If you’ve decided to buy your first fishing boat, then there are a few points you should consider. Don’t rush in and buy the first boat that sails your way. Here is our handy guide to buying a fishing boat.

Your fishing boat

Whether you’re a nervous novice or a seasoned sailor, hopefully you’ve spent enough time in a fishing boat to gain a few ideas about the type of boat that will suit you and your needs. If fishing is a new hobby, it may be wise to consider buying a used boat. This can be an expensive and time consuming pastime, so a used fishing boat is probably a good idea. Obviously, buying a used fishing boat is less expensive than a buying new boat.

You may already have a make and model in mind. Here is our Top 10 fishing boat manufacturers:

• Campion
• Magnum
• Marine Installations
• Hydra Sports
• Mitchel
• Onda Blue
• Gilbert Marine
• Oyster Lange
• O’Sullivan Marine

What size?

What water will you be fishing in? A smaller boat with a small outboard motor would be best for lakes and rivers. Or, if you’re planning on fishing in larger bodies of water, then a larger boat of around 20 feet would suit you better.

Night fishing

If you’re planning to use your fishing boat for ocean cruising or overnight stays, it would be sensible to buy a fishing boat with a hull. Specifically for rough waters, this design rides with the waves and offers a more comfortable ride.

Towing your fishing boat

An important thing to consider when buying a fishing boat is a tow vehicle. Boats and their trailers can easily weigh over 3,000 pounds. So, you need to make sure that the vehicle you use to tow your boat has adequate power.

Aluminium vs fibreglass

Aluminium is cheaper than fibreglass, and more forgiving of knocks and scrapes. However, they are lighter in the wind. A fibreglass boat will set you back a few more pounds, but will easily handle rough water and stronger winds. Fibreglass fishing boats offer a much smoother ride and have the potential to reach higher speeds.

What’s new?

Centre console and walk around boats are a new type of boat to consider. Lots of deck space makes a good platform for fishing. These types of boats come in many sizes and are often large enough to provide two berth accommodation. There are however some disadvantages. The open deck means it is exposed to the elements, and leaves it vulnerable to wear and tare. You’ll also be exposed to bad weather yourself! So invest in some good waterproofs.

If you’re planning to buy a used boat, then do your research. There is lots of information available on the internet. It’s also advisable to get an inspection or use a reputable broker.

Whatever the type of boat you are buying, be it a dinghy or a super yacht, the same general rules apply. Follow these principles and you can buy your boat with confidence.

New or used?

After you’ve decided what type of boat to buy, the next step is to decide whether you want to buy a new or used boat.

Buying a new boat from a dealer will avoid many of the difficulties that are associated with buying a used boat. For example, new boats will come with a warranty and you’ll have more confidence that the boat you are buying has not previously been stolen. The down-sides to buying a new boat, however are that the initial cost is much higher, the value will depreciate rapidly and new boats are generally less well equipped than used boats.

Buying a new boat

If you choose to opt for a new boat, you can often save money by buying around the end of July, just before new models come out. At this time, many dealers will lower their prices to clear out old stock making way for the new. Of course your boat may not be the newest model for very long if you go down this route.

If you’re undecided on the make and model of boat, then visiting boat shows is an excellent way to compare several types. A boat show may also allow you to haggle the best deal from a selection of rival dealers.

Buying a used boat

If you’d prefer to save some money and buy a boat whose value will not drop so sharply, then buying a used boat is the sensible choice to make. The rest of this article is devoted to tips on buying used boats.

If you are buying a used boat from a private seller, it will generally come with no warranty, so you need to check it out carefully to avoid making an expensive mistake. Many brokers and dealers sell used boats as well as new, and may offer a limited warranty. Whilst this may provide some peace of mind, the broker/dealer needs to make a commission on the sale and this will be reflected in a higher price than if the boat was being sold privately.

Before you even inspect the boat there are a few checks that you can make to ensure you don’t waste your valuable time and effort:

Check out the builder of your chosen boat

Is it a highly regarded brand? Are they still trading? If not, it may prove difficult to obtain replacement parts when needed.

Why is the boat being sold?

This question can give you some clues as to how well the boat has been looked after before you even see it. If the boat is a repossession, it may indicate that the boat has not been looked after; if the owner didn’t keep up payments to the financer, then he may have shown the same lack of care for the maintenance of the boat (of course this is a generalisation).

