Buying a Boat - What Documentation?

[JamesS]

Hi there,

Apart from an original invoice showing VAT paid, what other documentation should I be looking for when buying a second hand boat?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[gjgm]

you need to be sure there isnt any outstanding claims; the obvious one is mortgage, but also any marina/yard charges.
Previous bill of sales and service records.
DONT hand over any money including deposits until you have seen ALL the paperwork to YOUR satisfaction. All to often the general approach seems to be paperwork is something to sort out after you ve paid;dont put up with that.

 

[billcowan]

Proof that the bloke selling it actually owns it, and preferably all the sale receipts going back to the first. (good provenence when you come to sell)

Note that if it has a part 1 registration, the plastic tablemat thing you get shows only the name of the person(s) to who it is registered. You need to pay £18 or something to find out if there is a mortgage or other charge on it.

SSR registration means absolutely nothing, its just for keeping froggy jobsworths happy

 

[petie]

Proof of Ownership, VAT paid evidence, Certificate of Conformity and Maintenance/Equipment Manuals. All of these, I believe, are mandatory

 

[mikehibb]

I am just going thought the same procedure.

Basically what has been said above is what you need.
In my case the boat was not originally regisered in UK it was Registered in Rotterdam, I now have my new SSR, but have also just received the "de-registration" documents from Rotterdam.

Another thing to remember is an Inventory document/agreement, that lists everything that is included in the sale, and I mean everything, number of warps, fenders, cockpit cushions etc. Otherwise you might end up with a few quid extra to spend. The little things that you saw on the boat that you assumed would be sold with the boat might not be.They can all add up to a few hundred extra quid.

If the boat has a chart plotter, is the chart memory card included? if not that could be another hundred quid that you will need to spend.