Hello from Brazil !

[Pieter]

Hello, my name is Pieter Kommerij (Dutch from origin, but live already 13 years in Brazil). Since august last year, I am living my dream, living aboard my 40ft Sailing Cat ("Onda Boa" wich means: Good Wave in portuguese..)
It is a great experience, and a mega lifestyle change but i enjoyed to the fullest. My plan is to first explore the 7.000 km coastline of Brazil doing charters if and where possible. Currently I am in the Paraty/Ilha Grande/Ilha Bela region, and this truly is an awesome region for sailing....

All the best, fair winds and enough water under your keel....

Pieter Kommerij - Brazil

[skipmac]

Goede Middag and Bom Dia,

Welcome to the forum Pieter. Love to hear more about cruising in Brazil.

Skip

[Southern Star]

Yes, welcome to the forum Pieter. I too would love to hear about cruising in Brazil (and your experience there with respect to maintenance/repairs on your cat).

Brad

[lavi08]

Oi, Pieter, we are from Brasil leaving in the US, we are heading to Brasil next January, who knows we will stop by your place for a caipirinha.

[boatman61]

Bem Vindo Pieter...
One day I'm hoping to get down there... Currently been in and around Portugal/Azores the last couple of years.... Boa vento's e mar..
Ate Logo...

[Pieter]

Thank you for yr nice words. As Brad also wanted to know abt cruising in Brasil incl. repairs.... i will write this in a separate posting in this segment... Best rgds and thanks again

Pieter

[Pieter]

Otimo, that is great.... take care... best rgds
Pieter

[Pieter]

Herewith i would like to tell you somewhat more abt cruising in Brazil. My experience of living aboard is very recent (last august), but i have been envolved in sailing/boating for a number of years here in Brazil.
Despite its coastline of over 7.000 km, and abundance of realy awesome regions to sail and explore, the nautical comunity in Brazil, although I dont like to admit, is still in an infant state. Some pockets of higher boat density (Paraty/Angra/Rio/Sao Paulo(Santos) and in the south (Florianopolis)and that is it. By my knowledge there are only two boat building companies in Brazil.... Anyway, the tax system makes it very very complicated to own a boat. So importing a new or a used boat: not possible...unless you have the $$$$ to pay aprox 100% import tax over the new value.. and then all major and comonly used nautical equipment, is imported and roughly 4 times the value in usdollars... So, we get quiet creative when it comes to obtain these items...
As to boat repairs: because of the dificulties of finding good value equipment we tend to re-use or even invent things (remember McGyver...??) So, yes it is a challenge, and for the time being quiet expensive to own a boat down here. BUT, the rewards are great: a lot of things have to be developped (marinas, infra structure) so it feels as if we are in the beginning of a new fase. And now with Brazil not only hosting the world soccer cup in 2014 and the olympic games in 2016 i would hope that the authorities get their act together and simplify things instead of complicating them. To end this, let us remeber that Brazil has actualy a very good name in the sailing community: Torben Grael (great sailor in the Volvo race) and also Robert Scheidt (i believe he won something like 8 golden medals in his sailing class).
I hope i have given a few more insights as to cruising in Brazil...

Best rgds and enjoy
Pieter

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Its good to have another inventive person on the forum.
regards,

[Georgia]

Oi Peter!
Acabei de chegar aqui no site! Sempre bom saber que tem alguem q fala Português!!!
Estou sempre alí pela BIG ( Baia de Ilha Grande)...
BonsVentos!

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Oi Peter!
Acabei de chegar aqui no site! Sempre bom saber que tem alguem q fala Português!!!
Estou sempre alí pela BIG ( Baia de Ilha Grande)...
BonsVentos!

Georgia & Peter, First let me welcome you to the forum... Secondly I know you are excited to converse with your countryman in Portuguese but the rules say:

The language of this forum is English. If you are not a native English speaker, do your best. We are glad to have you as a member and will be supportive and polite.

Thanks,
George

[boatman61]

Capngeo.... That was my fault...
I started it by welcoming Georgia in Portuguese....
I mistakenly thought it might be a nice way to welcome her to CF...

I'm sorry... its called Courtesy in Europe...
So if anyones to blame its me... adjudication is fine... as long as its all inclusive

[capngeo]

No worries, I understood enough to know you guys were only offering a greeting. No harm, no foul... Was just a friendly reminder is all.

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by Pieter

So importing a new or a used boat: not possible...unless you have the $$$$ to pay aprox 100% import tax over the new value.. and then all major and comonly used nautical equipment, is imported and roughly 4 times the value in usdollars... So, we get quiet creative when it comes to obtain these items...

I'm stunned. Isn't Brazil that huge country with an enormous coastline? It is such a shame they can't make things a little easier for you guys!

Originally Posted by boatman61

Capngeo.... That was my fault...
I started it by welcoming Georgia in Portuguese....
I mistakenly thought it might be a nice way to welcome her to CF...

At least the flowers still smell sweet...

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Pieter

Herewith i would like to tell you somewhat more abt cruising in Brazil. My experience of living aboard is very recent (last august), but i have been envolved in sailing/boating for a number of years here in Brazil.
Despite its coastline of over 7.000 km, and abundance of realy awesome regions to sail and explore, the nautical comunity in Brazil, although I dont like to admit, is still in an infant state. Some pockets of higher boat density (Paraty/Angra/Rio/Sao Paulo(Santos) and in the south (Florianopolis)and that is it. By my knowledge there are only two boat building companies in Brazil.... Anyway, the tax system makes it very very complicated to own a boat. So importing a new or a used boat: not possible...unless you have the $$$$ to pay aprox 100% import tax over the new value.. and then all major and comonly used nautical equipment, is imported and roughly 4 times the value in usdollars... So, we get quiet creative when it comes to obtain these items...
Pieter

Brazil has done very well with its economy, with its large population its high import duties has encouraged much manufacturs,.cars,diesel engines, etc.

As an Australian involved in the sugar industry I have seen our sugar cane harvesting manufacturing industry which originally exported to Brazil now shut down and we are importing the same machines back into Aust but manufactured in Brazil as the import tarriff into brazil made it two expensive encouraging manufacture there. Australia's sugar industry is miniscule compared to Brazil which consumes possibly 70% of the cane harvesters manufactured worldwide. Certainly not free trade but has worked well for Brazil's economy.

I guess in time we will see increased marine manufacture in Brazil.

Great country to spend some time in.

Have a couple of Ki-parinas(whiterum/lime based national drink) for me.

cheers