Using a broker on the Thames?

Actionmat

Actionmat

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Is there any reason(apart from convenience, advertising etc)to use a broker to sell a boat on the Thames?
I'm seriously considering buying a new boat from a broker and someone has expressed an interest in buying mine privately. As there is no log book(like a car)does anyone have any experience of dealing directly with a buyer, who could let me know the process?
Cheers:)
 
No experience of dealing directly with a buyer but I bought my current boat privately, so have experience of dealing directly with a private seller...

Two key points for a private sale are to ensure seller has full title to the boat, i.e. no loan / mortgage outstanding and as the buyer to ensure you actually get paid real money.

I bought mine with a boat mortgage, so the bank took care of checking ownership of the boat but would expect the seller would need to provide some proof it is theirs; easy if the boat is part 1 registered, otherwise mooring / maintenance receipts going back several years at least.

As for the cash, I met the buyer at his boat club and we chilled out at the bar until his bank confirmed receipt of my money transfer - we'd already exchanged and signed for a 10% deposit. It was then just a matter of signing the bill of sale (I believe the RYA offer drafts of this for private buyers/sellers) and getting another club member to sign as a witness.

Not much I know but I'm sure others can add further.
 
The RYA produce a respected 'Standard Agreement' for the buying and selling of a boat. It's probably worth the membership alone to also be able to take advantage of the free buying and selling advice on offer. If you are selling privately then you've a lot less decisions to make than when buying privately and it's largely a matter of following the RYA process / agreement and providing fair and reasonable disclosure to the buyer in answer to all their questions. Depending on the value of the boat I'd rather spend 1-2% (on say a £100K boat) on a solicitor than 10% on a broker which provides less protection IMHO.
 
I can think of many reasons for using a broker if you're buying a decent boat rather than a couple of grands worth of old Shetland.

You can always make offers, and they have the largest stock by miles.

Speak to TBS Boats at Bray (Also at Penton Hook) who are a pleasure to deal with (Personal recommendation after 10 years and 5 boats!)
 
Thanks for the advice and the tip on the RYA forms which I've found online for free with no membership required!
I'll be buying through a broker and I had intended to put her on the sales pontoon, but a boaty neighbour has expressed an interest, hence the question re private sale.
Thanks again for the response
 
Some brokers do P/X

I did this last time, ever so handy, mooring next to the new boat and loading in all the tonnes of rubbish! :encouragement:
 
No Regrets said:
Some brokers do P/X

I did this last time, ever so handy, mooring next to the new boat and loading in all the tonnes of rubbish! :encouragement:
Click to expand...
I thought my boat was clean and tidy. Completely emptying her in order to give her a deep clean, I was shocked a how much random 'stuff' I'd accumulated!
 
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