FONTNAUTIC ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions about boats.
Start with your decision.
Buying, selling, understanding condition, establishing value, sorting documentation, maintaining or moving a boat. Find the general answer first, then go to the right specialist service when your case needs more detail.
Find my questionSTART HERE
Four questions that can change the next step.
If one matches your situation, go straight to the full section. These answers provide general guidance; a specific boat or file may still need an individual review.
Is a survey worthwhile before buying?
In many used-boat transactions, yes. A survey helps establish the actual condition and identify defects, issues or overdue maintenance. Depending on the boat, it can be complemented by a sea trial, haul-out or specialist checks.
See all questions → CONDITION & VALUEWhat is the difference between a survey and a valuation?
A survey mainly answers “what condition is the boat in?”. A valuation or appraisal answers “what is it worth?”. They can be related, but their purpose is not the same.
See all questions → SELLINGHow is the asking price decided?
We study the specific boat and the comparable market. The advertised price of other boats is a reference, but it is not necessarily the final sale price. Condition, maintenance, equipment, location and documentation all affect market positioning.
See all questions → DOCUMENTATIONWhat happens if an important document is missing?
First, we need to identify which document is missing and why. In some cases a duplicate, certificate, regularisation process, inspection or alternative registry route exists; in others, the absence may prevent progress until it is resolved.
See all questions →CHOOSE A TOPIC
Go straight to what you need.
The general answers remain here. When a question needs a survey, valuation, documentation work, maintenance or logistics, we link to the specialist page.
01Where should I start if I want to buy a used boat?+
Start by defining how you will use it, how many people will normally travel aboard, your cruising area, the speed or range you need and the total budget you can sustain after purchase. With that framework, it becomes much easier to rule out boats that do not fit.
02Should I look only at the purchase price?+
No. You should also consider berthing, insurance, fuel, maintenance, haul-outs, antifouling, possible repairs or upgrades, administration and transport if required. The real cost varies considerably from one boat to another.
03What information should I ask for before travelling to view a boat?+
Recent photographs, basic documentation, engine details and hours, maintenance history, relevant invoices, inventory, recent work and any known issues. The better the information beforehand, the more useful the viewing will be.
04Is a survey worthwhile before buying?+
In many used-boat transactions, yes. A survey helps establish the actual condition and identify defects, issues or overdue maintenance. Depending on the boat, it can be complemented by a sea trial, haul-out or specialist checks.
05What is the difference between a survey and a valuation?+
A survey mainly answers “what condition is the boat in?”. A valuation or appraisal answers “what is it worth?”. They can be related, but their purpose is not the same.
06Does Fontnautic charge the buyer for support on a boat it markets?+
When you buy a boat marketed by Fontnautic, we do not charge the buyer brokerage fees for supporting the transaction. Taxes, official fees and necessary third-party services have their own costs where applicable.
01What do you need to begin assessing the sale of my boat?+
Make, model, year, location, engines, hours, condition, equipment, recent work, documentation and a set of current photographs are usually enough for an initial conversation.
02How is the asking price decided?+
We study the specific boat and the comparable market. The advertised price of other boats is a reference, but it is not necessarily the final sale price. Condition, maintenance, equipment, location and documentation all affect market positioning.
03Should I repair everything before putting the boat on the market?+
Not necessarily. Some small jobs can greatly improve a viewing, while other expenditure will not be recovered. It is useful to separate what affects safety or operation, what improves presentation and what can be explained transparently to the buyer.
04Do cleaning and photographs really matter?+
Yes. They do not replace technical condition, but they help the buyer assess the boat without dirt, disorder or poor photographs hiding its real qualities.
05Which documents should I have ready?+
Those needed to identify ownership, registration or flag, the boat’s characteristics and the status of the transaction, together with the available technical history. The exact documents depend on the boat and the type of sale.
06What happens when a buyer comes forward?+
The enquiry is qualified, available information is provided, a viewing is arranged and, if there is genuine interest, the offer, deposit, possible inspections and documentation required to reach completion are organised.
01What does a pre-purchase survey inspect?+
It may cover the hull and accessible structure, deck, engines, propulsion, electrical systems, electronics, water and fuel systems, safety equipment, documentation and functional checks. The scope is adapted to the boat and the objective.
02Does a survey guarantee that the boat will not develop faults later?+
No. An inspection reduces uncertainty and documents what can be observed or checked within its scope, but it cannot guarantee that a component will not fail later or reveal every hidden defect.
03Is a sea trial always part of the survey?+
Not necessarily. It is included when it adds value and can be arranged. It allows behaviour, engines, temperatures, vibration, steering, alarms and certain systems to be observed in operation.
04What is a yacht valuation for?+
To determine and document a value for the boat on a given date and for a specific purpose, using market information and factors specific to the individual vessel.
