Considering Selling Your Catamaran in 2025?

Have your plans changed, and you are no longer making full use of your catamaran the way you used to? Have the kids finally gone off to college, and now your weekends are spent driving to see them rather than enjoying a cocktail on your catamaran at your dock as the sun sets on Friday evenings? Trust me, it happens to all of us, despite all the planning we did when we purchased our catamaran. Now comes a different type of planningâ€”figuring out how to sell your boat at the optimal time for the best price.

Since 2019, the catamaran market has exploded. COVID-19 brought with it a huge surge in people using their catamarans, seeking to escape from everything that was happening around them. What better place to isolate than on your boat, away from the risk of illness? On top of that, the U.S. government distributed stimulus money to nearly everyone, fueling a massive increase in new catamaran sales. The only thing that rose faster than demand was the price of new catamarans! Between 2019 and 2023, new catamaran prices increased by 55%. Those who were fortunate enough to place an order in 2019 or early 2020 secured their catamarans at two-thirds the price of those who ordered in 2022 or 2023.

If you purchased a French-built catamaran, the financial impact may have been even greater due to the fluctuating exchange rate, which ranged between 1:1 and 1.20:1 during this period. With the right timing, you could have saved an additional 20% compared to those who bought at a less favorable exchange rate.

During this same period, the used catamaran market experienced the strongest bull market in our 39 years in the industry. Prices soared. In 2023, when a well-priced catamaran hit the brokerage market, it was not uncommon to receive three full-price offers within the first day. Some boats even sold for 10% over the asking price. It was the yachting equivalent of the "market adjustment" fees car dealerships were charging on popular vehiclesâ€”but in this case, the extra margin went to the seller, not the dealer.

However, if you've gone car shopping in the past year, you've likely noticed that "market adjustments" are no longer around, and discounts are back. No one is even considering paying sticker price. Similarly, the seller's market for catamarans has shifted. By mid-2024, the pendulum began swinging in the other directionâ€”and it continues to do so. The number of brokerage catamarans on the market is at an all-time high.

That said, catamarans are still selling, and the brokerage market remains strong. However, it is now more critical than ever for sellers to price their boats correctly and avoid missing the market. Boats that sit too long tend to linger, and when they do attract attention, it's often the wrong kind.

The following is an internal report showing exactly what has happened in our segment of the market since 2015.

While this chart highlights the competition a seller will face, the next chart presents an even greater concern: the length of time a boat may remain on the market.

Over the past 12 months, the average catamaran has taken nearly twice as long to sell as before. Worryingly, this trend has yet to peak and could continue to rise.

Despite these challenges, a significant number of catamarans are still being sold. This makes it all the more important for sellers to ask the right questions when choosing a broker.

Here are the top five questions every seller should ask:

1. How long have you and your company been selling catamarans?

In recent years, many brokers and brokerage firms have jumped on the catamaran bandwagon, branding themselves as â€œexperts.â€ However, there's a big difference between someone who has been selling catamarans for 20+ yearsâ€”handling hundreds of transactionsâ€”and someone who is new to the market.

2. How many catamarans have you personally sold?

Some brokerages promote having multiple locations and brokers, but it's important to verify their legitimacy. Ask for the physical addresses of their offices and confirm that they are full-time professionals, not part-time sailing instructors selling the occasional catamaran to make ends meet. Request a copy of their last 10 years of sales reports to assess whether they have experience selling the type of catamaran you own.

3. How many catamaran sales awards have you and your company received?

Sales awards from catamaran manufacturers serve as independent confirmation of a broker's ability to sell catamarans. Some brokers highlight "customer service" awards, but keep in mind that these are subjective. Sales awards, on the other hand, are based on actual unit sales.

4. What is the largest catamaran you have ever built or sold?

Even if you own a 45-foot catamaran, this question provides insight into a broker's experience. A broker who has been involved in the construction or sale of multiple 70-foot catamarans likely has extensive industry knowledge, earning the trust of clients, architects, designers, manufacturers, and crews.

5. What other services does your brokerage directly own or provide?

Many brokerages are one-person operations. When that individual is busy, potential buyers may lose interest and move on to another boat. By contrast, working with a brokerage that owns its own locations, marinas, haul-out facilities, service centers, and in-house financing, insurance, and documentation services can significantly increase exposure and attract more buyers.

Each of these questions plays a crucial role in achieving your ultimate goal: selling your catamaran.