Getting a boat from Europe to the left coast?

[hellosailor]

"I can't imagine this would prove financially sensible, unless"
One can make a perfectly good case that NOTHING involving recreational boats makes financial sense. I heard one wife at a boat show saying "Honey, it is a nice boat (a large Albin trawler) but why can't we get the rear head and jacuzzi in pickled oak?" Wrong wood work, no sale.

If you fall in love with some particular boat, say, a mid-size Hallberg-Rassey? They're known to do some things very well, and very differently from most production boats. And some models exist in the US, literally, with only 2-3 boats. If neither of those two or three boats is for sale, and that's what you want...You go to Europe, pick one up, and bring it across.

HR is just an example, there are plenty of other boats just not readily found here.

Probably plenty of other obscure, individual, but valid reasons as well.

[Dockhead]

Well, cruise the Baltic for a season or two first.


From there to the Panama Canal is a lot of miles, but is pretty easy mostly downhill sailing, with the Bay of Biscay the only tricky bit.


But from there to the PNW is quite the opposite -- difficult uphill sailing off an inhospitable coast. So that bit might not be much fun. I would probably do as Pete suggests and sail off to Hawaii and then back to the PNW from there.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Well, cruise the Baltic for a season or two first.


From there to the Panama Canal is a lot of miles, but is pretty easy mostly downhill sailing, with the Bay of Biscay the only tricky bit.


But from there to the PNW is quite the opposite -- difficult uphill sailing off an inhospitable coast. So that bit might not be much fun. I would probably do as Pete suggests and sail off to Hawaii and then back to the PNW from there.

now that does sound like fun to me but I just might forget to turn northeast at Hawaii.

[LaughingWarrior]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

"I can't imagine this would prove financially sensible, unless"
One can make a perfectly good case that NOTHING involving recreational boats makes financial sense. I heard one wife at a boat show saying "Honey, it is a nice boat (a large Albin trawler) but why can't we get the rear head and jacuzzi in pickled oak?" Wrong wood work, no sale.

If you fall in love with some particular boat, say, a mid-size Hallberg-Rassey? They're known to do some things very well, and very differently from most production boats. And some models exist in the US, literally, with only 2-3 boats. If neither of those two or three boats is for sale, and that's what you want...You go to Europe, pick one up, and bring it across.

HR is just an example, there are plenty of other boats just not readily found here.

Probably plenty of other obscure, individual, but valid reasons as well.

This is EXACTLY it. Pending seeing a few in person, I'm pretty sold on a centre-cockpit HR 36-40.

Current listings in NA under $200K USD: zero. Listings of same in EU: 48.

Hence the question. It's certainly possible that when I'm ready to buy, THE boat may pop up in a more convenient location; there was a really nice looking 36 for sale in Seattle recently, but it sold fairly quickly.

[flyingfin]

Moderator:
Is this a forum for the exchange of important information, or has the entire site morphed into a Chat Room???

[bluenomads]

Mod's - Flyingfin isn't talking for me: I'm still learning from some (!) on these forums. When I don't, I'll leave. Fortunately, that's incredibly easy as I'd have to passively stop doing something rather than actively starting something!

[Chris777]

Originally Posted by bluenomads

Can I ask what company you used? The quotes we've had from Caribbean to EU have been at least double that price!

I used Complete Marine Freight. Stefan@completemarinefreight.com

Tell Stefan I sent you. Il recomend them strongly. Good Luck

[Chris777]

Originally Posted by Chris777

I used Complete Marine Freight. Stefan@completemarinefreight.com

Tell Stefan I sent you. Il recomend them strongly. Good Luck

FYI. Shipping was from Eemshaven-Netherlands to Jacksonville FL in 2017 on Stadiongracht as deck cargo. Mast up, cradle welded to the deck and 12 straps. Impressive operation. Make sure you getb loaded with the Bow forward. I was reversed and too much spray got in the cockpit. Otherwise everything was fine.

[Chris777]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

"I can't imagine this would prove financially sensible, unless"
One can make a perfectly good case that NOTHING involving recreational boats makes financial sense. I heard one wife at a boat show saying "Honey, it is a nice boat (a large Albin trawler) but why can't we get the rear head and jacuzzi in pickled oak?" Wrong wood work, no sale.

