Buying a used motor yacht in Italy / Need some help for sales process

No further enquiring now chaps.
Don't worry, PF.
Can't speak for jfm of course, but from my part the €1 bet was just because such guess was hands down the most consistent with the rest of this thread, not out of curiosity to know more about it.
In fact, coming to think of it, I also can't understand (but couldn't care less, mind - don't read this as a request to expand, pleeeeease!) why you felt the need to reiterate what SF already clarified.
But... Hey-ho! 😅
 
Sales Project is Moving ... By July I will sail away with our new/old Azimut 46
I like to give you some update of my project:
First of all I like to thank you all for many valuable informations and good input of (some) of my many questions and concerns. All of your comments have helped me to buy this great 25 year old AZIMUT 46.

- With the help of many hints and tips I found a nice AZI46 / 2 cabins in France - thanks to TMA, the smart shipyard in south of France, Port-Grimaud
- I had a great visit on the boat and a good sea trial together with the owner and the mechanic. The boat is in a very good shape for her age and over the years, many services and maintenance have been done - I have been shown a full file of papers ...
- I decided to buy and we made the contract "in a minute" on the boat.
- We are on the way to prepare everything / all administration to be ready by July 2025 ... My insurance is set up, payment is secured, mechanic is doing final service and my San Marino flag registration is ongoing.

I am happy to start into this summer around Cote d'Azure and sail to our home marina in Italy. As I know, many of you are also cruising around the South of France we can meet on a sunny evening for a good beer and some (non digital) talks ...
Thank you all - and see you around the Med.
 
Sales Project is Moving ... By July I will sail away with our new/old Azimut 46
I like to give you some update of my project:
First of all I like to thank you all for many valuable informations and good input of (some) of my many questions and concerns. All of your comments have helped me to buy this great 25 year old AZIMUT 46.

- With the help of many hints and tips I found a nice AZI46 / 2 cabins in France - thanks to TMA, the smart shipyard in south of France, Port-Grimaud
- I had a great visit on the boat and a good sea trial together with the owner and the mechanic. The boat is in a very good shape for her age and over the years, many services and maintenance have been done - I have been shown a full file of papers ...
- I decided to buy and we made the contract "in a minute" on the boat.
- We are on the way to prepare everything / all administration to be ready by July 2025 ... My insurance is set up, payment is secured, mechanic is doing final service and my San Marino flag registration is ongoing.

I am happy to start into this summer around Cote d'Azure and sail to our home marina in Italy. As I know, many of you are also cruising around the South of France we can meet on a sunny evening for a good beer and some (non digital) talks ...
Thank you all - and see you around the Med.
Great news, hope it all goes well for you!
 
Sales Project is Moving ... By July I will sail away with our new/old Azimut 46
I like to give you some update of my project:
First of all I like to thank you all for many valuable informations and good input of (some) of my many questions and concerns. All of your comments have helped me to buy this great 25 year old AZIMUT 46.

- With the help of many hints and tips I found a nice AZI46 / 2 cabins in France - thanks to TMA, the smart shipyard in south of France, Port-Grimaud
- I had a great visit on the boat and a good sea trial together with the owner and the mechanic. The boat is in a very good shape for her age and over the years, many services and maintenance have been done - I have been shown a full file of papers ...
- I decided to buy and we made the contract "in a minute" on the boat.
- We are on the way to prepare everything / all administration to be ready by July 2025 ... My insurance is set up, payment is secured, mechanic is doing final service and my San Marino flag registration is ongoing.

I am happy to start into this summer around Cote d'Azure and sail to our home marina in Italy. As I know, many of you are also cruising around the South of France we can meet on a sunny evening for a good beer and some (non digital) talks ...
Thank you all - and see you around the Med.
I recently bought an Azi 42 of a similar era. I could not be happier. I hope you will be the same.
 
Well down Felice if you travel past Portosole Marina there is a nice bar down there (Molo H) good for a Aperol Spritz !
 
