Looking into buying a boat

[Tanimaga]

Anyone familiar with boat sites or sales in Okinawa? I have one site I frequent, but need to look around for a good deal..

Looking for a 20 footer or so..

[DoctorP]

I have a buddy that is considering buying a boat, but he's looking at buying in Australia and having it sailed up here...or going to get it.

[Tanimaga]

There is a company that ships boats from near Tokyo to New Zealand and Australia. They make no stops in Okinawa though. The Okinawan site I use is..


http://www.island-boat.com/

Some cheap.. some not so cheap.

I was intrigued by this one, although I can afford it, I don't want to pay that much.. this is the style I like though..

http://www.island-boat.com/plesure/793_la.html

[Asshat]

There is a company that ships boats from near Tokyo to New Zealand and Australia. They make no stops in Okinawa though. The Okinawan site I use is..


http://www.island-boat.com/

Some cheap.. some not so cheap.

I was intrigued by this one, although I can afford it, I don't want to pay that much.. this is the style I like though..

http://www.island-boat.com/plesure/793_la.html

Tani, he (island boat) is fairly representitive of what is available around here. The quoted prices are very negotiable. He can also find them in Japan and get them shipped down here.

I don't know what your boating aims are, but 20 feet with an outboard is on the small side for the sea conditions and distances to good fishing. If you are just wanting to go out three or four miles and bottom fish or dive, it is a good choice.

You should be able to find something like that for around 8K in good shape. Probably even that boat.

That other place that ships boats to NZ is WAY expensive and sorry to say, I had words with them. I gave them some info on boats in this area and they piggy back on the local ads too. Don't waste your time with them, as they are in it for the Oz crowd and shipping. $$$

[Tanimaga]

I don't know what your boating aims are, but 20 feet with an outboard is on the small side for the sea conditions and distances to good fishing. If you are just wanting to go out three or four miles and bottom fish or dive, it is a good choice.

Initially, I considered an inflatable boat just to get myself out past the reef to do a little fishing with my daughter. Wasn't happy about getting the license and all. I figure I should pay for a decent size one though, Since I'm simply too big for a 3 meter boat.

I'm just looking to go out when the water is flat near Henza.

That other place that ships boats to NZ is WAY expensive and sorry to say, I had words with them. I gave them some info on boats in this area and they piggy back on the local ads too. Don't waste your time with them, as they are in it for the Oz crowd and shipping. $$$

Thats what I figured since the prices seem good, and they seem to skate around the shipping charges.

[Asshat]

For getting out past the reefs on a nice day with two people, this one (http://www.island-boat.com/tender/357_la.html)is a decent choice. It has a new engine which is most of the cost.

As you know, anything with an engine requires the license. Not that hard to get, but a bit of a hassle. Of course near the reef, there is not much checking going on.

You can check with the private boaters at Kadena Marina. That's the best place to start actually.

[Tanimaga]

For getting out past the reefs on a nice day with two people, this one (http://www.island-boat.com/tender/357_la.html)is a decent choice. It has a new engine which is most of the cost.

As you know, anything with an engine requires the license. Not that hard to get, but a bit of a hassle. Of course near the reef, there is not much checking going on.

You can check with the private boaters at Kadena Marina. That's the best place to start actually.

I checked out in town, and with a guy who called the boat instructor and sent me the PDF page on registration. Any boat 3 meters and under, and 1.5Kw engine or under doesn't require a license. I have the PDF file, but apparently, one page to too large to attach.

Sea land sells their 3 meter inflatables and advertises no license as well.

Island boat had two boats for sale that stated no license required in Japanese, but they sold quickly.

In either case, I prefer a larger boat to relax in. Still means getting a license :crying:

[DoctorP]

For getting out past the reefs on a nice day with two people, this one (http://www.island-boat.com/tender/357_la.html)is a decent choice. It has a new engine which is most of the cost.

As you know, anything with an engine requires the license. Not that hard to get, but a bit of a hassle. Of course near the reef, there is not much checking going on.

You can check with the private boaters at Kadena Marina. That's the best place to start actually.

That little thing?:-| He'd need to find someone to work on that trailer though...oh wait, Tani can handle that! :D

[Asshat]

I checked out in town, and with a guy who called the boat instructor and sent me the PDF page on registration. Any boat 3 meters and under, and 1.5Kw engine or under doesn't require a license. I have the PDF file, but apparently, one page to too large to attach.

