Boat history check

[Furball]

Can anyone recommend a good site to check a boats history prior to purchase?
I want to find out if there is any outstanding finance or big insurance claims, damage, etc.

 

[wotayottie]

You cant. If the boat is part 1 reg then in theory any charges should be registered but I wouldnt rely on it. If the boat is SSR then that doesnt apply and even writing to all the likely lenders will get you nowhere. I triued that and all I got were non committal answers. After all, what do the lenders have to gain by doing otherwise. And of course there are unpaid boatyard bills etc.

As for major claims that sort of info is confidential to the claimant and his insurance company. There is no marine equivalent to the websites you can use for cars.

Best step is to make sure the guy flogging the boat assures you in writing that there is no history of the sort you mention and then make sure that he is personally creditworthy to more than the value of the boat so you can sue him if you find out he has lied. Then finally make his assurances an essential part of the contract so you can repudiate the contract if he has told porkies and get your dosh back plus costs

 

[Sneds]

I contacted the only three companies I could find that offered marine mortgages to ask if they had any interest in the boat.
I had to do it in writing (fax was accepted).
The lenders were, I think, RBS, Barclays and a n other!
I'm sure someone in the trade will be able to advise.

 

[Csail]

Best way i have found is word of mouth.I looked at one a few weeks ago and was told by broker it wasn't ex charter then spoke to (won't say who) but it was ex charter and had keel problems.