We spent nearly 2 yrs looking for 'the right' boat. At the beginning we had in mind exactly what we wanted, length, age , stern etc. but the more we looked the more compromise we made and some of them were very 'dodgy'. In the end we bought from a broker and, although the boat was older than we really wanted, it had had one owner from new. There were 4 A4 folders of documentation and photos from the day of commissioning to the handover. It included every letter/email and invoice (even one for a swatch of material) and also the boat, although a tad dated to some people, was immaculate inside. We met the owners, who could not have been nicer and so we bought it. Two days later there was a problem with the Invertor so, after contacting the owner for advice, they sent out an electrician who 'sorted' it. The broker had switched off the isolator underneath the flooring!!! We asked the electrician how much we owed, his reply? 'Nothing, and the previous owner said if it needs a new Invertor, put one in and I will pay' We knew then we had bought the right boat. Since then we have spent money improving the boat and replacing some things, our choice, and a year later we are still happy. We have met and spoken with loads of people who have their stories to tell, some good, some bad,some who bought the first boat they saw with no regrets and some with horrendous stories etc. People buy houses without surveys, 2nd hand cars without inspections and the same goes with boats although the latter seems a much 'looser' process. For what it is worth, and whilst I sympathise with your situation, I think you did exactly the right thing. If you do use the Small Claims Court there are loads of websites with useful information. If you do, and you win, and he doesn't pay within the time scale you have the right to send in the baliffs immediately, don't even hesitate!!!!!!