Help, Headed to Fla to Look for a Boat

[geoleo]

Dear Eddie, The early Morgan OI 41s sail poorly-the later ones termed Model 416 sail much better but still not good. However the Morgan OI 51 s are real sailboats and draw 5-11. There is one for sale in Appolo Beach FL -South end of Tampa Bay. asking 79000. Its on Florida Sailboats for sale by owner view 30036. Otherwise also check craigslist and Boat trader online........

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

Stay away from broker boats duh

That's right. Every yacht broker on the face of this planet is a thief who is out to steal your last dime and not a single one of them knows the difference between port and starboard.

PS
For those who didn't notice please note the sarcasm.

[geoleo]

If one buys a boat in Florida through a broker he is obligated to collect sate sales tax. If one buys through a private owner not so.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

If one buys a boat in Florida through a broker he is obligated to collect sate sales tax. If one buys through a private owner not so.

Well bang your head all you like but that is not correct. I'm pretty sure of my information since I used to be a yacht broker in Florida.

There have been many threads on this subject so I won't take the time to repeat the details or post the links to the FL Dept of Revenue and the FL Dept of Motor Vehicles but some of the links are here.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-us-88268.html

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

If one buys a boat in Florida through a broker he is obligated to collect sate sales tax. If one buys through a private owner not so.

Actually you just sign a statement saying you are taking the boat out of the state within 90 days.... and of course... plans change!

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Actually you just sign a statement saying you are taking the boat out of the state within 90 days.... and of course... plans change!

To complete the paperwork, you are also supposed to demonstrate that you have actually registered the boat elsewhere. I imagine this works like so many other things, in that you only have to worry about it if you get caught up in a situation where they would be checking up on you for some other reason.

[Cheechako]

I never experienced that. Registered mine 6 mo's after the sale. Just told them it was not in the water and was being worked on during that time.... which was true.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Eddiefuego

WOW...I need a four year degree in just boat buying. Thank you for the advice. I've found a couple of Morgans to look at...strung out from one end of Fla to the other naturally. Possibly Denten FLa.
I plan to run down to the Keys to look at marinas. Any advice there?
It's very exciting thinking about this big move. It's a long way from Iowa dirt...very dry dirt at that. Good thing I'm a wind farmer and not a dirt farmer.
The issue of boat taxes and registration raise some more questions concerning the boat as a second home or as a business expense for my solar energy habit.
But to stay on subject...I need a good liveaboard boat first.

You might seriously look at boats on the Great Lakes. They are only sailed weekends 4 months per year & in fresh water. Life has been economically hard here and there are lots of boats in yards that may have not been wet for a while. Many can be had for a steal. They will generally need cruising stuff added such as tankage, watermaker, etc. Look at the Tartans, Heritage, Islander and other vintage boats in good conditions. Use a surveyor!!! DO a Google search of marinas as you map your way around the lakes. In our region, Torresen Marine and Great Lakes Marina, Eldean, in Muskegon, Grand Haven & Holland. I estimate that only 50% of the wintered boats are launched in the spring. Also contact Yacht clubs. Maybe you would like a fall color tour of the coast and marinas? You only pay tax if you leave the boat in Michigan water. If you have no US home or state, leave for off-shore and document you might avoid sales tax although this is a touchy thing you need to research.

Exit from the Great Lakes is some combination of; truck, Trent-Sevren canal, Erie Canal, St Lawrence, Chicago Ship Canal & Mississipi River.

[denverd0n]

The laws about buying a boat in Florida are pretty simple. If you buy from a broker then they will collect the tax (unless you sign a statement saying you plan to take the boat out of the state within 90 days). If you buy from a private citizen then you will have to pay the tax when you register the boat, which you have to do if you keep it there more than 90 days (with a couple of specific exceptions).

The other plan, which a few seem to be suggesting, is that you lie and break the law. A plan which I consider remarkably stupid.

[wunderluster]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

Stay away from broker boats duh

Stay away from broker boats? You're really narrowing your choices and for no valid reason. A friend just bought a boat from an "honest" individual. He got crap for a premium price because he believed everything the guy said, only because he wasn't a broker. It is always buyer beware whether from a broker or a private sale.

Ask lots of questions, verify the answers, and get a survey, broker or not.

[sailpower]

Originally Posted by wunderluster

Stay away from broker boats? You're really narrowing your choices and for no valid reason. A friend just bought a boat from an "honest" individual. He got crap for a premium price because he believed everything the guy said, only because he wasn't a broker. It is always buyer beware whether from a broker or a private sale.

Ask lots of questions, verify the answers, and get a survey, broker or not.

Ding, ding, ding we have a winner!

Also, when you sign the FL removal form you acknowledge that it is on you to provide documentation that you did in fact remove the boat. No documentation comes back, you get a bill.

[dochip]

i am in the process of buying a Cal 31 using a St. Augustine-based broker who I woulld highly recommend.
if anyone wants his name let me know.
Sea trials and survey are set for Saturday.
David Hipschman

[Dulcesuenos]

Some really crappy surveyors in Florida be cautious and never use one a broker recommends.

[Eddiefuego]

Below is my msg from yesteday. I'm in a technology funk evidently. C.F. locked me out due to a "security" issue...hopefully resolved by the folks now and my android blinked out. A full days charge seems to have it working again tonight. Bad timing. Now my orig thoughts from yesterday.

Yep...there is a good reason I joined this forum...a wealth of good advice. I am now in Florida...have been down as far as Key West and now working my way up the west side...Naples now...and off to Clear water beach and St Petes today. I think I'm getting a better feel for marinas anyway....if not boats. People seem to be living on anything and everything. The trick it seems is to find something that is actually a pretty good sailboat in addition. My budget needs to stay at 50K and below. I can add some (small) money and some sweat over the next year without feeling the need to take off into the blue...but it looks like...for the budget...I should be able to find a very nice boat. I've verified what I've read on this forum, that there are a lot of poor boats out there that are not shown the love. I'm not sure why people don't cut their losses and pass them on...but perhaps I do since I've got an old Merc Benz I've let go to hell. hupf

[denverd0n]

If your limit is $50k I would suggest that you spend no more than $30k on the initial purchase. Getting the boat ready for any sort of voyage is bound to cost quite a bit more than you would expect.