advice on buying boat in US

[Bibbs]

Just need some advice on buying a boat in US. We live in Canada and have a 2007 20V. Saw the new RZR and would love to upgrade.Wife says look into selling 20V in Canada and buying new one out of the states as prices appear to be bout 10g less. Will of course check with our dealer first to see what the price difference is.Questions are
Have any Canadians on this site done it
Will dealers or banks give loans (we do have a wells fargo account as we own a condo in Phoenix)
Is there any concerns buying and taking a boat across border
Any advice would be appreciated and any dealers info would be great also.
Thanks in advance Bibbs

[giers]

I would think it would not be any different then buying a RV from the states. you would just need to make the clear title with your name on it hits the border before you do. Lots of my friends have bought RV and boats from the US with bank loans from Canada. Find a broker and they can assist you.

PS: I may have a buyer for your 20v.

[Ewok]

I was bored, here is a 10 min google search for you. I couldn't find how much duty would be but the boat is made in TX so you might not have to pay duty thanks to NAFTA. Thank you for supporting our economy.

From http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/imp-mar-eng.html

If you are importing a marine pleasure craft at a land border crossing, you must declare it to the border services officer; all processing will take place at that location. You must also declare the boat trailer if you have purchased one with the vessel. Please ensure that you have the bill of sale and proof of ownership ready to present to the officer.

For more detailed information on licensing and registering marine pleasure craft, please visit the Service Canada and Transport Canada Web sites.

You are obligated by law to declare the importation of your marine pleasure craft to the CBSA upon its initial arrival in Canada and pay all applicable duty and taxes, regardless of where the vessel is licensed or registered. Failure to do so may result in penalties or other legal action being taken against you.

It is recommended that you keep proof of your CBSA declaration or payment of duty and taxes on board the marine pleasure craft for future reference, particularly if you take frequent trips outside Canada.

From http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...56-eng.html#s3

Your goods qualify for the U.S. duty-free rate under NAFTA if the following applies:

the goods are for your personal use; and
the goods are marked as made in the United States, Canada or Mexico, or
the goods are not marked or labelled to indicate that they were made anywhere other than in the United States, Canada or Mexico.
If you would like more information on goods eligible under NAFTA, refer to Memorandum D11-4-13, Rules of Origin for Casual Goods Regulations, which is available on the CBSA's Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca under “Publications and forms,” or you can call BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information.”

[Bibbs]

Thanks for the input (Ewok that was alot of useful info which I appreciate). Not ready to get rid of the 20V till I see if we will bite the bullet on a new one and how much more it will cost.Getting info to present case to my wife.Tough decision as our summers are a little short here.

[Ewok]

No problem, I spent the first 22 summers of my life on the Rideau Canal in Ontario Canada, beautiful country up there, and I still have lots of friends there. I've never been out west in Canada but I hope to after I move to WA. Folks there would be forced to buy all their vehicles in Canada because duty canceled out any advantage to buying stuff in the US but since NAFTA that might have changed.

[gman]

If you are considering a loan, You may want to take a good look at situtation on boat loans. I understand they are rather difficult to get at that is what dealers are saying in calif and only a few banks are willing to provide boat loans.

[Dave K]

I've bought a few from the States.

#1 before your go down email a specific list of q's on EVERYTHING, and ask them to rate it on a scale of 1-10,
#2 Always have a back-up boat or 2 to see in the event the first is junk
#3 I have never paid duty just PST and GST on the American value,
#4 Make sure you have out of country health insurance.
#5 Do the research and dont just reply on iboats, craigslist, kijiji etc etc. Search and compile a list of dealers from the areas you are willing to drive to. Alot of nice boats dont even hit these "for sale forums". You could find an exact match for you that is sitting a dealership which they havent posted yet.
#6 If you find a "perfect boat" dont wait too long or you'll mise out.
#7 If you buy from a dealer a small deposit should hold. If you by from a private owner dont send too big of a deposit it hold it, just in case its a scam. Most are good owners who will hold a boat for 1 or 2 days till you drive down.
#8 When inquiring about a boat stay away from the guys who are vague and only show a few pictures. They have something to hide. I find if there are no close up pics and not a complete list of everything thats on the boat it may not reach your expectations based on verbal talk from the owner.
#9 If the owner does not want to answer my list of questions then there issues somewhere.
The following is a link to a boat I sold. 60 pictures are on there. It showed I had nothing to hide.

http://s877.photobucket.com/albums/a...i_R/?start=all


Hear is basically a form email I have used to try and determine if a boat is worth driving down for.

