Buying a used boat in Mallorca

Published and reviewed on 21 October 2026 · Sea Moments

Start with a shortlist and an arranged viewing. Note your budget, cruising area, required capacity and whether you want to sleep aboard. Then compare individual units: the same model can have very different engines, refits and maintenance. Sea Moments retains each boat’s reference to connect listings, enquiries and documents. Withdrawn units are not presented as available, and confirmed sales retain their history without being offered as a new opportunity.

Before travelling, request identification of owner and boat, registration and navigation documents, evidence of tax status and details of any charges or outstanding finance. Check hull and engine numbers against the unit. The appropriate documentation depends on flag and history, so a generic statement that VAT is paid is not a substitute for evidence. If transfer or tax questions remain, have the professional handling the transaction review them.

Compare specific information

Hours are useful when you understand how they were obtained. Review the reading date and each engine’s meter; a generator has its own record. An approximate figure remains approximate, and a missing value does not mean zero. Compare servicing, replacement and refit invoices with the listing. Lower engine hours do not automatically mean better condition when storage and care are unknown, and a recent refit alone does not establish hull condition.

At the viewing, review access, bilges, layout, electronics and included equipment. A sea trial and independent survey, with an out-of-water examination where appropriate, can assess matters photographs cannot resolve. Agree scope, costs and conditions beforehand. A seller’s condition description is not an inspection performed by Sea Moments. Before completing the purchase, record the inventory, price, tax treatment, delivery terms and outstanding documents in writing.