If you fall in love with some particular boat, say, a mid-size Hallberg-Rassey? They're known to do some things very well, and very differently from most production boats. And some models exist in the US, literally, with only 2-3 boats. If neither of those two or three boats is for sale, and that's what you want...You go to Europe, pick one up, and bring it across.

HR is just an example, there are plenty of other boats just not readily found here.

Probably plenty of other obscure, individual, but valid reasons as well.

Hellosailor, I am not sure you are counting all the time from Northern Europe to the US. 3 month is probably realistic, Atlantic crossing insurance, Mooring while in port, provisioning, not to speak about wear and tear. You will hit 10K fairly soon.....

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by bluenomads

Mod's - Flyingfin isn't talking for me: I'm still learning from some (!) on these forums. When I don't, I'll leave. Fortunately, that's incredibly easy as I'd have to passively stop doing something rather than actively starting something!

if you really feel this way why are you posting in this particular thread .
We are exchanging idea where that's what the forum is all about.

[dhr]

If you do it deck cargo to Jacksonville, send me an email and if in town ( not cruising on my boat) would help.

[Chris777]

Originally Posted by dhr

If you do it deck cargo to Jacksonville, send me an email and if in town ( not cruising on my boat) would help.

dhr,

I did the shipping in 2017.... so I am all done.

Cheers

[Briggers]

I bought my boat, a Swedish Puzzle 36, in Croatia 2007. After spending 8 years in and around the Croatian islands I decided to bring her home.
All the usual preparations were made, changing fuel filters and the engine oil and checking that everything that should move did, and that, that shouldn’t didn’t.
After 3 days of 40C heat and zero wind a blow picked up while I was off watch and the boat sustained some damage. We pulled into Brindisi and must have picked up some dirty fuel, as we were plagued with fuel problems for the remainder of the voyage. Being caught in the Messina Straights without power and no wind was interesting to say the least.
We fixed the fuel filter and had a good sail up to Sardinia, well almost. Our bearing was NW and about 15nm out the stopped and within a minute or two, America’s out of the NW at 20 -30 knots. Tacking wasn’t an option and the engine failed to start. We were at the mercy of wind and wave until I fixed the engine but at some time the pressure on the rudder caused a steering cable to break - getting into Sardinia was traumatic to say the least. But we eventually made it.
The saga continued until we got to Porto and I decided to winter the boat there.
When I returned I found that a storm had taken all the gear off the mast head. With no time to replace it, I mounted the VHF antenna on the pushpit and chose to ignore the Windex. We launched the boat but couldn’t leave because of a 25- 35 knot northerly, after 4 days it eased and we set sail, punching the northerly all the way to La Caruna. The storm showed no sign of abating so we headed home and waited for it to clear.
I returned to La Caruna without crew as a guy was wintering his boat there and would be accompanying me. A change of plans, he decided he didn’t want to leave the boat there and we would sail back in tandem. I didn’t have a problem with this and we set sail. Late on the second day and well over 100nm out my Autohelm stopped working - this combined with the fact that we were now in a high pressure area without any wind caused me huge problems. Under sail she will hold course but not on the engine. I decided to plug on, which initially was OK but a falling out with my sailing companion meant I had to continue unaided.
I eventually made it to Brest and continued the voyage from there, still single handed and still without autohelm. I was mighty pleased to pull into Eastbourne Marina and get some well deserved sleep.
If you are going to buy a boat - which you don’t know, make sure you check it out thoroughly before you set sail.
Make sure you have fine weather way beyond the anticipated length of the voyage.
I am guessing you are not that experienced? If so, make sure someone on the boat IS.
Have enough essential tools and spares on Board.
Enjoy the voyage.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by flyingfin

Moderator:
Is this a forum for the exchange of important information, or has the entire site morphed into a Chat Room???

[catman]

Years ago I bought a 39’ catamaran in St Martin.
Sailed it to St Thomas where Dockwise floated it onto their submersing ship an delivered it to Vancouver. I used a shipping agency in Vancouver to handle import taxes etc.
Then i sailed it to Sidney, BC.
I needed to enter it on a CanPass permit, through the agency.
The boat needs to be registered in Canada, i did mine from home using a local tonnage
Registrar.
Cheers Catman
You can get an estimate on line and see their schedule and pick-up points.