Buying A Boat

[MZurf]

I a planning to buy a boat (pleasure craft/speed boat, 15-20 foot) and would like to know if it needs to be registered in the way a car does? Is it possible to get the boat insured for theft?

Any tips on owning a boat in Thailand would be most welcome and if you have one sale please let me know.

[steveromagnino]

For a boat under 30 feet you do not need to register it unless you plan to charter it, in which case that's a huge other issue of ownership, registration etc.

Insurance is recommended, try QBE or contact Simpson Marine in Pattaya (located in Ocean Marina) for information as they I think are an agent for QBE.

If you are trailering the boat long distance, getting a registeration for the trailer may be challenging, most people just use lights no registration.

Head to Pattaya, loads of boats for sale, best to look carefully, a few of the boat builders and less than reputable, particularly the foreign ones.

[MZurf]

For a boat under 30 feet you do not need to register it unless you plan to charter it, in which case that's a huge other issue of ownership, registration etc.

Insurance is recommended, try QBE or contact Simpson Marine in Pattaya (located in Ocean Marina) for information as they I think are an agent for QBE.

If you are trailering the boat long distance, getting a registeration for the trailer may be challenging, most people just use lights no registration.

Head to Pattaya, loads of boats for sale, best to look carefully, a few of the boat builders and less than reputable, particularly the foreign ones.

I bought the boat, engine and trailer already. At the place I bought the boat (18 feet) they said I needed to register the boat but where I bought the motor they said I didn't need it?? I do not plan to charter the boat.

So I need a registration for the trailer as well? This is giving me a headache

[impulse]

Whatever you find out, please post back. I'd like to buy a boat but don't want to buy the "wrong" boat if it means registration nightmares, paying exorbitant storage or marina fees, or it turns out to be illegal for me to even run the thing or haul it in traffic to the water..

Edited December 24, 2011 by impulse

[steveromagnino]

18 footer I think you are best to contact an insurance place, but I think you will find NOT necessary to register it. If you are road trailering it, you are in breach of the law if the trailer is not registered (same as the rest of the world) but most people don't register as they don't enforce it for short distances (as you can see at South Pattaya on a daily basis with boats getting towed on non suspension trailers held together with bits of wood and string all the way to soi Tepprasit).

Regarding launching, some ramps require payment to launch (e.g. Pattaya pier, OMYC, etc) and some don't (e.g. directly on the beach). That will be a major factor in your decision, and also where you intend to actually keep the boat.

If you have a few 100 baht notes you can trailer the boat anywhere in Thailand no doubt - note that i do not ever take such an approach - the other way is to have a reason for towing it, an official letter and then you can also tow without registration etc.

[mcyachty]

If you buy a trailer boat, be aware that is is very difficult to trail it behind a car. You can only do it legally if you have yellow plates (commercial rego) and you have a commercial license, and the trailer must be registered.

Your other option is to keep it at Ocean Marina, where they put it in the water for you, and you get a couple of days free berthing if you keep the boat there.

You must register it, which is getting a blue book from the Marine Department down at Bali Hai pier. If you plan on keeping the boat at Ocean Marina, they can probably do all of theis for you, and sort out your insurance.