I looked at a couple sailboats that were listed in Florida that were owned by Canadians. On one we were told that they sailed up to the day of storage however we found out that the boat had sat for 6 years! The pictures were from 6 years ago! If you are thinking of buying a boat from the Caribbean or Florida, they will be sun bleached and warm salt water is hard on boats hence the price difference between Fresh Water and Salt Water boats. Pay close attention to pictures of Dodgers etc and they are often sun bleached. Wiring is often green and requires replacing. Many sailboat engines are not closed cooled and will have internal issues not able to be checked by a survey....Trucking a fresh water boat down south ( or sailing) may turn out to be a better option. We ended up buying a great lakes boat with no salt experience and with current prices did much better then what we found down south. Boats down south were often listed in US dollars adding additional costs.

Just landed in Prickly Bay in Grenada in December from Spain. The Budget Marine at Spices Island Marina is duty free. Saves a bit of cash.

I bought a boat in Grenada during the height of covid restrictions. Paid less than half what a similar model would have been priced at on the USA east coast. I fell in love with Grenada.

They require deposit into escrow because they got tired of keel kickers and waterline lickers wasting 95% of their time. ( how did you like my nautical version of tire kickers and window lickers? LOL)

I don’t know how you knew that we are down in Martinique shopping for boats, but this just came up and It was extremely helpful in figuring the taxes on the boats. Thank you very much.

You are my favorite how to sailing channel.

Particularly interesting to me, as I was a US Marine in 1983 that liberated Grenada in Operation Urgent Fury.

I suspect the deposit requirement is to help disqualify 'non-serious' buyers. The fact that they will just take you there if you show up at the door kinda validates that assumption. Great video and I learned a good bit!

Thank you for doing this episode. Exactly my plan in a few years!

Seriously useful video, Tim - many thanks. We’ve been looking for a sailboat in (and out) of Grenada over the past year. In our experience, having dealt with 4 brokers, none have asked or even mentioned a deposit pre-viewing; and neither have we come across the mid-day ‘Island Time’ thing for appointments. Surveyors are busy (so busy, that one surveyor put us off two boats without even visiting - they were Covid orphans) You’re correct about everyone knowing everyone in the business, which has its upsides. In addition to those you mentioned, Tony Gagliardo has just sailed into Grenada; a seriously experienced SAMS/IIMS/ABYC ‘mobile’ surveyor who we used in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. Incidentally, if you’re finding Grenada expensive, try Chaguaramas - costs are considerably lower, with highly qualified professionals - additionally tax-free import an option worth investigating for accessories and spares.

Good info on boat buying off shore. I like how you explained its not like the US or Canada, Check out Rio dulce Guatemala . Every year hundreds of cruisers go there for hurricane season. Many like me find they are too old to sail and put their boat up for sale. You can find good deals and the marinas are very reasonable. It's a short cheap flight from Florida.

One option is to go to contract before buying the plan tickets, subject to personal inspection, survey, etc. The funds are held in escrow in the USA. At least that way you know what the price will be before you survey the boat, as opposed to buying plane tickets, paying for hotels, and finding that the seller won't move on his/her price.

Wish this were way longer

Wow Sailor, your channel is what we need to prepare us for sailing one day

Regarding Caribbean marine insurance in addition to not covering Venezuela & Cuba, the last 3 quotes we've had from UK insurers, have changed their latitude definition of the area at risk from "named storms" southwards from 12°N to 9°N, with the south coast of Grenada approx. 12°N.

Another solid episode packed with useful, real world knowledge. Mahalo 🤙

Garcia 45, BVI's, blue. Thanks for the info in this vid.

Grenadian, long time watcher and I've been in Grenadian maritime industry since 2007. Some notes: Import taxes on boat spares and equipment for "boats in transit" is only 2.5% customs duty and no VAT. Please don't blame the broker non-performance on "island-time" because none of the brokers are from the island. The deposit requirement is to weed out the people looking for free boat tours, there are people who have come on vacation and have the brokers be free taxi/tour drivers for days checking out boats, and places on the Island for days with no intention to buy, lot of fun stories there. Cruising permits are only 50XCD a month for boats under 40ft, much too low for the damage being done by the boat to the environment. There are many more surveyors than listed on that particular marketing organization's website, please remember its is a marketing organization, despite the name. Always ask for samples of the survey you will receive.

