Selling your yacht: the full process
Sell a yacht in six stages: price it, prepare it, list it, show it, accept an offer and close. Here is what happens at each stage and how long it takes.
Updated 1 min read
Key points
- A realistic price in the first weeks sells faster than a high price you cut later.
- Buyers pay more for a boat with clean papers, a service history and a tidy interior.
- Most boats take several months to sell. Spring and early summer are the busiest.
Six stages from decision to handover
Price it right
Your broker compares your boat with similar boats that sold recently and with those still for sale, then agrees an asking price with you. A realistic price in the first weeks brings the most interest.
Prepare the boat and the papers
Gather the proof of VAT status, the registration papers, the CE documents and the service history. Clean and tidy the boat inside and out. A survey or mechanical check before listing can remove doubts before a buyer raises them.
List, show and negotiate
Good photos and a clear description bring the first viewings. Your broker handles viewings and sea trials, including while you are abroad, and passes you every offer.
Close the sale
Once you accept an offer, the buyer pays a deposit into escrow and orders a survey. If it goes well, the buyer pays the balance, you sign a bill of sale, any finance on the boat is paid off, and the boat is deregistered from your name.
How long it takes
Most boats take several months from listing to closing. Price and condition matter most, and spring to early summer is when most buyers are active.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.