of plenty. There will always be used C25s to be had - including wings.

Good luck!

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2009 : 17:51:19

In the water but have the means to haul it and get it road ready for the buyer. We hauled mine and had it ready to go within an hour.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2009 : 18:24:57

I vote leave it neat and ready for a demo!

Edited by - on

hinmo
Navigator

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USA
248 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2009 : 04:07:42

Bought mine in the water. Never went for a sail, never had it hauled. I guess I got lucky.

I think if I ever buy another, I would shoot for an in-water and out-of-water inspection....just to be safe. If that was not an option, Out of water with the stick up would be my best case option (can inspect rigging wear, inspect sails, hull, etc)

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2009 : 09:47:57

I wouldn't buy a car without test driving it. I had to test sail mine before I bought it.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2009 : 13:42:26

In the water is prime but it also depends on the weather. When we sold our C22 it was winter. We cleaned it all up and towed it to a broker in Portland, Oregon to be in a bigger market. It sold, on its trailer, within a month at a good price for us. The key, I think, is that it was very clean so a prospective buyer could see that it was well taken care of.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2009 : 15:11:00

In the water, cleaned, shined, polished, vacuumed, wiped down and looking like you just brought it home from the new boat dealer. Then, if possible, pick a sailing day that is not too windy and not too calm. If a family is interested, have them bring the kids...they'll love it and plead with Daddy to buy it. Has worked for me in the past.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2009 : 15:32:44

I bought mine in the water, took it for a test and sailed it back to my slip, 8 hrs away. It didn't have a trailer and I didn't want one.
I looked at others, all in the water. One I was interested in looked good. I hired a diver to clean the bottom and check for damaged. He noticed a crack by the keel and I wanted further inspection which I then told the owner I would pay for haul out and survey as long as there was no major damage but if so, he would had to pay. I thought that was reasonable since he said there was no major damage. He refused my offer. I moved on.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2009 : 19:17:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 ...I hired a diver to clean the bottom and check for damaged. He noticed a crack by the keel and I wanted further inspection which I then told the owner I would pay for haul out and survey as long as there was no major damage but if so, he would had to pay. I thought that was reasonable since he said there was no major damage. He refused my offer. I moved on.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Interesting gambit... The more standard procedure is a survey (paid by the buyer) as a contingency to the final purchase--just like a house.

I agree on the spit-and-polish strategy--it helped me sell two boats almost instantly. It's fun to see a buyer get excited... One pulled into my driveway, got out of the car, looked over my Daysailor for about 30 seconds, and told his wife to turn the car around and back it down to the trailer. The C-25 sold the day after I listed it here--only because the buyers couldn't make it that first day. They recounted the cluttered, messy boats they'd looked at, and they were experience sailors--owners of several earlier boats up to 30-something feet.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2009 : 18:53:45

I guess I'm a contrarian. My preference is out of the water so I can visually inspect everything -- especially the keel. If I like what I see then it's time to decide on a survey but if their are issues, I can move on. Regardless of in or out of water, as others have said -- a clean, orderly boat is key. Also have a thorough list of equipment, it's condition, how old, etc, and share honestly any and all information that you would want to know if you were looking at her. Good luck!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2009 : 20:03:25

Peter, you're too rational! In my sales, including houses and cars as well as boats, the buyers' emotions were the key. In one case, I had gone into the engine compartment of a Pinto wagon and shined up the air cleaner cover and valve covers... and similarly detailed the interior. The first people who looked at it had heart palpitations! (Hard to imagine now!) My two previous boats got similar reactions--they shined, had no clutter, and (incidentally) were actually very good boats.

My experience says the emotional response to the look of a boat (what realtors call "curb appeal") is more important for attracting the interest of most buyers than any assessment of the keel. Even for the more rational of the (often) two buyers, it says the boat has been cared for, and a further assessment will probably be positive. Most importantly for that person, the "other buyer" has already been sold!

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2009 : 17:15:23

Dave:

As usual, you are on the money! Just wish I could guarantee a "perfect sail" to Top off the perfect (I hope) boat! BTW "rational" s not a term used by anyone I know to describe . . . me.
Cheers!

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2009 : 19:20:41

I prefer to have the boat surveyed while out of the water, but then go for a sail, and test the engine under a load.

I purchased two boats in the past four years; the first boat was in the water initially, and the second boat was out of the water initially.

Folks who are looking at a boat can tell if the boat is clean and well cared.

Best,
Deric

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2009 : 13:51:49

I've sold a number of boats, both power and sail. The normal procedure is to inspect the boat, if it passes the inspection go for a sail/ride, if it passes that, THEN have it hauled and the bottom inspected...on the buyers dime if he buys it.

Edited by - on

sbell52859
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2009 : 08:35:58

I just bought my 82, and looked at a few others, in the water viewings I felt more comfortable because if she leaks it's going to be while she is wet. So I bought Jasconius while she was at the dock and made a friend with the owner at the same time

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2009 : 09:42:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by At Ease
 The normal procedure is to inspect the boat, if it passes the inspection go for a sail/ride, if it passes that, THEN have it hauled and the bottom inspected...on the buyers dime if he buys it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's what we did. Had a nice sail with the "new" family on a Sunday. Hauled on Monday, found some paint blisters on the keel, surveyor (theirs!) said no problem: sand and paint, boat's great. The lady freaked out confusing fiberglass blisters with keel paint blisters and nixed the deal. Bummer. A week later a dockmate told a friend and the boat was sold using the former week-old survey and no test sail. Takes all kinds. I agree, emotion does play a part, but with some boats and some people it's the "cleanliness" and other folks it's the "gear." My guess is that for everyone participating here your boats are pretty clean and ready to go. It's the other bunch of folks who don't that have the filthy boats and wonder why people won't buy their "babies." When we looked for both our C25 and C34, I can't begin to tell you how many neglected wrecked looking boats we saw - it was heartbreaking.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2009 : 13:42:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stu Jackson C34
 [quote]Originally posted by At Ease
 . . . emotion does play a part . . . <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

which is why people say don't become emotional about the boat you are looking to purchase until the deal is inked!

Edited by - OJ on 11/07/2009 16:04:05

bakbone
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2009 : 06:55:22

Thanks to everyone's opinion on this question. By the answers, it looks like the overwelming opinion is to leave it in the water.

I appreciate all your assistance. I wish everyone a merry Christmas and Happy Sailing New Year!!!

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2009 : 18:39:55

So give us the details. Pictures, equipment, price, etc...

Edited by - on

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