Help with buying abroad again.

Nicholas123 said:
I am still embarked on some sort of crazy adventure trying to buy a boat from one of our EEC neighbours & I wondered if there is any sort of online resource to help you through this difficult procedure?
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Not sure what kind of information you are looking for. The basic principles of buying the boat are exactly the same and covered in the little book from the RYA. The differences occur as a result of different legal systems which will have an effect on your relationship with a broker and surveyor, for example. Most countries have a registration scheme for boats so you need to ensure that the formalities to de-register are completed, but that is usually the responsibility of the vendor (or his broker).

The "paperwork" requirements are the same - evidence of title, Bill of Sale, evidence of VAT. You can insure and register in the UK on completion even if the boat is not here. There are no formalities involved in sailing or trailing the boat back to UK - you just need the boat paperwork.

You still, of course have to deal with differences in language, payment (including currency) and all the additional costs of buying a boat that is not on your doorstep.

There is actually very little trade in old boats from mainland Europe to the UK. You will soon see why this is so. The choice of boats in UK is arguably far greater than in Europe, although there are some types that are not usually available here. The barriers are more to do with practicalities and economics. It is easier and cheaper to buy a low value boat in the UK if you are going to use it here.
 
I've bought a German owned boat, based in Italy, and a Greek owned boat in Greece.

Both transactions were very easy...as Tranona says, not much different to buying in the UK.
 
Are you buying new, or secondhand?
If secondhand, is it in the EU and has VAT been paid on it?
If new, are you paying VAT in the country where you are buying it, or back in the UK?

Plenty of people posting here will have done any of these things, and can help, but we need a few more details!
 
Tranona said:
Not sure what kind of information you are looking for. The basic principles of buying the boat are exactly the same and covered in the little book from the RYA. The differences occur as a result of different legal systems which will have an effect on your relationship with a broker and surveyor, for example. Most countries have a registration scheme for boats so you need to ensure that the formalities to de-register are completed, but that is usually the responsibility of the vendor (or his broker).

The "paperwork" requirements are the same - evidence of title, Bill of Sale, evidence of VAT. You can insure and register in the UK on completion even if the boat is not here. There are no formalities involved in sailing or trailing the boat back to UK - you just need the boat paperwork.

You still, of course have to deal with differences in language, payment (including currency) and all the additional costs of buying a boat that is not on your doorstep.

There is actually very little trade in old boats from mainland Europe to the UK. You will soon see why this is so. The choice of boats in UK is arguably far greater than in Europe, although there are some types that are not usually available here. The barriers are more to do with practicalities and economics. It is easier and cheaper to buy a low value boat in the UK if you are going to use it here.
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Thanks for your detailed response.You have answered some of my questions & the knowledge that they have to de-register it is useful.Do I then need to register it in my name & infact is it compulsory for me to register it at all?
Other questions I have are related to payment for now,should I take a check in Euro's or is it better to change the money there?
So that's proof of ownership,bill of sale & I don't think I need to worry about VAT as it is pre 1982.
I shall get to sailing it back up the channel & crossing the shipping lanes/best route if & when I buy it,for now I have got quite enough headaches :D
 
I visited Greece (Lefkas) with a friend last summer who is looking for a boat in the £10k range. Apart from having a nice holiday in the sun, it was a waste of time as there is a greater range of sailing boats available here in the UK at very reasonable prices. The legalities of buying a boat are the same whether UK or Europe so my advice would be to buy a boat where you intend to use it as transport costs are high even if you sail it back yourself. I realise that transport is less an issue from Belgium but be aware that you can't use red diesel from Belgium!
Most brokers have internet sites so you can draw up a shortlist beforehand for the country you're interested in.
 
