Buy a yacht in Europe now or June?????I am from NZ

[Ananbel]

Hope someone can help. We are thinking it might be better to buy a yacht 37ish feet in Europe, at this stage we are looking in Croatia. Would we be better to buy it now rather than waiting til July, when there are lots of people and choices and prices may be much higher. Does anyone have any idea how much more expensive or more difficult it may be in July???????? <font color="red"> </font>

 

[pjohnson]

You would be better posting this on another forum, although here is my opinion and I stress only my opinion.
I have only noticed boat prices to drop when they have been for sale for a while or the owner is desperate to sell, some boats do appear cheaper in the eastern med but they dont have the VAT paid (depends on where you want to go and how long you stop, if this would apply to you) but I don't know the full extent of VAT or ce marking / Recreational craft directive.
Like I say, post this on another forum and I am sure you will get more help from people with more knowledge of this than I.
Happy boat hunting

 

[pjohnson]

Now been moved from the for sale column so ignore the comment on where it should be posted.

 

[Stingo]

Welcome to the forum.

I've heard that NZ is actually a great place to buy a boat because the prices are so much lower there than anywhere else in the world. Especially well equiped blue water cruisers.

 

[billmacfarlane]

I can't see that there's that much difference inproce depending on the month. The price is more depenedent on other factors such as boat condition and how long it's been on sale. If I were in the market for a steel boat I'd start by looking in the Netherlands. Their prices are much cheaper than the UK and I think they build the best steel boats in Europe.

 

[snowleopard]

it seems to be a myth that boats are cheaper in winter. it's possible that an owner may accept a cheaper price at the end of season in order to avoid lay-up costs but generally optimism on prices applies throughout the year.

are you thinking of buying the boat over here to cruise in europe and save the long sail to get here or are you hoping to get a bargain to take home?

 

[pjohnson]

I agree, a freind of mine bought an endurance 35 that was sailed up to the med from NZ and it has that much kit on it I am sure he still doesn't know everything that is on board now. It appeared that the stipulations for equipment etc were much stricter in NZ, don't know about now though.

 

[Swagman]

Hi Annabelle,
Have owned yachts in Oz and now resident in UK so have since purchased one in the EU. I found the prices of second hand yachts with similar equipment are generally higher over this side than downunder - but of course buy one there and you have to get it here - if this is the region you wish to explore! Can be done by freighter but budget possibly £10,000 to do so - and rember you then need to resolve any VAT issues if keeping it long term in one EU country.

Not sure if new boat prices could be significantly higher there of here - but guess thats easier to establish.

If you do buy new and over this side - the savings by minimising VAT (EU sales tax) are considerable. Would suggest you take professional advice on that from any competent UK accountant. Maybe you can avoid this completely as a NZ national - not sure but suspect you'll have same issues of customs officers bothering you if you ran under a Kiwi Flag. But do remember VAT rates differ across the EU - and as long as you've paid it somewhere in the EU - you'll have no issues with taking the boat into other EU countries.

Hope this helps
JOHN