Advice: buying and importing a boat from Norway.

[wayneA]

Hi

In the next few weeks, I’m going to Norway (just North of Trondhiem) to view a Warrior 35 that is up for sale. The boat looks very promising so, all being well, I’m very interested in buying. As Norway is in the EEA, I know I don’t need a CE mark or comply with the RCD. VAT will have to be paid, as the boat has always been owned in Norway. I’ve read the general info from the RYA and HMCE, so what else am I missing?

I guess my main questions are:

What advice can anyone give me about buying/importing a boat from abroad – esp. from Norway, is there anything particular I need to know about Norway regulations, etc?

Can anyone recommend a good Norwegian Surveyor, who can speak English?

If I wanted to sail the boat back to UK (I’ve never sailed Norway or the ‘Northern’ North Sea), what time of year does this become too late in the season, that far north, to really consider it? The crew would be fairly experienced sailors, and would be making passage around August/September. Any advice on this passage welcome.

I’ve heard Norway is extremely expensive. All the standing rig will need to be replaced, probably other things as well, before sailing back. How do the costs of chandler/rigging services compare to UK?

Many Thanks in advance, all advice gratefully received

Cheers

Wayne

(X-posted on S'butt forum)

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1><font color=red>WANTED: </font color=red>Warrior 35 (pref mkIII)<font size=1>

 

[temptress]

HI,

I was based in NORWAY for a few years and you are right it is VERY VERY expensive and difficult to get anyone to work on your boat there.

Are you sure about the CE thing. I thought that ANY boat from outside the EU needs to comply with the RCD when you Bring it in. I would check with the RYA before you buY it. In my experiance most Nowrwgian surverors speak English and Den Norske Veritas runs a certification scheme similar to the old Lloyds register.

As for the North sea - you can sail nearly all of the Coast from Norway to Denmark inside islands and I have transited the coast in November although I would not recomment it as it can get very cold (-20 or more) and ICE becomes a problem from November right up until April and sometimes MAY. My advice would be to get south before October and expect to have to beat all the way down.

GOOD luck!

<hr width=100% size=1>Temptress of Down
Southsea Marina
Hants
UK

 

[wayneA]

Re: Advice: buying and importing a boat from Norwa

Hi

Many thanks for the post.

As far as the CE thing, the RCD also includes the EEA - which Norway is part. The boat was built and in commission in the EEA before '98 so is exempt. I just wished that the VAT regs worked the same way, but they only include the EU and not the EEA. Oh well :-(

Thanks for your help

Wayne

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1><font color=red>WANTED: </font color=red>Warrior 35 (pref mkIII)<font size=1>