A guide to buying a boat in Sydney
Everything below is what we tell buyers on the phone: where the boats are, what we check before a boat is listed, and how a purchase runs from first look to handover. Our best-read guides on public swing moorings on Sydney Harbour, moorings on Pittwater and the Hawkesbury and where to refuel on the harbour answer the questions that come up next.
What to consider before you buy
Purpose: harbour days and Balmoral lunches, weekends to Pittwater or Port Stephens, fishing wide, or coastal passages north. The use case decides the hull, the fuel capacity and the engine hours you should accept.
Size and capacity: how many people, how often, and whether anyone sleeps aboard. A three-cabin flybridge and an 8.7 m bowrider are both good Sydney boats; they are not substitutes for each other.
Where she'll live: a marina berth or a swing mooring is the real constraint in Sydney, and it shapes the size you can buy. Check availability before you fall for a boat. A few of our listings come with a mooring; we say so on the page.
Running costs: antifoul, servicing, insurance and berthing are annual. Ask us for the recent service invoices on any boat we list; they are on the listing pages where the vendor has supplied them.
Types of boats for sale in Sydney
Sports cruisers: fast, sociable, easy to handle single-handed; the most common boat we sell.
Flybridge cruisers and motor yachts: more accommodation, a second helm up top, and the range for extended cruising.
Classic motor launches: the Duchy 27 and 35 from Cockwells, built to be kept for decades and equally at home at a waterfront restaurant or on a mooring off Clontarf.
Semi-displacement motor yachts: the Hardy range from 40 to 65 ft, for owners who want a sea-kindly hull and a proper passage-maker rather than a planing cruiser.
Centre consoles and dayboats: offshore fishing platforms and tenders such as the Al Dhaen 360 and the Cockwells "Grace".
Superyachts: we also represent larger vessels lying in Australia and the Asia-Pacific, priced before import duties and GST, and we advise on landed cost.
Where to find boats for sale in Sydney
With a broker: our boats are at Fergusons Marina, The Spit, Mosman, and are inspected before we list them. Inspections are by appointment, and the brokers you will deal with are on our About Us page.
Online marketplaces: we advertise on the national portals too, but the listing pages on this site carry the fullest specifications, service history and photos, and they stay online after a boat sells so you can research past prices in our recent sales.
Private sellers: possible, but you take on the title search, encumbrance check, contract and settlement yourself. A broker's role is to make those steps safe for both sides.
Tips for buying a boat in Sydney
Do you love it? If you can picture yourself taking her out, showing family and friends, go with your gut. If you don't love it, move on.
Get a marine survey: an independent surveyor inspects the hull, machinery and systems and gives you a written report. We work with independent surveyors and can arrange the lift-out through our boat services team.
Check the paperwork: we verify the title is clear and transferable and check for encumbrances, prepare the contract and issue the receipt you need to transfer registration. If you are financing, get pre-approval early so settlement is not held up.
Insure her: arrange cover for accidents, theft and liability before the handover day. We can introduce a marine insurer, and finance is best arranged before you inspect.
Keep her ready: a maintenance schedule, regular washdowns and antifoul on time. Our vessel management team can do this for you at The Spit.
Sydney is a fine place to own a boat. Do the research, inspect properly, check the paperwork, and the rest is enjoyable.
Off-market boats
Boats change hands here before they are advertised. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know what is available now and what is coming up.
Frequently asked questions about buying a used boat
What should I consider when buying a used boat?
Start with how you will use the boat: harbour days, weekends to Pittwater, fishing wide or coastal cruising. That decides the hull, the size and the engine hours you should accept. Then look at the boat itself: service history, engine hours against age, any sign of water ingress or osmosis, the age of batteries, canvas and electronics, and whether the vendor has kept invoices. Every boat we list has been inspected by us first, and we tell you what we found.
Where can I find used boats for sale in Sydney?
The pre-owned boats on this page are all for sale through Davis Marine Brokerage, and most are lying at Fergusons Marina at The Spit, Mosman. We advertise on the national boat-sales portals as well, but the listing pages on this site carry the fullest specifications and photos. If the right boat is not here, call us: many of our sales happen before a boat is advertised, and our recent sales show the kind of boats that pass through.
Should I get a boat inspection before buying?
