- Joined
- Jun 16, 2015
- Messages
- 358
- Reaction score
- 216
- Points
- 43
- Location
- Brisbane, Australia
- Model
- Seafarer
In about 2011 when the Aussie dollar was at parity with the US dollar I started thinking about importing a 228. Didn’t happen then. Then the Aussie dollar dropped, so started to search in Australia. But a well-kept 228 over here under AUD$100,000 were rare.
A couple of months ago I got sick of waiting. I started looking to import from the US again. I found a boat I was interested in, but when I contacted the seller he didn’t want the hassle of selling internationally. Luckily the company I am importing through has a US contact so he carried out all negotiations. An extra US$600 broker’s fee but worth it.
The seller is selling to buy a 2019-2020 228. That will be his third.
It’s a 2006 with a 12/05 Yamaha 250hp 1400 hrs. Lower unit new 2019(mild external corrosion). Mid-engine replaced as a preventative measure due to the Yamaha exhaust corrosion problem. All service records. Services carried out at Grady White dealer. The outboard motor housing was repainted and re-decaled recently.
The clears are new. The upholstery on the helm and passengers seat has just been replaced.
The rest of the upholstery looks as new.
Electronics include 10.4” Furuno NAVnet VX2 C-map NT Max radar/chartplotter/color video sounder.
Uniden ES UM625c DSC VHF radio.
Uniden submersible handheld VHF radio.
All safety equipment.
The comprehensive 7-page marine survey report (not including photos) was better than I could have hoped for.
From the report:
“Work items marked with an asterisk * are those I feel should be accomplished/corrected to meet underwriter’s requirements. Most of these recommendations are based on applicable C.F.R. regulations and A.B.Y.C. voluntary standards in effect at the time of the boat’s construction. Note that there is only one item marked with an asterisk in this report.”
*Fire extinguisher out of date.
“The general condition of this boat is very good to excellent. In most respects it shows as well as a new boat. It appears to have been particularly well maintained.”
“This is a top dollar boat and the valuation I gave it reflects this.“
The only downside is it is bottom painted but I can live with that, for awhile anyway.
I got very lucky. The day after we put a deposit down, someone offered US$5000 above the asking price but the seller honoured our agreement.
All paid for. Now I have a six weeks wait. 2 weeks for the Load Rite trailer, then 4 weeks in transit to Australia.
It’s been a long time coming. It’s going to be a big step up in comfort after owning a couple of aluminium centre consoles. 16 and 18 feet.
The import process added about a third to the purchase price. Which would be about the same price or a bit more IF I had found the same boat in Australia. That is a big IF.
Now I just have to wait. It’s going to be a long 6 weeks.
A couple of months ago I got sick of waiting. I started looking to import from the US again. I found a boat I was interested in, but when I contacted the seller he didn’t want the hassle of selling internationally. Luckily the company I am importing through has a US contact so he carried out all negotiations. An extra US$600 broker’s fee but worth it.
The seller is selling to buy a 2019-2020 228. That will be his third.
It’s a 2006 with a 12/05 Yamaha 250hp 1400 hrs. Lower unit new 2019(mild external corrosion). Mid-engine replaced as a preventative measure due to the Yamaha exhaust corrosion problem. All service records. Services carried out at Grady White dealer. The outboard motor housing was repainted and re-decaled recently.
The clears are new. The upholstery on the helm and passengers seat has just been replaced.
The rest of the upholstery looks as new.
Electronics include 10.4” Furuno NAVnet VX2 C-map NT Max radar/chartplotter/color video sounder.
Uniden ES UM625c DSC VHF radio.
Uniden submersible handheld VHF radio.
All safety equipment.
The comprehensive 7-page marine survey report (not including photos) was better than I could have hoped for.
From the report:
“Work items marked with an asterisk * are those I feel should be accomplished/corrected to meet underwriter’s requirements. Most of these recommendations are based on applicable C.F.R. regulations and A.B.Y.C. voluntary standards in effect at the time of the boat’s construction. Note that there is only one item marked with an asterisk in this report.”
*Fire extinguisher out of date.
“The general condition of this boat is very good to excellent. In most respects it shows as well as a new boat. It appears to have been particularly well maintained.”
“This is a top dollar boat and the valuation I gave it reflects this.“
The only downside is it is bottom painted but I can live with that, for awhile anyway.
I got very lucky. The day after we put a deposit down, someone offered US$5000 above the asking price but the seller honoured our agreement.
All paid for. Now I have a six weeks wait. 2 weeks for the Load Rite trailer, then 4 weeks in transit to Australia.
It’s been a long time coming. It’s going to be a big step up in comfort after owning a couple of aluminium centre consoles. 16 and 18 feet.
The import process added about a third to the purchase price. Which would be about the same price or a bit more IF I had found the same boat in Australia. That is a big IF.
Now I just have to wait. It’s going to be a long 6 weeks.
