Boat Import(ant)

[athew]

Any tips / pitfalls / ideas / reports / info re importing a motor cruiser from France? Yard prices are VAT inclusive – what happens at the UK end re paperwork? Any advice on boat transport would be helpful. I am a prospective motor cruiser moving up from a 19' sportsboat and keen to find out all about diesel boating in the west of Scotland. No previous experience of bigger craft. Appreciate comments / instruction / interest

 

[oldgit]

Been looking at this myself.Been to holland belgium as well.Seems boats are bit cheaper with ref to diesels etc.I have been looking a various princess from 30-38 ft.Have you spotted anything you really like.

 

[athew]

Budget is limited to something like Antares 860 with a flybridge. There don't seem to be any around in UK. Haven't seen one in the flesh so I'm considering a weekend over to France to have a look at them. Size is OK but these are a bit elderly ranging from 1985/1990. But the price is right >£35k and I could live with the style! I reckon this is about the best for the price....?
Is it worth the bother of transport, importing, etc., to pick up a boat like this? I rather like the sedan design which is handy for Scottish cruising.
Had a quick gander at a Princess 30DS which had come down from Tarbet and was moored at Rothesay. That's the only one I've noticed about here and it looked well for its age. Single diesel with shaft drive. Decent versions in the mags run around £48k+ which is a bit more than my wife would like me to spend . . . .

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I would have a look in Germany as well. The Dusseldorf boat show is on (now?) and there will be plenty of brokers there. My experience is that the Germans keep thir boats better than the French and the continuing strength of Sterling may throw up a bargain or two
If you do decide to import, make sure you get original copies of all paperwork including first invoice showing VAT paid, Builders certificate showing hull number and an unbroken trail of Bills of Sale/invoices for each transfer of ownership particularly if you want to British register the boat which you might have to if you get a mortgage; also you will need these documents when you sell the boat on