buying a trailer boat abroad?

[HOOKLINEnSINKER]

hello, has anyone in here ever bought or got any info on getting a boat imported to australia from the states? cost etc...
I have been scouting the used boat market in the USA and seems to me you get a lot more boat for your cash. was looking at a 20ft bayliner walkaround trophy with a 3yr old 150hp low hours for under 10k (US Currency) any help or thoughts would be greatly recieved . dan

[fnqbunyip]

Just make sure it dosen't come with a boogie board. 8)

[reelcrazy]

Dan

Bayliner are not a good buy. Not a good reputation here in the states, perhaps that's why it's cheap.

After you load in shipping etc, you'd probably be better off buying in Aussie.

Tom

[fnqbunyip]

reelcrazys on the money . your moving to Oz so why not buy Australian built for Australian conditions buy Australians ...

cheers and see you soon
fnqbunyip.

[boatboy50]

Hey,

My favourite subject.

I imported my boat (A 23' Seaswirl Striper) direct from the states.

I also found excellent value over there, and had no problems importing it at all.

Dont be put off by the Bayliner, they have a poor name over there, but don't share the same reputation over here when compared to our aussie boats.

PM or email me if you'd like more info.

Regards

Darren

[rando]

PM me for the name of a good Customs Broker... (brother-in-law)... he can advise you and manange the whole process for you.

[anthony_love]

Darren,

I'd love some pointers from you if you don't mind, on sites to start looking at for where to buy in the USA.

I'm interested in importing something as a bit of a project boat, and Stripers are right up there at the top of my list.

[markpeta]

Might have problems if it's a left hand drive.

[HOOKLINEnSINKER]

I have lived in florida for a few years and did go to quite a few boat yards and what i did notice was they dont do the plastic steering wheel thing. the boats look much better made.(dont quote me on that iam certainly no expert . the americans are quite fussy on quality in what ever it is over there so i couldnt imagine the boats being flimsy.

[westie]

Not sure if the Fibreglass/ Plastics are to the same spec as required here for UV Etc.

As for me I am having enough trouble just trying to get 4 Jig Moulds in from Cabela's

[dugong]

Dan
I have read that most US boats are overwidth for towing on aussie roads and that US trailers can require modification to be able to get rego here, may pay to check this out. Other wise you bargain may turn out to be expensive
cheers

[HOOKLINEnSINKER]

good point dugong. i will check it out. iam looking into flights to florida from the UK. use the disneyland thing for the kids an excuse
dan

[PelicanTSV]

For what its worth I have a friend who has purchased at least 2 top end wake boarding boats ex US and swears by it. Its a bit more pain but the savings are woth it. (This guy also updates his digy camera each year ex US at significant saving to the same thing in OZ)

Cheers

Pelican

[boatboy50]

Hey,

Yes, most US boats over 6.0m are overwidth, and do by law require permits, rules are different in every state, check locally.

Yes, most trailers do require mods. Smaller trailers are very easy to change, but over two tonne they require at least $2.5K to fix, if you need it to be registered.

Yes, the plastics, gelcoat, upholstery, ect ect ect in todays US boats are in most cases better standard than Oz boats. This wasn't the case over 15 years ago, and no longer can aussie boat salesman use this excuse to scare US boat buyers.

Some good sites to start are boats.com, iboats.com, the hulltruth.com, ablboats.com, usedboats.com. The list goes on and on, but they will give a great feel for the market over there. There is also some great wholesale sites to be found.

Look up Wholesalemarine.com.au, and contact Tim, he's done a great job for me with excellent service.

Anthony, Ive seen your work on other sites, if you need info PM me.

Regards

Darren

[Edick]

I did a fair bit of research into bringing a used Boston Whaler into Oz recently. Firstly a near new ( 45 hours) boat is much much cheaper than a new one here.The issues are getting what you paid for ( need an independant survey), shipping ( most dealers I spoke to will arrange this ), understanding there is 10% GST and then 5% duty on the cost plus GST, confidence in the dealer you are dealing with and the reality of warranty issues. Trailers are a problem as is width although being wider is an advantage too.
I wouldn't do it for a $10k boat myself given the hassles and risk .