American Imports

[syd]

Anyone know of companies that import boats from USA, or sell from USA?. I've been hearing all kinds of incredulous stories of fantastic discounts and value for money at my local club but no one seems to know the name of a company.
Syd

 

[Freebee]

this topic has been covered many times -please use the search facility!!

 

[Whitelighter]

Global Trade Partners - originally based in Florida and now have a UK based arm in Essex.

It has been claimed that the discounts are not as big as they perhaps should be. BoatQuays (formally Florida Boats) also import US sports cruisers.

 

[dpb]

With all the so called problems regarding RCD / CE compliance it surprises me that the number of used US boats coming in through the docks where I work continues apparently unabated. Many being cheerfully towed away on illegal US trailers. I do not believe for a minute that they are all being made compliant.
There does not seem to be anyone enforcing the rule which seems to make me a mug for buying a brand new US boat through a proper UK dealer. As far as I can see, as long as you either keep the boat for life, or find someone else to buy it who doesn't mind either then it will save you loads of money and will cause no problems!
Can someone explain to me why I did the 'right' thing?

 

[Whitelighter]

You did the right thing, because un-like the UK, most other EU countries are very hot on CE compliance, most notably France and Greece.

Also, it is the importer who is responsible for the CE declaration - for life. It is not a case of you have sold the boat and then forget about it. If that boat is involved in an accident where there is serious injury or loss of life and it is found to be non-compliant, the original importer (i.e. you) can be held accountable.

I brought a US boat in, but had it CE certified for this reason. It only cost £1000, so to my mind it was worth doing. Also, US spec boats often need big modifications - US bayliners for exampe don't have engine fire extinguishers as standard!!!

When I bought my Bayliner 285 in Feb 05, I seriously considered going through a importer - I even had all the quotes ready to go, but when I looked at the costs plus VAT plus CE plus a potential dip in re-sale value (although the boats are fundamentally the same with CE plates, when you selll it on your buyer will want to save as much as you did, so they are always worth less) I decided that the extra £7k for the UK supplied boat was worth it.

Cue Lenboat to tell me what a prat I am and how brilliant his import is...

 

[andrewa]

You will find alot of boat dealers offer an export service especially in Florida, take a holiday with a friend dont use a broker my last two boats were shipped from Jacksonville on Hual line they come into QE2 dock in Southampton, as for CE you have saved so much on the boat its worth doing though as others have said insurance companies arnt bothered and i've heard of no enforcement in the UK however to sell it you need it. One thing I would say is prices are negotiable like over here both times I have always got the equivalent of the shipping cost knocked off of the asking price. My advise is buy a rack stored boat with a good history and give it a good run, if you want a freshwater boat buy in Georgia, Jacksonville is in the north of florida anyway. Good luck.

 

[peterb26]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, US spec boats often need big modifications - US bayliners for exampe don't have engine fire extinguishers as standard!!!


[/ QUOTE ]

Jezbanks - I was very interested to hear that comment. I recently purchased a new (well ex-demo) EU boat in the UK and found that it had no fire extinguishers at all. None in the engine bay, none near the cooker, none anywhere....... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I raised a thread on here about it but the advice came back that they were "not mandatory" for certification.

 

[Whitelighter]

Ah, yes. They are not mandatory for certification is the boat is DIESEL powered.

99% of US imports will be petrol powered, and for petrol boats automatic engine bay extinguishers ARE required.

 

[peterb26]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. (sound of pin dropping out here in the Algarve!).

 

[Sneds]

[ QUOTE ]
this topic has been covered many times -please use the search facility!!

[/ QUOTE ]

He's only asking! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[syd]

Pheeew

Have you been sucking a lemon??

Syd

 

[syd]

Cheers Jez

 

[SumWaves]

Neraly bought a Searay a while back asked if it had a CE plate was told only the Import Docs..I decided to walk away as I was not sure if a serious accident took place that the Insurance Co would pay out (Easy Way Out).. Fires at at a Marina dont come cheap???