Advise on selling a Boat

T

TOGO

New member
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?

I bought my C-DORY in September last year. Thinking I could sell my Bartender 19 in the spring with out a problem. Not so I have listed it in Wooden Boat, Spokane and Portland Craigslist. I got 3 call from the Wooden Boat and a couple from Craigslist. I have it listed for $12,000 which is way less than I have in it and I work for free. I am about to list it in Seattle's Craigslist and would like to correct my errors before I do. I have been reading the crappiest add in an other post and wounder what I am doing wrong which spurred me on to ask for advise. I have listed about everything that is on her. I can come down in price but it hurts my pride. I do live in Newport,WA which is in the NE corner of WA which cuts the market but have offered to deliver.

Guy
 
Hi Guy-

We've never met, and I haven't seen you boat, so I'll give some general and random thoughts.

1. The Bartender is a unique boat with limited appeal. Not that it's not a good design, it is, but the number of people willing to buy one is limited.

2. What you have into it doesn't matter- unfortunately. The boat is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and not a bit more. You could lavish a million dollars on a boat, but if no one will spend more than $50,000 for it, that's all it's worth. Now, I'm not saying your boat isn't worth $12,000. I don't know. But it will take awhile to find someone willing to buy a Bartender (see #1 above) and then, because of the scarcity of buyers, they will have the upper hand in negotiations.

3. Cash is scarce right now, and you will need to find someone who A- wants to buy a boat; B- wants to buy a bartender; and C- has cash to spend. Your boat is not going to be easily financed, so you will have to find a buyer capable of coming up with cash.

4. Extra equipment doesn't often translate to a higher selling price, but it can make the boat sell faster. So be sure to list everything that comes with the boat, life jackets, fenders, lines, fishing gear, etc.

5. Pictures help sell boats. Lots of pictures. And be sure the boat is clean, everything is put away, and nothing is left unfinished (like the missing steering wheel in the other ad we've been discussing).

6. Try to show the boat outside, and uncovered. You may store it inside and covered, but it will show best when lots of light shines through the windows, and the person looking at the boat can walk around the whole boat, and see all of it. It helps him imagine himself in the boat and using it. You need that emotional atachment to begin to happen if the prospect will consider spending the money.

7. Craig's List may not be the best place to sell such a unique item that appeals to a specific buyer. I think your ads in Wooden Boat are probably going to get better results. Craig's List is free, so certainly worth a shot, but don't expect great response.

My gut instinct is that the Bartender series appeals to guys who want to build their own, and so sales of them is limited, and probably at below what they cost to build. Most of them get customized for very specific owner use or desires, whihc can also make them harder to sell.

The builder thinks that ABC is the best widget, and uses is in a certain location on his boat, but a potential buyer thinks XYZ is the best, and would mount it in a completely different spot- neither one is wrong, but on heavily customized boats, it means one needs to find a buyer who thinks along the same lines as the builder / seller.

We recently installed a motor on a home built boat that was very nicely built, with above average finish work. We all liked the boat. But it's design was such that it would be hard to find someone else interested in it because it was built for this users specific needs.

Anyway- don't give up. There is someone out there who would like a Bartender 19. Your job is to find him. And when you do, listen to his feedback in as detached a manner as you can. Because he may see your boat in a completely different light. Then you can try to find some way to compromise (leave something on the boat, replace something, or discount more) to find what the buyer would be willing to do to aquire the boat.

I hope this is helpful.
 
TOGO":343xgvl1 said:
...I have been reading the crappiest add in an other post...
Click to expand...
Er, that was "crabbiest", but...ok, I can see the connection!

Here's your ad:
http://spokane.craigslist.org/boa/2415561745.html

If I may make a few observations...

"Tending river bars"? Um, what does that mean? http://www.bartenderboats.com/history.html says that the original Bartenders were "a shallow draft planing boat that would safely handle rough sea conditions while crossing the rivers bars off the Northwest coast." Unless you think potential buyers are in the search and rescue business, I think it would be more helpful to explain why someone might want to cross a river bar...and I suggest that you emphasize catching the fish that are outside the bar!

You might also include the URL for bartenderboats.com. I see they also have a "Boats for Sale" section that has "Nothing for sale at this time" - you might try contacting them to see if they'll post your boat.

Your ad has one decent-sized picture and three thumbnails - that should be easy to fix. And you are apparently the "owner/craftsman" - if you have any additional information about your qualifications as a crafstman that could be compelling. One of those pictures could highlight the interior and cabin. In fact, what is in the cabin? Seats, a porta potti, storage?

You might also mention the year of the Honda, that it's a quiet, economical, reliable, 4-stroke, and (if it is, I don't know the changeover year) whether it's fuel injected. Oh, and I think you draw out that fuel consumption calculation and point out that is 10 MPG!

