Might be a bit of a muppet question - but

do boats have a certificate of ownership similar to a V5 for your car?  I just wondered when you meet in the dinghy park to view, how do you know its his to sell? and vice versa if you were selling.  Im buying one soon and I have to sell another on behalf of an association.

Hi,

I had one for my previous boat (vortex). It was from when it was bought from new with the sail/hull number, date of manurfacture, manurfacture and adress etc basically a certificate.

I don't know of any other boats having things like this, also its easilly to lose etc so many dont have them.

Mark.

Just a thought. 

I had an experience selling my mother in law's car a few years ago, so now a bit wary.

I suppose the scroats wouldnt know what to do with a 'hooky' 400 and if you took some of the kit home with you, should be safer.

The point is that you have one hannah, its unlikely a thief would steal a measurement certificate as well!!

I often wondered about this.  I sold my very old Laser a couple of years ago, but I had absolutely no proof that the boat was mine to sell.  It was quite tempting to sell the one next to it in the boat park - it was much shinier and would have got me a few more quid! 

I'd say that the vast majority of boats don't have a measurement certificate, but if you do then that must help. Perhaps you could use your insurance certificate as evidence of ownership?

At the risk of sounding very naive, I really can't imagine that anyone within the sailing community would actually steal someone elses boat and try to sell it as their own. And as Iamalipaul said, if a non-sailor nicked a boat they wouldn't know what to do with it

I cant remember but dont lasers have the sail number under that thing at the front? so surely thats not too hard to check?

Adam

Ive now bought my boat, we did the deal in the dinghy park and I wrote a cheque which has now been cashed and I have the removable kit at home.  We wrote out a hand written receipt that showed price paid and what kit was included also showing both names and addresses, so think I am safe.  Perhaps someone with legal expertise could draw up a generic form that would help.  

I dont think stolen boats are too much of a problem (unlike cars) as the market is pretty small, and if it was stolen someone is bound to know who it really belongs to. 

No my thought was - you notice a boat in a dinghy park somewhere that obviously hasnt moved for a year or so.  Luckily all the kit is under the cover, advertise it on the net for a very good price (coz it's dirty) mobile contact only - of course.  Victim turns up with a cheque, or even better, cash.  Story of 'havent had time to sail so....' deal is done - and see yah!!  Unsuspecting owner turns up a few months later to find ......

I know I'm too suspicious!

Thoughts?

thats why insurance companies usually state that it needs to be in a locked compound (not much help from those in the same club) but also that sails and foils should be removed from the boat when not in use. if someone advertises a complete boat without foils and sails i think most would be suspicious.

when i bought my laser it was from the WYA so i got reciept etc and it was all ligit. when i delivered it to the new owner it was just cash in hand with no reciept or anything. he did come over beforehand and i spent 2hours going over every tiny nick, repair and everything on the boat i would want to know as a buyer.

as for rs700 756, i was bored and had a look at that advert, seemed a very good price for the boat. hope you have a great time sailing it.

edit: lasers have the hull number on a hologram plaque thing at the back of the cockpit, they also have a hull identification number engraved on the right side of the transom about 5cm below the gunnel. all RS boats have the number marked between the rudder pintles (marked with holes drilled in the shape of the numbers)