Here’s the strategy I’d use:

1. Establish your boat’s real market value first.
   Look at several comparable boats—same year/make/model, similar engine hours, equipment, and condition. Boat Trader’s current guidance notes that dealer trade-in offers are normally below retail asking prices because the dealer has reconditioning, carrying costs, and resale margin.

2. Get 3–5 trade-in quotes.
   Don't accept the first dealer's appraisal. Different dealers can value the same boat very differently, especially if your model fits their inventory.

3. Make the boat easy for the dealer to resell.
   Detail it, fix inexpensive cosmetic/mechanical issues, and bring all service records, receipts, title/registration, and documentation. Condition and documented maintenance are major factors in the appraisal.

4. Don't negotiate everything at once.
   Tell the dealer:
   “Let's agree on the trade-in value first, then we'll negotiate the boat I'm buying.”
   This prevents a dealer from giving you a high trade allowance while quietly increasing the price of the new boat.

5. Ask for the numbers in writing.
   You want:

   • New boat selling price

   • Trade-in allowance

   • Taxes

   • Dealer/doc fees

   • Any other charges

   • Final amount you have to pay

6. Use competing offers against each other.
   If Dealer A offers $45,000 and Dealer B offers $48,000, tell Dealer A:
   “I have a $48,000 trade offer. If you can beat it, I'll seriously consider doing the deal with you.”

7. Consider selling privately.
   A trade-in is convenient, but you will generally get less than you could from a private sale. Current industry estimates put dealer trade-ins roughly around 60–80% of market value, although the actual percentage varies substantially by boat and market.

If you're in Southwest Florida, I can also look up current dealers/brokers around Cape Coral/Fort Myers/Naples and compare who is likely to give you the strongest trade-in offer.

If you give me your boat's year, make, model, length, engine(s), engine hours, condition, and any major upgrades, I can also help you figure out what trade-in number you should realistically demand.