How do I buy a new boat - Cheaply

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I'm looking to buy a new 42' ish boat (probably a Ben 423, but making final desisions after SBS). Has anyone got any experience of reducing the costs. I'm talking about the delivery, comissioning and extras. All these costs are +vat and soon add up. What about buying in France etc. Is it possible to hire a company and go collect the boat myself. I can buy electronics cheaper than the dealer prices and fit then myself.
Is any of this advisable ??
Has anyone done this ?
And finally,,, the VAT, anyone used the services of a Isle of Man company of similar.

I know it's a lot of questions, but its taken me a long time to get it and I'd like to keep hold of as much as possible.
 
some companies will sell a part completed boat at various stages of "sailaway" but it may well take some considerable negotiation. If buying without instruments, dont expect that the price will reduce by the retail price of the instruments! Make sure that he completed stage of the boat includes all items that are beyond your D-I-Y skills, and take into account storage ashore and time to completion in the costs.
 
I'm not looking for a part completed version (I don't think Beneteau would do this) I'm looking to save costs on a new boat from the factory
 
Certainly buying a French boat in France from a French dealer has - in the past - been cheaper than buying it from the UK dealers. Dunno if that still applies. The Benny dealer in Chbg is quite used to this, and even offers cheap overwinter storage if you want to take the boat back there.
 
After SBS many build slots will be taken and sales bonuses earned. If you are serious get a quote now. Don't be surprised if UK agents will not compete with each other but no harm in letting them know you are a serious buyer and will also be looking at the price to buy abroad. It was only after I aproached an Irish dealer giving them an oportunity to quote stating that I already had a derisory UK quote and would be buying in France that I got a call from the Uk dealer offering to requote in a keener manner. Yes it meant the Irish dealer was part of a cartel and refered my enquiry back to the UK dealer.

Yes cartels are meant to be illegal in the EU but it appears still alive and kicking. The French are serious businessmen and will try to better anyone quote. They have been known to even sell and commission missile to countries at war with the UK. The French will not let minor complications get in the way of a deal!! You may have problems dealing in France if you require a marine mortgage. I didn't explore it but I am sure the French could help on that issue as well with lower EU interest rates but there is still the risk of Euro currency rates fluctuating.

Please consider other aspects though , the Uk sale of goods act will not apply and any warantee work will need to be completed back in France. Few productions boats are without problems.

I explored it thoroughly including forward buying the Euros but finally opted to buy in the UK once I had received a keen quote. There is an element though of regret as the initial Uk attitude of take it or leave it did rather get up my nose.
 
I bought my Jeanneau this year, and on balance found that the UK dealer worked quite hard to assist me get the boat to the spec and standard I wanted. Yes, the outrageaous 6k delivery and commissioning rankles, but they also project managed for that sum with the yard and artisans who did all the bits I asked for. Also, it gave me the opportunity of gluing and screwing the bits that I wanted to do myself.
I deleted the electronics package from Jeanneau, and took a credit on other things such as Sprayhood, Anchor/Chains etc.
I gave the dealer a spreadsheet of work required, dates for completion, who responsible for purchase or installation. In general it worked well.
Also, the dealer suggested some mods which other purchasers had installed, which they were able to quote for and did sterling work.
This was against a potential saving of about 4.5k leaving it in France, which after travel, accomodation and my time, just seemed marginal on a 90k purchase.

I am delighted with the outcome, and I had my second(minor) warranty work carried out efficiently last week.
 
VAT

I am looking at various VAT mitigation plans in connection with my own new boat purchase. They all rely on an arbitrage between the VAT rules of different countries. Th eoverall saving is potentially about 9% by the time you have considered all costs. I cant recall why but I had already discounted the IOM products in favour of UK/Dutch or UK/Belgian products.

I am mindful of Gordon Browns last budget in whcih he retrospectively rewrote the inheritance tax rules making illegal a number of schemes that had hitherto been considered legitimate tax mitigation (the pre-owned assets/reservatioon of benefit legislation).

I have to say I am wondering whether a 9% saving is worth it against the risk that Mr Brown might retrospectively declare whatever I do illegal and impound the boat and/or charge me the 17.5% VAT PLUS penalties.
 
Spain?

Anyone bought in Spain?

I heard its very easy and cheaper . With flights costing £50 these days I thought maybe buy a boat delivered to Spain, sail it there for a season , overwinter it there (much cheaper I hear) then sail it back to UK at start of the following season.

Any big savings to be had? would be interested to hear any experiences.
 
Spanish Taxes

If you're keeping a boat in Spain for any length of time, be careful not to be caught by an iniquitous Spainsh residency wealth tax. I believe the RYA or Cruising Association sites might have something on this. I know it has caused some wailing and gnashing of wallets.
 
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