buy sailboat europe

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Second hand boats: buying a yacht in Europe

• Will Bruton
• October 19, 2022

Buying a yacht in the EU is more complicated than it once was, following Brexit, but there’s now a growing bank of knowledge on how to smooth the process. We get expert advice on some of the key questions.

Double VAT, the Schengen zone, the 180-day rule; the list of considerations when considering buying a yacht in Europe is long and, in some cases, very complex. Crucial to understanding is having a grasp of some of the legal and tax principles that govern making a purchase. The following is not intended to be comprehensive and we advise getting specialist guidance from a tax adviser or similar.

Linda Jacques, partner at LA Law, a firm specialising in marine law and yacht transactions, says the first thing you should consider is where you are going to use the yacht you’re thinking of buying. “Since leaving the EU, it is true that things have got more complicated, but the principal legal questions surrounding ownership and tax haven’t changed that much. A lot revolves around the location of the yacht,” explains Jacques. “First, before you start looking to buy, consider where you are going to flag moor the yacht.”

Jonathan Hadley-Piggin, a partner at Keystone Law, explains that location is also crucial to the transaction. “Making a purchase of a yacht within an EU country isn’t the problem people often see it to be, but you need to be clear if you are paying VAT or if VAT is already paid and provable. Under some circumstances VAT can be avoided by concluding the sale outside EU territorial waters.”

UK Border Force reporting form C1331

The VAT factor

VAT is often the first concern that comes to mind for potential buyers because it can make a 20% difference in price.

As Jacques explains, one of the challenges of Brexit is that you can end up having to pay tax again when you return your yacht to the UK.

“ Buy a yacht in Europe and keep it there and you don’t have a problem, as long as EU VAT has already been paid and can be clearly proven. Yachts within EU waters must be EU VAT paid and have proof unless the owner is able to qualify for customs relief. Customs relief includes Temporary Admission or a VAT exemption for a yacht that is operated commercially. Commercially operated yachts have their own specific requirements and need to prove the nature of their operation is truly commercial.”

Article continues below…

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Second hand boats: how to buy a ready to sail yacht

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However, if you are purchasing the yacht in Europe and bringing it back to the UK, proof of where the yacht has been in Europe and on what date the transaction concluded is crucial. “If you are the new owner, even if VAT has been paid before, you will be liable for import tax coming into the UK,” Jacques advises. “VAT must be paid again on all EU VAT-paid yachts being brought into the UK. In the UK the UK Border Force form C1331, where you declare the VAT status of the boat, where it has been and at what time, is an important document.”

The non-VAT paid yacht is a more complicated prospect, as Jonathan Hadley-Piggin explains. “We get calls from people thinking that a non-VAT paid yacht can’t be bought, or it’s simply too risky. It can, you just need to understand how to go about it and, if necessary, the new owner might need to pay the VAT to use it in the way they want to.

“It’s also worth considering how, as a new owner, you are proving VAT has been paid. For example, if the boat was initially purchased by a company and VAT was paid, but as a company they claimed the VAT back through their corporate accounts, it might be considered by the authorities that VAT has not been paid. It is this kind of issue that a good marine lawyer and tax adviser can help you understand fully. Quite often the current owner really does think VAT is paid and that their paperwork is correct, when in fact it is not, so it’s important to ask questions around what proof is available early on if you’re serious about buying.”

Michael Ashdown of Harwood Hutton VAT Consultancy regularly advises yacht owners. “You should be looking initially for the original sales invoice, subsequent sales invoices and/or an importation invoice; always asking the question ‘Would this satisfy an inquisitive customs officer further down the line?’

“We are now seeing an increasing number of clients who are choosing to pay EU VAT, knowing that it will ensure their yacht has true free movement within the EU without complexity.”

Paperwork checks in Europe.

Time aboard

While buying a yacht in the EU is possible for a UK citizen, being able to use it is another matter. An extended season of Mediterranean cruising for most is no longer an option, due to the Schengen restrictions meaning no British citizen can spend more than 90 days in the EU in one 180-day period. This means that some buyers looking to cruise for longer are investigating other options to allow them to stay in Europe. Remember that the rules for a yacht are separate to the rules for people.

Dave Birch bought his yacht to take a sabbatical with his wife and daughter, but found himself confronted with the prospect of a shortened season before he’d even completed the sale. “There are options, heavily dependent on your individual circumstances, but to keep cruising we have seriously investigated different ways to spend more time in Europe. Maltese residency can be purchased by investing in private property or business, granting an EU passport and access rights, but it is a serious amount of money that some would think extreme just to be able to keep sailing.

“Other options are so called ‘digital nomad’ visas, allowing those working while living afloat the potential to stay for longer and continue cruising. What is clear is that, at present, there’s no cheap or easy option.”

Many cruisers build time out of the EU Schengen zone into their cruising plans to take maximum advantage of the time allowance. For example, Croatia is not currently part of the zone.

A 2012 Hallberg-Rassy 64 for sale in Italy

Areas of confusion

Alex Grabau has been brokering yachts in Europe throughout Brexit. “There’s still a huge amount of confusion, particularly for UK buyers keen to buy second hand boats located in Europe. A lot remains unclear, even where there are written rules in place.

“Returned Goods Relief (RGR) is the most common area of misunderstanding,” he explains. “RGR is only available to boats where the importer is the same as the original exporter. If a VAT-paid boat is sold outside of the UK, the new owner may be liable to pay VAT if the boat is brought back into the UK.

“This currently also applies to UK owners of VAT-paid boats bought and then kept in the EU while the UK was still part of the EU28, which now would like to come to the UK.

“Even if the boat was originally UK VAT paid, or kept in the UK in a previous ownership, the owner and their boat may not be eligible for RGR and could find themselves with a sizeable VAT liability upon arrival in the UK.”

A 2002 Oyster 56 for sale in the Western Med

Another area of confusion relates to Temporary Admission (TA) which is applicable in both the EU (for non-EU boats) and the UK (for non-UK boats). “Many UK buyers believe they can buy a yacht in Europe then bring it back to the UK temporarily before heading off on their planned adventures. This is not the case, as eligibility for UK TA requires the boat is registered outside of the UK and used by a non-UK resident. There is no grace period offered by HMRC, so even spending a day in the UK may result in a VAT liability.”