"Red . . . I mean blue." - - "Aaaauuuggggghhh"

Our first, dream boat we found was in Grenada, a Hans Christian 33. We followed that boat for a year, and contacted the broker. Eventually, someone else put in a bid, right before we did of course, and paid for a survey. The prospective buyer backed out after seeing it. So we talked to the broker again, who shared the survey with us as well (saving us that expense). We still considered buying it, despite the flaws revealed, and mad a reasonable counter offer. As it turned out, someone beat us to her. We were able to find what we considered a better boat local to us in Florida, saving all the flights, taxes, moving the boat to Puerto Rico, etc. Thank you so much for the consult and survey review to help us out!! We highly recommend your service. We love you too, Tim

Helpful advice, thanks. I hired Nigel Peters of Crosstree Marine as surveyor for a pre-purchase (5-year old catamaran) several months ago. He was very diligent, detailed, extremely knowledgeable and highly skilled. I used his thorough report to leverage more repair work by the seller. I see he’s among your list of 3 in Grenada. The boatyards in Grenada are good but they are indeed pricey…. Yowza. Break Out Another Thou$…. often.

I went to grenada in Oct 83...I like how much it seems to have changed.

Great Idea, That would be the thing to do, buy the boat, sail the Caribbean and then head to Florida and sell it, then repeat if you are lucky enough.

I bought one in Grenada Saves 20g getting it there Spent 3G going to look and a survey Yes bought the first 38beneteau and retired to learn to sail and sun tan start drinking again fix fix fix my boat more rum my friend Taxes oh no none of that thanks. $250 every three years to canada for registration ? Thought it was a one time thing but … Grenada is beautiful ❤

i am from Nassau,Bahamas, been wanting a boat now for years, so far the older Morgans 60s,70s,80s are my favorite

I sold my house 6’ ketch in Mexico as a US citizen. I sold to a Canadian. All went well. No broker involved. No problem. No extra expenses. \

Absolutely BRILLIANT !!! Thanks 🙂 Funny enough, I was looking at flights to Grenada over the weekend, to buy a boat and keep her on the hard whilst I'm not there. It's a good option from the UK. ps: the deposit in escrow is to weed the tyre-kickers out. They probably get a lot of them otherwise.

We bought our last boat, Beneteau Sense 50 , in Trinidad. Similar number of boats available as compared to Grenada. Easier process. No international waters deals. I did have to place a deposit. The local surveyor was excellent, but only one of 2 options. All paper work was handled by the broker.

Really interesting video, money, taxes, voyages, sail ....

following your steps, when I buy your boat out on international waters, the boat is still registered to Alice in Canada not me Bob in Lauderdale. As we enter Grenada, how do A & B present themselves in inmigration? Hi I'm Bob and I have this napkin with an executed sales contract and my boat was Alice's but although is registered to her it ain´t hers. You get my point 🌝

My favorite color is green!!! Especially the greenback shade. Thanks for the business idea Tim.

My favorite boat is the Nordic 44, designed by Bob Perry, and built in Bellingham, Washington in the 80s. Designed to no racing rules, it is a performance oriented sailboat with great manners. But I am biased, as I own hull #27, built in 1984. Fin keel with skeg hung rudder, and I have been told that no one was building any better boats than Nordic during this time.

Our boat is in Curacao a 46 ft Hunter We have been to Grenada several times. The people are nice customs and others very helpful. My heads up would be food shortages and prices. Some islands have shortages up the island chain to Florida. Many awesome places including Martinique Antigua and st martin for parts and upgrades Love the videos Cheers Terry and Tere from BC Can.

Great video, i love the way you see a business opportunity and share it for all, you rock. Just wanted to say hello and ask if your still wanting to race in the spring. Im looking forward to it and getting excited to race again and win again.

