Buying a USA boat from Australa

[ditto65]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at buying a used boat from the States and importing it to Australia. Any tips on confirming the legitimacy of dealers in the States? ie is there a register of licenced boat yards or something similar? For example I'm interested in a boat in Key Largo, Performance Marine. Does any one know of this dealer? They have a Web site etc but it's not hard to put one of those together.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Buying a USA boat from Australa

i know of it, but never bought more than small stuff from them, when in the keys. you need to investigate shipping options, custom, documentation. i know, Bayliner exports boats to Australia, to their dealers there, with Australia, required capacity stickers etc.

 

[ditto65]

Re: Buying a USA boat from Australa

Thanks Tashasdaddy,

I've already done a bit of research on the importing side of things, and I have a friend who has just been through the process. This particular yard has some boats listed on ebay and I don't have much time to research the boat and dealer. Just using ebay for this sort of thing scares me and I'm not sure that I can bring myself to hit the bid button...

 

[Solittle]

Re: Buying a USA boat from Australa

Boat dealers are not required to have any special licenses to sell boats - just the normal business license. If a dealer sells new boats you at least know that he/she is authorized by the factory.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Buying a USA boat from Australa

Might consider contacting the Better Business Bureau in the city where the dealer is located. If you don't have any bad reports in their files, you should be able to assume that the dealership is trustworthy which would be paramount in a situation like that.

Other thing is the shipper. I haven't done it but I have read about problems people have had in trying things of the sort. One problem was that the boat didn't fit the shippers expectations and part of it had to be dismantled. Someone had to pay for that.

Also there would be assumed liability and maybe some sort of price guarantee so that you knew who was responsible for you boat and when, and that your boat wouldn't get halfway there and have the shipper sit on it for more money.....happens here in the household moving business and no reason it couldn't happen with what you want to do.

Last, is some sort of guarantee that you are getting the boat you think you are getting for the price you are expecting to pay. Lots of opportunities for misunderstanding.

I worked in a technical field and we did business per a contract. The contract is a neat vehicle as it defines, for all to see, just what both sides are expecting, what they are supposed to do, how it is expected to be done, and what the expected outcome will be. It also defines liability so there is no question if a problem arises, just who will fix it and where the funding will come from.

Outside business, I have verbally contracted with people to do things for me and I am astonished at how often you are thinking apples and they are thinking oranges.

Good luck,

Mark

 

[ditto65]

Re: Buying a USA boat from Australia

Re: Buying a USA boat from Australia

Thanks for everyones replies,

Importing a boat I haven't seen is definately a little daunting but I'll be doing my best to ensure I'm covered. I'll find a respected surveyor to inspect the boat and I've decided which import company I'll use. I know of a few people that have used them and been happy with the service.

Texasmark you've raised a couple of good points that I'll make sure are clarified when the time comes.

Cheers..