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Nicholas123 said:
Thanks for your detailed response.You have answered some of my questions & the knowledge that they have to de-register it is useful.Do I then need to register it in my name & infact is it compulsory for me to register it at all?
Other questions I have are related to payment for now,should I take a check in Euro's or is it better to change the money there?
So that's proof of ownership,bill of sale & I don't think I need to worry about VAT as it is pre 1982.
I shall get to sailing it back up the channel & crossing the shipping lanes/best route if & when I buy it,for now I have got quite enough headaches :D
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Sensible to register it on the SSR as you will be sailing in another state's territorial waters - at least till you clear teh Belgian coast. Only costs £25 and you do it on line.

There are many ways of paying and the things you have to consider is getting the best rate, security of the money, convenience and what is acceptable to the other party. For a one-off transfer of a relatively small amount of money then an electronic transfer through your bank is probably as good as any.
 
Tranona said:
There is actually very little trade in old boats from mainland Europe to the UK. You will soon see why this is so.
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You never said a truer word than this Tranona.It just seems to be endless problems.I still hav'nt managed to get a passport that I first tried applying for on the 21st January & have just been informed that DFDS won't except foot passengers while they will carry you across for 15 quid if you have a bicycle, you just could'nt make it up!
:(
 
Tranona said:
There is actually very little trade in old boats from mainland Europe to the UK. You will soon see why this is so. The choice of boats in UK is arguably far greater than in Europe, although there are some types that are not usually available here.
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We bought on the continent twice, and haven't regretted it.
Whilst both boats needed work doing to them, neither was neglected. All the work required was due to the age thereof.

Whilst we did buy when the £-€ exchange rate was more favourable; we found that comperable boats on the UK market at the time were more expensive, less well cared for and generally of the cold, cramped, damp & smelly variety.
The one suitable boat we did find in the UK had been sailed to within an inch of her life and what repairs had been carried out were of questionable quality.
 
I bought a boat while I lived in France and brought it back to England. The only problem was that when I came to sell it it was a make that nobody in the UK had ever heard of so I really struggled to find a buyer. So if you are going to buy abroad try and buy one that was also sold in the UK or you will be stuck with it.
 
Guapa said:
We bought on the continent twice, and haven't regretted it.
Whilst both boats needed work doing to them, neither was neglected. All the work required was due to the age thereof.

Whilst we did buy when the £-€ exchange rate was more favourable; we found that comperable boats on the UK market at the time were more expensive, less well cared for and generally of the cold, cramped, damp & smelly variety.
The one suitable boat we did find in the UK had been sailed to within an inch of her life and what repairs had been carried out were of questionable quality.
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Yes, I bought my boat in Europe. However, in the sector of the market the OP is looking at, the on costs and hassle are probably out of proportion to the value of the boat.
 
If you are buying abroad, don't forget the charter/flotilla companies. They regularly sell yachts at below market prices.
I bought a 30ft Beneteau in Greece for silly money. Although well used and several years old the woodwork below is better than many privately owned boats and everything had been well maintained with written records of engine services etc. Mine came complete with a 6 man life raft and 12 life jackets, including 2 child sized.
These boats are inspected every year by the authorities to ensure that they comply with all the latest regulations and can be bought and sailed away with confidence.
If you enjoyed your charter why not buy the boat?
John
 
ghostlymoron said:
............my advice would be to buy a boat where you intend to use it as transport costs are high even if you sail it back yourself.
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Yes, transport costs are high, but we sailed both boats to UK. This was all part of the adventure, so we saw that as 'cruising' rather than 'transport'. We'd have spent money wherever we were cruising, so we didn't view as huge incremental cost.

I realise that wouldn't work for everyone.
 
Nicholas123 said:
You never said a truer word than this Tranona.It just seems to be endless problems.I still hav'nt managed to get a passport that I first tried applying for on the 21st January & have just been informed that DFDS won't except foot passengers while they will carry you across for 15 quid if you have a bicycle, you just could'nt make it up!
:(
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If you get off the DFDS ferry in Dunkerque without a bike, you will have a very very long walk, this is probably what they are trying to avoid.
 
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