PURCHASE/SALE
A broker is an intermediary who connects the owner selling his or her boat with the potential buyers. The broker’s goal is to make the communication easier between both parties, thanks to his or her expertise, advice and support.
As a seller, engaging a broker allows you to have support throughout the whole selling process in order for the transaction to succeed in the best conditions and as quickly as possible, without having to undergo the stress that usually goes along.
The broker’s role for the seller :
As a seller, engaging a broker allows you to benefit from advice, guidance and support throughout your research and the whole purchasing process, helping your project become reality with complete confidence and full transparency.
The broker’s role for the buyer :
In all cases, the broker is always paid on contingency, in other words, once the transaction successfully closes.
It is important to have your boat well prepared for sale. It must be ready to welcome visits from the broker who will complete the business case and from any potential buyer as well.
It is very important not to neglect your boat and to keep maintaining it as long as it isn’t sold. That way, you will be able to present it in the best possible conditions to the future potential buyers.
1) What is the right boat for my navigation plans?
When you start doing your research for your future used or new boat, it is very important to take the time to set your research criteria that correspond to your plans, needs and expectations, in order to find the right boat.
Falling for a yacht seen online or in a harbor can often happen, but it is important to make sure that this “crush” actually corresponds to your navigation plans in order to make the right purchase.
It can be helpful and wise to set a specification for your future boat.
2) What is the right budget for my boat purchase?
The key to the right purchase : respect your budget!
Before starting your research for your future yacht, setting the budget that you want to invest (boat + repair works and added accessories) is essential since it is obviously one of the most crucial criteria of your research.
It is also important to keep a “safety margin” for your purchase and not spend all your savings. You have to think ahead and consider the upcoming operating expenses of your boat. ( 4) What are the post-purchase expenses that I need to anticipate? ).
Finally, there are various possible financing options for your boat which benefits can be interesting for you to know about ( 3) How do I finance my boat? ).
3) How do I finance my boat?
There are different possible ways to finance the purchase of your future boat. Depending on your personal investment and on the boat you wish to purchase, you can opt for :
For more information, please read this article : Boat financing : What are my options?
4) What are the post-purchase expenses that I need to anticipate?
After you purchase your boat, you will need to plan a budget every year to cover for its well functioning. This budget usually amounts to 10% of the original purchase price of your boat and includes :
Obviously, this budget may vary depending on your boat, your plans and your navigation area. For instance, berths are more affordable on the Atlantic coast than on the Mediterranean coast. Similarly, insurance will be more expensive for a round-the-world trip plan than for coastal (inshore) boating.
For more information, please read the article : What annual budget is best for my boat ?
5) Boat storage : What are my options?
Before purchasing your boat, it is important to address the issue of its storage when you won’t be at sea. You have various options for that :
6) Do I need a license?
In France, holding a boat license is mandatory for boats which main means of propulsion are engines, at sea as well as for inland navigation. However, no license is required for sail boat navigation. (A license is required for steering a dinghy/tender with an engine over 9,9 horsepower.)
However, if you feel the need to, using the services of a professional skipper as part of a training course can be interesting for you . This can help you take your new boat in hand. Training is one of the key elements of safety at sea.
7) Do I need to have the boat surveyed before buying it?
Having the boat surveyed by an accredited marine surveyor before purchase is essential.
The pre-purchase boat survey allows you to be sure of the actual condition of the yacht you want to buy and to avoid any unpleasant surprise.
Usually, the survey is the subject of a suspensive clause in the sales agreement. If the assessment does not lead to a positive outcome – in other words, if the boat is not declared fit for safe navigation – the sale can be canceled or renegotiated.
The marine surveyor is generally appointed and paid by the buyer in order to ensure his or her impartiality in regards to the evaluated good.
The surveyor’s report can also later be asked by the insurance to assess your boat’s value.
8) How do I choose my insurance?
Although insuring a boat is not mandatory (except for professional or sports use), taking out insurance is essential!
Just like for real estate or automobile, there are various levels of insurance policies that you can apply for, from civil liability insurance to comprehensive all-risk insurance. Your insurance premium will of course depend on the selected coverage guarantees, but also and significantly on the boat itself (size, age, engine(s)…), your navigation plans and area.
Hence, your insurance should adapt to your plans. If your navigation program is to do some coastal sailing occasionally on week-ends, you won’t be insured the same way as you would be if you plan on cruising around the world. Likewise, your insurance will have to take into consideration your navigation area and its associated risks. In the West Indies for example, you will have to be covered against the risk of hurricanes.