Very interesting. I always wondered how that worked with cross border sales

Hoping to buy later this year. Or early next. Keep up the good work!

Hi Tim, another great video ... thanks from the other coast. Just so happens I have been looking at a Canadian made boat in Grenada and well ,would like to bring her home. Could go on and on but "here's the thing". Retiring soon, time running out, snowing like a bastard out side "I think I need an hour of your time". Hope to get in touch soon.

Hi Tim! Great Video!! My favorite island is Antiqua! My favorite boat is any two cabin boat with a fully encapsulated keel with a skeg hung Rudder!

Just a comment to say thanks for the video and to help your algorithm 🤙🏻 Cheers headhuntersailing

Thanks for sharing so much info. I learn more on every vid you put out. By the time I'm financially ready to buy a sailboat I'll know exactly what to look for and where to look for it.

Favourite colour is green. 😂 Thanks, Tim for making your vids, I learn so much. I have a little 1981 Kelt 7.6 in our shared Nations Capital. I appreciate my boat but I would like some headroom since i am a little over 6 foot (183cm) and see the bigger 30 footers on the river and their ability to offer the ability to stand erect. Anywho, if you were looking for video ideas (I know, unsolicited advice), talking about smaller 25-27 footers that offers height, weeklong tank capacity, and finally what kit to put on your boat to make life better on small boats (bbq, lagun table, bimini, chairs, inflatable toys, etc...). Finally, thank you for reading this comment. Signed, a big fan.

Very relevant, Tim ;) Thanks for distilling this knowledge all in one place!

I had no issue setting up a video viewing for free at first with a broker in Grenada, and then I visited. I would never pay a deposit before see the boat live

Great perspective. I;m gonna have to watch this a few times. Thanks!!!

Hi Tim. Good videos. I have a Jeanneau 46 for sale in Grenada. I Agee with most your points. But I don’t think it is all that complicated. Like anything it’s just the process you have to through. The escrow process would be the most onerous but I think a good one for the points you made in weeding out the tire kickers and making the purchaser accountable for any possible damage that might happen. Doing the sale off shore is easy just a little time consuming but having fun doing that shake down cruise to Union and back. Cruising permits are cheap. 75 EC a month, a small price to pay to use their beautiful waters. One last point is that there is a big European presence in Grenada so the USA is not the only market. And flights from Miami can be cheap and are direct.

Great information. Thank you

Fortunately we got a deal on our Catalina 380 on the west coast, and yes it was surveyed by a buddy of the broker and yes we were totally lucky that things weren't too bad to deal with. Here in Gibsons BC😊

My favorite colors are black and dark gray and red and orange. I really want to get a steel boat that I can single hand all over the world, including the arctic but is big enough for me to put a proper office with a big gaming monitor and editing station and have a super comfy berth and a bathroom with a tub. A woman can dream...

4:25 In fact, the Global Solo Challenge is in progress right now. I don't know how they handled the checking-out issue. But that falls in the category of "not my problem".

I thank you so much.

Favorite boat is a Cape Dory, and my favorite colour is blue!

Fav color is blue

Could you make the same video but on mexico ?

Understood clearly And thanks for the information

having family from Trinidad, they definitely operate differently down there and walk to their own drum beat.

This way a very good one ..Thank you

Thanks to your channel, I've been looking at the Jenneau 42DS a good bit. My favorite island at the moment is probably Virgin Gorda, BVI. Favorite color is red, but nautical blue is growing on me. Interesting concept for a business importing caribbean boats - something to consider!

Good to know. thank you.

I can’t pick my favorite island as they are all great in their own ways. You want to shore dive? Bonaire. You want gin clear water? Long Island Bahamas. You want laid back, small island life? Utila (or really small…Cayos Cochinos) The Beaches in the Virgin Islands are all great. Drift diving your thing? Cozumel is the place to be.

That was a really interesting episode.

Perhaps my new job? Sounds good to me… great idea/video Tim!!

Great content, as always.

