coming from OZ to buy a boat

[cathyoz]

hello
i am french , but lives in Australia.
i am coming in june to the States to consider buying a 33 to 40 fts sailing cruising boat to sail back across the pacifique, in few months..
i am an experience solo and short handed sailor.
I was looking at a nice old design boat, i don't care about how many can sleep in !!! nor the picture of the loo!!!! or picture of the stove !!
i would like a solide build boat , and if the engine is too old , i will replace it.
I have plenty of time to get her ready to set up for safe cruising.( i will go back and forth from Australia)
when i surf the net , i can see there are around the $40 000 to $50 000 range
and i am prepare to spend an other 20 000 for safety, fitting, for short handed sailing..ect..
i would like to know few things

do you think it is feasible financely?
i know price of marina in Europe and Australia, but do not have a clue in California!!
it seams the best boat are in Florida..humm..

do anyone know about special regulation about a sailing baot to leave the States?
What is the way for me to buy a cheap car there?
or rent? do they have storage place like in Australia , where you can stored your car, and stuff..

i will appreciate all infos and advices
cathy
seagipsy_cath@hotmail.com

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Cathy Oz,
Welcome aboard! I don't know the answer to your questions but there are some boats for sale on this forum under the advertisement section.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[Joli]

Hundreds. Go to Boats.com and take your pick.

Welcome to the USA!

[Weyalan]

I am not wishing to pour cold water on your barbecue, but don't necessarily expect that buying a boat in the USA and bringing it to Australia is going to be any cheaper than buying in Australia. You will need to fly to the USA, which is not cheap, pay for accommodation in the USA which is not particularly cheap. Have the boat(s) that interest you surveyed and travel between the boats.

If you buy the boat in Florida (or elsewhere on the east side of the USA), you will need to bring it through the Panama canal ($2000 approx), and the total cost of cruising the boat from the USA to Australia will be not insignificant.

Plus, when you arrive in Australia, you may be liable for import duty (5%), and you will certainly be liable for GST (10%) (payable on cost of boat, duty and delivery cost).

So, if you are expecting to do this cheaper than buying in Australia, you might wish to reconsider. If, however, you are doing it for an adventure, regardless of financial considerations, bon chance & bon voyage.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

You will need to fly to the USA, which is not cheap, pay for accommodation in the USA which is not particularly cheap. .

We are doing it and its costing us s**t loads.

Then add all the crapola we bought in australia and had to bring: para anchor being the biggest...
The 2 of us bought our 2 suitcases and 2 cary on baggage... but our suitcases have been totally full of equipemnt! Only space for our personal clothes has been the cary on luggage.
Even hostel accomodation in bunks has been US$60 per night!

Boats that look great on the internet are total and utter dogs do-do in real life. However some that you think are garbage are really great. so you have to see them all.

Then... you have to negotaiate it! EVERY broker sees Aussie = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$! Because of the exchange rate. So beware, they think you are a cash cow and the owners won't negotiate.

Oh, and one last thing... we were at a (big, respected broker) and he was saying some european mob are buying up particular boats in bulk, sight unseen, to transport back to europe for a profit. So any real bargains are taken......

All that being as it may, all the best

[Joli]

Hey Weyalan! Cut that out, we need to move some of these boats.

How about a nice Swan 51 for $200k, fresh water only mid 80's?

[MarkJ]

Nicolle thinks I sounded a bit negative. We dont mean to rain on your parade, but just have funds in contingency.

As for Joli's 200k swan 51. Even a mid 80's swan could be a boat neglected for 20 whole years after it has hit 3 boats, been gounded twice and then used for high school booze parties....

Just check the 'too good to be true' thoughts.


Ooops, just had to kill a cockroach on the wall next to me in our accomodation.... can't wait till we move aboard!


Mark

[Joli]

Nope, seen it, it's a steel. Some one has a nice boat for a very good price.

Mon, you be in the islands, thats a palmetto bug

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Nicolle thinks I sounded a bit negative. We dont mean to rain on your parade, but just have funds in contingency.

As for Joli's 200k swan 51. Even a mid 80's swan could be a boat neglected for 20 whole years after it has hit 3 boats, been gounded twice and then used for high school booze parties....

Just check the 'too good to be true' thoughts.


Ooops, just had to kill a cockroach on the wall next to me in our accomodation.... can't wait till we move aboard!


Mark

[cathyoz]

i do not that projet to save money at all !!!
i know about import duties in Oz..
i want to go cruising the Pacific..

[cathyoz]

thanks, i do not want a 50 fts..
by the way , i had few boats of my life, and restaure them and totaly rebuilt them from timber to fiberglass..my life is all about boats.
i can afford to maintain in energy and money a 35fts -40 fts by myself..
My son 18 and ,is going overseas , and i got plenty of time now buy a bigger boat (I got a 25 fts in oz in the Withsundays ) and cruise the pacific..
i know about the cost of Panama canal , it is more i am not really incline to cruise that way , especialy if i am single handed.
I have been to Antigua ..ect..
i will prefere go from the west Coast .
i am planning this on a lond trip , maybe 2 or 3 years.
i am not in a hurry..
I was thinking to buy a van in the USA ( so i can camp in camping places ), and look around for a good boat, and then leave the car somewhere when i comute back to Oz.
thanks for your help
every opinion is good

[cathyoz]

Oh, and one last thing... we were at a (big, respected broker) and he was saying some european mob are buying up particular boats in bulk, sight unseen, to transport back to europe for a profit. So any real bargains are taken......

Hi Marc
i was at the last boat show in Paris in december
i have lot of mate in the boating world in Europe,
i doubt that the people from Europe are buying by "truck load".
there are big space shortage in marina in Europe,
it is very complicated to buy a boat for a French person to sail it to France , they have to complied with lots of survey and legality "S----"
I can not stand the French legal stuff ,
i am French but left the country for good 25 years ago , and been an Aussie since , thank Gods!!!!!
i did already cross the Atlantic and have no desire to do it again,
pacifique is my projets,..
rent my house in Noosa , and cruise....

[noelex 77]

Dear Cathy
Go for it.
I have done a similar thing, but bought a boat in Italy. The plan is to slowly cruise around the med then back to Australia. So far having the time of my life. I might catch up with you in the Pacific in a few years.
Sorry I can't help with your specific questions about costs, cars and storage in USA.
Cheers John
See my blog at “Amzer Zo” Yacht Blog

Ps Marks comments about suitcases full of equipment was my experience. Its amazing how many clothes you can put on and still get on an aircraft and sailing jackets are great for stuffing pockets with more gear. Four flights to Italy, I never had any clothes in my suitcase or carry on baggage and now I have to many things to wear.

[cathyoz]

i grew up in Nice
i did sail in part of the med, have fun..
Corsica for me is special, hope you will take time to visit there.
but for now ,personaly, I am a bit tired of Europe ,too many people for me at the present.
you got a great boat.
all the best

[noelex 77]

Thanks Cathy
I am looking forward to the Pacific more than any other destination. I sailed from New Zealand to Tonga on a friends boat a few years ago and the Islands around Tonga were fantastic and a complete contrast to the Med. Imagine the top of Hook island with water twice as clear, no other yachts in the anchorage, no regulations, friendly people ashore who all want to find out if you live next door to Kilie Minogue because you come from Australia !
I have not managed to get to Corsica, but its on the list of places to go. New week I am sailing to Greece then on to Croatia.
Cheers John

[CSY Man]

Boat prices in Florida are down right now..Just like real estate.
The US dollar is in the toilet as well. Bargains are indeed available.