Grabau also regularly comes up against misunderstandings about the difference between Europe and the European VAT area. “It can be unclear when a boat is sold in places such as Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and the Canary Islands. These are all territories within the EU, but fall outside of the EU’s VAT area. Buying an EU VAT paid boat in these territories may see the VAT paid status lost.

“Care also needs to be taken when boats are in the Channel Islands as they fall outside of the UK’s VAT area.”

The right mark

While VAT issues can ultimately be resolved through writing a cheque, Grabau sees the UK’s introduction of its own build standard (the equivalent to the EU’s Recreational Craft Directive) potentially creating more hurdles.

“Bringing a yacht back to the UK market may soon be more of an issue because a compliance survey may be needed and some yachts may not be considered importable, or too difficult to import to the UK.”

Alasdair Reay is a naval architect and CEO of HPI Verification Services, a business that helps yachts comply with build standard regulations and undertakes compliance surveys. He adds: “Since leaving the EU, the UK has introduced its own CA mark. Most recently-built CE-marked yachts will not need a survey to comply with the CA standard.

“However, the UK government’s position on second-hand yachts is still not clear. If you do need a survey, the cost for a 50ft yacht would likely be £4,000-£10,000. If the build standards and technical data are available to us, it’s a cheaper paper-based exercise, but where it is not a survey can be necessary to formally document the yacht’s construction.”

Photo: agefotostock/Alamy

Buying a yacht in Europe – case study

Tim (who wishes to remain anonymous) found his ideal cruising yacht online, located in Spain. The prospect of buying a yacht in Spain following Brexit immediately posed several questions, particularly considering his cruising plans. “The yacht was UK VAT paid but had been present in the EU on 31 December 2020 and so also had EU VAT status. As VAT status does not survive a change of ownership, we had to make a choice between the ability to bring the boat back to the UK and our initial plan, which was to cruise Europe.

“We decided to maintain UK VAT status. This necessitated a survey and acceptance of the boat in the EU, followed by a Biscay crossing to conclude the sale in the UK, with all the logistical hurdles that that entailed.”

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Buying a Boat In Croatia: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

Thinking about buying a boat in Croatia? We did and this is everything we learned. This is the complete beginner’s guide to purchasing a boat in Croatia, meaning, it is for beginners, by beginners. It includes everything we learned along the way when buying a boat in Croatia for the first time.

Having spent four years traveling by van , we decided to shake things up a little and try our hand at something new. Sailing the Adriatic. It was an ambitious plan given our limited sailing experience (read: almost none) but one which we were excited to attempt.

The first thing we needed to do was to find a boat, learning to sail was a close second on our to-do list.

Looking at options to rent a boat over a few months to sail the coast of Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Greece, and Italy, we quickly realized that it would be very expensive to rent. Much like our previous van adventures, it seemed it would be more economical to buy our own second-hand sailboat and sell it after six or seven months at sea.

Can I Buy a Boat in Croatia

Yes! In fact, Croatia is one of the best places to buy a boat, not just because it’s a great place to sail, but because a very busy and very seasonal yachting industry means a large market for boats.

Sailing and cruising are hugely popular in Croatia and it has become one of the most popular boating destinations in the world. With such an established yachting industry, buying a boat, even as a foreigner, has become a relatively typical process (even if it’s not exactly straightforward).

Given how popular sailing is here, it comes as no surprise that there are thousands and thousands of boats in the marinas that line Croatia’s coastline. Moreover, with a huge charter industry, and plenty of international owners, boat turnover is high and there are always lots of different boats for sale to suit any style or budget.

How Much Do Boats Cost in Croatia?

In terms of ready-to-sail boats that won’t require a lot of work to start sailing, you will be looking at anything from €20,000 for smaller boats from the 1980s (what we bought) up to €200,000+ for larger more modern yachts. Of course, you can also find large 50-foot-plus boats that are priced into the millions, but that sort of purchase is well beyond the scope of this post.

Regardless of your budget, you are likely to find great value for money here as there is a large turnover of yachts every season and great bargains to be had if you look hard enough. That being said, when it comes to sailboats, it’s not hard to buy a lemon, and that could be quite a frustrating, expensive, and even dangerous proposition. Make sure you carry out your due diligence when shopping for a boat in Croatia.

Why Are Boats Cheaper in Croatia?

There are a number of factors that make buying a boat in Croatia cheaper.

For one ting, the high volume of boats on the market leads to a buyer’s market.

The ancillary costs of boat ownership are also much cheaper in Croatia as a result of lower living expenses than in many other regions associated with boating. This means administration, maintenance, and other costs such as purchasing marine equipment and resources can be kept lower, offsetting the total cost of buying a boat.

How to Buy a Boat in Croatia

How to buy a boat may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but easily accomplished if you follow these simple steps.

Finding Boats for Sale in Croatia

We started researching well in advance and were glad we did. We had already decided to look for a monohull for our first boat . With a budget of around €20,000, we had to crawl the classifieds for a tidy monohull in good condition, which wouldn’t require too much additional work.

Our aim was to buy a reputable brand above 30 feet long with two or three berths, between 30 and 40 years old. After a couple of inquiries of boats within these parameters and a couple of not so flash boat surveys, we adjusted our wish list slightly.

In the end, we settled for something slightly shorter, a 29-foot Beneteau built-in 1986. It turned out to be the perfect size for the two of us, easy for beginners to handle, and plenty of space for a couple used to live in small spaces. With a slight reduction in length, there was a significant increase in the quality to price ratio of the available boats. We also had to stretch our budget by 20% to afford this particular boat which was in pristine condition with many aftermarket improvements and modern instruments and apparatus included.

We used the online marketplace yachtworld.com to find a boat that suited us. Yachtworld includes listings of both sailboats and powerboats from around the world but primarily in Europe. You can filter by region and specific country, narrowing your search down to boats for sale in Croatia. You can also use parameters like size, age, make, and price to further narrow your search.

