Advice reqd. buying liveaboard in Gib.

[Ricoh]

Hi All,
Im a newbie to this site so please be gentle.
I would like to buy a liveaboard boat in Gibraltar, I have seen a couple of boats that would be suitable, not sailing types ( I dont know how to sail ).
I am ex royal navy and spent 4 years based in Gib in the 70`s and loved it, now the kids have grown up and moved I would like to sell the house and retire there.
The primary choice of boat is moored at a cost of approx £3000 per year, this is for a boat less than 12 mts, do you think this is reasonable?
I would also like to bring my dogs, do the marinas allow dogs?
I do have hundreds of questions to ask but we would love to do the move this year, 2012.

I think we shall take the plunge whatever the outcome but would really like some advice.

Many thanks in advance,

Ricoh

 

[chinita]

Not been personally but a couple of mates here were pretty impressed with the new marina at La Linea.

Apparently much cheaper, and quieter, than Gib alternatives and access to Gib just as easy.

You could also think about extending your boat search up as far as Almerimar where there are often 'abandoned dream' boats on the market.

Never had a problem having our dogs, just act responsibly!

Good luck.

 

[GrahamM376]

Paul has a good powerboat for sale here - http://www.yachtgrot.com/

 

[Swagman]

Hi Ricoh,
Good luck with the plans.
Yes, £3,000 per year is good value if you compare it with UK south coast, but if it is a 10 metre boat suspect you'll find another berth close by in Spain for less.
If you've not visited Gib for a while, it might be worth a flight to check it out today. We lived in Gib in the late '60's and after Francos Spain and hardline Morocco, we shared your view that Gib was a dream location.
We've been back a few times since by plane and boat and only ever been dissappointed. IMHO as the gateway to the Med they've had a great chance to hold onto a great reputation for hospitality and facilities, but somehow failed to do so.
But, not a bad jumping off spot for nicer places further east...........
Enjoy
JOHN

 

[jordanbasset]

Hi,
We liked Gibraltar, but am aware some people don't, seems to be a 'marmite' place. If you have not been there recently may be an idea to rent an apartment for a couple of weeks first. Would also be a good base to look at what is available. Lots of marinas within a couple of hours drive where you could check out boats for sale and get a feeling for the market and what you want in a liveaboard
Whatever happens best of luck for the future

 

[macd]

It might make little difference in your circumstances, but bear in mind that if you buy a boat in Gib it will not be VAT-paid (even if VAT has previously been paid on it anywhere in the EU), so VAT would become payable were you ever to permanently import it into the EU. This would also reflect on the boat's future resale value.

However, if exactly the same transaction takes place a mile away in La Linea, VAT status will be preserved. I'm sure a Gib-based broker would happily give you chapter and verse on this. It must be a thoroughly routine scenario on the Rock.

As to dogs, most marinas seem happy enough with them (although in some cases that might be a case of turning a blind eye to the official line). You'd need to check. If you care to search, there are plenty of threads about the general de-merits and merits of dogs on boats. Some folk think it's a great idea; others (non dog-owners?) often think it's bad; the hounds themselves never seem to post, but most of the ones I've asked think it's dandy just so long as dinner's on time and walkies happen when they should.

 

[jonic]

It might make little difference in your circumstances, but bear in mind that if you buy a boat in Gib it will not be VAT-paid (even if VAT has previously been paid on it anywhere in the EU), so VAT would become payable were you ever to permanently import it into the EU. This would also reflect on the boat's future resale value.

However, if exactly the same transaction takes place a mile away in La Linea, VAT status will be preserved. I'm sure a Gib-based broker would happily give you chapter and verse on this. It must be a thoroughly routine scenario on the Rock.

.

+1

 

[Ricoh]

Many thanks for your information, I was indeed intending to stay for a holiday and have a look about.
There some good info on this site, I shall stay with it.

Thanks Again,

Andy.

 

[capnsensible]

Hiya, I live in Marina Bay, now called Ocean Village

For information about mooring fees, you will get a response from Ocean Village website. For the marina in La Linea, the name is Alcaidesa Marina.

There are liveaboard dogs in Marina Bay, no prob, not sure about La L.

For VAT advice (not sure about this VAT if you buy a boat in Gib bit, sounds odd) try Boatshed Gibraltar, nice couple and well tuned to the local market, both in Gib and across the border. I would certainly trust their advice.

Good luck, I like it!!!

CS

 

[Boatshed London]

Yes, worth having a word with John Alcantara at Boatshed Gibraltar - he's very helpful and is a local, so very hot on local knowledge. Contact details as follows:

Telephone: +350 2007 8885
Mobile Gib: +350 5800 9999 / Sp +34 6676 66753
Email: boats@boatshedgibraltar.com
Address: 3 South Pavilion Road, Gibraltar

 

[chinita]

It is a funny old place - Gib.

We have just got back from three days there (by road). Our last visit was by boat 6 years ago.

It is certainly Marmite but, I have to say, I love it (Gib, not Marmite). Perhaps as an ex-military guy I associate myself with the history rather more than the average visitor. I also sadly lament the parting of resident troops and matelots - must have been a great place for a night on the lash with your mates.

