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FAQs
You've browsed our website and found a few boats that interest you. But the long-distance boat buying process seems a little more complicated than just walking down to your local marina. Here are the answers to some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about San Carlos, boating in Mexico, and the boat-buying process.
1. WHERE IS SAN CARLOS?
San Carlos is in the Mexican state of Sonora, on the mainland side of the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. We're just 250 miles south of Arizona.
San Carlos is a dazzling combination of mountains and desert on the sea. It is home to splendid sheltering anchorages and a natural harbor for watercraft. The double-peaked mountain you see that is part of the San Carlos signature is called "Tetakawi." The town has grown from the little fishing village visited by John Steinbeck in 1940s into a thriving community of about 6,000 permanent residents – sailors, fishermen and retirees from the US and Canada. Many of our part-time residents are from the neighboring states across the border – Arizona, New Mexico and California. English is widely spoken here. Awesome fishing, diving and sailing year round, with a stunning desert and mountain backdrop…Your first visit will convince you that San Carlos will always be your homeport in Mexico.
2. HOW DO I GET THERE?
Getting here is surprisingly easy! By car, San Carlos is less than five hours from Nogales, AZ, six from Tucson and about eight from Phoenix, all by four-lane highways.
Our local transportation center is the bustling port city of Guaymas, about twelve miles away. Taxi and inexpensive local bus service connect San Carlos and Guaymas. The international airport (GYM) is just 15 minutes from San Carlos, and has daily flights to and from the US. Another alternative is Hermosillo International Airport (HMO) which is 90 miles away and is a larger transportation hub. There is also daily first-class bus service between Guaymas, Tucson and Phoenix.
For more details check out "Getting Here".
3. HOW DOES THE BOAT BUYING PROCESS WORK?
If you're new to working with a broker, here's how the boat-buying process typically works. Full specifications on the boats we represent are listed on our website. Give us a call or send us an email at info@sancarlosyachts.com if you need more details. Once you are ready to make an offer, we will work with you and the seller to come to an agreed selling price. We formalize your offer with an "Offer to Purchase" agreement which must be backed by a 10% deposit. You set the time period it will take to complete the transaction, usually between five and forty-five days. During that time, you will be able to personally inspect the boat, hire a professional marine surveyor, and take the boat out for a sea trial. Once all the contingencies in your offer are met, closing instructions are sent to the escrow and title companies to complete the process. Your deposit is returned to you in the unlikely event that the sale is not completed.
4. CAN I GET A SURVEY DONE THERE?
Absolutely! There are several surveyors in the San Carlos and Guaymas area, who are accredited with US, Canadian or European insurance companies. If you are buying a boat, the surveyor works for you to ensure that you are getting a boat that has been thoroughly inspected. Current surveyors' rates here run from about US$8 to US$14/foot.
5. WHAT OTHER BOAT WORK CAN I GET DONE IN SAN CARLOS?
San Carlos is one of the best places to get work done on your boat. Two marinas serve the San Carlos boating community.
• Marina San Carlos occupies the inner harbor of Bahia San Carlos and offers first-class docks and moorings well protected from wind and weather. You’ll find beautiful accommodations and great food steps from your dock. Check them out at www.marinasancarlos.com
• Marina Real is a short drive from downtown San Carlos. Situated on the south end of Bahia Algodones, it offers quiet surroundings and fast access to some of the best fishing and diving in the Sea of Cortez. Call them at 011-52-622-227-0011 for more information.
Both marinas have launch ramps and fuel docks, as well as dry storage facilities for haul outs and out-of-water repairs. Marina San Carlos also has a 10-ton hoist dockside. In addition, Marina Seca offers storage, dry transport of vessels and a full-service work yard. There are now two local chandleries and skilled workers for stainless and aluminum fabrication, canvas work, painting and engine repair.
6. WHAT ABOUT BOAT INSURANCE?
You must carry liability insurance on your vessel while you are in Mexican waters. All marinas will ask for proof of coverage, and some port captains may also require it. We work with reputable insurance brokers who can provide the coverage you need within Mexican, US or other international waters. Call or send us an email to get referrals to the different insurance carriers we work with
7. WHAT DOES IT COST TO LIST A BOAT WITH YOU?
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NOTHING! If you are interested in selling your boat, let us know. We receive our commission when the sale closes. We also work with other brokers in Mexico and other parts of the world to assist buyers and sellers navigate the boating world through Yachtworld's BoatWizard™ MLS.
STILL CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? We're only a toll-free phone call away from the US and Canada,
1-877-694-4568. Or send us an email at info@sancarlosyachts.com. Let us show you why we are "a different kind of brokerage, in a different kind of paradise."
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