Marketplace Guide

Buy and sell boats with confidence using VesselVault's maintenance-verified marketplace.

Selling Your Boat

Turn your maintenance history into a powerful selling tool. VesselVault's marketplace showcases well-maintained boats to serious buyers.

How to List Your Boat for Sale:
  1. Go to your boat's detail page
  2. Click the "List for Sale" button (top right)
  3. Fill out the sale listing form
  4. Preview your public listing
  5. Publish to the marketplace
Listing Information Required:
āœ… Required
  • Enable "List for sale" toggle
  • Sale description
  • Contact information
  • Privacy settings
⭐ Recommended
  • Asking price
  • Sale location (marina/area)
  • High-quality photos
  • Recent maintenance logs
Writing an Effective Description:

Include:

  • Recent upgrades and improvements
  • Highlights from maintenance history
  • Boat's condition and care level
  • Any included equipment or extras
  • Reason for selling (optional)

Example:

"Well-maintained family cruiser with complete maintenance records. Recent engine service (June 2024), new standing rigging (2023), and fresh antifoul. Always stored under cover and professionally maintained. Perfect for coastal cruising with proven reliability."
Privacy & Safety Features

Your privacy and security are protected. VesselVault keeps your personal information safe while showcasing your boat.

āœ… What Buyers See:
  • Your boat's specifications and photos
  • Maintenance history for this boat only
  • Contact details you choose to provide
  • VesselVault marketplace branding
🚫 What's Hidden & Protected:
  • Your other boats and vessels
  • Your personal account details
  • Your dashboard or private areas
  • Other users' information
Privacy Options:
🌐 Public Listing

Anyone can view your boat listing

  • Appears in marketplace search
  • Searchable by search engines
  • Maximum buyer exposure
  • Best for quick sales
šŸ‘„ Members Only

Only VesselVault members can view

  • More privacy and control
  • Quality-focused buyer pool
  • Members value maintenance
  • Less casual browsing
Safe Sharing: Your public listing is completely isolated - buyers cannot access your private VesselVault account or see your other vessels.
Managing Your Listing

Keep your listing current and respond to buyer interest.

Updating Your Listing:
  1. Go to your boat's detail page
  2. Click "Listed for Sale" button (it will be green/highlighted)
  3. Modify any information (price, description, contact details)
  4. Click "Update Sale Listing"
  5. Changes appear immediately in the marketplace
Common Updates:
  • Price Adjustments: Test market response and adjust accordingly
  • Description Updates: Add recent work or address buyer questions
  • Contact Changes: Update phone numbers or preferred contact method
  • Location Updates: If boat is moved to different marina
  • Privacy Settings: Switch between public and members-only
Viewing Your Public Listing:
Preview Button:
Shows privacy confirmation, then opens listing
View Public Listing:
Direct link to live marketplace entry
Removing from Sale:

Uncheck "List boat for sale" and save. Your listing will be immediately removed from the marketplace while preserving all your listing information for future use.

Buying Boats

Find your next boat with confidence using maintenance-verified listings.

Accessing the Marketplace:
Top Navigation
"Marketplace" tab
Sidebar
"Browse Boats for Sale"
Direct URL
/boats/marketplace
Search & Filter Options:
  • Vessel Type: Sailboat, motorboat, catamaran, etc.
  • Price Range: Set minimum and maximum budget
  • Year Built: Find boats from specific time periods
  • Location: Search by marina, town, or region
  • Maintenance Quality: Visual scoring shows maintenance level
Understanding Boat Cards:
  • Photos: Main boat image with price overlay
  • Maintenance Score: Color-coded badge (green = excellent, yellow = good, red = basic)
  • Key Specs: Length, year, engine power at a glance
  • Location: Where the boat can be viewed
  • Description Preview: First 120 characters of seller's description
  • Listing Date: When boat was first listed for sale
Viewing Detailed Boat Information:

Click any boat card to view the complete public snapshot with:

  • Complete specifications and equipment
  • Full maintenance history with details
  • Maintenance quality analysis
  • Seller contact information
  • High-resolution photos
Buyer Advantage: VesselVault's maintenance-verified approach means you can see exactly how well a boat has been cared for - something impossible on traditional boat sales platforms!
Why VesselVault Marketplace?
šŸ“‹ Complete History: See full maintenance records, not just seller claims
šŸ† Quality Scoring: Objective maintenance quality ratings
šŸ‘„ Serious Buyers: Maintenance-conscious community
šŸ”’ Safe & Private: Protected personal information
Selling Tips
✨ Before Listing:
  • Add recent maintenance logs
  • Upload high-quality photos
  • Complete boat specifications
  • Gather service receipts
šŸ’° Pricing Strategy:
  • Research similar boats
  • Consider maintenance quality score
  • Start slightly high, adjust as needed
  • Highlight unique features/upgrades
šŸ“ž Buyer Contact:
  • Respond promptly to inquiries
  • Be honest about condition
  • Arrange viewings at marina
  • Highlight maintenance advantages