Yes. An independent marine surveyor inspects the hull, machinery, electrical and safety systems and gives you a written report you can use to negotiate or to walk away. We recommend a survey on any boat of real value, and we arrange the lift-out and sea trial for you. The buyer pays for the survey, which is normal practice in Australia.
What documents should I ask for when buying a used boat?
Proof of ownership and current registration, the hull and engine identification numbers, service records and invoices, any warranty documents, the safety equipment expiry dates and a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) search showing the boat is unencumbered. As the broker we run the title and encumbrance checks, prepare the contract of sale and issue the receipt you need to transfer the registration.
Is it better to buy from a dealer or a private seller?
Buying through a broker gives you a boat that has been inspected, a verified title, a written contract, a proper deposit process and someone accountable if something is not as described. A private sale can look cheaper on paper, but you carry the title search, encumbrance check, contract and settlement yourself. Either way, get a survey.
What should I look for during a sea trial?
Cold-start the engines and watch for smoke, check temperature and oil pressure through the rev range, listen for vibration at cruise, and test the steering, trim tabs, thrusters and gearbox engagement. Run the electronics, generator, air conditioning and bilge pumps. Then simply drive the boat: the sea trial is also your chance to confirm you like how she handles.
Can I negotiate the price of a used boat?
Yes. An asking price is a starting point, and a fair offer backed by a survey and a firm settlement date is usually well received. We act for the vendor, but our job is to get a deal done, so we will tell you where the vendor's expectations sit and what comparable boats have sold for. If you are selling, our free valuation starts from the same sold data.
Feedback from past buyers and sellers
I bought a boat via Sam and found him to be very good to deal with. He accurately described the boat, its positives and its negatives without any exaggeration. He was efficient in getting the paper work resolved and he spent a day with me in the handover, which made it much easier for me to become acquainted with the boat.
"Sam did an extraordinary job of making the process of purchasing our new boat simple, easy & fun. He was equally as fair with us the buyer, while keeping his vendor in mind & informed. We looked at many boats with many brokers & Sam’s professionalism was by far the best we had experienced. Highly recommend him."
"Sam was very genuine, professional & friendly. He took time to understand our family’s needs, listen and answer all our questions & share his honest guidance & advice. He went over & above our expectations to help with contacts & advice on marinas, inspections, training & then accompanied us on our first adventure to our boat’s new home. Because of Sam, our first boat purchase has been a wonderful experience & we highly recommend him to others."
"I purchased our Maritimo C50 from Sam & our experience during the entire process was fantastic. Sam's communication was certainly appreciated as he kept us fully informed during all stages of the purchase process, his approach was totally professional at all times. I would have no hesitation in using Sam when we come to our next boating purchase."
"Sam was a pleasure to deal with when we purchased the boat - professional, responsive & transparent. The after sale service has been outstanding too. Highly recommended."
"From the initial inquiry, to the day we picked up the boat & even with post sales support, Sam has always been available to answer any questions or give advise regarding our purchase. We couldn't recommend Sam highly enough. "
"Sam was brilliant to deal with from go to wo. He even helped us on a Sunday morning when we were stuck. Service like this is almost nonexistent these days. What a true gentleman."
"I couldn't be happier with the service I received. From order to delivery, Sam kept us informed the whole way, right through to handing over the keys & a full run through of the vessel. I would, without hesitation, recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a boat."
"As a Surveyor, I get to deal with and see how almost all of the boat brokers in the local industry deal with their clients. Having inspected a great number of boats Sam has for sale, he has always been very courteous, helpful, professional and fair - achieving great results for all. Sam is highly regarded, and has a great network of people who can assist with any repairs, upgrades or services required. I have no hesitation in recommend Sam."
"I recently had the pleasure of buying a boat through Sam. Sam’s attention to detail & his vast knowledge in boating was so helpful when it came to ensuring that I found the right boat for my family. After seeing many boats & with Sam’s guidance, I was able to buy the boat of my dreams that suited my family & lifestyle."
"Sam made the process a breeze for me from start to finish! He is always available on the phone. He sourced the perfect boat with honesty and integrity, also leveraged his vast contacts in the industry to get extra work done on the vessel and even mooring options. Great guy with excellent knowledge of boating would highly recommend his services!"
Every few years I upgrade my vessel and my latest vessel purchase experience was with Sam. Sam is a very professional, knowledgeable and understanding person to deal with.
