TAKEOFF
BOAT RIGGING
5 BOAT-SELLING TIPS
HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CHANCES AND YOUR PROFIT
WHEN IT’S TIME TO PART WITH YOUR OLD RIG
d
reaming of a new boat? Want to upgrade from your cur-
rent rig? You’re not alone.
If you’re like most of us, however, you’ll first need to sell
your current boat. And while that might seem simple enough,
selling a bass boat in today’s market is anything but.
Many boats are put up for sale every year, often flooding the
market and making it tough to get a good price for used rigs.
Considering these tips can help get your old boat sold quickly.
1. recognize the Challenges
34
First, the best way to reach your buyer is to understand
the unique nature of the bass boat market. High-perfor-
mance bass boats represent a niche market: They don’t
appeal to the masses, but are still aggressively sought by a
dedicated group of buyers.
In addition, pro and demo rigs get turned over each sea-
son, increasing the number of boats of the previous model
By Joe Balog
photos by d.W. Reed II
year that are on the market when they go on sale. These
boats are priced significantly lower than new boats, and often
outfitted well.
The result is a used boat market with many choices for nice-
ly rigged, low-hour watercraft. The key lies in understanding
your competition and separating your boat from the masses.
2. Clean and fix
Start with a thorough cleaning and waxing. In some cases,
it’s best to have the boat professionally detailed. Although
this first step can be costly, those in the business have all the
necessary tools to access every nook and cranny of your rig.
Don’t forget the overlooked items when cleaning. Seats and
the boat’s cover are frequently disregarded. Jack plates, shal-
low-water anchors, trailer winches and jacks, trolling motor
mounts; each can be made to look like new with the proper
cleaning solutions, and that goes a long way in overall appeal.
flWfIshIng.Com I november-deCember 2017