Port Credit Marine Surveys & Yacht Delivery from Ontario Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors American Boat & Yacht Council essential boating courses	All about buying a used boat here in Canada . I wish it were simpler but a large dose of caveat emptor is the rule of the day. Good luck !	Searching for a bargain south of the border ? There are a number of things to be aware of if you are considering buying a boat in the US.
	Buying a Hurricane Boat This article was written for Katrina and Sandy but as we are in the midst of Ian I thought it relevant to today. Use a Yacht Broker or Not, surveyors and brokers do not always get along as our purposes may be diametrically opposed but my views on this may surprise you. What's a HIN, more correctly called a HIN/MIC this is much like the V.I.N. on your car and should be the very first thing you ask about a propective purchase. this may also help you find recall data and may even help track the history a little bit. How much is she worth, how much should I pay, boat valuations are much more complicated than cars and the only part of my job I'm not fond of. All I can tell you is how I go about putting a value on a boat. Found the boat of your dreams ? Now learn how to inspect her with Marine Survey 101. Lien searching a boat, Not the easiest thing to do and all I can offer is this link to the Government of Ontario or you could buy through a broker and let him worry about it. Buying an older boat. We can't all pop for 600k for a new one so you better learn what to look out for in an older one. this list is a recap of the highlights and low lights of what to look for. Getting Her Home You can hire a captain if you don't have the time to do it yourself or have it trucked. Here are a few things to consider. USCG HIN and recall database Check this US Coast Guard site for possible recalls and safety notices on your model boat. Is she Licensed or Registered or perhaps "US documented" or "State Registered" and what's the difference. Depending on your cruising intentions, whether or not you need a marine mortage or if you are buying a US documented vessel, there are things you need to know. How to get or change a boat license in Canada not as easy as it used to be. Canada Boat Shopper List your boat on line yourself if you wish to avoid brokerage fees List of Ontario Yacht Brokers An incomplete list of boat brokers in Ontario. Stoopid Tricks by Boat Builders or why isn't anyone watching these guys. Stoopid Tricks by Boat Owners or "Masters of Their Own Disasters".	Buying a hurricane boat Sandy boats are hitting the market and a lot of the damage will be covered up. This is not a market for the inexperienced and sometimes not even for the highly experienced. Canadian Border Services Agency What you need to cross the border with your new boat. Florida State Stolen property Florida has list of stolen boats. Protect yourself. Todd & Assoc. This marine surveyors website has a list of stolen boats in the US. Caveat emptor. Marine Documentation Service, Inc. This is one of many US companies that will perform lien searches, delete vessel from USCG documentation, and handle secured transfer of funds. Perhaps the best way to protect your money. USCG HIN and recall database Check this US Coast Guard site for possible recalls and safety notices on your model boat. Pascoe on buying a hurricane boat. Surveyor David Pascoe has some interesting points about buying a hurricane salvage boat. Hiring a US surveyor There are some very good ones but you may be at a disadvantage hiring at a distance. I have a few tips for you. Crossing the 49th,a few dollars for this online book will This online book costs only a few dollars and will show you step by step through the customs and tax importation issues. It's not all that complicated but why re-invent the wheel. BoatUS® Guide to Buying and Selling, I'm a fan of These guys are the only consumer activists in the business. Support them if you can. If you bring a boat back from the US on it's own bottom, do not do so without the dirt cheap BoatUS® towing insurance. Boat Chek An interesting concept to preview boats for sale before you pop for an airline ticket. Yacht Salvage.com Check out the salvage vessels for sale here. Buy it cheap, throw on some bondo and paint and you too can make buck. National Liquidators As with the link above at least if you buy one here you'll know it was a salvage boat. Getting Her Home You can hire a captain if you don't have the time to do it yourself or have it trucked. Here are a few things to consider.