Sailboats for Sale — Listing Sites & Brokerages
Whether you're buying your first boat or upgrading from a 27 to a 36, knowing where to look matters. National listing sites have the volume; Pacific Northwest brokerages know local boats. Private owner listings find the best deals. This page covers the best of each.
National Listing Sites
YachtWorld
Largest SelectionThe largest sailboat marketplace in the world — thousands of broker and dealer listings worldwide. Strong filtering by type, length, year, price, and location. If it's listed with a broker, it's probably on YachtWorld. Best for boats in the 30–50 ft range where broker listings dominate.
Boats.com
NationalSister site to YachtWorld; shares many listings but different interface. Good alternative search when YachtWorld turns up limited results in a specific category. Includes dealer inventory and private sales.
Boat Trader
NationalStrong private seller listing base alongside dealer inventory. Good for smaller boats (under 30 ft) and trailerable sailboats where private sellers are more active. Includes by-owner filtering.
SailboatListings.com
By Owner Free to ListThe largest by-owner sailboat listing site — no brokers, no dealers, just sailors selling their own boats. Free to list. Ads cleaned every 60 days so listings stay current. The best place to find motivated private sellers and potential deals. Searchable by manufacturer, model, state, and length.
SailboatData.com Listings
By Owner FreeThe same site with all the boat specs also hosts free by-owner classified ads. Unique because buyers can click directly from a listing to that model's full specification page. No third-party ads allowed — all private sellers.
Craigslist — Boats Section
By Owner FreeThe best source for local deals, project boats, and below-market finds. Search your local city plus surrounding cities. Filter by "boat" in the for-sale category. Many excellent deals — also many boats with problems. Requires more due diligence than broker listings. Always inspect in person before sending any money.
craigslist.org — search under For Sale → Boats
Facebook Marketplace
By Owner FreeIncreasingly active for boat sales; good for small boats and local deals. Search "sailboat" in your area. Join local sailing Facebook groups — boats are often posted there before going to any listing site.
Sailing Anarchy Classifieds
Sailor CommunityActive classifieds from an engaged sailing community. Sellers are often knowledgeable sailors; listings tend to be accurate about condition. Good for performance-oriented and older classic boats.
SailboatOwners.com Classifieds
By OwnerActive community classifieds attached to the popular owner forums. Listings from sailors who know their boats; good for model-specific searches.
BoatCrazy.com
NationalCombines private owner listings and dealer inventory; good interface for filtering sailboats by size and price range.
Pacific Northwest Sailboat Brokerages
These brokerages know Puget Sound boats. A good broker provides sea trial coordination, survey referrals, title transfer, and purchase agreement assistance — typically at no cost to the buyer (seller pays the commission).
Sail Northwest
Seattle — ShilsholeUsed sailboat brokerage and new boat dealer (J Boats, MJM, Alerion) located at Shilshole Bay Marina. Specializes in sailing — not a power-boat operation with a few sails. Good inventory of Puget Sound boats in the 25–45 ft range.
Seattle Yachts
Seattle — ShilsholeOne of the larger Pacific Northwest brokerages; started as "Sailboats at Shilshole" in 1983. Handles both power and sail; strong inventory; multiple brokers specializing in sailing. Locations in Seattle, Anacortes, and across the US.
Irwin Yacht Sales
Seattle & PortlandLongest-running premier yacht brokerage in the Pacific Northwest. Offices in Seattle and Portland. Active inventory of cruising sailboats in the 30–50 ft range.
Edmonds Yacht Sales
EdmondsLocated at the Port of Edmonds marina. Power and sail; good service for buyers looking for boats between Shilshole and Everett. Handles boat location, market evaluation, transportation, commissioning, financing, and insurance.
Northwest Yachtnet
Regional NetworkPremier yacht broker network operated by experienced Pacific Northwest brokers. Strong regional listings; good for finding boats that aren't on the national sites yet.
Elliott Bay Yacht Sales
SeattleFull-service yacht brokerage; strong sail inventory in the Seattle market. Located on Elliott Bay.
Marine Servicenter
Portage Bay, SeattleBrokerage plus full-service boatyard — one of the most complete marine facilities in Seattle. Buying through a yard-based brokerage means access to haul and service the boat before purchase.
Wright Yachts
Multihull SpecialistPacific Northwest's leading catamaran and trimaran dealer — Seawind catamarans, NEEL tris, and Corsair tris. The go-to for anyone considering a multihull under 50 ft in the PNW.
Full Pacific Northwest Broker Directory
- MarineSource — Pacific Northwest Brokers — comprehensive directory of all PNW yacht brokers
Buying Tips
Research Before You Call
- SailboatData.com — look up displacement, ballast ratio, sail area, and owner reviews for any model before viewing
- Search the model name on Cruisers Forum and Sailing Anarchy — you'll find known issues, common repair items, and whether the boat has a good parts supply chain
- Boats from the 1970s and 1980s were often better built than those from the 1990s production boom — thicker layup, more bronze hardware, more conservative engineering
Before Making an Offer
- Get a marine survey — non-negotiable
- Insist on a haulout — keel attachment and through-hull condition cannot be evaluated afloat
- Run a USCG documentation search or state title search — confirm the seller has clear title and there are no liens
- Check USCG Vessel Documentation Search for documented vessels
- Factor in first-year costs: survey, haulout, insurance, slip/moorage, any items found in survey — budget 10–15% of purchase price for first-year expenses on an older boat