
Boats for Sale Near Me: Find Used Boats in Ireland | Guide
Few things beat the feeling of finding the right boat at the right price — and in Ireland, that search starts online, with more options than ever whether you’re after a sailing cruiser on the Cork coast or a budget-friendly dinghy near Dublin. This guide compares the three main platforms and shows you exactly where to look, what to watch for, and how to land a deal that’s actually worth your time.
Total listings on DoneDeal Ireland: 1,151 · DoneDeal Cork results: 152 · Example boat price from ApolloDuck: Achilles 24 sailboat €2,250
Quick snapshot
- DoneDeal is Ireland’s largest boats marketplace with 1,151 listings (DoneDeal (Irish marketplace platform))
- ApolloDuck lists boats in multiple Irish counties including Crosshaven and Greystones (ApolloDuck Europe (international boat network))
- Adverts.ie shows 3,045 boat results for Ireland (Adverts.ie (Irish classifieds site))
- Which platform has the best average prices across all boat types
- Total number of boats listed on ApolloDuck Ireland
- Whether repossessed boats are consistently cheaper than private sales
- Listings refresh daily; no major seasonal shift noted in current data (DoneDeal project boat search)
- DoneDeal’s “project boat” category shows 126 ads, suggesting steady supply for restoration buyers (DoneDeal project boat search)
- Expect more spring listings as weather improves; check for price drops on older inventory (ApolloDuck Ireland (commercial and private advertiser support))
- ApolloDuck is actively seeking boats to sell, which may increase inventory (ApolloDuck Ireland (commercial and private advertiser support))
Four key facts about Ireland’s boat market, one pattern: DoneDeal dominates in volume, ApolloDuck covers a wider range of vessel types, and Adverts.ie shines for budget finds.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Largest marketplace | DoneDeal with 1,151 listings |
| Cork listings on DoneDeal | 152 |
| Example price (ApolloDuck) | Achilles 24 sailboat €2,250 |
| Number of major platforms | 3 |
Where can I find boats for sale near Dublin?
Top listings on DoneDeal for Dublin
- DoneDeal’s Boats & Jet Skis category includes many ads in Dublin and surrounding counties (DoneDeal (Ireland’s largest boats marketplace))
- Using the “location” filter on DoneDeal narrows results to Dublin city and county
ApolloDuck Dublin boats
- ApolloDuck’s Ireland page lists boats in Dublin-area locations like Greystones and Wicklow (ApolloDuck Europe (country-specific listings))
- Users can filter by region on the ApolloDuck site
Adverts.ie Dublin boat listings
- Adverts.ie’s boats category includes Dublin-based classifieds, with price examples from €950 to €8,000 (Adverts.ie (peer-to-peer classifieds))
The implication: Dublin boat shoppers get the widest selection on DoneDeal, while ApolloDuck and Adverts.ie fill specific gaps in vessel types and price points.
Where can I find used boats for sale near me?
Using DoneDeal’s location filter
- DoneDeal allows filtering by county, so you can see results for Cork, Galway, or any Irish county (DoneDeal used boats search with geographic examples)
- Example listings from the filter include locations like Limerick City, Burtonport, and Donegal Town
ApolloDuck regional search
- ApolloDuck’s Ireland page provides regional sections that include Crosshaven, Baltimore, and Kinsale (ApolloDuck Europe (Irish location breakdown))
Adverts.ie location-based filtering
- Adverts.ie has a search-by-location feature that lets you filter by county or city (Adverts.ie (Irish classifieds site))
DoneDeal’s county filter is the most granular, but ApolloDuck’s regional pages give you a curated list of boats in specific coastal towns. For a quick scan, start with DoneDeal’s map view.
What this means: The best regional search tool depends on whether you want raw inventory (DoneDeal) or a curated coastal selection (ApolloDuck).
How can I find boats for sale near me by owner?
Filtering for private sellers on DoneDeal
- DoneDeal lets you filter by seller type — choose “Private” to see owner listings only (DoneDeal (marketplace with seller type filter))
ApolloDuck owner listings
- ApolloDuck supports both commercial and private advertisers, and many boats are listed directly by owners (ApolloDuck Ireland (support for private advertisers))
Adverts.ie owner sales
- Adverts.ie is primarily a peer-to-peer marketplace, so most boat listings are from private owners (Adverts.ie (peer-to-peer classifieds))
The implication: If you want to avoid dealer markup, Adverts.ie and DoneDeal’s private filter are your best bets. ApolloDuck mixes owner and broker listings, so check the seller type in each ad.
Where can I find repossessed boats for sale in Ireland?
Repo boat listings on DoneDeal
- DoneDeal has a dedicated category for repossessed boats (search “repossessed” within Boats & Jet Skis) (DoneDeal (Irish marketplace category))
Other sources for repossessed boats
- Repossessed boats may come from banks or finance companies; these are sometimes listed on DoneDeal or through auction sites
What to check on a repossessed boat
- Require thorough inspection due to potential wear — check hull, engine, and electronics
Repossessed boats can be cheaper, but they often come with hidden maintenance issues. Always arrange a sea trial and a marine survey before committing.
The pattern: Repossessed boats present a cost opportunity but demand extra diligence; a marine survey is non-negotiable.
Where can I find cheap boats for sale in Ireland by owner?
