Buying a yacht

[DavidGrieves]

Hi

I need to tap into this vast knowledge base on the forum again. I'm about to purchase a second hand yacht but it is not SSR registered.
How can I establish proof of ownership?
It was built in 1983, but again how do I check?
Am I right in thinking it's too old to consider VAT proof of payment?
How do I know it's not involved with a marine mortgage?

Thanks in advance



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[PaulR]

can be a worry- if you are buying through a reputable broker they should be able to prove title and provide you with adequate proof and if they are subsequently shown to be wrong - presumably (?) you could always pursue them!

if buying privately firstly important to note that SSR tells you nothing-I believe that there is nothing to stop anyone filling in the application for SSR for any boat (as long as they are prepared to be dishonest on the application form) and then duly receiving the ssr document- it most definitely does not show that the person(s) named in the ssr have any good title to the boat,

you can write to the major marine lenders and ask them to check their records to confirm no marine mortgage outstanding - I did that once before and they all replied (confirming they didn't have a mortgage registered against the boat I was buying.

It then comes down to checking as far as you can title from the person selling it to you-they should be able to give you copy of their receipt/bill of sale and you should be able to check with previous owner(s) to confirm ownership history- may be worth checking with yard/marina etc where boat kept to see if they can confirm ownership,

I bought a useful booklet from RYA on buying a secondhand yacht - which covers the key aspects and has draft contract to use for buying and selling,

good luck and enjoy

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[poggy]

Hi,

I think you don't need to worry about VAT until after 1985.

Poggy

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[dieselhead]

why dont you buy the rya booklet on buying a secondhand yacht?

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