So you have found the boat of your dreams in the boating adverts. What is the process to purchase her? The following notes will hopefully unravel the mystery.

Contact Ensign by phone, mail or e-mail to determine whether this boat is as you expect. Make an appointment with Ensign to inspect (if you make an appointment you will receive more of the broker's attention).

Your initial inspection should really be an overview. Does it look as expected from outside? Does it feel like your style of boat on the inside? Has it been properly looked after? Remember, if it has a bargain price there will be a reason for the price. Ask yourself if the obvious work needed doing warrants the low price.

If all appears to be suitable to your desires you need to secure the boat by placing a deposit. The deposit is subject to you getting a satisfactory survey (out of water inspection) and satisfactory test sail/run. The deposit should be refundable to you if you are not satisfied (expect to pay for the slipping and survey inspection costs).

Any inspection costs will be paid by you. Surveyors charge between $6 and $15 per foot of boat length, engine and/or electrical inspections are about $50 to $150.

Inspections vary depending on number of engines, time taken, etc.

These inspections are worth doing since most insurance companies won't insure the boat without a survey. And there is no warranty on used boats.

The test sail/run is primarily to:

1. Ensure that motors start and run normally, go ahead and astern , don't over heat on the test.
2. See if instruments function normally.
3. Make sure the steering systems function normally.
4. Ensure that sails where applicable hoist properly and all sailing aids (winch handles, sheets, shackles and running rigging is aboard)

Ensign will negotiate with the vendor to allow for or make good any discrepancies discovered during the above inspections. Bear in mind that your are not buying a new boat and negotiation will depend on the sale price.

At this stage Ensign will prepare a selling "Schedule" which will set out all details of the sale (buyer and sellers name, a basic description of the boat and equipment, the agreed purchase price and a settlement date) for the buyer and seller to accept and sign.

If you want to take possession of the boat on settlement, you will need to settle with cleared funds. If not allow 3 days for clearance.  This includes bank cheques.

1. You will receive a settlement statement, registration papers and gas certificate (where applicable) for the boat, take these to your nearest Queensland Transport office to transfer the boat registration into your name. There is a fee of $19 for this transfer.
2. There is no stamp duty payable on the transaction.
3. It is recommended you take out a comprehensive insurance policy at time of settlement.  Engine and gear box warranties can be bough from warranty companies. Ensign will give you a quote for this cover.

Surveyors

Whilst Ensign cannot recommend any particular surveyor we are more than happy to make the arrangements and liase with your chosen surveyor to ensure that the lift and inspection run smoothly.

The below list is just some of the surveyors in the local area and by no means is a recommendation or a definitive list.

These surveyors’ details are provided as a guide only. No warranty or liability is implied or expressed by Ensign providing these details.

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