Boat Purchase Australia

[SVDiDi]

Hi
We are about to be new yacht owners.
We have put an offer in on a vessel under private sale. Wanted to confirm sales process & documentation required to process the sale once survey & sea trial completed to meet Australia regulations & AMSA.
Thanks

[StuM]

Depends on:
Whether you are Australain citizens, permanent residents or termporary residents / visitors.
Whether the vessel is currently on the AMSA Register
Whether you intend to take it overseas.
What state the vessel is in.
What state you are resident in.

[Ssas5342]

In NSW it’s just a private contract between you and the seller. Then just change the registration details. No stamp duty. I assume it’s the same with most states. Not sure what the deal is if you are a foreigner.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Ssas5342

In NSW it’s just a private contract between you and the seller. Then just change the registration details. No stamp duty. I assume it’s the same with most states. Not sure what the deal is if you are a foreigner.

Unless it is already on the AMSA Ships Register and/or unless the purchaser is an Australian citizen and intends to take it overseas.

StuM post is on the money!

[Bean Counter]

To expand a bit, generally speaking:



If you are are in Australia and keeping the boat in Australia and assuming it has an engine of more than 6HP then it should be registered in a state. To buy the boat get a receipt from the owner and have them fill in the relevant States transfer of registration form, pay any relevant fees and you are done. If it's on a trailer you will need to transfer that rego too.



If it is an Australian Registered vessel (ie. Federal Registration through AMSA) and you are Australian citizens then get the owner to fill in the AMSA transfer forms. If you keep it in an Australian state you will still need to register it in the relevant state. If you are not Australian then get the owner to cancel the Australian registration, there is a form for that too from AMSA. All this info is available on the AMSA website.


If you are Australian and plan to take the boat to another country then you will need to register the boat with AMSA, if not already done so.


If you are not Australian then you may want to register the boat in another country, if you plan to take it overseas. Alternatively if you plan to leave it in Australia and you have a residence address in the relevant state then just a State registration will do. Nationality is not relevant for State registration. As an example here is the link to the Queensland State transfer form, read the first page carefully.


In terms of a private sale, if the boat has a State registration number you can search the registration



https://www.support.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/formsdat.nsf/forms/QF3521/$file/F3521_CFD.pdf


You can also check the vessels State registration status - for example
https://www.service.transport.qld.go...tml?dswid=1497


You can also check the PPSR for any mortgage on the vessel https://www.ppsr.gov.au/searching/do-boat-search


Good luck

[SVDiDi]

Thanks
We are Australian citizens resident in Qld. Vessel is Qld & AMSA registered.
A bill of sale is being generated, and offer has been accepted verbally & via email correspondence but no official contract signed.
I have info re doing transfer of ownership etc & requested PPSR, but was expecting a ‘title deed’ similar to house purchase?

[Fore and Aft]

SVDiDi it pays to get a current gas certificate as well. I thought transfer of ownership is just a simple form from Queensland transport?
What sort of boat are you buying and is it insurable?
Cheers

[ChrisJHC]

It’s more akin to a car purchase than a house.
I.e. no “title” as such.

Also check whether you need a boat licence.
You do in Vic for a boat with any size engine.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by SVDiDi

Thanks
We are Australian citizens resident in Qld. Vessel is Qld & AMSA registered.
A bill of sale is being generated, and offer has been accepted verbally & via email correspondence but no official contract signed.
I have info re doing transfer of ownership etc & requested PPSR, but was expecting a ‘title deed’ similar to house purchase?

The AMSA shipping registration certificate is analogous to a housing title deed.

The 64 shares detailing the owner' names on the ship's certificate of registration is the legal document that defines ownership of any vessel on the register.

While not all recreational vessels have to be registered as an Australian Ship on the AMSA register, for any of those vessels that are so registered, the Certificate of Ship's Registration is the goto document that needs to be transferred when ownership changes.

Put simply, the name(s) on The Australian Ship's Certificate of Registration (as held by the AMSA Shipping Register) is (are) the legal owners of the vessel. Failure to transfer the certificate can cause problems for all concerned.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Bean Counter

If you are are in Australia and keeping the boat in Australia and assuming it has an engine of more than 6HP then it should be registered in a state.

...
If you keep it in an Australian state you will still need to register it in the relevant state.

Unless it's NT

[StuM]

Originally Posted by SVDiDi

Thanks
We are Australian citizens resident in Qld. Vessel is Qld & AMSA registered.
A bill of sale is being generated, and offer has been accepted verbally & via email correspondence but no official contract signed.
I have info re doing transfer of ownership etc & requested PPSR, but was expecting a ‘title deed’ similar to house purchase?

No "title deed". Just a Bill of Sale. Make sure it's the standard AMSA form 159. https://www.amsa.gov.au/forms/bill-sale

[GoneDiving]

In Qld you will also be asked about transferring the boat's trailer rego. It took me quite a while to explain that my Camry might struggle with a 54ft 50t load on the drawbar.

Good luck.

[ozsailer]

Are you getting a survey prior to purchase. If you dont I think you will find that most insurance companies will request one when you purchase. Play safe and get one pre purchase or as a condition of sale that it pass's the survey. Also in regard to AMSA registration you will need to obtain the current original Austraian certificate of registration from the present owner. Be caustious if the owner cannot supply and look closely at the reasons if this is the case. Its a PIA to get the boat reregistered if they do not have the orignal certificate. It is also printed on both sides and a photcopy of the front will not suffice to AMSA. Dont ask me how I kow this

Ozsailer
Lagoon 440

[SVDiDi]

Thanks Everyone
Definitely have all the right papers then including Gas Certificate.
Hopefully Survey & Sea Trial in next few days.
Boat license a different story 😕
Appreciate all your kind help!
Can’t wait!
🏖🐳⛵️