Buying sailboat in Hawaii. Is it really cheaper?

scalvo · #1 (**permalink**) 12-24-2010

Hi,

I have heard that some people sail to Hawaii (either from Canada, Mexico or US) and after spending 20/25 days in the middle of the ocean they dont feel like sailing it back, therefore the sell the boat and fly back. That makes sailing boats to be cheaper in Hawaii.

Anyone know if thats true or just a legend?

Thanks!

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 12-24-2010

Probably not in Hawaii... nothing in Hawaii is cheap....

COOL · #3 (**permalink**) 12-24-2010

They may be cheaper if you are going to use them in Hawaii.
Delivery costs to get them back to the mainland can be
upwards of $20K.

jrd22 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-24-2010

There are some desperate people trying to get rid of sailboats over there. We bought ours there from a guy that sailed from CA, his partner bailed on him (they were planning a couple of years in S. Pac) and flew home. Long story but we were going to sail it back to the PNW, but the boat wasn't in seaworthy shape so we shipped it. I'm sure there are some good deals, especially if you are going to continue heading west. Keeping a boat in HI or having any work done on it, as SD says, is really expensive. By the time you factor in several trips over there to inspect boats and having to pay HI costs to haul and do any repairs your purchase price better be WAY below market value.

CharlieCobra · #5 (**permalink**) 12-25-2010

Boats used in Hawaii take a real pounding. Get a survey....