frequently asked questions
General
What is Small Craft Sales?
Small Craft Sales is an online marketplace for used boats. When we say “small”, we generally mean smaller – anything from a stand up board to a polling skiff – but we don’t discriminate. Even though small boats are our bread and butter, you can basically list anything you want.*
*Except jetskis.
How does the marketplace work?
As a seller, you can publish your used boat in our directory of quality listings for buyers to browse and message you with offers to purchase. As a buyer, you can browse all listings and privately send messages to sellers to arrange to purchase your next boat. No matter what, we don’t expose your contact information to buyers, and don’t handle payments. How you do business is up to you – we’re here to help you list your current boat and find your next boat.
Is Small Craft Sales available nationwide?
Yes, we are.
Do you charge any fees to list or purchase a boat?
Fees to list a boat start at $35 with additional options coming for more eyeballs via our newsletter, social feeds, and preferred website placement. To promote the site, publishing a listing is free during the launch period!
Why is this platform better than Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Mountain buzz?
Simple: we’re specialists on a mission to make it as easy as possible to buy and sell small boats. Where other marketplaces are run by folks who see boats as “just another category” out of hundreds of others, Small Craft Sales is built from the ground up by and for boat people. Our site is simpler to use than the other guys’, and designed around searching and filtering to find exactly the boat you’re looking for with as little hassle as possible – even if it’s on the opposite coast. Oh, and that’s not even mentioning the perks – like all sellers being automatically entered into our monthly drawing for killer prizes and getting access to a steady stream of content just for joining, ranging from info on repairing rafts to pro-varnishing tips.
Why can’t I buy or sell a jetski on Small Craft Sales?
VROOOOM! BRRRRRR-zzzzzzt! NYEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWW! NYEEEEEEEEEEEOW! NYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOWWWWWWWWWWW! SPLISH-SPLASH-SPLOOSH! SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! WAAAAAAP-WEEEEEEEEEEP-WAAAAAAP! CHIRRRRRRRRRR! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZEEEEEEE! BLOP-BLEEP-BLOP! SPLOOOOOOOSH-EEEEEEEEEEEK! Because they’re annoying, that’s why.
Buying Boats
How do I search for boats?
From anywhere on the site, click buy a boat (“buy” if you’re on your phone) to pull up a search bar where you can filter by the type of boat you’re looking for and add keywords to narrow your search further. Once you’ve found a boat which fits your fancy, you can continue by sending a message to the seller.
How do I contact a seller?
First, make sure you’re signed in – if you don’t already have an account, joining is 100% free and only takes a few minutes. Then, once you’ve found a listing you like, scroll down to the “send a message” section and fill out the message form to send a message to the seller.
Once you’ve sent your message, we’ll pass it along to the seller via email. If they choose to reply, you’ll hear back from them directly via email – no more annoying links to follow up on before you can read a seller’s reply.
Can I schedule a boat inspection?
Sure, if the seller agrees. All business is between you and the seller, including arranging for an inspection of the boat you’re interested in – we’re only here to make the initial connection.
Does Small Craft Sales offer financing options?
Not now, but maybe later. If you’d be interested in financing, we’d love to know…send us an email at info@smallcraftsales.com and we’ll keep you posted.
Are the boats listed inspected or certified?
Boats listed on Small Craft Sales are not inspected by the marketplace and are sold “as is” by the description of the seller listing.
What should I know before buying a used boat?
Our Buying Guide is in the works, and will run you through everything you need to know about spotting the best boats, following through on documentation, and negotiating with sellers. If you already have a Small Craft Sales account, you’ll get a notification when this is available – if you’re not, sign up for an account and we’ll add you to the list!
Selling Boats
How do I list my boat for sale?