If the boat is being sold because the owner is moving up to a larger boat, then this might indicate that the owner is a real boating enthusiast, and thus may have taken greater care in the upkeep of the boat.

If the reason for selling is that there’s a problem with the boat, then be aware that if you buy that boat, you will be the new owner of that problem!

Find out if the boat has a full maintenance log

This should list all services, repair, and oil changes. If it’s missing, it can be hard to tell how well the boat has been looked after.

Does it have all the equipment you need?

For example, navigation, lights, winches etc. If not present, you will have to buy that equipment separately, so build that into your budget.

What was the main use of the boat?

The purpose that the boat has been used for may have an effect on its condition. For example, boats that are used mainly for fishing tend to run up a large number of engine hours.

Inspecting the Boat

The next step is to arrange a viewing. This is a vital part of the buying process; it enables you to see what you are getting before you part with any money.

It is recommended that you use a surveyor to carry out a detailed inspection of the boat. You may want to be present at the survey so that you can ask questions.

At the moment, anyone can call themselves a marine surveyor, so it is important to make sure that yours is accredited by the relevant authority .

Using a surveyor will give you peace of mind, and your finance company and insurance company may insist upon it. You should never rely on an old survey – new problems may have occurred since it was carried out.

If you are experienced and confident enough, you may be able to perform an inspection yourself. Here are some things to look out for:

• Has the boat been looked after well? Start by looking at obvious features such as the gel coat, woodwork and upholstery. If these haven’t been maintained then there’s a good chance the rest of the boat has not had much care either.
• Check all wooden decking and interior woodwork for any soft spots.
• Are any parts of the exterior paintwork poorly matching? This may indicate a previous accident which, in itself, may not be enough to dismiss the boat, but if the owner has not already mentioned it to you, then what else have they not told you?
• Check that all the control cables (for steering, throttle etc.) are in good working order. The steering and transmission should move freely.
• Look for water lines inside the boat or on the engine. These would indicate that the boat has flooded in the past.
• Open and close all the hatches and sea cocks to ensure they’re in good working order. If there are any water marks inside the hatches, it would indicate that they are no longer water-tight.
• You should test out all the systems such as, bilge pump, winches, freshwater system, lights, heater and air conditioning, generator, stove etc.
• Check that all hardware is attached firmly, and that electrical items and connections are free from rust.
• Examine the hull all over, taking note of its general condition and looking for any dents, cracks or chips in the gel coat if applicable. Tapping a fibreglass hull lightly with a rubber hammer, listening for voids, can help reveal any blistering or delamination. Any fittings that go through the hull should be checked to make sure they are tight and won’t leak.
• Find the hull registration number, and make sure it is present, doesn’t look like it has been tampered with, and matches the number on the boat’s registration and title documents. Missing or altered hull registration numbers indicate that the boat may be stolen. It is crucial that you ensure that you are not buying a stolen boat; if you do, you risk losing the boat and your money.
• It may not be practical to view the boat out of the water, but if possible, it’ll allow you to continue your hull checks below the waterline. You can also check that the keel runs in a straight line from fore to aft, and that the propeller, shaft and rudder are straight; do they show any signs of a collision accident? Look for signs of cavitation, this manifests itself as an erosion of the surface of the propeller blades – an indication of poor performance. Make sure that the propeller and shaft do not wobble.
• On a sailing boat, check that all the sails and rigging are in good order.
• If possible, it may also be worth contacting the boat’s previous owner, to get any further information; as they no longer have any interest in whether the boat is sold or not, they may be more likely to give you an impartial viewpoint than the current seller.

Engine checks

If you don’t know a lot about engines it would be best to get a mechanic to look over the engine for you.

• You should check for the presence of oil in the bilges – a sign of an oil leak.
• Check for any oil leaks around gaskets and hoses.
• Inspect the level and condition of the oil. A milky appearance to the oil is a sign that water may be leaking into the engine. A burned smell or any grit in the oil, are additional indications of mechanical problems, whilst a chalky residue on the engine or drive would signal that the engine has been running hot.
• Pull out one of the spark plugs and examine it for age. If it’s old, perhaps the engine hasn’t been serviced as often as it should.
• Examine all the hoses and belts. Are they cracked or degraded? Smell for fuel leaks from hoses, and check that the fuel tanks are sound.
• Are the engine mounts sturdy?
• Do the sacrificial anodes (if applicable) need replacing?
• Compression check the engine.

