christopherc
Well-Known Member
Can anyone advise on where to get good advice on the process of buying 2nd hand i.e. survey and legals etc? I see the RYA web site offers a sale & purchase pack, would you recommend this?
Yacht buying for first time
- Thread starter christopherc
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jonathankent
Well-Known Member
The RYA also produce a book guiding you through the process.. about £5. I've got one, and isn't too bad a read. Covers all the legal stuff aswell.
christopherc
Well-Known Member
Thanks, will order this, probably all thats needed.
catseven
Active Member
I recently bought, from Amazon, the RYA Buying your first cruiser at £8.57 and the RYA Buying a secondhand yacht at £4.40. Also ordered Reeds yacht buyers guide (a list of about 200 new and secondhad yachts - 20 to 40ft) at £13.19. So the total cost from Amazon including postage was about £26
They make interesting reading and worth the small outlay IMHO.
catseven
They make interesting reading and worth the small outlay IMHO.
catseven
Topcat47
Well-Known Member
Take your wife with you, or if you are unmarried, another woman whom you trust. A significant number of boats on the market will be unloved and uncared for before they were put in the hands of the broker. There is no such thing as a "little bit of mildew", boat cushions are NOT easily or cheaply covered, trim is the very worst thing to have to deal with, as if it's not done well, it'll look almost as bad as the grotty stuff you were replacing. If the boat smells bad, she'll usually notice and a lot of them (boats) do (smell bad). Look for leaks/watermarks anywhere where it might collect. Make sure all the interior lights work, as well as the nav lights. Start the engine if possible. If the boat's ashore this may not be, so ensure you get something from the broker/owner to guarantee it's servicability, even if he has service records. Check the GRP for crazing/cracks/scratches or other signs of dammage...they will be there. Have the sails out and examine them, there should be no tears or holes or black spots. Check the chainplates and rigging screws. if all looks and smells right then it may be worth getting the surveyor in, otherwise walk away...a first boat is not one you want to "work" on. If you like it so much you do decide to have a survey, put a deposit on it subject to survey, I "lost" an excellent little 24foot bilge keeler because I didn't know this.