Luxury Yachts Worldwide

Thinking of buying a yacht in Greece? There are bargains to be had, especially at the end of the yacht charter season. But there are pitfalls to be aware of too.

The majority of Greek yachts listed with brokers are former charter yachts, known as Greek professional yachts. Some people shy away from them, believing it equivalent to buying a second-hand vehicle from a car hire firm. Not all charter yachts are ill-used or poorly maintained.

In fact, a lot of the professional yachts in Greece are owned by individuals rather than yacht charter companies. The owners charter them out in order to benefit from VAT and other tax advantages.

Often the owner will charter for the minimum number of days required to retain professional status and cover the annual mooring and maintenance costs of the yacht.

If you are prepared to spend time looking around you will find a big difference in the appearance of yachts of the same age, with some looking ‘tired’ from heavy use while others seem years younger.

THE SURVEY

Having found a yacht you want to buy you should have it surveyed by a professional surveyor. It is not unknown for a charter yacht to suffer major hull damage, be patched up by an unscrupulous owner, and then offered for resale.

“Buyer Beware” should certainly be your motto.

A survey will not only protect you from buying a boat with technical problems but it is also required by most insurance companies. You will pay 500 – 1500 Euro for a survey.

GREEK FLAG

99% of Greek professional yachts are Greek-flagged. If the boat is flagged in another country then the rules of that country will apply and you need advice from a qualified broker.

If you are not a Greek citizen or an E.U. citizen resident in Greece you will need to change flag if the boat is intended for private use. You can keep Greek flag if you have a yacht charter business in Greece.

SALES PRICE

We were once advised never to pay a Greek the price he asks for anything, as he will always expect you to bargain…

This is certainly true when it comes to boats. You should be able to negotiate down from the initial asking price. A good survey may give you ammunition for this, as few used boats will be without any defects.

The surveyor should be able to advise you what the ‘going rate’ is for the type of yacht you are interested in.

Some brokers in Greece do not work on a fixed commission basis. They will agree a price with the owner that he/she will accept. They then try to obtain as high a price as possible from the purchaser. Their commission is the difference. The extra they add to the ‘owner’s price’ can be quite considerable and leaves plenty of scope for negotiation.

VAT

Greek professional yachts will have been purchased VAT exempt. If you are an E.U. national, you will be required to pay VAT on the current value of the yacht in addition to the purchase price.

The VAT rate in Greece is 19% but often you can negotiate with the Seller and it is not unknown for deals to be reached where you pay only an additional 5% and the Seller handles the payment of the remaining VAT.

You may be exempted from payment of VAT if you are involved in commercial activity that includes yacht chartering.

If you are not an E.U. Citizen you will not need to pay the outstanding VAT, but you will require the yacht to be custom cleared from the E.U. This takes several days and costs about 600 Euro.

TYPICAL PURCHASE PROCEDURE

Having found a yacht, you negotiate a price with the broker and reach an agreement. You should be supplied with an inventory for the yacht so you know exactly what is included in the sale.

You need a solicitor to act for you during the sale. Your solicitor will protect you by ensuring that there are no encumbrances or debts on the yacht, and that the ownership situation and titles are clear.

The solicitor will prepare an M.O.A. (Memorandum of Agreement) stating all the details of the transaction, including terms, dates and payments, and what comes with the boat. This Memorandum should be conditional on a survey. The M.O.A. is signed by both Buyer and Seller.

You arrange a survey of the yacht and, on the basis of this, either agree the price, re-negotiate, or in some cases the wisest action may be to walk away!

You normally pay a deposit of 10-20% of the purchase price to your solicitor as soon as possible in order to have a legally binding agreement. Your solicitor will pay this to the seller after all the necessary documents have been handed over to him.

You must send the balance of the purchase price to the solicitor in time to comply with the provisions negotiated when drafting the Memorandum of Agreement. The solicitor will pay the full purchase price to the seller only after he has made sure that all legal and tax requirements have been taken care of by the seller and after all required documents have been handed over to him by the seller.

As part of the sales process the yacht will be deleted from the Greek registry. Upon deletion an official ownership certificate will be issued from the Hellenic Registrar of Shipping. The certificate will confirm that the boat is free from encumbrances and liens.

In the meantime you can arrange registration for the boat in your country.

After completion of all the paperwork you can take over your boat here in Greece or you can arrange to have it delivered to wherever you intend to keep her.

You can only sail your yacht after a Bill of Sale has been issued and officially signed by both Seller and Buyer and the Deletion Certificate has been issued. Buying a yacht can be a fairly lengthy and bureaucratic process here in Greece but many of the procedures are there to safeguard your interests and ensure the yacht is free of debts or any other financial burdens.

