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