We visited by boat three times, twice in Queensway Quay (just opened at the time) and once in Marina Bay. We also spent quite a few nights pleasantly at anchor where the arrival and departure of the BA flights just a few hundred yards away was always a bit of a thrill.

This time round we tried to work out where Shepards Marina HAD been and where we spent several miserable days on the hard. As we sat in Charlie's looking out over the Marina bay it looked far smaller than we remembered.

Prices were, as ever, a shock. On Main St we had an omelette, burger and two pints of Kronenburg - £16.00. Compare that with Portugal with beer at €1.50 a pint and wine at €4 a litre.

I don't know where all this 'Duty Free' pricing comes from? Perhaps Capnsensible can tell us, better still, show us where to get a cheap drink next time

I think, if we were to go back, we would probably base in la Linea - ducking into Gib as necessary.

 

[capnsensible]

Delighted!

There are cheaper bars away from the High Street, same as anywhere. Under the Watergardens, next to marina Bay for example, you will find the delights of the Anchor Bar, he Quarterdeck, the Pig and Whistle, all much cheaper.

Garcias takeaway, whole chicken chips and salad for two, about 6 squid.

Liwi Estonian Offy, £2.90 litre vodka or £18 for 10 litres!!!

Its all about local knowledge and we are always happy to answer any q's, been here on and off for 12 years!

CS

 

[macd]

Compare that with Portugal with.....wine at €4 a litre

You stick to the expensive stuff, then

...not sure about this VAT if you buy a boat in Gib bit, sounds odd...

You're right. It does sound odd. But that's the way it is. The strategy I've suggested is commonplace between non-EU Turkey and the Greek isles, as I'm sure it is in Gib for the same reasons. VAT's a very strange animal, since it is a tax on events, not things. (Strictly, no boat is 'VAT paid', since it is the sale, not the boat, that attracts the tax.) But then it was invented by the French.

 

[capnsensible]

You stick to the expensive stuff, then



You're right. It does sound odd. But that's the way it is. The strategy I've suggested is commonplace between non-EU Turkey and the Greek isles, as I'm sure it is in Gib for the same reasons. VAT's a very strange animal, since it is a tax on events, not things. (Strictly, no boat is 'VAT paid', since it is the sale, not the boat, that attracts the tax.) But then it was invented by the French.

Hiya.

Thing is, in 14 years of cruising and over 30 countries, I have never, ever been asked about any sales tax anywhere....

Hurrah for me!

 

[Tranona]

Hiya.

Thing is, in 14 years of cruising and over 30 countries, I have never, ever been asked about any sales tax anywhere....

Hurrah for me!

What triggers questions off (in the EU) is documentation (such as a Bill of Sale) that shows the boat was bought outside the EU.

If your documentation is "normal" then there are unlikely to be any questions.

If the boat in Gib has a history of EU ownership then it makes sense to maintain that by ensuring when buying that the transaction takes place in the EU.

 

[capnsensible]

Hiya, thats my point. No one ever asks. Thats in 15 years of living aboard, 14 abroad!

 

[Tranona]

Just because you have not been asked does not mean that other people have not had difficulties. As I said it needs a trigger for the questions to start - if there is nothing about you or your boat that triggers questions you probably won't get asked. So if you are buying a boat outside the EU and want to use it at some point in the EU, or if doing the transaction in the EU maintains its status it would be sensible to do that.

 

[GrahamM376]

Just because you have not been asked does not mean that other people have not had difficulties. As I said it needs a trigger for the questions to start - if there is nothing about you or your boat that triggers questions you probably won't get asked. So if you are buying a boat outside the EU and want to use it at some point in the EU, or if doing the transaction in the EU maintains its status it would be sensible to do that.

Sods law comes into it. Having all the documentation on board I've never been asked for it but, the one time I was pulled in the car and didn't have my driving licence with me I got fined 30 euro. Since carrying it, I've not been pulled again!

 

[Ricoh]

Thanks again everybody for your info, I think we shall be taking the plunge this year.

Does my regular bar The Oliver Twist still exist in Irish Town as with the Fox and Hounds opposite La Trattoria Del Pescatora where I used to get my Calamari take away.

Also The London Bar, Gib Arms, The Cabin, Six Steps Down ( the smallest bar on the rock)
I have good memories of all of these.

Ricoh

 

[capnsensible]

Just because you have not been asked does not mean that other people have not had difficulties. As I said it needs a trigger for the questions to start - if there is nothing about you or your boat that triggers questions you probably won't get asked. So if you are buying a boat outside the EU and want to use it at some point in the EU, or if doing the transaction in the EU maintains its status it would be sensible to do that.

I quite agree that the correct paperwork should be there...I have for both of my yachts.

However, without wishing to get all Toad about it, who has really ever been asked? I dont know anyone and I mentioned my experiences before. Other countries just never ask.

So who has had the problem? Any replies welcome!


Gib bars have changed a lot, Irish town is now a lot different. Who could forget, howver, the Donkeys' Flip Flop, aka The Horseshoe!