Should I Buy a Trailer to Help Sell

M

mclaughlinrk

New member
I am selling my 2006 C-Dory 25 and wanted to get opinions of other members about the value of a trailer. Would it be worth buying one to help sell the boat? I can get a new one for $3800 and obviously would like to recover that cost in the sales price. Would it be a lot easier to sell the boat with a trailer or would a potential buyer rather purchase it on their own?

I plan to have the boat detailed and waxed and not having one also makes that a pain since it sits on my lift. As usual your opinions are valued.

Thanks,

Kyle
 
I would definitely think that having a trailer would make it easier to facilitate a sale. All of the C Dory models are so easy to trailer and it seems that so many of the folks on here DO trailer them a lot. I would assume that most of the CD buyers would want/need a trailer.
 
Was that $3800 for a good quality galvanized trailer? If I recall correctly, a quality trailer for a CD 25 on the west coast runs about $6k and up (e.g. Pacific Trailer).

If the prospective buyer knows trailers, he or she may be turned away by having to buy a possibly short-lived and troublesome trailer with the boat...? Good luck with your sale!
 
lloyds":306pwsk7 said:
I think I would be tempted to show the boat, find the buyer, and give an allowance for the trailer of their choice.
Click to expand...

:thup :thup

If I was buying, that would be my choice. Then I could get the trailer of my choosing and I would be much happier with that situation. Different strokes for different folks.... same goes for trailers. I found the boat I wanted, and eventually did the upgrade on the trailer to have a matched set.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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I know from experience that some banks will not loan money to buy a boat unless it has a trailer to (so they could take the boat if someone did not pay on the loan). So it may give you more available buyers, who would need financing to buy it, if you get a trailer.
 
How about offering the boat without a trailer and offering to purchase the one of the buyer's choice for them once the deal is documented and you have earnest money in hand?

I would not purchase a cheap trailer in advance of knowing that is a buyer's choice.
 
I have often said: the best accessory for a C-Dory is the trailer. It is part of what makes these boats so versatile. Like Darkwater, I would be suspect of a $3,800 trailer for a 25. It may be the deal of the year, but the trailer is an investment in the boat - I would not cut corners. The factory has under-estimated the weight of these boat, loaded and ready to roll.

Good luck with the sale.
 
I have to agree that it is going to be an unusual $3800 trailer for a C Dory 25. I bought my C Dory 25 in New Jersey. There was no trailer. I bought a trailer, which was marginal, and it was in the $4500 range about 8 years ago. You want a trailer with at least a 8500 lb capacity (including trailer weight.

A load the size of the C Dory25, needs electric over hydraulic in some Canadian Prov. I personally feel that the E / H brakes are an essential addition for many of the folks who tow over Western mountains.

I would not be surprised to spend over $6,000 for a good trailer for a C Dory 25.
 
Looking at Trailers on the internet for the East and Gulf Coast. There are not many which have the prices given. One which seemed a little on the light side, was $5,500. Many of the trailers give "capacity"--as the total weight load on the axle--or Gross Vehicular weight. The weight carrying capacity however, is that minus the weight of the trailer frame, axle, wheels tires etc. In one case, even with an aluminum frame, the GVW was 1200# over the carrying capacity.
 
If you get lucky like we did and find a suitable lightly used trailer for a good price, I would recommend it. They are a big selling aid and it may be worth buying one up front if it would help you show or service or prep the boat. But follow the advice of others and get a solid trailer with plenty of capacity, good brakes, and galvanized or aluminum.

Greg
 
FWIW, I would not buy a trailerable boat without a trailer. That being said, if the price seemed otherwise fair on the boat, I would automatically offer about $6500 less to add a trailer. Personally, I think you'd be better off already having a decent trailer for it. (I'd say get a good trailer also, as if I felt I was going to have to get a new trailer, again, I'd offer about $6500 less.) JMHO! Colby
 
The trailer is an aluminum Venture 8725 that I was quoted with 8725lb carrying capacity. I was quoted prices all the way up in the 6k range for that same rig from some dealers.
 
