"JohnM" wrote:

Sounds good to me but I'm still going to have the problem of getting the
boat quickly and legitimately into my name and Australian registration.
Don't I have to have boat insurance too?

The short answer is:

Not if you pay cash.

Many people have no insurance. When it is required, it is usually a
bank or marina that require it.

The bank requires it to assure themselves that they are loaning money
on something viable, and that they won't lose it through sinking or
weather disaster, or just the insured running off somewhere and not
paying off the loan.

Marinas require it (usually for long term dockage) to insure
themselves against salvage costs if the boat sinks at the dock and/or
if the owner abandons it.

The Australian registration you will have to figure out from your end.

"Roger Long" wrote in message
.. .
Unless you are looking for a specifically deepwater boat that would only
be found in an ocean port, I suggest you take a close look at listings in
the Great Lakes. The fresh water boats will be in much better condition,
brokers (at least according to my limites sample) are more honest and
forthright, and prices are lower.

Roger Long