Buying from the US ?

[Olivero]

Is there anything stopping me from flying over to the US, buying a sailboat, then sailing it back (long way round?) for moring in the UK ?

dollar to pound looks very good at the moment

[mateus]

nope nothing stopping you. I would think you can't buy new or you might get taxed if stopped by the customs boys.... Oh and the ac system will inevitably be set for 110V operation.

[casbar]

Non EU, you will get charged VAT on purchase price when you import it to the EU. Have a look on the RYA site, it will explain the VAT rules.

[tomTVR]

Which way were you thinking of sailing it back? the only way IS the long way round

Boats are so much cheaper in the US though - as in literally half the price. I dont see why there would be a problem if you sailed it straight over, if you got pulled over you could you were visiting?

If you wanted to do it semi-oficially you might have a problem with VAT/import tax, the voltage and i believe newer boats need to have the EC certified safety plaque to use over here.

Still sme bargains to be had though.

[S2 Giles]

Without an RCD certificate, you'll find it hard to sell on afterwards

RCD = Recreational Craft Directive - anything sold in Uk from the US must have a certificate to show its up to scratch. The UK regs on fuel lines, electrics & any mechanical installations are different, so beware you'd have to change some fuel lines etc before selling, and of course the voltage of all instruments will be 110 volts on mains.

There are companies that will make the changes for you, have a search on the interweb thingy

[mateus]

I'm not sure the RCD cert would be a problem, when was the last time anyone asked for one, and I've not heard of anyone checking when buying. I suppose if a surveyor were to check the boat over they might highlight it.

American boats are normally built to ABYC (Americn Boat & yachting Council) regs / US Coastgard regs which are more rigorous than Euro. I wouldn't think anything would need to be changed.(apart from your appliances and perhaps some breakers)

I'm an Electrical ABYC technician so If you do buy and you wanted someone to check it over let me know, my names on the ABYC website.

[Olivero]

mateus said:

I'm an Electrical ABYC technician so If you do buy and you wanted someone to check it over let me know, my names on the ABYC website.

Thanks for the offer, I will let you know when the time comes.

[Olivero]

S2 Giles said:

you'd have to change some fuel lines etc before selling,

Easy enough to do myself - just a bit time consuming.

S2 Giles said:

of course the voltage of all instruments will be 110 volts on mains.

Really not a fan of US electrics at the best of times, so would be a case or rip out and start again.

[Olivero]

mateus said:

nope nothing stopping you. I would think you can't buy new or you might get taxed if stopped by the customs boys.... Oh and the ac system will inevitably be set for 110V operation.

Should have said that it would second hand and what ever I could manage to sail single handed. Prices for something even quite recent are looking very good just from what I have seen on the internet.

[mateus]

Olivero said:

S2 Giles said:

you'd have to change some fuel lines etc before selling,

Easy enough to do myself - just a bit time consuming.

S2 Giles said:

of course the voltage of all instruments will be 110 volts on mains.

Really not a fan of US electrics at the best of times, so would be a case or rip out and start again.

STOP don't go ripping anything out! cable is A expensive and B US cable will be larger in diameter (American Wiring Gauge) than you will need if you convert to 220V.
If your talking small sailing boat circ 30 - 40' you will probably only have sockets a charger and a few other components to check. with some small adjustments I'm sure you could keep a genset if it's installed.

Fuel lines are a red herring We don't use different fuel lines for US boats where I work, and we make a lot of boats......

[Olivero]

mateus said:

Olivero said:

S2 Giles said:

you'd have to change some fuel lines etc before selling,

Easy enough to do myself - just a bit time consuming.

S2 Giles said:

of course the voltage of all instruments will be 110 volts on mains.

Really not a fan of US electrics at the best of times, so would be a case or rip out and start again.

STOP don't go ripping anything out! cable is A expensive and B US cable will be larger in diameter (American Wiring Gauge) than you will need if you convert to 220V.
If your talking small sailing boat circ 30 - 40' you will probably only have sockets a charger and a few other components to check. with some small adjustments I'm sure you could keep a genset if it's installed.

Fuel lines are a red herring We don't use different fuel lines for US boats where I work, and we make a lot of boats......

Don't worry, more used "fill rip the whole lot out" as a figure of speech. I will ask proper advice nearer the time. Was down in Key West in March and managed to get very, very burned so will have to get my timing right.

Edited by Olivero on Saturday 13th October 00:03

[SpeedyGonzales]

Go for it, i would recommend using - www.thinkyachts.com