Sea trial

If everything is up to your standards, it’s time to take the boat for a test drive.

Before you start the engine, you should check to make sure if the engine is already warm; if the engine has trouble starting or smokes a lot when cold, the seller may have warmed-up the engine prior to your arrival to disguise such problems.

You should check the bilges, both at the start and end of the trial; you’re looking for any evidence of an oil leak.

See how the boat performs when moving around. Is the steering responsive? Experiment with hitting waves from different angles, looking for excessive pitch or roll. Try out these factors whilst above and below deck.

Test that all the instruments are working correctly, and run the engine for long enough to see if it’ll overheat.

If you’re trialling a sailing boat, put the sails up, and see how she manoeuvres under wind power alone. Try out different points of sale. Examine the mast and rigging under load.

If the boat does not pass on any of your tests, you do not necessarily need to rule it out, as long as you are willing to put some time (and money) into putting things right. Any imperfections can be used as bargaining tools to try to negotiate a lower price.

Get it in writing

If you decide to purchase the boat, it is best to get everything put down in writing in a Sales Agreement. This should state the terms and amount of payment, and detail any pre-sale repairs that have been agreed on – making clear who is responsible for carrying them out and paying for them. It should also list which accessories are included and the delivery and payment dates.

Beware of fraud

There are a few things to watch out for to make sure you are not the victim of fraud when you buy a boat:

• Does the price seem too good to be true? If so, it probably is. The boat may either be stolen or the seller may take your deposit and never be contactable again.
• Make sure that you get the real address of the seller; you should be suspicious of anyone who only uses a PO Box.
• Verify all the contact details of the seller. If there is an email address, make sure you can get a reply from them. Get a telephone number for them and make sure it works.
• If the boat is in a different country to the seller, be extra cautious, and take even more care if either are outside of your own country.
• If anything just doesn’t seem right, don’t dismiss those feelings until you’ve checked them out. Often your instincts are correct.

Okay, so you’ve found the boat of your dreams. What’s the first thing you should do? Test it! Testing a boat involves a lot more than a quick cruise around the harbour! You should inspect the boat like a professional boat inspector.

A boat is a huge purchase. You need to know as much about a boat as you would need to know about a car. Indeed, buying a boat might require even more interrogation.

It’s hard to tell a quality boat from one that may cause you problems. To the average Joe, both could look good on the surface. But when you start to delve deeper, you might just uncover the truth.

Here’s what you should do:

• Open all doors to get the best view of the structure of the boat
• Look into the anchor locker to view the hull to deck joint to see if there is light coming through
• When you are test driving the boat, put it through its paces in open water
• Try out several boats before making your final choice

And remember, a battered boat is not going to be a good deal regardless of price. If it wasn’t maintained externally by its owner, chances are it probably wasn’t maintained mechanically either.

Before you buy a used boat you should carry out some security checks:

Look for the Builders’ CE plate that shows that the boat complies with the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) regulations.

Find out the Boats HIN number

Make a note of the Hull or Craft Identification Number (HIN or CIN). It will be a reference like this – GB-XYZ A3456 G4 04…

• GB – country where the boat was built, XYZ – the manufacturer’s identification
• A3456 – the boat’s serial number
• G – the month of manufacture (A = January)
• 4 – the year of manufacture
• 04 – the model year

Ask to see the Declaration of Conformity to confirm that the boat complies with all requirements.

Ask for the original sales invoice that shows that VAT has been paid on the boat.

Sounds simple, but check the boat isn’t registered as stolen and that it doesn’t have any outstanding mortgages on it. There are many companies that will do this for you.

If you are buying a canal boat, ask to see the boat’s Safety Certificate – all canal boats are required to have one.

Finally, use your judgement. You may not be a professional boat inspector, but you should be able to tell how the boat feels. Stand on the side of the boat and see how much the side dips – it’s best to carry out this test in calm conditions. A boat that is stiff in the water will provide a comfortable cruise.

If in doubt, get your new boat inspected professionally. A good marine inspection will provide great peace of mind. Checks will include; rot under the floor, an engine test and bilge pump testing and anything that will require you to spend money.

Just like selling a car, or a house, a buyer’s first impression of your boat is so important! If your boat’s appearance does not wow the buyer, they are unlikely to consider buying it.

