Sailing from USA to Australia

[Kordie]

Been over, saw the boat and bought it.

It was better than advertised - some pleasant surprises were extra new sails, a dinghy, and a very nice vendor who is now keeping an eye on the boat for us until we head back.

He tells me that the half tank of diesel left was only the second time he had filled the tank! Some biocide and a top up and she is in a lovely Marina for now - How cheap are they in the US! One place quoted us $120 per month!

Have a daughter doing the HSC so she is my priority until the end of this year.

Buying was painless, San Francisco is fun and I would live there in a heartbeat!

If anyone wants to ask questions of the process - fire away.

Cheers,

[savoir]

Congratulations !

Yagottaluvit when a plan comes together.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Kordie

I am hoping to buy a West Coast yacht very shortly.

Can anyone advise me the best way to get my AUD$100K to the seller? I will be negotiating a final price subject to survey so a bank cheque drawn before leaving wont be flexible enough.

My bank will allow TT of AUD$20K at a time but not sure how favourable their rates are.

Any advice?

Simon

Consider setting up a CITIBANK account. There $US rates are comparable to OZforex, etc and you can have a credit card as well. The Aus banks are simply ripoffs.

[Dragon Lady]

I've heard good things about HSBC, congrats on your purchase.
I was very happy with Ozforex.

[Jamel]

Originally Posted by Kordie

Been over, saw the boat and bought it.

It was better than advertised - some pleasant surprises were extra new sails, a dinghy, and a very nice vendor who is now keeping an eye on the boat for us until we head back.

He tells me that the half tank of diesel left was only the second time he had filled the tank! Some biocide and a top up and she is in a lovely Marina for now - How cheap are they in the US! One place quoted us $120 per month!

Have a daughter doing the HSC so she is my priority until the end of this year.

Buying was painless, San Francisco is fun and I would live there in a heartbeat!

If anyone wants to ask questions of the process - fire away.

Cheers,

Kordie, Thankyou for the opportunity to ask a few questions. Well done on your purchase which seems to have gone most smoothly.

It appears that you negotiated by phone or email? With a broker or with the owner direct? Did you send a deposit then fly over to inspect? Did you have the boat surveyed? Due to the fact you are not exporting ASAP are you liable for local tax and how much?
Could you outline the proceedure so far?

I presume you still have to go through export documentation and obtaining Australian registration.
Finally can you summarise incidental costs such as acccomodation, etc.

Many thanks!

[montejinnie]

This is my first post so hello. I would like to know what, if any licence does one need to sail a 46 ft yacht from US to Australia?

[Aussie_Sequoia]

Is it your own boat? I don't know about the laws in the US, but here in NSW it is the speed of your bat that determines whether you need a license or not. 10 knots or more and you need a license.

If it is not your boat and you are delivering it, your insurance company may require a license and if you are taking paid customers (or hiring them as part of a delivery business) than you will most likely need a commercial license.

[montejinnie]

It will be my boat if our dollar holds up. Stay under 10 knots. Very helpful; thank you Aussie Sequoia.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by montejinnie

This is my first post so hello. I would like to know what, if any licence does one need to sail a 46 ft yacht from US to Australia?

I would have thought in Queensland the minimum you will need for a large vessel is a speed boat drivers liscence which will also cover you for all recreational (VS commercial)small speedboats and dingys. I would look up SA regs however.
,
Recreational marine driver licence (Maritime Safety Queensland)
Recreational marine driver licence

In Queensland, a marine licence is required to operate a recreational boat which is powered by a motor greater than 4.5 kW (over 6 HP) and you must have a personal watercraft (PWC) licence to operate a personal watercraft.
Valid marine licences

Licences are issued by Maritime Safety Queensland in accordance with the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 and include:

• recreational marine driver licence
• recreational ship master's licence
• speed boat driver's licence
• current commercial marine licence as master – for example, coxswain

[montejinnie]

Thank you downunder. All helpful.

[Dragon Lady]

There is a size limit too in NSW but I've never heard of a sailor having their license checked but no doubt there are some that have been checked.
Another word of waring on the fuel in the Galapagos, it's like coffee including the grinds. Make sure you have good filters and plenty of replacements.

[montejinnie]

Thank you. Dragon Lady I read your importation story with keen interest.