Buyer Safety Guide

Pre-Purchase Due Diligence Checklist

Before committing to any boat purchase — from any source, including any listing on GAP Marketplace — experienced buyers typically take the following steps. These steps are industry-standard buyer due diligence; they are not a checklist provided or monitored by GAP Marketplace.

1. Verify the Hull Identification Number (HIN). Check the HIN against state registration records before purchase. The HIN is required on all boats manufactured after November 1, 1972 (33 C.F.R. Part 181). Confirm the HIN on the hull matches the HIN on the title and registration.
2. Confirm clear title and lien-free status. Run a lien search through the applicable state's vessel registration authority (in Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish Department, A.R.S. § 5-321 et seq.; in other states: applicable state agency). Do not purchase without a signed title from the titleholder of record.
3. Commission a qualified marine survey. A certified marine surveyor (NAMS- or SAMS-credentialed) provides an independent condition and valuation assessment. Survey costs are the buyer's expense and are not provided, arranged, or guaranteed by GAP Marketplace.
4. Conduct a sea trial. Test the vessel in the water before finalizing any running-vessel purchase. Confirm the vessel performs as represented. A boat that cannot be sea-trialed should be approached with heightened caution.
5. Confirm the seller's identity and ownership. Ask for government-issued ID and verify that the seller's name matches the title. If the seller is a dealer, confirm they hold an active dealer license with the state where the sale is transacted.
6. For high-value purchases, use a neutral escrow service. Wire transfers directly to a private seller carry substantial fraud risk and are not recoverable through normal banking channels. GAP Marketplace does not provide, recommend, or arrange escrow services.
7. Meet in a safe, verifiable setting. For private-party transactions, consider meeting at a bank, marina, or DMV/title office where the transaction can be documented with third-party presence.

Common Scam Red Flags

High-ticket online purchases attract fraudulent listings across all platforms. The following are common warning signs that a boat listing may be fraudulent or misrepresented — regardless of the platform where it appears. GAP Marketplace provides this list as general consumer awareness information only.

• Seller refuses to allow an in-person inspection or sea trial
• Price is substantially below market value with no disclosed reason
• Seller is out of state or out of country and requests wire transfer or payment app before the buyer has seen the boat
• Seller cannot produce the original title or provide a satisfactory explanation for its absence
• Seller requests urgent action (“this offer expires today,” “multiple buyers waiting”)
• Seller identity cannot be verified against the title or registration
• Listing photos that appear inconsistent with the seller's claimed location or ownership history
• Any instruction to wire money, send gift cards, or use peer-to-peer payment apps in lieu of a documented sales transaction