Re: Shipping boat overseas ?
Hi Ozzie,<br /><br />This is something I've done, because I have taken advantage of the dollar/euro exchange rate right now.<br /><br />First, pick your boat. Not from a private source, but from a dealer. Maybe, say, a Florida dealer - there are stacks of boats to choose from in that area - fresh and salt water boats. Haggle until you're happy - get specs and pics galore. Get maintenace history. Get photocopy of clear title and trailer title and study them. Double-check everything. If it's an expensive boat, pay an assessor to go look at it.Me? - I've taken a chance based on photo's, history and several phone chats with owner/dealer - tricky questions needing answers written out beforehand. There's no substitute for building a rapport with the seller.<br /><br />Get a good shipping agent in the States (if you want, I'll email you a couple I've dealt with). Shipping agent will give you inclusive price port-to-port. This price will not include your own port handling charges - they're extra. Sort out any Oz customs charges beforehand.<br /><br />The boat can be shrinkwrapped and stored within the ship (ideal if on a trailer, and too beamy to fit a container) or it can be tied down in a container. Containers are nominally 20 ft. and 40 ft. but knock a foot off each when you get your boat measured. You're buying the entire container space - so fill it with any other bargains you can buy at the same time!<br /><br />Payment. Wire transfer a deposit once you're absolutely happy with everything. Wire the balance once boat's dockside, waiting to be loaded. Pay shipping agent same way. Insure it through shipping agent.<br /><br />That's about all I can think of right now. Have fun. There are some great bargains to be had.
<br /><br />You should pick Stillfishing brains. He has good info. Also, if you want to search these forums you might find the postings from another Aussie mate that did what you want to do. He was concerned with the changes he would need to make to the boats AC electrical. Here in the States we use 120vac, I guess you folks are doing the 240vac thing. It could be an issue if you anticipate connecting your boat to shore power AC.<br /><br />Edit: found it. Heres the thread:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008686#000000 <br /><br />Id follow Stillfishing advice, but also shoot a message to the moderators here and ask them to forward a brief message to the member: waynerg and see if you can make contact with him. He had his boat shipped from here to Perth. Maybe he can offer some special Aussie-only advice. 
