Temporary Importation of Boat from Croatia to Uk

[stevensuf]

I am a UK citizen toying with buying a yacht in croatia and sailing the boat to the UK to refit and pile on my belongings, I wonder if there is any way of doing this without having to pay UK Vat on the boat? foreign flag? temporary importation or just plain under the radar. Id need to put the boat on the UK SSR or another flag maybe back via west coast of ireland to scotland, what are the odds of being stopped should i be naughty and say nothing, i dont intend to keep the boat in the UK or sell the boat within the EU, it would be just do much easier to do the work here and live aboard for a few months while i tie up loose ends, but id really begrudge having to pay the tax on the boat for a short stay. any ideas?

[goboatingnow]

No legal way to avoid VAT

Dave