01
Prepare Your Listing
- Gather ownership documents, VAT status, flag registration and service history.
- Have HIN/CIN, engine hours, hull ID and last survey report to hand.
- Wash, polish and stage the vessel before any photography session.
OpenSea24 · Editorial Guide
The Seller's Handbook
Everything a private owner or broker needs to list, market, negotiate and close the sale of a yacht on the world's marketplace for boats.
68 days
Average time to sale
for well-priced listings under €500k
+112%
Enquiry uplift with video
vs. photo-only listings
+40%
Verified broker conversion
enquiry to viewing
184 countries
Global buyer reach
browsing OpenSea24 monthly
Nine Chapters
From First Photo to Final Handover
02
Price It Right
- Benchmark against comparable listings on OpenSea24 in the same length, year and region.
- Account for VAT-paid status, refit history, hours on engines and location.
- A realistic price attracts serious buyers — overpricing kills momentum.
03
Photography & Video
- Minimum 15 landscape photos — exterior, interior, engine room, helm, cabins, galley.
- Shoot in golden hour; avoid cluttered docks and personal belongings.
- Add a drone shot and a walk-through video for premium listings.
- Cinematic Gallery boost is available for yachts €100k+ — recommended for €500k+.
04
Write a Winning Description
- Lead with the story: why the boat is special, how she has been used and cared for.
- List refits and upgrades with year and cost — buyers reward transparency.
- Use our AI Title & Description generator to polish tone and structure.
- Include equipment inventory: electronics, tenders, sails, safety gear.
05
Boost Visibility
- Featured Placement (€49) — top of category for 30 days.
- Homepage Spotlight (€149) — hero carousel on OpenSea24.
- Cinematic Gallery (€299) — full-bleed editorial gallery for €100k+ vessels.
- Verified Broker badge (€199) increases enquiry-to-viewing conversion by ~40%.
06
Handle Enquiries
- Reply within 24 hours — response time is the #1 conversion factor.
- Qualify: budget, timeline, financing, current vessel, intended cruising ground.
- Never share ownership documents or hull ID before a signed NDA / offer.
- Use our messaging system to keep an audit trail.
07
Sea Trial & Survey
- Buyer typically pays for the survey and haul-out; seller provides access.
- Fuel and skipper for sea trial are usually the seller's responsibility.
- Expect a survey allowance negotiation — budget 2–5% of purchase price.
08
Contracts & Escrow
- Use a MYBA or IYBA Memorandum of Agreement — never a handshake.
- Buyer's 10% deposit goes into a regulated escrow account, not your bank.
- Balance released on satisfactory survey acceptance and title transfer.
09
Closing & Handover
- Sign a Bill of Sale; deregister from the current flag if changing jurisdiction.
- Cancel insurance the day after handover — never before.
- Provide keys, manuals, warranties, spare parts inventory and berth transfer paperwork.
- Mark your OpenSea24 listing as Sold — it helps future comparables.
Always
The Do's
- ✓Respond to every enquiry within 24 hours
- ✓Keep the vessel show-ready for viewings
- ✓Disclose known faults honestly upfront
- ✓Use escrow for every deposit, without exception
- ✓Renew photography after any major refit
Never
The Don'ts
- ✕Never accept a wire transfer straight to your personal bank
- ✕Never remove equipment listed in the ad after an offer
- ✕Never negotiate outside the platform on first contact
- ✕Never let a buyer board without proof of identity
- ✕Never mark a boat sold until funds have cleared
Need a Human?
Our concierge team helps owners price, photograph and position their vessel. Available in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Greek.