How do I prepare an outfitter’s gear and boat inventory list for a sale?

Start by walking the property with a clipboard. Group items by type: boats and motors, camping gear, safety equipment, trailers, vehicles and small tools. Record the make, model, year and serial number where they exist. Photograph the big items and any damage.

Then add condition notes. Use plain words such as good, fair, needs repair, retire. A buyer will trust honest labels more than a list where everything is excellent. Mark items that are on loan, leased, financed or held for a customer, since those are not yours to sell outright.

Next, separate what is included from what is not. Personal items, guide-owned gear and anything you plan to keep should be labelled clearly. Ask your lawyer to help set out the final schedule in the sale agreement. Finally, line the list up with your records. Match it to your accounting records and your insurance schedule. Differences should be explained before a buyer finds them, and any gap you cannot explain is worth noting honestly instead of leaving it for them to discover. Add the sources behind each entry, such as a receipt, a manual or a note from a guide. Records like these answer most of a buyer’s questions before they are asked. It also saves you time during the buyer’s own visit.

Key takeaways

• Walk the property and record make, serial number and condition for each item.
• Mark leased, financed, borrowed and personal items separately.
• Match the list to your accounting and insurance records.