Need advice, moving to Costa Rica

[speyfly]

Hello all, I am looking for any advice regarding buying a pre-owned salty off shore boat for sport fishing (mostly fly fishing) and motoring to Costa Rica (Pacific Side) for retirement. I guess I am looking for information on the logistics of such a move like cost of buying here vs. buying there, fuel costs of diesel vs. gas to get to Costa Rica, type and cost of boat (I’m thinking maybe up to $40,000 for boat) and any other information would be greatly appreciated. I have not decided if I will buy a home there and purchase a smaller supper panga (26’ to 28’) or buy something bigger to live on.

Thanks in advance.

[dlgobeavs]

I'd do some research on taxes for an imported boat. I know that if you move there and try to ship your stuff into the country that charge a HUGE tax!

What part of Costa Rica are you planning on living?

[ 03-07-2004, 10:27 PM: Message edited by: dlgobeavs ]

[Rodbender]

Originally posted by speyfly:
any other information would be greatly appreciated.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Brush on your Spanish language skills and don't cut all your ties to your present day home.
I lived in CR for a while in the late 80's-some nice people/decent fishing but the place is crawling with thieves some with briefcases some with knives.

[speyfly]

Thanks for your reply guys.

dlgobeavs, I know about the taxes that are owed if you bring anything in with you like boats (don’t have yet other than my drift boat), cars (1996 Dodge diesel 4X4), and just about anything else. Trying to do cost comparisons on shipping, taxes and other costs. The wife and I don’t owe anyone anything other that the mortgage and we have 50% equity in that. The area most likely will be the Golfito (Golfo Dulce) area. For fishing it does not get much better and once you pass the tip of the Osa (Cabo Matapolo) your in the blue water plus the ocean is a little tamer that the northern end. My wife and I went down a few years back (one month) to see if it would be somewhere to retire and yes we can see ourselves there. I have to say the fly fishing for inshore and offshore species ruined me.

Rodbender, like just about any other place CR does have its problems but this place is getting pretty bad too. My Spanish is poor so I will be taking some classes as will my wife. All in all it’s about retiring soon (hopefully) and spending the remaining years somewhere peaceful with world class fly fishing. If I don’t do this I will be working till I am dead. It costs way too much to live here now and only to get worse but that’s another topic.

Any other feedback is welcome.

Dennis

[Miss B Haven]

I don't know about Costa Rice- but almost all the Charter boats in Cabo (other than Panga's) are bought in So. Cal and moved down. There just aren't many boats for sale there other than the old worn out ones that the Charters are trying to get rid of.
Not many Costa Ricans can afford a boat so no market for new, no used.

You might get lucky and find one from somebody whos getting out of the busines or?? I'd be really careful, if CR is anything like Mexico, having a title doesn't mean the same thing as it does here. Don't get ripped! [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

[Beer Waggin]

If it was me, I'd buy something here and plan to live on it there. I'm thinking paying for a moorage would be far less of a hasle.
The big marine in Golfito has slips, or at the very least a moorage buoy to tie up to. The place is run by American's and most of the larger, well kept boats were owned by American's. Call Capt. Bruce Blevins @ 011-506-775-0838 or email him at bbmarina@racsa.co.cr and he'll give you the scoop. He runs the place although I don't think he owns it. You can see the place on the web at bananabaymarina.com.

Good luck!

[Uglygreen]

Can I come visit? - :grin:

UG

[speyfly]

UG, yes you are invited. The plan is to set up guide service to help with the expenses. Having spent a month down there in early 2001 to research the opportunities and how much other guide sevices charge ($800/day for the boat)I can set up a small inshore/offshore guide service for the budget minded or at least that is the plan right now.

[speyfly]

Goodidea, I understand that there are risks in life and when you’re in a foreign country the risks can be amplified. On a three month trip to South America I felt like my life was in danger once but other than that I was very comfortable with the areas I traveled to and through. I'm fortunate to have traveled quite a bit and know the ropes so to speak. The good news is that I will not have to make a living to survive and the guiding is something to do when we get there. Having spent a month in the Golfito area and meeting many people that either live their full time or visit for extended periods prefer southern Costa Rica above just about everywhere else. If you’re on the Caribbean side that’s another story and yes crime is an issue but the Pacific side is much more gringo friendly. While it is true that San Jose can be a little ruff like most American big cities and will not be living there, we found it to be a kick in the butt. Overall CR is as safe as it gets in the Central America’s.

[Billfisher]

If you're looking to buy on your way down, try these guys. I just purchased a Trophy (used) from them, and they are treating me right. THey happen to have some very good boats for the CR type application.

-D

http://www.inlandautoandboat.com/

[Billfisher]

By the way, make sure you have any boat from them surveyed before making an offer. They are honest, but I should have done this first. -D

[speyfly]

Thanks Billfisher for the link. Looks like they carry some nice stuff.

I'm crunching the numbers and have been thinking about buying a project boat hull, doing the referb work on it so I know the boat and then re-powering with a new engine or engine set (twins). I kind of like the idea of two engines when offshore. I think my biggest problem will be finding a 23’ to 28’ center console hull like I want in the NW. A lot of nice boats on the east coast, gulf coast and southern Ca but it’s long distance to shop there.

A couple more questions if I may… What’s the difference between lets say 200hp single engine and twin 100hp related to fuel economy and performance? How do you guys power your boats and why? Any other input is appreciated.

Thanks

[ 03-10-2004, 06:49 AM: Message edited by: speyfly ]

[Goodidea]

A friend of mine sold his business and moved to Costa Rica a few years ago to run a bed and breakfast and fishing camp...
Came back broke with only the shirt on his back. Also literally got stabbed in the back while down there.

Be careful.