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Offshore Yacht Registration. Cheapest place outside the US?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by CaptRam, Dec 30, 2011.

  1. CaptRam, Dec 30, 2011
    #1
    CaptRam

    CaptRam New Member

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    Dec 30, 2011
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    Location:
    Greek Islands/ Palm Beach, Fl.
    Hi Folks
    My first time on this forum and first post- and have been trying to find the best country at the best price to flag my US Documented vessel-Any help would be greatly appreciated- thanks in advance!

    -I am a US Citizen and have a currently US Documented Vessel of Delaware-sailing catamaran that I would like to register offshore from the USA-
    • I occasionally take on a paying charter-but mostly private use
    • I sail in the Greek Islands mostly, but also out of the EU
    • I don’t want to pay Vat - would like to bring this vessel back to America, sometime in the future
    • I want a country where the initial costs and yearly recurring costs are low and if I ever wanted to change the country of register or sell the vessel
    that it would be easy to do so,
    • What flag to choose and in which country to register your yacht?
    • What is the cost to register the yacht and to maintain registration?
    • The yacht is in n. Cypress and its 5 years old, getting a survey will not be easy until I return to the vessel in April of next year- do I really need a survey in a yacht this new?
  2. Ozzie, Dec 30, 2011
    #2
    Ozzie

    Ozzie Member

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    Hi and welcome to YF,
    Malaysia was what Google returned for my search. I can't vouch for that though.

    But personally, as a US citizen on a US boat I'd prefer to have as big of a US flag hanging off the stern, instead of having to be proud of one of those little courtesy flags.
  3. dennismc, Dec 30, 2011
    #3
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    Canada is a friendly neighbor to the US, cost is low, ad measure, US CG deletion and you are done..if you bring the vessel into Canada, taxes will apply.
  4. K1W1, Dec 30, 2011
    #4
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    No matter what Flag you fly on your vessels transom when you are not in that country you will need to use the flag of the country you are in as a courtesy.

    Before you go and get that big flag to fly everywhere why don't you get an all weather crosshairs tattooed on your forehead. It will last longer than the big flag and get the same response in many places on the planet.
  5. Ozzie, Dec 30, 2011
    #5
    Ozzie

    Ozzie Member

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    But of course.
    That's the biggest reason why I stopped crewing round the world, I got tired of being shot at.
  6. dennismc, Dec 30, 2011
    #6
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    Is this developing into a "political " thread ??
  7. travler, Dec 30, 2011
    #7
    travler

    travler Senior Member

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    hire a good lawyer some times it's not worth the hassel , just go crusing and enjoy life

    happy newyear travler
  8. CaptRam, Jan 2, 2012
    #8
    CaptRam

    CaptRam New Member

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    Hum , never thought of that but I will check into it- thanks Denismc- !I’ve been looking at online the last week and have been surprised at how little real good info has been on the subject, I’ve sent out about 50 e-mails to the ads that pop up and a few were attorneys but so far only a few have replied, and out of that only 1 that may be what im looking for-I’m hoping it’s only because of the holidays- Best Wishes to all for a great new year of Peace & Sailing!
  9. David Hayward, Jan 3, 2012
    #9
    David Hayward

    David Hayward New Member

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    Offshore registry

    If your boat is currently documented in the US the renewals are free. What is your reasons for registering outside of the US? What are you trying to accomplish? If you can provide you reasons or concerns I may be better able to guide you at least point you in the right direction.
    All the best
    David
  10. YachtForums, Jan 3, 2012
    #10
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    You're walking a pretty thin line. My guess is you'll take a promotional plug within 5 posts. Can't wait!
  11. CaptRam, Jan 4, 2012
    #11
    CaptRam

    CaptRam New Member

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    Location:
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    What I’m looking for is a country where I can register this yacht outside the USA- where the initial and yearly costs are low -From what I have learned I will need to start a company also to "own" the yacht- I have contacted about 25 Professional online so far few have wrote me back , but I suspect that’s because the holidays ,I did recieve 4 replys this morning-
  12. Pascal, Jan 4, 2012
    #12
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    At the risk of sounding naive, if you feel the Stars and Stripes makes you a target then take it down in places where you feel it may be better. I know you re supposed to fly your flag but I don't think you d get in trouble for not flying it

    Foreign flags are always more costly that the free USCG documentation

    Now, if you are going to stay in EU waters long enough to make it worth changing flag, you may want to get legal advice on visas, chartering and the time frame after which you are liable for VAT
  13. CaptRam, Jan 4, 2012
    #13
    CaptRam

    CaptRam New Member

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    Location:
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    I just resolved my issue, thanks all for your help! I found that because I have the boat registered in an LLC that I m covered and no need to registered the vessel offshore-
    Sailing with a US flag in most of the Med the last 5-6 years have not had any trouble with it being US flagged- many yachts in Turkey sail with US Documented flagged boats also-anyway check that off my to do list !