Greece is an excellent option for buying a yacht and maintaining it in this country. In addition to a whole galaxy of large and small islands that are located in the waters of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, allowing you to admire the picturesque landscapes, a significant plus of Greece is that it has a very well-developed infrastructure for yachtsmen. Thanks to this, you will not have any difficulties with finding sailboats for sale in Greece and servicing the yacht. You can resolve issues with the service, crew, and other nuances without much hassle.
When buying a yacht in Greece, you can choose between two ownership options. The first is to purchase a yacht with VAT already paid. In this case, you have the right to keep the vessel on the territory of any of the EU countries for an unlimited time.
The second option will allow you to save money but is fraught with some difficulties in the process of ownership. Its essence is to purchase a yacht without paying tax. But in this case, the ship has the right to stay in the EU for no longer than 18 consecutive months. That is, choosing this path for yourself, you will have to leave the EU territory at least once every 18 months, going to the territorial waters of non-resident countries, after which the yacht can return to the Greek port for the next year and a half.
What to consider before the purchase
Having decided to become the owner of a yacht, you should ask yourself a few questions, without answers to which it makes no sense to choose a vessel.
- The budget you set for purchase. Finance is perhaps the first and most important factor that serves as a filter when choosing sailboats for sale in Preveza. It is finances that determine which boat you can afford.
- Vessel type. Yachts are motor and sail. There are also ketch for sale Greece and mixed options. The maintenance of a sailing vessel will cost you less, but a motor vessel wins in terms of running characteristics.
- Length. To a large extent, it is determined by the budget: the longer the vessel, the higher its cost. The comfort of walking on a yacht depends on this factor. The larger it is, the more free space and the more comfortable for passengers. In addition, yachts of considerable size are much less susceptible to roll.
- From whom to buy or country of purchase. Despite the fact that Sweden and Denmark are the best places to buy a boat in terms of price/quality ratio, you are unlikely to keep a yacht in the cold northern waters of the Baltic. Therefore, in order to avoid additional difficulties associated with the transfer of the vessel, we advise you to make a purchase in one of the Mediterranean countries. Greece will be an ideal option for these purposes.
Having decided on all these parameters, you can proceed directly to the choice of the vessel itself.
When visually inspecting small sailboats for sale in Greece, you should, first of all, pay attention to how it floats on the water – if there is any roll or other visible defects. In addition, you need to examine the condition of the vessel: the general interior and exterior (scuffs, scratches, dents, painting, etc.). We advise you to walk around the ship, sit in the cabin and evaluate how convenient and comfortable it will be for you there.
The seller should immediately ask a few questions regarding the history of used sailboats for sale in Greece:
- Have there been any accidents with this boat
- What would the owner himself do with the boat before going to sea on it
- Conditions under which this vessel has been operated
In a more detailed inspection, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the yacht’s hull (including its underwater part) and propellers. The hull must be free of dents and traces of osmosis, and the quality of the painting must be at its best. Taps and pumps must be tight, without leakage. The operation of all lighting devices should be checked. Light bulbs should shine brightly, without flickering, and turn on immediately, without delay. It is very important to examine all corners of the vessel for the presence/absence of dampness and mold. Check the operation of the engine and take a short test drive to make sure the sailing performance of the boat. After a test sailing, do not forget to recheck the floor of the yacht for leaks.
If the purpose of some parts of the vessel remains unclear to you, do not hesitate to ask questions to the owner. If, during the inspection, any shortcomings were found, then this is not a reason to refuse the purchase at all – everything can be fixed. But at the same time, it is necessary to include in the cost of the boat the amount to eliminate the identified shortcomings.
When drawing up documents, you need to check with the seller for a certificate confirming the ownership of this yacht. If there were several owners, it is better to trace the entire history of the vessel from the moment it left the shipyard to make sure that in the future, you will not have any problems with this boat. It is also important to ask the seller for documents confirming the scope and timing of the maintenance of the yacht – when and what kind of work was done, where and by whom they were performed, etc.
