Nick_H
Well-Known Member
couldn't find a CE plate (there was a US Yacht Certification plate though), didn't have paperwork with him, no chance of a sea trial or running of the engine on muffs (still winterised) and couldn't confirm it had a declaration of conformity cert issued..
Are you wanting to use it on inland waterways, register it, or go to France? I don't know the differences between EU and US certification, but the CE plate stuff sounds like jobs for the boys to me, do they knowingly sell death traps in the US?
Buying a grey import sounds like a way to get more boat for your money to me. OK, you also have to sell it cheaper, but you get to use a nicer boat in the meantime. The star shaped cracks are called crazing, and you'll be lucky to find a 10 year old boat without any. It's just the gel coat that's cracked, nothing structural. I'm not saying you were wrong to walk away from this boat, but I wouldn't discount these things out of hand, if you find a boat that is otherwise OK.