Setting price filters on DoneDeal
- DoneDeal’s price filter lets you set a maximum budget, revealing cheap boats from private sellers
- Example: searching “under €5,000” returns dozens of small sailboats and motorboats
Cheap boat deals on ApolloDuck
- ApolloDuck lists a range of budget options, including the Achilles 24 sailboat at €2,250 (ApolloDuck Ireland (price range examples))
Adverts.ie budget boat listings
- Adverts.ie has low-cost boats from private sellers, with examples from €950 for a small dinghy (Adverts.ie (budget listings))
The pattern: All three platforms have budget options, but Adverts.ie tends to have the lowest floor prices, while DoneDeal offers the most variety in the €1,000-€5,000 range.
Platform comparison
Three platforms, one clear difference: DoneDeal leads in volume, ApolloDuck in vessel diversity, and Adverts.ie in peer-to-peer deals.
| Feature | DoneDeal | ApolloDuck | Adverts.ie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total listings (approx.) | 1,151 boats & Jet Skis | Not disclosed; several hundred | 3,045 boats |
| Seller types | Private & dealer | Private & commercial | Primarily private |
| Location filter | By county | By region (e.g., Dublin, Munster) | By county/city |
| Price range (examples) | €500 – €100,000+ | €2,250 – €500,000+ | €950 – €8,000 |
| Boat types | Motorboats, sailboats, Jet Skis, extras | Sailboats, motor yachts, cruisers | Small boats, dinghies, trailers |
The catch: DoneDeal’s sheer volume makes it the best starting point, but ApolloDuck’s specialised listings are better for larger yachts. Adverts.ie wins for the cheapest entry-level deals.
Steps to find a boat near you by owner
- Open DoneDeal and go to the Boats & Jet Skis category (DoneDeal boats page).
- Set your location using the county filter — choose “Cork” or “Dublin” depending on your area.
- Filter by seller type — select “Private” to see only owner listings.
- Set a price range using the budget slider.
- Check ApolloDuck’s Ireland page for boats in your region (ApolloDuck Ireland country page).
- Browse Adverts.ie for cheap peer-to-peer deals (Adverts.ie boats category).
- Contact the seller and arrange a viewing and sea trial.
Combining all three platforms gives you the widest choice. For an Irish buyer, DoneDeal + Adverts.ie covers the most ground, while ApolloDuck fills the gap for larger or more specialised vessels.
The implication: Following these steps reduces the risk of missing a good deal and ensures you see boats from all major Irish marketplaces.
Pros and cons of buying boats online in Ireland
Upsides
- Access to thousands of listings across multiple platforms
- Ability to compare prices from private sellers and dealers
- Convenient search filters by location, price, and type
- Often cheaper than buying from a physical dealer
Downsides
- Risk of buying a boat with hidden mechanical issues
- No standardised inspection process across platforms
- Scams and misrepresented listings exist (especially on peer-to-peer sites)
- Need to arrange transport and registration yourself
What this means: The upsides outweigh the downsides for informed buyers, but the lack of standard inspection and scam risk demand careful vetting.
What we know and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- DoneDeal is the largest Irish boat marketplace with 1,151 listings (DoneDeal (Irish marketplace platform))
- ApolloDuck lists a variety of sailboats and yachts in Ireland (ApolloDuck Europe (international boat network))
- Adverts.ie is a classifieds site with private boat sales and 3,045 results (Adverts.ie (Irish classifieds site))
What’s unclear
- Which platform has the best average prices across all boat types
- How many boats are listed on ApolloDuck in total
- Whether repossessed boats are consistently cheaper than private sales
The pattern: The known facts are solid, but key pricing and inventory data gaps mean buyers should cross-check multiple platforms before deciding.
What boat buyers are saying
“Discover 1151 New & Used Boats & Jet Skis For Sale in Ireland.”
— DoneDeal homepage description (DoneDeal (Irish marketplace platform))
“We are currently seeking boats to sell.”
— ApolloDuck user notice (ApolloDuck Ireland (commercial and private advertiser support))
Two different signals from the market: DoneDeal highlights its massive inventory, while ApolloDuck signals that it’s actively building its Irish supply. That suggests DoneDeal is the mature marketplace, while ApolloDuck is still growing its local presence.
Summary
Finding a boat near you in Ireland comes down to matching the platform to your needs. DoneDeal offers the widest selection and best location filters, ApolloDuck specialises in larger vessels and yachts, and Adverts.ie delivers the cheapest peer-to-peer deals. For the Irish buyer, the smart move is to start on DoneDeal with a private seller filter and a price cap, then cross-check ApolloDuck for any hidden gems — or risk overpaying on a broker-listed boat that could have been found cheaper on a classifieds site.
donedeal.ie, apolloduck.ie, donedeal.ie, apolloduck.eu, donedeal.ie, apolloduck.com, donedeal.ie
Frequently asked questions
How do I contact a seller on DoneDeal?
Click the “Message” or “Phone” button on the listing page. You may need a free DoneDeal account to send a message.
What documents do I need to register a boat in Ireland?
You need proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and a completed registration form. Motorised boats must be registered with the Irish Revenue Commissioners (Revenue.ie (Irish tax authority)).
Are boat trailers usually included in the listing?
Not always — check the ad description. Some sellers include a trailer, especially for smaller boats, but it’s not guaranteed.
Can I negotiate the price on ApolloDuck?
Yes, many ApolloDuck listings are from private sellers who are open to negotiation. Use the “Contact seller” form to make an offer.
Is it safe to buy a boat from an online marketplace?
Generally yes, but take precautions: inspect the boat in person, request a sea trial, and use a secure payment method. Avoid deals that require upfront payment without seeing the vessel.
What should I check during a boat sea trial?
Check the engine, steering, electronics, hull for leaks, and safety equipment. Bring a knowledgeable friend or a marine surveyor if possible.