Tim Good
Well-Known Member
I've been looking at various boats in the UK and Europe and some in the Netherlands do seem to be particularly good value. Is there any specific reason for this?
Buying in the Netherlands?
- Thread starter Tim Good
- Start date
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Holland has a relatively small domestic market and used boats seem to be priced keenly to sell, rather than pitched at unrealistically high levels. Usually also well presented. Buying is very straightforward as the system is similar to UK using recognised brokers, although the contract usually limits the amount of negotiation post survey. This means that particulars disclose known faults so there should be few surprises. Worth perhaps using a UK surveyor so your survey is covered by UK law. Some people have reported difficulty in getting a Bill of Sale in the format acceptable in the UK.
SigmaJon
Member
I looked at Sigma 36 prices as I am selling mine. The one in Holland is Priced at 46k and the one in Newcastle at 26k. I couldn't see a lot of difference in the age and specification. I even considered sailing mine over to a Dutch broker.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Suggests there is something seriously wrong with the one at £26K! Way out of line with usual asking prices for that boat.
SigmaJon
Member
That is good to hear.
ditchcrawler
Well-Known Member
I bought a boat in the Netherlands some years ago.The broker was excellent (Bach Yachting) and the survey by a HISWA surveyor was good.The whole experience went without a hitch.
However I bought when the euro was at 1.6 to the pound and during my recent trips to the Netherlands I did not see many bargains on offer,if anything I thought the boats were overpriced.
I think that you are more likely to find a bargain here in the UK.
The general quality and presentation of boats in the Netherlands seems to be higher i.e. less rubbish so you will have to do more looking here.
However I bought when the euro was at 1.6 to the pound and during my recent trips to the Netherlands I did not see many bargains on offer,if anything I thought the boats were overpriced.
I think that you are more likely to find a bargain here in the UK.
The general quality and presentation of boats in the Netherlands seems to be higher i.e. less rubbish so you will have to do more looking here.
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
We bought our current boat in Holland.
One of the main differences between Holland and the UK: once you have agreed to 'buy subject to survey' you will have less room for manoeuvre than you would have in Britain.
Another difference: in Holland it is in the seller's interest to disclose as much about the boat as possible whereas in Britain sellers tend to disclose the absolute minimum and hope that you or your surveyor don't find all of the faults.
When buying in Holland, if/when your surveyor finds undisclosed faults, the following can happen:
1. The cost to rectify the faults amounts to less than 10% of the purchase price: either the seller rectifies these faults to the satisfaction of the buyer or the buyer gets a discount equal to the cost of rectifying the faults. When the cost to rectify the faults is less than 10% of the sales price you do not get to walk away, you have to buy the boat.
2. The cost to rectify any faults amounts to more than 10% of the sales price: either buyer or seller can call the whole thing off. As seller is obliged to disclose as much about the boat as possible, this hardly ever happens.
Insist on a HISWA contract and a HISWA surveyor. (HISWA is the Dutch equivalent of the BMF) Ours was on a list of Dutch surveyors provided by our UK insurer (GJW).
Another big difference: in Holland the surveyor you appoint is on YOUR side and will actively argue your corner when it comes to renegotiating the sales prices or supervising the work to make good.
All in all, I found the Dutch system to be more honest and straightforward if somewhat less flexible.
We experienced no problems obtaining a Bill of Sale recognised in Britain. Apart from the Dutch Bill of Sale the broker, at our request, also provided a signed and witnessed copy of an RYA Bill of Sale.
ianc1200
Well-Known Member
The Dutch do not have a Bill of Sale as part of their paperwork when they sell from one person in the Netherlands to another, but HISWA provide a Bill of Sale for use where selling a boat to a UK owner. From my experience this year I would make it clear you expect a HISWA and/or RYA Bill of Sale when the money is handed over.
