Delivery Ideas and Timeframes

[ausaviator]

Hi all, me again,

Am seriously contemplating a Fountaine Pajot 37 from Barcelona.

I am in Australia.

Essentially... What are my options to get it home other than shipping it over....?

- paid skipper
- insure the boat and have a "volunteer" take it for me
- quit my job and do it myself (not really an option!)

Or something else I haven't thought of......?

Any ideas how long it could take? I hear figures of 30 days from Spain to the Caribbean but they are just talk. I also heard figures of $250 a day for a paid skipper...

Any suggestions?

[paulrack]

There are delivery skippers taking cats from Cape Town every month all over the world. I think the charge is a rate per NM.

[swagman]

Hi,
We had a delivery skipper bring our boat back to the UK from the Caribbean three years back and he took close to 30 days coming via Azores. Heading west from Spain to the Leewards would be a little less - I'd plan for 25 days to get there. Then 10 days to Pacific coast via Panama.
Then 40 days to Australian east coast.

Back then the skipper charged US$250 per day for himself, US$150 for his crew (which was actually for 2 people). Plus $800 in total for fuel and other expenses.

But credit to him, the boat looked as good when it arrived as when we left it in St Lucia - nothing was broken or worn. It was cheaper for us than freighting it and I certainly use that guy again if needed.

No commercial connections, but if you want his detail then pm me.

Good luck
JOHN

[boatman61]

Most Skippers have a mileage rate... some charge for crew others rely on volunteers looking for mileage and experience...
Personally speaking I'd say the paid crew is the better deal as the skippers using a known quantity/pool of experience making his life easier and the trip is much smoother with no last minute glitches...
Also your expenses will depend on whether you take responsibility for the insurance of the boat or if the Delivery skipper does.. in which case you pay a premium for a short term policy at a higher rate..
Hence the difference in pricings across the board... those operating responsibily with no overheads will pass it on, others will hit you for top$ with no added benifits to you..
Furthermore any days journeying on the delivery can only be an estimate, as conditions cannot be guarantee'd over these distances... weather is volatile and not as steady and reliable as in years past.
Schedules and fixed date's of arrival break boats trying to meet them

[boatman61]

Oh... I forgot to say... go for the mileage rate it works out cheaper in the long run than day rate which has you setting a schedule and calander watching.... and and/or an open ended bill..
If the Skippers a responsible type he'll have more concern about getting the boat and crew across safely and in good order than extra days on the vayage to ensure a smooth passage... at no extra expense to you.

[ausaviator]

Any ideas what the mileage rate may be for such a vessel?

[boatman61]

I think you'll find the mileage rate will vary from skipper to skipper and country to country... exchange rates etc... but I don't think anyones gonna post it up on here....
Get their wrist slapped....

[ausaviator]

Is there a section on this forum to find such Captain's?

[edsailing]

Ball park figure would be in the region of US$30,000 and allow 16 weeks. Exact cost would depend on the deal you could strike with the skipper (sorry, I don't want this trip).

You are looking at a passage of approx 12,000 miles - so you would need to factor in an allowance for breakages and repairs etc plus insurance cove, canal expenses........ Oh and don't forget import tax in Oz - I doubt it's worthwhile

[captainKJ]

might want to look at shipping Dockexpress does yacht and boat deliverys

Yacht Transport | Boat Transport

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

Is there a section on this forum to find such Captain's?

Click on the "Forums" tab up above and scroll down to the bottom, where you'll find "Crew Positions: Wanted and Available". Include as much detail as possible in your post. There are a number of members here who have the credentials to do that delivery.

[ausaviator]

Thanks Hud, will do.

I doubt it's worthwhile

Oh, I can assure you that it's definitely worth while!

The US market is red hot with aussies purchasing at the moment as you've seen from some of the other threads. As an example with a Tobago 35 reaching upwards of AUD$240k and selling for $120k in the USA there's money to be made, or if you're a cruiser, a great value vessel. The only thing in Australia under $200k and around 35 ft would be a really old Prout or maybe a timber custom or maybe an Easy.

Broker was telling me about a US$450k Lagoon 50 on the way to Aus right now. It's been pre-sold in Aus for a lot more than $450k I can assure you!

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by edsailing

Ball park figure would be in the region of US$30,000 and allow 16 weeks.

At those prices, maybe you should consider having the boat carried on a freighter. Should be less wear-and-tear too.

[Factor]

120000 in the us plus 30000 to deliver plus say 15000 to upgrade - change rigging whatever, plus 5000 for insurances and incidentals, plus 5000 for flights over etc to check it out = 175 Plus 5000 for exchange rate fluctuation = 180K plus 5% duty = 189K plus 10% gst = 200K to $220K (allowing roughly 10 K in each direction)

It can be done and it can be worthwhile, but the differences are not as high as some think, but good luck and one pice of advice, find a good australian customs agent before you start spending any money. I think its a great idea if you do the delivery yourself and thus treat it as a wonderful holiday, while you still have to spend the money - you are getting enjoyment as well.

[ausaviator]

Does anyone have any links for freighters, I'm aware of some from the US but not Europe...?