Buying my first boat- what papers do i need

[Adetheheat]

The boat seems fab the bloke seems reputable. However from looking at this uk government site I need a lot of paperwork - see near the end:
Register a boat

Do I need to get all those details from a seller ? Some of my owner friends say they didn't have them.
Thanks
Adrian

 

[MikeBz]

If it’s a private pleasure boat under 24m long then there is no requirement to register it for use in UK waters - see Part 3 in the link you posted. Inland waterways/canals may or may not be a different matter.

 

[westernman]

The boat seems fab the bloke seems reputable. However from looking at this uk government site I need a lot of paperwork - see near the end:
Register a boat

Do I need to get all those details from a seller ? Some of my owner friends say they didn't have them.
Thanks
Adrian

If there is a broker involved, then get them to do all the work and insist on a Part I registration which costs a little more than a Part 3 (SSR) registration, but is solid proof of ownership. You will be applying for either a Part 1 or a Part 3.

Otherwise if doing it yourself, then get a standard bill of sale (you can download from RYA or other places), proof of where the boat was on B-day (1 January 2021 ) - e.g. marina bill, signed statement from port captain or whatever, and if possible proof of original VAT payment (will save you trouble when you come to sell the boat later, as everyone asks for it, but is otherwise not really very important).

If the boat was previously registered, then it is very simple to do. The seller needs to de-register (done online and instantaneous), and you just copy the information from his certificate into the online form to get yours.

You can carry over the ships radio license easily - but I don't think the online process is anything like as slick. You will normally keep the call sign and MSI number. They are pretty helpful and if they see anything inconsistent with the previous owner's documentation will ask about it. E.g. I forgot the 406MHZ homing beacon thingy.

 

[Tranona]

Buy yourself a copy of this rya.org.uk/shop/p/buying-and-maintenance/rya-boat-buyers-handbook-ebook which will answer all your questions. Take care if you are buying privately, particularly if there is a lot of money involved. However if it is a low value old boat then highly unlikely you will get a good documentary trail, nor strictly speaking is one required as there are no formal requirements to own and use a boat in the UK except on some inland waterways, but they are not to do with ownership per se.
If you say a little bit more about the boat and value plus where and how you intend using it you may receive more direct advice.