About the boat sales process

For sellers

How boatpoint Works for the Seller

At boatpoint, our mission is to achieve the best possible result for you, a smooth sale, at the right price, and within a reasonable timeframe. From accurate valuation to marketing, negotiation, and final handover, our experienced brokers handle every stage of the process with professionalism and care.

From first enquiry to final signature, boatpoint manages the entire process, ensuring your sale is handled smoothly, transparently, and with your best interests at heart.

What boatpoint bring to the table

Professional Standards and Integrity

boatpoint brokers adhere to ABYA, the UIK trade association for professional yacht brokers, dealers and boat sales professionals. This means that we ensure all boat listings are accurate, compliant and transparently represented. We will only advertise boats with a signed listing agreement and approved specifications from the owners. Every listing is verified to accurately reflect the vessel’s true condition and details. We also offer pre-viewing WhatsApp video tours to ensure people viewing your boat have an intention to but.

Thorough processes

Our brokers have extensive knowledge of the documentation and procedures required to complete a successful sale. This includes certificates of ownership, bills of sale, title transfers, security agreements, and registration requirements. We also understand maritime and admiralty law, vessel mortgages, and the processes for transferring ownership of both registered and documented vessels. Throughout the process, we ensure that all funds are safeguarded in a dedicated client account and that all legal and financial obligations are met.

The process

1. Determining a Fair Asking Price

Setting the right asking price is key to attracting serious buyers and ensuring a timely sale. boatpoint brokers use exclusive industry data, information not available to the public to determine your yacht’s fair market value. This data shows what similar boats have sold for, how long they took to sell, and the trends affecting your type of vessel. For higher-value yachts, our brokers may conduct an in-person assessment to evaluate your boat’s current condition and market standing. We’ll also research competing listings to ensure your yacht is positioned competitively within its market segment.

2. Taking your goals into account

Every boat and every owner are unique. We will work with you to develop a tailored approach to selling your boat which is aligned with your goals, whether your priority is achieving the best price or a quicker sale. Our strategy will outline how and where your boat will be promoted to reach the most qualified and motivated buyers.

4. Advertising and promotion

Our team understands that a 1970s 30-foot cruiser requires a very different approach to marketing than a 63ft Sunseeker. That’s why our in-house marketing team design a bespoke advertising plan using the most effective media for your specific vessel from digital listings and social media to print campaigns, events, and targeted outreach using our 65K+ client database. We aim to present your boat to the right audience, potential buyers who are genuinely interested and capable of completing a purchase.

5. Preparing your boat for sale

Presentation matters. We will advise on any improvements or touch-ups that could help your boat stand out in today’s market. We’ll identify potential issues and recommend cost-effective solutions to enhance your vessel’s appeal. We can also help you organise professional cleaning, repairs, upgrades, and convenient storage or mooring arrangements during the listing period.

6. Creating and publishing the listing

Once your boat is ready, we’ll prepare a professional, high-quality listing for maximum exposure across multiple platforms. This includes advertising on leading UK portals such as our own boatpoint.co.uk website, The Yacht Market, Rightboat, Apollo Duck and Tack & Jibe. Distribution across our partner sites, email campaigns, boat shows, and local marina events. Your listing will feature detailed specifications, photography, and compelling descriptions designed to capture buyer interest and build confidence.

7. Sea trial and survey

When a buyer requests a sea trial or survey, your boatpoint broker will coordinate and attend these with you. We help interpret survey findings, manage expectations, and guide you through how any identified issues should be handled in the final negotiations.

8. Negotiating and Completing the Sale

Negotiation is one of boatpoint’s key strengths. Our brokers act as professional intermediaries to find fair and mutually beneficial terms between you and the buyer. Again, our brokers adhere to ABYA to ensure all documents from contracts and title deeds to safety standards and tax requirements are completed accurately and efficiently. From first enquiry to final signature, boatpoint manages the entire process, ensuring your sale is handled smoothly, transparently, and with your best interests at heart.