Yes.

If you are looking for a particular make, model, size, age, specification or budget and we do not currently have the yacht advertised on our website, we can search our international brokerage network and the wider market for suitable vessels.

Tell us what you are looking for and we will help you find it.

The right yacht is not necessarily the newest or the cheapest yacht. Condition, construction, maintenance history, equipment, previous use and the yacht’s suitability for your intended cruising are all important.

We look at the yacht as a whole, including the hull and deck, rig, sails, engines, electrical systems, plumbing, navigation equipment, safety equipment and general maintenance.

For a cruising yacht, we also consider how the yacht has been used and maintained, where she has been kept, whether she has been in charter and whether her equipment and systems are appropriate for the cruising you intend to do.

A yacht should be assessed on its individual condition rather than simply its age or asking price.

Yes. We strongly recommend an independent yacht survey before purchasing a pre-owned yacht.

A survey can identify structural, mechanical, electrical and other issues that may not be obvious during a normal viewing.

For many purchases, we also recommend a sea trial so that the yacht can be assessed under operating conditions. Engines, steering, sailing performance, systems and other equipment can then be evaluated before the purchase is completed.

A survey is an important part of protecting your investment.

Yes.

If you are considering purchasing a yacht overseas, we can travel with you to view the yacht and assist throughout the inspection and purchase process.

We can accompany you during the yacht viewing, survey and sea trial and help you assess the yacht from a practical boating and brokerage perspective.

The buyer is responsible for travel, flights, accommodation and related expenses. However, for many buyers, having an experienced broker with them during an overseas inspection provides valuable peace of mind.

Yes.

We can assist with arranging the survey and sea trial and can help coordinate the practical arrangements with the seller, marina, surveyor and other parties.

Where appropriate, we can also recommend suitable independent surveyors in the area where the yacht is located.

We encourage buyers to use an independent surveyor so that the condition of the yacht is assessed objectively.

Finding problems during a survey does not necessarily mean that you should walk away from the yacht.

Many older yachts will have items that need attention. The important question is what the problems are, how serious they are, what they will cost to rectify and whether they affect the safety, structural integrity or suitability of the yacht.

The survey findings can also form part of the purchase negotiations, depending on the terms of the sale agreement.

We can help you understand the practical implications of the survey findings and discuss the options available to you.

A sea trial allows the yacht to be operated under real conditions rather than assessed only while alongside in a marina.

Depending on the yacht, the sea trial may allow the buyer and surveyor to assess the engines, gearboxes or saildrives, steering, handling, sailing performance, navigation equipment and other systems.

A sea trial is particularly useful when purchasing a yacht intended for long-distance or bluewater cruising.

“VAT paid” generally refers to a yacht for which the applicable European Union VAT has been accounted for, with appropriate documentary evidence available.

It is important to verify the yacht’s actual VAT and customs status rather than relying only on a statement in an advertisement or on the fact that the yacht is registered in an EU country.

We recommend that buyers ask to see the relevant VAT and customs documentation before purchasing a yacht where EU VAT status is important to them.

“VAT unpaid” generally means that EU VAT has not been accounted for on the yacht in a way that gives the purchaser the status they may require for keeping and using the yacht in the EU.

This is particularly important when buying a yacht that is currently in Europe but has not been imported into the EU VAT territory.

The buyer may need to account for VAT and/or customs requirements depending on the yacht’s history, customs status, location, ownership and intended use.

The exact position should always be established before purchase.

No. EU registration and VAT status are not the same thing.

A yacht may be registered in an EU country without that registration, by itself, proving that EU VAT has been paid.

When purchasing a yacht, we recommend checking the documentary evidence of VAT and customs status rather than relying on the yacht’s registration alone.

A yacht that has been operated in charter needs to be assessed carefully.

Charter history can provide useful information about how the yacht has been used and maintained, but it is important to establish the yacht’s ownership, registration, commercial history and VAT/customs position.

A yacht coming off charter does not, by itself, tell you everything you need to know about its VAT status.

We can help buyers identify the relevant questions and documentation that should be checked before purchase.

The consequences depend on the yacht’s specific customs and VAT circumstances.

