BLUEMOMENT

Hi
There's a few questions in there and I can give you the answer to 2 at least.
You don't need a certificate of competence to sail in UK waters. Parts of the continent do require them but over here you can be just as incompetent as you wish - as most of us are!
The basic certificate involves a fairly straightforward assessment but depending on how much time and money you have or wish to commit - and what you have done already - there are better awards - such as the RYA Yachtmaster.
Going to the continent you'll need to be able to provide proof of ownership of the boat and VAT etc, which will be straightforward as you are considering buying a boat over here so will have that paperwork anyway.
Insurance - there are plenty of companies offering insurance. You gets what you pays for really and there are lots of debates about it - YBW.COM usually has one a month!
Your price range is fine and you'll pick something up for that money without a problem. There are people around here such as Shard and Silkie who don't really work so have lots of time to advise and guide.
Welcome to the forum

Welcome to the forum Pete.

I don't really have any relevant experience of the technicalities but feel I have to say something, having been so nicely introduced by Claymore.

It's probably not as regulated over here as you fear though joining the RYA might be useful since they have a legal department who would be able to give you sound advice rather than the kind you (sometimes) get on sailing forums!

The MCA is the regulatory body.

AFAIK (which isn't very far) there's nothing to stop you coming over, buying a boat and setting sail without any governmental involvement. Complications would only arise once you entered French (frexample) waters. AFAIK and IMO and this advice is only worth what you paid for it etc. etc.

claymore wrote:There are people around here such as Shard and Silkie who don't really work so have lots of time to advise and guide.
Welcome to the forum

You'll have gathered by now that Claymore's a cheeky git. Welcome to the forum.

Visiting UK boats to Europe are advised to carry an ICC and a UK SSR (Small Ships Registration). This should be possible if you are UK flagged - don't think there are nationality issues, but best to check with RYA (www.rya.org.uk) or CA (www.cruising.org.uk). VHF radio will need to be licensed (certainly until Oct this year), and you'll need a VHF operator's licence (though I suspect US equivalent will be fine if you hold one.

For Franch canals, you'll need ICC (endorsed for power, or for inland navigation?) and something called a CEVNI, which, ummmm, I know nothing about.

Claymore's got you two sussed, hasn't he?

Not just us, he's just volunteered TCM to assist Avilion with his car/boat dislocation. Seems he's trying get some practice at being CEO of the "Claymore Crew and Useful Jobs Brokerage". Is there any end to this man's Napoleonic ambitions?

There can be few things worse than the genuinely lazy and relaxed being lectured at by chancers who who spend all day cruising the internet while picking up an enormous salary.

Harrumph!

Chancers...CHANCERS!!
I'm a time served man I'll have you know.

Shard wrote:

There can be few things worse than the genuinely lazy and relaxed being lectured at by chancers who who spend all day cruising the internet while picking up an enormous salary.
Harrumph!

Well by profession he admits to lecturing once in a while....

Donald