[milesinnz]

Hi,

I've been a member of this community for a while now, but never posted.

I am in New Zealand and have been thinking for some time now, about buying a yacht on the West Coast of the US and maybe taking it back to the Pacific Islands and then at some stage to NZ.

I have been impressed by the support and help given by the members of this community.

I think I understand most of the issues involved. I have the practical skills in yacht construction and maintenance as well extensive sailing in European waters - but no big ocean crossings.

I was wondering what the predominance of Osmosis was on late 70's yachts of the like of the Islander 36.

Also my understanding is that if I am to avoid local purchase taxes the yacht has to be out of US waters within 30 days? This just seems too short a time to make sure the yacht is in good order and there is a decent weather window - very worrying.

What would be the advisability of taking the yacht South to Mexico as a shake down cruise but having somewhere where it could be hauled out of the water and worked on by myself in Mexico if this proves to be necessary?

I feel getting stuck in some expensive bureaucratic nightmare is more daunting than the sailing.

There is also the issue of the proper paper work for departing from the USA - would having the yacht registered under the UK flag (SSR) but purchased in the USA pose any additional problems?

All suggestions gratefully received....

Regards

Miles