Selling Your Boat

Broker Talk Selling Your Boat

Interview with Luke Pickford of Horizon Shores Boat Sales

WHAT ARE THE PROS OF USING A BOAT BROKER TO SELL YOUR BOAT RATHER THAN LISTING THE BOAT YOURSELF? A: Someone else does all the hard work for you! A boat broker is an expert in the field and will manage the whole process. A boat broker will know the market, what you can feasibly get for your boat, will deal with the public and all enquiries, and do all the marketing and advertising. All final decisions are made by you, the vendor, while the boat broker does all the nitty gritty work for you.

WHAT SERVICES DOES A BOAT BROKER OFFER WHEN SELLING YOUR BOAT? A: A boat broker can offer a broad range of services. Generally, a boat broker will manage all the marketing of your boat, which involves photographing the vessel, creating a detailed eye-catching ad and managing it across numerous sales platforms, such as local publications and online search. A broker will then respond to all potential buyer enquiries, conduct viewings and inspections on the vessel, and assist the potential buyer in organising mechanical inspections and survey reports. So, a boat broker not only works directly for you, the vendor, but also assists the potential buyer in their due diligence as far as surveys, mechanical inspections, finance and insurance, making the whole process/ operation seamless at both ends.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO USE A BOAT BROKER WHEN SELLING? A: Industry standard commissions payable to the boat broker are a percentage of the sale price. Industry standard is $3,000 on boats $30,000 or less, and usually 10% on boats $30,000-$100,000. The percentage of commission decreases as the sale price of the boat increases, with a minimum of 5.5% plus GST for $1million-plus boats.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE YOUR BOAT MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR SALE?

A: Have the boat cleaned, polished, detailed, and looking its best. Re-do the antifoul and buff the hull gelcoat, if they are due be done. Ensure your boat is in good mechanical order with all mechanical receipts for work carried out. Having a good mechanical history and current survey report is very attractive to a potential buyer. As brokers, we will assist you in spending only necessary money to get the best possible outcome, on a benefit vs cost basis.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR A BOAT TO CHANGE HANDS IN A SALE?

A: You, the vendor, will be required to complete and sign an Authority To Sell document with your broker, giving the broker authority to act on your behalf. A Recreational Ship Registration Transfer Application is also required. This is a Queensland Governmentrequired form for the transfer of registration from the vendor to the new buyer/owner. An Offer to Purchase is required to be completed by the potential buyer and then signed off by the vendor. This form will specify the offer amount, any special conditions with regard to the sale, such as being subject to a satisfactory mechanical inspection or survey, or finance.

By Andy Kancachian

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO SELL YOUR BOAT?

A: Any day ending in ‘y’. Anytime really. Right now, leading up to summer is our busiest time and the months before Easter are also very active. Having said that, the best boating weather is in fact in winter.

WHAT CAN THE SELLER DO TO HELP THE BROKER WITH THE PROCESS OF SALE?

A: Have the boat presentable and in good condition. Provide as much information and detail about the boat as possible to your broker so they can answer any questions from potential buyers straight away. The more information provided, the quicker a broker can get that information to potential buyers. Have the boat located at the brokerage office to make viewings and inspections easier, as someone just walking by may see your boat and enquire then and there! In fact, this is our main recommendation. We estimate it will increase the chances of a successful sale, and in a timely manner, by at least 80%. Be open to feedback and be ready to negotiate. Be realistic. Give brokers the freedom to do their job and trust in their ability.

Whether you are looking to buy that dream boat, upgrade or just looking for something different, the Team at Horizon Shores Boat Sales, are there to assist and guide you through the process. www.hsbs.com.au

Thruster Installation

FOR BOW AND STERN

Thrusters can be fitted to most vessels, including cruisers, sailing yachts and trawlers.

THE KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER ARE: ● Is there good access to the bow area under the floor?

● Is there enough water coverage for the thruster (the ideal depth is to be the same as the diameter of the tunnel below the water)?

● To obtain the required depth, the thruster is not mounted too far aft of the bow section. When choosing a thruster, try to have the largest possible thruster fitted. This is also a balance of budget. Production vessels advertising a thruster as standard are notorious for not working effectively when really needed, i.e. in high winds when manoeuvring at close quarters in a marina.

CHOOSE A QUALITY INSTALLER It is hard to know what has been done under the antifoul or gelcoat. Here are a few of the pitfalls to be aware of:

● The use of non-marine materials for the installation is not uncommon. Automotive filler is commonly substituted for marine epoxy filler, as it is ready for sanding quickly.

● Lack of care in gelcoat preparation before glassing both inside and out.

● Tunnel and motor positioning.

● Fairing around the tunnel makes a difference to water flow, and therefore, to performance.

