How to sell a boat

With over 25,000 active online buyers visiting Aquavista’s Boats for Sale website every month - we know a thing or two about selling boats.

We’re one of the UK’s biggest boat brokers and we’ve helped thousands of people just like you sell their boats - from narrowboats and widebeams to river cruisers and yachts.

If you’re looking to sell your boat quickly and want a hassle-free selling experience, visit our boat sales page to book a free boat valuation. 

Or, keep reading this page to learn exactly how to sell your boat, step-by-step, with some top tips to get the best returns. 

Let’s get started:

Before trying to sell your beloved boat, you'll need to clean it thoroughly inside and out. Scrub away any dirt or grime and declutter the inside. You'll also want to take care of minor repairs or maintenance issues. 

To make the boat look brand new again, you can give it a fresh coat of paint or varnish. The goal is to present your boat in the best possible light to catch a buyer's eye.

Now you need to find out how much the boat is actually worth. 

The easiest option is to contact Aquavista’s brokerage team. 

We offer free, no-obligation valuations and can give you an expert assessment based on the specs, age, condition, and features of your boat.

You can also do some research yourself by browsing listings of similar boats for sale to get a rough idea of the going rates. 

Factors like the boat's size, age, brand, and overall condition will impact the valuation.

Once you've cleaned up your boat and know its fair market value, it's time to let potential buyers know it's for sale.

You'll want to list your boat on popular boating websites and marketplaces where boat enthusiasts browse. Using a broker for this can help maximise your online exposure by marketing directly to boating enthusiasts. 

The power of word-of-mouth and in-person promotion are also powerful tools. Let your connections in the boating community know your boat is on the market. 

Use for-sale displays and clear signs if it's moored at a marina.

As you start receiving inquiries from interested buyers, ensure all the vital paperwork is organised and ready to go.

This shows you're a responsible owner, which can instil confidence in prospective buyers.

Prospective owners will want to see the following documentation:

• Bill of sale
• VAT invoice
• Proof of ownership
• Boat Safety Scheme Certificate 
• Insurance documents
• Maintenance records

When you get an offer you're happy with, you'll typically accept it by having the buyer put down a deposit. 

This deposit is usually 10% of the agreed purchase price. 

During this time, the buyer will also likely schedule a professional survey of the boat's condition.

After the survey, assuming everything checks out, the buyer will pay for the remaining balance of the boat’s price. 

All paperwork and signatures will be completed at this time to transfer ownership to the buyer. 

Be sure to cancel your insurance policy and other registrations, too. 

And, of course, don't forget to pass along all your memories and wisdom about your boat to the new captain!

Should You Use a Brokerage Company to Sell Your Boat?

While selling your boat privately or online may be cheaper (there are no brokerage fees), it can also be more time-consuming and complex. 

Additionally, boats sold through a marina brokerage tend to sell more quickly because there are more customers actively looking to view and buy.

A good brokerage company like Aquavista is likely to attract customers who want to buy a boat like yours.

Not only do we have the largest network of marinas in the UK (meaning we have approximately 5,000 boat enthusiasts actively browsing boats in person) we also have perks such as great social media and email marketing to get the word out there.

As a boat broker, we can also manage viewings and negotiate the paperwork that is required to get a boat sold quickly and at the right price.

If your time is precious, a boat broker is worth every penny.

Typically, a brokerage charges a sales commission of between 6% and 10% (plus VAT) of your boat's final selling price. 

The percentage charged mainly depends on your boat's value; the lower the value, the higher the percentage charged, and vice versa.

As a guide, for every £1,000 that your boat sells for, you can expect to pay between £70 and £120 in brokerage fees.

Is the Boat You’re Selling in an Aquavista Marina?

If you're selling a boat in an Aquavista Marina but as a private sale, you will be liable for paying a sale-on-berth fee. 

This is a percentage-based fee incurred when a boat is sold within any of our marinas. 

Alternatively, contact our brokerage team, who will be glad to help you with the sale, offering free valuations and a fully supported, stress-free experience. 

What is the Best Time of Year to Sell a Boat?

Although sunny spring weather is traditionally a good time to sell a lot of things, there is no ‘best’ season when it comes to selling a boat.

Most buyers are influenced by factors such as their financial position or a lifestyle change such as retirement.

How Long Does it Take to Sell a Boat?

The average deal normally takes three weeks from the deposit. This allows potential buyers to assess the boat and make their decision. 

How long it takes to find a buyer can vary depending on the time of year and the quality of the boat. 

Do I Need to Declare All of My Boat’s Faults When Selling?

Honesty is the best policy when selling your boat. While it falls on the buyer to do their own investigations to ensure they’re happy with it, you still need to be transparent and accurate when asked any questions.

It’s best to make sure you don’t misrepresent the facts and prepare yourself to be asked about the boat’s service history, any upgrades installed, as well as its current condition.

Do Boats Appreciate in Value?

Like most vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, boats tend to drop in value from the moment you take ownership. 

But there’s plenty you can do to maximise your returns if you decide to sell. 

This includes giving the boat a deep clean before advertising and making sure everything is in working order - like the lights, engine, sails etc.