I am buying a pre-owned boat, do I need to take VAT into consideration ?

Yes, the VAT status is a decisive element when purchasing a pre-owned boat. In most cases, the VAT has already been paid and is non-recoverable.

In certain instances (when the owner is a company, when the boat is financed by a leasing agreement, when the boat has been exported, etc.) the TVA status can be a decisive advantage for the buyer, who can buy the boat tax free or refinance the boat with a leasing agreement at a VAT rate of 9.8% (if the boat remains registered in the EEC) or, better, with a leasing agreement at a 0% VAT rate (if the boat is registered outside the EEC).

How much commission does ANTIPODE YACHTS take ?

For all the boats on offer, ANTIPODE YACHTS displays the precise sum of the commision taken when the boat is sold. In all instances, this commission is included in the selling price. The amount of the commission varies between 5 and 10% depending on several criteria: size of boat, location, type of mandate, selling price, owner status, etc.

Worth knowing: the commisions taken by ANTIPODE are subject to to 19.6% VAT. For example, if ANTIPODE takes a 7% commission on a €100,000 selling price, which is €7,000 inclusive of VAT paid by the owner, ANTIPODE will pay €1,147 VAT. The net commission taken by ANTIPODE, therefore, will be €5,852.

Can ANTIPODE YACHTS help me find a mooring ?

Yes! Contrary to received ideas, well anchored in the minds of yachtsmen, there are moorings available, even in the most sought after marinas. For most boats on sale, we offer mooring solutions in France (Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean), Tunisia, Turkey, Malta, Croatia and in most European countries. For a simple short contract of 1 or 2 months, to an annual contract, we almost always have a mooring solution to offer you and if we do not have one we will find one !

What is the cost of the annual certificate of registration tax ?

For each boat on sale, ANTIPODE YACHTS displays the annual cost of the certificate of registration. All boats over 7 metres long registered under the French flag are liable to this tax which takes 3 things into account: the age of the boat, her length and her engine power. The tax is due every year by the owner of the boat on 1st January with a final payment date of 1st April.

If the buyer is from abroad and has asked for the annulment of the French flag, he will of course be exempt from payment of this tax. At the time of buying the boat, the onus is on the owner on 1st January to pay the tax. Example: if you sign a provisional sales agreement on 15 December of the year in question and you sign the bill of sale.

What is the average upkeep and maintenance budget ?

The upkeep and maintenance costs of equipment are one of the items that should be taken into account when buying a boat. For every boat on sale, for information only, we indicate the average budget you should anticipate. This takes into account "necessary" annual work (careening, engine servicing, removing boat from water, anodes, life raft overhaul, etc.), but also equipment renewal (sails, electronics, etc.).

Should you have a survey carried out by an idependent marine surveyor ?

Yes! For the owner selling, a surveyed boat is sold twice as fast as an unsurveyed boat. It is therefore in his interest to have his boat surveyed before entrusting us with its sale.

However, two opinions are better than one, and even if the boat already has a surveyor’s report, we strongly recommend that buyers commission their own surveyor before signing the bill of sale. Generally, the handling costs (removing boat from water and setting her afloat again) are paid by the buyer and are refunded by the owner if the sale is concluded.

Is continuing an ongoing leasing agreement worthwhile for the buyer ?

In some cases, the buyer can continue an ongoing leasing agreement. If this possibility is available, ANTIPODE YACHTS will inform the buyer of the precise terms of the leasing agreement. The resuming of an existing leasing agreement is subject to the approval of the financial body after studying the file. Thanks to a reduced VAT rate on leasing rent (9.8% if the boat is based in the EC, 0% if the boat is based outside the EC), this solution is generally very worthwhile for the buyer, for whom, in the end, the boat will have cost less through continuing the leasing agreement than if he paid cash. For customers from abroad, continuing a leasing agreement is also a very good operation when the French flag is kept.

Can I trade-in my current boat ?

Nearly half the boats offered by ANTIPODE YACHTS belong to professionals (dealers, importers, agents, etc.) In some cases, you can trade-in your current boat when an agreement can be reached on the repurchasing price and the terms. Please contact us about this.