The charm of open water is irresistible, but not everyone can afford a brand-new boat – the price tag can make your pocket feel seasick. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go on a sailing trip.
You can find a used boat with high-end features and endless opportunities at a wallet-friendly price. However, finding the best websites for used boats can be intimidating.
Where does the search begin?
Worry not, nautical enthusiast. In this guide, I will dive deep into the top sites for buying and selling preowned boats.
I will uncover the most user-friendly and trusted platforms for used boats that cater to varying needs and budgets. This will help you find the best website for buying a used boat as per your preferences.
Let’s dive in and get started.
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Best Websites for Used Boats
1. Boats.com
Whether you are a first-time buyer or an experienced sailor looking for the next sea vessel, Boats.com is an essential resource in your quest. It has a vast inventory with more than 200,000 listings, making it one of the biggest online platforms for used boats.
The massive collection means there’s adequate variety to let you find a boat of a specific size, type, and cost.
You can use advanced search filters to refine your search. The filters include brand, boat type, price range, year, location, and even specific features, such as the engine type, the number of cabins, length, and more.
Besides, each listing on Boats.com has detailed boat information, including descriptions, specifications, photos, and seller contacts. Thus, you can conduct a virtual inspection of the boat before messaging the seller.
The platform’s intuitive interface saves time when searching for a boat. It also allows buyers to find the right boat quickly. It also lets sellers create and manage listings easily.
As a seller, you can easily find potential buyers, as Boats.com has a large audience looking to buy used boats.
It’s free to list a boat on this website.
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2. Boat Trader
Boat Trader is one of the best websites for used boats that features attractive images of different boat types.
Navigating the website is easy; you can scroll through the listings and see clear boat images complete with other details, such as the price, year, location, and more.
You can search for a boat by type like Deck, Dive, Flats, Flybridge, Jet, Lobster, Jon, Airbot, etc. The other search filter is manufacturers, allowing you to select a preferred manufacturer, such as Bennington, Ranger, Tracker, Sun Tracker, Tahoe, Starcraft, and more.
In addition to letting you buy or sell a used boat, Boat Trader offers boat loans of up to $2,000,000 to potential buyers. These loans come with attractive terms like low monthly payments, reasonable loan rates, no payment for a period of up to two months, etc.
If it’s your first time selling or buying a boat, Boat Trader has valuable guides addressing different topics to help make the entire process easy.
The platform’s other outstanding feature is the boat value checker which helps you estimate a boat’s market value so you can set a reasonable asking price.
It’s free to list a boat for sale on Boat Trader.
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3. YachtWorld
Are you looking for a high-end large boat, such as a sailboat or yacht? You can visit YachtWorld to find the boat of your dreams.
The platform boasts a global presence and displays boat listings from various countries, such as the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and more.
The website has advanced search filters, such as condition (used or new), class, make, model, price, year, and length, allowing you to find a boat with specific features.
YachtWorld offers other services, including yacht loans, a yacht loan calculator, insurance, boat transport, and brokerage.
The site publishes insightful articles to address the needs of its audience. For example, beginners can learn about boating terminology while buyers can learn about financing a boat.
They also offer marine services where you can get quotes from specific insurance, finance, transport, and warranty providers.
Besides, there’s a marine directory that lets you search for certified boat manufacturers, brokers, marine businesses, and more.
To list a boat on this site, you need to post the listing for a month so brokers can view it and help out.
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4. Boats For Sale
Boats For Sale is a professional website for buying and selling boats. The website has a clean and user-friendly interface that balances eye-grabbing boat images and descriptions.
Finding a used boat on this site is easy. You can go to the search bar at the top and type in the boat type, year, make, model, or dealership.
Other search filters include condition (new or used), type (Bay Boat, Catamaran, Bowrider, etc), or make (Alumacraft, Axis, Bayliner, Avalon, etc).
You can also use the sales listings and other tools to locate a suitable boat. You can then narrow down your selection to the ideal matches by using advanced filters.
The team at Boats For Sale works closely with sellers and buyers to ensure you find what you want quicker and get out in the wind, sun, and waves sooner.
What makes Boats For Sale one of the best websites for used boats is that they cash out sellers who want to move faster or can’t find a suitable buyer.
Individuals can list up to two boats on the platform for free. However, dealers, brokers, and manufacturers should contact the sales team before creating a listing.
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5. Soundings Online
Are you looking for a straightforward way to buy or sell a used boat online? You can check out Soundings Online for a wide variety of boats in the Northeast.
In other words, it targets sellers and buyers from states like Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
Soundings Online caters to boaters whose primary interest is in sailing and cruising. So, if you are searching for a cruiser, sailboat, or a similar vessel, this should be your go-to website.
While this platform may feature listings for some other boat types, their selection may not be as extensive as what is on other sites on our list.
Soundings Online uses classifieds-style listings to let users search and list used boats. The listings often consist of basic details, such as the boat size, type, location, year, and a basic description.
Some listings are in video form to give buyers a better understanding of the boat when in use.
In addition to boat listings, you can also find a news section related to boats, sea trips, and marine life.
What’s more, there’s a section for boat gear.
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6. BoatQuest.com
BoatQuest.com is a website that makes it easy to search for new and used boats. It has a simple interface that anyone can use to find a specific boat quickly.