Before purchasing a VAT-unpaid yacht, we recommend establishing where the yacht is located, its customs status, its ownership and registration history, where and when it entered the EU customs territory, and what evidence exists concerning any previous importation or VAT payment.

If VAT or import formalities are required, these should be understood and costed before you commit to the purchase.

For an international purchase, we recommend taking professional tax or customs advice where necessary.

Yes, it is possible for a South African to own and use a yacht in the Mediterranean.

However, the practical and tax position depends on the yacht’s VAT and customs status, the owner’s circumstances, the yacht’s registration and how the yacht is intended to be used.

This is one of the reasons it is important to establish the yacht’s VAT and customs position before purchasing.

A yacht coming into the EU from outside the EU customs territory may need to be imported or may qualify for a customs procedure such as temporary admission, depending on the circumstances.

Temporary admission can allow qualifying non-EU yachts to be used in the EU without immediate payment of import duty and VAT, subject to the applicable conditions and time limits.

The rules are specific, so buyers should establish the yacht’s status before bringing it into the EU.

Yes.

Many South African owners purchase yachts overseas and subsequently bring them to South Africa.

The costs and procedures need to be considered before purchase, including delivery or shipping, insurance, customs clearance, import duties where applicable, VAT, port costs and documentation.

We can help buyers plan the process and introduce appropriate professionals for customs clearance and delivery where required.

Importing a yacht into South Africa involves customs clearance and the appropriate declaration of the vessel.

The yacht must be correctly classified for customs purposes and the applicable customs value, duties and VAT determined.

The documentation required will depend on the circumstances of the import and may include the purchase agreement or invoice, ownership documents, registration documents, shipping or delivery documentation and other information requested by Customs.

Because the tax and customs position can vary according to the yacht and the circumstances of the import, we recommend using an experienced customs clearing agent for the formal import process.

South African VAT is currently 15%.

However, the amount payable on an imported yacht is not necessarily calculated simply by taking 15% of the purchase price.

South African Customs determines the customs value and applicable duties according to the relevant customs rules and tariff classification. VAT on imported goods is calculated on the applicable Added Tax Value, which includes the customs value, applicable duty and the prescribed uplift where applicable.

For this reason, buyers should obtain a current import calculation before committing to an overseas yacht purchase.

Potentially, yes.

The applicable duty depends on the yacht’s tariff classification and the circumstances of the import. Customs classification is therefore an important part of determining the final cost of importing a yacht.

We recommend obtaining a formal calculation from a qualified customs clearing agent before the yacht is purchased.

We can assist with the practical process and help connect you with the appropriate professionals, including customs clearing agents and delivery specialists.

Importation involves formal customs and tax procedures, so we recommend that the buyer uses an appropriately qualified customs professional for the actual declaration and calculation of duties and VAT.

Yes.

We can assist with arranging yacht delivery and can connect buyers with experienced delivery skippers and crew where appropriate.

The delivery route, crew requirements, insurance, weather, provisioning, fuel, marina fees and other costs need to be considered when planning an international delivery.

We can help you understand the practical requirements and coordinate the process with the relevant professionals.

Yes.

Finding the right marina is an important part of buying a yacht, particularly if you intend to keep the yacht in Europe or the Mediterranean.

We can help you investigate marina and mooring options and consider factors such as location, accessibility, facilities, security, haul-out arrangements and the suitability of the marina for your yacht.

Mooring fees vary considerably depending on the location, season, yacht size and marina, so we recommend establishing the likely annual cost before purchasing.

The purchase price is only part of the cost of yacht ownership.

Depending on the yacht and where it is located, buyers may need to budget for:

• Survey and sea trial
• Insurance
• Registration and documentation
• VAT and customs charges where applicable
• Marina or mooring fees
• Haul-out and antifouling
• Maintenance and repairs
• Rigging and sail maintenance
• Engine and machinery servicing
• Delivery or shipping
• Safety equipment
• Upgrades and replacement equipment
• Professional fees

A yacht that appears inexpensive to purchase may require substantial investment afterwards. We encourage buyers to consider the total cost of ownership rather than the asking price alone.

A catamaran should be assessed as a complete cruising system rather than simply by its age and appearance.

