Most boats sold through Auction tend to have issues, hence they are difficult to sell through a retail scenario due to warranty issues. Therefore to a seller, it’s a simple way to sell quickly with no strings attached. However buyers are vary wary, when a buyer purchases a boat from an Auction, it comes with no warranty, so pricing will reflect this risk via this type of purchase.

PROS

• It’s the quickest sale with the least hassle to the seller but the lowest return.
• Sell “As-Is” and spend no money cleaning/repairing or road worthying the trailer

CONS – the Seller receives the lowest amount of money because:

• There is too much risk for the buyer as they have little means to test what condition the boat/motor/trailer is in.
• No warranty is implied nor given under Auction Terms.
• The boat and trailers are sold unregistered and sold AS IS condition, becomes a cost to the buyer.
• Time works against your better judgement and emotions are strained via FOMO and clever strategies when the last call is made.
• No chance to complete a water demonstration and you are on your own to learn how to use and care for it.

Other than the Auction process offering the buyer “guaranteed title” there are no other buyer benefits, hence the quickest way to sell for a seller, but this method returns the lowest sale price to the seller.

Selling your boat privately may achieve a little more money than selling through a dealer on consignment however the seller has to find the “genuine” buyer amongst the “Phishers” and invite strangers out on a water test. Selling privately takes effort and patience but can yield fiscal rewards.

PROS

• By putting in the hard work and the hours, you will receive a higher price than selling through a boat auction and maybe on consignment.
• Pricing it right, should see a reasonably quick sale.
• If you want to be in control of the Sales process, this way is for you.

CONS

• Bringing strangers to your home and openly saying when your home and when you’re not.
• Internet “Phishers” and funds fraud from sophisticated scammers – “My dad works on oil rig”, “My freight company has over charged me” “When are you home?”
• Doing water demonstrations with potential buyers that have little interest in buying your boat or low ball you after the run, and if you knew the offer you would had never wasted hours prepping and now washing a salty boat.
• Once paid, do the buyers actually lodge and complete the registration documents at the local Transport Office.
• Handover, do they have the right trailer connection, the right trailer light plug?
• You need to take the trailer to a Road Worthy Inspector (If ATM over 750Kg’s) for an inspection, if it fails, organise the repairs before the RWC will be written. If repairs can’t be completed for weeks, this delays your sale.
• Finance companies reluctance to finance private sale boats.
• The buyers insurance company may make it hard to insure as a “Condition Report” may be needed and further issues identified by the experts.
• The buyers may request you to tow to a local Engine dealer for a thorough mechanical inspection – more of your time to tow to and from.
• On water demonstration, takes time, risks and is it sold after the run or were they timewasters?
• Buyer still don’t get warranty or professional back up that will reduce your “buying audience” considerably.

When you find a potential buyer, they will want to come and inspect the boat, remember the golden rule - first impressions are everything when it comes to selling a boat! Ensure you have removed your personal items, cleaned and detailed the boat, polished the sides, repair any torn or worn upholstery, ensure the cushions are clean and the underside of the cushions free from any mould and no salt on the engine block, tyre shine the tyres and ensure they are inflated, aerials up, clears fitted and zips lubed, toilet clean etc. Although this is again more work for you, a tidy and clean boat will help you in a successful sale.

Servicing - make sure the engines service history is up to date, batteries are charged and electricals all in good order and ready to be turned on to show the buyer how to operate. Then the biggest hurdle is the water test, nerves for both buyer and seller…… are you ready for it?….. ask for a deposit and settle on a price BEFORE you go out and simply make the sale “pending a satisfactory sea trial” . Launching and on the water, take your time, go slow, be honest and use your local ramp that you are familiar with. Down side is if they back out, you will have to do repeat this process all over again with the next buyer…..

In the end more money back in your hand but still a lot of effort and higher risk.

Consigning or Consign a boat is another convenient and established way of selling your boat. Did you know goods regularly sold on consignment include motor vehicles, boats, wedding and formal dresses, cameras, farm machinery and artworks even groceries at the Supermarket!

Technically you are referred to as the Consignor and retain ownership whilst the boat isn’t under contract and the Consignee holds the boat. The boat when sold on consignment, is sold to the buyer first before the Consignee buys the boat from the Consignee. It goes without saying that you must ensure you are dealing with a reputable dealer and the paperwork is endorsed by the Boating Industry and commission or nett return is recorded clearly without any ambiguity.