Final Feedback:
To all the valuable friends, supporters and owners around the forum - Thank you all for your feedback, tips and information.
The sales process for the AZIMUT 46 is done and I am currently sitting at our home marina in Italy, Marina di LOANO, as the new owner of NAVA.NAVA_FRMarseille01.jpg

It was a great story with you all and after some up's and down's we found a boat in France.
We started with some candidates in Italy and Spain this February and March - and we found at least this AZI 46, two cabins version, year 2000 with Caterpillar 3208 engines in France.
After a one day visit and short sea trial, some negotiations in April/May I decided to buy the boat - I is used, it is not perfect, it has some things that need to be fixed. And in most cases - you know that - the broker and the old owner do not tell you the whole truth, facts and hidden things; this is life.

But overall it is a valuable Azimut with reliable building quality. The engines got an overall service this june, have around 1200 hours and run up to 2700 rpm with around 24 kn. The interior is in a very good condition, some systems need a refit (20 year old Raytheon / Raymarine GPS / Radar ... ), the electrical- / battery-system needs an overall rework.
But after handover on end of june my wife and myself had a great 3 week cruise along the cote d'azure, some nice ports along the trip and we finally ended at LOANO, our nice marina in Liguria.

NAVA_Port_Cassis01.jpg
 
Final Feedback:
To all the valuable friends, supporters and owners around the forum - Thank you all for your feedback, tips and information.
The sales process for the AZIMUT 46 is done and I am currently sitting at our home marina in Italy, Marina di LOANO, as the new owner of NAVA.View attachment 196906

It was a great story with you all and after some up's and down's we found a boat in France.
We started with some candidates in Italy and Spain this February and March - and we found at least this AZI 46, two cabins version, year 2000 with Caterpillar 3208 engines in France.
After a one day visit and short sea trial, some negotiations in April/May I decided to buy the boat - I is used, it is not perfect, it has some things that need to be fixed. And in most cases - you know that - the broker and the old owner do not tell you the whole truth, facts and hidden things; this is life.

But overall it is a valuable Azimut with reliable building quality. The engines got an overall service this june, have around 1200 hours and run up to 2700 rpm with around 24 kn. The interior is in a very good condition, some systems need a refit (20 year old Raytheon / Raymarine GPS / Radar ... ), the electrical- / battery-system needs an overall rework.
But after handover on end of june my wife and myself had a great 3 week cruise along the cote d'azure, some nice ports along the trip and we finally ended at LOANO, our nice marina in Liguria.

View attachment 196907
Looks terrific. Enjoy.
 
Very happy that everything worked well at the end, enjoy your time with NAVA ! Our Azi also says well done, here resting after 2 weeks in the Ionian Islands (pardon the laundry on the fly...)
 

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Many congratulations SF. She looks a great boat. We bought our 42 in April this year, and could not be happier with her. Love these Azi styling, build quality, handling etc. Enjoy your boat, and please let us know how you get on with her.
 
the broker and the old owner do not tell you the whole truth, facts and hidden things; this is life.
Do you know if the teak job was commissioned by whoever you bought the boat from, or any other previous owner?
I don't think Azimut ever offered teak on the main deck, even as an option - as opposed to the swim platform, where it wasn't standard but available.
And possibly you've got it also on the flybridge? Can't tell from the pics.
I'm only asking because it would be a bit strange that someone who went to the trouble of fitting teak neglected any other (possibly more important) maintenance...
 
Do you know if the teak job was commissioned by whoever you bought the boat from, or any other previous owner?
I don't think Azimut ever offered teak on the main deck, even as an option - as opposed to the swim platform, where it wasn't standard but available.
The teak flooring on our AZI46 - I do not know who and when it was done.

The boat was first sold to a Dutch owner in 2001 - perhaps this was done in the Netherlands ?
I know nothing about the second owner (???) from 2006/2007 to 2012
The last owner in France (2012 to 2025) did not do it as it seems older than 15 years.

I did not come over this point: We have a god, 15-20 years old teak deck on bath platform, cokpit, outside steps, and the gangway and main deck.
It will need some maintenance, some joints to be refitted, some cleaning - but overall good condition.
 
Final question: Is there a specific FORUM / web place / club around Europe or the Med. for Azimut 42 / 46 / 50 owners!

