Buying Step By Step | For boat Hire, boat sales, chandlery | York Marina

This guide is designed as a brief overview and breakdown on what happens when you decide to take the plunge and make an offer on one of our brokerage boats. If you are new to boating please check out our buying FAQ for further information. We’re here to help so please feel free to discuss your requirements with our sales staff at any time.

Before making an offer on one of our brokerage boats please consider the following;

1.      You can make your offer on the vessel as seen, subject to river trial or subject to survey and trial. York Marina, as broker always recommends you make your offer subject to survey and trial as this is the only way you have every opportunity to satisfy yourself as to the vessels condition, quality, specification and fitness for purpose.

2.      On acceptance of your offer by the vendor the Marina is required to take a 10% deposit on the vessel on behalf of the vendor. This will take the vessel off sale in your name until you are satisfied with the vessel and wish to continue with the purchase. You will also be required to sign an agreement between you and the vendor at this point. This agreement is sponsored by the British Marine Federation and is an industry standard designed to protect the vendor, broker and purchaser during the sale of a second hand vessel.

3.      Should you make your offer subject to survey and trial the first port of call is to arrange a demonstration with the Marina. This will be a brief trial on the river and will give you a feel for how the vessel handles and a chance to check the boats systems should you wish. If something doesn’t quite fit after trialing the boat or you have second thoughts your deposit will be refunded in full*. Providing you are happy with the trial the next port of call is to organise a surveyor to survey the vessel on your behalf. There are varying degrees of surveys so be sure to discuss and consider your options with the surveyor before giving him/her the go ahead. A list of surveyors that regularly visit the Marina is available at reception. Please ask your surveyor to liaise with the Marina to book the use of the boat hoist for the purpose of the survey. *Please note that the survey and river trial must be completed within one calendar month from the receipt of your deposit.

4.      If the survey or river trial reveals any defects in the vessel you may then; 

  • Reject the vessel; you will then receive your full deposit back less any charges made by the Marina (lifting, launching fees etc).
  • *Re-negotiate with the seller a reduction in the purchase price to help cover the cost of the repairs.
  • Choose to accept the vessel with the defects and continue with the purchase anyway.

*Any defects/deficiencies that require rectification or substantiate a reduction in the selling price must be reported to the broker in writing within 7 days of the survey/river trial, including any relevant extracts from a surveyors report. See full terms and conditions for further details.

5.      Once you are happy to proceed with the purchase the next step is to finalise payment to us the broker.

  • This can either be made by cheque, bankers draft or if you wish to progress with the sale quicker; debit card or direct bank transfer into our client account. Please be aware that all credit card payments for brokerage vessels will incur a 2% charge.
  • Alternatively finance can be arranged through us to spread the payments over a longer period. Please contact us for a free, no obligation quote.

 6.     Prior to completion you will need to organise;

  • A mooring for the vessel
  • Insurance, York Marina are partners with Haven Knox-Johnston
    • A Boat Safety Scheme Certificate (BSS) if one isn’t included in the sale of the vessel. Please check the vessels specification prior to purchase.
    • A British Waterways license if the vessel is to be used on British Waterways navigation.

      Please note you will need all of the above to be able to apply for a waterways license.

 7.     Once the balance of the funds has cleared into our client account and we are in receipt of all relevant documents and keys for the vessel, you will then be given a handover by a member of staff and or the previous owner. A handover lasts typically between 1-2 hours depending on the size and complexity of the vessel. During the handover you will be shown basic engine checks, switch operations etc and it will also include a brief river trial and mooring techniques.
Please note it is company policy not to hand over the keys for any vessel until the balance of all funds has cleared into our client account.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information or guidance, we are here to help!