JohnM wrote:
I've noticed several listings of damaged boats on auction sites on the East
coast and because of the greater chance of finding what I want there than
here in Australia I would be interested in advice you people may have on the
problems I could run into.
I have the general idea on re-registering the vesel and import duty in
Australia etc. but I'm having trouble with the concept of finding the right
boat, bidding, then finding somewhere to store it 'till repaired. All
without having personaly inspected it. I can get a USA visitor visa for 3
months (plus maybe another 3 months). Is there a way this sort of thing is
done?

Your distance from these boats is a big difficulty, as you can see.
You can arrange with local surveyors to look at boats for you,
determine the extent of damage and give you an ideal of work required
to fix it, but that'll cost several hundred per boat. The surveyors
would also be able give advice on yards to work in, sources of
materials, good contractors, etc.

If you want a project, I'll suggest looking for boats abandoned in
marinas in your neck of the woods. Initial cost may be higher than a
hurricane boat on eBay, but your costs to get it into the water could
be a lot less.

Good luck with that,

Tim