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Buying Sail Away Widebeam narrowboat from UK

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  • 14-10-2018 9:10pm
    #1
    rising_damp
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭


    I've been on Apolloduck looking at brand new Wide Beam Narrowboats in the UK with a view to buy a sail away basic shell early next year and transport it to Ireland. I've been on the Irish Apolloduck and nothing within price range has come up in the last 6 months and Riversdale Barge Builders don't reply to any emails or calls, which is sad because we are desperate to give them business. Was hoping changes to by-laws about derelict boats would get a few up online, but it hasn't happened. So we're currently researching the ins and outs of importing.

    I have a few questions regarding it and am really interested in connecting with anyone who has gone through this process themselves that I could email for a checklist.

    Here's the qs:

    1. If I'm buying a boat from a boat yard / broker, should I use a marine solicitor as a go between or am I protected under UK consumer rights laws? What kind of duty do I pay on the import and how is this done?

    2. If I am buying a boat from a person, should I use a UK based marine solicitor or an Irish one? (and if so, could anyone recommend one?) Do I pay tax on importing then?

    3. Has anyone used a haulage company they could recommend?

    4. On the IWAI website it says the max a boat can be on the Grand Canal is 61ft. A seasoned boater friend told me that he reckons locks in and around dublin aren't that big and put them at about 56ft. Can anyone confirm? We just really want the option to be there for rallies.

    5. Registering with Waterways Ireland - should we do this before it is launched?

    6. Insurance - We plan on doing continuous cruise around Ireland. What type of Insurance should we get?

    7. Boat building space - Is there anywhere that people can recommend for mooring while we construct the inside?

    8. How will Brexit affect importing boats?

    9. Anyone have any inspiring boat build projects?


    Any help greatly appreciated!


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    #2
    fergal.b
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 6,323 Mod ✭✭✭✭fergal.b


    Hi Rising Damp and welcome "I hope thats not going to be the name of your boat :) " Sorry I can't help with most of your questions, the last boat I brought in from the UK I used these https://www.shiply.com/ to get the best quote but you might need a more specialised hauler, over here I use these http://kennedyinternational.ie/ they should be able to do the job for you at a good price and can also arrange a crane I used them for my cruiser restoration you can see it in the sticky above. You might find it hard to find a place to launch from in Dublin maybe Malahide or Dun laoghaire would be better and then drive her up to Dublin.

    No harm in registering with WI now you will get a little welcome pack with information about the waterways that you can read while getting the boat ready.

    As it's a new boat you will be looking for fully com insurance it's nothing like the price you would pay for car insurance so don't worry too much.

    Best of luck with her I'll be keeping an eye on you as I may be going bigger and better myself someday. :D





    .


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    #3
    AndyBoBandy
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 14,994 Mod ✭✭✭✭AndyBoBandy


    rising_damp wrote: »
    1What kind of duty do I pay on the import and how is this done?

    2.Do I pay tax on importing then?

    If tax has already been paid on the boat in the EU, then no more tax will need to be paid.
    If the boat is pre 1986, and was in the EU on December 31st 1992 (I think this is the year) it is assumed the boat is tax compliant (tax paid in EU).
    If the boat is newer than 1986, you might need the proof that the boats VAT was paid (original sale invoice), however enforcement of this rule would be patchy at best on older boats! and if you were only planning to use the boat in Ireland, theres probably a 0.000001% chance a tax issue could come back to bite you. Generally this rule would be only enforced on newer, bigger (more expensive boats).

    I just bought a boat from England, a 1987 Beneteau, and the original sales invoice was not available, but there was paperwork dating back to a sale in 1990, so I took the chance on it. I might have an issue if I ever sailed to France, and an inspector came knocking looking for VAT proof, but I'll cross that ocean if I ever come to it. (I was also told by a very experienced skipper to just have some various bits of paperwork available, and more than likely they'd be fine with that, as they are merely just tick box exercises anyway).
    rising_damp wrote: »
    9. Anyone have any inspiring boat build projects?

    The man above, fergal.b did a pretty spectacular restoration job on a cruiser he found at the bottom of the shannon. check out the thread (and TV show appearance).


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    #4
    Ferris
    Registered Users Posts: 2,283 ✭✭✭Ferris


    Guinness barges were 61'6" so the canal must've accommodated them, and still does. If the IWAI says 61" then they must maintain the navigation to that


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    #5
    AdrianLM
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭AdrianLM



    Riversdale Barge Builders

    If you are looking up this direction you should give Gavin a call in Ballinamore marina (I have no affiliation).

    https://www.ballinamoremarina.com/

    He is importing steel cruisers and barges from Holland, he has a selection there and at least 1 barge, prices seem good value. I know you mentioned you were looking for a shell, but he might be able to source something for you or maybe he would have something that needs a certain amount of re fit.


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    #6
    AdrianLM
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭AdrianLM


    I was in B'more marina this evening working on my boat for a couple of hours. I was talking to Gavin and I asked him about getting a barge shell with an engine, he knows someone who got one in the last year or two, not cheap £75Kstg

    I asked him about the barge he has for sale, in useable condition but it could do with being updated, it has a small wheel house, has a bow thruster, just fitted with a Mercedes engine. He's looking for 37K for it, I was expecting him to say it would be about 60K, seems like really good value.

    As I said, I have no affiliation, they lifted my boat out for me end of August and I'm working on it in their yard. The boats he's getting in are in really good condition, he has a good contact in Holland that sources them for him. He did mention that someone was coming to have a look at it tomorrow.


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