Where To Buy And Sell A Used Boat In Australia: Listings Matter
12 October 2026
Listings counted 11 October 2026 · National
Where to buy and sell a used boat in Australia: listings matter
If you're buying or selling a used boat in Australia, you'll quickly find there's no shortage of places to look. There are general classifieds sites, Facebook groups and plenty more besides.
If you're serious, though, only two marketplaces are really worth your time: BoatsOnline and BoatSales. Both carry detailed listings with proper specs and plenty of photos. Both also let you search by make, model, length, engine, location and price, so you can get to the boats that matter to you. Where they differ is the number of listings. And when you're buying or selling a boat, listings matter.
Used boats on BoatsOnline
6,933
▲ 40% vs BoatSalesUsed powerboats
5,080
▲ 19% vs BoatSalesUsed sailboats
1,853
▲ 184% vs BoatSalesListing numbers
How the two compare
We counted the used boats listed on each site on 11 October 2026. Across powerboats and sailboats, BoatsOnline had 1,996 more used boats listed than BoatSales, which is about 40% more.
Used boats listed, BoatsOnline vs BoatSales
BoatsOnlineBoatSales
Used powerboats
+19%
more on BoatsOnline
Used sailboats
+184%
more on BoatsOnline
View as table
| Category | BoatsOnline | BoatSales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used powerboats | 5,080 | 4,285 | BoatsOnline +19% |
| Used sailboats | 1,853 | 652 | BoatsOnline +184% |
| Total | 6,933 | 4,937 | BoatsOnline +40% |
Why it matters
People shop where the choice is
The site with the most boats tends to be the one buyers check first and keep going back to while they look. For sellers, that's the audience you want in front of your boat. For buyers, it means a better chance of finding the right boat without having to settle.
Powerboats
Around 795 more powerboats to choose from
Powerboats make up the bulk of the used market. BoatsOnline had 5,080 listed, against 4,285 on BoatSales. That's around 795 more boats to choose from, from tinnies and runabouts right through to sportsfishers and flybridge cruisers.
Sailboats
The biggest gap is in sail
BoatsOnline had 1,853 used sailboats listed, nearly three times the 652 on BoatSales.
If you're after a yacht, YachtHub is also worth a look. It's a specialist international site with 1,648 yachts listed in Australia and another 213 in New Zealand, and some of them aren't advertised anywhere else. It's also worth considering if you're selling a yacht, particularly if you're happy to sell to someone across the Tasman.
Buying or selling
So where should you look?
If you're buying, check both BoatsOnline and BoatSales. Each site has listings you won't find on the other, so the boat you're after could be on either one.
If you're selling, the choice of where to list comes down to personal preference and price. Both sites offer a range of listing options, so compare what you get and what it costs, and go with the one that suits you. The numbers above give you a good idea of where the most boats, and the most buyers, are.
Get in front of more buyers
Thinking of selling? List where the boats are.
BoatsOnline has about 40% more used powerboats and sailboats listed than BoatSales, and it's the lower cost option.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best website to buy a used boat in Australia?
BoatsOnline and BoatSales are Australia's two main used boat marketplaces. BoatsOnline is the largest marketplace by listing numbers so it should be your first choice. Both have detailed listings you can search by make, model, length, engine, location and price. Each site has boats you won't find on the other, so buyers should check both.
Which Australian website has the most used boats for sale?
On 11 October 2026, BoatsOnline had 6,933 used powerboats and sailboats listed, compared with 4,937 on BoatSales. That's 1,996 more boats, or about 40% more.
Where should I list my boat for sale in Australia?
The main options are BoatsOnline, BoatSales or both. Which one you choose comes down to personal preference and price, so compare the listing options and costs on each. BoatsOnline currently has more used powerboats and sailboats listed. BoatsOnline is the lower cost option.
Where can I find a used yacht or sailboat for sale in Australia?
BoatsOnline had 1,853 used sailboats listed on 11 October 2026, nearly three times the 652 on BoatSales. YachtHub, a specialist international marketplace, is also worth checking. It lists 1,648 yachts in Australia and 213 in New Zealand, and some of them aren't advertised anywhere else.
Should I check both BoatsOnline and BoatSales when buying a boat?
Yes. Each site has listings that aren't on the other, so checking both gives you the widest choice and the best chance of finding the right boat.
Listing figures taken 11 October 2026. Counts change daily.