Better to sell a blue water yacht in Florida or Caribbean?

[CaptainKay0zz]

Hey guys,

our one year cruising sabbatical is coming to an end (we refitted a 1979 Jeanneau Gin Fizz in Italy and sailed it across the Atlantic to and around the Caribbean) and we need to sell our boat again and return to work... ()

Now, Hurricane season is about to start and we haven't sold it yet, so we will store it on land and leave it (probably with a broker to handle things) until it is sold.
What we're not sure about: Is Florida the better boat market to sell a fully equipped, ready-to-go blue water cruising yacht, or are the Caribbean islands a better place? As we have similar offers from Florida and e.g. Antigua, it really comes down to where we can sell it faster and for a better price. Any experience/advice on this?

Cheers,

Kai

[S/V Illusion]

Much bigger market in the U.S.

[JPA Cate]

In the US, preferably in a secure marina, away from the majority of hurricane tracks.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

In the US, away from the majority of hurricane tracks.

What is your opinion on climate change? I tried keeping the boat in FL twice and both times there was a hurricane where the boat was, in a place where there are no hurricanes. I'll not leave the boat there again, unless I'm there too.

[stewie]

Without a doubt the US would be a better place to sell your yacht.

[Davy J]

in a place where there are no hurricanes.

Umm, uh, a, this place doesn't exist............

However, I've lived on the west coast of Florida for 23 years. I've owned five boats in that time frame. Not a single one has had a scratch from a hurricane.

[sailingforfun]

USA is a bigger market, but be prepared to pay your 1.5% customs import fee if you haven't already. It will be a requirement to sell a boat in the USA.

[Scaramanga F25]

I have kept my boats in South Florida from 1997 to 2013, hurricanes, yes, but only one scratch from a loose pontoon boat.

[Navicula]

list it here.....what is it?....size?....draft??....options?...price??

[sailcrazy]

Following with interest....as we approach 10 years since retirement, the mind is still writing checks but the body is not so keen on cashing them!!! Selling our 1989 Taswell 43 monohull will be required sooner or later. We're currently sailing the Caribbean, and "summering" over at Puerto Del Rey Marina in Puerto Rico.

[Snore]

West coast of FL. St Petersburg has some good brokers and has a good hurricane record.

[CaptainKay0zz]

Thanks for all the input, guys! We checked out a few locations you mentioned in Florida and contacted a few brokers, but didn't get any answers, so in the end we opted for leaving her in Antigua, where we found a safe yard and nice broker.

Also takes away the pain with imports, taxes etc., Antigua is really easy when it comes to those with respect to selling a boat. So yeah, I'll let you know how it goes.

Navicula: I wasn't sure what cruisersforum's policy on advertising yacht sales is. I can share the link to the listing if you guys are interested.

[Scaramanga F25]

Boats sold in the "Islands", Mexico's W.C. or C.A. are sold at a discount.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by CaptainKay0zz

Thanks for all the input, guys! We checked out a few locations you mentioned in Florida and contacted a few brokers, but didn't get any answers, so in the end we opted for leaving her in Antigua, where we found a safe yard and nice broker.

Also takes away the pain with imports, taxes etc., Antigua is really easy when it comes to those with respect to selling a boat. So yeah, I'll let you know how it goes.

Navicula: I wasn't sure what cruisersforum's policy on advertising yacht sales is. I can share the link to the listing if you guys are interested.

There is a section under Classfieds specifically for boat listings.