The Shipyard @ YachtForums...

Excellent idea, Would you have different categories for motor yachts, sail vessels & lets say boats under 40 ft? What would the fee structure be for listing a vessel on the site? I have two clients vessels for sale at the moment and I'm not getting the coverage advertising wise through the normal channels of the Trader publications, Craigslist or Let Go. I'd look forward to a dedicated alternative site for listings to buy and sell.

It will do better in that regard if you allow (while moderating) posts in the threads. Discussion benefits. Questions will be asked and people who know the boats will speak up and say positive things as well.

I think one forum with each boat having it's own thread is fine. Don't need multiple forums unless a lot more postings than imagined. Now, I'd allow brokers to post as well.

In Sweden we have a few websites where individuals (and some brokers) are advertising their boats. I checked the most used one and today it had 18.248 ads, all paid for two months exposure. Take this global and it might be a bit too much to process...?

I think that anyone looking for a boat, will search yacht world first where nearly every broker listed boat will be visible. Even with YF massive traffic and search engine position, is there really an incentive for brokers to list boats in the shipyard?

On the other hand, owners wanting to sell their boats or to increase the exposure of their listed boats would probably be interested in listing in the shipyard for a small fee. That small fee could even be waved for YF members with a certain number of posts as a reward for their contributions. You could also include a random classified in the ads displayed on the pages.

I think it should be pretty mich self serve otherwise the work load to process the rquests and post them will be pretty heavy.

I personally believe that YATCO has supplanted Yacht World as the go to data base for selling and buying yachts. YATCO has recently completed their second round of raising capital and are aggressively positioning themselves to lead this on-line market but there's always room for a different business model for competition.

I have two clients tenders for sale at the moment and have them listed the traditional way through south FL publications in print and on line but in the past I've had the opportunity to sell a clients Current yacht after they've had a bad experience with traditional brokerage. Many Captains have been in the position of being able to sell their owners yachts also through the years but had no vehicle to advertise to the masses. Not being a licensed broker in the state of FL. I cant advertise a yacht for sale on the Buc Net nor any other brokers listing service.

But many owners would very much like an alternative to list and sell vessels without the brokerage involvement. I would think that local Attorneys like Moore & Co. Maas Maas and Alley would be interested in this revenue stream for closings and it wouldn't pose a threat to their traditional business with the brokerage houses.

Some of the brand specific Owner's Forums have active "boats for sale" areas. Brokers are not allowed but owners may list their own boat. Many owners choose to use that venue to describe their boat, add a few "teaser" photos and then link their broker's YW specs. Some owners have their own web page that they have built to market their boat and they link that.