Whatever the coverage guarantees that you want to apply for, it is usually preferable to turn to an insurer specialized in boating in order to be best advised and often benefit from more attractive rates.
Please note : Generally, if you wish to store your yacht, ports and companies that have an open ground storage facility, will ask for your boat to be at least covered for civil liability.
9) What is the right safety equipment for my program?
Having the right safety equipment for my program on board is essential. In addition to the mandatory equipment defined by the Division 240 [http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/L-equipement-de-securite-des.html], it can be interesting to have some extra equipment such as emergency locator beacons or even survival suits, especially for long-distance cruises.
Generally speaking, there is no impediment or limit to buying abroad. However, some administrative procedures will be necessary in order to enable the boat’s new registration. Registration regulations can vary from one country to another and you may have to settle some taxes. That is why you shouldn’t hesitate to turn to a professional to help you and guide you through these procedures.
In order to register your boat to French customs (francization), your boat must :
You purchased your boat in a Member State of the European Union :
You purchased your boat outside the European Union, you will then import it in France :
For more information, please visit the French customs website.
Buying a new boat
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
Choice of boat type/model, features and accessories, is up to you and allows you to adapt the boat according to your plans and tastes. | Higher cost of purchase. |
The boat’s history begins with you. You get warranty for all your equipments. | A new boat will have its price value drop by about 30% within the first 5 years following its first launch. |
You are free to choose whatever financing option suits you best. |
Buying a used boat
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
The second hand market offers numerous deals with very attractive price/quality ratios. | Features and accessories will reflect the original owner’s choice. A re-equipping budget may be required. |
The price drop of boats over 5 years old stabilizes. | It is important to have the desired used boat surveyed in order to be sure of its actual condition. |
In the end, your decision between used or new will depend on your budget and on your needs. Although a new yacht requires a significant contribution upon purchase, you will be able to enjoy the brand new craft that you chose, with its new gear, all under warranty. On the other hand, used boats offer a wider range and selection of products with more affordable prices, whose technical conditions must however be validated by an authorized marine surveyor.
PRACTICAL
Since June 16th, 1998, all European recreational crafts manufacturers have to issue a Written Declaration of”CE” Conformity for every constructed unit between 2.5 and 24 meters (8.2 and 78.74 feet) long. The declaration is delivered by the manufacturer to the first owner of the craft and must be handed over along with the boat if and when sold again.
This declaration certifies that the boat has been manufactured in line with the European standards. It includes the unit description, the CIN number and the ISO standards used during manufacturing, among other elements.
A boat cannot be sold or registered in Europe without a Written Declaration of “CE” Conformity. Therefore, it is important to know whether or not the boat you want to purchase has the Declaration of Conformity, otherwise it may be very difficult to get it registered in Europe.
Special case : The Written Declaration of Conformity is not necessary for the boat’s “re-registration” under the same ensign (flag).
Since 2003, the CIN number, or Craft Identification Number, has replaced the HIN (Hull Identification Number). It is a unique number that identifies your boat.
It includes the following information :
Please note : The year of manufacturer and the model year (the “Millésime” in French) can be different. For example, a 2008 model’s manufacture can begin and be completed in 2007. However, the CIN number has no indication of the boat’s first launch.
Choosing your equipment when purchasing your future yacht is very important. It needs to meet your boat’s needs, your naviagtion program as well as your expectations.
It is therefore necessary to take stock of and evaluate your needs in terms of comfort, energy and water supply autonomy, performance, etc. Always keeping in mind the financial aspect of it all, as every fitting not only implies extra costs upon purchase but also during maintenance.
Whether you buy used or new, the keyword when choosing your gear is consistency. Your equipment needs to be adapted to your boat and to meet your program and needs. However, you shouldn’t be “over-equipped” with elements that you don’t really need. You must not forget that every equipment not only represents extra cost, but also extra weight on board and less space.
Regarding your energy ressources, it is important to define your fittings according to your comfort and navigation equipment and not the other way around. Of course, having an energy balance or assessment carried out would be ideal. For that, seeking professional help is highly recommended as the person will know how to advise you on the right installation for you.
In all cases, whether it’s for the mandatory safety equipment or for your extra program-adapted gear, the essential and key aspect on which you must not make any compromises when selecting your accessories, is safety.
