Buying and transporting from US to UK

[jane pettitt]

We're looking at a boat in US Virgin Is and having it transported back to UK, does anyone have any advice about pitfalls/prices. We have been looking for a steel liveaboard - 43'-50' - for months and have reached the conclusion that boats are much cheaper in US despite having to pay tax. Any advise?

[camaraderie]

Jane...Dockwise runs ships from the Caribe to Europe as well as several other compnies. We used them and found them to be great...but it is expensive. Would guess on the order of $15K for a boat of the size you are considering WITH early booking discounts. SEE:
http://www.yacht-transport.com/

[chris_gee]

Isn't there an issue with certification of compliance with EU building standards. You will have to check out the technical details. You will also have to pay VAT. I would not like to have to pay your marina charges on a 50' boat. There can be a price difference but when you add all the costs you may find much of that disappears unless you can prove the boat was in the EU before a certain date and not exported. You really need to do your homework, and even then may find the complexities not entirely clear.

[mandovai]

If you could keep the boat outside of EU, you would not have any problems, as you could even put a non-eu flag. If you are planning to sail the world with that boat, it would be far cheaper and more interesting to keep it in East Caribbean where prices of Shipchandlers like Budget Marine in St Martin, are at least 30 % less than in the EU.(If you have doubts check their online catalogue). You would be able to fit it spending much less money and woul already be in warm waters. Then I understand that one prefer to get he boat ready at home, maybe during weekends, and sail from home...