Cheap US boats - for real?

[lockwood]

I was speaking to a bloke in the marina today who as working on his 26ft Bayliner. He told me that he had bought it online from a US auction house. Apparently the auction house also arranged the shipping of the boat to the UK and the transport either side fom marina to marina.

The boat was in perfect condition (a 1988 model) with 6 berths and all the gadgets: radar, plotter etc.

He told me how much he paid for the whole package, boat, shipping and haulage and I nearly collapsed......

£12,000! - The boatyard at the Marina has a lesser specced model for £26,000 and its 5 years older!

If I see him tommorow, I will ask what company he used.

 

[CodStewart]

Are you sure you are not typing this in a dream?

 

[nty]

I'm a new user here.

Also based in Cardiff. Would be interested in the details of this. Sounds like a very good deal.

 

[lockwood]

He used Eglobal yachts

I have just taken a look - and some of the deals sound amazing. A First 35 for under $50,000

 

[nty]

Thanks, will have a look.

Where are you based, at Penarth or CBYC?

 

[DJE]

Has he sucessfully cleared all the EU importation hurdles? VAT paid? RCD certified?

 

[lockwood]

Apparently so - It all seems to good to be true to me, but I can't see why he would a reason to lie.

It seems that a good business could be made by buying and selling the boats over here.

 

[Guest]

US $ .....

As a person living / working with US$ as invoice currency .... the way of the oil world !! I know full well the suffering had from the present dollar value ... I am now after 1 year paying a 3% additional surcharge for the dollar concession over here. Its crippling.

BUT if you are buying anything FROM the US - then you are in for a good deal ... approx. 40% gain against 3 yrs ago ...

So the adage of what you pay in £'s here - you pay in $'s over there is real deal ....

BUT having checked out the site - there is a lot of damaged stuff there - but yes some real good deals - just have to search through the crud and sort carefully .... now its of to the site again to look for a small 20ft bayliner etc. for playing on the river !!!!
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[mirabriani]

Or you could do it yourself and have the sailing trip of a lifetime.
It could go like this....
First, decide on your ideal boat. Then get on the net and do your homework. Then probably re-assess your ideal boat
(because you have found it at half the price you expected)
Then take a trip (probably to Florida or Carribean)
Timing is important because if just before the hurricane season peeps get a little desperate.
Make your purchase and have a jolly holiday getting extra work done, preferably at half the price of Blighty. Chandlerys are still top price though.
Sail her back home via Azores where you pay your VAT at
12% on purchase price and not sky high Customs assessment
After all is done proudly display boat worth twice as much as
you paid for it and accept drinks in exchange for all the stories about the trip.
Easy see.

Regards Briani

 

[snowleopard]

Then shell out a fortune to have it CE marked as class D suitable for inland and sheltered waters only!

 

[jamesjermain]

Does the boat have an actual CE mark rather than a promise it's been RCD'd? If not, beware!

 

[graham]

Getting it converted from left hand drive will cost a bob or two..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif