New boat registration and insurance

[BlackBart]

Hello,

I have recently been travelling through the south of France and east Spain looking at boats. I think very soon I will be purchasing a catamaran. I am a Canadian citizen and I am wondering what my best option would be for registering and insuring a used boat. Whatever boat I get will have some other countries registration already on it. I am new to this aspect of cruising and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Bart

[Harriet]

Don't take our word for it.

Contact the closest Canadian Embassy and ask them. They will ask the pertinent questions, such as where will you be keeping the boat, to help you decide what you need to do. Alternatively, they should direct you to the appropriate agency within Canada.

[Vasco]

If you wish you can register the boat as a Canadian vessel. Relatively easy process. If it's under 40 feet you don't even require a tonnage survey. Check details at Dept. of Transport website

[TabbyCat]

From an insurance perspective, where the boat is registered is not important. Insurance companies care about Navigation Territory (where you are going to use the boat), your "regular mooring address", and what your mailing address is. To that end, having a mailing address in the USA (even if it's just a mail forwarding company, like Voyager mail forwarding) will allow you to get insurance through an American company. European Insurers will be fine with a Canadian, US, or European address.

I work with both European and US marine insurance companies, so when you're ready for a quote on insurance, send me an off-line message. Best of luck finding your dream boat,