Do not be tempted to take any shortcuts or accept any bits of paper presented to you by an eager seller supposedly to speed up the process.

Summer cruising in Alaska starts in mid May, and ends in mid September. However within those months, your choice of what dates to pick for crewed yacht charter should depend more on what you want to see and do rather than what the weather does. In online weather information, you might see that August and July are supposed to be drier than June. And, most people think that August will be warmer than June.

In actuality, this all varies from summer to summer in Alaska, with no rhyme or reason. The dates you choose for yacht charter in Alaska should not be based on the weather. Your dates for crewed yacht charter in Alaska during the summer charter season should be based on the wild and marine life that you might want to see, and the activities you might want to do, as the migration patterns of wild and marine life are far more predictable than the weather

Weather in Alaska from mid May to mid September can change from 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit at any time, and does so on a daily basis, not on a monthly basis. At anytime during the summer cruising season in Alaska it may be cooler, warmer, drier or wetter, and again, all in the same day. And, your activity can create a weather change, such as if you are up under the calving face of a glacier, it may feel colder as the glacier ice slices through the air into the water below, sending a rush of cooler air and water your way.

If you don’t like the current weather during your crewed yacht charter in Alaska, stick around 10 minutes and the weather will change. On a side note, dressing for Alaska summer weather does require thought. Recommendations are to dress in a series of layers that can easily be peeled off or put back on as the weather changes minute by minute throughout the day.

What is more predictable than the weather in Alaska is the migration of the wild and marine life, which should influence your charter date choice if you have particular wild or marine life that you want to see, or if you have particular activities you want to do. For the summer cruising season in Alaska, the wise person picks charter dates and charters around their interests, not the weather.

The summer salmon run in Alaska is famous. Salmon are anadromous, which means that they are birthed in fresh water, make their way to salt water to live and return to fresh water to spawn and die. At the end of their life span, salmon return from salt water to their natal stream, which is the stream in which they were born, to fight up that stream to spawn dozens of eggs for new life. Both males and females return to their natal stream, as the female carries the eggs, which the male fertilizes. This ritual marks the life span of each salmon, which is ended spawning in the natal stream from whence that salmon emerged.

This ritual of returning up the natal stream for spawning follows a general summer schedule, which starts in the beginning of the summer cruising season, with the salmon gathering in the salt waters off of the mouths of many fresh water streams in Alaska. At this point, in May and June, there are plenty of salmon for salt water trolling for fishing, and the bears and sea lions that dine on this fish are patrolling the beaches and shorelines for dinner. As the salmon enter their natal stream in July and August to fight upstream, the bears will move up stream with them inland, and away from the shoreline.

If one of your purposes for charter in Alaska is to see bears, it is better to go in May and June, while the bears are along the coast. For in May and June, bears are often seen patrolling the shoreline, fishing for the salmon in salt water. As the salmon move upstream later in the summer, the bears move inland and upstream and are harder to see.

Fly fishing is a great sport in Alaska; however the species fished for in Alaska when fly fishing varies throughout the summer, based on the migration patterns of the fish. In June the Steelhead and Cutthroat Trout will pack the streams heading up river for excellent fly fishing, while in July and August, the fly fishing will be for salmon. Some trout species are able to survive this fight upstream for spawning and return again to salt water, however for salmon, this is the end of the line, and they show it. July and August are great for fly fishing for salmon, but those salmon caught, are not the best for eating, as they have begun to deteriorate pending the end of their lives. Eating salmon are better if caught in salt water, and there are always salmon in the salt waters of Alaska in various stages of life.

For salt water fishing, there is no place better for Halibut fishing than Alaska, where catching a Barn Door Halibut, which is what the fish are called if over 200 pounds, is a real possibility. Halibut fishing is from April through October, however if your heart is set on catching a Barn Door Halibut, the best chance is in mid July.

Even as the bears retreat up the stream banks inland to fish for salmon in July and August, the moose, wild goats, and deer come down from the mountains closer to shore as the ice and snow melt as summer progresses. In August, moose, wild goats and deer can more readily be seen closer to shore.

Whales are back in Alaska beginning in mid May to June, and stay in Alaskan waters feeding throughout the summer, in pods, with a bubble net feeding pattern, that must be seen to be believed. Grey Whales return first and can only be seen in May, just passing through to their summer home in the Bering Sea. Humpback Whales begin to appear in Alaska in May. A good charter yacht captain will be keeping track of the various pods of Humpback Whales as they move throughout the summer, to be sure to cruise in whale areas for each charter.

