Buying a yacht abroad: what to be prepared for?

Preface

On many yachting websites, articles about buying a yacht often boil down to the fact that a boat can be bought relatively quickly and easily in the country of deployment. Only occasionally is the topic of buying a yacht abroad touched upon, but this is a whole separate topic, which we will try to outline in general terms in this material. 

Despite the fact that for many Western cruisers buying a yacht abroad is a rather risky scenario, many yachtsmen, especially from Ukraine, have extensive experience in such transactions. The reasons are clear: in Eastern Europe, yachting and yacht infrastructure are not as developed as in Western Europe or the USA. Alas, the long war that is devastating the country has hit yachting in Ukraine even harder. 

The standard scenario for our yachtsmen was and remains the purchase of a yacht and the maintenance of the yacht abroad. So what should you be prepared for when deciding to purchase a boat in another country?

The rules are the same as for a regular yacht purchase.

And this is the pure truth. Before buying a yacht in any country, you should clearly know what you want. A yacht, even a relatively budget one, is not a cheap pleasure, especially in terms of its maintenance. You, as a future owner, should decide on:

• boat hull type
• the presence or absence of sails
• brand
• expectations from the yacht

The items on the list are randomly placed, but they are all critically important. It is best to focus on two or three brands. You will learn more about what to look for when choosing a boat from this article:

Brands, shipyards, yachts…

Learn about the major brands and companies. This will not only help you find your dream boat faster, but also help you get to know the shipyard's policies and philosophy better. Each yacht company has its own characteristics and audience.

Some shipyards are geared towards family vacations, including monohull yacht manufacturers Dufour and catamarans Fountaine pajot. Other shipyards are building serious expedition yachts for long sea voyages – Allures or GarciaThere are also brands focused on speed and racing. 

It is difficult not to get lost among all this diversity. However, it is better to spend a little time to find several interesting shipyards and only then start from their pricing policy.

When buying a new boat, it is useful to know the location of the shipyard. This way you can go straight to the factory and pick up your new boat.

You can learn more about choosing your dream yacht from the article below:

Don't look for the perfect boat

Voltaire said: "The best is the enemy of the good." This catchphrase is absolutely true when it comes to choosing a boat. Even yachts that have just been launched may have defects and problems. No one is immune from malfunctions and problems, especially if the purchase is made abroad.

You can study dozens of yacht sales websites and even find it, “that very boat”. Before buying tickets to, say, Croatia to inspect the boat, ask the owner for photos and videos of the yacht’s condition. Be sure to specify the date of the photo shoot: often unscrupulous sellers can send a photo from ten years ago and you will only be disappointed upon arrival. 

A great option would be to get help from friends and acquaintances who are yachtsmen. They are probably located near the marina and can go and see the yacht themselves. Fellow yachtsmen will be able to evaluate the boat and give a verdict: whether it is worth going and seeing it in person or not. An independent review of the boat will help you save time and money.

Remember that buying a yacht abroad is a risky process. Fortunately, this risk often pays off in full. The main thing is attention to detail.

Where are we going to get the boat?

The location of the boat is another very important aspect. If in your search for the perfect yacht you find a used yacht somewhere in New Zealand, but you live in England or Poland, then the question arises about the advisability of such a trip. Buying a boat abroad is possible and necessary, but it is also important to ensure that the road to the boat does not lie on the other side of the globe.

Try to find your new (or first) yacht somewhere within reach. For example, going to pick up a Dufour boat that still smells of fresh paint makes sense if you live near France or within Europe. Then the trip will be worth it. Otherwise, it will be cheaper and faster to either find a similar boat in a closer country or have it delivered. 

The yacht can be delivered in different ways: for example, by ferry or under the control of a skipper. These methods are risky, but extremely convenient if you live in the Eastern Mediterranean and do not want to ferry the boat from La Rochelle yourself.

The yacht budget is the most important thing!

Before buying plane tickets, you need to calculate your budget. In addition to the amount for purchasing the yacht itself, you should highlight the following expense items:

• travel (road, accommodation, food);
• possible costs for repairs, replacement of boat parts;
• the need to transport the yacht (to another country);
• a place in the marina (if the yacht remains in the country of deployment).

Also think about your other important asset – time. If you decide to drive the boat home yourself, how long will it take? How much effort and money will you have left after such an event?

You can learn more about yacht budget from this article:

Ask for help

Asking for help and advice when making a purchase such as a yacht is correct and useful. You do not have to know everything about boats, their types, maintenance features, etc. Unfortunately, no article on the Internet can fully convey the many years of experience of yachtsmen. Therefore, do not hesitate to communicate with yachtsmen on forums and in life, learn more new things. 

You can also ask yacht dealers for help in choosing a yacht, for example, the Interparus team. We will help you choose a boat, create a budget and, if necessary, modify your yacht. Another important factor: documentation and contracts. Our team takes on all the difficulties with the paperwork for the boat and all that remains for you is to enjoy going to sea on board your new yacht. For all questions, please call + 33 6 44 14 21 68 (WhatsApp).

New video on the Interparus channel🎥

The moment when all words are superfluous – a new issue about our biggest project this calendar year. Meet the modified Fountaine Pajot Samana 59! Enjoy watching.

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31.08.2024