For the Aussies

[tour]

It seems to me that most of the cats that we would like to purchase is situated in the land Downunder.

The missus and myself are a few months away from purchasing a 38 to 45 ft cat. The performance/cruiser type of boats that we like, Schionning, Oram, Whitehaven and Crowther designs are more common in Aus or so it seems. We want to fly over there and look at maybe 5 or 6 cats and buy the one we want. We plan to start our cruising life there and then move on.

Now a few questions if i may. Which area would be best suited for finding a large concentration of such vessels? And surveyors, who to use? Are there any complications for transferring an Aussie vessel to British flag?

This thread is about gathering all relevant information that is needed to find and purchase the best boat possible, so please any info that you might think of that i may not think of asking go ahead and fire away. Hopefully this might help other peeps that are in a similar situation.

A little back round info, We are a 40 year old/young couple. We have sailing experience but with no live aboard experience. This will be our first "big" cat to purchase. One South African passport and one American passport. Both have worked on the sea for many years at some stage so not new to the idea. We will be cash buyers looking for a simple, fast, light and strong vessel.
We are here for the long run.

Please fire ahead.
Thank you in advance
Rudi

[Dave_S]

East coast.

Brisbane/Gold Coast is one stop and has a high concentration of boats. Sydney too I expect.

https://www.multihullcentral.com/contact-us/ Chris or Andrew in Brisbane (I would trust both of these guys and they would know of most boats available Aust wide), as well you could search boatsales.com.au and yachthub.com but with a bit more searching you can find many more. Often the same boat appears on several sites and often with various prices. I think the one with the higher price has poached the add from another site and is not in direct communication with the owner. So thorough searching is recommended.

[Paul L]

Pittwater, just north of Sydney is a high concentration spot. And as mentioned, Brisbane.

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

East coast.

Brisbane/Gold Coast is one stop and has a high concentration of boats. Sydney too I expect.

To build on Dave S's comments, you might want to consider visiting the Gold Coast around 23-26 May.

That would position you to attend the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

See the list of exhibitors: https://sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/directory/

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

East coast.

Brisbane/Gold Coast is one stop and has a high concentration of boats.

Include Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast with those two. It's about the same distance from Brisbane as the southern end of the Gold Coast. The whole lot is about 3 hours driving from one end to the other.


As for surveyors, if looking in that area, you can't go past Geoff Cruse


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...nd-201572.html

[Simi 60]

A whole yard full of cats for sale at boat works, all on the hard, easy access

https://www.multihullsolutions.com.a...es/gold-coast/

[Factor]

Whichever broker you are dealing with, ask them if they know the difference between a Schionning an Oram and Pescott, they need to understand the realative merits, and not simply be used to flogging Production boats.

I second the recommendation for Geoff Cruse as a Surveyor

[tour]

Thanks. Great this was exactly the info that i was looking for.
There is a Crowther built by Cruse, that we really like, would this be the same Geoff that you all are recommending as surveyor?
And an open bridge deck that appears to be on the hard at Multihull solutions that we also like. Has a great interior, but not sure if a bridgedeck salloon would be better for permanent life aboard? Why we need to go and see.

i will contact Chris and Andrew soon to see what else is available in our budget.
We would, if all goes to plan, be able to fly over in winter July and August. Do you have a drop in prices during this time or do the cat prices stay constant?

[Simi 60]

Free spirit?

Wow, $175 seems cheap.
Limited payload and comfort but she's a fast boat for sure.

[Marc1]

Something missing from all the replies is price.
Expect to pay double the price for the same boat in Australia compared with the US.
Plus expect hyperinflated prices for work to be done on your boat, for survey, for repairs, for parts, everything at 2 to 3 times the price you pay in the US and with nowhere the vast array of expert advice and professional workshops you have over there.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Marc1

Something missing from all the replies is price.
Expect to pay double the price for the same boat in Australia compared with the US.
Plus expect hyperinflated prices for work to be done on your boat, for survey, for repairs, for parts, everything at 2 to 3 times the price you pay in the US and with nowhere the vast array of expert advice and professional workshops you have over there.

Yeah but the op is after boats that simply aren't available in the US so I fail to see how they could possibly be cheaper there if they don't exist.

[Marc1]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Yeah but the op is after boats that simply aren't available in the US so I fail to see how they could possibly be cheaper there if they don't exist.

Interesting. I don't live in the US but Google US tells me that after a few seconds search there are pages upon pages of cats around 40' for sale.
May be they are all dodgy? I don't know, but the last thing I would recommend is for someone from the US to come and buy a boat in OZ.

Unless there are other motivations that are no in the OP.
It may well be a great holiday opportunity and price may not be a consideration.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Marc1

Interesting. I don't live in the US but Google US tells me that after a few seconds search there are pages upon pages of cats around 40' for sale.
May be they are all dodgy? I don't know, but the last thing I would recommend is for someone from the US to come and buy a boat in OZ.

Unless there are other motivations that are no in the OP.
It may well be a great holiday opportunity and price may not be a consideration.

Can you point to all the

. Schionning, Oram, Whitehaven and Crowther designs

in the US amongst those pages and pages for sale?

If you had read the first post you would see that this is what he is after.

[ozsailer]

G'day tour,
I will also throw my hat in the ring for support of the Gold Coast for the best concentration of Multis on the east Coast. I would also include the greater of Moreton Bay where they have very large marinas.
Boatworks has been mentioned and I also support that comment. Just to advise that Boatworks is a very large boatyard one by one operator but they have a large number of independant contrators who work there. There are also several brokers (not just multihull solutions ) who specialise in catamarans at that location and where you will find a good proportion on display in the yard.
Marc1 commented on the expense of working on boats here in Oz. That is correct to come extent but at Boatworks you can do as much or as little on the boat that you are capable of. It is well worth looking at their website. Boat lift and storage are some of the cheapest on the east coast of Oz. Work prices are very very competitive. There is a further boatyards close by and many other brokers.
I doubt there is not a service you would require in and around this area.
Yes there are many boat brokers dealing with multis along the coast but none anywhere near the amount on the Gold Coast and environs.
We used Geoff Cruse for our survey and also recomend him. When we talk about price one also has to compare exchange rates. The US dollar is far stronger than the Aussie dollar so when comparing prices ensure you take into account this side of things. I do not know but would you be aware of any tax rebates you may receive when buying in Oz then removing the boat from our waters.
A couple of aussie boat sales sites to look at are, yachthub, multihull central (as mentioned) Boat Point, Yoti, Multihull solutions, Ensign Yacht Brokers and the Catamaran company to name a few. Good luck in the hunt.


Greg H
Lagoon 440

[fxykty]

No complications to delete from the AUS Registry (previous owner needs to do that) then apply to any other registry you want for which you qualify. The cheapest non-residential are likely Langkawi and Jersey. Any reason you don’t want to register US or RSA?