British Columbia, Canada Taxes

[Amgine]

For starters, the Caribbean is anything but calm. But I can certainly understand purchasing somewhere nearer your destinations.

I flew down to see a couple of boats in California when I was hunting. There are some great boats available there, and the condition is often really nice. I didn't get down to San Diego; nothing south of San Francisco to be honest. But I ended up buying something in Anacortes, WA. Not the cheapest, but a really great boat and just what I was looking for - something small enough for me to afford big updates when I feel like doing them, big enough to go around Vancouver Island and Hawai'i.

The most important thing I had going for me during the boat quest, though, was experience sailing a variety of boats. I knew what I needed, and what hadn't been important for me.

[WH20]

[QUOTE=Vasco;229353]anathema,

I think you've got the right idea. Too cold in B.C., no palm trees and the water's not the right colour.

A picture's worth a thousand words. Thanks all for the conversation on this topic.

We've got two young kids, just sold some property here in Nelson, and are trading our powder skis for snorkeling gear for all 2009. We're also considering the tax/import implications of buying in Florida, cruising the Caribbean for all 2009, then trucking her back to Canada to grow old with us either on Kootenay Lake or moored in Comox.

Any thoughts on buying in Florida versus a used charter boat in Martinique or St. Vincent?

Can you flag a boat Canadian that's been bought and registered in Florida?

Any preferences on doing the Caribbean North to South versus the other way around if we can find a good boat down island.

Thanks, Todd

[Charlie]

I searched quite a few areas for the boat I bought and found that having it close to "home" is a good idea if you want to do the fix up. And there is always things to fix. You can also try Mexico and San Diego to buy a boat. San Diego is very nice b/c there is alot of knowledge here. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Let us know how it turns out.
BTW Florida has a tax that needs to be paid if the boat is in the state more than (I think ) 90 days.

You can kick back in La Paz or one of the other Mexican towns hang out with the cruisers and find that boat that you are looking for too.

[bmartinsen]

"Can you flag a boat Canadian that's been bought and registered in Florida?"

Yes, my boat was born in South Africa. The preivous owner changed from UK to Canadian flag so I don't think it's that hard and the boat has never been to Canada. Check with Industries Canada (formerly DOT)or maybe send a pm to Caribsailors I think he did this more recently.
Brad

[Brent Swain]

There was a tax exemption for Canadians who had been out of Canada for over a year. It was aa $10,000 tax exemption as you were considered to be being repaitriated.
After a winter down south I have always been glad to get back to Canada's Pacific Southwest. Then I am happy to cruise here fo many years before I start bitching too much about the cold. A wheelhouse and woodstove along with a well insulated hull makes the difference between here and south far less.
Brent

[Brent Swain]

The BC government has just raised the provincial sales tax on boat and car sales to 12% ,making the total, with federal taxes 18%, to cover the cost of giving themselves a wage raise of up to 53%, to get "Good People" into politics.
That should give the boat market a boost.
Hard to sell a car under the table, but can be done with boats.