In article , Edgar wrote:

"Justin C" wrote in message
...
I'll be in the market for a boat soon. Am very tempted to cross to
America (from the UK) to make a purchase... it's just a damn long way
between boats I like the look of! ... the savings could cover the
internal flights and car-hire though.

Justin.

Why go there? Do it all on line and keep the savings for yourself.. You
can
download particulars of lots of similar boats and then choose. Get lots
of
pictures and, when you have decided on one, get an independent survey to
make sure she is Ok.
. BUT, do not forget that you will have to get her EU certified so that
she
comes with EU documentation and a CE mark or the Customs will not release
her on arrival in UK. This last requirement is the only real pita in the
whole affair, because it is pure unnecessary bureaucracy.
Been there, done all that and never set eyes on my beautiful boat until
she
was unloaded over here.
The only requirement is that you have to know enough about the type of
boat
you are buying and/or its designer and builder to do without personal
inspection and sea trial.

Couldn't I just sail it back 'under their radar' ?

No comment. My reply was on the assumption you were a serious person.

Having never owned a boat before I'm here to learn. I can't see any
reason customs has to know I've purchased a boat... other than declaring
for VAT purposes.

I'm currently taking my Day Skipper course. I have a friend in Canada
who has more sailing experience than I have years (and I'm 40), who
would sail a boat back with me. I am serious about sailing, and I'm
exploring my options WRT buying a boat. My budget is not infinite, the
pound/dollar exchange rate is very appealing, it's something I've at
least to look into.


What sort of cost could I expect to get it certified? Any web-sites you
can recommend with details of the legislation?

Do your own research. Hint-try googling for 'EU certification of boats'

I did. It said 'Your search - "EU certification of boats" - did not match any documents.'

Having googled further afield I've found two sites offering to carry out
the service for power boats, and also, of course, the RYA who only say
that it is required.... Hampshire local government site has some detail,
and from what they say, it looks like it could be more trouble than it's
worth.

Taking the potential cost of RCD certification into consideration (2,000
upwards), VAT on an $80,000 boat, my flight to the USA, my friends
flight back to Canada, I'm not sure it's a good idea. Obviously there's
a sliding scale here, it becomes more cost-effective the higher the
price of the boat. I should imagine that if it's $200,000 or above then
it's pretty much a no-brainer, but at my end of the market there are too
many unknowns that can make it more costly than buying in the UK.

An interesting exercise all the same.

Justin.

--
Justin C, by the sea.