overseas boat purchases

[wessel]

I recently checked to see what the costs will be to import a boat to the Middle East from South Africa.
The guys I were dealing with have never shipped a boat this direction before, but for a measly US$ 50 000 they could ship it to Australia

Apparently it still works out cheaper than to buy a similar boat over there in Aus? Not to sure about that statement, but this was for a 24 foot CobraCat design on a proper twin axle trailer. Apparently the costs are so high because the boat will not fit into a container.

One can only dream

Wessel

[Kendall249]

If it dosen't fit into a container then it would probably be over 2.5 wide, that would open a whole different can of worms in regard to towing. Wide load etc..... But I don't know exact size of shipping containers. awesome price though.

[boatboy50]

Hey Guys,

I have bought in two of my own big boats.

If the boat has a beam of less than about 2.3m wide, it will fit into a container and cost somewhere between 7-10k to Oz.

If not, it must go on a flat rack on a cradle. The costs for this for a 23' boat at the beginning of this year was over 22k including all costs and GST. I am told the costs have just gone up again due to fuel.

Basically, IMHO it means that to bring on a flat rack, you must be buying an absolute bargain to make it worthwhile. If importing in a container (such as a skeeter), you could quite easily fit two in there for the same cost as one, and sell the second boat off. I have not done this though so can't prove it.

These days, it simply isn't viable. Years ago, it was a good wicket. Fuel and shipping has killed it.

Regards

Darren

[Duyz72]

Previous neighbour did exactly that, imported two boats and sold one off. Though still had to be able to cough up the cash for two boats to start with which is a big ask for many a man.