Before you buy

View the boat before you pay. A genuine seller will expect you to.
Meet in a public place at the marina or yard, and take someone with you.
Commission a survey on any boat you are serious about. A classified advertisement is not a survey.
Be wary of a request to transfer a deposit before you have seen the boat, or to pay an account in another name.
Check that the seller is entitled to sell, and that VAT status matches the paperwork.
Old Sea Dogs relays the message. We do not hold the money and we are not a party to the sale.