There are four key areas involved in a selling a boat:

• Deciding on a price
• Deciding how to sell it
• Preparing for sale
• The final paperwork

Deciding on a price

Research, research, research!  Check current market prices in boat magazines and on the internet. The price should then be set according to the boat’s condition the accessories.

How to sell your boat

You have three options:

• Private sale
• Trade in
• Through a boating broker

By using a broker, your job is made easy. But again, research is vital. Compare brokers before choosing one. Selling the boat privately means you are left with most of the money but this involves a lot of hard work. You could advertise your boat in the local paper, on a club notice board, in specialist magazines or use a sites on the internet. Trading a boat in when you buy a new one will leave you with least amount of money but will save you any bother.  Boats sell at their best from spring through to October, so it is best to start attracting buyers early on when they are keen.

Prepare for the sale

Think about carrying out some extra cleaning and get round to those repairs you’ve been putting off. Spending a little bit of time and money will be worth it in the long run. The boat needs to appear as if it has been looked after well during its lifetime.

Here are our top 10 hints and tips to help you sell your boat:

• Wash and wax the deck and hull
• Polish the metal
• Carry out any repairs
• Wash canvas, sails and poles
• Clean and coil lines neatly
• Clean and tidy the inside
• Get rid of any mildew smell with air fresheners
• Make sure that there are no fuel or water leaks
• Be sure that all safety equipment is working, up to date, and readily accessible.
• All navigation and cabin lights should be working.

The final paperwork

To get the best price for your boat it is essential to have all your documents in order:

• Declaration of Conformity, stateing that a boat complies with the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD)
• The boat’s original sales invoice showing the VAT was accounted for
• The boat’s original operational manual
• Copies of invoices detailing the boat’s service history
• Any relevant licences such as the Boat Safety Certificate

If your boat was manufactured before June 16th 1998 or imported outside the EU will likely not have Declaration of Conformity.

The sales invoice is also very important as any buyer seeking to borrow money to buy your boat will need to see a copy of this document.

Investing a small amount of time and effort, as well as a little bit of cash, to make sure your boat is in the best working order, you’re more likely to get a quick sale – and more importantly, get the price it deserves.

Buying a boat is an exciting and expensive project. When choosing the right boat for you there are many factors you should consider. One of the most important things to determine when choosing your boat is what you are planning to use the boat for. This may sound like simple advice but it’s not uncommon for boat buyers to buy the boat that looks the most pleasing to the eye. However, buying a beautiful boat does not mean you will be happy with it, especially when you discover it does not offer the things you want it to do.

We’ve put together a guide to help you decide which boat is the most suitable for the kind of activities you will be using it for. Here a just a few of the wide variety of boats on offer.

Cruising Sailboats

Built in a live-aboard design, these larger sailboats offer comfortable living quarters and a diesel powered engine for when winds are not up to the task.

Fishing Boat

You may be surprised to learn that there are many types of fishing boats and each will offer a different fishing experience. For example, Bass boats allow fishing from different angles. If it’s large fish you’re looking for, then a boat designed for sports fishing would be best for you. There are also all-purpose fishing boats. These boats will withstand the roughest waters and are perfect for saltwater or freshwater fishing.

Yachts or houseboats

The most expensive choice with it’s power and luxury. Perfect for providing comfort if your intention is to spend most of your time on the water. These boats are built in a wide selection of sizes and styles and can be customised to your individual taste.

Closed bow runabout

This would be the best choice if you are a fan of water sports. Fast and sleek, this is the perfect boat for those who enjoy the sports car look.

Bow Riders

Bow Riders are a good choice for those wishing to take along friends and family. These boats offer plenty of seating and with an open deck design it’s perfect for sunbathing. Designed to deliver the utmost comfort and offering families plenty of storage, it’s also ideal for fishing and cruising. Swim platforms at the back are handy for swimming, skiing or just dipping your toe in the water when the boat is in anchor.

Fish and ski boats

With all the comfort of spacious seating and a sunpad, this type of boat also offers a live well and a fishing platform with swivel seats. These family fishing boats have a stowaway trolling motor to make for an almost silent fishing experience.

Pontoon boats

This is a flat bottom boat, more like a raft. Suitable for short boat rides, slowly cruising lakes and rivers. With a smaller engine, this boat is economically priced.

These are just a few examples of the many types of boats available. It’s important to spend time deciding which is the right boat for you. Choosing the right boat means you get the full benefits for your investment.

