It is possible to determine the value of a boat by yourself before buying or selling. Besides having a general idea of the market value for the kind ob vessel, it is fundamental to know what to look for. This ten point checklist tells you about the most important factors that may affect the end price of that boat or yacht:

1) Start with the boat hull and under structure. Are there any scrapes, cracks, signs of badly executed repairs, or fading? All these will negatively impact the boat value. Please note that the hull is best examined with the boat out of the water.

2) Take a hard look at all the hatches, and at the areas where different parts of the boat are joined together. Everything should fit well, not be warped by humidity, and be impermeable. Open and close all hatches and sea locks, checking that they are in good shape and well maintained.

3) Check the engine block, including the ancillary systems such as steering. You should of course turn the engine on and try it out. After that, have a look inside and check for oil leaks or for too much smoke in the engine compartment, for eventual cracks on the engine block, and for the state of all the cables and moving parts.

4) Check the rest of the electrical equipment, and all the switches. Turn everything on and off, and verify that it works. Do this both for the external navigation lights and switches, and for the internal ones of the living compartment, including for the kitchen and toilets.

5) What secrets do the bilges hide? Open up the floorboards to have a look. If you see any signs for oil or water, ask about previous flooding. If the bilges are dirty, maintenance on the boat has probably been haphazard.

6) Now revisit all the external surfaces, from the deck to the inner furnishings, and also all the upholstery. Are there any problems that may result in a lower value of the boat? What is the status of repair of all these items?

7) If there are any wooden parts on the boat, examine them thoroughly as repairs and replacements of these can be quite expensive. Is anything warped by dampness, faded or chipped? Have there been some previous restorations that were badly executed?

For sailing boats, check the sails and the rigging . Check that all the sails and rigging (including spares) are in good condition; do not only look for evidence of repairs, but also make sure everything functions easily and flows freely.

9) Are accessories included? If yes, what equipment is on board? Check whether accessories and other equipment are part of the deal. The new owner is going to need them anyway, so it's usually of advantage to both parties to include them (unless the seller needs them for another boat).

10) Don't neglect to look at the safety equipment. Not only do you want to ensure that it's present and in good order, but its state of maintenance will shed light on the care that the previous owner put into the boat, which is an important consideration for boat evaluation.

Whether you want to sell your yacht or buy a fishing pontoon, here is the place to start: BoatValueWorld.com covers all your boat evaluation needs, with tips and information. Just follow the links to find out more.