Non-US citizen buying a yacht in US - where to register??

[stuxlux]

I want to buy a 30-32' yacht in the US in order to cruise the Gulf and the islands etc. I am an Icelandic citizen.
I understand that I can register the boat in a state (e.g. Florida), but cannnot, as a non-US citizen, document her at the USCG. In order to lawfully skipper the yacht in US waters, I am supposed to de-document the boat.

Is there anyone who knows about this in more details.
Is this feasible or should I register the yacht elsewhere (Panama, Cayman islands...?).

I'd be grateful for more information and if someone out there would be willing to share experience with the rest of us!

[sailingdog]

It depends on where you plan on cruising. If you're planning on heading to the Caribbean, you're probably best off getting the boat registered in a country outside of the US... since state registrations aren't always recognized by foreign governments, and as a non-US citizen you can't USCG document the boat.

You really need to check with the various foreign governments as to what they require in terms of registering a vessel there. You might look at the www.noonsite.com website and see if they have any information on boat registration procedures for various countries.

[stuxlux]

Thanks for this.
Iceland is a member of EEA along with Norway and Lichtenstein, which in effect means a EU membership.
Best wishes, Stu