Your boat looks very quite nice and I am very interested in your boat, and considering making you a reasonable offer. I am from Canada, and I will be basically purchasing site unseen. I’ll need your help on information and the pictures you send, so it is critical I get as much info as possible. How many hours are on the hour meter?

1. On a scale of 1-10 please rate seats and carpet, any tears or split seams?

2. On a scale of 1-10 please rate hull, (scratches and/or gouges)

3. On a scale of 1-10 please rate trailer, (brakes Hydralic or surge)?

4. On a scale of 1-10 please rate engine,

5. Have you had any engine work done, when was the impeller last replaced?

6. Are you the original owner, and if not where did the boat come from?

7. Any salt water use?

8. Have you had any engine work done?

9. Does it have a fresh water cooling intake or is it a closed system?

10. Do you have a title and registration card for the boat and trailer?

11. Will I be able to water test it with you?

12. Perfect-pass or accu-pass?

13. Heater?

14. Shower?

15. Ballast and how many pounds?

16. What do you have for a stereo, amps speakers etc?

17. What kind of tower?

18. Why are you selling?

19. Single or tandem trailer? Manufacturer?



I will require a title & registration showing no leins, to get this across the border. If you do have leins on this boat/trailer, I don’t really have a problem with that, as long as we can contact your bank and make the proper arrangements and get the documents I need. I could make a cash transfer to your bank or have a cash bank draft for you. Either way, we could even just do that right at your bank. That would be the safest and easiest for both of us, and your bank can verify that you do receive your money.

[Dave K]

I was bored, here is a 10 min google search for you. I couldn't find how much duty would be but the boat is made in TX so you might not have to pay duty thanks to NAFTA. Thank you for supporting our economy. NO duty is required to be paid because it is made in US
From http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/imp-mar-eng.html

If you are importing a marine pleasure craft at a land border crossing, you must declare it to the border services officer; all processing will take place at that location. You must also declare the boat trailer if you have purchased one with the vessel. Please ensure that you have the bill of sale and proof of ownership ready to present to the officer. You MUST have the value of the boat and the trailer listed separate if you pay provincial taxes. Obviously Alberta is excluded.
For more detailed information on licensing and registering marine pleasure craft, please visit the Service Canada and Transport Canada Web sites. Licensing is FREE and is good for 10 years. That would be the Boat number that is on the hull. Any service canada office can do it in a matter of 5 minutes. You will need a bill of sale and the previous owners title.
You are obligated by law to declare the importation of your marine pleasure craft to the CBSA upon its initial arrival in Canada and pay all applicable duty and taxes, regardless of where the vessel is licensed or registered. Failure to do so may result in penalties or other legal action being taken against you. Boats do not need inspection but a trailer newer than 10 years does. It costs $210 bucks and is safetied at Canadian Tire. Do a search on the trailer or contact manufacturer to see if there are any recalls. Get a email or letter if possible saying no recalls.
It is recommended that you keep proof of your CBSA declaration or payment of duty and taxes on board the marine pleasure craft for future reference, particularly if you take frequent trips outside Canada. Once it is registered in Canada you should not have any problem crossing border as the record is in the "giant we know you inside and out computer".
From http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...56-eng.html#s3

Your goods qualify for the U.S. duty-free rate under NAFTA if the following applies:

the goods are for your personal use; and
the goods are marked as made in the United States, Canada or Mexico, or
the goods are not marked or labelled to indicate that they were made anywhere other than in the United States, Canada or Mexico.
If you would like more information on goods eligible under NAFTA, refer to Memorandum D11-4-13, Rules of Origin for Casual Goods Regulations, which is available on the CBSA's Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca under “Publications and forms,” or you can call BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information.”

Pretty easy really. Coming though the border is no sweat just be honest and declare everything!

[thtrog]

That Moose in you photo album was HUGE!
Nice fish too!

[ragboy]

Bibbs, I talked to a dealer today, he said that if you buy a boat in canada from the us, warranty is void, and vise versa. They do that so that people aren't crossing boarders due to exchange rates and stuff. Bottom line is that its frowned upon, I guess, and purposely prevented.

[Donkey]

Get your best price from the US and go to your dealer and be open and let him know the price. He should be able to match it as they all buy the boats in US funds. Price should not be different.

[Bibbs]

Thanks guys for the info. I have been talking to my dealer and just getting some rough prices. Might hold off a little bit but have to do some more searching to make a final decision. Thanks again