Canadian and American buying a boat in US

[sarahjh22]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian and my partner is American and we plan to buy a boat in the US to cruise for a year or two either to Mexico or Caribbean (obviously depending on where/when we purchase).

My question is whether it would be preferable to purchase the boat as an American or Canadian? I'm assuming purchasing and registering as American would be the best route but I could be wrong which is why I'm asking you guys!

Thanks

[FLLCatsailor]

6 one way, half dozen the next...

[RicknSue]

If the boat is here, just title and document it in your partners name. My wife and I are the same- we live here, I am Canadian, and rather than go through any un needed hoops- she owns the boat, and it is a US boat. As far as when we leave, really don't think it'll make much difference at all. She'll be the Captain, and have to check us in, etc..
We thought about documenting it in Canada, but I could imagine the hassles of coming and going from our home port for example, and forget that.....I couldn't imagine trying to explain that to the marine police for example... after some of the conversations with government people over us and our kids over the years (born in Canada to an American mother- makes them dual)

[jeremiason]

The problems comes if you cruise into Mexico or other foreign ports and something happens to your partner. You may not be able to leave the country with the boat legally. This would apply to either of you registering the boat in one name in either the US or Canada.

The other consideration is where you are going to sail. The advantage to a Canadian registered boat is that you can legally sail into Cuba. The advantage to an American registered boat is you don't need a cruising permit in the US. Beyond those differences I haven't seen any advantage between USA and Canadian Documentation while cruising

[Stu Jackson]

If you're a Canadian boat coming down through the states, it'll be a complete hassle checking in with the "authorities" on a regular basis. Avoid the nonsense.

Othe r?, where are you going to keep it when you return, and where did you buy it? An American boat going back to Canada will incur VAT.

[sarahjh22]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

[FLLCatsailor]

Originally Posted by jeremiason

The problems comes if you cruise into Mexico or other foreign ports and something happens to your partner. You may not be able to leave the country with the boat legally. This would apply to either of you registering the boat in one name in either the US or Canada.

The other consideration is where you are going to sail. The advantage to a Canadian registered boat is that you can legally sail into Cuba. The advantage to an American registered boat is you don't need a cruising permit in the US. Beyond those differences I haven't seen any advantage between USA and Canadian Documentation while cruising

Plenty of US flagged boats go to Cuba... I just moved one today, and the owners have just returned from Cuba. they obviously stopped in the Bahamas on the return trip.

In term of who's name is on the documentation... It really doesn't matter... I have never been asked for care and custody papers when moving a boat outside of the United States or back into the United States...

One thing I would strongly urge is to never bring the boat back to Canada if you flag it Canadian... The import duties are killer...