leafofgrass

Hi all, I am about to sell my boat. I am not living on board anymore, and my BSC expired a few months ago. I started going through the motions of renewing it, however, it just occurred to me that it might be possible that I sell the boat without the certificate. Does anybody know whether this is possible? I cannot seem to find a definitive answer online. And if I am to sell my boat without the certificate, therefore shifting the responsibility of issuing a new one onto the next owner, would that significantly impact the value of my boat (beyond the ~£150 which I am bound to pay to the BSC surveyor). I am interested in learning whether anybody has personal experience with this. Thanks all!

Update on the interested: boat was apparently sold to another buyer over the weekend who was 'less hassle than me', and seller didn't see it as necessary to update me... Am not particularly fazed by it, but it's also funny to think how the real world doesn't stop turning while we dissect every possible scenario online... Thanks to those who chipped in with advice

Didn't fill it in because whether I am a man or a woman makes no difference to the discussion - and for this same reason I believe that when you don't know somebody's gender, you don't just assume it, you ask. Of course, there is the underlying assumption that it must be a guy who would be undertaking the manly endeavour of boating that I was taking a jab at, more light-heartedly than anything, so I won't fight any battles here

The boat costs less than 15k, therefore the 4k underpricing (according to my seller) comes to around 30% of the value.... would the price in itself be a point of concern to me, as the icing on the cake of the rest of my concerns? The OP is a she. Women can buy boats too, you know

Hi Harold, do you happen to know of templates available online for the declaration for no outstanding finance? Alternatively, if my seller just improvises a few sentences on a piece of paper and signs it, saying that the boat has no debt (like he wants to do), is that any good for the future? I know there might not be a straightforward answer to this question, but perhaps somebody with experience on here could share their perspective...

Nice advice, thanks. The guy has just owned it a couple of months, and it has been at a hard standing, apparently (will confirm that with marina tomorrow), so was never licensed in any way, neither does he have a receipt of purchase ('can't find it'). You have a fair point, thanks. If we assume the boat was purchased while at a hard standing, then from what I understand the new owner could have still registered it with the CRT without paying for a license. But is it actually their responsibility to do so after purchasing?

Boat is still in hard standing at the moment, I will contact the boat yard to find out how long has the boat been there, who has been paying for the works, etc., thanks for the advice.

Boat's name is Eden, number 77425. Anybody know anything about it? Have already checked it in the Canalplan website, but the info there does not give away much...

Hi Alan, no I have not seen any document bearing their name, I will ask again in hopes I can at least see some receipts (but again, if they don't have a license for the boat, what would the receipts serve to prove?) Price-wise, boat is going for 4k less than what my surveyor valued it at - most peculiar..... Hey Paul - CRT unfortunately cannot give away the name of the current licenser, due to data protection. I already have the boat name and reg number - can I find an archive myself online of the history of registration of the boat? Thank would indeed be useful.

Hi all, I would really appreciate your help! I have found a lovely boat, got it surveyed, agreed on a price with the seller, arranged to have it transported across the country to London. However, just after we agreed on the price with the seller, I sent them a contract which I wanted both of us to sign - a pretty standard template "CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A SECOND- HAND VESSEL" which can be found online. However, they refused, saying that the language was too complicated, and refused to sign any kind of contract - saying it is not necessary. My first question is whether we definitely need to sign a contract, and whether the simple RYA 'Bill of Sale' available online would be sufficient (some argue this particular Bill of sale does not address the matter of outstanding payments/mortgages on the boat - I'd appreciate your take on this). My second questions is related to proof of ownership - this seller does not have any kind of document to prove the boat is theirs, and furthermore - they never registered it with the CRT (claiming that in the last few months while they owned it, it has been out of the water). Therefore, if this person is not the license holder according to the CRT, will they be able to transfer me ownership of the boat? My final question is related to the process of transfer of ownership itself - acc. to the CRT website, it is the responsibility of the seller to contact them and let them know that they have transferred ownership of the boat to me (as outlined on the CRT website here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/buy-your-boat-licence/licensing-faqs#buying). However, the seller argues they will not have such a responsibility, and that when I transfer the full sum, I will simply call the CRT to say I have come in possession of the boat. Is this true - is a phone call from me sufficient, or we would still have to fill out the CRT Transfer of ownership form? Can we even fill out this form, if somebody who is not the current (proclaimed) owner holds the license to the boat? (Admittedly I do not know if that license is still valid, will be calling up CRT first thing Monday morning to find out.) I know this all seems too dodgy, so I would really appreciate your advice on what would be the wisest course of action for me to follow, and which are the conditions that I must insist on from the seller (like signing the bill of purchase and/or contacting the CRT to transfer ownership to me). Thank you all in advance! Leaf of grass