Buying boat from one half of recently separated couple UK

EugeneR said:
Consider this example: owner A, showing a bill of sale BOS from when he bought the boat, sells it to B. B now owns the boat with a new BOS. However, a few months later, A "sells" the boat again, using his original BOS and spare key, to you. Based on your logic, you would not have any worries?
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Given the state of the used boat market I’d say getting two sales completed in quick succession without the new owner noticing is unlikely!
 
EugeneR said:
Consider this example: owner A, showing a bill of sale BOS from when he bought the boat, sells it to B. B now owns the boat with a new BOS. However, a few months later, A "sells" the boat again, using his original BOS and spare key, to you. Based on your logic, you would not have any worries?
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Sweet Jesus give us patience.
 
Refueler said:
For me - if I was Mr B ...
a) I would always ask for all docs / keys on buying a boat - ie sellers original Bill of sale showing he bought the boat, as well as any surveys etc.
b) My Bill of Sale would cover all responsibilities of sale .. with seller liable for falsehoods.
b) I would change key / locks if possible anyway.
c) Most likely I would be moving the boat to my choice of mooring etc.

If such a scenario occurred - would that not be Mr A committing Fraud ? A criminal act ?
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Mr A would be naughty, yes. And of course he won't give Mr C a copy of his BOS to Mr B. Result is that Mr C, even with a "clean title" promise from Mr A, is unlikely to keep the boat or get his money back.

Mr C's position is similar to where OP would be if he buys a boat that, maybe, a court assigned to ex-Mrs A before.

That's the risk OP is asking about, I think?
 
Refueler said:
For me - if I was Mr B ...
a) I would always ask for all docs / keys on buying a boat - ie sellers original Bill of sale showing he bought the boat, as well as any surveys etc.
b) My Bill of Sale would cover all responsibilities of sale .. with seller liable for falsehoods.
b) I would change key / locks if possible anyway.
c) Most likely I would be moving the boat to my choice of mooring etc.

If such a scenario occurred - would that not be Mr A committing Fraud ? A criminal act ?
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He would indeed be committing fraud by false representation. However this type of thing could occur just with a normal sale. It gets to a point where you can do as much due diligence as you can, after that there is always a (very slight) risk that you have to run with. In this situation C has bought stolen goods and as such isn't the legal owner and needs to get restitution.

It's not the same as the OPs situation since the goods are not stolen in this case - the seller has just realised an 'asset' from the relationship. Whether he's trying to hide the proceeds or not from the other party is between him and the other party (or solicitors) and doesn't result in the goods becoming stolen. It's a civil matter, though it may result in the OP becoming involved in the financial proceedings and they may not want that.
 
EugeneR said:
Consider this example: owner A, showing a bill of sale BOS from when he bought the boat, sells it to B. B now owns the boat with a new BOS. However, a few months later, A "sells" the boat again, using his original BOS and spare key, to you. Based on your logic, you would not have any worries?
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Are you okay leaving the house on your own?
 
OP says UK. Scotland has a separate legal system and laws, which may alter the situation. Scots law seems to favour principal, whereas in England it's precedent, I believe, but I'm not a lawyer. (By any means.)
On the face of it, there's not a problem. If it's the right boat at the right price, then do the deal and get the signature. If it comes to a battle, initially it's not your battle, it's their's, as you've the bill of sale. Let them pursue it through the courts, then have that ruling come to you, and tell them to bigger off if it's not in your favour, possession being 9/10ths etc., and let it waddle its way through the courts.
 
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This thread illustrates why I love YBW forum.

Original sensible question.
A lot of answers come in, ranging from ‘sensible and possibly even correct’ to ‘way off the point’ and (probably) ‘completely wrong’. The OP, and any casual reader, has a lot of fun in choosing between mutually contradictory answers.
It’s a bit like multiple choice questions in an exam. The plausible answers aren’t necessarily correct.

I’d be interested in hearing what the OP thinks is the correct answer, and also whether s/he goes ahead with the purchase.
 
It's not that difficult. Just look at their bill of sale for the purchase of the boat, if both signed it, both have a claim. If only one signed it, you only need to deal with the official owner.

Just make sure you sail away quickly to avoid the fallout haha.
 
DangerousPirate said:
It's not that difficult. Just look at their bill of sale for the purchase of the boat, if both signed it, both have a claim. If only one signed it, you only need to deal with the official owner.
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That kind of radical guff will get you banned from YBW. The place would go bankrupt in a week. Every thread no more than 3 posts, and no scope for the bogey men and the barrack room lawyers to scare the bejaysus out of us all.
 
And if one is unmarried and the vendor’s ex looks like she might want to sail with the boat through another relationship, you could make discreet enquiries whether you might be her kind of guy. Maybe worth a shot for the risk- averse….

…. On the other hand possibly not without risks.
 
chriss999 said:
And if one is unmarried and the vendor’s ex looks like she might want to sail with the boat through another relationship, you could make discreet enquiries whether you might be her kind of guy. Maybe worth a shot for the risk- averse….

…. On the other hand possibly not without risks.
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Might influence the price a little though if the ex finds out. Also sloppy seconds
 
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