refit - where to buy the kit (in europe)

[superboots]

Need to get the boat finished for next year. Lots of kit needed but choice and price unfavourable in Turkey where I keep the boat. Plan to drive early next year from UK stopping on route for the best deals. But need advice if this is practicable.
Stuff I need includes:
solar panels, windlass , calorifier, boom tube (selden or similar), sails, fridge- compressor + evaporator, acrylic canvas, +
Where am I likely to find the best deals on any of these items?

 

[Mad Pad]

.......and when you enter Turkey in your car at the land border?

 

[duncan99210]

Re: refit - where to buy the kit (in europ

.......and when you enter Turkey in your car at the land border?

This is the sticking point on taking a load of stuff out to Turkey. Crossing the border will involve lots of paperwork, probably payment of import duty and you'll probably find you need to use an agent to sort things out. You might do better to arrange to have stuff delivered to say Rhodes and then take the boat across to pick it up rather than moving it across the hordes in your car. Might almost be worth moving to a Greek yard to do the refit and do to quick before the b word interferes...

I lived in Turkey for three years a while ago. I smashed the headlights on the car and the UK suppliers sent them via a courier. In the end, after a real set of hassles using our own customs agent, we extracted the spares from the customs office. They then required us to hand over the remains of the smashed headlights to prevent us from selling them on for repair.... Go figure about that!

 

[Iodine]

SVB (www.svb24.com) in Bremen, Germany generally have very good prices. But they ship within Europe quite cheaply ,so it's probably only worth visiting them in Bremen unless what you want too buy is to heavy/big to ship.

 

[Tranona]

In general prices are lowest in the UK, particularly with the current value of the £. However, as suggested the biggest problem is getting the kit into Turkey. The main reasons prices of manufactured goods in Turkey are higher is import costs.

 

[macd]

If they can be formally classed as parts for a 'boat in transit', which should be possible if it's registered elsewhere, they can be imported to Turkey without paying local taxes. The can also be shipped from the EU VAT-free (although you'd wish to report their import back to the EU should you later sail there, and pay the VAT. Obviously.) Strictly-speaking, as implied earlier, the bits the new parts are replacing should also be exported with you, or otherwise dealt with in an approved way.

This sounds very attractive but is a hugely beaurocratic process for which you would need an agent. There would also be translation and notary fees. Don't even think of taking the stuff by car and doing it yourself. You'll need a hair transplant afterwards even doing it the 'official' way.

(I shipped an engine to Turkey three years ago, so I've got the T-shirt. Our Antalya-based agent was excellent; the shippers were morons. Happy to pass on the agent's details via PM.)

It is doable but the fees could easily amount to €1000. Whether it's worthwhile will depend on how much the goods cost, and how much you value a hassle-free life. If you go that route, I suggest you try very hard to have the goods sent to Turkey as a single consignment. In fact don't even think of doing it any other way. It might be a whole load simpler to have the stuff shipped to an adjacent part of Greece, as suggested.

SVB, mentioned by Iodine, have a good reputation for service and prices, although I daresay sterling's recent progress isn't in your favour.

 

[Bertramdriver]

How vulnerable to coronary distress or gastric disorders are you? If these are an issue stay away from Turkey. The bureaucracy and corruption issues are overwhelming.
A better strategy is to relocate to Greece either kalamaki/ Athens or Aegina island in the Aegean or Preveza or Lefkas in the Ionian. Buy components in the uk to minimise supply/ exchange rate issues and then professionally ship from uk to Greece.
A standard pallet collected and delivered will cost you around £300, all the paperwork is done for you and you can get a lot loaded onto a pallet. Believe me I've done it all.

 

[superboots]

Thanks for the advice. I have experience in importing stuff (engine) with agent services - only worth doing with very expensive items. Found crossing land border with a car load of stuff - done many times - not to be a problem. Hope to go to dusseldorf boat show - is there a chance to get deals on stuff there? Or in Italy where I could buy some stuff from Quick + Frigoboat - but their on line pricing is not good. what about Selden agents - which give the best discount?

 

[Yngmar]

Thanks for the advice. I have experience in importing stuff (engine) with agent services - only worth doing with very expensive items. Found crossing land border with a car load of stuff - done many times - not to be a problem. Hope to go to dusseldorf boat show - is there a chance to get deals on stuff there? Or in Italy where I could buy some stuff from Quick + Frigoboat - but their on line pricing is not good. what about Selden agents - which give the best discount?

If you're in Italy, you could do worse than having a look at Yachtshop.eu, which is the direct outlet for Osculati, a major marine equipment distributor.

 

[superboots]

I am also wondering if there are any vetus agents who give good discounts.