Disadvantages of a bankrupt boatbuilder (Fortuna) and no CE-Certification

[ak5609]

Hello there.

I am not quite sure, if I should buy "my dream boat" from a bankrupt catamaran boatbuilder. Allthough is has the A-certification it does not have the CE-certification. We are talking about a Fortuna Island Spirit 40. Admiral Yachts took over, but as I read they meanwhile have a bad reputation.

On the other side it is a great boat. I felt in love the moment I saw it.

But I do love all boats !!

I would love to get some opinions of owners in a similar situation or just some pro and contras. Maybe I am too scared to decide.

[Pete7]

Ak, were are you thinking of keeping this boat? if it was in the US then I would have said don't worry but since you are currently in Bucharest then it might make life difficult if you wanted to import it to an EU country.

However, CE can be added after a boat is built. Have a read of this but be aware it's not cheap.

CEProof | About CE Marking

Pete

[Stingo]

So many questions:

How far from being complete is the boat?
What is the situation with the person that originally ordered the boat? They are probably trying to get their hands on it too and the builder might be doing a "sharp one" by selling it to you.
Can you get the boat removed from their premises without any legal liens on it?
It is not unknown for builders (not only boat builders) that are in financial poo to take short-cuts. Be very wary.

Lots of Ocean Spirits were built. I am sure you will find a second hand one somewhere in the world that comes without complications.

By the way, it will cost you a lot more to complete yourself than it will if a boat builder completes it, simply because you won't get the trade discounts on materials.

[TeddyDiver]

If it's not finished you build it and register as self build. No need for CE cert..

[ak5609]

Bucharest?

I am not in Bucharest.

Alex

[ak5609]

Building, finishing a project ???

I am not building a boat. Neither finishing a boat.

I am talking about buying an Fortuna Island Spirit from 2003. Fortuna went bankrupt I think in 2005. That's all.

It is also not an Ocean Spirit. It is an Island Spirit.

Alex

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by ak5609

Bucharest?

I am not in Bucharest.

Alex

That leaves only approx 160 other countries... It might help folks here if you narrowed the location down a bit and described the reasons the certification is important to you as well as why the bankruptcy of a boat company is relevant for a 2003 boat.

[ak5609]

I live in Germany and I was told, that the CE certification would be an issue, if I resell the cat in a couple of years again.

[Pete7]

Alex sorry thought you were located somewhere else.

You are correct it will be a problem, you can't import a boat without having CE rated on arrival in the EU and it is illegal to sell it in the EU without CE, unless it's home made and you keep it 5 years. That is how businesses like CE Proof make their money.

Pete