FINANCING
You have different possible options to finance the purchase of your future used or new boat. Depending on your personal contribution and on the yacht you want to buy, you can opt for :
1) Purchase in “cash” : If you can, cash payment is the first available option that you have to purchase your boat. However, if you consider this option, you need to bear in mind the fact that you will pay full VAT (in continental France, the rate is 20% on the boat’s price), and that the boat will be included in the calculation of your personal property (estate, assets).
2) Standard loan : If a LOA is not possible, using a standard loan (credit) or “marine credit” for the purchase of your future boat, can be worth considering. In this case, you must keep in mind that full VAT will be applied on the boat’s price; that you will have to pay for all loan-related fees (your boat’s price will therefore be increased by the loan’s cost); and that the boat’s value on the 1rst of January of each year (to which the outstanding balance, the unpaid interest and the accrued interest are substracted) will be retained in the calculation of your property.
3) Lease To Purchase Option Agreement (French LOA – rental contract with option to purchase) : You choose your yacht with its equipment, and the financing body purchases it for you, rents it to you for the duration of the contract and then sells it to you for the initially agreed upon purchase option. Since you are renting the boat, the boat itself is not included in your property throughout the duration of the LOA. The duration of this kind of financing generally goes from 36 to 180 months. The intial contribution can go from 20 to 50% of the purchase price.
The LOA allows you to benefit from a 10% VAT discount on all your rents throughout the duration of the contract, for offshore (deep-sea) category crafts, if you navigate on European waters; and from a 0% VAT if you navigate abroad. Hence, the very profitable aspect of the Lease To Purchase Option Agreement option.
Example of boat financing with LOA :
Purchase price : 150,000 € including taxes
Initial contribution : 75,000 € including taxes (50% of purchase price)
59 monthly rents (5 year financing) : 1,140.03 € including taxes (10% reduced VAT)
Option to purchase : 15 € including taxes
Total cost : 142,276.77 € including taxes
The LOA contract is mainly for new boats. However, you can also finance a used boat if :
Tax exemption (or defiscalisation) is a term used to refer to a number of legal provisions that allow taxpayers to get tax benefits and reduce the amount of their income tax or their solidarity tax on wealth (French : ISF). These legal provisions are designed to encourage investment in various fields such as recreational boating sector overseas, since 1986.
Since then, numerous laws have passed to better regulate and restrict the tax exemption scheme. The Girardin industrial law that promoted productive investment in overseas territories for taxpayers until now (such as purchasing a boat for direct rental), will gradually be replaced by tax credit by January 2018.
What you need to know :
MAINTENANCE
Every year, you will have to spend a budget to keep your boat fit for navigation. The amount of that budget can vary depending on the boat type, your navigation program and area. It generally amounts to 10% of the purchase price and includes (aside from provisioning, refuelling, etc.) :
For more information, please refer to the article : Questions I need to ask myself before I purchase my boat ?
GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) hulls, mainly made out of polyester and fiberglass, were introduced in the mid 1960’s. They were an immediate success for the manufacturers as well as for the boaters. They contributed to the growth and expansion of pleasure boating as we know it today. However, GRP hulls have a flaw when it comes to humidity : osmosis.
More specifically, on a vessel, this means that seawater (or fresh water if your navigating inland) diffuses into an passes through the gel coat that is not entirely waterproof, and soaks the polyester resin. This alters the rigidity of the hull and leads to delamination of the coating layers.
Please note that osmosis does not prevent a vessel from navigating. Nevertheless, it is preferable to carry out a treatment to stop this phenomenon from spreading.
However, you can also determine whether or not a hull is affected before the emergence of blisters. You can do so by measuring its level of humidity. This can be done by an accredited marine surveyor.
Neither the moisture content readings nor the visual observation of blisters will give you a precise estimate of the phenomenon’s evolution stage. Only after “stripping down” the hull by removing antifouling, primer and gel coat, will you be able to really have an idea of your boat’s actual condition.
There are several steps that need to be followed for the anti-osmosis treatment. The most important step is the “stripping down” of the hull by peeling the gel coat followed by the drying (dry storage for several months). This helps eliminate the hull’s humidity and stop the osmosis phenomenon. Then, you will need to fix the damaged spots on the hull before repainting the whole underside of the vessel, adding an anti-osmosis preventive. Checking the humidity level of the hull throughout the process is important to help make sure that your boat dries properly.