I would use his services again for sure for my next vessel upgrade and I highly recommend that you should try to. You will simply not be disappointed.
We bought a boat from Sam and he is professional. Always give you feedback quick and patience. Strongly recommend.
Sam was a pleasure to deal with from beginning of the sale process to settlement. He achieved a higher price than I was expecting from the sale of my boat. I would recommend him to anyone selling their boat in the future.
We recently purchased Parker 790 Explorer through Davis Marine Brokerage, and I cannot recommend Samuel, Nathan, and their team highly enough. From the initial walkthrough to getting her safely moored at my private jetty, the experience has been fantastic.
What truly sets this brokerage apart is their integrity and post-sale commitment. When we ran into some complex local delivery and handover logistics late last week, Nathan personally stepped in and worked tirelessly to resolve the deadlock, ensuring the vessel was delivered to us the very next day.
If you are looking for highly knowledgeable, responsive, and trustworthy yacht brokers in Sydney who genuinely look after their clients from start to finish, Samuel and Nathan are the absolute gold standard. Five stars well deserved!
I recently worked with Sam at Davis Marine to sell my Chris-Craft Corsair, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the experience.
From start to finish, Sam’s communication was outstanding — he kept me informed every step of the way and was always quick to respond. His attention to detail gave me complete confidence that everything was being handled professionally, and the speed at which he sold the boat genuinely exceeded my expectations.
If you’re looking for a broker who is knowledgeable, responsive, and gets results, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Sam at Davis Marine. He made the whole process seamless. Five stars!
As a first-time boat buyer, I couldn’t be more impressed with the service provided by Sam. From start to finish, he guided me through the entire process with professionalism and care. He connected me with trusted surveyor, arranged slip access for the survey, and ensured I had all the necessary information to make an informed decision.
What stood out most was their transparency and responsiveness. The information provided about the boat was accurate and detailed, and he was always available to answer my questions, even accommodating my time challenges. At no point did I feel pressured to buy, which made the experience even more positive.
If you’re considering purchasing a boat, I wholeheartedly recommend Sam. His expertise and customer-focused approach made what could have been a daunting process smooth and enjoyable.
Sam was an absolute pleasure to deal with, he went above and beyond, as I was an interstate buyer he presented me with a comprehensive video walk through and service records that saved me having to find the time to fly in for inspections, and we did the deal over the phone.
Then continued to sort the transportation of the vessel to the Gold Coast from Sydney allowing it to be dropped literally at my doorstep! Great service if you are looking to purchase a vessel.
Sam did a great job selling our boat. Super clear communication, excellent follow up, full transparency and integrity throughout the process. Sam is a pleasure to work with and I would definitely go to Sam again in the future.
We were lucky enough to deal with Sam. He was extremely professional, knowledgeable and accommodating. He responded promptly to any request we had. We are exceptionally happy with our boat, we would have no hesitation in recommending Sam and Davis Marine Brokerage.
Sam did so much to assist us selling our boat. During our sale process we had a few problems with the boat. Every time there was an issue he was on the phone with advice on how to solve the problem. Thank you so much.
I’ve been using their vessel management service, and I couldn’t be happier. Sam and the team are reliable and always make sure my boat is in great shape. They check and clean my boat every two weeks, take care of any issues, and get the job done right. It’s such a relief knowing my boat is in good hands. Highly recommend them for anyone looking for dependable boat care!
I have found Sam to be highly knowledgeable, experienced and reliable. As a result I have personally recommended him to many people who are looking for a great boat agent to find their next boat.
Very happy with the service received would recommend Davis Marine Brokerage. They went out of their way to make things happen. Thank you for your service and friendship.
Sam was very professional and guided me through the selling process. I would recommend.
Sam has been great to work with - very positive, professional, easy going and effective! Couldn’t ask for more.
Thank you Sam & team for the highly professional service you gave me in finding me my boat. You took the time to listen to all my requests and found us the perfect fit!
Sam is an honest and straightforward broker; polite, and very mindful of his customers’ needs. Can’t recommend him enough.
Sam did an excellent job selling our boat in a challenging market.
Samuel was great to deal with and excellent boat driving skills. Highly recommend.
Fantastic boat broker. So honest and caring. Highly recommend.
Highly recommend Sam he was great to deal with! Thanks Sam, Steve.