I dont know if any here have been involved in CE
certification of boats, but I have
Firstly boatman, please don't keep
posting nonsense about CE markings, I know you obviously don't like the idea, but you are
posting misleading information
lets summarise
(a) a CE mark as it applies to boats means the Boat meets the requirements of the RCD ( The recreational craft directive) .The RCD has the force of LAW in all EU states
(b) A manufacturer before placing a craft on the EU market , must ensure that the boats meets the RCD and bears the correct builders plate displaying the CE mark amongst other things
(c) The manufacturer voluntary decides what boat is elected to be in what category ( or a series production ) , it may decide to go for A, B, C or D as it sees fit.
(d) for A and B there is a mandatory assessment provided by a " notified body" , i.e. a competent assessor assigned by the EU.
(e) A boat should be put through multiple categories, if the manufacturer decided, The category is not determined by the assessor, the boat either meets the criterion or not.
(f) PURELY based on category , you cannot decide is the boat is the right one for you, You could get a CAT D boat that is capable of going
round the world, merely because the manufacturer wanted to certify under the simpler CAT d rules. ( Its very unusual though )
(g) Post construction certification , which boatman claimed anyone could get for 12000, is ONLY available to people putting a boat on the EU market ( or importing it) where the original manufacturer is unable or unwilling to certify the boat. 2nd hand personal imports from the
USA are obvious candidates and thats process was mainly adopted for that reason.
Post certification is only for the particular boat and does not apply to series production
Note that post certification has NOTHING to do with pre 1996 boats , unless they are being imported from outside the EU. Pre this date NO CE marking is required for boats in the EU on that date.
for a manufacturer to comply with CAT A or B means they will have a documented manufacturing system and a boat technical file and they will demonstrate compliance with the RCD requirements for the category, The ISO specs MAY be used to demonstrate such compliance and increasing are.
A CAT A boat is NOT an assurance that the boat can go anywhere, I mean you can meet significantly greater conditions then laid out in the RCD on the oceans.
Nor does it mean that necessarily that a CAT B boat is unsuitable.
what it does mean is that you can be assured that two boats meeting the CAT A RCD, will at least have compliance with the basic scantlings, stability and other factors of the RCD.
Most modern cruisers are significantly in advance of the RCD especially over 30 feet.
SO Cat A is really a minimum after that its down to you the buyer to decide.
Its not a indication that you are getting a " great " boat, its more a protection that you are not getting a " crappy" one, where the manufacturer has misrepresented the specs.
PS if you want DNZ or
bronze seacocks in a EU boat just ask the manufacturer to fit them, Ive had
Beneteau do it no issue, Ive had
Beneteau change hatches and other fitments as well.
Sheesh I hope this RCD /CE stuff is at an end