Selling your boat with Jones Boatyard

Selling a boat with us is a smooth sailing process, from creating the boat advert through to the final sale. We have everything you need to sell in one place.

Dedicated Sales Pontoon

Free Sales Berth for 3 Months

Boat Preparation Service

Why sell with Jones Boatyard?

We make selling simple, stress-free, and secure.

Our experienced team will help you achieve the best possible price with expert marketing and a trusted brokerage service.

What is the process?

Step 1

Get in touch to discuss your boat and start the sales process.

Step 2

We review your boat's paperwork and confirm all documentation is complete.

Step 3

Our team checks vessel systems and prepares your boat to impress buyers.

Step 4

We publish a detailed specification with professional photography for your boat.

Step 5

All enquiries and viewings are managed,, keeping you updated throughout.

Step 6

We help negotiate offers and generate contracts once a sale price is agreed.

Step 7

We arrange and oversee river trials and surveys throughout the sales process.

Step 8

Final payment is received, contracts signed, and the vessel formally handed over.

Step 9

We manage all completion paperwork and release funds once everything is signed.

What does it cost to sell my boat?

Selling your boat with Jones Boatyard is straightforward and transparent on costs.

We charge a commission fee, which is our service charge for selling your boat. This is only applied on successful sale.

There are no upfront costs – you pay nothing until your boat sells.

Free expert valuation included

We also offer a free 3-month berth at our marina sales area so there’s no mooring cost while your boat is listed.

Setting Your Boat Up for a Successful Sale

At Jones Boatyard, we believe that preparation is one of the most important parts of achieving a smooth and successful sale. That’s why we recommend having your boat professionally surveyed before it goes on the market.

A pre-survey provides an independent assessment of your boat’s condition, identifying any defects or maintenance items before buyers become involved. This allows you to make informed decisions about any recommended work and helps prevent unexpected issues arising later in the sales process.

By addressing survey findings in advance, buyers can view your boat with greater confidence, knowing that its condition has already been professionally assessed. It also reduces the likelihood of lengthy negotiations, price reductions or sales falling through after a buyer commissions their own survey.

For us, a pre-survey also helps ensure we’re marketing your boat accurately. We can advise you on any improvements worth carrying out before listing, allowing us to present your boat in the best possible light from day one.

While a buyer may still choose to arrange their own independent survey, having a recent pre-survey demonstrates transparency and gives everyone a clearer understanding of the boat’s condition from the outset—helping to create a faster, cleaner and more straightforward sale.

Ready to sell your boat?

Speak with our sales team today to learn more about our services and begin the process with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What paperwork will I need to sell my boat?

Having the correct documentation available helps demonstrate the boat’s history and ownership, gives prospective buyers confidence and can prevent unnecessary delays once a sale is agreed. You will need to provide as much of the following as possible:

Proof of Ownership – We require documentation showing that you are the legal owner of the vessel and therefore entitled to sell it, typically your purchase Bill of Sale or sales invoice.
Continuity of Ownership – We require a clear chain of ownership covering at least the previous five years, usually supported by Bills of Sale or other recognised ownership documents. Ideally, documentation should trace ownership back to the boat’s original purchase. This helps establish clear legal title and provides confidence that the seller has the right to sell the vessel.
Boat Safety Certificate – We require a current Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate as is important for boats used on many inland waterways and confirms that the vessel met the applicable safety requirements at the time of examination.
Proof of VAT Status – Where applicable, documentation such as the original VAT invoice can help demonstrate the vessel’s VAT status and may be important to a prospective purchaser.
RCD/RCR Declaration of Conformity – Where applicable, this important document confirms the boat’s original compliance with the relevant recreational craft regulations and normally records key information including the vessel’s identification details.
Builder’s Certificate – Where available, the Builder’s Certificate provides valuable evidence of the boat’s origin, including details of the builder, vessel and original ownership.
Maintenance & Service History – Invoices, engine service records and evidence of maintenance or upgrades are particularly valuable. A comprehensive history demonstrates that the boat has been cared for and can give prospective purchasers greater confidence.
Finance Documents – If the boat is, or has recently been, subject to finance, we will require the relevant documentation. Any outstanding finance will need to be properly settled as part of the sale to ensure the vessel is transferred free from financial encumbrances.

How do you decide what my boat is worth?

Our experienced sales team will assess your boat based on its model, age, condition, specification and current market demand. We’ll then recommend a realistic asking price aimed at achieving the best possible result while attracting genuine buyers.

Do I need to bring my boat to Jones Boatyard to sell it?

Yes, we recommend having your boat with us in our dedicated sales area. This allows our team to conduct viewings easily, present the boat professionally and respond quickly when prospective buyers want to see her.

Does my boat need to be surveyed before it is sold?

We encourage sellers to consider a pre-listing survey inspection, allowing any potential issues to be identified and addressed before the boat is marketed. This can give buyers greater confidence and help make the eventual sales process smoother, quicker and more straightforward. If a pre-listing survey is not carried out, a prospective purchaser may choose to arrange an independent survey as part of the buying process. We can help coordinate access, lifting and any other arrangements required for the survey.

What should I do to prepare my boat for sale?

Presentation makes a significant difference. We recommend removing personal belongings and ensuring the boat is clean, tidy and ready for viewings. Where appropriate, our team can also advise on maintenance or presentation improvements that may help make your boat more attractive to buyers.

How will you advertise my boat?

We advertise all of our brokerage boats exclusively through the Jones Boatyard website, which benefits from strong visitor numbers and targeted SEO to reach people actively searching for boats for sale. Your boat will be presented with a detailed sales specification and high-quality photography. Our dedicated sales area is also open seven days a week, generating valuable footfall and allowing prospective buyers to browse and view our boats in person.

Do I need to be present for viewings?

No. Once your boat is with us, our sales team will handle enquiries and accompany prospective purchasers during viewings. We’ll answer questions, demonstrate the boat where appropriate and keep you updated with genuine interest and feedback.

What happens when somebody makes an offer?

We’ll contact you to discuss any offer received and negotiate with the prospective purchaser on your behalf. You remain in control of whether an offer is accepted, declined or countered, and we’ll provide advice based on the level of interest and current market conditions.

What happens once my boat has sold?

Once an offer has been agreed, we’ll manage the sales process through to completion, including the deposit, sales paperwork, river trial arrangements, survey where applicable, collection of the final balance and handover to the new owner. Once the sale and completion paperwork is finalised, the agreed proceeds are transferred to you.

How long will it take to sell my boat?

Every boat and every sale is different, so it’s difficult to give an exact timescale. Factors such as price, condition, specification, time of year and current market demand can all influence how quickly a boat sells. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process and provide honest advice if we feel changes could help generate further interest.

Can I still use my boat while it is for sale?

To give your boat the best opportunity of selling, we recommend keeping it available for viewings while it is on the market. If you do need to use or temporarily remove the boat, please speak with our sales team so we can work around your plans and avoid disrupting any prospective viewings.

What happens if my boat doesn’t sell?

If your boat takes longer to sell than expected, we’ll review its performance with you and discuss the level of enquiries, viewing feedback and current market conditions. Where appropriate, we may recommend refreshing the presentation, addressing particular points or reviewing the asking price to help encourage renewed interest.