North to South or South to North

[pdnervo]

i would like to get an approx. 40ft mono-hull... and sail the caribbean.
my question is: where would it be best to buy the boat and were would it be best to sell it after the cruise....
buying in the islands (south caribbean) and sailing north and selling it in or near Ft. Lauderdale or the opposite--- that is buying it in Florida and sailing south and selling it in the islands..... thanks ur advise....pn

[Weyalan]

I might hazard a suggestion; that you look into purchasing an ex-charter boat from the British Virgin Islands, but that is just an uneducated shot in the dark.

[pdnervo]

Weyelan.... unless i get a reply to the contrary that sounds reasonable...tks ur help....pn

[Fishspearit]

I'll be your reply to the contrary. If it were at all profitable to buy a boat in the Caribbean and make an easy one week down wind, down current sail back to Florida don't you think a lot of people would be doing it?

[pdnervo]

well then what do you suggest.... the real question is are sailboats worth more money in Florida or in the Caribbean area and where....and if worth more south, can they be sold without hassle.....tks reply

[hellosailor]

"the real question is "
And the answer is, if it was that simple you'd find people already doing this WHOLESALE.
Among other things, you can't buy and sell sailboats like shoes. You are looking at buying, selling, and IMPORTING titled property across international borders. There are all sorts of issues with ensuring that you have good title, changing the vessel's flag (and title) when you bring it across a border, potential legal problems, questions about tax and duties.
And then, you're still dealing with sailboats that can take 6-12 months to sell once you bring them back, even at "the right" price.

Traditionally the best place to buy a sailboat is supposed to be at a major "downwind" destination, when people realize they're going to have to beat upwind a thousand miles all the way home, and they put the boat up for sale and fly back instead. But all that can get swamped by the question of whether any particular boat is a bargain--or not. And the expenses of going wherever you plan to buy the boat--and then doing local surverys, etc., and hoping you can pick one up that meets your needs. Without having to use a foreign legal system to iron out any problems you may later discover with it--like liens against the boat.

[camaraderie]

It is better to sail BACK from the Carribbean with the trade winds on your stern. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to find a good boat that has not been abused or heavily used in charter there. Nevertheless...you intend to sell the boat and it is also difficult to do that in the islands...Florida is a much better place. So...be prepared to take a significant loss...but buy a boat out of charter down island and sail it north and dump it in Ft. Lauderdale. Get a CAREFUL survey and make a low offer!

[pdnervo]

that sounds like real good advice.... i noticed on the web there are many for sail/sale in the American VI.... that should be a good place to buy since it is USA, shouldnt have too many problems with tax and such... tks again...pn