Do your research and always keep in mind the purpose of your boat.

Just as buying a home involves a large financial investment, buying and selling a yacht requires a professional service, making the sale as smooth as possible.

Here’s a simple guide to help you choose between using a yacht broker or buying or selling your boat privately.

Buying a boat

Choosing your boat

Professional yacht brokers have access to an extensive database of boats, and may also have the ability to find boats that are not yet on the market. This saves you valuable search time allowing you to make the perfect choice. A Broker can also assist in the selection process by helping you clearly define your requirements and provide the information needed to consider each yacht.

You would probably expect to pay less when buying a boat from a private seller and possibly have more scope to negotiate price. Most private sellers will welcome questions about the vessel they are selling and it’s important to remember you may have to contact them in the future, so maintaining a good relationship with them is a good idea. Private sellers can often provide an added knowledge of the history of a boat and for this reason many buyers prefer a personal sale.

Buying

Once you are satisfied with the private seller you will need to negotiate an acceptable price and arrange to make payment for the boat. This is usually carried out by bankers draft or a cash payment can be made. Occasionally the seller may be happy to accept another method of payment.

Yacht brokers are able to help in the negotiation of the sale, including price, financing, terms and often the provision of repairs and furnishings or equipment. They often provide local information on different yacht services, such as engine repair, dockage and inspection services. An experienced and professional yacht broker will advise the buyer throughout the process of assessing the chosen yacht. Part of the broker service is to recommend the extent of the survey to be used in the inspection and help to identify the best individuals to conduct the surveys.

Plain Sailing

A Yacht Broker can assist in making sure that the title to the yacht is clear, title meaning ownership of the yacht. If the yacht is a foreign flagged yacht, set up as a corporation or existing under any number of other special circumstances, the services of a professional yacht broker will become even more valuable and will result in a smooth sale.

If you choose you buy your boat from a private seller, once the sale is complete it is recommended that a buyer’s contract is arranged to protect both parties. This will act as your purchase receipt and will prove that you are the new owner of the boat.

Selling a Boat

Advertising

Selling your boat privately is a relatively easy experience. Websites such as www.theyachtmarket.com will aid you in your advertising and most websites do not charge commission for the services.

A yacht broker will know when and where to advertise your yacht to the public. Over 75% of yacht transactions are cooperative sales through other yacht brokers. Through worldwide Multiple Listing Services and other marketing networks, a broker has the tools to maximize exposure to your yacht.

Getting it right

During the selling process, a Yacht Broker can advise you on what is happening in the marketplace including price, financing and terms. These are key factors in getting your yacht sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

For the private seller it is important to research every aspect of the selling process. The best time to sell a boat will be at the start of summer when the demand is high and equally the best time to buy will be off-season.

Sold!

A Yacht Broker can help close the sale of your yacht. Between the initial sales agreement and closing, problems may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required or a query in the title is discovered. The paperwork can be overwhelming for some sellers. A yacht broker is the best person to help you resolve these issues and finally sell your yacht.

When you sell a boat privately, an added advantage will be the extras that come with it. A boat cover, depth finder, marine radio, life jackets, speed control, water skis, anchor, emergency flares, life raft and the all important trailer can make the purchase more attractive to the buyer and assist in gaining a better price for the boat.

You’ve decided to sell your boat. Whatever your reasons for selling, you’ll want to get the best price possible for it so it’s worth putting in some effort to make it as saleable as possible.

Fully Detail The Boat

Many buyers will understandably ask a lot of questions about the boat such as what type of engine it has, what sails are included, what navigation equipment is installed and so on. Wouldn’t it be great to have the answers to all these questions to hand? Walking through and around the boat noting down as much detail as possible to start with will save you time and effort answering queries later especially if your boat is moored up some distance away from your home.

If you’re advertising your boat for sale online or in a magazine, a good, detailed description will make a quick sale more likely. If a piece of information is missing, from a boat’s description, buyers will often not bother to contact the owner to ask especially if another similar vessel’s description includes it. Photographs will really help here; quite often magazine and internet classified adverts without pictures hardly get noticed at all.

A detailed description will also save you time answering unnecessary questions. For example if your boat has a diesel engine and you state that in your advert, you’ll avoid being bothered by calls from buyers who are interested only in petrol powered boats.

