If you're a boat owner in Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados, Trinidad, or anywhere in the Eastern Caribbean, you already know the frustration: good used outboard motors are hard to find locally, and when you do find one, the prices are steep. The US market is a completely different story. Motors that would cost $8,000 on your island can often be found for $3,000–4,000 in Florida — in better condition.
The key is getting the motor to you. Here's exactly how freight shipping works, what it costs, and what to expect from start to finish.
Why buy a used outboard from the US?
Florida and the Southeast US have one of the largest concentrations of recreational boats in the world. Freshwater fishing boats get upgraded constantly, and perfectly functional outboards end up in auctions and private sales at a fraction of their original value. Many have low hours, minimal saltwater corrosion, and years of reliable use left in them.
For Caribbean boat operators, this is a real opportunity. A motor that costs XCD 18,000 locally might come to XCD 8,000 all-in from Florida — motor plus freight — in better documented condition than anything available at home.
How freight shipping works for outboards
Outboard motors ship as freight, not parcel — they go on a pallet, not in a box on a courier truck. Here's the process:
- Motor preparation: We drain the fuel, secure the prop, and bolt the motor to a wooden pallet. The cowl is wrapped and the unit is fully shrink-wrapped for protection during transit.
- Freight booking: We coordinate freight forwarding to Caribbean ports. Common points of entry include St. George's (Grenada), Kingstown (St. Vincent), Bridgetown (Barbados), and Port of Spain (Trinidad).
- Transit time: Typically 7–21 days from West Palm Beach to Eastern Caribbean ports, depending on destination and vessel schedule.
- Port pickup: You or a customs agent picks up the pallet at the port. Some freight forwarders offer inland delivery — ask us and we can help connect you with the right contact in your country.
What does shipping cost?
Freight from West Palm Beach to Eastern Caribbean ports typically runs $300–600 USD for a single outboard motor, depending on destination and current rates. We give you an exact quote before you commit to anything. Just tell us your island and nearest port — we'll have a number for you within 24 hours.
Customs documents — what we provide
We supply everything you need to clear customs on your end:
- Commercial invoice — purchase price, our details, your details
- Packing list — item description, weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading — the shipping document issued by the freight carrier
Import duties vary by country. In Grenada, used marine engines typically attract around 20% duty on the CIF value (cost + insurance + freight). We recommend checking with your local customs authority or a customs broker before buying so you know your all-in cost before committing.
How to buy and ship — step by step
- Browse our inventory at nautilusdepot.com or message us on WhatsApp describing what you need.
- We send you a freight quote for your specific island within 24 hours.
- You confirm the total — motor price plus freight — before paying anything.
- We prepare and ship the motor, then send you all customs documents and tracking.
Every motor we sell is inspected, compression tested, and documented. You receive a written inspection report and a test-run video before the motor leaves our facility. You're not buying blind across the ocean.
Islands we currently ship to
We have established freight routes to Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and can arrange shipping to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, and other Eastern Caribbean islands. If your island isn't listed, ask us — we can usually find a route.
Message us on WhatsApp for a freight quote, or visit our Caribbean shipping page for more information.