Purchasing a used boat in Thailand?

[Myblueheaven]

Has anyone had experience with buying a yacht in Thailand? What was your experience, if so?

[aflanigan]

You''ve got Jeff''s response about shipping a yacht by sea above, so I guess you''re wondering about buying and refitting a used boat in beautiful Thailand (I think they grow a lot of teak there). Probably the best thing to do would be to check out online cruising bulletin boards to find out if there are any good chandlerers in Thailand. Unless there is a substantial cruising fleet based somewhere in Thailand, or it is a popular destination for cruisers, to the point where the cruiser traffic is substantial enough to support such a business, you might find that getting necessary equipment (rigging, engine parts, etc.) could involve a lot of waiting for parts to be delivered to whatever backwater you are holed up in. On the other hand, if you have to wait weeks for parts to arrive, Thai food is awfully good to stuff yourself with while you''re waiting.

Allen Flanigan
Alexandria, VA