Great video thanks

Gets way more expensive if you have to visit several boats over several months before finding what you want... by which time you may discover you no longer have the funds to purchase :

First, we gotta get in touch with the owners of those yachts for sell and see if it’s a worthy investment to hire one of us to sail their boat to Florida. I think I’d rather get paid to sail the boat rather than a commission on the sale. A ton of money could be made if you wanted to buy the boats in Grenada and resell them in the US. Personally I’d rather be apart of a “refit” team that makes these boats fetch top dollar.

Purple - fav color

Swallow yachts bay cruiser, suckers are pricey though 26ft 120k made somewhere in Europe.

good information thanks

Great info

If you want to make real money sail them to Australia

Chris-Craft Caribbean 40 ft. is a beautiful S&S design. But you don't see many of those anymore. I like Leopard 44. It's a nice, stable ride and a tough little boat fit for big passages. Do you see abandoned boats down there that you can get for a song, too?

Beneteau 473 or something like an old Morgan with a cutter rig, those are my dreams, but my wallet says Highfield… Bwahahahaha.

Cheers.

I’m one looking too… but in PR. Of which I hope to see one in a couple weeks.

well done

Are there other places like this? I heard Panama was also a good place to go for cheap boats, but I'm not sure what complications come with buying them. Also, I live in Europe, so would probably look here first.

Sound like you have a way to cruise full time in the carribbean 🤔😉

Blue…😊 Serious question…35% tax seems a bit high. How do you turn a profit if you have to pay such a high tax rate. The $40k boat just cost you $54k. What is the value of that C & C in the US?

Thank you Tim. Great video, tons of useful hints :) I wonder is any similar pattern in Europe? Love you here abut...

I may have missed it, but this doesn't seem to address what one is required to do regarding "re-flagging" the boat once you purchase it. Presumably the boat was flagged under the previous owner's country of origin, wherever that may be. Unless you keep it flagged in that country, and I'm not sure if you are always allowed to if you are not a citizen of that country, you will have to flag it in your country, U.S. or Canada for purposes of this audience. I think that would immediately trigger duty having to be paid unless the boat is already under the purchaser's country of registration. It doesn't seem that you can simply buy a foreign flagged boat in Grenada and only have to renew a cruising permit.

Nice video!

Gray

Blue

Are there any countries that don’t have a tax on boats when you register them?

My favorite boat Vagabond 47

Can you do a video on navigation of the erie canal and the intercoastal water way. Covering cost, time, marinas, and other requirements requirements? Thanks

Blue….of course

I love the C&C boats! Raced my 25’ Balboa sang keel to Mackinaw island race came in 5th not bad for a 25’ with flushing toilet?

Hobie 16 & orange!

Is that 35% of the boat's price?

Island Packet 465

Sky blue…..

There is a Bristol 41 at our Marina. That would be a great cruiser for coastal GA, USA.

Sky blue

I might play that risk game if I knew exactly what I was doing.

We actually viewed this exact C&C 40 when we were in Grenada. It looked amazing, and might be a really good deal for someone else. The sellers are a lovely old couple. Our video explains why we didn't buy this boat and what we bought instead: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hMlhidqFzd_FfKs.html

Be aware!!! The problem is, the vessel will be listed as "none payed tax/vat.". A red flag for customs everywhere. Therefore a tight arrive/leave/hide schedule must be applied. A nightmare for registration. Not to mention insurance and permits. A solid information about outstanding warrants, none payed fees of any kind will be hard to get. Any not payed bills of any kind, will be added to the new owner (backward up to 10 years). From open marina fees to not payed permits. Don't be the looser, giving away your hard earned money to a scheme. Custom is collecting world wide and the data network is solid our days. Don't fall for promises, lies nor fake documentation. There is a reason for ANY "good price". Bin there, done EXACTLY that.

I also look in Europe specifically in Croatia and Greece for a sailboat look like the price is much cheaper what is the coast to bring it to United States perhaps Florida or Maryland is it really worse that let me know if you can do any episodes on that

Not worth the headache. I have done business in the "islands" (Bahamas) The graft and outright theft is staggering. I stopped doing business there.

Sound advice thanks . Looking at buying in the us , I am Canadian . Any rules there ( maybe do a show if you have not already