Boating: To sell the boat or not sell it
The ‘Cincinnati Kid’ has had enough with his Ohio boat. He’s been on the canal three years now and has decided that he wants an outboard boat rather than his inboard/outboard (I/O) boat. There are many reasons starting with the increased maintenance for the I/O.
“I don’t want to have a boat lift and boat blocking my view,” said the ‘Kid.’ His boat is already 12 years old and has a lot of hours for a northern boat. Prior to moving to Florida and buying ‘Sally the Seamstress’s’ house he trailered the old boat to boat back and forth.
“Take it back to Ohio,” I said because I think it would bring more money in fresh water. The Kid didn’t think that was an option so he posed a question to the wisest of the wise old “Dead End Canal Yacht Club” members.
“What is the best way to sell my boat?” And so the debate started. We used the Swiss cheese method. Come up with your best idea and then let others shoot holes into it. If, after all the holes, the cheese is still able to stand on it’s own, then it may be a good idea. I’ve always recommended this method to many people who want to go into business, especially potential restaurateurs.
“I think you should list in on Craig’s List,” ‘Boston Bob’ recommended. The ‘Kid’ didn’t want all those interruptions to his day, and he’s not terribly computer literate. We offered to help but he quickly turned to the next idea.
“Donate the boat,” said ‘No-nickname Bill.’ Everybody had an opinion on that one and, for a while, it seemed we had come onto a good one but the ‘Cincinnati Kid’s’ trophy wife wanted to buy something with the sale money. That was the big hole that brought down the cheesy idea.
Give it to a dealer to sell? Put it in a boat consignment dealer? Take it to the boat ramp on a busy Saturday and put a sign on it. His head began to swim as we argued each and every point down to the finest detail.
“I’m going to give it to a boat consignment place. I drive by several of them every day, and they all have a lot of boats,” said the ‘Kid.’
The arguments for and against were re-hashed. The ‘Kid’ liked the free summer storage aspect. Several members pointed to the recent jail sentence of one such operator for several missing boats. Others had stories of bad experiences but several of the members related very good and positive outcomes.
I thought a little story about my own experience might sway him. “A few years after I immigrated to Florida, I was selling boats for a new boat dealer, and we were taking trades. The owner wanted them off the new boat lot so we took them to a consignment place. The concept was relatively new. Since the boat market was pretty hot then, we also listed them for sale at the dealership. I sold one and, when I went to retrieve it, all the equipment was missing!
I was told that they had a break-in several weeks before and a lot of stuff went missing. They pointed out that the contract specifically stated they were not liable. But, they just happened to have some equipment that might fit. How stupid did they think I was?”
“Price the boat right and be flexible,” said ‘Commodore Jim.’ “If you’re looking for cheap summer storage then you may be disappointed. You have the wrong boat for the area, so you can’t expect a home run.”
The ‘Kid’ took exception to that assessment for several reasons. He still had a little affection for the boat and he wanted to buy his wife something special with the proceeds. “I’ve maintained that boat to the highest standards, and I won’t sell it cheap just to get rid of it!”
“You expect the consignment yard to advertise your over-priced boat? You might find it back in your driveway next fall if you aren’t realistic,” said ‘Gunner George’ who has been a hotshot boat salesman.
“Oh rubbish,” said the ‘Kid.’ He went off to council with himself and eventually to place his Ohio boat with a “We Sell It For You” place that has a good reputation. Best of luck, ‘Kid!’
Boatguy Ed is a retired bottom paint maker and is currently a volunteer extra on his son’s Boater’s Treasures television show that sells half priced dining certificates, www.boaterstreasures.com. Send your comments to boatguiEd@aol.com, I dare you!