My company imports foreign-built catamaran yachts, sail and power, in the $350K to $2M range. I've been doing this for more than 25 years. In the past 2 or 3 years I've noticed a substantial increase in the number of my clients who are choosing to register their yachts under a flag other than the U.S. flag. (A pity -- it wasn't all that long ago that a cruising vessel flying the stars-n-stripes was generally welcomed in most ports of call. Alas, this seems to be diminishing these days.) I have no affiliation nor financial connection with the following company ("Sail Simple"), but a few of my clients have spoken well of them, and used them. Sail Simple provides BVI (British Virgin Island) registration of private yachts. (A flagging that appears to elicit few complaints in ports around the world.) I'm not sure about the cost, though I think it's less than $2K. SAIL SIMPLE Mr. Mark Moran Ship Registration Manager Sail Simple Tel: (954)346-4473 Fax: (954)346-4473 Direct email: mark@sailsimple.com Website: www.sailsimple.comflag their vessels under Again, this is neither an endorsement nor a recommendation -- simply an offering of information possibly relevant to this particular internet thread. Smooth Seas, Rod Gibbons founder: Cruising Cats USA Seattle - Portland - SF Bay - Hawaii toll-free: (877) 937-2287 -----Original Message----- >From: Ken Williams <kenw@seanet.com> >Sent: Jan 16, 2007 11:38 AM >To: 'Passagemaking Under Power List' <passagemaking-under-power@lists.samurai.com> >Subject: Re: [PUP] Offshore insurance > >Scott: > >If you speak to more insurance companies, and if it isn't any extra work, >can you ask them about whether your ability to get insurance varies based on >whether or not your vessel is US flagged? > >I have been told, but have not verified this, that insurance is much >cheaper, and simpler to find, if your vessel is not US flagged. The reason I >was given is that the US has the most expensive litigation should anything >go wrong (punitive damages, etc) > >We will be taking delivery of our new boat in a few months, and I'm on the >fence as to whether or not to US flag it. The majority of our cruising will >be non-US, so it might make sense for us. > >As I start my quest for insurance, I'll let you know what I find. > >-Ken Williams >Nordhavn68.com > > >-----Original Message----- >From: passagemaking-under-power-bounces@lists.samurai.com >[mailto:passagemaking-under-power-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of >scottebulger@comcast.net >Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:12 AM >To: PUP >Subject: [PUP] Offshore insurance > >I just got off the phone with Overseas Insurance, one of the companies >recommended by Nordhavn. I am currently with Zurich (purchased through >Overseas). When I advised Overseas I planned a departure this summer for a >2 year Caribbean cruise they said Zurich would not carry the policy, and >that I should submit an itinerary and a boating experience resume for my >wife and I. They would then submit it to Loyds of London and see if they >would write a policy. I'm certain my wife and I don't have enough boating >experience to satisfy them. I am prepared to leave without insurance and >simply "self insure". > >My question is this: How many of you cruising couples have succeeded in >acquiring insurance? > >Was this an instant process or did you have to "earn your stripes"? > >Assuming you do NOT have insurance, have you been refused moorage at any >marinas in the U.S., Central America, Mexico, or the Lesser Antilles? > >Would it be possible to get a "Liability Rider" on my personal insurance >that might substitute for Yacht Insurance. I'm not concerned about insuring >the boat against loss, but am concerned about liability. One of the >problems with a "Rider" is you have to have something for the policy to >"ride" on. Having sold the house, cars and other belongings, I'm not sure >what I'd use as a base policy? Any thoughts on this are welcome and >appreciated! Thanks, Scott >_______________________________________________ > >Passagemaking Under Power and PUP are trademarks of Water World Productions, formerly known as Trawler World Productions. > >To be removed from the PUP list send an email with the >subject "unsubscribe" (no quotes) to the link below: > >mailto:passagemaking-under-power@lists.samurai.com > >Passagemaking-Under-Power Mailing List