May I introduce Mr. Mark O'Carroll

[Dave_Snelson]

May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Over the past few months there has been a couple of debates that have concerned the importing of boats from the USA to the UK. The UK boat buying public is naturally sceptical but I have had a lengthy conversation with Mark O'Carroll of Global Trade Partners Inc. who runs an operation out of Jacksonville, Florida. Mark has gone a long way to address peoples concerns which include transfer of funds for payment, CE certification, import duties, UK road legal trailers etc. etc. Mark is actually English (with a good Florida accent!) and has a good understanding of requirements - he also has over 100 success stories to date, with references for those who are still sceptical.

I would respectfully suggest that the time is right to re-visit this method of boat buying and I have invited Mark to join us here on the forum to answer any questions or allay concerns, he says he will join in at approx 19:00 GMT which is 14:00 EST (I think?).

Those of you who read Motor Boats Monthly will remember the "great debate" on page 11 of the October issue, which sought the views of sellers and consumers, the upshot being that we feel that price rises in the UK over the past few years are, by and large, unacceptable and unsustainable.

Mark - if you are at your desk in Jacksonville, I do hope you will join us as you said you would. The rest of you salty dogs on this forum can start piling in the questions / comments etc.

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[markocarroll]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Hi Dave - I am now on line

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[mainshiptom]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Welcome Mark !

What sort of boat do you own ?

Tom

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[Col]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Nice of you to pop in.. I don't require your knowledge as I am not importing, but it is nice of you to give of your time to those that do. Best wishes.

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

OK, here goes

1. How do you go about getting a US built boat CE certified and how much would say a 40footer cost?
2. What does changing to 240V cost?
3. Are there any import duties to pay over and above VAT when importing into the UK?
4. How do Customs+Excise assess a boat's value for VAT purposes?
5. Are there any guarantees with the boats you sell?
6. How difficult is it to obtain British Registry?
7. What is typical transport cost from US to UK for 40ft flybridge boat?
8. What kind of saving is there in buying from the US after all costs of importation into the UK?

Thats just a few to be getting on with

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[markocarroll]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Hi Tom: Please bear with me as this is my first time participating in a chat room environment. I have owned many many different boats (including a 30' Hunter when I lived in Annapolis) Now I am content to have access to our mini fleet as I have the rough assignment of checking out all the boats before we ship them worldwide!

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[markocarroll]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

thank you for your good wishes!

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[tripleace]

Hi Mark

I have previously owned a REGAL and love the boat quality but because of the UK dealer would never buy another REGAL.

The 42ft commodore would be of great interest,

Diesels, 240 volts, Holding tank, heating CE etc. ie spec to use in the UK not the MED

can you offer any ball park figures of a landed price.



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[Alistairr]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Hi Mark, And welcome aboard.

You obviously don't know what you are letting yourself in for, opening yourself to questions from this mottley bunch,/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif mine is a simple one....

Is it as worthwhile financially to Import Smaller boats, ie, 18' to 25ft boats, as it is bigger boats?

Cheers..

Alistair..



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[andrewa]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Dave thanks for setting this up, Mark welcome

My question is as follows

I have successfully imported a 1993 Sea Ray from Florida last year with no problem whatsoever, but my question is, if I was looking to upgrade to a newer boat are US manufactueres putting CE plates on as a matter of build like the USCG plate I have on mine at the helm?





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[jfm]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Mark, welcome to forum. I am not importing so no direct interest, but I'll be interested to see the information given on this subject. Also, this forum is quite informal so no need to wear suit and tie

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[sjw]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Hi
The boats you sell some of which you give major details on apollo duck are these taken from local Florida brokerage or do you advertise the fact that u are going to export them to the uk. and how are the boats searched to make sure that they have clean title

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[simongoldthorpe]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Is there a website of the boats for sale?

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[markocarroll]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Yikes - I knew I should have enrolled in typing class!

1. On CE cert: We are currently in negotiations with CE Proof to begin offering our customers the option of having their boat CE stamped. The specifics are a subject unto themselves and we can get into the technical details if you would like.

2. We recommend use of a step down transformer so that all exisiting micro. fridge etc, can be used. Cost approx. 120 gbp.

3. Import duties for boat are less than two percent (1.7% of declared value)

4. Tax assessment is based on the delared CIF value (cost of goods, insurance and freight) We work with a UK clearing agent to orchestrate all the details for our customers

5. We thoroughly check out all the boats we ship and also recommend as a double check the services of an independent licensed marine surveyor to furnish our clients with a full and detailed report. In the event that something slips through the cracks (major or minor) we are currently in the enviable position to state that we have have covered whatever repair costs were required in every instance. First hand referrals and our resulting reputation for honesty and excellent values accounts for over 75% of our new business.

6. Have not heard of any instances where UK Registry was an issue.

7. Roughly 4k gbp based on dimensions of 42' length x 9' width x 12' height on cradle including insurance (we are able to obtain heavily discounted rates due to our volume).

8. Typical savings over UK prices are between 30% -50% for comparable model and year. The real value though is realised through the fact that we are able to select boats such that the same model year boat from the US is in far better condition thatn the same boat in the UK. We have a much gentler climate with no freezing weather. Also, there are many more boats to select from in the southeast region (25,000 +) and so we are able to select the boats that have been "pampered" and well cared for. Many are stored under cover or on shelves inside huge indoor dry stack marinas. It is posssible, for example, to find 10 + year old boats in practically mint condion as a result.

I hope this is helpful..

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[markocarroll]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Hi Alistair:

Absolutely! Most of our boats shipped are in the 17-26 range. You can get an idea of the models we offer by clicking on the link below:

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/dealer.phtml?bid=73




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[markocarroll]

Re: Hi Mark

We would be glad to work with you directly on your request. Please e-mail me at mark@globaltradepartners.net and we will prepare a short list for your review

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[markocarroll]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Hi there: the short answer is "no." Although the Florida manufactured boats (Regal, Sae Ray, Bayliner, Maxum etc.) come off the same production lines, the manufacturer will only stamp a CE on the UK marketed boats in order to protect their UK dealer territory price scale. If you are interested in getting your boat CE certified, we can certainly help you do that quite economically in the UK.

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[BrendanS]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Mark,
What's the process and cost for haivng a boat CE marked in the UK?

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[andrewa]

Tks Mark

Mark

No CE is of no concern to me on a 1993 boat I was asking incase I decide in the future to buy a newer boat in the US i.e post 1998.

Many Tks for you response

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[markocarroll]

Re: May I introduce Mr. Mark O\'Carroll

Yes there is a web location where you can view some of the boats we currently have on offer:

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/dealer.phtml?bid=73

With best regards,

Mark O'Carroll
Executive Director
Global Trade Partners, Inc.
www.globaltradepartners.net
(904) 886-9933 (Main)
(904) 662-7362 (Mobile)
(904) 268-6376 (Fax)


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