How to write a classified ad for your boat

Selling your boat online comes with all kinds of considerations. From maintenance to using images and videos, all the way through to dealing with customers – there are many things to factor in for a speedy and satisfying sale. So it’s easy to forget the core of your advert: writing the actual text. That’s why we’ve listed some key pointers below to help you boost the text in your ad – from the bargain bin to the best-seller list.

Don’t oversell it

As a private seller, the key to marketing your boat is to create an ad that stimulates interest, but doesn’t come across as too, well, “sales-y.” People who prefer buying boats from private parties don’t want to see too much persuasive sales jargon in your ad, so it’s something of a fine line to walk. There was a scene in Seinfeld in which Kramer is helping Jerry write an ad to sell a van he somehow got stuck with. “For Sale: a big, juicy van. Interesting trades considered.” Kramer said his marketing strategy was “all about tickling their buying bone.” Uh, no. It’s all about not scaring them away.

Keep it personal, keep it direct

Don’t be Kramer. You’re not in a sitcom, or doing stand-up; this isn’t comedy, and it isn’t art. But it is an art. So keep it clear from the beginning. Try starting with something honest and frank, for example, “I have owned this boat for eight years.” Of course, people scanning classifieds have neither time nor patience for long narratives, so keep the intro short and sweet: “During that time, I have taken exceptional care of this boat, fixing what needs to be fixed when it needs to be fixed,” or words to that effect.

Include the key information

After that, one easy approach is to use a simple list to highlight the strong points of your boat when writing the ad. Examples such as these (if they apply) are good ways to attract a buyer’s attention in a classified ad for your boat.

• Low hours on engine; 35 hours per season
• Synthetic fluids always used
• Freshwater use only [or always flushed religiously]
• Clean and well maintained
• No chips or scrapes in gelcoat
• Upholstery in excellent condition
• Everything works
• Comes with cover and trailer
• Trailer serviced regularly [or just serviced]

Those are the kinds of things a buyer wants to know, and it’s a great idea to include the boat’s specifications, just as you would see in an ad for a new boat. A typical used-boat buyer wants the boat to be as clean and new looking as possible. They don’t need you to tell them that “it’s a great family boat” or that you “hate to sell it.” Your ad needs to focus on what’s in it for the buyer.

Tell it like it is, warts and all

You also need to be honest about the boat’s faults, if there are any. Phrases like “could use a good cleaning” or “has the usual wear and tear for an XX-year-old boat” might not sound all that sexy, but they do a couple of things. One, they let the buyer know you are attempting to be honest about the boat. Two, they prevent any big disappointments when the buyer shows up to look at it. Buyers don’t like it when an ad misrepresents the boat. Buyers can smell a fishy story from a mile away. You can too, so write your ad in such a way that it would appeal to you if you were buying. Whether or not you accept “interesting trades” is up to you. Before you sell online, make sure you’ve checked off everything else needed for an effective sale with our comprehensive guide. Image credits: Mike B via Pexels, Michael Burroughs via Pexels, CC0 Public Domain via Pxhere