Catamarans in the Med

[Gulliver]

I am thinking of shipping my 30' Sagitta catamaran to the Med in order to spend some time wandering from one end to the other. Two problems present themselves. Firstly, VAT. Does anyone have any information as to how one goes about legally avoiding the payment of VAT in such a circumstance? Secondly, mooring a cat in the many harbours. I would be interested to know whether it is going to be difficult to find walk on moorings for a cat and whether the costs are likely to be prohibitive. Anyone with first hand experience would probably have some practical suggestions.

 

[colvic]

Whats the problem with VAT? Where will you be comming from.

Expect to pay at least 1.5 x the rate for a 10 mtr boat, but in Spain and the Balearics there is now a REAL shortage of berths and prices are really climbing.

August saw charges for a 10 mtr. yacht vary between £16 and £40 a night between Barcelona and France with Barcelona being one of the cheapest.

Phil

 

[jamesjermain]

Where are you coming from and how long are you staying?

Non EU citizens can bring non-EU boats into the EU for 18 months under 'termporary importation' before VAT needs to be paid. After that you can leave the EU and re-enter after a short while for another period of time.
If you are EU citizen you will need to register for VAT unless you can claim a VAT exemption - ie a company operating the boats commercially.

Step-on berthing is likely to cost you more almost anywhere in the Med, with the differential rising in the crowded, afluent west and decreasing in the less full and smaller eastern harbours. I don't know by how much, though. In general, though, cats are more welcome there than they are in British marinas.

JJ

 

[tcm]

I wdn't say that prices will be prohibitive. Best option will be to stay out at anchor as often as possible (and you'll need a dinghy with reasonably outboard to nip ashore) as there are far more options than in the UK with its generally lumpier sea. Actually, in the heat of the summer then even if it was free it's often nicer at anchor than inthe marina where it can be too hot and airless.

Note that in most places a lunchtime stop is free of charge. They have visitor quays where you can go and have a chat. You can stay at the petrol places.

Generally, if you go into a marina at 9pm you can just park up where you like, and ask questions in the morning - seems much less regulated. Another ruse is to get the wife to ask for a berth, as they are lots more sexist.

.