Most yachts for sale in Croatia will be listed by yacht brokers, some of the most recognizable names in Croatia are Selymar, Bach Yachting, and Amissani. Buying a boat in Croatia that is listed with a broker provided a level of convenience and security that I can’t imagine you would be able to assure with a private seller.

We enquired about boats listed by Selymar and Bach Yachting, and ultimately purchased a boat listed by Bach Yachting. Although the broker represents the owner, we found the broker, Nina Borić from Bach Yachting, incredibly helpful, communicative, and proactive every step of the way. She supported us through the entire purchase process (and continued to support us well after the transaction was complete). We found the broker so helpful that we decided to list the boat for sale with Nina when we complete our trip.

VAT on Boats in Croatia

What does ‘Taxes’ or ‘VAT’ Paid / Unpaid mean in boat advertisements in Croatia?

As Croatia is in the EU, VAT or sales tax is applicable for personal purchases including boats.

When you are buying from a private seller they should have already paid VAT (though not always, so be sure to check) when they purchased or imported the boat.

However, if you are purchasing a boat previously used by a business such as an ex-charter yacht, they likely would not have paid VAT and it will be payable by the buyer.

VAT is 25% in Croatia so this represents a huge cost component of the final cost.

If you plan to take the boat out of the EU then you can get the VAT refunded, but it is still a large upfront cost and, of course, there may be tax implications when it comes to importing the boat somewhere else.

Choosing an Ex-Charter Boat vs Choosing a Privately Owned Boat in Croatia

We are new to sailing and have only bought this one boat, so we do not pretend to be experts on the matter. But, based on our research and limited experience, we can offer our opinion.

The pros of purchasing ex-charter boats are that they are usually well maintained with the boat, sails, and motor being regularly and properly serviced.

The obvious cons are that ex-charter boats often see more action per sailing season than privately used boats. They will be sailed all season, by people who may not be the most experienced sailors and who do not have a vested interest in taking care of a boat the way a private owner might. This means that charter boats often show more wear and tear than privately owned boats of the same age.

There is also the issue of VAT discussed above.

Purchasing a privately owned boat comes with its own set of risks and advantages too. The risk here is that you buy from a private seller that did not take good care of the boat, allowed issues to fester, and did not regularly and properly maintain their boat.

The pros are that if you can find a boat for sale that has been lovingly cared for, maintained, and updated by one (or two) dedicated owner(s), you will get the best vessel of all. One that hasn’t been flogged by renters, has been properly looked after, and has been updated by an owner who used the boat themselves.

We were lucky enough to find such a boat. The boat had only been used for a couple of months each season and had been lovingly cared for, devoutly maintained, and routinely upgraded. The addition of a powerful bow thruster, offshore navigational instrumentation, solar panels, and wind turbines, and the inclusion of extra equipment like tender, outboard, and two autopilots were great inclusions on such a small and affordable boat.

Organizing Pre-Purchase Survey and Marine Surveyor Croatia

Once you have found some boats that suit your needs and budget, the next step is to arrange a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified marine surveyor. This step is crucial in any boat purchase, but even more so if you plan to buy without seeing the boat yourself. You need to rely on your surveyor to care as much as you do when inspecting the boat for any potential defects. Luckily, there are many competent and qualified surveyors in Croatia.

To find a marine surveyor, you can ask a boat broker to put you in touch with a surveyor, conduct a Google search or ask for recommendations in sailing forums from others that have engaged surveyors in Croatia.

We were referred to a marine surveyor by Sleymar Yacht Brokers to help us look at one boat we were interested in. Initially, we were hesitant to use the recommendation of the broker advertising the boat, but after receiving the CV of the surveyor and talking with him it became immediately clear that he took his job seriously and would provide a thorough and objective assessment of the boat. In the end, he delivered a fair, measured, and detailed report that included hundreds of photos. He gave us his professional interpretation and it was clear that the boat, while a decent project for someone else, would not be suitable for beginners looking for something ready to sail.

When we found our next potential boat, we immediately re-engaged our surveyor and his next report was much more favorable. We made an offer based on his recommendation and were able to secure the boat. The surveyor later returned to conduct the sea trial to ensure the engine, sails and other components that could only be assessed at sea were in good order.

I would love to recommend this particular surveyor here, but unfortunately, he retired shortly after conducting the final sea trial on our boat.

Paying for a Boat in Croatia

As mentioned above, for security and simplicity’s sake it is better to buy a boat through a broker. A reputable broker will make sure everything goes smoothly, the contract is properly executed and proper paperwork is filed. They will hold the deposit and the balance of sale until the contract is executed and provide the new owner with a bill of sale and relevant paperwork.

When it comes time to sign the dotted line and transfer money, the easiest and cheapest way is to transfer from a bank account in the European Union directly to the broker’s holding account. If you don’t have an EU bank account the next cheapest way to transfer money is with Transfer Wise.

Following receipt of the balance, the broker will arrange the finalized contract and bill of sale before transferring the funds to the seller.

How to Register a Boat in Croatia

Before you can sail your new boat must be registered. Either in Croatia or elsewhere. 

Like many things regarding public administration here, registering a boat in Croatia is an exercise in bureaucracy.

After learning the requirements of registering a boat in Croatia, we opted to register our boat in Poland instead.

The procedure to register a boat under the Croatian flag, from what we understand, works like this:

Firstly you need to gather copies of the following documents:

• A completed boat registration application
• A VHF registration application
• Contract of sale – translated into Croatian by a court translator
• Flag deletion certificate – translated into Croatian by a court translator
• Passport(s) of the buyer
• CE certificate
• Builder plate
• An OIB number for all buyers (similar to a social security number)
• You need to have a signed and notarized authorization of a Croatian resident that can receive mail on your behalf.

Once you have all the paperwork, you can take it to the harbormaster’s office for evaluation. 

THEN you can apply for a survey of the yacht at the Croatian Ship Register. They will need to organize a survey of the boat (out of the water). 

In addition to checking the condition of the boat, they will confirm that you have all the necessary safety and navigation equipment onboard necessary for the type of navigation area you plan to register your boat for. 

If your boat passes muster, you can pay your registration fees and await the registration documents which can take weeks.

