USA & Florida
How to Buy a Yacht in Florida
The deepest US market, and the practical questions specific to it.
7 min read · Updated
More large yachts change hands in Florida than anywhere else in the United States, and the reasons are structural rather than accidental. Understanding them makes the process substantially easier.
In short
How much is sales tax on a yacht in Florida?
Florida levies state sales tax on vessel purchases, with a cap of $18,000 on the total tax payable, including any county discretionary surtax, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. The cap is one of the main reasons high-value yachts are closed in Florida rather than in states that tax the full purchase price. Rates and thresholds change, so confirm the current position with a Florida marine tax attorney.
Where should I survey a yacht in Florida?
Fort Lauderdale has the deepest concentration of haul-out facilities and specialist surveyors, with capacity for vessels well over 200 feet. Miami and Palm Beach both have full survey capability, and West Palm Beach yards handle large vessels.
When is the best time to buy a yacht in Florida?
Listed inventory peaks around the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October and again in spring when yachts return from the Caribbean. Off-market opportunity is less seasonal, because it is not being positioned for a show.
Why Florida concentrates the market
The refit and repair capacity along Fort Lauderdale's New River is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Where yachts go for work, the crew agencies, surveyors, brokers and management companies follow, and that professional density is self-reinforcing.
The practical result for a buyer is that everything is local. You can survey, haul, negotiate and close within a few miles, and you can get genuinely independent second opinions on anything because the pool of specialists is deep enough to have real competition in it.
The tax question, handled properly
Florida's sales tax cap makes it an attractive closing jurisdiction for large vessels, and it is a significant part of why so many transactions are structured to close there. But the position depends on where the yacht is delivered, where it will be kept, and how it will subsequently be used.
Use tax, county surtax and the treatment of a vessel that leaves and returns to Florida waters all interact. This is a question for a Florida marine tax attorney, and getting it wrong is expensive in a way that is hard to unwind afterwards.
Hurricane season and insurance
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, and it affects far more than weather planning. Insurance policies commonly impose named windstorm conditions restricting where the vessel may be kept during those months, and yard space becomes constrained.
Confirm your insurer's requirements before closing, not after. Buyers regularly discover that the berth they arranged does not satisfy their policy.
Choosing between the three markets
Fort Lauderdale for the largest inventory above 100 feet and the deepest refit capacity. Miami for sport yachts and express cruisers, with a younger owner base and heavier usage. Palm Beach for privately used vessels with long single-owner histories and lighter hours.
On the Gulf coast, Naples and Tampa serve a shallower-draft cruising market with different vessel profiles again.
Put this to use
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register the yacht in Florida?
Not necessarily. Federal documentation through the US Coast Guard is common for larger vessels, and state registration requirements depend on where the yacht is kept and used. Your documentation agent will advise.
Can a non-US buyer purchase a yacht in Florida?
Yes, routinely. The registration and duty position differs depending on whether the yacht will remain in US waters, and should be settled before closing.
Is dockage hard to find in South Florida?
For vessels over 100 feet during the winter season, yes. Secure a berth arrangement before closing rather than assuming availability.
Are there off-market yachts in Florida?
A great many. The concentration of the industry means owner intentions circulate professionally long before they become public listings.