I had a 1975 cherokee with full IFR digital stack and the Quadrant controls like a warrior. I was a UK citizen at the time ( now Canadian), and so technically unable to own the thing. All I did was draw up a contract with the fellow who owned it to lease it from him with an option to buy it for a buck any time I wanted. He used to rent it from me from time to time. We also had a contract that stipulated that I pay all of the taxes. (this was Texas, but I would think that FL has the same thing.)
It worked out fine. I sold the plane eventually, and he transferred ownership to the 'third party' as specified in our contract.
This ownership stuff is the same crap as the student visa stuff. Everybody knows how to get around it. It just makes the lawyers richer.
Never had a plane on the Canadian register, but I believe that you are supposed to be Canadian too.
Try Sao Tome and Principe. I heard that they will even give you a mechanic's licence so you can do your 'own ' annual !! (S5)
British Virgin Islands are very sticky on this as well . Avoid the place. especially Turks and Caicos.
Hope that helps.