Buying a sailboat in Denmark

Here is another work in progress.

Formalities

A second-hand purchase can be done informally, it’s like buying a bike (but you might want a signed handwritten note from the seller). You can optionally register the boat in the ship registry.

You can find official information at the Danish Maritime Authority.

Worth noting:

• boat must be CE-marked
• to have a VHF radio you need a SRC (short range certificate)
• no boating license is required for boats shorter than 15m (!)

Insurance

Not mandatory, but recommended.

Marina berths

Prices are very low and go by boat width (unlink in the Mediterranean, where they go by boat length). Don’t forget to add 30cm to the boat width to include fenders.

In most places there are long waiting lists so you might have to wait quite some time (I’ve heard of up to 5 years, or 1.5 for a 22ft boat) to secure a place. Most marinas have guest/temporary places, though, so you can use one until you have your own.

Copenhagen

In Svanemollen you must be a member of one of the three sailing clubs and berths are allocated by membership seniority. To enter the waiting list you must already own the boat.