If you are selling your cruiser to a non-member it is very important to abide by the Club Rules. Assuming your boat is stored within the Club grounds, it is essential to make it clear to the new owner that they have obligations as a non-member.
Extract of the Club Rules
Craft not belonging to club members but on club premises
Any member selling a craft must notify an officer of the proposed sale and provide details of the new owner. He/she must not make any undertaking committing the club to any course of action. An officer will meet with the purchaser to assist as required.
If the new owner is not a member of the club but wishes to join an application can be made, a joining fee, an annual subscription and a launch/recovery fee (if appropriate) paid. If the application is unsuccessful, the matter will be treated as for a new owner not wishing to join.
Applicable to craft normally kept on moorings but laid up shore: If the new owner does not wish to join or the application is refused, a storage fee of £200 will be deposited by the new owner with the club, refundable upon removal from the club premises. The craft must be removed from the club premises within one month of the purchase date. The club will assist with launching if required and in return will accept a donation of £50 for providing this service.
Any craft that remains on the club premises after one month will incur a charge of £50 per month (or part thereof) and if necessary legal steps will be taken to remove the craft. Applicable to all other craft: If the new owner does not wish to join or the application is refused, the craft must be removed from the club premises within one month of the purchase date. Any craft that remains on the club premises after one month will incur a charge of £50 per month (or part thereof) and if necessary legal steps will be taken to remove the craft.
In simple terms
- Please give details of the person who is buying your boat to a Club Officer
- As membership of the Club, the Launch and Recovery Syndicate membership and your mooring are personal to you, a non-member cannot ‘take over’ any part of your membership. This means only you are allowed to keep your boat on a Club mooring or laid up ashore within the Club grounds. The new owner must make a separate arrangement with the Club.
- If you sell your cruiser to a non-member, you must make them aware of the £200 deposit and monthly storage fee. Introduce them to a club officer, they may wish to join.
It would be very inconsiderate to take the purchasers money without explaining their obligations as outlined in these rules.