Selling a sailboat when you don't know how to sail..

[mckenzie.keith]

I mean, it seems like the obvious solution is to list the boat with a broker and let the broker deal with all the bullshit. It is what they do.

It is possible that when the haul the boat they will find repairs which cost a substantial portion of the selling price. If the buyer backs out at that point, they generally absorb all costs (for haulout and inspection and everything). Make sure the deposit is big enough to cover that if there is any problem. And don't give the deposit back until the boat is back in its slip with no outstanding debts owed. Another reason to get a broker.

 

[SCANAS]

Also careful with your wording on repairs found. The way you wrote it above, seems like he gets to tell you the price or repairs & set a new price. Make it subject to buyers satisfaction of repairs. He either buys it, renegotiates or paddles home. 
 

Ask you Dad if has a friend from sailing who can take it to the marina with the buyer. Or head down to yacht club & offer a carton of beer for someone impartial to come along for the trip. 

 

[Steam Flyer]

Also careful with your wording on repairs found. The way you wrote it above, seems like he gets to tell you the price or repairs & set a new price. Make it subject to buyers satisfaction of repairs. He either buys it, renegotiates or paddles home. 
 

Ask you Dad if has a friend from sailing who can take it to the marina with the buyer. Or head down to yacht club & offer a carton of beer for someone impartial to come along for the trip. 

I also think that negotiating with a buyer over the cost of repairs is a mistake. If there are things about the boat that the buyer thinks he will have to spend money on, then it's perfectly appropriate to say "I will need to spend X$ on this boat after buying, so I have to factor that into my offer." That's close to, but different from, a buyer saying "take this boat to a boat yard and have them fix Y and Z, and then I'll buy it for X$"

Trying to fix up a house or a boat for a specific buyer is a mug's game. You can piss away a lot of dollars that way and end up with no sale. OTOH working with a buyer and saying, "OK, I understand your offer is based on what you expect to spend to bring it up to your standards" is a win for both.

- DSK

 

[EbbAndFlow]

What boat are you selling?

 

[efrank]

100% If I were in your situation, I would get a broker.   When I bought my last boat, he handled everything for the seller.  As the buyer, I hired a surveyor and paid for a short haul.  The broker showed the boat and drove it during the trip to the haulout (very short trip) and on the test sail.

The broker required a deposit before the haulout/test sail.

I was glad there was a broker involved because I knew the owner.  Turns out the boat had some problems and it saved me from having to negotiate with someone emotionally attached to the boat.

 

[gptyk]

When I bought my current vessel, the owner was out of state (and sick with covid). 

Broker handled all the details. I actually liked the broker quite a bit. He was worth the $$. 

Seller paid a professional captain for the sea trial and the trip for the haul-out. I would not have removed the boat from the slip myself, ever, even though I'm qualified to do so. Too much danger of "You scratched my anchor!" type of stuff happening. 

I paid for the survey (of questionable value) and the haul out. 

tldr: Hire a pro captain like is said repeatedly above. 

 

[Itsmeeeeeee]

Generally, yes, surveyors go to the boat. Usually they are pretty expert in running boats too, but nowadays everybody is fussy about liability. And a real survey requires a haul-out, which the buyer typically pays for.

Last time I sold a big boat, going on 6 years ago now, it seemed like we were besieged with dumbasses who did not know anything about boats and had very little patience with the usual formalities of buying one. It's like they expected to run a card or perhaps ping PayPal then dash off to the wild blue yonder on my boat. Having a broker saved me from manslaughter charges.

- DSK

I think I might be one of those dumb asses, but after 1.5 hours at DOL and back and forth with USCG I'm starting to see this is a process more than a transaction. 

What boat are you selling?

It's a Cal 40

 

[buck]

That is a much sought after boat itsmee.

 

[Orion Jim]

I'm selling my dad's 40ft sailboat - he's unable. There's a buyer who would like to put a deposit down (1k), sign a contract to buy for 50k minus any large repairs found on inspection. He would like to then sail the boat a short distance from the marina to the nearest yard for haul out and inspection. I wouldn't be there for this. Is that normal or am I insane to let someone take the boat. I'm personally OK with it but want to crowdsource opinions or advice on how to proceed safely. 