The famous American Bald Eagle returns to Alaska as early as April and stays around all summer nesting. There can be as many as 100 or more Bald Eagles in any given anchorage, and watching these magnificent birds fly is a treat.

And of course, no matter when during the summer season, you choose to charter, there are always virgin forests to visit, which are only a myth in most locations, and shoreside towns to visit, each with their history, culture, and gift shops.

So, whenever you do a crewed yacht charter in Alaska during the summer season, there is plenty to see and do. However, if you have a particular must do activity, time your charter, not for the weather, but for the migration and various activities of wild and marine life.

When it comes to the Cannes Film Festival, it is time to pull out all the stops. This is the biggest party of the year, a time to see and be seen. This year’s International Film Festival at Cannes, France will be held from May 11th to the 22nd, 2011. The Cannes Festival first began in 1946, and rapidly gained international popularity when the biggest names in Hollywood of the time, such as Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Kirk Douglas, Gina Lollobrigida, and Brigitte Bardot became regular attendees. Today, celebrities abound, as do beautiful and luxurious yachts, as Cannes is located in the south of France right on the Mediterranean Sea. Just off the coast, luxury yachts will be moored, and you can charter one as well.

Mediterranean yacht charters are an extremely popular way to see the Cannes Festival, for a number of reasons. You can take your meals on your luxury yacht, and be pampered by the crew. Likewise, you can sunbathe, relax in your private cabin, enjoy water sports like jet skiing, or introduce yourself to the occupants of the other nearby yachts.

Chartered yacht travel is versatile; for instance you can rent a yacht with a crew, or a bare-boat charter if you have experience captaining a ship. The captain certainly controls the trip, decides where to travel, and where to anchor. Privacy is also greatly enhanced. However, you must be quite qualified and meet the yacht-owner’s guidelines for a bare-boat charter. Crewed charters have a staff large enough to operate the yacht and also take care of its passengers while they are on board.

Flexibility is another benefit with an indulgent charter yacht holiday. Booking for events and places like Cannes during the International Film Festival is available, making it much easier to relax and enjoy the festival. Other lodging options fall far short in comparison to a private yacht charter. Compare relaxing in your private hot tub while toasting with a glass of Italian red wine to a night in a noisy and raucous hotel. It’s actually a fairly simple choice.

The port where you depart and return is at the discretion of the traveler and not a tour company or cruise line. With this flexibility, you can also stop at anytime during your trip for snorkeling, sunning on a private beach, or even a shopping trip. The best benefit to chartering a luxury yacht is the relaxation and peace you will feel surrounded by your loved ones and the most beautiful scenery the world over.

You coordinate everything among yourselves and the crew, and are welcome and encouraged to scuba dive, jet ski, snorkel, or just sunbathe. Crew members will provide tips on any of these pursuits as well as information about things to see and do in your chosen area.

Yacht charters run the gamut in pricing, depending upon size of the ship, amenities, and necessary crew. Many people, however, would be surprised to learn that the cost of yacht charter travel is not nearly so high as expected. Indeed, pricing starts at just around $4,000, comparable to a week in a popular theme parks.

What better way to see the Cannes Film Festival than by staying on a chartered yacht just off the coast that boasts a number of cabins, a crew to take care of you, fine dining, the best wines, and awesome amenities for relaxing after a full day of excitement?

Almost all of us who have anything to do with pleasure boats, wonder how is the boat market going to be in the future? And where is it going from here? Do pleasure boats have any future? Will the trend of owning and selling boats be a larger market or will it suffocate like many luxury products due to the roller coaster ride of the world’s economy? What will particularly happen in Asia? Asia being the big part of world’s economy, what part will it play in boating industry? Which country will be the major market? China, India, Indonesia perhaps? Importantly what steps should be taken today, in order to create a better market in these countries for the future.

In Hong Kong we are realizing the obvious saturation of boating market and almost all dealers and manufacturers of boats are pointing towards China. A lot of European manufacturers are also pointing at India. Making these 2 countries the biggest potential boating markets.

Let’s talk about China first and realize that in 2005 we had big hopes for the boating business in China, we thought that the boating industry will be huge by the year 2010. Well, we are in 2010 now and China clearly has not picked up to that level of prediction, so the market is still slower than what the lot of industry experts had predicted 4 or 5 years ago. The reason behind that is China’s rules and regulations in pleasure boat industry. Taxation and licensing rules are very unclear in China. As a matter of fact, the rules are different for different states in China. Mainly for new boats, tax is about 40% of the boat’ value.