05Do advertised prices prove what a boat is worth?+
Not on their own. They are asking prices. A valuation must filter comparables and account for differences in condition, engines, equipment, location, documentation and market context.
06Is one valuation automatically suitable for a bank, insurer or court?+
It should not be assumed. The purpose must be defined in advance because each institution or procedure may require a particular scope, format or professional.
01Can you help with a sale and purchase between different countries?+
Yes. We first identify the origin, destination, flag, ownership, use and documentary status. We then coordinate the applicable administrative and tax route, rather than applying one generic rule to different transactions.
02Do you handle changes of ownership, flag changes and deregistration?+
We can coordinate changes of ownership, registration or enrolment, flag deletion, changes of flag and other related procedures according to the file and competent authority.
03What happens if an important document is missing?+
First, we need to identify which document is missing and why. In some cases a duplicate, certificate, regularisation process, inspection or alternative registry route exists; in others, the absence may prevent progress until it is resolved.
04Can you review charges, mortgages or leasing?+
We can coordinate review of the registry and documentary position and the necessary steps where charges, mortgages, leasing or other rights affect the transfer.
05Are taxes the same for every sale and purchase?+
No. They depend on the parties, residence, location and type of transaction, the vessel’s use and other factors. That is why we do not apply a universal percentage without first reviewing the specific case.
06Can all yacht documentation work be handled remotely?+
A large part can be coordinated remotely, although some files may require originals, signatures, inspections or in-person actions. This is confirmed when the specific case is reviewed.
01What is the difference between maintenance and cleaning/detailing?+
Maintenance deals with operation, technical preservation and repair of systems. Cleaning and detailing work mainly on dirt, presentation, materials and surface protection.
02What maintenance does a boat need each year?+
There is no universal list. Engines, generators, batteries, antifouling, anodes, electrical systems, climate control and other equipment have different intervals and requirements depending on manufacturer, hours of use, environment and actual condition.
03Can you coordinate complete maintenance?+
Yes. We can organise mechanical, electrical, electronic, hull, underwater-hull, systems and other work using the appropriate professional for each speciality.
04How should teak or gelcoat be treated?+
It depends on condition and finish. We avoid universal aggressive recipes: first we identify the material, level of deterioration and objective, then decide on cleaning, correction, polishing or protection.
05Do you clean bilges and engine rooms?+
This can be done within an appropriate scope. If oils, fuel, coolant or other contaminated waste are present, they must be collected and managed through the relevant procedures; they are not simply treated as cleaning water.
06Is it worth preparing the boat before selling?+
Yes. A deep clean, small outstanding jobs and orderly presentation can improve perception and make a viewing more useful, while never hiding technical defects or relevant information.
01How do you decide between transporting a boat by road or by sea?+
It depends on dimensions, weight, distance, technical condition, origin, destination, costs, timing and access. In some cases road transport makes sense; in others, delivery under the boat’s own power or transport on a yacht carrier is more appropriate.
02What information is needed to quote road transport?+
Length, beam, height and weight are basic, but the actual transport configuration, removable items, photographs, origin, destination and available loading and unloading equipment are also important.
03When are special road permits required?+
Where the configuration exceeds ordinary applicable limits, authorisations and special operating conditions may be required. The haulier must assess the dimensions, route and competent authority for the specific movement.
04What is a yacht delivery?+
It is moving the boat under its own power with a captain or skipper and, where the passage requires it, additional crew. It includes route and stop planning, fuel, weather and preparation.
05What is a yacht carrier?+
It is a vessel that transports the boat as cargo. Depending on the operator and route, systems such as lift-on/lift-off or float-on/float-off may be used.
06Does normal insurance automatically cover a delivery or transport?+
It should not be assumed. Before moving the boat, the applicable cover, terms and responsibilities for the delivery, road transport or carriage as cargo should be verified.
01Can I ask you before I know which service I need?+
Yes. In fact, many enquiries begin exactly that way. You explain the transaction or problem and we help identify whether the next step should be advisory, survey, documentation, valuation, maintenance or logistics.
02Can you give a second opinion on another boat or quotation?+
We can review the available information and help organise the questions, alternatives and risks. If a conclusion requires a technical or legal specialist, it is referred to the appropriate professional.
03Can you compare two different boats?+
Yes. The comparison can consider intended use, layout, engines, hours, equipment, maintenance, foreseeable costs, location, price and suitability for your priorities.
04Can you review an advert before I travel to see the boat?+
Yes. Preliminary analysis can identify missing information, questions worth asking and whether the boat merits a viewing before you commit travel and time.
05Do you work only with boats that you sell yourselves?+
No. We can assess advisory work and certain services for other boats. The scope and cost, where applicable, are defined according to the work required.
STILL NOT SURE WHAT COMES NEXT?
Tell us the situation. We will identify the next step.
You do not need to know whether what you need is called a survey, valuation, yacht documentation, delivery or maintenance. Start by explaining the boat and the issue.