That's 2 HP in a 9 foot boat. :) Might as well swim.

I've been boating here for about 25 years. I have never been checked for a license, but some of my friends have. You get checked when you need a tow, or happen to pull into another island with Japanese registration on the boat. You can make of that what you will. :)

I know of some dealers out there, but they are expensive. What is weird here is that you will see some small boat in a yard that never moves, yet the owners wont sell it.

There are a lot of the Yamaha 19 hulls around and they work well starting at 40HP. I wouldn't screw around with a used engine at that size.

Stay away from the inboard gasoline boats. Even though the engines might be fine (and easy to repair) the outdrives are not.

One thing to be careful of us 2-feet-itis. You get the boat, it's great, but you need just another 2 feet to get out to where you want to go. This will occur over and over. :)

Check out the guys in the Marina. (Not the staff) They either know of boats out there, or know someone who knows. Some of their boats are on that site by the way.

[Tanimaga]

That's 2 HP in a 9 foot boat. :) Might as well swim.

I've been boating here for about 25 years. I have never been checked for a license, but some of my friends have. You get checked when you need a tow, or happen to pull into another island with Japanese registration on the boat. You can make of that what you will. :)

I know of some dealers out there, but they are expensive. What is weird here is that you will see some small boat in a yard that never moves, yet the owners wont sell it.

There are a lot of the Yamaha 19 hulls around and they work well starting at 40HP. I wouldn't screw around with a used engine at that size.

Stay away from the inboard gasoline boats. Even though the engines might be fine (and easy to repair) the outdrives are not.

One thing to be careful of us 2-feet-itis. You get the boat, it's great, but you need just another 2 feet to get out to where you want to go. This will occur over and over. :)

Check out the guys in the Marina. (Not the staff) They either know of boats out there, or know someone who knows. Some of their boats are on that site by the way.

Just out of curiosity, what is the punishment if caught without a license? :)

If I do buy an inboard, I was going to go diesel...gasoline, then an outboard 4 stroke. I already have a Yamaha 15hp 2 stroke outboard for a kicker if I need one.

I have a small CNC machine shop, aluminum foundry, and tig welder.. can do some hardening depending on the steel involved, and have recently been anodising aluminum. I fancy I could fix most anything, but I would rather spend a little more and have dependable equipment.

This Yamaha is an older version of the first.. how about this with a new coat of paint, and new Honda 60hp 4 stroke?

http://www.island-boat.com/tender/667_la.html

Thanks for the boat info...!

[commando]

This homepage looks ok http://www.sail-okinawa.com/SailOkinawa.html

[acidcrash]

[QUOTE=Tanimaga;184762]Just out of curiosity, what is the punishment if caught without a license? :)QUOTE]

If I remember correctly from when I took my license, it was impoundment of the boat, motor, trailer, and the vehicle it is attached to (if any), a 300,000 yen fine and you become inelligable to obtain a license for 6 months....

I have had my numbers run on my boat twice in 1 year by the JP Coast Guard. Once off of Ikei Jima and once in from of Hamby/Chatan. Both times they just got close, stopped, and used binos to check my boat registration.

Look over at the boat yard between Kin and Ishikawa for a good deal on a boat. I would recommend at least 6-7 meters.

Forgot, there is a 16ft Yamaha for sale at the Marina right now...

[Digger]

Does anyone know if there is a 4 stroke vise two stroke engine requirement in Okinawa. I am transfering there in June and I will be bringing my 12.5 foot inflatable. I have a little 10 horse merc 2 stroke. Will I have any trouble licensing this boat?

What are the requirements to get a license? Is it tough or expensive?

Thanks for your time

Digger

[Tanimaga]

Does anyone know if there is a 4 stroke vise two stroke engine requirement in Okinawa. I am transfering there in June and I will be bringing my 12.5 foot inflatable. I have a little 10 horse merc 2 stroke. Will I have any trouble licensing this boat?

What are the requirements to get a license? Is it tough or expensive?

Thanks for your time

Digger

To the best of my knowledge, there is no 2/4 stroke problems.. but I don't know about the inspection standards as far as emissions go. At the local store, they sell both 2 and 4 stroke engines.. mainly Honda, Mercury, and Tohatsu.

My fellow I know brought his jet boat from the US, and had no problems with the inspection. just bring all paperwork and specs if you have them.

License from what I hear costs upwards of $800, and the class runs a week or so. Others here have their license, and could chime in if my facts aren't straight.

