Difficult Decision.

[Princessoftides]

I own a 49' beneteau 2008 (Oceanis) registered in the US, stored actually in Grenada.
I am debating whether I should bring my boat to the US virgin Island to eventually sell her at the end of the season (april 2015), or have her shipped from Tortolla to Spain (Palma de Majorque) where I have a house.
Anybody with experience in the business of registering a boat in europe is welcome to give me some advices!The boat is in great condition, and it is difficult to sell her, but the cost of the transportation and the taxes are so high that I may have to sell the boat in St John, and buy a smaller sail boat in Spain.
I would love to have some feedback
Thank you in advance.

[accomplice]

Have you paid VAT on her?

[Princessoftides]

No, I did not, as I have not decided if I ship the boat to Spain or sell her in the US virgin island.

[Rubikoop]

Is this a boat coming out of a charter fleet?


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[boatman61]

Pay the VAT on entry of the EU at Horta, Azores.. 17%
Register her in Belgium...

[Stu Jackson]

17% of anything is a big chunk of change.

This may offer some helpful observations:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ed-126931.html

[accomplice]

B/ 49 Oceanus is a fairly common boat and will have many recent comparable sales. I would suggest you speak with brokers on both sides of the Atlantic to get a listing of recent comparable sales and then assess whether the VAT and transportation would be compensated. You might also consider bringing the boat farther north than USVI as I believe boats in the continental US fetch slightly higher prices as the market is larger.

[Princessoftides]

No, it is not, I bought the boat new in 2008 when I lived in NY.

[WindLove]

Europe is a buyer's market, so maybe you should sell in the USVI and start over by buying a VAT paid used boat. The VAT is going to be a pain, and the value doesn't go up versus a VAT paid one (In my opinion). Plus the expense of shipping changes the calculus.

[Princessoftides]

I pretty much agree with your opinion, too much hassle, a lot of money for a boat which has given me a lots of headache...

[hellosailor]

I would also suggest asking brokers and checking comparables in Florida or Annapolis, where I would expect the market to have more buyers than in the USVI. You might get a better price in the USVI from a buyer who wants to keep a boat there, but there are so many more buyers on the mainland.

17% VAT might sound steep, but consider that a broker will take 10% and then you'll be paying either VAT or some other tax on whatever you replace it with. Plus ongoing storage until it sells. In the long run, if you've solved the troubles and like the boat...it might pay to keep it.

[roland stockham]

The other thing to look at s RCD compliance. If the boat was built in the USA it will not have a European RCD plate and that can be expensive to get. Not sure if it is still essential but have heard tales of people having problems importing US boats. Also Spain has at times had funny tax rules for imported boats.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
I hope you get some answers and good council here.