Guide to Selling a Boat

Brokerage Service

St Ives is conveniently located in the centre of the River Gt Ouse system. Road communication is excellent from all directions via M11, A1 and A14. Our 10-acre site with large chandlery shop and purpose-built sales area attracts a lot of potential customers.

Terms and conditions:

Craft are accepted following our inspection. We will advise on valuations and any tasks required to improve presentation. It is preferred that craft are lying at our marina. We offer 3 months free storage in our purpose-built sales area; subsequent storage charges @ £7/m/month + VAT. However, all personal belongings must be removed from the boat and taken away prior to the boat being listed on the market.

Brokerage charges are:

• 10% on the first £2,000
• 6% £2,000 to £10,000
• 4% on the remainder of the sale price.
• Please note that there is a minimum charge of £350.00 on all brokerage sales. VAT is chargeable on commission.

If the craft is withdrawn from the market within six months, an administrative charge of £150 is payable to cover the costs incurred by us in listing and promoting the boat.

What our service includes:

• Craft will be system checked and we will advise how to improve presentation
• Your boat will be displayed along our highly active boat sales pontoon which attracts more than 2000 visitors every year
• Full specification drawn up on each craft including interior and exterior photographs
• Your craft will be advertised on our brokerage board
• Regular advertising in national boating magazines
• Our very active website is continually updated and attracts more tha 600 unique hits a day
• Qualified staff handle demonstrations, negotaitions, and contracts, 7 days a week
• Surveys, inspections, slipping arranged
• Mail shots on new listings

Why use LH Jones to sell your boat?

• We have been active brokers for over 30 years with sound experience and knowledge of craft and procedures.
• We run busy workshops repairing craft of all materials and work on outboard and inboard petrol and diesel craft alike, so can advise potential clients of any modifications they require.
• We have a dedicated sales area with trained staff to advise 7 days a week.
• We arrange and advise on moorings and transport to other waterways
• We supervise transfer of registered ownership
• All funds are held in a separate clients' account to protect both purchaser and vendor

Preparing your Boat For Sale

The main factors determining the sale of a boat are:- Presentation, price and condition

External Presentation

First impressions count and the boat should look appealing with a clean, shiny surface. Tend to any poor varnish work on the strakes and handrails and make good any tears and torn windows to the canopy. In short, offer your craft in fresh, beginning-of-the-season order rather than end-of-season.If you require us to do any of this work we are happy to quote.

Internal Presentation

Remove all personal belongings from the boat and if you have removed any fittings such as clocks and barometers, radio, etc, make good the holes. Ensure that the bilges are dry and fresh as the interior will soon get damp and musty. Do not forget to empty and clean chemical toilets. Finally, remember to give the boat a thorough, general clean and tidy to create an atmosphere of comfort and care.

Engine and mechanicals

Make sure the boat is running satisfactorily, that there is enough fuel aboard and that all the services are operating. This includes fridges, toilet, water systems, shower pumps, etc. If any of these items are not working, it will only tempt prospective purchasers to make lower offers.

Pricing

Whilst the market for used craft is quite reasonable, there is a good choice for customers which means that there is no place for overpriced craft. It is poor advice to list a boat for a high price with a view to accepting much lower offers. This approach inevitably leads to the boat being by-passed in favour of more competitively priced craft.

Documentation & Paperwork

Many prospective customers are now seeking assurances to prove ownership and providing either invoices or Bills of Sale can help this. For craft built after 1985 that travel into European waters, the new owner will have to prove that VAT has been paid. Builders' certificates and original supply invoices are required to achieve this. Manuals for engines, service history, etc all help the sale. If the craft iss built after 1998 a CE mark should ve present on the craft.

Compliance Certificates

Now the Boat Safety Scheme is in force it will devalue craft that are not certified when required to be so. In many cases prospective customers are only prepared to buy craft with certificates. We would strongly recommend that you obtain a certificate of compliance before your offer your craft for sale.