[acidcrash]

After all the stamps, physicals, test, etc. my license came out to 85,000 yen. so with todays exchange rate at 91Y to the $ = $934 USD. Plus JCI is around 10,000 yen if nothing is wrong with it (stateside boats have to have thier Nav and Anchor lights changed, and you will need to replace ALL of your safety equipment [flares, lifejackets, whistles] with Japanese safety equipment) and I think I paid around 25,000 yen for my boat registration paperwork. I went through ACE for my boat insurance which is running about $600 a year (required for any marina in Okinawa)

So yeah, it gets a little pricey.

[Asshat]

Does anyone know if there is a 4 stroke vise two stroke engine requirement in Okinawa. I am transfering there in June and I will be bringing my 12.5 foot inflatable. I have a little 10 horse merc 2 stroke. Will I have any trouble licensing this boat?

What are the requirements to get a license? Is it tough or expensive?

Thanks for your time

Digger

License comments below valid...though you can get them cheaper, since the costs below appear to reflect the presense of a middle man. (?)

There is NO issue with two strokes here. This aint California. :)

[Sex Wax]

I had a cool party boat, but some drunk chick in a T-back drove it into a reef.
Ahhh.....mammaries....err....memories.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o169/AshMiller1972/partyboat.jpg

[acidcrash]

License comments below valid...though you can get them cheaper, since the costs below appear to reflect the presense of a middle man. (?)


That was using Shoken-san at the Ginowan Marina.

Also, as a reminder for anyone interested, the test is only give 2 times a year. Usually March/April and September/October time frames. This is the same regardless if you are taking the English or Japanese test. Soo..... if you need a license before summer, you better get hoppin.. You can get LESS info and contact numbers from Kadena Marina

[Tanimaga]

After all the stamps, physicals, test, etc. my license came out to 85,000 yen. so with todays exchange rate at 91Y to the $ = $934 USD. Plus JCI is around 10,000 yen if nothing is wrong with it (stateside boats have to have thier Nav and Anchor lights changed, and you will need to replace ALL of your safety equipment [flares, lifejackets, whistles] with Japanese safety equipment) and I think I paid around 25,000 yen for my boat registration paperwork. I went through ACE for my boat insurance which is running about $600 a year (required for any marina in Okinawa)

So yeah, it gets a little pricey.

Most of the info I knew about, but the license requires a physical? Never heard of that.

[Digger]

My boat has no electrical system. It is an inflatable, so I have no lights of any kind other than a hand held spot light. Is this equipment that I will have to retro-fit to my boat, or will the small size and inflatable nature exempt it from some of these requirements?

Also, I dont think we intend on taking this boat very for from shore.

Thanks for y'alls help


Digger


Asshat, you pegged it exactly right I currently reside in california.:w00t:

[Tanimaga]

My boat has no electrical system. It is an inflatable, so I have no lights of any kind other than a hand held spot light. Is this equipment that I will have to retro-fit to my boat, or will the small size and inflatable nature exempt it from some of these requirements?

Also, I dont think we intend on taking this boat very for from shore.

Thanks for y'alls help


Digger


Asshat, you pegged it exactly right I currently reside in california.:w00t:

From what I've read on the licensing booklet, it has to be 3 meters or less (9' 6"), and have no more than 2 HP engine.. but I have seen one boat that claimed "No license needed" on the ad, but it was 3.3 meters long.

A friend drove a 21 footer here for years without inspection or license, but he is the lucky sort.

I think if you putt around the reef area, you may be ok..

I thought about getting an inflatable, but I have little luck with anything that holds air. I found these on the web, and really want one..

http://www.sealboatsusa.com/

[acidcrash]

My boat has no electrical system. It is an inflatable, so I have no lights of any kind other than a hand held spot light. Is this equipment that I will have to retro-fit to my boat, or will the small size and inflatable nature exempt it from some of these requirements?

Also, I dont think we intend on taking this boat very for from shore.

Thanks for y'alls help


Digger


Asshat, you pegged it exactly right I currently reside in california.:w00t:

If you are planning on rowing it you are fine.
Here is the Law on who needs a license: The license is not necessary to operate a boat which meets the following requirements: length is less than 3 meters/engine output is less than 1.5kw / equipped with legally required protective gear.
If your boat does not meet all 3 of those requirements, you must have a license whether you are in a lake or in the ocean, and you must JCI your boat to include Anchor/running lights.