| Buying a second-hand boat has its pitfalls. | | | | inspection. |
| To help you protect your legal rights and be | | | | |
| aware of some of the common issues Noble | | | | When viewing a boat you should satisfy |
| Marine have produced this guide to buying a | | | | yourself that the vendor is knowledgeable |
| boat. | | | | about the boat and has a legitimate reason |
| | | | for the sale. Ask yourself whether the price |
| Please note that we have only addressed the | | | | is similar to other boats on the market - if |
| legal aspects of the subject and advise that | | | | a deal looks too good to be true it probably |
| you should also satisfy yourself that the | | | | is. You should always arrange to view the |
| boat is seaworthy before you consider buying. | | | | boat at the seller's home address and never |
| | | | in a car park or other public location. |
| Looking for a boat? | | | | |
| | | | It is important to check whether the boat has |
| The Noble Marine boats for sale database has | | | | been involved in any accidents or has any |
| over 3000 boats for sale. Each boat has a | | | | large repairs carried out. Most repairs will |
| desciption and photos of the boat so you can | | | | be guaranteed for 12 months so it is worth |
| look around before you contact the seller. | | | | finding out the date of the repair and the |
| | | | repairers details in case of any future |
| Wondering what boat to buy? | | | | problems. |
| | | | |
| In addition to this boat and dinghy buyers | | | | Once you are satisfied that the seller is |
| guide you may wish to make use of our dinghy | | | | genuine and have agreed an acceptable price |
| database or interactive boat finder where you | | | | you will need to arrange to make payment for |
| can compare statistics of over 300 classes | | | | the boat. This is usually carried out by |
| and view suggestions on similar classes to | | | | bankers draft or a cash payment can be made. |
| the type you are interested in. | | | | Occasionally the seller may be happy to |
| | | | accept another method of payment but you |
| Unlike a car there isn't a legal registration | | | | should be willing to use whichever method |
| document tracking the ownership, in fact | | | | they suggest. |
| unless you want to take your boat abroad, you | | | | |
| are not required to register your boat at all | | | | The only legal terms that cover a private |
| and many people don't, so checking that the | | | | sale contract are:the seller must have the |
| person selling the boat actually owns the | | | | right to sell the craftthe craft should not |
| boat and that there are no outstanding loans | | | | be misrepresentedit should match its |
| secured on the boat can be difficult. | | | | description |
| | | | |
| Before you consider buying a boat you should | | | | When the sale is complete you should always |
| visit to see if the boat for sale, or a | | | | draw up a buyers contract so that each party |
| similar one, has been reported stolen. If a | | | | can sign and keep a copy. This will act as |
| boat is not listed on the site it doesn't | | | | your purchase receipt and will prove that you |
| mean that it is not stolen. | | | | are the new owner of the boat. |
| | | | |
| If you buy privately, you won't be protected | | | | Noble Marine have prepared a sample buyers |
| legally if the craft has a hidden history or | | | | contract for use in private boat sales. It is |
| faults. It's up to you to ask the right | | | | always important to keep the purchase receipt |
| questions and to satisfy yourself that the | | | | and the previous owners details - you may |
| boat is in good condition before you buy. | | | | need to prove ownership or contact the |
| | | | previous seller in the future. |
| Buying a used boat is essentially a case of | | | | |
| 'Buyer Beware'. The onus is on you to make | | | | If the vessel was home built or if you are |
| sure the craft is sound, it's a good idea to | | | | considering buying outside the EEA, you will |
| get an qualified marine surveyor or boat | | | | also need to be aware of the Recreational |
| builder to give the craft a thorough | | | | Craft Directive requirements. |