Crossing the Atlantic

[Csail]

Thinking of flying to Florida to buy a yacht, got a keen and very qualified crew, what items/ supplies are essential? Yacht would be 40' ish. 3 guys on board. Best time of year?
Only the first stage of plans at the moment.

 

[Bajansailor]

I presume you will be sailing her back to Europe?
Re supplies, as in food and drink, lots of all of your favourites - all easily obtainable I should think in Florida.
Best time of year, ideally you want to leave around April / May (at the latest) - if you leave it too late, you run the (increased) risk of coming across a hurricane that has visited the Windies, and which then decides to trundle over to Europe.

 

[TigaWave]

A well sorted boat, as you can expect to get a good blow at some point on the way back. Storm sails and a strong rig/rudder, and plenty of diesel cans if you head for the lighter wind on the edge of the high.
Much like any other 20-25 days crossing except for the extra fuel.

 

[macd]

Forgive me if I'm telling granny how to suck eggs, but I presume you're up to speed on VAT and RCD issues? Bringing US boats to the EU isn't always the bargain it appears.

 

[Kilter]

[ QUOTE ]
Forgive me if I'm telling granny how to suck eggs, but I presume you're up to speed on VAT and RCD issues? Bringing US boats to the EU isn't always the bargain it appears.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pay VAT in the Azores...it's cheaper!

 

[macd]

In practice the Azores seems to be cheaper in two respects:
1. The rate is lower than the UK rate.
2. The authorities there seem prepared to accept lower valuations on which VAT is due than their counterparts in the UK.
Besides, if you were to call in the Azores en route, that would be the place of importation and thus the place where VAT normally becomes payable.

 

[JackIron]

All of the above - but I would add the obvious - make sure you can pick up decent forecasts. We ony had an SSB receiver, but picked up good forecasts all the way back. If we had stuck to the traditional route we would have been hammered, as it was we enjoyed our trip back more than the outward tradewind leg, as we had to be tactical and work the weather - much, much more interesting and satisfying trip due soley to good weather info.

Yours aye
JackIron