Sunseeker predator

[mark69]

Absolute novice, sorry if this is in the wrong section.

Anyway, just retired in the UK, moving to Pattaya Thailand in 6 weeks.

Really like the look of these boats, 500k budget, never owned a boat before, i just need some advice.

I am obviously going to need to buy a vessel in a different country, as there is very little in Thailand, what do i do? I really have no clue how to get it to thailand and what is the best way to go about this.

 

[Portofino]

Welcome to the forum .
Speak to this chap at Sunseker .fr
They will / can -organise anything boat wise especially Sunseeker -sale -find -transport worldwide -turn key etc
alex@sunseeker.fr

Mark ,I've taken the liberty of dropping Alex a email linking this page -hope thats ok ?

 

[mark69]

Superb, thanks so much for the reply.

I will contact Alex in the morning, thanks again.

 

[petem]

Retirement/Sunseeker/Thailand - sounds like a good plan. I'd just start by contacting the Asia dealers, they'll be able to arrange delivery once you find a boat.

 

[alt]

For the love of god, don't move to Pattaya!

I'm not sure what (if any) marinas are there. I've never seen one the few times we had to spend a night there.

I know over the Phuket side there are definitely marinas.

-EDIT- Appears there is a marina there, but I think it's North of the town hence why I would have never seen it.

 

[mark69]

There is a marina there, i'm not saying its world class but does appear to be decent. We aint living on the boat, so security and the availability of a decent captain for hire are most important.

We could'nt get on with Phuket and ended up pulling the trigger on a nice villa just outside Pattaya a few years ago. So Pattaya it is, its not all Walking street

 

[Nick_H]

Welcome to the forum .
Speak to this chap at Sunseker .fr
They will / can -organise anything boat wise especially Sunseeker -sale -find -transport worldwide -turn key etc
alex@sunseeker.fr

Mark ,I've taken the liberty of dropping Alex a email linking this page -hope thats ok ?

I'm sure Alex is a top bloke, but why would you try and buy a British boat to keep in Thailand through a French dealer?

 

[mark69]

Ok i am going to make myself look like an idiot now. I have never even owned a canoe till now.

I am 50, retired early, there is nothing in Thailand i like or Asia.

I had some second thoughts (windy 32 for 1/3 the price) but we are never going to sleep on the boat or probably do more than 50 miles.

But thinking about it, i wont ever buy another boat, so i want a nice one.

So if buying something in Europe is what i need to do, well thats it.

 

[alt]

There is a marina there, i'm not saying its world class but does appear to be decent. We aint living on the boat, so security and the availability of a decent captain for hire are most important.

We could'nt get on with Phuket and ended up pulling the trigger on a nice villa just outside Pattaya a few years ago. So Pattaya it is, its not all Walking street

Fair point, Mark.

Wishing you the best of luck with the move, and the hunt for the new boat. We're all rooting for you!!

Great to hear a success story of retiring at 50! Enjoy it and we may see you over there some day

 

[mark69]

Man come on over, seriously, it is paradise on earth, never mind the nay sayers, we have lived here 6 months of the year for the last 5 years.

Are there hookers? ****ing right, and good for them cos you know why they do it? To support kids, mum and dad, and granny plus a goat, me and my wife Agnes, who is 30 and Polish, we love that shit and give them whatever cash we got in our pocket.

Man i spend my whole life doing the usual , money money money, seriously spend 1 month in Thailand, it is a life changing experiance

 

[henryf]

I'm out in Thailand again in a couple of weeks. Popped into Pattaya very briefly over the Christmas period as well as Koh Kut.

For boats in Thailand my first port of call would be Princess Yachts Southeast Asia based in Boat Lagoon Phuket. Although primarily a Princess dealer they have a very good handle on the whole boat market in Thailand and sell a range of used boats. Importantly they can also hold your hand regarding the legal side of things and make sure you don't fall foul of any problems.

The top man there is a chap called Vrit who is charming and the family are very well established. My point of contact is Adam Essex, adam@princessyachtssea.com. Very easy to deal with and a decent bloke. Tell him Henry sent you.