PROS

• The dealership should be using Boating Industry Association (BIA) regulated paperwork and offer a professional procedural framework.
• Your boat should be maintained, presented and offered to the boat buying market, clean and tidy, 6 days a week.
• Your chosen dealership should provide in depth marketing via a dealer database of buyers / Social media campaigns / Industry leading online sales platforms and print media.
• The dealership should look after and arrange / co-ordinate the boat and trailer registration acquisitions and transfers, Title, Finance payouts, Warranty and EPIRB transfers for your and the buyers convenience.
• Offer the seller workshop pre-sale reporting / a detailing service / workshop maintenance and repairs to maximise the sale price and visual appeal.
• The dealership should be able to provide buyers the ability to Finance / Trade in and purchase Insurance.

CONS and Things to ask BEFORE you Consign a boat

• Ensure the dealership is using endorsed Boating Industry Consignment paperwork.
• Ask are there any hidden fees or charges?
• If the boat is used for an on-water demonstration is it covered by insurance?
• Is the boat kept clean whilst being marketed?
• Where is the boat being marketed – Internet/Enewsletter/Magazines/Social Media?
• Will your boat be used as “switch bait” and the sales team upsell potential buyers into new boats?
• Do they have an internal workshop and detailer to assist you bring the boat up to dealership standards?

John Crawford Marine has specialised in consigning late model trailer boats since 1964, no one does it better nor with the professionalism that out team strives to offer every buyer and seller.

Make selling your late model trailer boat hassle and stress free – contact the Consignment Boats Specialists since 1964 at John Crawford Marine or click this link. 

If time is an issue and you require an immediate sale with a quick settlement why not simple call John Crawford Marine to Buy your boat? If your boat is newer than 10 years of age, selling your boat has never been easier subject to satisfactory workshop reports and you have the authority to sell.

We offer you the security of dealing with the Used Boat Industry Specialists and the most experienced team and largest Used Boat dealership. With a rock solid 60 years plus in the industry we are respectful and professional in our dealings with you – No gimmicks - no tricks! Valuations simply based on years of experience, up to date market conditions and an in-depth knowledge of trailer boat values.

PROS

• Experienced and respectful valuations and offer to buy.
• Deal with a company in business for over 60 years.
• Specialists in the sale of late model, used trailer boats.
• Settlements mostly within 48 hours.
• We look after and arrange / co-ordinate the boat and trailer registration acquisitions, Title, Finance payouts, Warranty and EPIRB transfers for your convenience.
• Private, discreet and hassle free process.

CONS

• JCM generally doesn’t buy boats older than 10 years of age.
• Accepting the dealer has to make a fair margin to be in business.
• The boat will be priced assuming seaworthy/roadworthy and engines service up to date, otherwise after reports these costs can be deducted from the purchase price.
• Will need to take the boat to the dealer and wait for the workshop to complete the mechanical inspections and pre purchase inspections to be completed.

If you would like a quick and simple settlement, then call the team and make an appointment to bring down the boat and don’t forget the following:

• Registration papers
• Drivers Licence
• Any books/manuals/spare key/spare wheel or supporting service documents
• Bank account details and if relevant finance payout details

John Crawford Marine is easily found at 1031 Manly Road, Tingalpa, Brisbane with plenty of parking - you don’t even need to reverse and our established process will make the experience respectful and hassle free.

Make selling your late model trailer boat hassle and stress free – contact the Used Boat Specialists since 1964 at John Crawford Marine or complete this form. 

Employing a boat broker is another way to sell your trailer boat. A Boat Broker acts on your behalf to find and secure a buyer. Like a real estate agent, your boat will be presented to the market via numerous means of marketing and the broker will organise and schedule inspections and handle the paperwork.

It’s imperative that if a Broker is engaged that they are a member of the Boating Industry Association and use Industry endorsed paperwork to protect your investment and maintain integrity throughout the appointed term and sales process.

PROS

• The sales process is at arm’s length for the seller and the Broker handles negotiations on behalf of the seller.
• The boat can stay at home in the shed.
• Assist the buyer with sea trails and a handover.
• Assist the buyer with paperwork, payment and registration transfers.

CONS

• Brokers offer no warranty – the rig is sold as is.
• Brokers don’t normally have a Boat yard, so the boat stays at storage location. Inconvenient for buyers to inspect when they want to as prior arrangements need to be made.
• Brokers generally have limited knowledge on the Trailer Boat market as majority focus on moored boats and yachts.
• Commission is close to or the same as a dealer consignment process, but the seller doesn’t receive the advantages of a consignment sale when the boat is located at the dealership eg exposure with “Like for Like” boats etc attracting the right buyer quicker.
• Owner needs to maintain the boat in a clean and tidy manner at all times.

Selling a trailer boat isn’t straightforward or simple and we appreciate that there are numerous reasons for selling a trailer boat.

We welcome you to make contact with the JCM team to discuss your circumstances and help you choose an option that suits you best.