Are We Crazy?

[V1Rotate]

Swagman,

That would indeed be the easy way. Buy the boat in Europe. We thought about that.

But....

Then we lose the ocean crossing challenge and adventure.

Also, with the US dollar's value going down the toilet, buying a boat in Euros would be an expensive proposition for us Yanks.

I've been told that if I buy a boat here in the states, and sell it in Europe a year or two later, I might come out ahead on the deal. Not looking to profit, but breaking even would be nice.

Just got back from flying to Barcelona. What a beatiful place! That city appears to have some excellent marina facilities. And excellent food and wine! Looking forward to flying there again in December.

On the flight back, I had to divert to the Azores due to a passenger medical emergency. We landed at Lajes. They have good medical facilities there. Wish I could have stayed for a few days instead of a few hours.

The Azores looked beautiful! Like a mix between Hawaii and Ireland. Calm seas and a nice breeze. Temperature about 17 C. [I am sure it is not always that way.] Should make for a nice stop during a trans-Atlantic crossing.

Continuing our flight from Lajes to the US, we flew a track running great circle to the New York City area....about 38 to 41 degrees north latitude. The weather was pretty good enroute. A few widely scattered thunderstorms and partly cloudy skies. Also enjoyed a 4 hour long sunset since we were flying westbound. Would have been a fine boating day!

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by V1Rotate

I've been told that if I buy a boat here in the states, and sell it in Europe a year or two later, I might come out ahead on the deal. Not looking to profit, but breaking even would be nice.

The question of importing a boat into Europe from the US will need a close investigation into Import Duty to be paid - which may mean that breaking even would be a stroke of very good luck.

(Disregarding the cost of getting the boat to Europe in the first place and the high cost of keeping a boat in most places in European nowadays)

Regards

Richard

[haffiman37]

Originally Posted by MMNETSEA

The question of importing a boat into Europe from the US will need a close investigation into Import Duty to be paid - which may mean that breaking even would be a stroke of very good luck.

(Disregarding the cost of getting the boat to Europe in the first place and the high cost of keeping a boat in most places in European nowadays)

Regards

Richard

Not only a question about duty to be paid, it might even be CE certification required depending of year.

Another thing is Europeans are not to fond of the US 110 Volt systems.

One solution might be to buy an 'abandoned' European boat down in the Caribbean and sail it 'home' and sell. There are quite some that gives up and sell cheap down there!

[Viking]

V1Rotate,

I´m in a simliar situation. I also work as an airline pilot based out of Barcelona and managed to get a couple of months off starting in a week. Plan is to buy a boat in the States and bring back to Barcelona this winter/spring and live on her. I´ve been sailing for a while with one previous Atlantic crossing. In a few years take "some " time off and circumnavigate. I´ve found a boat that I´ll take a look at in Jan, we´ll see.

Good thought with VHF. Think I´ll copy that one!

Good luck!

Marcus