Ports where good crusing boats are abandoned

[davidpm]

I have read of several places in the world, specific ports where people who have fitted out a boat to sail the world give up the their plan and fly back to home.
The reasons are varied of course. Sickness, poor planning, crew arguments. And of course just not enjoying it the way they thought.

I would be interrested in the location of those ports and any stories and chalanges involved in buying boats under thoses circumstances.

[KeelHaulin]

La Paz Mexico. Lots of people sail to Cabo; and either cruise the Sea of Cortez and then sell; or they get down there and decide they don't want to sail back up the coast. I would not call these boats "abandoned"; but there are some good deals to be had if you are willing to go down there to look for one.

[davidpm]

Thanks KH. Abandoned is the wrong word. I'm thinking of well fitted out boats that are being sold below market.

[PCP]

Azores and Martinique.

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by PCP

Azores and Martinique.

Why specifically at these locations?

[PCP]

You know, that dream of living aboard and cross oceans (with the wife) sometimes finishes with a reality check.

Azores because it is in the middle of the Ocean and sometimes inexperient sailors (or their wives) that are crossing the Atlantic decide they had enough and the dream and the boat finnish at Azores, for sale.

Martinica is the French dream. Among the ones that manage to sail there some would have had enough and don't want to go further, nor have the will to bring the boat back.

You can also add to the list Canary Islands, for the same reasons.

Regards

Paulo

[k1vsk]

Surprised no one mentioned Hawaii. That's where everyone ends up once they leave the left coast and realize reality and the dream are different and it's a looooong way back. Good prices, no problem with import duties/taxes, great shopping,...

[deniseO30]

There are some cheap crab boats to be had on the Bering sea.... bottom?

[TQA]

Villamoura and nearby marinas/anchorages

Trinidad

Rio Dulce Guatemala

Pointe a Pitre Guadeloupe

I have just finished a prolonged boat hunt and these were all places that had more than one boat where the owner[s] had clearly had enough and there were good deals to be had. Although the brokers/owners might have unrealistic asking prices the need to get rid of an asset which depreciates really quickly when no maintenance is done and the sun and rain do their stuff will make them receptive to offers.

[davidpm]

Now that we a few locations I would like to expand the question to cover what chalanges are involved in making the deal.
I.E if you buy a boat in a foreign port and bring it back to the states what are the issues and how best to handle them?