Loading…
For a better experience please change your browser to CHROME, FIREFOX, OPERA or Internet Explorer.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for buying and selling your boat

Firstly, we do not have paid advertisements like most online companies. This means you won’t have the frustration of pop-ups, or links that take you to an external. We also believe in giving value for money and that’s why it’s important to us to keep our listing costs affordable for everyone, offering more for your money per listing.

We give everyone a week free, regardless the package you choose.What you see is what you pay, there are no hidden costs, seller fees or commissions. Our basic package begins at $25/month (the first month will be prorated for your free week). This package allows you to upload four photos and you will receive statistics on how well your listing is doing. You are able to change your package at any time. The Premium package begins at $75/month, and includes unlimited photos, unlimited videos, a featured listing, a blast on all our social media platforms and you will receive statistics on how well your listing is doing.

The Basic package is best for seller who are eager to sell their boat and list their boat to sell quickly. This package is limited to photos and exposure but you have price on your side. The Premium package is for sellers who are looking to do less work in the long run and receive a fair price on their boat. It’s more comprehensive and has a huge amount of exposure to buyers via the featured listing and our social media platforms while allowing you to give buyers unlimited visual references.

A Fresh Water Boats featured listing is part of our Premium Package. It provides the seller a premium place on our home page, letting buyers see your listing first.

This is the most important things you can do to help sell your boat. Fresh Water Boats provides an easy-to-use listing builder with drop down menus to make the process go quickly. The more specific details you provide, the better. We suggest using the builders’ spec to gather information. Also, taking high quality photos and videos is vital, since this will be what buyers are looking at. Make sure they are clear, have many different angles, show unique features and/or blemishes and give the buyer a real look at your boat. Lastly, be honest with the buyer if something isn’t working properly, it could waste valuable time and money.

Taking high quality photos and videos is the most important part of selling your boat, since this will be what buyers are looking at. Make sure they are clear and depict your boat accurately. Having several pictures with different angles, show unique features and/or blemishes and including pictures of your boat in the water as well as out of the water will give the buyer a real look at your boat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturadipiscingelit. Ut elittellus, luctusnecullamcorpermattis, pulvinar dapibusleo.   luctusnecullamcorpermattis, pulvinar dapibusleo.

Finding the right price for your boat is essential because it can either help or hurt your sale. We provide a tool so you can check the market price of your boat called Price Checker. You can find it on our website and it will provide you with the research from National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Buyers may not be interested or request more information if you are asking too much, while if the price is too low, buyers may become suspicious because they think it is a scam. Also, you can browse our large boat selection to find something similar in your area. Sometimes getting a marine survey done will also help determine the value of your boat.

Be sure to have your boat ready to show because it will be the buyers’ first impressions. The best way to do this is to make sure it is clean, tidy and smelling fresh, inside and outside. Also, make sure everything is working properly, this is will give you the best results when selling.

Of course, size doesn’t matter here. In fact, we cater to all types of boat enthusiasts so all are welcome here, regardless of size!

Although we recommend selling your boat privately because you may be able to sell it for more money, there is nothing wrong with selling it to a dealer if the price and your situation is right. This is completely up to you.

We provide a vast range of tools to help you sell your boat, regardless the size or price, including our featured listings and social media marketing on multiple platforms. It is our goal to help find a buyer for all boats, big or small … and for a fair price.

Because we are an inclusive company and want to provide a wide variety of boats for our buyers, we have special packages just for dealers.  What you see is what you pay, there are no hidden costs, seller fees or commissions. Our Basic Package is $625/month. This package allows you to add up to 10 boats/month with unlimited photos and videos, statistics to see how well your listings are doing. You are able to change your package at any time. The Premium Package is $1,550/month. This package allows you to add an unlimited number of boats every month plus unlimited photos and videos for each boat, and statistics to see how well your listings are doing.

While we at Fresh Water Boats do not require any documents, you will need to provide the buyer with a few. Please check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for the most accurate and up to date information. A bill of sale contract is used to transfer ownership and must be signed by both seller and buyer. Generally, this is filled out upon delivery or pick up of the boat sold and free templates can be found online for your state. Having warranty documents and maintenance records is helpful to the new buyer, in case something goes wrong after the sale. Proof of ownership (boat & trailer title) is a necessity for the transfer of the boat too. Finally, make sure to give the buyer a receipt for the sale of the boat, this keeps records clean and honest.

Tips for buying your boat

Offering the right price for the purchase of your boat is essential because it can either help or hurt your purchase. We provide a tool so you can check the market price of the boat you are interested in buying called Price Checker. You can find it on our website and it will provide you with the research from National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Sellers may not be interested if you are offering too low a price and seller may become suspicious because they think it is a scam.

We suggest making a list of the must-haves for your new boat including how you plan to use it mainly. Decide the type of boat you want and if you’d like new or used. Are you looking for a simple fishing boat or speed boat to enjoy on the weekend? Once you find ‘the one’ on Fresh Water Boats, make sure to view the boat in person before making an offer and closing the deal.

While we at Fresh Water Boats do not require any documents, the seller will need to provide the buyer with a few. Please check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for the most accurate and up to date information. A bill of sale contract is used to transfer ownership and must be signed by both seller and buyer. Generally, this is filled out upon delivery or pick up of the boat sold and free templates can be found online for your state. Having warranty documents and maintenance records is helpful to the new buyer, in case something goes wrong after the sale. Proof of ownership (boat & trailer title) is a necessity for the transfer of the boat too. Finally, make sure to give the buyer a receipt for the sale of the boat, this keeps records clean and honest.

Never give out your financial details. When the potential buyer and seller meet, have another person there with you. Cash or certified check from the bank are the best way to exchange money so there’s no question of availability of funds.

Buying a boat that spent its’ life in fresh water vs. salt water is generally in better condition exteriorly. If that boat you are looking to buy has spent a good amount of time underwater, it’s more likely to have long term damage and issues that creep up. A well maintained and polished boat upon viewing it probably has been cared for well its’ whole life.

It could be a scam if the seller wants to change the listing to a different site or platform or asks buyer to wire a transfer for payment. It could be a scam if the seller wants to speed up the transaction, will not meet in person for the buyer to inspect boat, or boat being sold at a very low market price (too good to be true). If you suspect fraud or a scam, please let your local authorities know as soon as possible.

Top