Buying Privately

[thomas]

Morning all, I'm after some piece of mind here, I'm just about to lay down £16k for a secondhand boat that we're buying privately and just had the survey done that has come up clean.

I know to make sure the VAT is paid and that I have a builders certificate, which I guess if they have then there will be no finance outstanding, I will also complete a bill of sale, but are there any other documents I need.

Lastly, I've viewed it on the hard at the marina but how do I know I'm actually dealing with the owners? are there any check that you do? I've always used a broker so they do all this sort of stuff.

[Bern Hanreck]

Are you saying that you have not had a sea trial in her yet ?

[PeterM]

What Bern said ....as no 1

Try and find out what dealer sold the boat - speak to them ( most are helpful) - see if the names they sold it to matches who your buying form or if you can find a way to speak to previous owners.

Study every bit of paper possible in complete detail, keys - copies of keys etc . If its been sold on there 'should' be bill of sale for each change of hands... I think most use the RYA template ?

Get the hull & engine number and check it against stolenboats website - maybe again talk to dealer ( or engine) and maker for the hull to see if all is in line with what you expect/ have been told.

A survey make be OK - but take/find someone who really knows about that sort/make of boat - I mean RIBs for starters and 'x make' . (usually someone on here would help- might have even driven/owned or know of that specific boat ! )

Cross fingers - pay money - hope its all OK & enjoy !!!

[Ian M]

Post pictures on here; you never know, someone might know your particular boat. At least you will get more information on the type....

[Swifty]

Try and get the original invoice to the first owner, it will show the vat paid from when it was new. This is a must for overseas use. Also check if there is an SSR certificate (there may not be). There should also be a VHF license for the boat if it has a radio.

Do not buy without a sea trial.

Caveat Emptor.

[thomas]

Thanks, I need to make sure all the paper work is in order before I sea trial otherwise it's a waste of the sellers time and more importantly mine!!

The boat is not very old and I've had it checked over my Mark from MB, he was very complimentary about it and has owned a few Ribtecs himself and the engine checked is in excellent condition and may have a couple of years left on the warrantee, again, need to look at the service records.

Not many pics yet, just some of the hull, will take some tomorrow and post.

[CJL]

I always get vehicle registration of who ever I am dealing with and ask to use the toilet so I know they own the house that the boat is parked outside.

If its in a marina ask the marina staff. Do they use the boat regularly, do they recognise the vendor?

If arranging by email check the domain and ask them what they do for a living....see if it tallies.

Get home and mobile numbers and find an excuse to ring both of them to make sure they work.

Arrive early.....catch em pumping up tubes, bailing out water, painting, epoxying etc etc.

Chris

[Courageous]

I think everything's pretty much covered here already. The only thing I would add is "instinct". This is particularly prevalent in women from my experience! My Ex wife got it bang on with me every time

Put simply, if it just doesn't quite feel right then walk away. Enjoy your boat, hull looks nice and clean.

[thomas]

Everything checked out, just a trim sender problem but the engine is warrantee so will get if fixed and get a service done - Goes really well in the heavy stuff compared to my old Valiant, only problem is I've found myself attached to the old one.

[Boats&Outboards]

Looks great - Enjoy!

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007