The registration including the survey costs about 2,000 kunas or €250, it also doesn’t include any items you need to purchase or repair to meet registration requirements which can be costly.

The VHF license application costs around 340 kuna or about €45. 

Additionally, you will need to pay an ongoing maritime registration fee of 530 kuna or €70 euros per year. 

Finally, you will need to spend 1,500 kuna €200 euros or more for the translation of documents.

Alternative Registration Option: Registering a Boat in Poland

Poland allows remote registration of boats by foreigners. At €550 The cost of registration is expensive but comparable to the total cost involved in Croatian registration. Most importantly, the process is much more straightforward and far quicker. 

For registration in Poland you will need to gather:

• Boat Registration Application
• Notarized Contract of Sale
• Flag Deletion Certificate
• Builders plate
• If you have a survey report you can attach this to the application
• A photo of the engine

Once you have organized the documents, your best bet is to use an agent to file the application, this will ensure things run smoothly and quickly.

Mitja from HinCo Yacht Services was able to facilitate this process for us.

You should receive an electronic copy of the registration and the original copies in seven to ten days.

The process cost us €550.

What Flags do I Need to Fly on My Boat in Croatia?

The most important flag is the ensign flag. The national flag from the country where the boat is registered should be flown from the stern forestay.

On the starboard spreader, you are required to fly the national flag of the country you are sailing in, in this case, Croatia.

How to insure a Boat in Croatia

Once your boat is registered you can organize insurance.

To sail in Croatia you must have third-party liability.

Organizing third-party insurance is simple.

We organized a quote online through Generali .

You may also wish to organise personal accident insurance (obligatory in some regions)or comprehensive insurance as well.

Obtaining these insurances can be complicated by a range of factors including the age of the vessel, nationality, and address of owners, where the boat is registered, and where you plan to sail.

Your best bet is to find an insurance broker in your country of residence that can help you.

Obtaining a Croatian Vignette

Once the boat is registered and insured you will need to obtain a vignette or permit at the nearest Harbour Master’s Office or its branch office before you can sail in Croatia.

It is best to visit the Harbour Master in the morning during business hours as the Harbour Master is primarily a search and rescue service.

You will need to take:

• Original Registration Document (they accepted an electronic version from us but prefer the original)
• Identity Card (Passport)
• Skipper License
• Copy of liability insurance certificate

You should also take other relevant documents such as the bill of sale in case further evidence is required.

Do I Need a Skipper License to Buy a boat in Croatia?

While no one will ask to see your credentials when you buy a boat, you are required to have a license to sail in Croatian waters. You will need a valid boating and navigation license as well as a VHF certificate of competency.

If you are already certified in another country, Croatia recognizes many state-issued marine and nautical licenses. Check out this list of international marine licenses and credentials recognized in Croatia. In some cases, you may be required to obtain a VHF qualification.

Getting a Skippers or VHF License in Croatia

You can obtain a skipper’s license or add a VHF license to your existing qualification in Croatia.

The qualifications available in Croatia are as follows.

Boat Skipper Category A

• Is authorized to operate with boats up to 7m with engine power up to 15KW
• Navigation areas III and IV

Boat Skipper Category B

• Authorized to operate pleasure boats up to 30GT or charter boats up to 30GT without a professional crew

Boat Skipper Category C

• Authorized to operate with any kind of boat up to 30GT
• Navigation area I, II and all the seas globally

Yacht-Master Categories A and B

• Authorized to operate with any kind of boat up to 100GT for A category, and up to 500 for B category
• Global navigation

VHF Certificate of Competency

• Can be used in conjunction with an existing marine license that does not have a radio component.

To obtain any of the above licenses you will need to sit an exam at one of the Harbour Master’s Offices .

Contact the relevant office to find out dates and times for examinations. Generally, the procedure is to register for the exam a day or two in advance and make payment at a post office or bank.

Many sailing schools in Croatia will help you prepare for these exams with theoretical and practical teaching. If you use a school they will also take care of organizing the exam.

I already had a marine license issued in Queensland Australia and only needed to add the VHF certificate. This required me to learn how to operate a VHF, with DSC. I had to familiarize myself with the controls, learn how to make regular radio calls and distress calls, learn the phonetic alphabet and numerals, learn how to report location using longitude and latitude and memorize Croatian VHF channels and emergency telephone numbers.

I was able to find everything out online and teach myself. The exam itself was very short and consisted of a brief interview where I was asked to make a distress call, spell my name using the phonetic alphabet, and recite the Croatian Maritime search and rescue number (195).

Keeping a Boat in Croatia

If you choose to keep your boat in Croatia you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to marinas. The country must have more marinas per capita than anywhere else on the planet (don’t fact-check me on that).

Our advice when it comes to keeping a boat in Croatia is to use one of the smaller marinas on the islands or small villages along the coast and steer clear of the large city marinas.

The marinas outside of major ports are cheaper, less busy, and with less strict regulations. On the downside, it may be slightly more inconvenient to reach your boat.

What Documents Do I Need To Have on My Boat In Croatia?

Before you start sailing in Croatia, make sure you have the following list of documents on board.

• Certificate of the skipper’s competence in boat handling (licenses)
• Certificate of the third-party insurance policy
• Certificate of ownership or authorization for the use of vessel issued by the owner
• Maritime information chart

If you are staying on anchor, outside of marinas you will also need to pay a nautical tourist tax. This can now be paid online and ranges from around €12 for smaller boats staying a few days up to a maximum of €800 for an annual tax for larger boats

If you are exiting or entering the country you will also need to check-in or check out at the Harbour Master closest to your point of entry or exit. Here you can obtain a certified crew list and passenger list.

Learn to Sail in Croatia on Your Own Boat

For us, buying the boat was only step one. Without any prior experience, we had to learn how to sail, from the beginning. Rather than going to a sailing school and paying to join a large group, we decided to find an instructor who would teach us how to sail on our boat.

After talking to a number of sailing schools, we found the most flexible, practical, and helpful to be Marlin Sailing in Zadar, conveniently located near our boat. The brothers behind Marlin, Dario and Saša, created a custom training plan for us that worked around our busy work schedule and was designed to get us from novices to novices who wouldn’t get into too much trouble in just ten days.

