Spray Dodger BVI

[free in the sea]

hi every body,
first time posting, so here goes, am looking for any tips on canvas work in the Caribbean, we are buying a boat there later this year, and may need to have a spray dodger and bimini fitted, we will most likely buy the boat in the bvi, but does some one know of a better and cheaper pace through out the whole Caribbean to get these items.

as they can be quite expensive,
so if any body has some advice it would be most welcomed.

thanks in advance for your help.

[Zanshin]

Greetings Free,

writing as someone who has bought 3 boats in the BVI and had work done on them there, I would highly recommend doing the 80-100 mile passage to St. Martin and getting work and chandlery purchases done on that island rather than the BVI. You will save at least 30% costs. There are some very good canvas places in St. Martin, my preference is for Tropical Sail Loft (ask for Ernst) in the red building that also houses Lagoonies - but there are other quality places as well.

[free in the sea]

ok, great,
thanks so much for that, do you know as well then, can I ship goods into st martin without ant tax concerns as well.
thanks , for your help

[Zanshin]

I have shipped items to St. Martin, and there is no tax or import duty there. Tropical Shipping is commonly used, I ended up using a smaller company and shipped a palette of items from Germany to St. Martin and it was very simple - but you need to be there to pick the items up when they arrive or you have to start paying storage. Tropical, as a bigger company with a big warehouse, might work a bit differently.

[free in the sea]

once again thanks so much for your advice.
will get in contact with all of the contact you have mentioned.

chaio,
thanks.