I would be happy, to disscuss specific questions and issues or experience with other owners of the old (and new) small Azimut yachts.
 
Buying a used yacht in France: My final findings and conclusions ...

Dear colleagues, seafarer and captains

An exciting and eventful year is coming to an end for me: I bought a wonderful second-hand yacht, and we enjoyed a hot, sunny summer on our ‘new’ boat around Liguria, Italy. I experienced many positive – and also some negative – nautical moments.

N_marinaIMG_20250807-1.jpg

Buying a used yacht in France: My final findings and conclusions

Selection: It takes time, 3-12 months, some travel - visits, perhaps trials, to get a clear picture of your boat. Size, type, model, manufacturer, costs and budget should be evaluated thoroughly and in detail.
Flag, home port and transfer: Make a good plan for where you will feel comfortable with the yacht. The country/location of the home port determines some important parameters. A suitable, pragmatic solution can save costs and administration. For me, the best option was the flag of San Marino and a good marina in northern Italy.
Viewing & test trial: You can leave the entire technical evaluation and viewing to a boat expert/surveyor – this will cost money and you will receive an expert report with perhaps 50 points that could cause problems or incur costs. Or you can do it yourself (with technical knowledge or experience), reserve at least one/two days on site and carry out an inspection with the owner or broker. I recommend a written report and testing ALL essential installations:

I did the whole trial myself together with one of the owners of the ship and his mechanic from a small ship yard.
All tests should be carried out offshore, during a long sea trial and without connection to shore power/the mains electricity supply. Test the entire engine control system, all instruments, log, depth gauge, radio, emergency equipment, anchor, etc. Test the engines at all speeds and WOT. Perform an anchoring manoeuvre and remain at anchor for at least 2 hours with full power consumption. Test all pumps, WC, water, sanitary facilities, kitchen, lights, etc. without generator power. If possible, carry out a thorough test of all batteries and the electrical system. Finally, test the electric generator (offshore), as well as any air conditioning and heating systems, and observe how the engines start for the journey home to port. For the engines you can accept your inspection from the seatrial or you let an independent mechanic make a survey, test, inspection. Try to get papers from the engine maintenance work over the last five years - but it's hard to obtain this if ever available.
For any minor or major problems after the test run, you need to be clear about whether you accept them or who is responsible for carrying out the necessary repairs. Please record everything in writing. I found some (hidden) issues, many small problems and the main issue with the old service batteries. But I did not complain because I was happy with the good overal condition of the yacht including the tender.

Even in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere with the owner, the broker or an ‘expert’: do not trust these people during your initial interactions. Many players in the nautical sales sector are either ignorant, incompetent, swindlers or even fraudsters. Even a small boat yard/company is no guarantee of competence. I had to realise this a few months after taking over our boat – at a cost of several thousand euros: But in return, I have
now an electrical installation that is (almost) as good as new.

Sales Contract: For people without legal experience/knowledge, I recommend organising the purchase through a solicitor or lawyer.
For the sale/contract, you must have copies (or deeds) from all contracting parties. You must also have all documents relating to the boat, such as the flag certificate, engine numbers, manufacturer's details, identification and registration.
Make sure that the contract contains precise details on all points. Clearly state all defects and problems and how they will be accepted or who is responsible for repairs. You should also set a schedule for the sales process until the yacht is handed over. Provide precise details of the payment terms, costs and fees, bank details and cash payments. Do not accept a simple standard contract with copy/paste terms.

If you monitor all these points and cooperate in influencing the sales process, you can look forward to taking delivery of a wonderful vessel on the handover date. But remember – from the very first day on your new yacht, you will be a proud yacht owner... and therefore responsible for the thousands of small and large events that occur in everyday yachting life. If you accept this, you will keep your enjoyment of your new vessel.


I would like to thank many people here in the forum and my friends and acquaintances for their valuable, critical, humorous and technical advice. Here in the YBW forum, I have received a lot of good information and was able to go from evaluation to mooring in our marina in Italy.
Thank you all and my best wishes for the next cruising season.

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