Step 1: Define what you actually want
Bermuda boats fall into four broad use cases: family day boats (pontoon, day cruiser), fishing rigs (center console, sport fisher), party charters (multi-deck pontoon, catamaran) and long-distance cruisers (cabin cruiser, trawler). Before you start shopping, write down the headcount you want to fit, your typical day on the water (cove float, reef snorkel, offshore fishing, dockside party), and the dock you plan to keep her at. The boat that fits a Castle Harbour dock and a family of six is wildly different from the one that fits a Hamilton Harbour slip and a fishing crew of three.
For most first-time Bermuda buyers, a 21 to 25-foot center console is the right starting boat. Easy to maintain, easy to dock, easy to resell. See our full breakdown of boat types for Bermuda if you want the deeper comparison.
Step 2: Buy used (in Bermuda) or import new
Buying used in Bermuda is the fastest path. The previous owner has paid the 22.25% Bermuda import duty, so you're effectively saving that on the asking price. Bermuda's used market is small and most of the good boats trade off-market between owners and a few well-connected brokers. Sean's first call list pulls in boats before they ever get listed publicly. Message him your spec and budget on WhatsApp and he'll send back what's available this week and what's about to come up.
Importing new means picking the exact spec, ordering it from a US, Canadian or European yard, surveying it on the dealer's dock, shipping it to Bermuda, clearing customs, paying the full 22.25% duty on CIF (cost + insurance + freight), and registering it. Typical timeline is six to twelve weeks. See our full import guide for the step-by-step.
Step 3: Get a marine survey
No matter where the boat is, you survey it before you sign. A marine survey costs a few hundred dollars and tells you what's wrong with the hull, the engine, the electrics, the rigging, and the safety gear. We work with licensed Bermuda surveyors for boats on island, and can fly in or coordinate a US surveyor for imports.
The survey is the single best money you'll spend in the whole process. Hidden hull damage, water-logged stringers and engines on borrowed time have killed more deals than price ever has. Walk away from any seller who won't let you survey. Read our marine survey guide for what to look for and who to hire.
Step 4: Customs, duty and BMA registration
For imports: every boat brought into Bermuda is subject to the 22.25% import duty on its CIF value. Bermuda Customs assesses the duty when the boat arrives at the port. BDA Boats files the customs paperwork, pays the duty on your behalf (billed transparently) and clears the boat for release.
Then Bermuda Maritime Authority registration. Every motorized vessel in Bermuda needs a registration number, a name, a Bermuda flag and proof of insurance. We file the BMA paperwork in your name, arrange the inspection and hand you the registration card. Allow about a week on the back end for this. See our BMA registration walkthrough for the full process.
Step 5: Insurance, mooring and delivery
Bermuda marine insurance is a referral away. We introduce you to a marine-specialist broker and they quote hull, liability and hurricane coverage. While that's processing, we coordinate your slip or mooring (Hamilton Harbour, Castle Harbour, St. George's, Dockyard and Spanish Point are the most common) and arrange delivery to your dock once the registration is cleared.
From there you're a boat owner. We stay on speed dial for maintenance, parts, advice and the eventual resale when you're ready to move up.
What it actually costs
Every boat is different and we don't list rates on the site, but here's the math. Used boat asking price minus survey-driven negotiation, plus a small brokerage fee on our side. Imported boat: yard price plus shipping (typically a few thousand for Florida-to-Bermuda) plus 22.25% duty on the CIF total, plus BMA registration (modest), plus the BDA Boats handling fee. We give you a written all-in number before you sign anything.
WhatsApp Sean at +1 (441) 518-7077 or email info@bdaboats.com with the boat you're considering and your budget. You'll have a written quote the same day.
