Buying a boat in France - help needed

[Isobel]

Hi everyone,

YBW are looking to create content around buying boats abroad and I was wondering if anybody in the forum had any experience with buying a boat in France?

I'd quite like to have a chat to people about their experiences and get some tips, if this sounds of interest, please let me know.

Kind regards,

Isobel Smith
YBW.com

 

[Sybarite]

Hi everyone,

YBW are looking to create content around buying boats abroad and I was wondering if anybody in the forum had any experience with buying a boat in France?

I'd quite like to have a chat to people about their experiences and get some tips, if this sounds of interest, please let me know.

Kind regards,

Isobel Smith
YBW.com

I bought my boat in France but I am living there so I am not sure if that's of any interest to you. I bought from people who used to charter boats out and I got a substantial discount on agreeing to leave it with them for two seasons on charter. I still had the right to four weeks in the summer holidays.

They handled the boat registration for me. This led to a problem which was theoretical rather than real. They told me that because I am British, I could not obtain an Acte de Francisation. Therefore for years I only had a "Passeport" which I regularly presented to Customs' control without any problems.

We then went onto the topic of papers for French waters and I contacted the headquarters for clarification. It then transpired that I either could have got the boat UK registered (with the problem that, not being resident, I couldn't obtain an SSR and, to get a Sch 1 involved physically bringing the boat to the UK for measurement), or, register the boat in France. As tghey offered to let me correct the situation without any cost 'other than 2 photos) I did that.

I don't think people should have any qualms about buying a boat here. People are just as honest and there are competent boat surveyors. Language, IMO, would not be a problem. You also would have a much wider choice and probably boats that are cheaper here than if they were offered for sale in the UK. TVA, where applicable, will be 20% from Jan 1. However if an ocean category boat is bought on a leasing plan, TVA is charged at half rate as it is assumed that half of the boat's use would be outside of territorial waters. The leasing company would probably want some form of guarantee if the boat were to be taken abroad (bank guarantee ?).

Some specialized small ad papers refused to take ads to sell foreign flagged boats citing too many complications.

 

[tjbrace]

We bought JellyBean of Mersea in Ouistreham during 2006. It was a very happy experience.

 

[BelleSerene]

Bought Belle Serene in France in '05. I'd researched prices around; interesting findings about how the UK distributors of a big brand were in cahoots; behaviours at the boat shows and how they determine whose 'territory' you're in, and then how some of them will attempt to establish a freer market but then get scared off.

A quick visit to the manufacturer's website shows the nearest overseas distributors; a couple of calls and emails establishes an offer (cheaper than in the UK); and you get much better service than the UK distributing outfit which tends to adopt a 'take it or leave it' approach.

 

[viva]

I have bought my last three boats in France - all secondhand. The first a French boat which I took through the "radiation" process to remove the boat from the French registry and flag as I was bringing her back to the UK. I now live in France and bought the last two boats in France, both British manufactured, the first being French owned and the current boat Belgian registered but berthed in France, which I have registered in France. All the registration formalities were trouble-free. Despite having a reputation for bureacracy my experience has been that if you do your homework and have the right documents the process is straightforward and hassle free. Feel free to PM me if you want more info and a conversation

 

[BrianH]

It then transpired that I either could have got the boat UK registered (with the problem that, not being resident, I couldn't obtain an SSR and, to get a Sch 1 involved physically bringing the boat to the UK for measurement), or, register the boat in France.

I registered my boat on the MCA Part I register while lying in Italy so it is not necessary to physically have the yacht in the UK. There are local surveyors in many countries recognised for the tonnage measurement. An alternative is to have a UK-based surveyor visit for the measurement survey.

 

[Sybarite]

I registered my boat on the MCA Part I register while lying in Italy so it is not necessary to physically have the yacht in the UK. There are local surveyors in many countries recognised for the tonnage measurement. An alternative is to have a UK-based surveyor visit for the measurement survey.

That's useful to know but I was told the contrary at the time. However it all involves cost anyway. I finally got French registration because it was offered to me free.

 

[bert49uk]

Bought my boat in France last year from la-Roche-Bernard now have her at home in UK no problems

 

[PhilipH]

Bought boat as new build in 2006 from Alubat. Very good experience.

 

[BrianH]

That's useful to know but I was told the contrary at the time. However it all involves cost anyway. I finally got French registration because it was offered to me free.

You were quite right to do so. It was indeed very expensive in total but I had no other opportunity as, like you, I am an expatriate with no desire to make application for SSR using a false residence. Now that I have Swiss naturalization, that path is open but is likely to be just as expensive, involving a Swiss surveyor's expenses to Italy.

It was not (just) out of pedantry that I corrected you but to inform others who may be in a similar situation.

 

[JohnGC]

We bought 2nd hand via a broker in La Rochelle and we are now in our 3rd year of happy ownership. We sailed her to the UK where we keep her.

We found an English surveyor living near La Rochelle which was helpful as our French isn't up to much.

The broker handled all of the customs bureaucracy, so on the day we took ownership she was no longer a French registered vessel. The broker was one of the few French business we contacted whose email communication was good. Most boatyards seemed to prefer phone contact.

SSR is easy to arrange in the UK and in our case we needed it later in our sail to the UK as our documents were inspected by a couple of very cortious French customs officials. Specifically they wanted to see proof that we were no longer a French registered vessel and had proof of UK registration. They also asked about our domicile; IE where we Brits living in France and subject to French taxation (we're not). We had prepared a folder with all of the documentation we were likely to be asked for, including VHF certificates for the boat and ourselves. I'm sure it help make our "inspection" quick and cortious. Oh, and it was on a public holiday.

If you plan to use inland waterways in France you must have a CEVNI certificate; I did this via online training and exam. I had it included in an ICC prior to leaving home. You must also have a copy of the CEVNI rules on board (I'm told the RYA booklet is acceptable). In the event we didn't use inland waterways but I wanted to be sure I could use them if necessary.

 

[Damian-MYS]

Hi isobel,

I think I could be of some help on this issue.

I am an English IIMS registered surveyor, based in Brittany and able to undertake tonnage measurement surveys.
As to unregistering a French flagged vessel.
It is straightforward and will often be initiated by the broker. having said that once the ownership has changed hands officially the seller has one month to contact customs to deregister the boat.
Folloing this an Acte de Radiation will be produced.
This is a statement to the fact that the vessel has been removed from the french registry. It is also accepted as proof of VAT payments bu UK customs.

if I can be of any further help do feel free to get in touch

Damian
Morbihan Yacht Survey