Bringing a Folkboat in from Norway

[jfinlay]

I have been offered a rather nice IF Marieholm (GRP Folkboat derivative) circa 1979 from some in-laws. Problem is, it's in Norway! (please see other post in Wanted Forum re; hiring/buying a trailer to get her back to the UK).

Does anyone have any practical experience of bringing a boat back into the UK from Norway and are there any significant issues when I do get it here? (E.g. RCD issues, Registration)

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[Dyflin]

Norway being outside the EU, so I imagine VAT will be an issue. Other than that, a lack of a direct ferry link will also be a bugger.

 

[jfinlay]

Not really too bothered about the logistics (save for sourcing a suitable road trailer), just dont want to find that I can't register it, or even sell it on of I need to, because it doesn't meet some required standard or regulation.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

You can self-certify a boat as RCD category D, which is the cheapest way to do it. Then if you sell later, just to forget to mention that it's only a cat D boat. Who would be bothered with the RCD category on a 79 build boat anyway?

On VAT, the hassle is trying to convince anyone in HMR&C to take any interest at all in what you are trying to do. I went through this. Eventually I just gave up. There I was trying to offer them some money for nothing, and they just couldn't be bothered. Again, if you sell later, no-one is going to expect VAT status documentation for a 79 boat.


All the above is costly hassle, but on the other hand, I would expect a Marieholm would sail very nicely across the Noth Sea, if you see what I mean. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[seumask]

I know someone who brought in exactly the same boat from scandanvia 5 years ago. He simply sailed it over. It has susequently been sold in the UK and I think you'll find that with a boat of that age and value no one will care much from an official point of view. I stand to be corrected.

 

[Tranona]

Norway is a member of the EEA and I think you will find that many of the rules are the same as for an EU state. Suggest as a starting point you go on the RYA site where there is a section on importing boats.

 

[weaver_fish]

Where in the UK are you taking her?

 

[Searush]

Sail her back! Provided she is in reasonable nick she is well capable of the trip. Beautiful little sea boats. Even rather dodgy ones have made some epic voyages.

 

[jfinlay]

OK so to recap. Tax man may not be massively interested, I can self certify it as a Cat. D and anyway an RCD on a 79 Marieholm isn't really an issue. And I should [and I am reading between the lines here] stop being a big Wendy and sail her back!

Fair enough! So straight across to Kent or bite sized coastal hops? What's the consensus and how long would it take?

 

[Dom315]

Some links

Try Southampton Trailer Hire they have an ideal trailer for your needs.
Eddie Mayes at Folkboat Association - Google
Paul Nevard from Hamble imported on about three years ago
Loads of trailers at Lymington Folkboat fleet
Where are you based, I may be able to help more

 

[srm]

Where in Norway is the boat?
You can almost day sail to Kent with it if you have the time. Make your way around the coast to Bergen (a wonderful cruise in its own right), Cross to Lerwick (Shetland) - this is the only essential long leg, course approx 270 distance a bit under 200 miles from Marstein Lt. From Lerwick its day hops - Fair Isle - Orkney - Wick - and on down the East Coast of Britain stopping according to taste.
Time is a difficult question - it took me just over 4 weeks from Orkney to Plymouth in April, singlehanded so day sailing, because I spent a lot of time hiding from southerlies. Comming back in July was a lot quicker, there were two of us so we made longer passages with one and two nights between stops and the weather was kind (except for 5 days in Islay).