Title documents

Many boats are sold with nothing more than a sheet of paper with the sellers details and the amount of money paid much like your buying and selling furniture through the free ads. A simple hand written receipt also does not show ownership does not prove RCD compliance and does not show the VAT status of a boat. A boat is a high value item and as such the sale needs to be handled with care. Brokers are under a legal obligation to insure the bare minimum title is included with the sale of the vendors boat. The absolute minimum is clear title for the past five years and where applicable full RCD compliance must be proved. In addition it will be of high value and benefit to also show full VAT status by the way of the original sales invoice and even complete chain of title through MCA Bills of sale from the time of first ownership. Please see below.

Bill of sale

This document shows the transaction of a sale on the vessel from time of first ownership. It should have the vendors and purchaser details and is a MCA document. A new Bill of sale should be produced each time a vessel is sold or title changed. Bills of sales from owner to owner to owner form what is known as a "chain of title".

VAT Invoice

If the vessel is pre 1985 then the vessel is exempt from tax, but if it was built after this date then you should have a VAT Invoice to show VAT has been paid. This can have an important bearing on a boat value. Please ask your broker for more details.

Builders Certificate

This shows where the boat has been built and also notes the specification details. The builders certificate can be used to form "First chain of title".

Declaration of conformity

A Declaration of Conformity is a common requirement in European Directives. It shows that you boat complies with the RCD and is CE Marked. All boats built after June 16th 1998 must be RCD compliant.

Manuals

There should be a manual for the engine and the boat.

Service History and Invoices

You should have a range of works invoices that have been carried out on the vessel and also a service invoice for each year.