How to Sell Your Boat

No matter the reason you’re looking to sell your boat, taking the right steps makes all the difference.

You’ve gotten the most out of your boat and built memories that will last a lifetime. Maybe it is time for you to upgrade; maybe your family has outgrown your current boat. Or maybe you’re ready to slow the pace a little and go from watersports to cruising. Are you ready to start the next chapter in your boating adventure? This guide will help you understand your options, whether you want to sell or trade in your boat.

Whether you want to sell your boat to get the cash to invest in your next boat or you want to trade in your current boat with a dealer to put the value towards your next purchase, there are a number of considerations for you to keep in mind.

Selling a boat can be as simple as listing it on one of the many websites or social media platforms, setting the price, finding a buyer, and handing over the keys. Or you can work with a dealer and let them handle everything. If you decide to sell your boat yourself you will save on any commission costs, but you may find that those costs make up for the hassle of deciding on a fair price, doing any work that needs to be done to make the boat sale worthy, and handling any paperwork.

Trading in a boat is also an option that many owners choose for the simplicity of the process. You bring it to a dealer and they draw from their experience to know exactly what the boat is worth; they then apply that to the cost of your new boat. Depending on the state you live in, there may also be tax benefits to trading in your boat—boat dealers are typically savvy when it comes to maneuvering through any confusing financing issues, offering tremendous peace of mind.

Working with a dealer to sell or trade in your boat eliminates a lot of the hassle. If you have established a relationship with a dealer already, then you are well on your way. If you need to find a boat dealer near you, many manufacturers have easy to navigate portals to help you find one that provides the services you are looking for.