Repair Any Damage

Any dents or chips in the hull should certainly be mended prior to selling. Apart from looking unsightly, further damage tends to ensue. A damaged gel coat can let in water leading to de-lamination of the fibreglass. Likewise, chips and scratches in paintwork and treatments on metallic and wooden hulls cause rust and water-logging respectively and have your buyer running a mile.

If there are any problems that you cannot fix yourself or have fixed by a professional, be honest and up-front about them. Indeed, you may not have the time or money to have a certain problem repaired which may be the very reason you are selling the boat.

If you try to hide a problem, the truth is likely to come out eventually, especially if the buyer arranges a survey of the vessel. Once the cat is out of the bag, they’ll be wondering what else you’re hiding. Buyers will respect your honesty and be confident that what they are seeing is what they are getting if you’re truthful about any defects from the start. Again, it could save you considerable time and effort showing people around the boat if it is not suitable for them.

Clean And Shiny Boats Sell Better

Appearance is everything and can make or break the sale in the first few moments of the viewing. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Make sure the boat is thoroughly clean and shiny inside and out, paying particular attention to any damp, musty or otherwise unpleasant smells emanating from the interior. Giving upholstery a good clean will help with the interior look and eliminate some smells, but if there are any damp problems caused by leaks, these should be located and fixed at the source.

When a buyer sees a clean, shiny boat, they will be comfortable that it has been well looked after by the owner and will be more inclined to buy and less likely to knock you down on the price.

Take out anything that is not part of the boat. This does not include safety equipment, fenders, navigational equipment and the like. Rather, remove anything that is personal, for example, photographs and ornaments. These tend to create a cluttered feel and make it less easy for the buyer to imagine the boat becoming their property instead of yours.

Depending on the condition of your boat and your own expertise, you may be able to undertake some of the work yourself. Other tasks may require the skills of a professional. In deciding who will do what, consider that getting the top selling price for your boat is your goal so getting the job done correctly is paramount. If this entails spending a little more money upfront, it may be worth it in the end.

Buying any boat is a big decision and is probably the second biggest personal outlay you will ever make. It’s a major decision, and bluntly, when buying a used boat YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN.

Remember: “Buyer Beware” “Caveat Emptor”. The axiom or principle in commerce that the buyer alone is responsible for assessing the quality of a purchase before buying.

When buying a used boat there are no warranties or guarantees. How do you know…

• That the boat is even what the advert states?
• That the boat is fit for the purpose?
• That the boat is undamaged?
• That the boat is safe, sound or seaworthy?
• That the engines are serviceable?
• That the rig is safe?
• That the boat will provide good service without huge repair costs?
• That your investment is justified; are you paying too much, or too little?

If there are problems your only recourse is pursuit of the vendor through the courts; which can be along and costly procedure with unknown results.

Almost everyone you will deal with in choosing and selecting your boat will be working for the vendor. Brokers, advertisers, agents, agencies are all paid buy the vendor. If you use a broker make sure they are professional, use a recognized form of contract (for example RYA/BMIF/ABYA if in the UK) and that your deposit is secure and returnable. In the United Kingdom, look for membership of the ABYA (the Professional Association of Yacht Brokers) which ensures a high ethical standard and established code of practice, correct paperwork and indemnity insurance.

Who Can Help?

You need a Surveyor.

• Your surveyor is your professional.
• Your surveyor is on your side.
• Your surveyor works for you.
• Your surveyor cares about your boating safety.
• Your surveyor protects your investment and risk.
• Your surveyor enables you to make an informed decision.

You need a professional surveyor experienced in the type of boat you are considering.

A good surveyor will help and advise you on suitability and what to look for, he will play devils advocate in your decision purchase. He is your only guarantee and back up.

How do I find a good Surveyor?

Surveyors can be found in the advertising in the yachting press, at the professional association’s web sites, broker’s lists. Ask around in the yard, yacht club or marina for a personal recommendation.

Alarmingly there is no legislation, qualification or requisite standard to set up as a yacht surveyor. In the UK, look for a surveyor who is a member of an established and tangible, professional body such as the YDSA, Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association, or the IIMS, International Institute of Marine Surveyors (small craft section). This ensures that the surveyor is fully accredited, scrutinized, and follows a recognized code of practice.

Points to Check, and Questions to ask, when selecting a Surveyor.