Most importantly they don't just sell boats but deal with all aspects of owning and running them out there. They can and do bring boats over from Europe but my first thoughts would be to see what's out there already. It's a lovely cruising ground particularly around Phang Nga Bay from where Langkawi, Malaysia and Singapore are all,available.


Henry

 

[mark69]

Man thanks for the reply, i have decided on a Predator, there is nothing in Asia, but Alex in France has found me 2 which are really looking good.

 

[mark69]

Also, of course give us a shout man, Pattaya aint all Walking street bar girls.

 

[Bajansailor]

In view of how you will be boating in a hot climate, would it be worthwhile considering a flybridge boat as well perhaps?

Only the VERY large Predators seem to have flying bridges - the ones in your price range - perhaps like this one in Singapore - don't.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2008/Sunseeker-Predator-62-2401808/Singapore

Here is a Fairline Squadron 74 that might be in your price range (if you are talking GBP, rather than US$).

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2004/Fairline-Squadron-74-2671720/Turkey

I am sure that jfm would confirm that Squadrons have a lot going for them when the weather is hot and sunny!

 

[henryf]

Finding a Predator isn't the problem, getting it to Thailand safely and sorting out all the legalities, deciding whether or not you want to Thai register it and so on are the more delicate things to get right. I can't emphasise strongly enough the importance of getting it right. Boats are big and very obvious

The boys and girls at PYSA have a lot of knowledge, at least ping them an email and pick their brains.

As has been said already the visual appeal of a sports boat is undeniable, the reality of blazing sunshine means shade and air conditioning are your best mates. Virtually all new Princess sales have been flybridge models, but speak to Adam, he's the expert, knows boating out there, speaks English and has his feet on the ground. He is familiar with everything from a Boston Whaler up to custom yachts.

Chok dee

Henry

 

[NGM]

As has been said already the visual appeal of a sports boat is undeniable, the reality of blazing sunshine means shade and air conditioning are your best mates.

Henry

It really depends, if you plan to use the boat as your holiday apartment then I'd agree, a fly bridge is a must. It sounds as if the OP plans to use this as a day boat (likely skippered), I would say the deck space on a sports boat makes sense and a plush living space pointless. There's always shade to be found on a sports boat and if you need an aircon blast you can pop below.

 

[mark69]

Finding a Predator isn't the problem, getting it to Thailand safely and sorting out all the legalities, deciding whether or not you want to Thai register it and so on are the more delicate things to get right. I can't emphasise strongly enough the importance of getting it right. Boats are big and very obvious

The boys and girls at PYSA have a lot of knowledge, at least ping them an email and pick their brains.

As has been said already the visual appeal of a sports boat is undeniable, the reality of blazing sunshine means shade and air conditioning are your best mates. Virtually all new Princess sales have been flybridge models, but speak to Adam, he's the expert, knows boating out there, speaks English and has his feet on the ground. He is familiar with everything from a Boston Whaler up to custom yachts.

Chok dee

Henry

Henry my man, didnt even know you were on here, my wife still loving the 997

Thanks for the advice.

 

[henryf]

Henry my man, didnt even know you were on here, my wife still loving the 997

Thanks for the advice.

Glad to hear it.

Can't immediately recall you. PM me your details.

H.

 

[Richard.C]

It seems a few of us on here have spent time in Thailand. I think the question of sports cruiser or flybridge is going to be very individual. I would say if you like beach holidays and sitting in the sun then maybe a sports cruiser would suit you. I would add however that the times I've spent on the coast or around the Thai islands I never experienced much of a breeze, I've always thought a sailing boat to be pointless as I see them motoring everywhere. So there isn't much escape from the heat unless you get into the air con.

 

[mark69]

Embrace the heat or run downstairs for some air con, i honestly just want to sit in the sun in the middle of the sea and have a drink with a few like minded friends. Also it seems some of these boats have a sun roof, thats all the fly bridge we need.