Rather than long days of sailing in one direction, we drilled docking, anchoring, more docking, sailing, docking, navigation, docking, securing shorelines, and docking again. They showed us the ins and outs of our engine and instructed us in emergency procedures and essential local information such as the weather patterns of Croatia and tips for surviving the busy summer.

Additionally, they advised us on necessary gear and boat improvement and even took us to the marine store, hardware, and rope store to help us with our shopping list.

What’s more, as professional instructors they taught us in such a way that our knowledge was built up every day, rather than overwhelm us with information. In just ten days they left us alone with our boat on the island of Iž, confident in our ability to begin practicing and learning on our own.

Should you be looking for beginner instruction, an introduction to sailing in Croatia, or just help with navigating the purchase process, reach out to Dario from Marlin, and tell him Eddie and Kelli sent you!

Whether or not you use Marlin, if you do decide to look for instruction or assistance, our advice would be to get on the phone with a couple of companies and feel out the one that most wants to work with you to deliver your required outcomes, and who you think will be a good fit in term of teaching style and attitude.

Hopefully, you have found this information on buying a sailboat in Croatia useful. If you have a question or a comment, please let us know below!

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Out of a love of travel we met in a hostel in Estonia, one snowy Christmas night. Eighteen months later, we quit our day jobs in search of a more nomadic life style together.

Five years later, we are still traveling. Between us we have explored more than 80 countries, undertaken countless #vanlife adventures in more than 12 countries on 4 different continents. Most recently we have been learning to sail on our little boat whisper in the Mediterranean, falling in love with sailing and the live aboard lifestyle. While we travel and work work remotely as digital nomads.

Through this website and our vlog we hope to share some of the things we learn about the off-the-beaten path destinations we visit, about van life, sail life and working remotely from the road.

We are the Vanabonds, these are our tales.

Eddie & Kelli

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20 Comments

it was great to read through this article – very helpful. But you spent nowhere near enough time on the berth issue. Finding a berth – in my experience so far – is the largest issue to overcome. (It’s no use having a boat if you have nowhere to put it)….Would really appreciate some more help/advice on this issue.

I’m, glad you found the article helpful.

Our experience has been different, we did not have too much difficulty finding a variety of options for mooring throughout Croatia.

Nevertheless happy to try to answer any specific questions you have (you can post them here or email us directly at [email protected] ). I’ll also go back through the article and see if there’s some detail I can add to this topic.

Thanks for your comments.

Fair winds,

Great article many thanks.

Do you have any additional details on the Queensland Marine Licence they accepted in Croatia. Was it simply the RMDL (Recreational Marine Drivers Licence)?

From a fellow Queenslander.

Hi Allan! Yep just the Queensland RMDL.

To be safe and make it look official I printed a copy of the Marine licence verification certificate which cost me $7.90 here: https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/checkmarinelicence/public/Welcome.xhtml?dswid=5103 and showed that to harbour master along with the table of accepted licenses provided by the MMPI (Croatian Ministry of Transport) you can find it here https://mmpi.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/MORE/More%205_21/TABLICA%20MoU%20ENGL%2010-5_21.pdf (they were surprised to see this document and asked me to show them where I had found it)

The most important question is how much is marina per year. Maybe also insurance and other maintenance cost.

Hi Piotr, you’re absolutely right this is an important question so we gave this question its own post, check it out here https://thevanabondtales.com/the-cost-of-living-on-a-sailboat-full-time/

So how does one get the VAT refunded? I’ve seen a lot of articles on how to buy a boat abroad etc but none cover the topic of how to get the VAT refunded on a boat.

Good question,

As far as I know, if you are buying a second-hand boat from a private owner who has paid VAT, I don’t think you can get the VAT refunded.

If you buy the boat without VAT, from a charter company for example, and you are planning to take it out of the country within a short time frame (I believe 60 days) you can ‘buy for export’. You will need to sail out of the country, and likely need to pay the import fee wherever you are taking it.

This is my understanding but I would definitely check with a local broker or someone who has gone through the process before.

Hope that helps let me know if you have any other questions about the process!

What a big switch to go from van life to boat life. Congrats. You will certainly have lots of stories to tell.

It is definitely a change, but we are up for the challenge. Learning to sail is not quite as easy as learning to drive.

Wow! What an adventure this will be. A great guide for anyone wanting to buy a boat and go on a sailing adventure. Bon Voyage!

An adventure indeed. Thanks for reading!

While I have no intensions of buying a boat in Croatia anytime soon, this is quite the ultimate guide to do so.

You never know where life might take you, a year ago I would have said the same thing!

That is so good that you shared your first hand experience here.

Thanks for reading!

Wow this is such a comprehensive article on buying a boat, I love all the detail you put into it… also loved the tour around the boat..it has always intrigued me about the cost… and is it worth it, I’ll have to get back to you on that as I do like my luxury…ha ha Happy Sailings

We have only been on the boat a month but so far we think it is worth it. We will see!

Very good article! I will send you some questions privately. This article was very well thought out and gave very valuable information.

Hi Claudine, I am glad you found it helpful! By all means, send through your questions and we will do our best to help.

Buying a Boat in Europe (8 Answers You Should Know)

You may have noticed that many boats are considerably cheaper in some European countries.

In this article, we will explore if you can save money when buying in Europe and bringing the boat to the U.S.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. Does it Make Sense to Import a Boat from Europe to the U.S.?

On the surface, buying a boat in Europe seems to be a good idea.

Prices can be significantly lower than in the U.S. for the same boat.  However, price isn’t the only consideration here.

Factors such as taxes, bureaucratic fees, legal fees, broker fees, system conversion costs, and shipping/travel costs all come into play.

Add to that the additional time required to test the boat and bring it back to the states, and any value gained from a low price quickly evaporates.

In the end, your specific circumstances will dictate whether buying a boat in Europe makes sense for you.

If you plan to spend some time traveling by boat in Europe, then buying a boat and selling it at the end of your trip may be a viable option.  I would reserve this tactic for extended trips of six months or longer and be sure to buy a popular model that will hold resale value.

