How much is this sailboat worth?

Question

I'm trying to sell my sailboat and don't have a clue about sailing or how much it is worth. It's a 1977 American Fiberglass, 16 ft. I'm asking 900 and not getting any takers yet. The trailer needs some work. The wooden boards are cracked and that caused a softspot where the boat sits. Besides the softspot, the boat looks in great shape and the 2 sails are like new. Here is a link to my ad: http://detroit.craigslist.org/boa/738615561.html

Any suggestions that might help me sell it?

Thank you!

Answer 1

I recently sold an 18 FOOT WindRose made by Laguna Boats... on it's own custom built trailer, with a MiniKota electric trolling motor for aux. power for $780 and it took nearly a year to sell it... and IT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION.

That boat of yours is probably not worth more than $200 or $300 tops.

Answer 2

I think your priced about right.  The market is soft right now, it's the economy.  Just hang in there and put the word out in your area......I've had luck parking the boat at a near by Service station.  I have my phone # on the boat in case a looker, has questions.  I told the service station guy he's got $50 if it sold.  Internet gets a lot of hits, but someone near you will buy the boat.

Answer 3

According to the NADA (used boat buying guide) your boat shows a low retail value of $1280 - of course, the "low" retail value assumes the boat is in "pretty darn good" condition and the high values they list expect vessels in pretty much excellant condition.  Usually if the boat is below "really good condition", (and looking not so pretty) the value is really going to drop.  Oddly and strangly enough - even with boats, I have seen vessels that look really-really "pretty" that are barely floating - sell for faster and for more money - the much better safer one that just were not shined and polished.

Here is the link to your boat make  & model @ NADA Boat buying guide...

>c=MRhttp://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?L...

Based on what you said, I think you have a good price on it - as you need to keep about two hundred or so to "haggle over". lol  So, for about $700 or so, someone should take it off your hands...

Good Luck!

Answer 4

400-500 tops. soft market. sorry it is not more.

You need better pictures of the trailer and of the boat.

More is better. you may eek 600 out of it with the right pictures.

Check ebay and see what similar boats are selling for. or have sold for.

Answer 5

If you try to fix some small parts like the trailer the buyer would know that all he/she has to do is fix the soft spot ( big job) and etc.You should then try about 400-700, people just do have enough money to spend on toys now a days.

Answer 6

another problem you face is that there are a LOT of boats for sale in that area. The older sailboats such as yours really don't bring that much. Sailboats in general are extremely good about holding their value.  Better pictures help a lot, and the more you can do to clean up the boat will help a great deal. A couple of cans of spray paint for the trailer will help a lot also. PIctures of the boat actually on the water under sail will plant the idea of "that could be ME!" in the buyers head.... as opposed to seeing the boat sitting on the trailer which reminds them of how much work it is pulling, stepping the mast, launching, dropping the mast,  retrieving etc...