A professional transaction management service for boat sales.
Built on the experience of more than 30,000 completed boat sales.
Why BoatClose exists
Finding a buyer is easy. Completing the sale is not.
Many boat sales now start without a broker. The paperwork, deposits, ownership documents and transfer of funds still have to be handled properly.
BoatClose runs that part of the sale between buyer and seller. It does not take sides or decide when a sale completes: both parties confirm, and only then are funds released.
It is part of the Boatshed family, with teams in the UK and USA. You can use it whether or not the boat has been advertised with Boatshed, and whether or not a broker is involved.
How it works
Five stages from offer to ownership.
Each stage has a time limit, so the sale keeps moving.
Agreement and deposit
Sale agreement accepted, deposit transferred.
Documents
Ownership, registration and VAT papers uploaded and acknowledged.
Survey or sea trial
Arranged by the buyer, then accept, renegotiate or withdraw.
Completion confirmed
Buyer and seller each confirm the sale is complete.
Funds released
Proceeds distributed, bill of sale and statements issued.
Funds
How transaction funds are managed.
BoatClose is not a bank. Deposit and balance are held by approved banking partners.
BoatClose manages the workflow around them, and funds move only once both parties have confirmed completion.
Fraud awareness
Verify each other before you exchange money.
BoatClose makes verification visible and structured. The workflow records the documents and confirmations exchanged between buyer and seller, so both parties can see what has been shared and agreed.
Buyers should check identity, ownership documents and registration. Sellers should check identity and proof of funds. BoatClose does not independently verify these — the verification itself stays between buyer and seller.
Who it's for
Anyone completing a boat sale.
Private buyers and sellers, brokers, marinas, boatyards and other marine businesses.
The sale can come from any broker, platform or private introduction. You do not need to have advertised with Boatshed.
Every stage has clear time limits, so the deal stays on track.
Pricing
A fixed fee, agreed up front.
Transaction fee
- GBP£950 – £4,950
- USD$950 – $4,950
- EUR€950 – €4,950
Agreed in writing before the transaction begins.
What it covers
Contracts, documentation, funds management, completion statements and handover administration.
Specialist services
Legal drafting, survey coordination, delivery or registration support are quoted separately.
The fee is charged in the same currency as the sale. If the seller is paid in euros, the fee is in euros. If the sale settles in US dollars, the fee is in US dollars. The figures do not change with exchange rates.
Stories
Real boat sales, and what happened next.
The deal was agreed. Now what?
A private buyer and seller shook hands over a weekend. Then came the contract, the deposit and the survey.
Read the storyMore to come
Further stories and short films will be added here.
BoatClose Pouch
All your documents in one place.
FAQ
Common questions.
Why use BoatClose if I have already found a buyer?+
Finding a buyer and completing a sale are different jobs. BoatClose manages everything between accepted offer and ownership transfer.
Who holds the money?+
Approved banking partners hold the funds. BoatClose manages the workflow around them.
When are funds released?+
Both buyer and seller confirm completion in their own transaction view. Once both confirmations are in, the banking partner releases seller proceeds and any broker commission, and completion statements are issued.
Does BoatClose inspect boats or verify ownership?+
No. Surveys are arranged by the buyer. Ownership documents are uploaded by the seller and acknowledged by the buyer. BoatClose records, it does not verify.
What happens if a survey finds problems?+
The buyer accepts, renegotiates or withdraws. The deposit is handled according to the sale agreement.
Can brokers use it?+
Yes. A broker is added as a party with commission set at the start, and is paid at completion alongside the seller.
Does it work internationally?+
Yes. The parties remain responsible for import, export, VAT and registration rules in their own jurisdictions.
Registration form
Tell us about the transaction.
Thank you for your interest in BoatClose.
Please complete the information below so that we can review your transaction and confirm whether we are able to assist you.
Once we have reviewed it, we will come back to you with a quotation for the BoatClose service. We do not accept every transaction, and we may come back and say that this is not one we can take on.
Completing this registration form does not commit either party to proceeding with the transaction.