Is it safe to buy yachts for sale from private owners?

In the globally active pre-owned yacht trading market, thousands of yachts complete resale transactions every year. Whilst many boat buyers prefer to go through a professional broker for the entire process, in practice a significant number of people still choose to buy yachts for sale directly from private owners. The attractiveness of the price is often one of the main reasons for this - by eliminating brokerage fees, the buyer has the opportunity to realise their sailing dreams on a much lower budget. But the question also arises: is it safe to buy yachts for sale from private owners?

This question may seem simple, but it actually involves a number of dimensions. Unlike broker-assisted transactions, most private transactions are ‘sold as is’, meaning that once the transaction is completed, it is difficult to trace any subsequent problems. Therefore, in order to safely and wisely purchase a reliable second-hand yacht from a private seller, you need more careful preparation and prudent judgement. The following Yachttrading editorial will share with you the precautions to be taken when buying yachts for sale from a private owner!

1. You must be present in person to see the yacht.

The first step is always to see the yacht in person. No matter how detailed the seller's description, how beautifully the photos are taken, only by being there to check can you really understand the actual condition of the yacht. Especially when faced with a yacht at a particularly attractive price, do not blindly ‘buy remotely’. Most private owners are not obliged to disclose all the problems, only in face-to-face communication, you can better judge the condition of the boat, but also intuitively feel the owner's degree of integrity.

It is recommended that when contacting the owner for the first time, you should give priority to communicating with him/her over the phone, and ask him/her in detail about the place where the yacht is stored, how often it is used, its maintenance records, whether it has a complete boat licence, and other information, as well as the reason why it is for sale. Through these initial communications, you can not only judge whether the seller is real and reliable, but also prepare for the field to see the yacht.

2、Comprehensively check the details of the hull

When you are actually looking at the yacht, do not act hastily due to the seller's urging or inconvenient venue. If the seller intentionally prevents you from looking at a particular cabin or piece of equipment, it often means that there may be a problem there. The content of the inspection varies according to the type of boat, dinghy, aluminium boat or inflatable boat structure is relatively simple, while sailboats, fishing boats or power yachts with flybridge are complex equipment, be sure to carefully check each item.

3、Professional boat inspection and engine testing

If you are basically satisfied with the condition of the boat after the sea trial, the next step is to ask a professional marine inspector to carry out a boat inspection. It should be emphasised that: you must find your own inspector, avoid using the inspector recommended by the owner, in order to prevent information bias or conflict of interest. The boat inspection can be carried out in parallel with the sea trial. The surveyor will make a comprehensive judgement on whether there are any hidden dangers in the hull structure, electronic equipments, masts and sails, etc., and issue a valuation report. At the same time, it is strongly recommended to ask another technician to do an independent inspection of the engine, which is a high-frequency failure area and the part most likely to trigger later maintenance expenditure.

4、Conducting sea trials

Many second-hand yachts seem to be fine on the shore, only to expose a bunch of problems when they get off the water. The significance of sea trial is to verify the performance status of the yacht in actual operation. In the appointment to see before, should be clear to the owner that hope to arrange sea trial, in order to prepare in advance. Don't be shy about asking questions and make sure you try out all the switches, navigation equipment, lights, propulsion systems, etc., as well as listen to the engine for unusual noises and check the bilges for water seepage. This is the core part of judging whether the yacht is worth getting.

5、Confirm that the boat certificate is complete

Before the transaction, be sure to verify that all legal documents are complete. For example, in the U.S., you need to confirm that the boat has a legal licence and does not have any debt or mortgage records. Check the Hull Identification Number (HIN) against the hull plate to make sure it matches the documentation. In some European countries, look for VAT taxes to have been paid. It is advisable to ask the owner to provide the sales contract from the initial purchase to ensure that the transaction is legal and valid and to prevent future disputes over ownership.

6. Negotiate reasonably based on inspection results

One of the advantages of a private transaction is that the price is more flexible. Based on the results of the boat inspection and sea trial, you can make a reasonable counter-offer. Problems found in the inspection report will be your bargaining chip.

7. Sign a detailed boat purchase contract

Once you have reached a final transaction intention, remember to sign a formal purchase agreement. The content of the contract should set out the basic information about the yacht, the transaction amount, all the items attached to the boat (such as navigation equipment, ropes, life-saving facilities, etc.), and it is recommended to add a statement: the owner needs to state whether the yacht has been in a major accident or shipwreck experience. Although in a private transaction the owner is not required to voluntarily disclose unasked for information, such clauses can be effective in enhancing the legal effect. Once you have signed and paid, you are officially the new owner of the yacht.

Going back to the question at the beginning of the article - is it safe to buy yachts for sale from private owners? The answer is: as long as you have enough information, discretion and a clear process, it can be both safe and cost effective. The biggest benefit of a private transaction is the cost advantage and wider choice, but this comes with more responsibility on the part of the buyer. It is therefore advisable to invest time and effort in the preparation phase to minimise uncertainty during the transaction.