First, click “sell a boat” to start creating your listing (if you’re not already signed in, you’ll be asked to sign in before continuing – it’s 100% free and only takes a minute, with no passwords to remember). The hardest part is filling out the listing form, but the more information we have, the easier it’ll be for buyers to find your listing. Once your listing is drafted, you can publish it to the marketplace and wait for the messages from buyers to start rolling in! If you have more than one boat to sell, just create more listings.And if you have any issues, you can always give us a shout at info@smallcraftsales.com.
What information should I include in my listing?
Some information is required, and we ask for that information up front – like make, model, material, propulsion method, dimensions, year, condition, location, asking price, and so on, as well as photos. You can add any other information to your listing’s description field if you like.
Can I edit my listing after it’s published?
Yep! Click “My Listings” (under “More” if you’re on your phone) to find the listing you want to edit, then scroll down to the “Edit” button to re-open the listing edit form and make any changes you like.
How do I set a competitive price for my boat?
We recommend checking out the prices of similar listings, talking to friends, asking shops, and considering manufacturer pricing. That said, there’s no single “best” way to set a competitive price besides being in tune with the marketplace – so the longer you stick around and stay up to date on the latest news, the more likely you’ll get the edge you’re looking for.
Also, don’t be afraid to bundle in bonus items or services to bump up the value of your listing. Something as simple as free delivery or a fresh cleaning lets you set a higher price, even while your boat is listed next to other similar boats. The value of the boat itself is only the start, and buyers will be more willing to hand you more money if they know they’re getting more value (or saving themselves a headache) in return.
How do I manage inquiries from potential buyers?
After you’ve published your listing, keep an eye on your email – messages from buyers will be forwarded from our systems to your email address as we receive them, so respond promptly to make a good impression and increase your chances of making the sale. Your email address won’t be shared with a buyer unless you choose to respond to their email, and the details of the transaction are up to you to handle with the buyer. See our terms and conditions page for more details.
Does Small Craft Sales have an affiliate program?
Not yet, but it’s in the works! If you’re interested in becoming an affiliate, we’d love to hear from you – email info@smallcraftsales.com for more info.
Payment and Shipping
How is a boat payment handled?
Payments are arranged directly between buyers and sellers. We recommend choosing a secure payment method, but are not liable for the details of the transaction itself – we only connect buyers and sellers. See our terms and conditions page for more details.
Who handles boat delivery or transport?
Buyers and sellers are responsible for transporting boats. In the future, we plan to have shipping partners and help coordinate between owners and movers wanting to transport their boats for trips – keep an eye on our news page for updates.
Account Management
How do I sign up / create an account?
Head over to the sign-up page, punch in your email address, and click “Continue,” and we’ll send you an email with a link to confirm you really want to sign up. Once you click that link, you’ll be asked to choose a public username. After that – you’ll be in!
Where’s my password?
Our IT guy says they’re difficult for most folks to keep track of, so we decided to use “magic links” sent to your email address to sign you in – this way you don’t have to manage yet another variation on your dog’s name and anniversary year, followed by an exclamation point (or maybe it was a pound sign?).
If you think he’s gone stir crazy, send us an email at info@smallcraftsales.com and we may consider dumping his body in a lake and adding password support.
Can I delete my account?
Yes, email us at info@smallcraftsales.com and we’ll get you taken care of.
Safety and Support
How do I report suspicious activity?
Email us at info@smallcraftsales.com and we’ll follow up with you.
What should I do if I encounter a scam?
If you suspect a scam or believe a boat listing to be fraudulent, email us at info@smallcraftsales.com. Please forward any and all correspondence between you and the seller or buyer, and include the URL of the listing and/or the seller’s username. We’ll typically reply to you within 48 hours.
Does Small Craft Sales offer buyer or seller protection?
Buyers and sellers accept full risk and responsibility for transactions. Please read our terms and conditions page before buying or selling a boat via Small Craft Sales.
How do I contact customer support?
Send an email to info@smallcraftsales.com or call 303.495.3967, and we’ll usually get back to you within 48 hours.