Choosing a boat: Buying secondhand yachts in the USA

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Buying secondhand yachts in the USA

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2198
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 1:58am
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Topic: Buying secondhand yachts in the USA

Posted By: medusa
Subject: Buying secondhand yachts in the USA
Date Posted: 13 Sep 06 at 3:38pm

I notice that secondhand yachts are generally cheaper in the USA than in Europe, especially in the larger sizes. Assuming that one had the necessary experience to complete a transAtlantic voyage what are the problems associated with such a purchase? VAT and RCD compliance are the only ones I can think of.

Replies:

Posted By: jon2005
Date Posted: 13 Sep 06 at 5:32pm

you would propley spend the money you would save on flights to view prospective boats unless you wanted to buy blind

Posted By: boatshed
Date Posted: 14 Sep 06 at 12:19pm

I've got some knowledge of this. A lot of people are buying power boats in the USA at very favourable prices. Many are repossessions and are bought "blind".

You will need to pay import duty and VAT based on a declared value. You will need to put the boat through RCD, which is pretty easy and reasonable for a known boat like a Sea Ray. RCD for limited run or one off yachts may be very tricky ( read: expensive) and will require the engineering/manufacturing drawings which you may not be able to get hold of.

A lot of boats are on the West Coast. It is possible to put a yacht, with the rig up, on the deck of a ship and take it via the Panama Canal to Florida for around $5000 for say a 35' yacht. You can sail it back home from there.

I would recommend having a good look at the import route for yachts that are difficult to find in Europe. If you are after a yacht that can be found in Europe, then just haggle for it very hard and you'll probably find the cost saving on the import isn't worth it.

Steve

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Steve