Love exploring the waterways in your boat, but feel like it’s time to upgrade to something shiny and new? One easy way to save money on getting a new vessel is to trade in your old craft and use the funds towards the purchase. However, trading in your boat requires a little effort on your part to make sure that it’s in good condition so that you can get the maximum value.

That’s why we’ve put together this brief guide to help you prep your boat for trade-in. If you need any other advice or you’re looking for the right place to make the switch, look no further than The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) in Branson, Missouri. 

Stop by today and our friendly staff will help you find what you need, whether you’re looking for parts, service, financing, or your next vessel.

Spruce Up Your Boat

No matter how well your craft works, it needs to look good in order to get you the most out of the trade-in. Clean your craft thoroughly and scrub in every nook and cranny you can. If you need to touch up paint, do so, and try to repair any issues. Replace any parts that are excessively worn down. 

While it might cost you some money to fix up your boat, but you could reap that money back when your vessel sells quickly. Also, it can’t hurt to have an expert give your craft a thorough inspection that you can add to your service records to prove to potential buyers how good the model is.

Determine Your Boat’s Value

The next step is to figure out just how much your boat is worth. How old the craft is, its condition, what type of model it is, and what upgrades you’ve added will all play a significant role in determining the boat’s resale value. Make sure that you neither set your price so low that you are at a loss, or so high that you don’t get any buyers.

You can check advertisements, Internet listings, and dealership prices to figure your boat’s value. If you have a very popular model, you may be able to get more money for it. Figure out the lowest price you’re willing to sell your vessel for and set your starting price higher so that you can easily negotiate with potential buyers.

Spread the Word

Finally, it’s time to get the word out! Take some nice photographs of your boat from every angle in bright lighting so that people can get a good look at it. When you make postings of your craft online, you’ll want to provide as much information as possible, including the hours of operation, model year, any repairs performed and any accessories you might have added. Use social media and forums to advertise your posting.

We hope that this guide to trading your boat was useful. If you’ve any questions or want to check out our stock of boats for sale, visit our dealership in Branson, MO. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you. The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) welcomes all those in Springfield and Kansas City, so get in touch with us today!