Looking for a liveaboard cruiser

[jeffthague]

Hello everyone,..I've never owned a yacht or done much sailing & this may be a bit like 'how long is a piece of string?' but I'd like to invite opinions on what's the most blue-water boat for around £40.K.?-(for short-handed sailing mainly-no wife & few friends I'm afraid) I'm getting close to realising my dream, & may be able to stretch to £50.K in a few months time. The live-aboard bit is as important as the sea-keeping ability, but I don't want 'another-white-plastic-boat'. 35-38' seems to be about right for me as I'm 6'-2" & like a bit of room to spare. I want to be able to go from UK to Cape Town with absolute confidence in the boat, & that even if I get knocked down, she'll spring back up smartly. I find the Baba 35 very attractive indeed, but there's none available in Europe, so what else is there here that's got the same sort of quality & reputation, & very realistically priced.? Also,is it worth the hassle going to the US, to save money.? (VAT & RCD-wise) I'd appreciate ALL advice & comments. Thanks a lot folks.

 

[mainshiptom]

Nice boat ! Baba 35 , saw one is St Kats they sailed from the us !

If you tend to go around the world why can you not pick up from where ever there is one for sale and sail back?

Tom

 

[twisterkai]

I currently have a Twister, a little small for the 'live aboard' lifestyle. Go to YBW.com and check out the Tayana 37. I think you'll find they tick all the right boxes, but you'll have to go to the US east coast to get one. So long as you don't bring it back to europe, hence avoiding vat & rcd, you'll get a fantastic yacht in the 40 - 50k price bracket.

 

[twisterkai]

Also, check out the Tartan 37. Fantastic S&S design, once again on the other side of the pond.

 

[jeffthague]

Thanks for the reply Tom. Yes, I do travel the world-intermittently on contract-& have lived in RSA for 25 yrs, & I'm currently looking @ RSA boats. I don't see any good deals there though. As the Xchange-rate got worse & worse they just hiked up the prices, altho it's fair to say they're only 'asking prices'. Selection is quite limited over there which is why I'm looking @ US market/Tayana37/Union36. Not sure what to do right now as if I did buy a Tayana/Baba/whatever outside the EU I'd undoubtably have VAT/RCD/Import Duty to pay on top if I decided to retire in UK. On limited means, I can only do this ONCE, I have to get it right 1.st time. !I need more opinions.!!! Jeff

 

[Talbot]

Prout Quest 31 or 35. I suspect that the early 37ft snowgoose will be a little bit too expensive.

Good liveaboard

Capable and proven world class cruising boats

 

[Abigail]

Rival 32' a good option. But absolutely agree about the cost of buying in the UK. If you buy outside the EU, look at where you import her when you enter the Union. (VAT kicks in anywhere, not just UK, and lots oif countries (though not all) have a cheaper VAT rate. And once paid, it's paid - you wouldn't have to pay again here.

 

[muckypup]

[ QUOTE ]
If you buy outside the EU, look at where you import her when you enter the Union. (VAT kicks in anywhere, not just UK, and lots oif countries (though not all) have a cheaper VAT rate.

[/ QUOTE ]

Germany, Spain and Cyprus (and Luxembourg but I assume it's marine catalog is a bit thin). All others have VAT rates either equal to or more than the UK.

Steve

 

[twisterkai]

It's also worth checking the Azores. Last year the vat rate was about 14%

 

[Sea Devil]

Going to the States certainly will get you more (good) boat for your money. Chesapeake e Bay & Fort Lauderdale have lots to offer - If you are not intending to stay in UK - European waters then it is quite a saving and you can still register it on the SSR..