Important areas include the hulls and deck structure, bridgedeck, bulkheads, rudders, steering system, rig and standing rigging, engines, saildrives, electrical systems, batteries, water and fuel systems, sails, navigation equipment and safety equipment.

We also look carefully at evidence of maintenance, previous repairs, charter history and how the yacht has been used.

For a cruising catamaran, we also consider practical issues such as payload, tankage, storage, systems redundancy, ventilation, comfort and the yacht’s suitability for the intended cruising area.

There is no single correct size.

The right size depends on the number of people aboard, cruising ambitions, experience, budget and the type of passages you intend to undertake.

A smaller catamaran can offer simplicity and lower running costs, while a larger yacht may provide more space, payload and equipment capacity.

The most important consideration is whether the particular yacht is well designed, properly equipped and maintained for the type of cruising you intend to undertake.

Neither is automatically better. They offer different characteristics.

Catamarans generally provide greater living space, stability at anchor, shallow draft and a large amount of usable accommodation. Monohulls offer a different sailing experience and have their own advantages for offshore and ocean cruising.

The right choice depends on how you intend to use the yacht, where you plan to cruise, how many people will be aboard and what characteristics matter most to you.

We can help you compare the two types according to your individual cruising plans.

Age is only one factor.

A well-maintained older yacht can be an excellent cruising boat, while a relatively young yacht can have significant problems if it has been poorly maintained or heavily used.

We look at the yacht’s condition, construction, maintenance history, equipment, previous use and survey results rather than judging the yacht by age alone.

Yes, but it needs to be considered in context.

A charter yacht may have had more intensive use than a privately owned yacht, but it may also have been maintained professionally and according to a regular maintenance programme.

The important questions are how the yacht was operated, how it was maintained, what equipment has been replaced and what the survey reveals about its present condition.

Once an offer is accepted, the purchase normally progresses through a formal sale process.

Depending on the agreement, this may include signing the sale and purchase agreement, paying the required deposit or advance, arranging the survey and sea trial, reviewing the survey findings, resolving any agreed issues and proceeding to final payment and transfer of ownership.

The exact process varies according to the yacht, seller, jurisdiction and terms of the agreement.

We guide our buyers through each stage.

Yes.

We can advise you on the yacht, its asking price, condition, market position and the findings from the inspection and survey.

We can then present your offer to the seller or selling broker and assist with the negotiation process.

Our role is to help you make an informed decision and negotiate the purchase professionally.

Yes.

We are not limited to the yachts currently displayed on our website.

If you tell us what you are looking for — including yacht type, size, age, budget, location and intended use — we can search our network and the wider brokerage market for suitable yachts.

Some of the best opportunities are found through broker networks before they become widely advertised.

A good bluewater cruising yacht should be appropriate for the people who will sail her and the conditions in which she will be used.

Important considerations include structural integrity, seaworthiness, reliability, manageable systems, adequate tankage and storage, suitable sailing characteristics, good maintenance access and properly maintained safety and navigation equipment.

Comfort is important, but so are reliability, simplicity and the ability to maintain the yacht while cruising away from major marine centres.

There is no single design that is right for every sailor. The best yacht is one that matches your experience, plans and cruising ambitions.

Before making an offer, you should understand:

• Why is the yacht being sold?
• Who owns the yacht?
• Where is the yacht registered?
• Where has the yacht been kept?
• Has she been used for charter?
• What maintenance has been carried out?
• When were the engines last serviced?
• When was the rig last inspected?
• What major equipment has been replaced?
• Is there a history of structural repairs?
• What is the yacht’s VAT and customs status?
• Is all ownership and registration documentation available?
• What equipment is included in the sale?
• Where is the yacht currently located?
• What are the expected delivery and marina costs?

A good broker should help you ask the right questions before you commit to the purchase.

Buying a yacht involves considerably more than finding a boat online.

An experienced yacht broker can help you identify suitable yachts, interpret specifications, arrange viewings and surveys, negotiate with sellers, coordinate the purchase process and help you avoid overlooking important practical issues.

At Angela Collins Yachts, we aim to provide personal advice based on the yacht itself, your requirements and how you intend to use her.

Our objective is not simply to sell you a yacht. It is to help you find the right yacht for your cruising plans and lifestyle.