Buying a yacht from Cuba

[Durobby37]

Hi everybody, can anyone give me advice on purchasing a yacht from Cuba, all the ins and outs with customs, government and changing titles ect. If purchased I will be sailing it back to australia, and I don't want to be caught out as it's a life dream and hard earnt life savings.
If anyone can give some or all adivce, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks Scott

[Sid at SailAway]

How is she flagged?

[Durobby37]

Cuban I believe, as it's currently used as a charter boat in those waters.
Thanks

[Sid at SailAway]

Sent you a PM....

Sid

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Scott.

[letsgetsailing3]

Really? The only boat you can find on the planet is in Cuba?

The risk/reward quotient is a bit too high, I think, given that there are boats everywhere.

[Grateful]

Terror list?

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Grateful

Terror list?

It's some US political ******** nobody else could care less..

[gjordan]

Contact the Cuban embassy in your country and ask lots of questions. The US is the only major country that doesnt have diplomatic relations with Cuba, and just this last week, even we have moved towards normal relations with Cuba. It is still a communist country, so you will probably have tons of paperwork to deal with, but the embassy should be able to help you. There are lots of Canadian sailors that go there every year, so maybe someone from there will chime in on this. On second thought, get your info from the embassy via Email , so you have a printed record of their answers. Bureaucracies in all countries have the problem of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Good Luck with your venture, and PLEASE let us all know how it turns out. _____Grant.

[Durobby37]

Sorry if I offended you in any way or worded my thread in an offensive way, the only assumption intended was to gather information and advice as you do in any situation any where when you don't have the knowledge to make a decision.
Regards Scott

[Durobby37]

Thanks Grant, valuable info that I will look into. Will let you know for sure.
Regards Scott

[Scout 30]

Must be a pretty cool boat for you to leave your home country to get it. Can you tell us about it? The Pardeys have a great boat for sale in New Zealand which is a little closer.

[gjordan]

Scout, Thank you for saying what I was thinking. Cuba is one of the countries that I would love to sail to, but our brain dead , hate filled politicians wont allow it. European boats, South American boats, almost any boat in the world other than U.S. boats can visit Cuba. Our policys of doing the same thing for over half a century, and expecting a differnt result ,only hurts the average Cuban, and the average cruiser. It also fits the definition of insanity. Cruisers should be spreaders of good will. Enough said. ____Grant.

[s/v Moondancer]

To be practical...

You cannot sensibly transfer lots of $ to a country without a real judicial system.

Look at the boat and if you want to buy it have them take it to a French or British Island were the deal can be done with 1st world jurisdiction.

[savoir]

Be sure you understand the policies of the Cuban tax man. I know that the taxes on cars are huge so they might well be equally huge on boats.

Have you looked at BVI ? They have plenty of cheap ex charter boats and low taxes.