Cross Channel on Charter

[Luke]

I've read various posts in the past about the need to take original documentation when crossing the channel to avoid the wrath of the French Customs - particulary around VAT. I'm going across on a charter boat next week - and am not accustomed to seeing invoices for the boat's acquisition on board - and besides if its under charter VAT may have been subsequently reclaimed anyway. Does anyone know what the rules are for charter vessels?
Thanks

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[tcm]

The charter doc pretty much clears you of vat issues imho. The vat issue arises if the boat is being er "consumed" , that is,. if an end user is using it, then it must be vat-paid. But if a charterer is using it, then it's ipso facto part of a business.

You should still have boat papers along, registry, whatever in the big pack that they give you.

in cherbourg, and most other ports, they don't really seem to give a monkeys, i don't bother with vhf, just pitch up, find somewhere, dump boat, send someone with the papers and money, all done.

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[Sans Bateau]

Its not the paperwork you want to be concerned about, recently sailing a charter boat from a 'respectable' Co, found we had an inshore dan bouy, split rings missing fron the clevis pins in guard wires, loose portlights (they leaked like a sieve), rusty hand held radio, seized gas taps (both) and we only discovered that the shackle holding the mainsheet to the boom was not moused when the sheet complete with block collapsed in the cockpit, leaving the main flogging in 35knts off Start point!

Yes of course the boat was checked at hand over, all the obvious things looked OK, busy time people getting gear on the boat, charter guy got other clients waiting, not the best way to start.

Hey the VAT will be fine.

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[Sunnyseeker]

I hope you mentioned this to the MCA, they can carry out inspections and stop the boat being chartered until fixed.

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[Sans Bateau]

Most of the problems were fixed as we sailed, however the fact that they occured in the first place plus the fact that, for instance the gas taps were still siezed is being considered as worth reporting.



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[Luke]

Thanks for input on this. I too have had bad experiences chartering before. I now use Hamble Point Yacht Charter - huge attention to detail and very well maintained boats - top marks IMHO.



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