Buyer and Seller Resources
Buyers
We can walk you, step by step, through the buying process from the selection of a boat that meets your needs, viewings, the offer, surveys, to sailing away on your new boat. Ultimately, we facilitate the private sale between two parties.
Choose from our extensive inventory or let us source your perfect boat from anywhere in North America. We will act as your broker throughout the entire buying process, at no additional cost to you.
We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in making cross border transactions a breeze. We probably do more of this work than any other brokerage. Thunderbird handles all closing paperwork in-house to ensure proper title to your new boat.
Having a broker on your team when buying a boat exposes you to a wealth of industry knowledge, protects your funds, and ensure that there is always someone involved with your best interests in mind.
Buyer Resources
- Marine Surveyor list
- Paying Tax
- Vessel Licence and Registration
- Pleasure Craft Licence
- Registered Vessels
Sellers
Listing your boat for sale with Thunderbird takes the hard work out of the transaction.
We are fortunate to offer three destination retail locations- it’s like a boat show every day at Thunderbird. We offer complete marketing services for our sellers, including expertise in the evaluation and pricing of all types of pleasure craft. We handle all viewings, sea trials, and surveys. Closing paperwork is completed in-house so you receive your funds in a timely manner.
We advertise on our corporate website, boatdealers.ca, boats.com, Pacific Yachting Magazine, Pacific Yachting Online, Northwest Yachting Magazine, Facebook, Craigslist, Instagram, Youtube, and YachtWorld, the largest database of boats for sale in the world. We also attend the Vancouver International Boat Show, Sidney Boat Show, and Nanaimo Boat Show.
We are able to offer in-water and dry land sales moorage and each of our three locations for boats listed for sale. Space is limited, so please contact a broker for rates and availability.
Prepping Your Boat For Sale
Ill prepared boats leave money on the table. Here are our tips for properly preparing your boat before the “For Sale” sign goes on to maximize value:
- Clean, clean and clean some more
- Eliminate obvious exterior flaws (faded get coat, chips, scratches, stains, cracked windows, damaged canvas, rusted/damaged hardware, worn dock lines)
- Eliminate obvious interior flaws (stained carpets and upholstery, smells)
- Remove all personal and non-essential gear, leave only what is being sold with the boat
- Service engines
- Ensure the bilge is clean and engine room orderly
- Ensure electronic and mechanical systems/accessories are in good operating order
- Clean the bottom
- Have paperwork in order (licence/registration certificate, manuals, service records)
FAQS
Does Thunderbird Yacht Sales collect tax on the brokered boats it lists and sells?
Thunderbird does not collect tax on brokered boats, unless the seller has licenced or registered the boat under a company name. Boats purchased at a private sale in B.C. are taxed at the rate of 12% PST. We provide a marketing service to the vendor or seller. It is only this service that is subject to GST.
How is tax paid on the brokered boats Thunderbird Yacht Sales markets?
Upon completion of a purchase customers are provided with bills of sale and other transfer documents in order to transfer ownership. The processing of these documents by the authorities triggers a demand from the B.C. Ministry of Finance for the purchaser to remit tax on the sale. Purchasers may self-remit tax using a “Casual Remittance Return” form (FIN 405) which can be downloaded here. For more information visit the following link: BC Ministry of Finance
What about tax to out of province or USA buyers?
As Thunderbird does not collect sales tax it is up to the individual buyer to determine any tax liabilities they may have with authorities of differing jurisdictions.
Does Thunderbird Yacht Sales take trade ins?
No, as the vessels we sell are privately owned. However, our brokers will present all offers to sellers including those that may involve a seller taking a trade as part of payment.
Does Thunderbird Yacht Sales transport and deliver?
Normally we do not transport and deliver. However, we can help you coordinate a move with qualified companies specializing in transport and delivery.
How do I know there is not a lien on the vessel?
Thunderbird Yacht Sales conducts a lien search on each vessel it sells.
As a buyer should I have a boat surveyed?
Thunderbird Yacht Sales always recommends buyers have a marine survey as a subject condition on the purchase of any vessel.
Everything you need to know about licencing or registering your boat.
Licencing boats and registering boats are two different things.
A licenced boat carries a Please Craft Licence (BC, 13K, etc.). It is required on any vessel with a motor of 10hp or more. This includes personal water craft. You can, at your option, licence any vessel with an engine less than 10hp. There is no cost to transfer the licence, and it can be done through Transport Canada’s website here. Most boats purchased through Thunderbird will fall under the licence system.
A registered boat carries a certificate of registry. It is required on all commercial or government owned vessels with 10hp or more, barges, vessels with a marine mortgage to be registered with Transport Canada, and vessels that will travel outside of Canada and be recognized internationally as a registered vessel. Registering a boat costs between $150-$250 CAD and can be done through Transport Canada’s website here.
Who do I contact if I need more information?
Thunderbird Yacht Sales – Sidney Sales Office
Phone: (250) 656-5832
Fax: (250) 655-1981
Thunderbird Yacht Sales – West Vancouver Sales Office
Phone: (604) 921-7457
Fax: (604) 921-7486
Thunderbird Yacht Sales – Port Moody Sales Office
Phone: (604)939-0499
Fax: (604)939-0489
If you have further questions regarding purchasing a vessel from Thunderbird Yacht Sales, please contact:
sales@thunderbirdmarine.com
For website and technical Support please contact:
support@thunderbirdmarine.com