And, um, is there a trailer? If not it's going to be a chore to get it from NE Washington to any place where there are river bars and you might want to do some research ahead of itme for potential buyers.
 
I agree that specific details help.

What brand and year or trailer? Rollers or bunks? Brakes? Side Load Guides? Etc.

What brand and model are the electronics? Specific details helps build value.

While simpler ads with fewer words may be needed whe buying print ads where cost is an issue Craig's List is free, and so add as much detail and as many words as needed.

I'll often add text from the manufacturer's website. Be sure to attribute the source. Something like:

From the Bartender website (www.bartenderboats.com)
"In 1960 the 22' BARTENDER was chosen for the Kiekhaefer National Safe Boating award. Added later to the BARTENDER fleet were the 19, 26, and 29 footers.
Besides being successfully built and used by recreational boaters all over the world, BARTENDERS have been used extensively in Australia by harbor patrols, state police, and Australia’s famous surf rescue teams. Several oil companies have utilized the BARTENDER in the offshore oil industry to get them through rough sea conditions that most other small craft would not handle."

Talk about the boat's safety, durability and ability to catch fish (if that's the intended buyer).

Can you talk specifically about how the hull is built- species of wood, etc and whether it is epoxy coated? Anything to eleviate the fear of maintaining a wood hulled boat.

Hope this is helpful!
 
Thank you all,a lot of good information I will start rewriting my Adds. The Pend Oreille River Box Canyon is still at Flood stage with a 7 plus MPH current and a no wake speed limit. But there other lake close by for a good photo shoot.

Guy
 
Guy - I don't think you need an in the water photo shoot - just a lot more photos of the boat and at higher resolution. The one you have in your ad of the boat running is great - just put a larger version of it in the ad so we can see it better. Also put in an image or two of the boat on the trailer from 1-2 different angles, an image of the engine (a fairly close one so people can see it looks like new), a picture of the helm area, a good picture of the cockpit and any pictures that might show attention to detail in craftsmanship - e.g. is the wiring panel nicely laid out, are there some places where you've done fine cabinetry work etc.? When I see images of a boat that are close enough to provide fine detail and demonstrate great care, I'm immediately more positive about the boat and owner.
 
Good advice from some pro's above.

I would include more pictures of fun if you can - fishing - people aboard - fun place (i.e. your vessel in a cove on a nice day). Write what the design is good for - fishing - gunkholing - day on the water with the kids, etc. Note the low capacity tow vehicle required (can easily be pulled with a X).

Also, I would write in the first person to emphasize your time and care that went into it. "The interior and cabin were made by the owner/craftsman" vs. "I built and finished the interior and cabin with a bunk seat, storage locker, etc. (whatever you built) . I spent a lot of time and put great care to ensure a nice fit and finish using Okume wood" (or anything unique you may have used).

Also, I would write the boat was "built in 2007 based on a classic design from the 50's"

Lastly, as someone who has built three dinghies from scratch, what you have into it is not likely what you can sell it for.

It's hard to sell a boat. I sold my former boat on Craigslist. I had exactly one interested party and after 3 weeks he bought it. I posted in several locations but only received responses from Craigslist. I lucked out - good luck with getting her sold.
 
Hello Guy,

I have bought and sold many boats, all at a profit and all using Craigs List Seattle. One buyer was from Seattle, one MN and the other from CA. As others have said great pictures are really important. If you have the knowhow or a friend can help, create a video, post it on You tube and then put the link to the video in the Craig’s List ad. Video is much more powerful then just pictures. My last 2 transactions where synched because of the videos and the last 3 boats the buyer drove about 900 miles each way to come and pick-up the boats.
To give you an idea here are links to the videos I made of the last 2 boats I sold:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0bLpkUY4kg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnrgFcAFlXQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-jOzKfx ... re=related

Good Luck,
Kevin
 
Great advice above! Note if there is fiberglass overlay on the plywood (wooden boats are hard to sell). Note if epoxy glue was used, or if the plywood was epoxy saturated.

I would do photos of the interior you have built. List electroniics and show them. Give top speed, fuel capacity and range. Say what the advantage of an engine set in a well has.

It also helps to have a web site, dedicated to the boat. Link to this web site, and from it to other Bartender sites. Put the words in the header and first paragraph which will lure in people interested in BarTenders. Also use the nameGeorge Calkin's who is the designer. Definately link to the Bartender site for information.

Also if you have a blog, or series of photos catching fish (or video as noted above) this is also a draw.
 
I Rewrote the add following a lot of the good advise given and ended up with a waiting list. I think one of the main things was a price reduction. I met a couple from the Bay Area (CA). At Hood River OR for a sea trial and that was it. TOGO 1 is a responsive boat and a lot of fun. I spent 18 month building her and used 3 years.
Selling her felt something like breaking up with a girl friend you still love her but must go your separate ways. I hope the new owner will take care of her I think they will.

Guy :( and :smile
 
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