If you consider this option, make sure you understand the Value Added Tax implications and figure that into your calculations.

2. How Much Cheaper Are Boats in Europe?

As with all things, the answer to this question can be complicated.

Depending on the boat, you can save up to 38% or more when purchasing in Europe.

However, some models can be more expensive than in the U.S.

For more information, see our article Reasons Boats Are Cheaper In Europe (Explained!)

3. What Types of Boats are Cheaper in Europe?

The most savings seem to be in models of sailboats, particularly in Greece and Croatia.

Other types of boats such as cabin cruisers and yachts tend to have the same price or even higher prices than in the U.S.

4. How Do You Import a Boat From Europe to the United States?

Many steps go into importing a boat or any large object from Europe to the United States.

This is a lengthy, expensive, and complicated process, so make sure you are fully prepared to take it on.

Here are a few things you’ll need to do or know before importing:

Hire a Broker that Serves the Country of Purchase:

A reputable and experienced broker is worth their weight in gold.

Not only can they help you navigate the European market, but they will also have connections in local governments and customs houses.

Use the MYBA website to find a reputable broker (see references below).

Hire an Import/Export Lawyer:

The legal environment surrounding international purchases of titled property such as a sailboat is complicated.

Having someone on your side who is familiar with the law on both sides will help protect you from fraud and ensure that all paperwork and legal requirements are met.

Have the Boat Inspected by a Reputable Company:

A broker should be able to help here.

All inspections should get a detailed analysis of the boat and its history.

If you can’t get an inspection, consider looking elsewhere.

Identify Any EPA Compliance Issues:

When you come to the U.S., you must provide proof that the boat meets EPA standards.

It is best to keep this in mind early in the process.

Identify Systems That Will Need to be Converted:

This is often one of the largest expenses involved in bringing a boat to the U.S.  Europe uses 230V(+/-10%) 50Hz electrical power while the U.S. uses 120V 60Hz.

To operate your electrical systems in the U.S., you may need to completely rewire your boat and replace all electrical equipment and outlets.  This can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Another common problem is the LPG containers and connectors.

Add to this that every bolt and fitting is metric and that replacement parts(particularly for the engine) may be impossible to find, and the allure of buying in Europe dwindles.

Keep in mind that a boat with odd fittings and hard-to-find parts will not be as marketable on resale.

If Possible, Inspect the Boat in Person:

Buying anything sight unseen is never recommended.

You will want to plan to be in the country of purchase for several months to complete the process.

This will give you time to have everything in order, inspect the boat, and perform sea trials.

Value Added Tax(VAT).

If you plan to tour in conjunction with your boat purchase, you may end up running into issues with VAT.

Many used vessels have a VAT paid status; however, some do not.

If purchasing a new boat and having it flagged in the U.S., you will have 18 months in the EU before the VAT must be paid.

If the boat is already flagged in an EU country, you will need to prove VAT-paid status at most ports.

The current average VAT rate in Europe is 21%.

Final Checks:

Make sure to contact the local customs officials in the country of purchase to ensure you have everything in order before leaving with the boat.

It is also a good idea to know requirements at stops along the way if you plan to cross the Atlantic on your own.

Here is a list of things to keep in mind:

• Ensure all paperwork is in order and properly translated.
• The industry standard for contracts is the MYBA sales contract.  It is best to work with sellers that have no problem using this contract.
• Use Consulate recommended translation service.
• Never sign anything that has not been translated properly into English.
• Contact Customs officials on both sides to ensure compliance.
• In the U.S., you will need a bill of sale, an EPA Engine Declaration Form, and 1.5% of the sale price to pay the duty at the port of entry.

5. Before Traveling With Your Boat:

Make final inspections:.

Before buying a boat, it helps to look at every aspect of the vessel to ensure that everything is in perfect condition.

This helps you avoid costly pitfalls.

A marine surveyor can help you identify defects in a new boat.

However, you need to know what to check when making such a huge purchase.

See our article Boat Inspection Checklist: 31 Important Steps (Complete Guide) for more information.

Perform Sea Trials:

After you have the boat in possession, make sure to exercise all of her systems in local waters.

This is particularly important if buying any boat that is still under warranty.  Once you are in the U.S., any warranty issues will difficult to resolve.

You will also need to work out the gallons per hour your boat uses when under engine power.

This calculation will be critical if you plan to cross the Atlantic on your own.

Prepare for Crossing:

If you are inexperienced, it is best to have your boat shipped to the U.S.

If, however, you decide to attempt the crossing on your own, preparation is key.  There are many books and articles available to help you prepare a checklist for crossing.

If you plan to sail across the Atlantic on your own, you can never be too prepared.

Make sure you have planned and practiced for any likely emergency scenarios, and take a few local voyages to make sure nothing is overlooked.

6. Sailing Your Ship or Boat to the U.S.

One way to ensure a safer passage is to cross with a Rally group like the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).

The ARC is a “race” with around 200 participants.

Crossing with a rally or group adds the security of knowing other vessels are there in emergencies. When in doubt, you can hire an experienced skipper to help.

If you are shipping your boat, the shipping company will provide instructions and help you with the process.

Shipping can be expensive ($5,000-$15000 or more), so make sure to add this cost into your calculations:

• Pay import tax
• File EPA Compliance paperwork

Convert Necessary Systems

Once you are in the U.S., you will need to convert any necessary systems for them to work properly here.

Make sure to hire a reputable professional to do the work and be prepared for the added expense.

Enjoy Your Boat!

Last but not least, remember to enjoy your time on the water with friends and family.

This is what boating is all about, after all.

It is easy to get caught up in the process and the worries that inevitably come with such an undertaking.

The stress will always be there, don’t forget to have fun along the way!

7. Pitfalls to Avoid when Buying a Boat in Europe:

Make sure to consider these pitfalls:

• Make sure to use a broker from the MYBA list (see references below) as a start.
• As previously stated, make sure to use a translation service recommended by the consulate.
• Plan on having the boat out of the EU in less than 18 months if the VAT is not paid.

