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

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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.

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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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I’m really pleased it worked out for you. Buying a boat, new or second hand, requires some leap of faith. My purchase took 5 months from Nov last year till I got the keys in late April. My first time at the wheel was my delivery trip, Dartmouth to Portsmouth. 104 Nm. She performed superbly. She regularly delights me, and I love standing back and looking at her.