How long does it take to sell a used boat?

A guide to optimizing your listing for a quicker sale and higher ROI

If you have a used boat and wish to list online, you may wonder what the expected timeframe will be before the boat sells. And while there is no definitive answer on how long it will take. There are a few general estimations dependent upon the year as well as the type of boat which is sold. Obviously, the newer the boat and the lower the cost, the higher the demand will be. The older the boat and the more wear and tear that the boat has seen, the more apt it will be to sit on the market. However, even if you do have an older model boat for sale, does not mean that you can’t take steps to optimize the listing for a quicker sale and a higher ROI. Here are a few considerations on how long it will take to sell your used boat.

What is the size of the vessel?

The size of your vessel will have a great impact on the target market. The larger the boat, the smaller the market becomes. Why? Because the locations in which to sail the boat become more limited and the cost of the boat increases. According to one popular website, a boat which exceeds 45’ will take around a year to sell if not longer, while those within the 25 to 35’ range only take about 8 months to sell. This is an estimate as some boats can take two to three years to sell. It all depends on the SEO of the site, the quality of the pictures, and the demand of the vessel.

When considering the smaller boats for sale, the sales are typically faster. This is due to the abundance of freshwater locations (rivers, lakes, streams, etc.) which are available for the bass boat, the skiff, and the small cabin cruisers. The smaller craft appeal more to the weekend boater, the hobbyist, and the family recreational activity. Plus, you could store and trailer the vessel with ease. Listings of this nature should consider the location and cater the listing to the locals, although online listings can diversify searches to a larger area.

What is the condition of the boat?

While you might have a presumption about the condition of your boat, it is strongly advised that you have a professional do an assessment survey of your boat for sale so that you can market it competitively. The condition of the boat as well as the packaging should be honestly noted on the listing. The more additive features, the more desirable the boat and the quicker it will sell. The closer the boat is to the stock/base model, the less apt it is to sell unless the price is competitive, and the condition is suitable for use with minimal to no maintenance needed.

Those offering larger boats should expect to have a more scrupulous crowd. The condition of the boat in relation to the listing price will be the critical factor in how quickly your boat sells. If the price and the condition are listed realistically, the boat could sell in as little as 8 to 12 months. Keep in mind that this does not mean that it will close in that time, as you have brokers and legal financing which could take an additional 30 to 60 days in some cases, but rather that a contract will be draw up in that time.

Demand vs. overstock

Apart from the condition and the size of the vessel for sale, you should take consideration of the abundance or lack of abundance of your vessel on the market. Boats which are available everywhere might take longer to sell than rare boats. Yes, if there is a demand for a model, manufacturer, or style of boat you will do well, but if the boat is competing with 600 other boats in the area of the same make and model, selling your craft quickly could be a bit problematic unless you optimize the process through your listing, photos, pricing, and orienting your ad to the right target audience.

What website are you using to sell your boat?

Perhaps the greatest factor in determining the time factor for the sale of your vessel is the venue in which you list the boat. If you list your boat for sale with a third party generic site, you are more apt to see your boat sit on the site indefinitely. It is not that these sites do not serve a purpose, but rather that those who visit the site do so to “look” at boats, not to purchase boats. Yes, there are some hit and miss sales, but for the most part, if the vessel is not listed for a substantially low price, those who go to these sites will breeze over the listing.

Vessel Vendor offers a solution for a quicker sale of your boat. By listing your vessel for sale with our site, you gain access to a platform which allows for visitors to seek out your make, model, type, or even location. Should the potential buyer have questions about your boat, we have model review pages. Additionally, if you need help listing your boat for sale on vessel vendor, our site has a ton of information to help you get started.

Questions? Don’t worry if the site does not have the information you need, please fill out the appropriate form on the website and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.