Boat documents

[Cavalierbond]

Do boats of a certain size / year :cost come with a “ log book “ like a car ?
I’m purchasing a 1997 sport cruiser and wonders about a safety cert
Etc ..
Thanks

 

[Momac]

No equivalent if a vehicle registration document is usually available. Part 1 small ships registration is rare.
But possibly bills of sale should be available otherwise how do you know the person receiving your money is the legal owner?

Boats on inland waterways need a boat safety certificate but it is useless as a measure of the condition of the boat .
You should arrange your own pre purchase survey.

 

[ari]

Worth noting that Small Ships Registration proves nothing (beyond some foreign customs officials are impressed by an official looking piece of paper - it was introduced as a cheap way of satisfying port officials for small boats for which Full Part One was overly expensive). So definitely don't rely on that.

Full Part One registration is reckoned to be a bit more official, but is the easiest thing in the world to fake if someone wants to, so again I wouldn't rely on it.

Original Bills of Sale showing the boat changing hands through to the current owner is probably of most reassurance, but again, not hard to 'arrange' if someone is so inclined.

Just re-read your message and it seems you're more concerned with condition than proof of title, in which case an independent survey (and probably separate engine inspection - that's where the potential for big bills lie) is your answer.

 

[Cavalierbond]

Thanks very much ..

 

[petem]

Do boats of a certain size / year :cost come with a “ log book “ like a car ?
I’m purchasing a 1997 sport cruiser and wonders about a safety cert
Etc ..
Thanks

What make is the boat?

 

[Cavalierbond]

Maxum

 

[petem]

I'm no expert on these things but I thin it would be worth establishing if it was an official import or a private one.