So you’ve got a sail gathering dust in your garage or a boat you’re ready to pass on to the next sailor? Getting your gear listed on SailTrader is easier than jibing in light air – and way more profitable. We’ve built our listing process to be sailor-friendly, which means no confusing broker jargon or unnecessary complications.
Whether you’re a seasoned racer looking to upgrade your sail inventory or a cruiser passing along a trusty boat to the next adventurer, this guide will walk you through creating your first listing from start to finish. The whole process takes about 10-15 minutes, and unlike other marketplaces, you won’t pay a dime in commissions when your gear sells.
Before You Start: Get Your Account Set Up
First things first – you’ll need a SailTrader account. If you haven’t signed up yet, head to the top right corner of any page where you’ll see “Login” and “Register” links. Click on “Login” to log in or “Register” to create a new account.
New to SailTrader? Creating an account is straightforward – just your basic info and you’re ready to start listing.
(We’re not going to ask for your life story or make you jump through hoops)
Step One: Start Your Listing
You’ve got two ways to kick off a new listing:
Option 1: From your Account Dashboard, click the orange “SUBMIT LISTING” button on the left sidebar.
Option 2: Use the quick-start buttons in the top navigation – “LIST A SAIL” or “LIST A SAILBOAT” if you already know what you’re listing.
If you go with Option 1, you’ll see two categories to choose from:
- Sailboats – From dinghies to blue water cruisers
- Sails – Mains, jibs, spinnakers, storm sails, and everything in between
Pick your category and let’s keep moving.
Step Two: Fill Out Your Listing Details
Here’s where the magic happens. We’ve designed our forms to capture exactly what fellow sailors want to know – no more, no less. The specific fields will vary depending on what you’re listing, but here’s what to expect:
For Sailboat Listings
You’ll see a comprehensive form that covers everything a potential buyer needs to know:
- Boat Information – Make, model, year, length, beam
- Engine Details – Type, hours, horsepower
- Location – Where the boat currently sits (with a handy map)
- Condition – Be honest here; it builds trust
- Equipment – List out what’s included
- Pricing – Your asking price
For sail Listings
Sail listings get into the technical details that matter:
- Sail Type – Main, jib, genoa, spinnaker, etc.
- Dimensions – Luff, leach, foot measurements
- Sailmaker and Model – North, Doyle, Quantum, etc.
- Material – Dacron, laminate, 3DL, and so on
- Condition – Racing condition, cruising, practice sail
- Boat Information – What boat it was made for
Step Three: Add Your Photos
Good photos sell sails and boats. Period. You’ll see an upload area where you can drag and drop multiple images (it’s just below the title and description).
Pro tip: Take photos in good lighting, show any wear or repairs honestly, and include shots that show the overall condition. For sails, a photo of the sail number or any identifying marks helps buyers know exactly what they’re looking at.
Step Four: Location and Contact Information
You’ll add your location (don’t worry, we only show the general area to buyers) and your contact preferences. The interactive map makes it easy for buyers to see if they’re in your neighborhood for a local pickup.
In the Contact Information section, you can add your phone number and any other details about how buyers should reach you.
Step Five: Save & Preview your Listing
Once you’ve filled out all the information, scroll down to the bottom where you’ll see the “You are about to publish” section.
Click “Save & Preview” and be patient – it might take a minute to process, especially if you’ve uploaded several photos. This is when we’re optimizing your images and getting everything ready for the marketplace.
Step Six: Review Your Preview
You’ll be redirected to a preview of exactly how your listing will appear to buyers. This is your chance to see it through a buyer’s eyes.
Look through everything carefully:
- Do your photos look good?
- Is all the information accurate?
- Does your description tell the complete story?
- Is your contact information correct?
If you need to make changes, click “EDIT” and go back to fix anything. If it all looks good, here’s the crucial part…
Step Seven: Publish Your Listing (Don't Skip This!)
At the bottom of the preview, you’ll see a blue “CONTINUE TO PUBLISH” button.
This step is critical – clicking “Save & Preview” doesn’t make your listing live. You must click “Continue to Publish” to actually get your listing in front of buyers. We can’t tell you how many people forget this step and wonder why they’re not getting any inquiries!
Your Listing is Live!
Once you hit publish, you’ll see a confirmation message at the top of your listing page letting you know it’s now publicly available.
Congratulations! Your gear is now in front of thousands of sailors looking for exactly what you’re selling.
Managing Your Listings
Your published listing will appear in your Account Dashboard under “My Listings” where you can track views, edit details, or remove the listing when it sells.
You can edit your listing anytime by clicking the “Edit” link next to your listing. Maybe you want to adjust the price, add more photos, or update the description based on questions you’re getting from buyers.
Need help managing? Check out our article on how to manage and update your listings.
Quick Best Practices
Before you dive in, here are a few insider tips from our experience:
- Be honest about condition – It builds trust and leads to smoother transactions
- Include measurements – Especially critical for sails and equipment
- Price competitively – Check similar listings to get a feel for the market
- Respond quickly – Serious buyers move fast in the sailing community
- Update your listing – If you make repairs or improvements, add them to the description
Ready to Get Started?
That’s it! You’re now equipped to get your first listing up and running on SailTrader. The beauty of our platform is that once your listing is live, buyers can find you directly – no middleman taking a cut, no confusing broker arrangements, just sailors connecting with sailors.
Remember, we’re here to help if you get stuck. Our team understands the sailing community because we’re part of it. Whether you’re moving up to a bigger boat or just making room in the sail locker, SailTrader is built to make the process as smooth as a perfect reach on a sunny afternoon.
Ready to turn that gear into cash? Create your account and get your first listing up today. Fair winds and following seas – and may your listing attract the perfect buyer!
