Buying in Tahiti?

[Tim francis]

Aloha,
I live and work on Maui. I am in the market for a 38 to 48 ish cruiser. I am jumping ship on a 43 Bruce Roberts I was in escrow on. The hull is trashed. Thank God for surveys and me doing things right this time. My question is

I seem to see boats for sale often in the French Polynesia. They also seem like great deals on Bluewater ready boats. I’m not impressed with the market here in Hawaii. I’ve been looking since November of last year basically. Does anyone have insight or experience with the market in the South Pacific? I work full time as a captain, so I’m not sure how feasible it would be to buy from down south.

I’m willing to have a boat delivered if it’s the right boat and right price. My range is from 1000 us to about 60,000us. I’m planning on full time liveaboard and after the kitty is full in five or more years going south and hopefully further around west back to Hawaii.
Mahalo y’all

[psk125]

Bonjour. How good is your French?

[Tim francis]

Non existent. Speak some spabish

[chouliha]

You don’t need French though it would help. Lots of vessels are for sale or sold each year in French Polynesia. Terrific place to jump into the cruising mode. Just beware that there is a 3 year time limit on yachts that are not imported. So if you buy a yacht with only 6 months left on the clock you will need to sail to the Cooks and back again to gain 3 more years.

Chuck
Jacaranda
mo’orea

[JPA Cate]

Hello, Tim francis,

I understand where you're coming from with the assumption that if the boat sailed this year to Tahiti, it will be "blue water ready". I'm sorry to say, I don't think you can depend on that assumption, because it may not be. In fact, its lack of "readiness" could be why it is for sale. Sometimes it's the boat isn't ready; sometimes it's the people; and sometimes, it's both. So, it could work out okay, and you may be knowledgeable enough to sift the chaff from the wheat and get a good one. If not, you could find yourself in a time pickle.

There are lots more boats for sale in California. And, it's a lovely, quick downwind run to HI. Make sure you have a good place lined up for it in HI, as slips are scarce.

Good luck with your search.

Ann

[Tim francis]

Thanks for the input. I feel like it’s a crap shoot anywhere else but here on Hawaii. As a side question, is there captain work for a us citizen in the South Pacific? Would the pay be comparable to Hawaii?