From the museum of what it's worth...I looked at your boat and thought it would sell quickly until I saw "no trailer".

I have decided that aluminum trailers are for me, and when I've been looking at boats that stands out. Perhaps it's a personal preference, but I've had galv and alum and swore from then on aluminum.

Now...that said, the fact that I would have to get a new trailer for the boat is not a deal breaker. I would have to factor that into the deal. If I'm coming up with $6K I would probably think you would have to eat the lion's share of that. Technically it's all funny money at negotiating time.

Bottom line - When I saw the $3800 trailer I was thinking that would probably be a cheaper trailer; I would get my own trailer and negotiate it into the deal.

Good luck...
 
Kyle,

Certainly a trailer boat for sale will catch someone's eye, if it has a trailer. Comments made by other posters do make a lot of sense and a trailer for a prospective buyer, if it came with the boat would typically increase the overall value of the boat. The value added would not be much different though, if the trailer was aluminum or galvanized steel.

I'm guessing that your quote for a trailer was from Ed's Marine... True, they do offer prices for everything they sell that are hard to beat, but be careful dealing with them, as they have a very dismal following for customer service, once the sale is out the door.
 
yes, a properly fitted aluminum trailer will help sell the boat I believe.

If I was looking. The Venture trailer appears to be a great deal.
 
This is boat show time so dealers are dealing on trailers as well as boats and motors .
alum trailer ;what kind of brakes? disc are always better also what kind of springs leaf or torsion ?
If this trailer has disc brakes and torsion suspension and is alum framed get the S/S package and is $3800 that s a great buy .I used to work as a trailer rep. for Continental trailers and alum with torsion springs and disc brakes with stainless hardware is what I always recommended . The elec over hydraulic brakes were just coming out . My friend has them and they do work better then a simple surge brake and are better in hilly or mountain areas .
I think selling your boat without a trailer could hurt your sale although you could show the prospective buyer that you could get a alum trailer for $3800 . good Luck with your sale jim
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I would list the price of the boat without trailer, and with a brand new trailer just tell them to add 6k for a decent trailer or what ever number you wish to use. That way if someone wants the boat and they can find a different trailer; they have that option. If they want a trailer they can just add the price of a new trailer hence the added 6K or whatever you choose to make it. You could mention that that would include tie down straps etc. spare tire so they don't get nickel and dimed at time of delivery. For me I would rather pick out my own brand and style of trailer. Then you stay out of the I want a bunk trailer and this is a roller type trailer etc. Aluminum or galvanized etc.? The trailer or no trailer should not effect the price of the boat. If your price is in line with other 25's for sale your price could be about 3k lower as I would imagine the used trailer in someone else's package could not be worth much more than 3k in my thinking. Plus the used trailer might need things. "There is an ass for every seat" as the car dealers say. Good luck!
D.D.
 
Although having a trailer for the boat would certainly facilitate a sale; not having one isn't a fatal issue.

I suspect that if you spend $xxxx for a trailer, you won't recover dollar-for-dollar in the eventual sale.

Have you considered doing some trailer pre-shopping for your eventual buyer?

If you have details in hand for two or three trailers in various price ranges (and how long to deliver) a buyer would have some details readily available, and could factor that into the final deal. Either way I suspect you'll end up eating at least some of the cost of the trailer, but the buyer will be able to get what he/she really wanted.

Good luck!

Best,
C&M
 
I think having a trailer will be important to facilitate your sale. 90% of potential buyers of that type of boat will need one immediately, just to bring the boat home. You might not recover the entire cost, but not having one really limits your market with a "trailerable trawler". Because you'll likely not recover its entire cost, I would look for the least expensive serviceable trailer (new or used) as long as it has the capacity to legally and safely haul the boat. Forget about adding bells and whistles to the trailer since you'll never recover their cost. Best of luck! Mike.
 
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