New to Forum and a load of questions

[TimB1]

Hi all, just joined the forum as contemplating buying my first boat at the age of 51!!!, but have a few questions before I leap in.
I have recently moved to Ireland from the UK, so will be keeping any boat in a Marina on South East Coast of Ireland.

My boating experience, I have crewed ( 4 of us ) a family members, Westerly Corsair from Poole to Ireland crossing the Irish sea, and general South Coast of UK sailing.
I have a lot of RIB ( 7.5M Tornado ) dive boat experience, taking our club rib up to 25 miles offshore to dive numerous channel wrecks.

Certification, I hold RYA Powerboat 1 and 2 and also completed my Advanced Powerboat Course and certification on an Offshore 105 (10.5M) in Plymouth in 2009. This was endorsed as Coastal. Did RYA Coastal Skipper theory, ( But didn't sit exam ) Taught charts tide and weather and boat handling through BSAC.
Myself and my wife are contemplating purchasing one of three boats at the moment. My wie also has RYA Power Boat 1 and 2 and we both hold VHF Marine Radio licence.
We are looking at a Beneteau Antares 760, or a Jenneau Merry Fisher 805, or if we can stretch budget a Beneteau Antares 9 Fly.
So my questions.
1) As the Antares 760 is under 26 foot, will I get Boat Insurance that covers us for more than Coastal ( Say we want to cross Irish Sea to UK ). Some insurance seems to state if boat is less than 26 foot it will be limited to Irish Coastal Waters ONLY. They seem not to add this endorsement if boat is 26 foot plus. I understand in a 26 foot or less boat, weather and all other considerations. Which also apply to any size of vessel.
2) If I buy a boat in UK and bring it back to Ireland, are there any VAT importation issues. Or Registration Issues
3) If I take any of the above boats across to UK then to France, is my current certification valid, or would I need ICC.
I fully intend to do some form of refresher training prior to taking boat out ( Family here in Ireland are ex commercial skippers, who still own boats, so will be getting them to come out with us , to give some local knoweledge).
4) Any recommendations for whom to insure through in Ireland
Any advice welcome.

Thanks
Tim B

 

[Phildorset]

Exciting times, good luck and have fun choosing your boat, it sounds like you've got enough experience to pick what's right for you. Surely no issues re VAT so long as you have proof that it's been paid already? Insurance - I guess so long as your boat is rated for the trips you wish to do then you'll be able to get the policy to cover. We use Haven for both boats, they happily cover me to sail my 6.7M Django (it's a tiny sailing boat) anywhere I wish to head for, single handed if I choose, because the boat has the right Cat rating. But wouldn't cover me if I chose to head for New York on my Azimut not that I'd get very far!

 

[Bigplumbs]

To Motor Boat in France in anything other than a very small engine (I think 15 hp) you will need you ICC but you Powerboat 2 will get that automatically from the RYA and if you Join the RYA at the same time the licence is I think still free (Well it was 3 years ago when I did it)

I use Craft Insure online for my insurance

Dennis
PS Welcome to the forum

 

[Happiest Afloat]

Hi Tim,

For insurance see https://www.yachtsman.ie/home.html.
You should have no problem re VAT bringing a UK boat back to Ireland as long as UK VAT has been paid.
You should have no registration issues either.

 

[TimB1]

Hi, thanks for responses. Leaning towards Antares 760, found insurance that will let us cross Irish Sea. Though one step at a time, methinks