Grey Import. Should I walk away??

[matt_lake]

The broker should not be representing a non-CE marked boat and it would be illegal for him to supply it to an EU customer. You have to ask yourself was VAT paid when the boat was landed in the UK/EU? Can you insure it? Can the broker give clear title? Can you sell it?

Grey imports often appear good value but they're cheap for a reason! There are plenty of UK spec boats of this type available at any given time and you would save yourself a world of hassle.

Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[Elza_Skip]

Personally I would walk away.

You already have your concerns and you want a boat to enjoy not to worry about.

It would be different if you had already decided you wanted an import, had done the research and looked at a few.

Finally- would you realistically be able to get here in the water ready for the summer? If not think of the money tied up you cannot enjoy.

 

[andrewa]

Got to agree do it yourself and make a holiday out of it. I've just got back from the US not to buy a boat this time just a holiday and their economy is hurting. I was in Las Vegas and got talking to an Irish couple on one of the blackjack tables and they were buying a motorhome to ship back however they did tell me that at present there is a 6 weeks plus backlog at the east coast docks into Europe on cars and boats, basically there has been such a surge in purchases that there is not enough capacity on the ships and the docks wont accept the load until the shipping date is confirmed and even then it can't be delivered until a week before shipping.

 

[DoubleVision]

Many thanks for all your input guys. I have just come off the phone to the broker and canned the deal. It seems the boat as a grey import will only ever be worth around 60% of its properly imported sisters market value which puts it at around 25K and thats without the catalogue of faults.
Oh well i`m on the hunt for a recent 27 footer with petrol or diesel with 4 berths for around 40-45k..........and a bloody CE certificate!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifwho`s owner will do a part chop for a 97 Rinker 240 all shiny seviced and ready to go?
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[enterprise]

Which is the real reason for it sitting there not sold for so long, the owner can sell it if he is realistic with the price.
Perhaps the many posters requesting info on importing cheap boats from the states will take note, on resale you may need to find someone who has not done there homework.

Good on the broker for letting you know the value before you made an offer, can't blame you for walking away but how about a stupid offer of 20K, the broker knows the true value so will take it serious even if the vendor thinks your taking the mickey...., can only say no.

 

[andrewa]

Simple, broker not liable importer is.

 

[pathfinderstu]

I was going to say for all the reasons given and more I would not even take the boat if it was offered for free.

 

[Spi D]

Why insist on spending money on a can of worms when so many other nice, good value offers are around?

 

[vas]

reality check, thread is 5 years old!
would be nice for the OP to tell us what he owns now and if said craft is still for sale and still on the hard

V.

 

[epervier]

Agreed, gravediggers at work, this thread is dead, DoubleVision had a Sunseeker Martinique, he sold that and has bought something else since, last time he posted on here was June 2012.

 

[RogerRat]

reality check, thread is 5 years old!
would be nice for the OP to tell us what he owns now and if said craft is still for sale and still on the hard
.

Ha, who dug this one out?

Also Paul hasn't been on here for nearly 18 months so not likely you'll get to hear now.

He has had quite a few boats over the years though, so quite likely had two/three more since thread started.

 

[pathfinderstu]

reality check, thread is 5 years old!
would be nice for the OP to tell us what he owns now and if said craft is still for sale and still on the hard

V.

your right .just noticed that /....wonder why it appeared under new posts then? I only ever read them/!

 

[Double Vision]

Hi Roger.
Just stumbled on this during an unrelated search for something completely different! I,m not sure why it came up as a new post.
We went to Hythe the other week and didnt see your Targa so I suspect you have had a change?
The last time we saw you we had a Searay 250 which has since been chopped for a 290 with twins. Bought as a wreck as usual for me but the restoration has now been completed. Will post some pics when I find out how to again (its been a long time)
In confirmation yes I have had a few boats since Double Vision, a Rinker 240, Targa 31, Searay 250 and now the 290 and a few ribs too.

 

[RogerRat]

Hi Roger.
Just stumbled on this during an unrelated search for something completely different! I,m not sure why it came up as a new post.
We went to Hythe the other week and didnt see your Targa so I suspect you have had a change?
The last time we saw you we had a Searay 250 which has since been chopped for a 290 with twins. Bought as a wreck as usual for me but the restoration has now been completed. Will post some pics when I find out how to again (its been a long time)
In confirmation yes I have had a few boats since Double Vision, a Rinker 240, Targa 31, Searay 250 and now the 290 and a few ribs too.

Hi Paul,
I'm not surpirsed, I thought you would have had a few more by now. I left Hythe and went across to Shamrock Quay nearly 2 years ago. Still there, but the Targa is on it's way as we speak. I am changing her for a Azimut 46 which is sitting in Essex following a minor refit and long list of jobs, she's launched now and due for delivery to Swanwick when a skipper and the weather is available, so not long.

Are you still in Eastbourne or have you moved back to the south coast? Look in when you are about!

 

[PCUK]

Little thread drift, but the cheap and easy way to get the 110 volt system working from UK shore power is to install a site transformer. 240 volt to 110 volts for less than £50 and very hard wearing!