8. How Much Does it Cost to take a Boat from Europe to the U.S?

Crossing the Atlantic can take up to 40 days; therefore, you should plan for at least 50 days of food and water.

At an average cost of $11.00 per person per day, plan for $550.00 per person for food.

A water generator is recommended and multiple(wind, solar, or water current) electricity sources.  Don’t forget to add in the cost of any luxury items like wine into your calculations.

When sailing across the Atlantic, it is recommended to have enough fuel for 400-500 Nautical Miles under engine power.

You will need to know the cruising speed of your vessel under power and the gallons of fuel per hour(GPH) underway.  Once you have these calculations, you can predict fuel requirements for your trip.

If we assume 2 GPH and 6 knots per hour, we will need 166 gallons of fuel.

The current price of diesel in Los Palmas, Gran Canaria, is $4.63/gallon.  Therefore fuel alone will cost $772.00.  Fuel storage does become an issue on some boats.

Final Thoughts:

In the end, buying in Europe doesn’t make the most sense.

Any potential savings are inevitably eaten up in endless fees and expenses related to taxes, converting systems, and shipping/sailing to the U.S.

When you add that the inevitable loss in resale value, the hassle and expense outweigh any savings.

As always, have pleasant travels, calm winds, and fair seas. Be safe and watch out for your fellow boaters!

References:

Domestic Regulations for Emissions from Marine Compression-ignition (Diesel) Engines

MYBA Association

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Big investors buy European bonds over US Treasuries as economies diverge

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Big investors are selling US Treasuries and buying European government bonds, betting that cooler inflation in Europe will allow its central bank to start cutting interest rates sooner than the Federal Reserve.

Money managers at Pimco, JPMorgan Asset Management and T Rowe Price have all increased their exposure to European government debt in recent weeks.

That has helped push the so-called spread, or gap, between benchmark 10-year German and US borrowing costs to 2 percentage points, close to the highest level since November.

“The path for rate cuts in Europe is clearer than in the US,” said Bob Michele, chief investment officer and global head of fixed income at JPMorgan Asset Management. “It is hard to find an economic reason for the Fed to cut rates.”

He added that he currently has a larger than usual holding of European government bonds and has been “moving in [the] direction” of acquiring more.

The shift comes as the US and European economies have begun to diverge, with softer inflation and a weaker economy in Europe fuelling bets that the ECB will deliver more cuts than the Fed this year.

Markets are currently pricing in three or four ECB rate cuts by the end of the year, compared with only two or three for the Fed.

Government bonds on both sides of the Atlantic have sold off this year, pushing yields higher, as investors scaled back their expectations of imminent rate cuts.

However, the moves have been greater in the US, where the benchmark Treasury yield has risen by 0.5 percentage points to 4.4 per cent. In comparison, the equivalent German Bund is up 0.3 percentage points to 2.4 per cent.

Andrew Balls, chief investment officer for global fixed income at Pimco, said he had favoured European government bonds and UK gilts over US Treasuries this year because there was “more evidence of inflation correcting” there.

Pimco, which manages $1.9tn in assets, lowered its forecast from three to two quarter-point rate cuts by the Fed this year, following a blockbuster jobs report on Friday. 

Economists expect US inflation data for March, released on Wednesday, to show an annual rise to 3.4 per cent. Readings for January and February have already come in above analysts’ forecasts.

By contrast, eurozone inflation fell to 2.4 per cent last month, lower than forecast, bolstering expectations that the ECB will cut interest rates by the summer.

“We prefer to be underweight in US Treasuries in favour of eurozone bonds including Bunds,” said Quentin Fitzsimmons, a senior portfolio manager at T Rowe Price, which manages $1.4tn of assets globally.

He said his conviction about an ECB rate cut in June was “high”, while strong US data had caused the Fed to “backpedal from its hitherto clear desire to start to cut interest rates”.

Fitzsimmons said that if the ECB did start cutting faster than the Fed, the lower rates would reduce the hedging costs of holding bonds in the eurozone compared with US Treasuries.

He said this would “possibly encourage more capital to back the idea of relative outperformance by Bunds in relation to US Treasuries”.

But some analysts warn that if the ECB gets too far ahead of the Fed in making rate cuts, the euro could weaken significantly, risking another upturn in inflation.

“There can only be so much divergence before it starts to have a big currency impact,” said Mike Pond, head of global inflation-linked research at Barclays. “It might be difficult for the ECB to cut as much as we’re expecting if the Fed doesn’t cut as well.” 

Nevertheless, the inflation outlook is currently more benign in Europe than in the US. The European Central Bank estimates annual inflation in the eurozone will be 2.3 per cent in 2024, with growth of 0.6 per cent.

That compares with the Fed’s projection that the core personal consumption expenditures index — the US central bank’s preferred inflation gauge — will cool this year to 2.6 per cent, from the current rate of 2.8 per cent.

The US central bank estimates that growth will be 2.1 per cent by the end of the year.

“Growth in the US has been shown to be more resilient than in Europe,” said David Rogal, a portfolio manager at BlackRock. He added that this was partly due to the US having a relatively closed economy and heavy government spending.

Europe, he said, has “a more open economy with more sensitivity to global manufacturing developments, as well as less of the fiscal impulse”.

Rating agency Fitch forecasts that the US government’s budget deficit, the difference between its total expenditures and revenues, will be 8.1 per cent of gross domestic product this year, compared with 1.4 per cent for Germany.

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Infamous boat-sinking orcas spotted hundreds of miles from where they should be, baffling scientist

Orcas that attack and sink boats in southwestern Europe have been spotted circling a vessel in Spain, hundreds of miles from where they should currently be. And scientists can't explain why.

Orcas that have been terrorizing boats in southwest Europe since 2020 were recently spotted circling a vessel in Spain for the first time this year. The close encounter, which took place hundreds of miles from where the cetaceans should currently be, hints that this group is switching up its tactics — and scientists have no idea why.

The Iberian subpopulation of orcas ( Orcinus orca ) is a small group of around 40 individuals that lives off the coast of Spain and Portugal, as well as in the Strait of Gibraltar — a narrow body of water between southern Spain and North Africa that separates the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. 

