Spi D
...
A friend is looking to buy a mobo from Huggins in Plymouth.
Anybody know them and have experience?
Anybody know them and have experience?
Huggins in Plymouth
- Thread starter Spi D
- Start date
Tranona
Well-Known Member
They run a number of boatyards in the plymouth area offering berths, moorings and storage. They do seem to have a brokerage department but don't have any details of boats for sale on their websites. Might be a boat they are selling to recoup unpaid mooring fees.
Spi D
...
Thanks for this, Tranona.
It is an Ocqueteau 975 without fly, cheaper then most and even willing to ship it to Denmark. So either broker or owner pretty keep to see it go.
My friend has a surveyor on it (bringing an engineer to also check mechanics). When the report arrives I'll review it and suggest more diggin into the history.
Will follow up on the progress.
It is an Ocqueteau 975 without fly, cheaper then most and even willing to ship it to Denmark. So either broker or owner pretty keep to see it go.
My friend has a surveyor on it (bringing an engineer to also check mechanics). When the report arrives I'll review it and suggest more diggin into the history.
Will follow up on the progress.
Spi D
...
The sale has been agreed and boat is being prepared for shipping.
Once arrived at it's destination I'll be back with a more detailed resume.
Once arrived at it's destination I'll be back with a more detailed resume.
Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
Congratulations.
Good work. Looking forward to pictures
Good work. Looking forward to pictures
Spi D
...
Eventually time to recap on this case.
First of all the boat arrived early today at it's new home port in Denmark and all went well!
The story started when a friend and fellow boater in our marina turned to me, asking if he could view my boat as he was interested in buying an identical that he had seen on the web in Torpoint: Ocqueteau 975, year 2004, twin Volvo TAMD41P's, chartplotter, radar etc.
First contact to the seller had been made and before long I took on the helper's role in order to ensure a good process and mitigate risks, if any.
My preferred route is to view a desired boat, then leave an offer depending on survey, negotiate and agree on details. My friend at this point already had made an offer so the process of risk mitigation and closing the deal remained.
Since modern consumers are keen on bashing vendors I began looking for experience with the seller, Huggins Marine in Plymouth. Surprisingly nobody complained or had any comments, which made me dig into publicly available figures about the company. Key financial figures looked good and not one single critical point surfaced when googling.
I asked the forum and got little response plus one PM from a happy customer.
We agreed between us that the boat looked ok and that the asking price was fair, so a surveyor was engaged. The comprehensive report (including a dozen pics) stated that the boat and engine was very good so decision was made to finalize the deal.
During the process Huggins Marine had supplied all requested info and pics, promptly responded to (series of) questions, assisted the surveyor and taken part in transport arrangements. Price, terms and conditions were agreed. All well so far, but you do not transfer this kind of money alone on good faith to a seller far away, presuming that he will in return ship the boat to you. Some sort of assurance was sought for and a bank warranty (to release funds against a signed waybill) was suggested. Huggins Marine did not accept this, but an agreement to pay 50% at signing of contract and 50% when sending the boat off was accepted.
To mitigate any risks my friend insured the boat at the time of signing/transfer of title in addition to the transporters insurance.
A transport cradle was made, the boat was lifted, prepared for transportation (removal of radar arch etc.) photographed when laden onto the trailer and sent off by road to Immingham for transfer by ferry to Denmark.
The deal included delivery to Esbjerg, so transport from there to the final destination had been arranged by my friend.
At every step of the process Huggins Marine followed up by status SMS's, photos and mails, confirmed transactions and schedules, forwarded copies of documents and in all matters conducted their business at very best practise, keeping their word.
Must admit that my concerns were put to shame by this company who regretfully is not justified by internet searches. A bit weird these days, actually,
Sincere thanks to Huggins Bros. in general and to Trevor Huggins in particular.
The full gallery can be seen here (sorry 'bout pic quality, presumably taken on the fly):
http://www.internetpost.dk/Ocqueteau975Sparre/
The last picture is of the boat at it's destination on the hard. Radar re-fitted and ready for a thorough clean, rub, polish and antifoul. Plus fitment of AP, heating and a few other updates.
First of all the boat arrived early today at it's new home port in Denmark and all went well!
The story started when a friend and fellow boater in our marina turned to me, asking if he could view my boat as he was interested in buying an identical that he had seen on the web in Torpoint: Ocqueteau 975, year 2004, twin Volvo TAMD41P's, chartplotter, radar etc.
First contact to the seller had been made and before long I took on the helper's role in order to ensure a good process and mitigate risks, if any.
My preferred route is to view a desired boat, then leave an offer depending on survey, negotiate and agree on details. My friend at this point already had made an offer so the process of risk mitigation and closing the deal remained.
Since modern consumers are keen on bashing vendors I began looking for experience with the seller, Huggins Marine in Plymouth. Surprisingly nobody complained or had any comments, which made me dig into publicly available figures about the company. Key financial figures looked good and not one single critical point surfaced when googling.
I asked the forum and got little response plus one PM from a happy customer.
We agreed between us that the boat looked ok and that the asking price was fair, so a surveyor was engaged. The comprehensive report (including a dozen pics) stated that the boat and engine was very good so decision was made to finalize the deal.
During the process Huggins Marine had supplied all requested info and pics, promptly responded to (series of) questions, assisted the surveyor and taken part in transport arrangements. Price, terms and conditions were agreed. All well so far, but you do not transfer this kind of money alone on good faith to a seller far away, presuming that he will in return ship the boat to you. Some sort of assurance was sought for and a bank warranty (to release funds against a signed waybill) was suggested. Huggins Marine did not accept this, but an agreement to pay 50% at signing of contract and 50% when sending the boat off was accepted.
To mitigate any risks my friend insured the boat at the time of signing/transfer of title in addition to the transporters insurance.
A transport cradle was made, the boat was lifted, prepared for transportation (removal of radar arch etc.) photographed when laden onto the trailer and sent off by road to Immingham for transfer by ferry to Denmark.
The deal included delivery to Esbjerg, so transport from there to the final destination had been arranged by my friend.
At every step of the process Huggins Marine followed up by status SMS's, photos and mails, confirmed transactions and schedules, forwarded copies of documents and in all matters conducted their business at very best practise, keeping their word.
Must admit that my concerns were put to shame by this company who regretfully is not justified by internet searches. A bit weird these days, actually,
Sincere thanks to Huggins Bros. in general and to Trevor Huggins in particular.
The full gallery can be seen here (sorry 'bout pic quality, presumably taken on the fly):
http://www.internetpost.dk/Ocqueteau975Sparre/
The last picture is of the boat at it's destination on the hard. Radar re-fitted and ready for a thorough clean, rub, polish and antifoul. Plus fitment of AP, heating and a few other updates.
Papasmurf
Member
I've dealt with Trevor in the past, he is a good guy. He buys the boats himself (usually from France) so is the owner and unlikely to buy rubbish as it's his own money he's parting with. He has a low price quick turnaround business model which obviously works for him. His boats don't usually hang around long as they are keenly priced. I wouldn't have any hesitation in buying a boat from him as the OP has obviously found out.
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