Buying a boat in Turkey

[carraigdog]

Hi, Im another Frankie also thinking about buying in Turkey, I really like a yacht that is on the hard in a Marmaris marina, its a UK registered boat and is currently on ebay by what appears to be a well established user, but is also listed at a higher price on several broker sites.
I think the ebay listing is legitimate.
I am seriously thinking about making an offer well below the asking price, but will ask for permission to carry out a survey by a local English speaking surveyor as per the general consensus on this thread before I part with any cash.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) I had already arranged a holiday in Dubai for next week, so I wouldnt actually be able to go to Marmaris this month.
I am currently looking at the logistics of actually keeping a forty foot sail boat there, (I live in the UK) I still lack experience having just completed RYA qualified crew in the Canaries, but I have been actively looking at a yacht for about 18 months now and REALLY like this one, for me to sail, and also for my children to use like a holiday base untill I can get their confidence (maybe with an own boat instructor out there) Approaching 60! I want to get a boat now that I can use, and not buy a smaller boat to gain experience in, being me!! I am as likely to spend as much pampering a small yacht as a big one, so I feel I should just go for the holy grail now, just waiting on 3rd party insurance quotes and the marina the yacht is in now for a price for the next six months,
Does this make sense ? Oh, since this is my first post, thank you for the opportunity, already reading here until my eyes are sore. cheers

[yelken]

Originally Posted by carraigdog

Hi, Im another Frankie also thinking about buying in Turkey, I really like a yacht that is on the hard in a Marmaris marina, its a UK registered boat and is currently on ebay by what appears to be a well established user, but is also listed at a higher price on several broker sites.
I think the ebay listing is legitimate.
I am seriously thinking about making an offer well below the asking price, but will ask for permission to carry out a survey by a local English speaking surveyor as per the general consensus on this thread before I part with any cash.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) I had already arranged a holiday in Dubai for next week, so I wouldnt actually be able to go to Marmaris this month.
I am currently looking at the logistics of actually keeping a forty foot sail boat there, (I live in the UK) I still lack experience having just completed RYA qualified crew in the Canaries, but I have been actively looking at a yacht for about 18 months now and REALLY like this one, for me to sail, and also for my children to use like a holiday base untill I can get their confidence (maybe with an own boat instructor out there) Approaching 60! I want to get a boat now that I can use, and not buy a smaller boat to gain experience in, being me!! I am as likely to spend as much pampering a small yacht as a big one, so I feel I should just go for the holy grail now, just waiting on 3rd party insurance quotes and the marina the yacht is in now for a price for the next six months,
Does this make sense ? Oh, since this is my first post, thank you for the opportunity, already reading here until my eyes are sore. cheers

Hi carraigdog, keeping the boat in Marmaris should not be a problem. Marmaris Yacht Marina is usually the cheapest and have all sorts of marine services with reasonable pricing. Ask the owner when his current contract with the marina expires, perhaps you can use his remaining time. The nearest airport is Dalaman and there are regular bus services to Marmaris (15 TL approx 5 Euros). Good luck with the bidding.

[carraigdog]

Hi Yelken
Thankyou for the reply and the useful information, I have been to Marmaris on holiday a few times, and to have a boat there would be fantastic, there is a weekly flight from my city May- October, so it would be accessible for me.
Really just waiting on the vendor biting before I go further

[mausgras]

Originally Posted by carraigdog

Hi Yelken
Thankyou for the reply and the useful information, I have been to Marmaris on holiday a few times, and to have a boat there would be fantastic, there is a weekly flight from my city May- October, so it would be accessible for me.
Really just waiting on the vendor biting before I go further

It's a bit off topic but forgive me. I bought my boat in Phuket in similar circumstances to you and it was the best move I could have made.

I "commute" from Australia to cruise 4 to 6 months of the year. The rest of the year I lease her to a charter company which does all my maintenance etc. I don't make any money but the income covers all costs.

Marina and other costs are a lot less than Oz so the air fare 2 or 3 times a year are more than covered.

In effect, I get to cruise the Indian/Andaman region several months a year for free. Originally I was planning to bring the boat back to Oz but this region is so interesting I reckon I have several more years exploring to do first.

There is always the potential for pitfalls anywhere in the world, but if everything goes your way it sounds like you are making a good move.

Sent from my SM-J700F using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[carraigdog]

Thanks Mausgras, that is definitely something for me to think about, I actually hate to see nice boats sitting in marinas unused, and if it helps pay the bills ? then why not,

[AussieWayne]

As an alternative you could consider flying from the UK to Athens then take a feeder flight to Rhodes. Once in Rhodes simply catch the fast ferry to Marmaris and in just over an hour you will be looking at your new boat,,,,maybe.
This way you don't have to go through Istanbul.
Good luck with your boat search

Also Jes Holman is a FRP Specialist & Marine Surveyor in Marmaris, He is English speaking and was helpful with other matters but in the end I didn't have a need to use his Surveyor services so can't comment further.

AussieWayne

[frankie46]

Hi Carraidog

I think it's a great idea, I guess parking the boat in Turkey would be far cheaper than the UK. Go for it with all the energy you can muster, when you are doped up in a nursing home the only regrets you will have is what you didn't do.
However that said, I am finding you have to be extra cautious in Turkey and it has nothing to do with racism. You are fortunate that you are closer to the action, I am over the other side of the globe.

