Offshore registration

[tigekala]

Has anybody registered their Macgregors offshore (for example under Panama or any other convenience flag)? Any experience about this topic?

Thanks,

[Hamin' X]

Welcome aboard, tigekala.

I'm not sure what the reason is for your question? There are a great number of members on the board that are from countries other than the US. From Australia to Great Britain, Portugal to Indonesia, Turkey to Pakistan and many more. Is your intent to register in another country and then travel to others, or just what is necessary for a single country? You have not indicated where you are located in your profile, so too much guess work would be involved in trying to answer your question.

~Rich---Hamin' X~

[tigekala]

I'm asking because I plan to buy one (brand new) to use it in Vietnam and Cambodia and was just wondering if there was any reasons to get local registration or perhaps its easier (or cheaper) to register it to somewhere else. Does it change anything?

[Russ]

There is no federal registration, only state registration. I've owned boats in NJ and MT and both are simply a tax that requires hull numbers and a sticker. NJ was an annual fee and here in MT we have permanent registration which is a one time thing.

There is the sales tax issue and most states require you pay it upon registration. Here in MT, we have no sales tax so that's not an issue, but in some states that could add up to a lot of money.

Now if I were taking my boat to country hostile towards America, I might consider not advertising my American origins. I'm not an international expert, but I've heard of Americans being targeted by pirates etc. in places like the Caribbean.

My old boat was "documented" and if I recall as such it became under the protection of the United States government. If a foreign government tried to seize it, theoretically the United States government would get involved.

What you might also check out is the import policies of the destination. Tariffs, restrictions, etc. This is an international forum and there are many who might be able to tell you more. I think I've read that the stock American trailer isn't legal in some countries. Also there was a thread on shipping international.

[John McDonough]

You stated you were still looking to buy. Might be cheaper to buy a boat when you get there.
Make it clear to the Salesman you want a legal registration before you give him the Gold.


Definitely Notify the Embassys of the Countrys and request information.

American Sailboat in Foreign waters in Hostile times..This may be a Topic for the Back-Room..

[J.Teixeira]

"Near" Vietnam and Cambodia is Hong Kong and Macau (former British and Portuguese cities.

The 2 cities where real big duty free areas.

There are there thousands of western citizens and western build boats.

Many are slowly returning to Europe. and selling their boats.

I suggest you check the web for boats and prices there.

There is a reason not to register boats in places like liberia, cayman, etc...
Where ever those boats go they have more problems with customs than European or American boats...
A lot more...

Here it's normal to see those boats being checked with DOGS...

[BigNige]

First off, if there is a Mac dealer in Vietnam they will only sell you a boat through him in which case he will sort out any registration requirements for you.

I bought mine in East Malaysia where there is no dealer so Sharp Marine shipped directly to me and I struggled with local registration requiremets. For what it is worth I'll recount my experience.

I beleieve that under International Maritime Law boats should be registered where they are primarily located. Of course for ships that spend there time at sea being registered in Panama or Liberia is Ok but you would probably find it very difficult to achieve.

My first port of call was the local office of the Marine Department where I found that they would rather I disappeared and didn't bother them. However, I would recommend you go there first with a local speaker (preferably one who owns some kind of registered boat) and find out what the requirements are. I eventually got the boat registerd but only because my wife is a Malaysian so it was registered in her name.

Things got more complicated when I tried to renew and I nearly gave up and registered it with the UK Small Ships Register which will register a ship anywhere in the world (without inspection - this is important because if I register it locally inspection is required and obviously I cant take the boat to the UK). The only obstacle is that you need to be a UK resident. I'm a brit so that was a possibility but then it was suggested that I contact the local Port Authority where I subsequently got the boat registered (albeit with an operating radius of 35 miles - but then this is a function of the amount and type of safety equipment that the boat carries).