Winter Boat Selling Tip #1: Get Your Boat Photographed Now

Advice from Andrew Savage, CPYB, Boston Yacht Sales

If you’re thinking about selling your boat this winter, the most important thing you can do happens before the boat ever goes on the market: get it photographed now, while it’s still in the water.

That’s the first winter selling tip from Andrew Savage, a Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB) at Boston Yacht Sales, and it’s one of the simplest ways to make sure your listing stands out when the time comes.

Why should you photograph your boat before winter storage?
Buyers aren’t just buying a hull and an engine. They’re buying the days they picture themselves spending aboard. As Andrew puts it, buyers need to envision your boat “on a beautiful sunny day on the water, how they intend to use it, not stuck in the back of a storage yard covered in shrink wrap.”

Once a boat is hauled, blocked and wrapped for the season, that picture is gone until spring. Listing photos taken in a winter storage yard show a boat out of its element, and they make it much harder for buyers to imagine themselves at the helm.

Photos taken on the water show:
The boat underway, the way it’s meant to be seen
Clean, bright interiors with natural light pouring in
The views from the helm, cockpit and salon, which is what buyers are really shopping for
The whole boat in context, whether that’s anchored off a harbor island or running across open water.

What does a professional boat photo shoot include?
At Boston Yacht Sales, most of our listings qualify for professional photography and videography. A thorough shoot captures your boat the way a serious buyer will want to inspect it, inside and out:

Aerial drone footage and running shots on the water
Interior photography of the salon, galley, staterooms and heads
Helm and deck details, including electronics, flooring and seating
Engine room and systems for buyers who want to see how the boat has been maintained
Hull and running gear if the boat is already out of the water
The result is a complete visual package that does a lot of the selling before a buyer ever steps aboard.

Taking the photos yourself? Andrew’s tips
If you’d rather photograph your boat on your own, these tips from Andrew will help your listing look its best:

Give the boat a thorough cleaning. Buyers notice everything in photos.
Take your personal gear off the boat. Uncluttered spaces let buyers picture their own things aboard.
Pick a bright day to capture the exterior, cockpit, helm and engine room.
Open the shades and turn on the lights. Spaces should feel inviting.
If possible, get a few shots while the boat is underway.
Photograph the details buyers ask about: equipment, the engine, engine hours, storage spaces and bilges.
When the boat is hauled out, photograph the bottom, running gear and other areas that aren’t visible when it’s in the water.

When should you schedule your photo shoot?
Now. Even if you don’t plan to list your boat until later in the winter, now is the time to reach out to your broker and get the shoot on the calendar. That way, as Andrew says, “you have the photos in the can when it does come time to list your boat.”

Planning ahead give you:

Better conditions. You get the light, the water and a boat that’s still in commission.
No scramble later. When you’re ready to list, the photos and video are already done.
A head start on buyers. Your listing can go live right away with strong visuals while other sellers are still waiting for spring.

Frequently asked questions
Can I sell my boat in the winter? Yes. Plenty of buyers shop through the off-season so they’re ready for spring. A winter listing with strong, on-the-water photos helps you reach them early.

Do I need professional photos to sell my boat? You don’t need them, but they make a real difference. Professional photography and video help buyers picture themselves using the boat, and that’s what moves them to take the next step. Most Boston Yacht Sales listings qualify for professional photography and videography.

What if my boat is already hauled out for the winter? That’s a good time to photograph the bottom, running gear and other areas buyers can’t see when the boat is in the water. Talk to your broker about what else is possible for your boat and how to present it in the best light.

Ready to get your boat photographed?
If you’re thinking about selling this winter, contact your Boston Yacht Sales broker today to schedule your photo shoot. We’ve been helping New England boaters buy and sell since 1953, and we’ll make sure your boat is shown at its best when it’s time to list.

Exceptional Boats. Expert Team. Elevated Experience.