Grady-White fan from Europe....

[buddy13]

My very first post here, so I hope this is the right section!

Short intro. I'm a 33 year old Mechanical Engineer from a very small island (Malta) in the EU. Brought up on a small rock surrounded by the sea I always had a fascination with it, so scuba diving, free diving, fishing & boating are amongst my favourite past times . When I was young I used to go fishing with my uncle, who had a 24 feet Coronet Weekender - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r84A-lYUPg .I would always dream of owning such a boat. To this day, similar boats, having an enclosed flared bow, and deep V hull keep drawing me to them. Perhaps, that is why I came across and liked Grady-White boats.

We mainly use our boats in the summer months in very hot weather, so cuddy cabins/walkarounds are a favourite over pilot houses/enclosed cabins. Sea conditions (even inshore) are far from perfect with constant wind, swell and choppy wave conditions being very common. I therefore think that a boat with a soft riding hull & high freeboard is essential for a nice day out on the sea.

I own a locally built 20 foot Buccaneer 198C 'sundeck' (as seen here - http://www.buccaneerboatsltd.com/page.a ... uctid=198C ) equipped with a Yamaha F115 4 Stroke Outboard & 9.9 Mercury 2 Stroke auxilliary. It has been good to me and me and my girlfriend have done everything from fishing offshore to overnighting & diving off the boat. However I'd like to upgrade to a boat with the below specs:

- 20 to 23 feet long
- Easy Bow access
- Deep V
- Flared Bow
- High Freeboard
- Self draining deck (with multiple scuttles)
- Foam filled hull
- V berth with portholes/hatches
- Cabin with small sink & marine WC
- Single Outboard/Diesel shaft drive power
- Ability to safely take offshore 10-15 miles in choppy seas

The GW Adventure 208 would be a perfect fit for me, problem is finding a Grady-White for sale somewhere 'close' within the EU :| . Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece & Cyprus being the most feasible countries I could import from. I have also looked for similar US boats (Pursuit, Seafox, Proline etc.) but couldn't find practically nothing. Are there GW boats for sale in the area on this forum? Also, what other brands, possibly more easily sourced would fit my list above?

Appreciate any advice. Looking forward to learn more about these no nonsense US boats.

 

[Deep Blue]

Hi, great first post!

What do you mean by "in the area" - Europe or the U.S.? The Internet is your friend with this search, I imagine it would be far less expensive to find the boat you want in the EU.

 

[buddy13]

Hi, great first post!

What do you mean by "in the area" - Europe or the U.S.? The Internet is your friend with this search, I imagine it would be far less expensive to find the boat you want in the EU.

By that I mean in the EU. It is not feasible to buy from outside EU as heavy import taxes will apply.

I'm having a hard time finding any GW boats for sale within EU :cry:

 

[Doc Stressor]

If you find a Grady in an EU country, the transportation and VAT costs will already be included in the asking price. From what I can see, boats are a lot more expensive in Europe than in the US.

There are several shipping companies that specialize in transporting boats and cars to Europe. What is the VAT rate in Malta? The biggest barrier to importing a boat from the US is negotiating the value of the boat with the local authorities. Some seem to allow the price on the bill of sale, but I've heard horror stories where some have insisted on the value of a new boat even though the boat being imported was used.

BTW, the lowest prices for used Gradys in the US are found in the South East and in Florida. They cost a lot more on the West Coast and in the Northeast.

 

[buddy13]

If you find a Grady in an EU country, the transportation and VAT costs will already be included in the asking price. From what I can see, boats are a lot more expensive in Europe than in the US.

There are several shipping companies that specialize in transporting boats and cars to Europe. What is the VAT rate in Malta? The biggest barrier to importing a boat from the US is negotiating the value of the boat with the local authorities. Some seem to allow the price on the bill of sale, but I've heard horror stories where some have insisted on the value of a new boat even though the boat being imported was used.

BTW, the lowest prices for used Gradys in the US are found in the South East and in Florida. They cost a lot more on the West Coast and in the Northeast.

Everything is more expensive in EU

VAT rate is 18% VAT. You would also need to add other import taxes as this is considered a 'luxury' item!!

I will keep on the lookout for something within EU. Yesterday I saw a Robalo 235 and talked to her owner. He bought it from Greece. He has had it for a few years & is very happy with her but is considering upgrading, however it is out of my price league and would not fit my garage!