Private Purchase of Boat Paperwork Required

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I have agreed to purchase a new boat ( new to me) actually a 1990 Fairline turbo 36. subject to survey and sea trials

Assuming all is well with both of theses what paper work do I require from the present owner.

The boat SSR not blue book.

Thanks Dave
 
There is no 'blue book' in the UK.

SSR does not guarantee title unlike MCA Part 1.

I would want to get:

Previous Bill(s) of Sale to show ownership. At least from the previous owner to the current owner but ideally all of them back to 1990 or at least 5 years worth
Builders Certificate
Log books

Everyone is going to tell you a VAT invoice. It may exist but since the boat is pre-1992 I would be really happy with any documents showing the boat was in the EU as of 1992. The VAT invoice may exist but it may not.
 
iledesprit said:
Yes showing my age talking about blue books. rather than part 1 registration lol
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Would you expect a boat this age and value to be Part 1 ??
As W/Lighter implies, just get as much evidence as you can that the owner really is the owner-even a few years of marina bills would give some comfort both to you and to whoever you sell on to, one day.
For yourself, i would want to see some servicing bills too.
 
gjgm said:
Would you expect a boat this age and value to be Part 1 ??.
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It wasn't at all unusual for boats to be part 1 registered, in fact this will be my first boat that hasn't been.

Plenty of marina and servicing bills available from the seller more concerned about the legal transfer and VAT standing then anything

Part 1 gave you some comfort that the registered owner was the owner and that there was no debt attached to the boat but I expect that has all changed now.
 
Nope it's pretty much as you remember it - part 1 would guarantee title and would have any registered mortgage declared.

With SSR there is no such guarantee, so you have to establish a paper trail as far back as you can
 
There is guidance and list of documents on the RYA site. As said, key thing is the Bill of Sale at least to the present owner and any previous ones are a bonus. It is more about an assessment as to whether anybody else has a better claim to title than the seller rather than absolutely confirming he has, so any evidence that he has unrestricted ownership and use of the boat is worth having. Ideally it should have the original VAT invoice, because it is post 1986 which is the date of the "deemed VAT paid" is effective under the 1992 transition arrangements. However it is not unusual for boats of this age for this to be missing as it is only in recent years that retention has become an issue. In practice it is still not an issue for an older boat that has always been in the UK. I think Fairline have comprehensive records of past sales and have been known to provide copy VAT invoices, but whether given their current state this is possible I don't know.

If after follow the guidance you have concerns about title it might be worth asking a good broker for advice.
 
Having credible title and a decent set of papers to support this is in my view a crucial part of any boat sale. Not sure I would want to part with I guess ~ £75k only to find out someone else (still) owns the boat.

However, this is a key part of the Broker's job and why they exist.

From the original post it sounds like there is no broker involved, and in this situation it is likely the vendor who is making the economies here.

Some brokers will offer a transaction only service for a fixed fee. Whyboats offered this when selling my boat if I found the buyer, for which they charged a flat £1,000.
 
Whitelighter said:
Nope it's pretty much as you remember it - part 1 would guarantee title and would have any registered mortgage declared.

With SSR there is no such guarantee, so you have to establish a paper trail as far back as you can
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They guarantee title if it is Part One registered?

Are you absolutely sure about that?
 
ari said:
They guarantee title if it is Part One registered?

Are you absolutely sure about that?
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No, he is not right. It is evidence of good title, but given that there is no compulsion to register changes in title for them to be legal it is only as good as the last entry. The certificate clearly states it is not proof.

But of course he is right it is better than the SSR.
 
The agreement that you have for the purchase/sale should specify what documents you want. IMHO it is critical that it is spelt out in the agreement otherwise you are not entitled to anything in particular and it is down to goodwill/good luck.
If the boat passes survey and sea trial but the owner cannot find any or all of the documents you are now hoping for, what recourse do you have under the agreement ?

I am posting this not to be negative but rather for others buying whether from a broker or privately - critical to specify in writing in the usual contract what documents are conditions of the sale - and do not just focus on the boat and its equipment.
 
Tranona said:
No, he is not right. It is evidence of good title, but given that there is no compulsion to register changes in title for them to be legal it is only as good as the last entry. The certificate clearly states it is not proof.

But of course he is right it is better than the SSR.
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Actually it is a requirement to register a change in part 1
Also they will only place on the register if you have 5 years clear title as a minimum.

Ok yea, you could not notify them of the change but all you have to do is request a transcript and check who the registered owner is.
 
Poecheng said:
The agreement that you have for the purchase/sale should specify what documents you want. IMHO it is critical that it is spelt out in the agreement otherwise you are not entitled to anything in particular and it is down to goodwill/good luck.
If the boat passes survey and sea trial but the owner cannot find any or all of the documents you are now hoping for, what recourse do you have under the agreement ?

I am posting this not to be negative but rather for others buying whether from a broker or privately - critical to specify in writing in the usual contract what documents are conditions of the sale - and do not just focus on the boat and its equipment.
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That is a very valid point and something I never thought of making a condition of sale
 
Whitelighter said:
Actually it is a requirement to register a change in part 1
Also they will only place on the register if you have 5 years clear title as a minimum.

Ok yea, you could not notify them of the change but all you have to do is request a transcript and check who the registered owner is.
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Surely if it is part1 registered and the change is registered to you as a condition of sale, you have title to the boat. This always used to happen as part of the deal at the same time money was exchanged. If everything is in order the change to the register happens if not you or the broker dont part with the money.
It was more akin to completion on a house than buying a expensive luxury item.

Not that this matters in this case as it not Part 1 registered
 
iledesprit said:
That is a very valid point and something I never thought of making a condition of sale
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If there are any documents that the purchase is conditional upon (e.g. VAT, Bills of Sale) then you should have them photocopied and attached as "Schedule 1" to the contract. Then in the contract (as "Schedule 2"), make it an obligation on seller to deliver to you upon closing the originals of the documents attached in "Schedule 1".
 
Whitelighter said:
Actually it is a requirement to register a change in part 1
Also they will only place on the register if you have 5 years clear title as a minimum.

Ok yea, you could not notify them of the change but all you have to do is request a transcript and check who the registered owner is.
Click to expand...

It is not a legal requirement to notify the register. Many people let registration lapse or sell a boat without notifying. All the register does is confirm (or otherwise) that the entry is the same as the title document.

Of course it is good evidence but is not absolute proof of title.
 
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