Buying outside the US

[tuco]

There are many affordable boats outside the US (Mexico, Caribbean, US Virgin Islands). What disadvantages are there in buying one of these boats? Ex: taxation, registration, importing fees, shipping to the US, etc.
Other than the cost are there any advantages?

[hamiam]

When I was looking for my current boat, I noticed many "cheap" boats in places like Nova Scotia and the Caribbean. To make a long story short; I found that the market is efficient. IE the boats in the Caribbean, sitting in sun all day and used year round were pretty beat for their age. Also, getting a boat from there to, say, Rhode Island basically made up for any cost savings. Also, you need to travel to the boat and incure all the expenses for that and the expenses for your surveyor and crew.