Buying in US to Sail in Australia

[Jamel]

Originally Posted by timjf

Hi Doug ..good luck with your search but I found local buying a better option with regard to additional cost associated with the import and the sailing to Australia ...Best regards Tim Foster

Tim, considering the downturn of the Australian dollar over the past couple of days you may well be very correct there. I transacted 3 weeks ago when our dollar was getting $1.06 through Ozforex, if I did it today I'd be nearly $16,000 poorer!

Buying in the US has always been more about the huge selection of vessels available, generally better maintained and outfitted. Also the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful cruise back through the most spectacular cruising ocean bespeckled by hundreds of beautiful islands to visit.

If one approaches this as a profit making venture you will invariably be disappointed.

All I expect is the likelihood that I will recover my outlay if ever I wish to sell. In the meantime I have a great, well equipped cruising boat and look forward to a delightful 11 month cruise across the South Pacific all thrown into the deal! Life really is for living!!

[our doug]

thanks for the input guys, lots to digest.
Jamel the Catalina sounds a dream, good luck with the trip!!

[savoir]

Don't worry about the AUD. If anyone wants to buy USD, just wait a little while. Demand for USD will fall back from next Tuesday onwards and then stocks and commodities will rise.

Actually quite a few stocks have risen a little already.

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by savoir

Don't worry about the AUD. If anyone wants to buy USD, just wait a little while. Demand for USD will fall back from next Tuesday onwards and then stocks and commodities will rise.

Actually quite a few stocks have risen a little already.

I've noticed you've quite often made the right call.

[savoir]

I just hate the way things rise at about 1/4 the speed that they fall. Good exchange rates for Australian buyers might be a month away.

[our doug]

if our dollar picks up in a month this could be good timing for me.....
now to throw a spanner in the works,
What about buying from NZ? the rate is approx $1.26 any comments??

[Aussie_Sequoia]

Originally Posted by VirtualVagabond

I've noticed you've quite often made the right call.

Yeah... no sh*t... if I had listened to sav a month and a half ago I could have pulled out at 1.11 (not that I was ready then) now I'm ready and it's a friggin' 1.02

[Jamel]

Originally Posted by our doug

if our dollar picks up in a month this could be good timing for me.....
now to throw a spanner in the works,
What about buying from NZ? the rate is approx $1.26 any comments??

Rate is fine, but the bottom line is do your homework! Define what type of boat you want for your intended use.

Here's my example, I really wanted a Catalina 36...I love their 'L"saloon table layout. I zeroed in on a great one in Seattle, a 2007 for a good price then watched it go down and down again but I could'nt move on it 'til my boat sold here. Plus it was way north with winter coming on and I had doubts about bringing it across the Pacific.

Anyway it sold at a bargain price, then my boat sold...and the rest as they say is history, I've got a 10 foot bigger Catalina with lots of cruising gear for the same money!

[Jamel]

Originally Posted by savoir

Don't worry about the AUD. If anyone wants to buy USD, just wait a little while. Demand for USD will fall back from next Tuesday onwards and then stocks and commodities will rise.

Actually quite a few stocks have risen a little already.

In actual fact the A$ trend seems to be going south!

Repeat after me " The trend is your friend 'til the bend at the end"


Canada’s Loonie and the Aussie Dollar are both closely linked to commodity prices. A fall in the CRB index would lead to similar falls in the two currencies. CAD breakout below $0.9650 would signal a test of $0.94*.

* Target calculation: 1.00 - ( 1.06 - 1.00 ) = 0.94
Both currencies commenced a primary down-trend when they broke parity. An Aussie Dollar breakout below $0.97 would offer an identical target of $0.94*.

* Target calculation: 1.02 - ( 1.10 - 1.02 ) = 0.94

[savoir]

The fat lady is still adjusting her knickers.

[Jamel]

Originally Posted by savoir

The fat lady is still adjusting her knickers.

The knicker elastic really is a bit stretched these days and likely to leave her draws around her very expansive knees!

[welshdiver]

Originally Posted by our doug

It seems they best value right now is to buy in America and sail to Australia.
I'm looking to visit Florida and find a 38-40' and sail back to Oz ( with a qualified skipper)
I would appreciate pointers on where to look for answer to the next few questions.
"If I buy in USA". And export to Oz what is US tax position? Do I pay sales tax in US and claim refund while I am there?Is it best to ask a broker there?
Any recommendations for surveyors Florida?
Any ideas on how much below advertised price boats are actually selling for?
web site to find skipper/crew for that area
Are there any pitfalls to look out for doing this??

There are loads of ways & books to read, regarding the boat passage etc, but as for your questions , most of the US will let you stay 90 days before any tax is due so there should not be an issue there, You will also be wanting to re-register it under your countries flag i.e. Australia & that will also cost you around $200. If or when you insure it they may also require the Tonnage weight so a good Surveyor can help you there.
We are heading to USA in Feb looking for a Catamaran & will be sailing to Australia but will be taking around 2 or 3 years as we are scuba diving & touring as well. There are a few skippers around that charge but there are also skippers who will do the trip free as long as you cover all the costs.
You should also read some web/blog pages like www.zero to cruising or www.slapdash they are gr8t pages that talk about the trip but on catamarans.
Best of luck & make sure you are well prepared for the Panama canal as you will require at least 4 people for your lines

[Jamel]

Line handlers will be the least of your worries re Panama transit....you will be shelling out about $1000 to $1500 for the experience. It is a good trip through the canal but it takes time and money! Plenty of boats on the west coast!

Australian Registration is currently $1190 fee. $200 may be for state reg but you cannot sail the oceans of the world on state reg, no way!!

[welshdiver]

all info to register your boat in AU is here Boat registration we are reg'ing ours under uk flag & only costs 250uk pounds
There are lots of "hidden' costs that you need to look in to. Make a list of what you require & what other countries require for you to enter with your boat.