Archive for January, 2010

Brief Guide To Buying A Yacht

January 23rd, 2010

Buying a yacht is a big commitment, both financially and in terms of the time it takes to go through the buying process. We have put together this brief guide to buying a yacht, to help you through the yacht buying process.

Type of Yacht

The yacht buying process starts with considering what type of yacht would be best for you. When thinking about what type of yacht you need, you will need to consider what you will use the yacht for. As graceful as a sailing yacht is, a motor yacht tends to suit most people’s needs – requiring less experience to run, more space and wider living area below decks, and the ability to travel at higher speeds. The size of the yacht is an important factor to consider, as this will determine how many guests you can entertain, and how many of life’s essentials you can carry with you. Whether you choose to go for a new or used yacht will depend on how quickly you would like to be out on the water. A new yacht can be ordered to your exact specification, however the flip side of this is that it will take time to be built. A used yacht may not be exactly to your specification, however it will take less time for you to be out on the water enjoying it!

Paying for Your Yacht

Once you’ve come up with the specification of your dream yacht, before rushing out and searching for/ordering it, you need to make sure you can afford it. On top of the basic price you pay for a new yacht, you will need to set aside another 20% for extras to equip it. For a used yacht, you may want to set aside up to 50% for a refit and equipment. Money will need to be set aside for insurance, mooring and maintenance. When you’ve signed on the dotted line, whether you are buying a new or a used yacht typically you will need to put down a 10% deposit. A new yacht may have stage payments through the build process before paying the balance. After a used yacht has had a survey and a sea trial is accepted, the final balance is paid and the customer takes ownership of the vessel.

Yacht Survey

If you are buying a used yacht, it is imperative you get a comprehensive survey done. A surveyor will check the yacht all over, advise you of any damage or problems, and tell you what work needs to be put right. Many insurance companies require a survey to have been done before they will cover you.

A Helping Hand

Unless you’ve bought a yacht before, it is strongly advisable to purchase your yacht through a yacht broker. A yacht broker will not only advise you on what type of yacht would suit you best, but can help with financing and insurance options, as well as ensuring the buying process goes as smoothly as possible.

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Take A Yacht In The Lovely Islands Of Kos And Rhodes

January 19th, 2010

What about a different vacation in Greece? Have you thought of exploring the Greek isles? Do you know a sailor or do you have any experience in sailing?  The best way to see the Greek islands is to sail them in your own yacht. There are a lot of yacht charter companies offering sailing yachts for charter. Even if you do not know how to sail, you can hire a crew or a captain. Or you can join a flotilla. Many flotilla itineraries include special events like beach parties and fun regattas, and give you the chance to mix with other sailors.

The Dodecanese (Twelve Islands or Dodekanes) is the most southerly group of islands in the Greek archipelago. Visit Rhodes and Kos, islands full of history and nice beaches, Symi and Patmos is islands uncorrupted from the civilization. Since Turkey is only 5 nautical miles away from Kos, this country is certainly within reach for a sailing vacation in this area.

Did you know that “Dodecanese” means “twelve islands” in Greek and that is why these groups of islands sometime is called “Twelve Islands”.

The 14 Dodecanese islands have a lot to offer. You will find a wonderful mix of architectural styles of eastern and western civilizations. Almost every island has its classical remains, its Crusaders’ castle, and its traditional villages.

The Meltemi wind has its peak in July and August. It starts irregularly in June, blows more strongly in July through to September and again sporadic in October These northerly winds do affect any itinirary and consider a one-way charter from Kos to Rhodes during July to September.

Usually sailing charter companies in Dodecanese have their bases in either Rhodes or Kos.

Kos is dominated by a Crusader castle and known as the place of birth of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. The lovely harbor at Kos city is a popular place to put a yacht. The harbor is filled with sights and sounds both day and night as visitors party on boats just off the coast, and in bars, restaurants and clubs located on the harbor itself. Of course, there are locals here too, and small fishing boats make up the most of of the sea traffic. The island of Kos is populated by nearly 180,000 people, many of them still living the old-fashioned lives of Greek fishermen.

Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese. It is well-known for the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, which was sadly demolished. Rhodes has everything from beautiful beaches to a lush, green interior, a capital full of energetic and noisy activity and one of the top sunshine records in Greece. The rock-rose is so productive here that it has been called the ‘Island of Roses’ and whiles the northern coast is renowned for its active vacation resorts the south offers nice beaches and a slower, more simple pace of life.

For more information on sailing charters in Greece, be sure to visit the sites listed below.

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Experience The Panama Canal On A Yacht!

January 6th, 2010

The Republic of Panama, which is more commonly known as simply Panama is the southern most country of Central America. It borders Costa Rica to the west, Columbia to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

One of the most intriguing pieces of Panama and perhaps the most popular, is the world famous “Panama Canal”. The Panama Canal is a passageway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the country of Panama. Panama was chosen for this because it is the narrowest landmass between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. The Panama Canal is about 50 miles long and during the approximately 80 years that the canal has been in use, over 800,000 ships have taken advantage of it. Nearly 40 ships each and every day are passing through the Canal and the numbers are continuing to rise more and more each year.

Some of the big highlights that Panama has to offer are enchanting wildlife, dazzling rainforests, colorful underwater adventures, and charming white sandy beaches! What better way to enjoy all of these wonderful sites than by taking a charter yacht vacation. These tours give you a great feel for not only the Canal but Panama itself, as well as the many beautiful islands it has to share that are virtually uninhabited.

Cebaco Bay is located on the southern end of Isla Cebaco which is an uninhabited island made up of pristine, white sandy beaches and literally thousands of coconut trees. They offer trilling white water rafting, superb scuba diving, and big game fishing with some of the largest fish in the world. Not only are Panama’s islands well known for its deep sea fishing, but many world records have either been set or broken within these waters!

As always, almost all charter yacht vacation tours around Panama are all-inclusive. This includes all your gourmet meals and fine foods, beverages and open bar, along with your water sports. Scuba gear and state of the art deep sea fishing equipment are also available; if that’s the type of charter yacht you’re looking for. Remember, this may vary slightly from broker to broker so it is always a good idea to do your research first, depending on what activities are the most important to you and your family. The Pacific side of Panama is home to a wealth of tropical islands from the palm tree speckled beaches of the Archipelago of Las Perlas, to the notorious colony located on the pristine island of Coiba! Coiba to this day remains a prison for the country’s most hardened criminals and is comparable to America’s Alcatraz. This adds a bit of island adventure to the trip and is an amazing, historical site to see.

Panama’s islands are home to a wealth of beauty, history, vegetation and wild life. In the past, this destination was primarily used as a stop over and not really considered a destination to visit by travellers. These days, people who are wanting a relaxing and unique vacation experience are starting to realize just what Panama has to offer. So if you are looking for something exotic and fascinating that will give you an unforgettable experience to treasure for a lifetime, then behold the islands of Panama!

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