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Questions to ask before travelling to view a yacht

Fifteen questions to put to the seller or broker before you book flights. They filter out boats with problems at no cost.

Updated 2 min read

Key points

  • Ask about ownership, VAT, liens and survey history before anything else.
  • Ask for photos of the engine room and bilges.
  • Check that a sea trial and an independent surveyor are allowed.

Ownership and papers

  1. Is the seller the registered owner? If not, who is, and who signs the sale?
  2. What is the VAT status, and which documents prove it? See Proving and verifying VAT status: which documents count, and checking before you offer.
  3. Which flag and register is the boat on?
  4. Is there a mortgage, a lease or any other charge? See Liens, mortgages and encumbrances.
  5. Does the boat have a CE plate, and what is its design category? See CE marking and the Recreational Craft Directive: design categories A to D.

Condition and history

  1. When was the last survey, and can I read it?
  2. When was the boat last hauled out, and when was it antifouled?
  3. How many engine hours are on the meters, and how were they recorded? See Engine hours, and whether they can be trusted.
  4. Where is the service history, and who serviced the engines? See Service history: what a seller should provide.
  5. Has the boat had any grounding, collision, osmosis treatment, keel or rudder repair?

Practical points

  1. Where does the boat lie, and who has the keys?
  2. What is included in the price: tender, outboard, electronics, canvas, spares?
  3. Why is the owner selling?
  4. Can the berth transfer to the buyer?
  5. Can I bring my own surveyor, and can we do a sea trial after a haul-out? See The sea trial checklist.

Ask for photos and video

Before you travel, ask for current photos of the engine room, the bilges, the rig, the underwater hull if it is out of the water, and the electrical panel. A video walk-through confirms that the boat exists.

Also check

  • The seller's answers match the listing.
  • The answers come quickly and in specifics. Delays and vague replies tell you something.
  • The red flags do not apply. See 10 red flags in a used yacht listing.

When to go

Travel when the answers are good, and bring a plan: viewing, then an offer subject to survey. See Making an offer and the memorandum of agreement.

Also useful at step 4 Due diligence before you pay a deposit

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.

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