How to Sell a Boat in Florida

Selling your boat in the panhandle state

Florida is known for its beaches, leisure activities, the keys, and boating. It is estimated that 1000 people move to Florida a day. This swelling population thrives upon the freedom and the comfort of the state. As such boat sellers have a prime market which is ever expanding. Yet, listing your boat for sale in Florida is not just a matter of posting a photo and a brief description. Here is how to optimize your listing to have more viewers when you sell a boat in Florida.

In what part of the state are you?

Florida, although a singular state, is divided into several different sections. You have the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, and the Keys as the primary locations. You also have the coastal and the inland locations, a variety of exclusive clubs and properties, not to mention areas dominated by seasonal vs. residential properties. Knowing where your boat is in association with these areas will greatly help determine the price as well as the probability of a sale. For example, if you are located near a lake, then a skiff or a fisharound boat would do well, especially if the water is shallow. A deep Vee would not do as well because it is not appropriate for shallow water. Therefore, you would need to look for a location nearby which would suit the vessel you are trying to sell.

What is the primary function of your boat for sale in Florida?

As important as the location, the use of the boat, or rather how you list your boat’s usage, is critical to how to sell a boat in Florida. Angler boats should focus on the fishing wells, the rod holders, the fish finders, and the bait stations as these are important to those looking to deep sea/gulf fish in the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico. Leisure boats for sale in Florida should focus on the transom seating, the beam of deck, the console, the luxury lounge, and the cabin area. Note that certain locations are more prone to certain features and functions on their boats. Tampa, for example, is more apt to have the sports boats and the sailboats in the bay. Panama City beach is more apt to have HydraSport center console boats for sale near the 98 bridge and more leisure boats around Mexico Beach (due to access). Cater your boats to the function of the area if possible.

Should you have a boat which has dual capabilities, such as a Boston Whaler which can be used for angler purposes as well as cruising, then highlight these uses and have supporting pictures showing the boat being used for such functions.

How detailed is your listing?

When you sell a boat in Florida, your listing should be detailed. Potential buyers want to know the miles on the engine, the fuel tank size, any packages that you may have equipped on the vessel, transferable warranties on the engines, the type of engines (in Florida the most common are Mercury, Yamaha, and Seven Marine), and console information. The more details that you include, the less questions a person must ask about the boat.

Accompanying the details of the listing, ensure that when you list a boat for sale in Florida that you have pictures of (a) the boat in storage if it is currently being stored (b) the boat in use to reassure the potential buyer that it can sail, and (c) the details of the exterior and interior features.

Should you wish to encourage your seller to find out more about your particular model, the manufacturer of the boat, or to compare prices with other listings, find a reputable site which offers potential buyers such information, such as Vessel Vendor.

Where can you list your boat for maximum exposure?

Listing your boat for sale in Florida is a simple process through Vessel Vendor. Our site’s listing platform is designed to provide you with ease of use while at the same time maximizing the SEO and content of the listing for potential buyers. Various packages are available for those seeking to sell a boat in Florida, and articles are available on our site to help you prepare your boat for a sale.

Our site differs from generic and competitor sites because we are focused entirely on boats and boat related content. It is the aim of our site to provide a venue in which sellers can list their boats in confidence that those seeking to purchase a boat will find their listing. We also aim to empower potential buyers with information through our model review pages, manufacturer summary pages, and location pages.

If you are interested in listing a boat for sale in Florida and need assistance, or if you have any questions regarding Vessel Vendor, please fill out the appropriate form on our site and we will answer your question as soon as possible.