Buying a Ski/Race boat in the USA

calais · 17-12-2011, 11:24 PM

G'Day Fellas,

Been looking at buying a ski boat for a while now for family recreation, and looking to do a little toward running the bridge to bridge in the social class with my brother.

In the family already we have an Everingham 19ft clinker with a 308 and have had and sold a Ramsay Puma with a 355 holden stroker (will always regret selling that one). But lately, I just havent been impressed by whats on the market when I'e been looking for our next boat. That was until I started looking in the USA.

I have been mainly looking at Sanger Bubbledecks and Halletts, both with flatbottoms which will give me the right hull set-up for smooth water and river running. It seems that in the USA some of the boats I have been checking out are seriously well specced for the money being asked, and are usually laid up over winter, and immaculately kept compared to what I've witnessed in Australia. A similarly specced rig in Australia would be double or triple the price!

This boat here particularly has my attention:

http://www.dragboatcity.com/boats-sa...%20sanger.html

Now I guess what im unsure about it whether or not I would have much trouble importing such a boat into Australia. I figure it would be much like importing a car, but without the L02 compliance mess. So around $4000 odd on top of the purchase price for shipping then another 3 or so grand for import duty and cleaning etc.....then rego as usual. I am thinking the trailer may pose a problem, but upgrading a trailer isnt a big deal.

I am keen to see if anyone has been down this path before, and if anyone might be able to shed some light on any pitfalls I may be glossing over?

Or if someone knows of another boat for which can compete on value or spec........ even better!

Cheers.

GTpilot · 18-12-2011, 09:12 AM

Drop a line to Greg at SKIFORCE in Melb. He'll be able to answer your every question and then some. 03 9470 1822.

**ebxr8240** · 18-12-2011, 10:06 AM

Left hand drive conversions are cheaper on boats...Lol...

Road_Warrior · 18-12-2011, 10:58 AM

My boss bought a US import boat a few years ago off a local agent, the boat itself was fine, but he said the trailer was a pain in the **** because no local/AU market parts would fit it as it was all oddball US stuff.

ZA-289 · 18-12-2011, 11:12 AM

Buy a boat without a trailer then buy/build a trailer over here

Kryton · 18-12-2011, 11:47 AM

Someone here recently bought a boat out of the USA and did a write up of the full costs and hoops that he encountered.
May pay to have a bit of a search around here and see if you can find the thread.

EDIT:
Here it is:
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ight=importing

calais · 18-12-2011, 12:03 PM

Awesome read ^ thankyou for posting mate.