5 Quick and Easy Fixes to Make Before Selling Your Boat
Are you a boat owner? There were close to 12 million registered vessels in the U.S. in 2021.
Boating offers many benefits. You can enjoy the fresh air, relax on the open water, and enjoy time with family and friends. But you don’t have to own a boat to get these benefits. Boat ownership can be costly. So, you can borrow or rent one if the cost of owning, maintaining, and repairing one is too much. You might simply want to sell the one you own.
Before putting your boat up for sale, however, you’ll want to do what you can to make it more attractive to prospective buyers. Here‘s a look at five quick and easy upgrades or fixes to consider.
1. Detailing
No one wants to buy a filthy boat that they’ll have to clean inside and outside before using. And even if you do find someone willing to take it off your hands, they’ll want it for a deep discount. Before you put your boat up for sale, it doesn’t hurt to detail it.
Clean the outside and the inside. Ensure everything is clean and sanitized. If you don’t have the proper equipment to remove dirt, debris, mildew, and other contaminants, hire a professional detailer. It’ll be worth it. Your boat will sell faster and for more money if it looks as good as new.
2. Seats
Are the seats in your boat the worse for wear? The seats may have rips and tears depending on how old your boat is and how well it was cared for. If the seats are not in good shape, they could detract from the overall value of the boat and lessen the number of interested buyers.
So, if you plan to sell your boat, it makes sense to upgrade the boat seat. It’s a relatively small sum compared to what you can make if you sell your boat. You can find boat seats in various styles, materials, configurations, and price ranges. You’re bound to find the right one.
3. Flooring
What’s the condition of the flooring in your boat? You might want to replace it if it’s dirty, has stains, or is faded due to sun exposure. Try giving it a good cleaning first. If that doesn’t help, the next step is to replace it. Doing so can make your boat more desirable on the used boat market. Depending on your skill set, you might be able to do it yourself.
4. Marine Wi-Fi Extender
Another cool upgrade is a marine Wi-Fi extender. If you’ve ever lost a Wi-Fi signal when boating, you know it can be frustrating. No one wants to lose the ability to send emails or contact someone. A marine Wi-Fi extender will reduce the odds of that happening by tapping into Wi-Fi sources further away than usual. So, you won’t have to worry about losing touch with others when you’re out on the water.
5. Fishing Rod Holders
Yet another easy upgrade option is to add fishing rod holders. It’s an easy project. For instance, you can get fishing rod holders that can be attached to the rails on your boat. It’ll be the perfect addition for buyers interested in taking their buddies on fishing trips. Extra fishing rod holders are especially useful. You can add a lot of value to your boat with a relatively small investment. And you’ll be able to recoup that investment when you sell the boat.
If you plan to sell your boat, making a few upgrades and fixes will go a long way toward attracting interested parties. If your boat is in poor shape, you won’t get anything close to what you want.
With the right upgrades, you can command top dollar for your boat.
I’m a single mother of 2 living in Utah writing about startups, business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and health. I also write for Inc, Score, Manta, and Newsblaze