I received a lot good advice from this forum, thanks for that Guys & Gals, I've listened and taken most of it on. Based on the advice I researched a few surveyors and finally decided to go with Joe Rowles. Joe is waiting for the go ahead to carry out the initial survey on a boat I wish to buy. I haven't said to go ahead yet as I am having second thoughts because of the political unrest currently in Turkey. As of last week the government has jailed over 45 lawyers and judges for an indeterminable period. It may well be the broker I am using will be next to be jailed, his business closed along with the sail of my dreams excuse the punt.
I think the only way forward is for the boat to be moved to a nearby Greek island and have the sale take place there, then there's the tax issue.

What does the forum think.

Frank

[SYNADINE]

Hi Frankie,
I just want to point out that turkey has neither control on the registration or the ownership of the ship nor the ownership is under her jurisdiction. You should check that in Delaware with the registration office.
The boat is a guest boat in the turkish waters and a turkish lawyer can not help you.

[yeloya]

Originally Posted by frankie46

Hi Carraidog

As of last week the government has jailed over 45 lawyers and judges for an indeterminable period. It may well be the broker I am using will be next to be jailed, his business closed along with the sail of my dreams excuse the punt.
I think the only way forward is for the boat to be moved to a nearby Greek island and have the sale take place there, then there's the tax issue.

What does the forum think.

Frank

I am just trying to figure what the hell all this has got to do with buying a boat or cruising in Turkey, particularly for a foreigner ?

Which TV channel are you watching ? I haven't heard yet any cruisier or broker to be jailed, is there anything that I've missed ?

Cheers

Yeloya

[Catnut]

what Yeloya said.
I have just returned from Marmaris and saw no issues for foreign boat owners there. I bought my boat there last year without any problems, and would happily to so again if the need arose.

[frankie46]

With respect, the boat I was going to buy was with a Turkish broker and I believe my deposit would be placed with him. I he happens to be the uncle of his mothers sisters aunt and she happens to be a journo in a newspaper that printed adverse comments about the president, the whole family may be arrested. The broker may be hung naked upside down from the blood spatted ceiling for an indefinite period because he also has connections with the "Americans" in the form of an american flagged boat and lawyer.

I watch the international news, SBS in Australia. Three days ago they reported and videoed reporters being arrested because the newspaper they worked for printed adverse comments about the government. I have a Turkish friend in Australia and he is worried about his extended family in Turkey, he claims that anyone who is not of the same religion as that of the government should "blow the joint". That comment would also go against him.

I was all set to carry out a preinspection survey on the boat a few months ago before things got worse, I am glad I cancelled, it's just not worth the risk.

[chuckr]

[QUOTE=frankie46;2252069 The broker may be hung naked upside down from the blood spatted ceiling for an indefinite period because he also has connections with the "Americans" in the form of an american flagged boat and lawyer.

I have a Turkish friend in Australia and he is worried about his extended family in Turkey, he claims that anyone who is not of the same religion as that of the government should "blow the joint". That comment would also go against him.

QUOTE]


What in the world are you talking about??? We are Americans and sailed the north coast of Turkey this past summer and then left and checked back in in Istanbul in October and sailed down to Kusadasi for the winter. No issues anywhere.

Things are bit more tense this year vs last but no issues as far as we can see. And we are Christians. One of options for next year is to sail the Turkish coast from Kusadasi south and we see no issues with that.

[aclmck]

Originally Posted by frankie46

Hi Carraidog

I think it's a great idea, I guess parking the boat in Turkey would be far cheaper than the UK. Go for it with all the energy you can muster, when you are doped up in a nursing home the only regrets you will have is what you didn't do.
However that said, I am finding you have to be extra cautious in Turkey and it has nothing to do with racism. You are fortunate that you are closer to the action, I am over the other side of the globe.

I received a lot good advice from this forum, thanks for that Guys & Gals, I've listened and taken most of it on. Based on the advice I researched a few surveyors and finally decided to go with Joe Rowles. Joe is waiting for the go ahead to carry out the initial survey on a boat I wish to buy. I haven't said to go ahead yet as I am having second thoughts because of the political unrest currently in Turkey. As of last week the government has jailed over 45 lawyers and judges for an indeterminable period. It may well be the broker I am using will be next to be jailed, his business closed along with the sail of my dreams excuse the punt.
I think the only way forward is for the boat to be moved to a nearby Greek island and have the sale take place there, then there's the tax issue.

What does the forum think.

Frank

Hi Frank, Im an Aussie, i have just spent 2 weeks in Turkey,Marmaris, Bodrum,Istanbul and i don't know who is telling you what, but that info you have is way out, yes the people need to be careful what they say and to whom, but really nice people and they can't help you enough, you should have about the same fear that the govt will harm you or your money as you have here, NONE. That said there are plenty of people here on this forum that will tell you opposite, I've just got home i was over there looking at boats as well so i can tell you it was safe and no issues at all 3 weeks ago.

[frankie46]

I am not referring to folks hooning around the coast of Turkey in their own boat, I am talking about doing business in Turkey with a Turkish broker who may or may not have different views to that of the government.

Many thanks for the info guys & gals, I guess my risk profile differs to yours.

[Chris Robb]

Originally Posted by frankie46

I am not referring to folks hooning around the coast of Turkey in their own boat, I am talking about doing business in Turkey with a Turkish broker who may or may not have different views to that of the government.

Many thanks for the info guys & gals, I guess my risk profile differs to yours.

I keep my yacht in Yacht Marine Marmaris and a great place it is. When calling or communicating with Turks in Turkey, please be careful what you write in emails and say on the phone as this could be used to alert the authorities, who read most of what you send. Are they monitoring this web site - I wonder.