Advice

Off Canvas

buyers

For your peace of mind and to protect your investment, we recommend all boat buyers instruct a professional surveyor, who will produce a written report that details the condition of the boat. The report can be as comprehensive as you require; for example the use of specialist equipment such as moisture meters for GRP hulls and multi-meters for steels hulls.

The report is crucial information, especially if defects are found. The findings can often result in a reduction on the price, or at the very least reparation before purchase.

For advice with selecting a surveyor, we recommend two professional associations. Both operate in the United Kingdom and all accredited surveyors will have the appropriate insurance.

YBDSA (Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association website)
IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveyors website)

sellers

We furnish your buyer with a comprehensive ‘information pack’, including all technical specifications. The boat should be cleaned, serviced and in full working order.

Our registration process for the sale or purchase of a second hand boat is very straightforward. We employ the internationally recognised contracts (both conditional or unconditional) of the British Marine Federation and UK Royal Yachting Association.

It is your responsibility, as the seller, to provide the necessary proof of ownership. If you are acting for the owner you must provide evidence of this. Proof of ownership is a pre-requisite of any sale and should be made available to ensure no delays in the sale process.

proof of ownership

With each boat offered for sale we require proof of ownership as part of the registration process. We establish who has title, whether there are any charges against the craft and whether or not VAT has been paid. The JD Yachts team offers you guidance and advice, through all the necessary processes.

contracts

English law applies to all transactions. We employ a sale contract (for sale or purchase) that is recognised by the British Marine Federation, of which we are a member.

The Recreational Craft Directive 94/25/EC – European Economic Directive, states:

A boat does not need to comply with the RCD if:

It is one of the exclusions - principally craft intended solely for racing plus other minor categories
It was built in the EEA prior to 16th June 1998
It was in use in the EEA prior to 16th June 1998
It is only visiting the EEA for reasons of tourism or in transit

A boat needs to comply if it is not one of the above and if:

It was first placed on the EEA market after 16th June 1998
It was put into service in the EEA after 16th June 1998
It is a home built boat placed on the market within five years of completion
It is an experimental or racing boat being redesigned for compliance with the RCD

THE EEA INCLUDES ALL EU STATES, THEIR OVERSEAS TERRITORIES AND DEPENDENCIES AND ICELAND AND NORWAY.

vat

We can assist with your VAT queries, however it is ultimately your responsibility to confirm any VAT liability. If you are a resident of the EU you should only use a boat in the Community if it is VAT paid. You must keep documentary evidence at all times in case you are asked by customs officials to prove the VAT status of your craft.

It is worthy of note that a registration document does not prove the VAT status.

There are certain vessels that are deemed ‘VAT paid’. These are private pleasure craft that were in use prior to 1st January 1985 and were in the EU on 31st December 1992.

Documentary evidence includes:

Original invoice or receipt
Evidence of VAT payment at importation
Invoices for the construction of a ‘home built’ boat

partners

Please use the links below to browse our selection of recommendations. Alternatively, call us with your requirements and leave the rest to us!

INSURANCE

Hays Parsons Insurance Hayes Parsons specialise in motor boat insurance for boats based in the UK, Northern European waters, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean, as well as bluewater cruisers undertaking long distance voyages.

Finance

Close Brothers Having first opened their doors in 1976, Close Brothers offer finance for a wide variety of motorboats. They can offer finance for motorboats with a minimum loan of £65,000 based in the UK and for vessels based in the Mediterranean, providing they have a UK owner and are valued in excess of £500,000.
Lombard Lombard’s marine finance facilities can be used to purchase sailing yachts and motor cruisers for leisure use. These boats can’t be used for residential purposes. Lombard finances new and used boats up to 40 metres in length and the minimum advance offered is £25,000.

RYA Training

For new boat owners as well as experienced skippers, our RYA recognised sea school partners offer a range of tailored courses. Courses are varied – from safety and chartering to training and boat management.

RYA VHF DSC The Short Range Certificate is the qualification required by international law, if you operate a VHF radio portable or a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC). This great course can be done in the comfort of your own home online or in a classroom.
ICC – INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE FOR SAIL AND POWER Taking your boat abroad? Many countries and insurance companies now insist on the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) as a formal qualification for at least one person on board. Our tailored package gets you up to the standard required for the ICC, as well as through the practical assessment.
RYA YACHTMASTER COASTAL / OFFSHORE CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE COURSE AND PREPARATION FOR EXAMS Unlike other courses in the motor cruising programme, there is no formal training to complete in order to become a Yachtmaster. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and sea time (2,500 miles & 5 skipper passages over 60 miles), you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. Many Yachtmaster candidates choose to book themselves with our partnered sea schools RYA training centres for some tailor-made tuition to prepare them for the exam.
RYA ESSENTIAL NAVIGATION ONLINE COURSE This course offers a great introduction to navigation and safety awareness for new or inexperienced skippers and crew, and those wanting to refresh their skills. In fact, it’s for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, sea angling or diving, and works well in complementing on-the-water training, such as the Powerboat Level 2, Start Yachting and Helmsman courses.
RYA HELMSMAN PRACTICAL COURSE This RYA practical course is ideal for new owners conscious of the difficulty and hazards of boat handling in the marina. It is useful for crews as well as skippers. Apart from the obvious safety benefits of extra boat handlers on board, it adds interest if everyone can contribute to the trip. A good 2-day practical course on our RYA sea school partners vessel or your own vessel.

RYA DAY SKIPPER THEORY COURSE A comprehensive introduction to chartwork navigation meteorology and the basics of seamanship. Invaluable for making the right decisions on board, as well as passing the Day Skipper Practical Course. This course is offered online with our RYA recognised sea school partners or in a classroom over 5 days.
RYA DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL COURSE This course concentrates on pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation. The qualification is also a way of obtaining cheaper insurance, so you will immediately see a return on your course investment. The course is conducted in a friendly and informal way by our RYA sea school partners covering all the elements of the syllabus in 4 days.
RYA COASTAL/YACHTMASTER THEORY COURSE This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills. As with the Day Skipper shore based course, the RYA’s specially designed chart plotter software will be used during the course to give you a realistic taste of modern electronic navigation. Students in the southern hemisphere can take advantage of the southern hemisphere version of our partnered sea school training materials, ensuring that your course is relevant to you. The course is taught over 40 hours with three exam papers. It can be covered as a series of short sessions, as an intensive week-long course, or by distance learning.
RYA COASTAL SKIPPER PRACTICAL COURSE Before taking this course, it is virtually essential to have attended the equivalent shore based course, to ensure that time is not wasted teaching theory on board. An important aspect of this course is learning to take command and make decisions resulting in relaxed, well-planned passages and a happy crew. Don't expect to coast through without making the occasional error - learn your strengths and weaknesses and gain knowledge from your mistakes. By the end of the course you should be ready to build on your experience and maybe work towards a certificate of competence.
CONFIDENCE BOOSTING TRIPS For those crossing the English Channel or visiting the Channel Islands we often organise skippers to assist you. Our skippers offer practical, fun tuition on the way over, helping with pilotage into a foreign port and dealing with customs amongst other things.

Our partnered RYA Sea Schools use the very latest technology utilising AIS, ipad interactive white boards, live navigation, tide and weather feeds.

Call us for a conversation about your requirements on +44 (0) 1305 766 504