Since 2020, individuals from this group have been approaching and occasionally attacking boats , sometimes causing serious damage to the vessels and even sinking them. The most recent sinking occurred on Oct. 31, 2023 , but the orcas have sent at least three other boats to the bottom of the sea . However, no humans have been injured or killed.  

Related: Orcas are learning terrifying new behaviors. Are they getting smarter?  

On April 10, three of these orcas were spotted persistently swimming near a large yacht off the coast of Malpica in Galicia, northern Spain, local news site Diario de Pontevedra reported . The trio did not attack the vessel, but local conservation group Orca Ibérica GTOA, which has been closely monitoring the Iberian subpopulation, warned boaters to "take caution when passing through" the area.

The encounter was surprising as the orcas don't normally venture this far north until mid to late summer, Spanish science news site gCiencia reported . 

"Theoretically, they are in the Strait [of Gibraltar] in the spring and should reach the north [of Spain] at the end of the summer," Alfredo López Fernandez , a biologist at the University of Aveiro in Portugal and representative of the Atlantic Orca Working Group, told gCiencia in the translated article. "There is an absolute lack of knowledge" about why this is happening, he added. 

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Other orcas have also been spotted further east along the Spanish coastline toward Biscay and further south in Portuguese waters over the last few weeks, gCiencia reported. The orcas normally only enter these areas to follow tuna, their preferred prey. It is unclear if the tuna have arrived early this year.

So far, the orcas have not attacked any boats. But López Fernandez believes this could start within the next few months. However, he says it is hard to predict when and where these encounters will occur.

Scientists still don't know exactly why these attacks started. Some researchers believe that the first attacks may have been perpetrated by a lone female named "White Gladis," who may have been pregnant when she started harassing the boats . But regardless of how it started, the behavior quickly spread among the group. 

So far, at least 16 different individuals have attacked boats. Eyewitnesses also claim to have seen orcas teaching other individuals how to attack boats, with an emphasis on attacking vessels' rudders to immobilize them.

There is also a suggestion that the behavior may have spread outside the population after a boat in Scotland was attacked by a different group in June 2023. However, it is impossible to prove this attack was connected to the others.

— 11 ways orcas show their terrifying intelligence

— How often do orcas attack humans?

— How orcas gained their 'killer' reputation

As the number of attacks has increased, boat owners have started using firecrackers and even guns to scare off the orcas, gCiencia reported. However, scientists like López Fernandez have urged for restraint because the subpopulation is "in danger of extinction."

"We want to transmit real and truthful information," López Fernandez said. "We're not going to hide that the orcas can touch the boats and sometimes break something, but we also have to be aware that what we have in front of us is not a monster."

Harry is a U.K.-based senior staff writer at Live Science. He studied marine biology at the University of Exeter before training to become a journalist. He covers a wide range of topics including space exploration, planetary science, space weather, climate change, animal behavior, evolution and paleontology. His feature on the upcoming solar maximum was shortlisted in the "top scoop" category at the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Awards for Excellence in 2023. 

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9 corpses found adrift in boat off Brazil were likely migrants from Mauritania and Mali, police say

A boat that was carrying decomposing corpses is lifted to shore by authorities at the Vila do Castelo port in Braganca, Brazil, early Monday, April 15, 2024. Security forces and forensics were dispatched to the area after fishermen reported on Saturday spotting the boat off the coast of Para state. (AP Photo/Raimundo Pacco)

A boat that was carrying decomposing corpses is lifted to shore by authorities at the Vila do Castelo port in Braganca, Brazil, early Monday, April 15, 2024. Security forces and forensics were dispatched to the area after fishermen reported on Saturday spotting a boat with decomposing corpses off the coast of Para state. (AP Photo/Raimundo Pacco)

Police help move a boat that was carrying decomposing corpses to the Vila do Castelo port in Braganca, Brazil, early Monday, April 15, 2024. Security forces and forensics were dispatched to the area after fishermen reported on Saturday spotting a boat with decomposing corpses off the coast of Para state. (AP Photo/Raimundo Pacco)

Police move a boat that was carrying corpses to the Vila do Castelo port in Braganca, Brazil, early Monday, April 15, 2024. Security forces and forensics were dispatched to the area after fishermen reported on Saturday spotting a boat with decomposing corpses off the coast of Para state. (AP Photo/Raimundo Pacco)

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Brazilian police investigating the grim discovery of a boat full of corpses say the dead were likely African migrants from Mali and Mauritania.

Fishermen off Brazil’s northern coastal state of Pará found the boat adrift Saturday in the Atlantic ocean. Brazil’s Federal police said in a statement late Monday it had recovered nine dead in total.

“Documents and objects found near the bodies indicate that the victims were migrants from the African continent, from the region of Mauritania and Mali,” the statement read. Police added that other nationalities could be among the deceased.

The roughly 12-meter (39-foot) -long white and blue canoe-shaped boat found in Brazil shares the same characteristics of Mauritanian fishing pirogues frequently used by West African migrants and refugees fleeing to Spain’s Canary Islands, suggesting Brazil was probably not their destination.

The Atlantic route from West Africa to the European Union territory is one of the most dangerous in the world. Boats that miss their destination can be swept away by Atlantic trade winds and currents from east to west, drifting for months. Migrants aboard often die of dehydration and malnutrition. Others have also been known jump into the ocean out desperation.

An Associated Press investigation published last year revealed that in 2021, at least seven boats from northwest Africa had been found in the Caribbean and Brazil, all carrying dead bodies.

A 500% spike in migration from the northwest coast of Africa to Spain this year has alarmed European authorities. Despite a 210 million euro deal signed in February between the European Union and Mauritania, the majority of departures have taken place from the West African nation.

While more than 13,000 migrants have reached the Canaries so far in 2024, according to Spain’s interior ministry, hundreds others have been reported missing. In Mauritania, families have even set up a “national commission” charged with looking for the disappeared migrants. They have been following news of the boat found in Brazil anxiously, according to families who contacted AP.

Brazilian federal police say they are still working to identify the bodies and the cause of death, a difficult task given the advanced state of decomposition they were found in.

Follow AP’s coverage of global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration

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