Buying a yacht abroad, then sailing it home

[Boxertwinjeff]

Hi, seems comparitive yachts may be Way cheaper to buy on the West coast of U.S. than in Australia thus getting a better boat within the budget, would you think it would be worth considering even if having to hire a delivery skipper to sail it back to Oz? & what legalities & other costs would be involved...import tax etc?

[Reefmagnet]

It was viable in the days of Aud parity, not so sure about now. You'd have to get aus rego plus pay 10% gst on entry into Australia and maybe also a 5% import duty depending on where the boat was built. Taxable amounts can include delivery costs.

But, if up for the adventure and the numbers work - why not! Just don't end up like those blokes that brought a junker racer to bring home. They left port at the wrong end of the season due to delays caused by unforeseen repairs to their new purchase and then promptly collided with a storm resulting in loss of the vessel and very nearly the loss of themselves.

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[Tientos]

Check out importing yacht on Border.gov.au. Agree with previous post, AUD is looking at falling further and with FIFOs selling their toys all over Oz, a buyers market at present. In our immediate locale over a dozen boats for sale.


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[Wanderlust]

Try this 71 page thread on the subject. All you would ever need to know.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...alia-3346.html

As noted above, bear in mind that the exchange rate with US has worsened dramatically since most of that thread was written. So, consider it an option for the adventure, but not as a way to save/make money.

[Awally]

With the strength of the $US vs many other currencies, it would be possible to save a lot of money buying abroad. Case in point my own yacht, which is in the for Sale section is in Cape Town, South Africa....the local currency has collapsed , this means a collapse in the value, someone will be on the correct side of the transaction figure out the Rand asking price , do the maths, realise its not a lot of dollars and get a bargain, and a beautiful place to start a cruise (east or west ) Or pay not very much to a South African Skipper to bring it over (The skippers here usually get free crew, who want a ride )

[Boxertwinjeff]

Yeh gotcha, probably not worth the exercise these days...

[Gerrycooper56]

Another point for consideration is AQIS - they gave a list of high risk bug countries and it seems if you sail from Florida to Oz you hit every high risk country. An entomologist is required if infestation is found and the boat can't be imported until AQIS declare it bug free.



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[zeehag]

amnesia II sailed catalina 42 he bought in usa to ozstraya via mexico..is how we met.
ask him.. he used to be jamel, then amnesia II, here on cf....members listings.

[patprice]

Boats might be cheaper in the Med than USA> Exchange rate with Euro has not shifted greatly. Lots of boats on offer. Get to see the Panama.....

[grantmc]

Reading the question I was reminded of an article that I've attached. This was published in NZ's Trade-a-Boat magazine.

It is a kiwi guy's experiences of looking for and then buying a yacht in California. He subsequently sailed the boat back to NZ. But the article is mostly about the practicalities involved in finding and buying a boat in the USA.

If you're serious about doing this I'm sure you'll find it helpful.

[Steve1944]

I just bought a Colin Archer 54 foot gaff cutter in Norway in July.


While I started out to buy a schooner on France, the boat was not what they represented. So, my second choice was Nora and no better boat has been built just for my plan.


My choice was to ship, hire a captain, or sail her. We started the sail in July and along the way some repairs caused delays such that it's December and were in Ireland blocked by weather.


It's an adventure and you have to know how to sail.


The Pacific? Sail. It's a piece of cake.

[old pirate]

Fraid you've missed the boat, so to speak ! A year and a bit ago you would have saved yourself 40% on the exchange rates.
I agree with Awally (above). There are some good buy's in South Africa. Their exchange rate is almost 11:1 and most of their boats are designed for the ocean. Delivery crews are available, but SA/Oz trip would be a good expierance.

[Schrodngers Cat]

True that. I'm looking at the same year and model boats (European built) in the Med that are 30% cheaper than on the US East Coast. 240 V. electrics.

[mausgras]

I have the exact same plan. I was lucky, three years ago I bought my boat in Thailand when the AUD was king. At the time comparable boats were going for up to twice the price in Ozland. I plan to take her home in another year or two and maybe sell her, maybe not.

In any event, even with all the costs of import and delivery I dont think I will lose money, I might even make some. It also means I have had a beautiful boat effectively cost free for 5 years.

[savoir]

Originally Posted by Boxertwinjeff

Yeh gotcha, probably not worth the exercise these days...

Sure it's worth the exercise. You are able to buy the exact boat you want in a market that is full of like boats for comparison. In addition, US boats usually have a higher standard of fitout than those in Australia. As if that wasn't enough, California is loaded with rich guys who buy yachts then barely use them.

If you want a boat fitted out to a high standard of luxury, used three days a year, never been north of Santa Barbara or south of San Diego then pack your bags and head for Marina Del Rey to do a little shopping.