Buying an Unamed Boat

oGaryo

oGaryo

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Hi, following on from the "I think I'm going to cry" post.... is there anything I should be doing when buying an unamed boat through a brokerage in addition to the usual paperwork signed by the seller to state they own the craft and there's no outstanding finance, tax or other loans hanging over the boat?

Is there anything that can be done to carry out checks using the hull identification number? I'm already getting confirmation from the brokerage that they've stored and serviced the boat on behalf of the seller for the last 5 years which gives me confidence all is ok but there's never harm in checking out all avenues.

All being well, I'll be in possession of my replacement boat by Thursday evening so need some quick advice on this one please :)
 
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Short of a guarantee on the info from the broker there is little else you can do. If the boat is registered at the MCA, this can be an additional check.

I bought my boat unnamed from a broker, and she is OK.
 
rafiki_ said:
Short of a guarantee on the info from the broker there is little else you can do. If the boat is registered at the MCA, this can be an additional check.

I bought my boat unnamed from a broker, and she is OK.
Click to expand...

An unregistered boat has much the same legal status as a bicycle: there is no proof of title. Whether it has a name painted on it or not is irrelevant. The MCA won't be any more interested in it than the DVLA is in pushbikes.
 
If as you said in the other thread the boat is no older than 2001, she MUST have a builder's certificate and the CE declaration of conformity. Both MUST show the HIN, which you can check against the one etched on the hull or on a small plate attached to the hull (normally at the aft, stbd side). Sometimes there is also the S/N of engine, outdrive and transom plate. If they are reported, that's another consistency check worth making.

Mind, that's obviously just the technical side of the deal, but if the owner doesn't have the original of either documents, POSSIBLY they're held by whoever financed him, as a guarantee. Sort of, actually: I don't think they have the legal status of a real guarantee, but since you're supposed to get these docs upon purchase, you're definitely entitled to ask them and to make questions if they're not available.

PS: all the above applies regardless of whether the boat is registered or not.
 
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Basically the seller has to state in a standard bill of sale that there are no outstandings. That should give you some cover if there are any, as long as you can find the seller, and he has any assets !
There is a web page called something like stolenboats.co.uk that might be worth a check, but if its a reputable dealer/broker, he isnt going to want to be caught up in some stolen boat story, so its in his interests to be confident on the boat too. If it all seems above board, it almost certainly is. I d suggest the problems are when stories dont make sense, no records, wrong price, sold in a motorway carpark for cash etc etc!!
I had one guy ask me what the tyres were like on one occasion....first boat, then,eh?!
 
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