1K down on a 50K anything is miniscule. 

 

[Bump-n-Grind]

maybe you can find a broker to shepard this deal thru to it's conclusion for a reasonable fixed fee rather than a commission since you already found the buyer.. just a thought... 

I wouldn't let a boat like that outa my sight and control for a 1k deposit... 

 

[Itsmeeeeeee]

That is a much sought after boat itsmee.

I grew up in, on and around sailboats (parents were avid) - after 17 never thought about it again. Until this boat. Even the doorknob to the head is impressive. If I was independently wealthy I'd quit my job, drop all other hobbies, relearn the ropes and die happy. They get in your skin to the point that you want to do the boat justice, and I can't at this point in my life so I'm trying to find the best home possible. 

 

[Itsmeeeeeee]

maybe you can find a broker to shepard this deal thru to it's conclusion for a reasonable fixed fee rather than a commission since you already found the buyer.. just a thought... 

I wouldn't let a boat like that outa my sight and control for a 1k deposit... 

Solid suggestion. Thanks! And yeah, I'm not going with the original plan. Will offer to sell without moving for 40k - it was hauled out and inspected less than a year ago, and I have immaculate maintenance records - if no then will get a broker to make the deal for 50k.

 

[Somebody Else]

It's a Cal 40

So that boat is close to 60 years old.

When was the last time it was restored? She should be coming up on her 3rd restoration unless it has been just recently done or has been lovingly and knowledgeably maintained by owners. Depending on the time since the last restoration, expect the fix-it list to run several pages and $50,000 to $150,000 in repairs and restoration.

 

[Cal20sailor]

My two favorite words when selling, As Is!  A Cal 40 is a classic, buyers and sellers should know that.  A Catalina 40ish is not in the same universe.

Up the price by $5K with no inspection requirements.

 

[Itsmeeeeeee]

So that boat is close to 60 years old.

When was the last time it was restored? She should be coming up on her 3rd restoration unless it has been just recently done or has been lovingly and knowledgeably maintained by owners. Depending on the time since the last restoration, expect the fix-it list to run several pages and $50,000 to $150,000 in repairs and restoration.

Yeah. Old gold. The last survey gave a replacement estimate of 300k in 2020 with a 1 page fix-it list full of minor issues and everything was repaired plus some - it's been the de facto child of all five owners. Of course, they will find something wrong with it (it's OLD), but I'm not too worried. 

 

[tizak]

Went through a somewhat similar process years ago w/ our family boat - I couldn't take her at the time (no time to sail her back to California from Honolulu, long waiting lines for slips, young family, lots of business travel, limited "boat" cash to play with, etc.). My Dad finally donated her to a nearby (Kaneohe) Sea Scout troupe. One of the worst days of my life was the day he called to tell me about the donation - he was heartbroken and so was I.

My point: get this done right so you're not faced with having to tell your Dad somebody ripped out a piece of his heart. He'll be crushed and you'll carry a lot of guilt. Spend / do whatever's needed to get people you trust involved so a proper outcome is achieved.

You sound knowledgeable / thoughtful enough to make this work. Don't assume this potential deal is all you have. As mentioned above a Cal 40 is a desirable boat - should be plenty of potential buyers out there.

 

[climenuts]

Could you post or PM me a link to the boats ad? 

 

[couchsurfer]

Does it help that we’re small town folk? No? Ok. Yeah, I’ll be there when he’s looking at it - is this normal though? To take the boat away for inspection? I thought you brought them to the boat. 

That leaves a huuuuge open door.  Surveyor buddy gets paid well, says whatever buyer wants.  The price of labor and gear these days, yer'll ending up owing the buyer to take it off your hands.

..The deal smells like crapp, cause that's what it is.  Tell the guy nice try, but the deal is bank cheque, f.o.b. where it sits.  I'm sure you're already asking a fair price 

 

[Kevlar Edge]

Why do we entertain the non sensible ravings of a lunatic mind? Uneducated, inexperienced and clueless. Good luck with your boat purchase. Please don’t bother us with your stupidity.

 

[Sail4beer]

.  A Catalina 40ish is not in the same universe.

Up the price by $5K with no inspection requirements.

My Catalina 42 is offended! 

…and worth twice the price at least