Thinking About Selling My Ph18 - Whats the best approach?

[caryb]

So I built my Ph 18 a couple of years ago and really have not been able to use it as much as I have wanted to. Certainly not enough to justify the space it takes up in the garage.

Any suggestions on the best way to sell a home-made boat. Would I be better to sell the motor separately as it was brand new 18 months ago? Any ideas what a PH18 hull would be worth?

All suggestions appreciated,

CaryB

[Jerry-rigged]

Start by Advertise it on many if the local fishing boards, like TTMB.com and Thelivewell. Add lots of pics. Minimum price would be what you have in the hull+motor, -10% per year, but if you did a really sharp job, you should be able to get more, if you want to hold out. Where in Sugerland are you? If you don't mind, I would like to see your boat. I am not in the market, but I have been thinking about building one of the PH boats.

Jerry

[JimW]

Advertize it as a custom built, use lots of good detail pictures, that's why forums are good places. When the question comes up answer truthfully and play up your boat building experience. Tell them you've been involved with it for years. Because you have been. Tell them you communicate with a huge number of custom builders regularly, sharing secrets and best practices. One sea trial and they'll forget who built it. Good BS plus a good sea trial is a sale. You need the BS to get them to sea trial a "homemade" boat. Folks will drive hours to sea trial a "Custom" boat but not a "homemade" boat that cost as much as a pretty bayliner with great striping on the side.

[jacquesmm]

Use the words custom built, epoxy composite. "High tech" isn't bad either if the boat looks good.
Compared to single skin fiberglass factory boats, ours are high tech.

[fishingdan]

All of the above is excellent advice. I recently sold my home built boat and did exactly as described above (except the use of the word "composite" since my boat was not a composite as Bateau defines it).

When you create your listing, overload the reader with detail and many pictures of the finished result. You need to convey to the reader that you knew what you were doing. Also attack any perceived negatives in the ad. For example, some may see a PH18 with a 90hp engine as underpowered (just and example, I don't know what you have on your boat). Address that by stating prop size (again to show that you know what you are doing) and give examples of speed with different loads. Given the cost of fuel, also emphasize economy if it is to your benefit.

goodluck,
Dan

[plumbertuck]

I sold a d-15 a few years back on e-bay motors in 3 hours, that only told me that I underpriced it,
remember your boat truly is a
low weight , high strength, encapsulated core, sport platform that is very forgiving to abuse while having an energy saving horsepower capability featuring unique custom design that is hand built to last in the USA not to forget it's one of a kind !!!

a good salesman can sell a lady wearing white gloves a plate of barbecue baby back ribs

[caryb]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I will start the process soon and let you guys know how it turns out.

Jerry-rigged, I live in the first colony area near St. Laurence Catholic Church. Let me know if you want to come by and look at the boat.

CaryB