You can search for a boat by entering a keyword followed by the manufacturer, condition, type, category, length, year, and price.
You can also browse the boats by category, which includes motor yachts, trawlers, and sportfish.
BoatQuest.com also lets you browse your desired boat by location (state), builder, or type. You can see the number of boats under each of these search categories.
For example, if you search by builder, you will see the number of available boats by Axopar, Azimut, Bertram, Carver, etc. Similarly, searching by location shows the number of boats available in each state.
After clicking on any of these search categories, a listing loads with further details, such as the image, price, year, and more. The specific page shows an image gallery for the boat, description, datasheet, engines, boat owner’s details, and more.
You can save the search or enter your email to receive notifications whenever similar boats are listed.
In addition to listing used boats, BoatQuest.com also gives you access to relevant information about manufacturers, brokers, and brokerages.
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7. Dock Street Brokers
Dock Street Brokers is among the best websites for used boats that caters to a specific niche: buying, selling, and leasing fishing boats (vessels), permits, and Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs) in the North Pacific region.
Finding a boat on this site is straightforward; from the menu, you can go to vessels and click ‘View All’ to see all the boat listings.
Other than ‘View All’, you can search by clicking on specific oat types like Barges, Charter, Bristol Bay, Cargo, etc.
The resulting page displays a listing showing each boat’s cost, year, length, hull, builder, and location.
You can also click on advanced search options to search by keyword, location, and price.
When you click on a specific boat, you will see more information, including images showing specific parts of the vessel and a description. There’s also a form to contact the seller for inquiries.
Listing on Dock Street Brokers is free and non-exclusive. In other words, you only pay when the platform finds a buyer for your vessel.
You can also view the platform’s classifieds section that lists used vessels or parts for sale.
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8. Rightboat
Rightboat lists thousands of used boats in the United States and other countries. Searching for a boat on this website is easy.
You just need to click on Boats for Sale on the menu and use advanced search filters to refine your search. For example, you can select the boat location, condition, price, year, boat type, manufacturer, fuel type, hull type, and by seller.
You can also select a preferred currency and length (feet or meters). Rightboat specializes in two major boat types: power boats and sailboats.
I also noticed they have advanced search filters you won’t find on other websites, such as boat categories (inflatable boats, launches, tender boats, etc).
If you are new to boat trading, don’t worry. This platform has a research and advice section to equip you with knowledge on buying a boat, selling a boat, boats and technology, and more.
You can start selling a used boat on this site for free.
9. Facebook Marketplace
You can sell or buy a broad array of items on Facebook Marketplace, including used boats. This platform is popular because of its massive user base. So, if you want to sell a used boat, you will be targeting a wider audience in your area, increasing the odds of finding the ideal buyer.
The platform’s interface is easy to use. If you know how to use Facebook, you will find it easy to create and manage a listing on Facebook Marketplace. All you need are images of your boat, pricing, and a description.
Did I mention listing a boat on Facebook Marketplace is free? The free listing cost makes this platform a cost-effective alternative compared to other sites that require listing fees.
Facebook Marketplace has a local focus allowing you to target a specific location. You can easily connect with local buyers looking to purchase your boat, saving you from costly shipping logistics.
While Facebook Marketplace has a large user base, the targeted audience isn’t specifically looking to buy or sell boats. That means you might get many inquiries, with fewer serious buyers.
Also, since Facebook Marketplace isn’t regulated, the possibility of getting scammed is high. You should watch out for unsolicited offers and messages that sound too good to be true.
That said, you shouldn’t send money upfront without thorough verification, and always demand in-person transactions.
10. Craigslist
Craigslist is another popular platform that you can use to buy or sell used boats. It’s completely free to list a boat on this site, which makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious sellers.
Many people use the platform, so listing a boat here can attract a large number of potential buyers in your local area.
The good thing with Craigslist is that it lets you set the listing location that targets potential customers in a specific city. You can take advantage of this feature for quicker and stress-free transactions.
Negotiation is allowed on the platform, too, making it beneficial to both sellers and buyers if they agree on a common price.
However, it’s good to be cautious while using Craigslist because, like Facebook Marketplace, the website is known for scams. Exaggerated offers, unsolicited messages, and upfront payment requests are rife on the platform.
Also, while thousands of potential buyers and sellers visit Craigslist, they aren’t necessarily interested in boats. Expect to receive inquiries from persons without a genuine interest in your boat, which can be a waste of time and effort.
Moreover, Craigslist provides limited buyer protection, which is why I recommend conducting in-depth research on the boat seller before completing any transaction.
While in-person meetings are highly recommended, you should observe security measures while doing so. For example, meet the stranger in public, ensure the place is well-lit, and if possible, let someone accompany you.
Conclusion
These sites have a lot of listings to help you find a boat that matches your needs.
They are also easy to use and feature advanced search filters for an effortless search experience.
It’s important that you know the length, make, model, price range, and boat type you are looking for, as these details will help you find a used boat that suits your needs.
If you’re a seller, these platforms also allow you to list used boats and attract potential buyers. It’s free to list your item on nearly all sites, although a few charge small fees. Some sites are location-specific, too.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which website meets your search criteria and personal preferences.
