Buying a boat can be a tricky business but if you follow a few simple steps you will find the right boat at the right price!.
Start by doing a little research. Ask advice from friends, instructors and professional yacht brokers based on the type of boating you intend to do, the area you intend to keep your new boat and your budget. Most yacht brokers have years of experience and will be happy to give you their time.
Narrow your search to a few makes and models and start scanning the internet!
Plan a weekend (or several) of 'boat viewing', taking in several marinas and yards.

View the boats
If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for then try to view as many different boats in your price range as possible.
Most Brokers have a good selection of boats on site. Some also have seasonal (usually spring and autumn) Used Boat Shows when boats are all open for viewing.

Make an Offer
Once you have found the right boat you should contact the broker or owner to submit an offer.
Your offer would normally have conditions attached such as 'subject to survey', 'subject to engine test' or 'subject to sea trial'. 
A broker will submit the offer to the owner and, perhaps with some negotiation, agree a price.

Agreements
If there are no conditions attached then, once a price has been agreed both you and the vendor, you'll a sign standard industry Agreement (many brokers are members of the British Marine Federation (BMF) and Association of Yacht Brokers and Agents (ABYA), but the RYA also supplies standard Agreements). The Agreement sets out the timescale for buying the boat. Normally at this point an inventory of gear and equipment is agreed and attached to the Agreement.

Deposit
A broker will normally ask for a 10% deposit. This is paid into a separate 'Client Account' and is held pending the results of the survey, engine check or sea trial. If no survey or trial is involved then your deposit is treated as a part payment.

Timescale
Normally you will be allowed 14-21 days to arrange your survey and engine test, another 14 days to consider the survey results and, if acceptable, seven further days to pay the balance. Things can be wrapped up much more quickly if time is short.

Survey
A broker will provide you with a list of local surveyors but will not recommend any particular one. The prices for surveys vary depending on the experience and qualifications of the surveyor and the type of survey to be carried out. Do quiz a few surveyors before you choose one, and do ask if they hold PI insurance. If the boat is afloat, then you will also be responsible for paying for her to be lifted ashore, and for launching again.

Survey results
The surveyor will often telephone you after the survey to give you a summary of his findings. A written report will also follow, normally within a few days.

Defects
A survey will normally bring to light several defects consistent with the age and price of the boat, plus any items of wear and tear not affecting the structure and seaworthiness of the boat.  If more serious problems are discovered (material defects) then you can either negotiate the price based on estimates for repairing the faults,  or withdraw your offer and ask for your deposit to be refunded.

Acceptance
Once you decide to go ahead then this point is called 'Acceptance'. Your deposit then becomes a part payment and is no longer refundable. The balance of the purchase price is then payable and, in the case of a broker, this will be paid again to the 'Client Account'. I

Insurance
At this point you will need to think about insuring the boat for the date of completion. Scan the internet and get a few quotes.

Checking Title
A professional broker will ask the owner to submit previous Bills of Sale, original invoices from the builder, Registration papers and other supporting documents which offer proof of title. If the boat is Part 1 Registered they will conduct a search. If no formal title papers are available, they will ask for other supporting documents to indicate title.
If buying privately, you will want to see the original paperwork before you buy. This should show a trail of ownership from new, proof that VAT was paid and that, if imported, the boat meets EU standards (RCD). This can get complicated, so don’t be afraid to ring a broker to ask advice! Older boats built prior to 1985 may not need so much paperwork.

Completion of the sale
This takes place on clearance of your money and on the date of the 'Bill of Sale'.
On completion of the sale the broker or owner will provide you with a Bill of Sale (a transfer document passing all the shares in the boat from the Vendor to you), together with any Registration papers and guidance on re-registering the boat in your name. At this point you may meet the Vendor so keys can be handed over, inventory checked and any questions answered.

Help and Advice
Besides Yacht Brokers, there are several organisations providing expert advice and training;
ABYA – Association of Yacht Brokers and Agents 01730 710425 www.ybdsa.co.uk
RYA – Royal Yachting Association 023 8060 4100 www.rya.org.uk 
BMF – British Marine Federation – 01784 473377 www.britishmarine.co.uk 

To find out more about David Morris Yacht Brokerage, Essex, please visit www.davidmorrisboats.co.uk