• Membership of Professional Association.
• Qualification, Experience, or Accreditation.
• Level of Professional Indemnity. Cover for you.
• Third Party Insurance. Cover for the boat/vendor.
• Specialty and or Experience in the type of craft.
• Fees. Compare Quotes – beware too cheap.
• Does the surveyor offer formal terms of business and survey instruction form?

Ask for a sample survey; see what you might get for your money, and a reference from a previous client. The Surveyor should be flexible to suit your needs or any special requirements and should explain and discuss the types and benefits of different surveys. The surveyor should be receptive to your enquiries, positive, helpful, willing and enthusiastic never casual or dismissive. Remember he is working for you.

The Survey

If at all possible attend the survey, after all it’s your survey. Ask questions and talk to your surveyor, but don’t stop him doing his job. The surveyor should explain what he is looking at and why and what it means. This is invaluable when you need to understand and quantify a technical report.

After the Survey

Digest your report, make notes and discuss it with your surveyor. Ask questions. It is important to understand the findings and implications of the survey report and the advice of your surveyor. You will get more meaningful information from a frank discussion than a report. If you are satisfied that you can make an informed decision, renegotiate, buy the boat, or pull out.

Remember that your surveyor should still be available for help or advice on an ongoing basis.

Credit for this article goes to: Simon May, Boat Care Yacht Surveys www.boatcareyachtsurveys.co.uk

Below are some examples of messages from fraudsters posing as buyers:

Hello,
My Name is Steven Duncan, a citizen of U.S but am now in Australia for business which i have build a family there and we are living there. I came accross your ad which it said you have an boat for sale and i have been searching to get 1 like this and i do loved to have it so i want you to know that am highly interested in purchasing it.
I would like you to kindly get back to me with the amount you will be selling for me.
I do want you to know that the shipping will be handle by me, I have a shipping agent who will come to your place and i want you to know that they are perfect in shipping which they will come to your place for the pickup and the payment will be by a ceritified check in U.S Funds..Looking forward to hear from you soon.Thanks.
Regards
Steven.
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Do you still have your ferry for sale? Kindly get back to me with the last offer you have on it, also with the present condition of it.
For the payment is via bank transfer. if accept, Kindly get back to me. I will be waiting to hear from you asap.
Thanks
Phil
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This is TIM MIKE.
I must state my interest in purchasing of your item,i will like to know the condition of the item and i will like to tell you that in need of this item urgenly.so i will like you to get back to me with this infor.
LAST PRICE OF THE ITEM………..
CONDITION OF THE ITEM…………
PICS OF THE ITEM………
YOUR FULL INFO………
do get back to me asap with all the information listed above.
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GOOD DAY,I AM JOHN EDGNER, INTERESTED IN PURCHASING YOUR BOATS, PLEASE IF THE ITEM IS AVAILABLE KINDLY GET BACKTO WITH YOUR LAST OFFERING PRICE AND PICTURE, ALSO LET ME KNOW THE PRESENT INFORMATION REGERDING IT CONDTION.HOPE IT WILL NOT BE HECKTIC IN CHANGING OWNERSHP IWILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU
SOONEST.
JOHN.
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Dear Sir/Madam
I am Mr J.Irons a sale agent located in uk,i will like to purchase your i.e…………Hardy 18 motor sailer ,I saw the advert and forwarded your advert information to a client who should be interested in it,i will like to know if it is still available.If it is,please be sure to provide us with the following informations.
:cost
:Seller’s full name
:Seller’s full contact address and phone number.
:If check or money order is acceptable
We will be very hapy if you can provide us with the above requested informations.We will also like to state here that you do not have to bother about the shipping,that would be handled by an appointed shipperin.
Thank you very much
Regards
Irons
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Hello ,
The price of is okay by me ,I will go ahead and Instruct a personal client in the UK who is owning me to transfer the funds to you, which would cover all expenses for it. It is most likely you would get it sometime next week or even sooner.
He will be transfering you the sum of 11,000,The reason being that after you deduct your cost price of Classic Motor Launch, which is 7,500 pounds and other expenses emanating from all forms of charges, The rest 3,500 could be wired by you to an international shipping agent via western union money transfer,who will be communicated to you in due time.
He will help in the shipping of the item to my location, I would want it to be packaged and delivered in the safest and most proffesional way.the shipper is likely to be reluctant to pick it up until he is mobilised, the balance wired to him is his fees for his services,tranportation to and for clearing and all other charges involved in this transaction okay.