● Use of undersized cabling to drive the thruster. This results in underperformance and premature failure.

● Position of the fan as close to centre as possible and still accessible for service.

● Fan is well lubed when installed. Examples of Marine Team's bow thruster installations

The overall finish on the inside of the vessel should look like it came out of the factory. This is not always possible, but little things like flow-coating and flecking, and floor replacement around the motor and tunnel. Electrical installation should be neat and well secured. The controller should be positioned so as to be easily used along with other controls when manoeuvring the vessel. All of the above add to the quality of the install. There is nothing worse than hearing that a thruster only works well when there is no wind. When budgeting and obtaining quotes for a thruster installer, you need to ensure that you are comparing ‘like for like’ installations, and that there are no hidden additional charges. At Marine Team, we have installed thrusters in 28’ Mustangs through to 49’ Power Cats. Our quoted thruster installs are all inclusive. This means our labour and materials are included, electrical labour and materials are included, the thruster kit, including battery/ies. There should be no additional charges. We need to fleck and flow coat the install area and/or make a battery box for aesthetic reasons, this should be provided. If you would like to discuss a thruster installation, please do not hesitate to contact Dave at Marine Team Ph: (07) 5546 1359 www.marineteamaustralia.com.au Thrusters help manoeuvre your boat sideways, making boating more manageable. When installed professionally, they may increase the value of your vessel.

Stern thruster installed

390W

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TOHATSU OUTBOARDS Innovation-Design-Performance

It’s not well known that Tohatsu was founded back in 1922 by Japanese aviation engineer Masuzo Takata. It was this innovator who instilled the philosophy that a truly great motor should deliver it all, including performance, safety and ultimate ease of use. That is why the current team of engineers continue to ask themselves the essential question, “What makes a great engine today and into the future?”

This has led Tohatsu to evolve and, in turn, develop a range of Four-Stroke models with many leading innovative features, sought after in an ever changing marine environment. These models include the classleading lightweight MFS60/50/40A, the powerful MFS30/25C, MFS20/15E at an amazing 43kg (manual short-shaft tiller) and the MFS6/5/4/3.5D with the simple but sought after 3-Way-Storage capability and practical carry handle design.

Not resting on achievement, Tohatsu pushed forward in 2020 revolutionizing the market in the mid-range MFS75/90/100/115HP. Not a company to replicate, Tohatsu engineers challenged themselves to re-imagine the conventional and develop the new. This is where the “4-2-1”- Performance Tuned Exhaust was introduced into an outboard, resulting in a new standard in minimizing displacement, giving best-in-class torque while generating strong acceleration and top end speed.

What is exciting for Tohatsu, and the consumer, is that this year will see the technology introduced into the highly awaited MFS140HP. At a dry weight of 178kg and exceptional torque and performance, this model should be well received particularly when re-powering and transom capacity is key. The 4-2-1 new technology was a reaction to consumers first considering the horsepower when buying a motor. The horsepower of an internal combustion engine is affected by displacement. A bigger engine (bigger cylinders/ displacement) can produce more power, but uses more fuel and engine weight becomes an issue with some boat transoms and the environment. So, Tohatsu engineers wanted to maximize engine performance without increasing displacement. Their solution was to design and introduce an exhaust manifold system never before applied to an outboard, the 4-2-1. This Simpliqi™Technology when considered from an engineering perspective just makes sense.

The result is the first “Performance Tuned Exhaust” in an outboard and a range of motors with best-in-class torque to weight ratio, strong acceleration and top end speed. For the everyday boat user the result simply makes the boating experience easier. More torque means a smoother transition to plane, less drag and strong responsive acceleration.

Tohatsu take durability very seriously, undertaking 30,000 hours of run time on the MFS115A with countless field tests across the world in a variety of conditions. They then took this information into their state-of-theart facilities for extensive analysis. Each and every component was tested to ensure they met the highest standard, which ensured such things as fuel efficiency, quietness, environmental factors and serviceability were built into what could be considered the ultimate outboards in their class.

The new models feature the TOCS- Tohatsu Onboard Communication System to transmit engine management data, a handy visible water drain fuel filter, an auto style oil filter drip catch tray, auto tensioning stress free timing belt adjuster and the easy fresh water flush system to name a few imrpovements. For those looking for hands-on control in a modern mid-size unit, a new large multi-function tiller unit is available upgraded with ergonomic controls and trim switch built into the grip. With the torque available in these models this option could prove popular in the commercial market. And like all the new age Tohatsu models they do look sporty, fitting the concept of a vision of wholeness, portraying a sleek modern flowing design.

For more information on these and the full lineup of Tohatsu outboards contact Mainstream Marine Ph: 07 5546 2280 or www.mainstreammarine.com.au