bought a cat

[miki_b]

Hi All, I am in the final stages of buying a Maxim 380 catamaran in Florida. Did survey and sea trial, both were good. With my coming retirement at the end of the month the plans are to go to the Bahamas, back to the US in late April to cruise the east coast as far north as I can and then to the Caribbean for the winter. A matter to resolve is regitration. It seems not all flags can come back to the US without paying a tax of about 5% of the yacht's value. I am told St. Vincent is a good place to register but was given a painful quote. Does anybody have any info about this? Another thing is what pilot books are good for the US east coast. Appreciate any info. Thanks to Stingo and Fatipa who helped me decide! Miki

 

[Lizzie_B]

re registration
What nationaility are you? Where are you entitled to claim residency.

NOAA (us government) pilot books are all downloadable free from NOAA website( www.noaa.gov ) They are very good for a broad overview and give you useful info like weather trends in different areas etc. Good passage planning tools. You can also view all the charts for free on website - very useful for planning.
If you have problems downloading I can email you the pdf files for the Pilot books that cover the Gulf and the East Coast of USA.

The Map Tech Chart books are very good and the accompanying Embassy Guides are helpful.

There are several good cruising Guides under the title Captain ?? can't rember name, but will find out for you if no one else posts it first. Apparentley indispensable for the ICW.

Join Boat US. Invaluable back up and good discounts plus good value towing insurance.
They also have a bulletin board on their members website that gives continuous East Coast updates and news and a very useful magazine. ( www.boatus.com )
Let me know when you get up to Chesapeake Bay area.

Where in Florida is the boat. I have some knowledge re West Coast of Fl and some contacts in area and in the Carolinas.

Keep in touch.

 

[graham42]

well done! once a cat sailor always!
has rough soda gone?
if you have a laptop and wifi (boingo) you can download free vector charts from noaa too.
maxsea is a good base together with weather routing. try setsail.com to buy.
maxim 380! fixed keels?
pm me or email for more help.
graham-simpson 15m

 

[mainshiptom]

Miki

Good luck

T

 

[miki_b]

Thanks guys!

 

[Searush]

Make sure it's housetrained. Cat pee leaves a terrible smell . . .