Goods ordered
Unable to wait any longer for some suppliers to get back to me with prices, I decided to go ahead and order the replacement parts we need to repair Revelations from mauriprosailing.com in Texas, USA. We need to get going as we only have another two months left on our Brazialian visa's and we still need to get the parts to Cabedelo and then only can we commence with the repair work. We also bought a new compass to replace our existing but leaking compass and some blocks to allow us to control the spinnaker from the helm. Maurisaling claims that the goods will be ready for collection within the next 3 to 4 days after which a courier service can collect the package and ship to us at Jacare Village Marina, Cabedelo, Brazil. Shipping is not cheap, it actually costs more than the parts we ordered! Then I still have to pay a clearing agent to clear the goods with Customs as duty free - at 100%, the import duty on marine goods in Brazil is extreme! Such excessive taxes must surely have a huge negative impact on the local boating industry. In addition, the import process is lengthy, excessive red tape and damn complicated. From a yacht owner perspective, Brazil is the last place you want to do any repairs - especially importing parts.
