Found a buyer?
The trusted process between accepted offer and ownership transfer. BoatClose manages transaction funds, documentation, agreements and completion through a clear shared workflow used by buyers, sellers and brokers.
Why BoatClose exists
Facebook groups, marketplaces, forums and social media mean many boat sales now begin without a broker.
Deposits, agreements, ownership documents, inspections, completion statements and the transfer of funds still require structure, trust and experience.
BoatClose gives buyers, sellers and brokers access to a proven transaction process that has traditionally been managed by a broker.
The parties remain in control. BoatClose provides the framework.
Comparison
BoatClose does not replace brokers. It gives buyers, sellers and brokers access to the transaction process itself.
Why boatclose.com
Built on real-world marine transaction experience.
Everyone sees the same transaction status.
Funds are managed through approved banking partners.
Documents are uploaded, shared and acknowledged within the transaction.
Completion only proceeds when required parties confirm agreement.
Clear workflow, clear responsibilities and a complete audit trail.
Funds management
BoatClose does not operate as a bank.
Transaction funds are managed through approved banking partners. Today this process uses existing banking infrastructure already supporting marine transactions. Additional banking partners may be added in future.
BoatClose manages the transaction workflow. Banking partners manage the funds.
This separation helps provide clarity, security and transparency for all parties.
How it works
Buyer, seller or broker creates a new transaction. Enter vessel details, agreed price, and parties involved including any broker.
Buyer transfers deposit funds. Funds are held securely pending the next stage.
The Sale and Purchase Agreement is uploaded. Both buyer and seller review and accept the agreement.
Seller uploads proof of ownership, registration, bills of sale, VAT documents, maintenance records, manuals and inventory lists. Buyer confirms acceptance or requests clarification. boatclose.com records all acknowledgements.
Buyer may arrange a survey, sea trial or mechanical inspection. Results remain between buyer and seller. boatclose.com records transaction status only.
Buyer chooses to accept and proceed to completion, renegotiate revised terms, or withdraw. Deposit is handled according to the Sale and Purchase Agreement.
Buyer transfers the remaining funds. Funds are held securely pending completion.
Buyer and seller each independently confirm vessel accepted, completion date and time. boatclose.com requires confirmation from all required parties before completion can proceed.
Seller uploads the final Bill of Sale, Deed of Transfer and completion documentation. Buyer acknowledges receipt.
boatclose.com distributes funds according to transaction instructions — seller proceeds, broker commissions, boatclose.com fees. Completion statements are issued automatically.
Who uses boatclose.com
boatclose.com is an independent transaction platform and can be used for boat sales originating from any source.
Pricing
boatclose.com fees start at £500 and are capped at £5,000 for large transactions on the basic service. You know the maximum cost before the deal begins.
Small transaction
£500
Entry fee for lower-value boat sales.
Typical transaction
£500 – £2,500
Scales with sale value. Most deals sit in this range.
Large transaction
£5,000
Maximum capped fee for the basic service, regardless of sale value.
Fees cover transaction funds management, contracts, completion statements and transaction administration. Additional services priced separately.
FAQ
Finding a buyer and completing a transaction are different things. BoatClose manages the process between accepted offer and ownership transfer.
No. BoatClose can be used by brokers, buyers and sellers. It focuses on the transaction process rather than finding buyers or marketing boats.
Transaction funds are managed through approved banking partners. BoatClose manages the workflow surrounding the transaction.
Partly. Buyers and sellers remain in control of key decisions and approvals. BoatClose provides the structure, workflow and transaction management framework.
BoatClose provides documented stages, confirmations, agreements, transaction tracking, completion statements and structured release of funds.
No. BoatClose never sees the boat. Surveys, sea trials and mechanical inspections are arranged directly by the buyer with a surveyor of their choice. The results stay between buyer and seller.
No. The seller uploads ownership documents to the transaction. The buyer reviews each document and clicks to accept or to request clarification. BoatClose records every acknowledgement but does not independently check the documents.
No. BoatClose is a transaction platform run by administrators, not lawyers. If a party wants advice on the contract, tax position or registration, they instruct their own solicitor.
The buyer picks one of three options: accept and continue, renegotiate the price or terms, or withdraw. The deposit is then handled according to the Sale and Purchase Agreement. BoatClose records the decision and moves the transaction to the next stage.
Both the buyer and the seller must confirm completion in their own transaction view. Once both confirmations are in, the banking partner releases the seller proceeds and any broker commission, and BoatClose issues completion statements.
Yes. A broker is added as a party to the transaction with their commission set at the start. When the buyer and seller both confirm completion, the broker is paid at the same time as the seller.
Yes. The same workflow runs for cross-border sales. The buyer and seller are responsible for meeting the import, export, VAT and registration rules in their own jurisdictions.
Built from experience
The goal is simple. Give buyers, sellers and brokers access to a trusted completion process without requiring a traditional brokerage relationship.
Start a transaction
Tell us a little about the transaction you're working on. We'll be in touch to set it up or share more about how boatclose.com can help.