Shipping a sailboat

[LauraleeG]

Hello
Has anyone:
1) shipped a sailboat from the eastern seaboard to the Med? If so- approximate cost?
Pros and cons vs doing that and buying a boat in the med?
Thanks!
L

[Lowcountry]

I bought my current boat in Cartagena, Spain, and then shipped her across to the US East coast. The boat is 41'LOA and about 12' at the beam, displacing about 20,000lbs. Freight/insurance/importation paperwork cost me about $16,500. This was in 2019. It was challenging in some ways (my agent was largely incompetent), and it took probably two months longer than anticipated (thanks to errors/negligence on the agent's part), but my boat eventually arrived safe and sound. I wouldn't hesitate to ship again, but I would never work with that particular agent again.

[LauraleeG]

Originally Posted by Lowcountry

I bought my current boat in Cartagena, Spain, and then shipped her across to the US East coast. The boat is 41'LOA and about 12' at the beam, displacing about 20,000lbs. Freight/insurance/importation paperwork cost me about $16,500. This was in 2019. It was challenging in some ways (my agent was largely incompetent), and it took probably two months longer than anticipated (thanks to errors/negligence on the agent's part), but my boat eventually arrived safe and sound. I wouldn't hesitate to ship again, but I would never work with that particular agent again.

Thanks--why did you buy her in Spain?

[BillKny]

It seems almost all of my answers start with the same words: “It Depends”

Boats sold in the EU tend to be more expensive because they usually come VAT paid. If you are going to import the boat into the EU you will need to pay VAT, and shipping the cheaper boat would not save anything. If you plan to NOT import the boat formally into the EU, then the cost of shipping might save you some money, depending on the price and size of boat.

If none of that makes sense to you, you have a lot more research to do before you decide...

I have been involved with shipping several boats, and each operation went smoothly, but be prepared for shipping delays. Schedules change and weather can make a mess of things.

[LauraleeG]

Originally Posted by BillKny

It seems almost all of my answers start with the same words: “It Depends”

Boats sold in the EU tend to be more expensive because they usually come VAT paid. If you are going to import the boat into the EU you will need to pay VAT, and shipping the cheaper boat would not save anything. If you plan to NOT import the boat formally into the EU, then the cost of shipping might save you some money, depending on the price and size of boat.

If none of that makes sense to you, you have a lot more research to do before you decide...

I have been involved with shipping several boats, and each operation went smoothly, but be prepared for shipping delays. Schedules change and weather can make a mess of things.

Yeah--it makes sense! PHEW!!
Either way--research I guess. Do you work for a shipping company? Are there " shipping" brokers?

[Lowcountry]

Originally Posted by LauraleeG

Thanks--why did you buy her in Spain?

Because I specifically wanted that make and model, and felt like the one I bought was the best one available anywhere at that time.

[LoneStar88]

What company did you use to ship it?

[LauraleeG]

Never got that far—the world shut down.
Now plans have changed, as they do!

[Lowcountry]

Originally Posted by LoneStar88

What company did you use to ship it?

I used Seven Star Yacht Transport. PM me if I can help you with any questions about the process.

[shimari]

I'm about to ship with seven star next month. I'll post my experience once everything is done.

Just an FYI - prices have gone up significantly since 2019.

[the Aviator]

I am also looking at shipping but this case from west coast to caribean.

I am also looking in to a particular brand but even with the note (she is almost ready to sail) we all know that you always have to put money in to. So is fix it where she stand and add equipment for long sailing voyage and add expenses for the sailing crew. Or get it ship and fix it in a more control budget place .

I wonder how the company charge. per mile,weight lenght?

thanks
chuck peterson

[SV-Viento]

Originally Posted by shimari

I'm about to ship with seven star next month. I'll post my experience once everything is done.

Just an FYI - prices have gone up significantly since 2019.

Would love to read your thoughts as the process proceeds.

How far in advance did you contact them? We are about 24 months out which seems way too early to begin the conversation.

[shimari]

I'm hoping to ship next month, but some parts are delayed so I may have to push to May.

24 months is way too far. I initially contacted them at the end of the summer to a get a rough idea of the price. Once my offer on the boat was accepted in January, I contacted them again. The price went up ~50% due to all of the shipping issues lately.

One important thing to note in their contract. If you don't show as scheduled, you must pay 100% of the price. If they cancel or reschedule on you for any reason, you just get your deposit back- no other consideration. Thus, I've not reserved my April slot yet. I'm waiting for more information on the parts next week.

[boatman61]

Maybe consider delivering her on her own keel, be a lot cheaper.
That is if the boats capable and kitted up for the voyage.

[shimari]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Maybe consider delivering her on her own keel, be a lot cheaper.
That is if the boats capable and kitted up for the voyage.

Yes - it's much cheaper right now. I'm seriously considering it. The hardest part for me right now is just the 30-45 days needed to bring her over with a crew.