Trust & safety
Buying and selling safely
Boats are big purchases, often arranged between strangers at a distance. Here is what we do to keep listings genuine, and what you should do to protect yourself.
What we do
No anonymous listings
Everyone who posts must hold an account with a verified email address, so every listing traces back to a real person.
Automated spam checks
New listings are scored for spam signals such as unrelated links, known spam wording, duplicated adverts and bulk posting.
Human review of anything flagged
A listing that trips those checks is held and never appears publicly until a person has looked at it.
Posting limits
Accounts are capped on how many listings they can post per day, which stops bulk and automated posting.
Seller details kept private
Seller names are not shown publicly. Enquiries come to you by email so you decide when to share contact details.
Easy reporting
Every listing has a report link, and we investigate what gets flagged.
What we cannot do
We are a marketplace, not a broker, and we do not hold your money. We do not inspect boats, verify ownership documents, or handle payment between buyer and seller. No amount of filtering replaces viewing a boat, checking the paperwork and getting a survey. Please treat every transaction with the same care you would for any private sale of this value.
If you are buying
- 1. View it in person. Or send someone you trust. Never buy a boat sight unseen.
- 2. Never pay a deposit before viewing. This is how most buyers lose money.
- 3. Check the paperwork. Bill of sale, VAT evidence, registration and service history.
- 4. Confirm there is no outstanding finance. Marine finance follows the boat, not the seller.
- 5. Get a survey. For anything beyond a small, low-value craft.
- 6. Pay traceably. Bank transfer to a verified account. Never cryptocurrency or gift cards.
Our guide on common boat-buying scams goes through the warning signs in detail, and the marine survey guide explains what a survey covers.
If you are selling
- Be wary of overpayment offers. Anyone who wants to pay more than the asking price and have the difference refunded is running a scam.
- Wait for funds to clear. Do not release the boat or gear on a promise or a screenshot.
- Be cautious with courier requests. Buyers who insist on arranging their own collection before paying are a common red flag.
- Keep it on record. Use a written sale agreement and give a receipt. Our sale agreement template is free to use.
Frequently asked questions
Are listings on The Boat Shop checked?+
Yes. Everyone who lists must hold an account, so nothing is posted anonymously. New listings run through automated checks for spam signals such as unrelated links, known spam wording and bulk posting, and anything flagged is held for a person to review before it appears on the site. We also cap how many listings one account can post in a day.
Does The Boat Shop handle the payment for a boat?+
No. We are a marketplace, not a broker or an escrow service. You pay the seller directly, so always view the boat, verify who you are paying, and take the usual precautions on a high-value purchase. We only ever take payment for listing fees, never for the sale of a boat.
How do I report a suspicious listing?+
Every listing has a "Report this listing" link that opens a message with the listing reference already filled in. Tell us what looks wrong and we will investigate. You can also email [email protected] with the TBS reference.
What should I check before buying a boat?+
View it in person, verify the seller matches the ownership paperwork, ask for the bill of sale and VAT evidence, confirm there is no outstanding marine finance, and commission an independent survey for anything beyond a small, low-value craft. Our guide on common boat-buying scams covers the warning signs in detail.
Is it safe to share my phone number with a buyer?+
Seller names are never shown publicly on listings, and enquiries reach you by email first, so you choose when to share direct contact details. Share a phone number once you are satisfied the enquiry is genuine.
Seen something that looks wrong?
Tell us and we will look into it. Use the report link on any listing, or contact us directly.
Report a problem →