HELP ME WRITE MY AD
Thank you for commencing your listing with Yacht and Boat. These tips are designed to help you attract buyers and sell your boat faster. From the list of steps below, pick and choose the way ahead. You may have done some or all of this before but it doesn't hurt to double check.
1. CREATING YOUR AD
Be sure to include as much information about your vessel as you can. The more suggested fields you fill out in your listing the easier it will be for prospective buyers to find your boat or PWC.
When you come to write the description, keep in mind that the first 15 words (approx) will be shown in the search results of buyers who are scrolling down the site. Make sure that this 15-word introduction is information rich. So avoid descriptive phases that amount to points of view. Instead focus on key features for the first 15 words. For example:
New Motor, (Brand) Trailer included, Bait Board, Full Length Bimini, lots of extras.....
The above represents a good start. Now, here’s a non-example:
This wonderful (make and model of boat) is built to exacting standards and comprises of a variety of ……
There is nothing wrong with the non-example but the message is diluted by a lack of specificity. You can include up to 1000 words in your ad. However, if you ensure that the first 15 (approx) are as informative as possible your ad will attract more qualified buyers.
In the rest of the description it is best to write as much information as you can: Details of the boat dimensions, engine/s, accommodation and facilities as well as number of owners/usage.
If you want to attract a buyer you must write an ad that is clear and concise.
Your description of your vessel (or equipment if you are listing used gear in the Chandlery Corner) should detail the following:
• Make and model
• Year of manufacture
• Engine capacity and fuel type
• Major features and general condition.
• Inclusions (such as safety equipment)
• Include engine/cruising hours and usage if it is low for the age of the vessel.
Why not search for a boat and see how the listings present? You will then get a good idea of how your ad will look. This may give you some good ideas as to how to construct your advertisement most effectively.
2. PRICE
Putting an unrealistically high price in your ad will mean you'll waste valuable time waiting for the phone to ring. Too lower a price, and you’ll be rushed off your feet by ‘hopefuls’ looking for a bargain.
In the weeks prior to listing your vessel it is a good idea search the Yacht and Boat classifieds section to get an idea of the prices being asked for similar makes and models.
3. PRESENTATION AND PREPARATION
To create a good impression your boat must look its best!
Consider having it detailed by a professional detailer. For a reasonable fee you can have your vessel cleaned from top to bottom and looking the best it can
If you opt to clean it yourself make sure you clean in all the hard-to-get-at areas like hatch openings, galley, bilge and engine bay.
Pickup and secure all loose items in the cabin and on deck. Loose items look untidy and rattle and bang around during a test run.
Make sure the interior doesn't smell. There's no better way to put a buyer off than with unpleasant smells of tobacco or stale bait and bilge. Get rid of all odours. Visit our Online Store and invest in an environmentally friendly Smell Killer. They come in a variety of sizes to suit vessels of all sizes. 
Make sure the safety equipment onboard is in good condition and complies with the legislative requirements in your state. Visit our Safety Requirements Page for more information or visit the Online Store to update your safety gear. It might seem like a small thing but new Safety Gear is a big bonus to boat buyers and will set you apart from other boat sellers.
4. PHOTOS
In your Yacht and Boat Ad make sure you show as much of your boat as possible. Buyers love to see good photos that sell them the boating lifestyle – not just the boat. Clear photos will attract more interested buyers than the description alone.
We highly recommend that you take the main photo showing the exterior side view and the more photos the better. You have 6 with a Standard Listing, 12 with a Premium Listing and 20 with a Platinum Listing
Other photos to include are:
• Exterior: front
• Exterior: side
• Exterior: back
• Interior: wheelhouse
• Interior: Cabin/lounge/dining
• Interior: Cabin/bed and bunks
• Interior: Galley, storage space
• Engine
• Safety equipment
• Any items that make your vessel special – Entertainment systems, navigation systems and the like.
Finally, it is important to be honest when selling your boat and not to hide the faults in photos or write misleading descriptions. Misled buyers will not buy your boat and are likely to be angry if their time is wasted. People will feel better about dealing with you if you are truthful and open from the beginning.
Please CONTACT US if you have any questions and.....
Good luck with your listing!
The Yacht and Boat team