The infrastructure however, is simply fantastic, China’s development of marinas are in the best speed that one can hope for. But what is missing in this picture are the number of pleasure boats that are floating on the waters of China. There are definitely buyers for a high end expensive yacht, but the the support and maintenance of that yacht still not expertised, is uneasy and therefore costly. In any country even in Hong Kong, people are prepared to shell out a substantial amount of money to own a luxury yacht but what they are not willing to do, is to put a lot of time and over spend on upkeep and maintenance. Another thing that people are not willing to do is of course pay taxes and go through a long governmental procedure to acquire a license. This issue however is been tackled by marina clubs in China. Few clubs now assist in providing necessary licenses for their members who are willing to pay the cost of such service. Another way of handling this issue, is that the China buyers simply keep and use their boats in Hong Kong. This obviously will overcrowd Hong Kong’s marinas and not help much to boost sales into China.

A way to overcome this issue, in order to create a better regulations in the future for pleasure boats in China, is for brokers in Hong Kong to sell more low priced / good quality used boats into China. If we are to stop hunting for clients only for high end yachts worth many millions of Euros and direct more marketing towards the younger and median rich clientele, It will create a lot more pleasure boats in the waters of China. The market will respond in a very positive way. Forbes list of 2010 confirms that there are 64 billionaires in China, which makes it No.2 in Billionaires list. however, a point to note that there are over 900,000 people whose net worth is more than 10 million RMB (USD 1.3m), Majority of these people are of less than 39 years old. And even a larger and younger population which fall up to 5 million RMB worth.

There are definitely more number of people who are willing to spend a little initially to try out a boating venture. We have to keep in mind that boating lifestyle is not very common for China as yet. So the importance should be given to bringing more boats into China, which are not very expensive and good in quality.

This very concept will fill the marinas, forcing the management to grow and also provide a decent opportunities for shipyards and engineers to work in this sector.

This will also force the government to look into creating manageable regulations in terms of licensing and taxing for pleasure yachts, and if the growth of this concept is healthy it will undoubtedly create much more friendly and hassle free market for the very wealthy to buy the high end yachts. In any case, China will have a large boating market, but to make it earlier than later, depends on our actions today.

India! Lets talk about India.

One of the biggest advantages India has is that Indian mentality and lifestyle is very adaptable to western lifestyle. India adapts and accepts ideas, culture and products from the west very easily. High number of Indian population speaks in English. In India almost everyone will understand you if you speak English. If you are a non-Indian company, you can easily find an educated work force in India. It is also easy to set up a shipyard and to train workers in a specialized industry in India due to India’s language capabilities and good educational level among the population. India has been a British colony for over 150 years and the rules and regulations of the country are still similar to that of Britain in many ways. Another advantage to grow the boating market in India is the expertise of the Indian media and advertising professionals in terms of marketing.

GDP growth of India is currently 7.2%, It is no.5 in the number of billionaires list and India currently holds approximately 200,000 millionaires with net worth of USD 1 million to 10 million, and a far larger population of people worth slightly less. India’s upper middle class population is expected to grow about 10 times in the next 10-15 years.

But here are the set backs! India’s political system is a chaos, corruption exists in many sectors and things become inefficient, especially if you want to start a new industry. An example of inefficiency in India is that to start a private company there are about 13 different legal procedures that one has to take and the time frame takes minimum of 30 days. While in Hong Kong this very same procedure is done with high efficiency in less than 45 minutes.

One major concern is that the infrastructure growth in India is incredibly slow. Due to its own democracy and differences in political groups, it is difficult to commence any kind of infrastructure. The marina which was due to be built more than 5 years ago in south of India is still not ready. Therefore the speed of development of marinas and likewise developments is a lot slower than what they could have been, if the political system was more sound. Of course the major problem remains for Indian boat owners to keep their boats. Because currently there are no marinas with standard berthing facilities in India.

A good point again, being the world’s largest democracy the rules and regulations are flexible in India, and with its plus points, if the luxury boat business does reach a good start like having few working marinas and a small number of boats to begin with, the Indian market for boats will see faster growth than of China’s boating market.

The traders and dealers of boats in India also need to convey a message that boats are not just for the super rich and make them look more affordable and common in their marketing strategy, and to start this, cheaper and good quality boats need to be floating on the water. More power boat chartering businesses also can boost the industry in this initial stage.

I am also sure it wont be too long until I can cruise the beautiful waters of India and China on a private yacht with safety and with ease. Await for that day.

For now enjoy Cruising
Baggy Sartape

Vacationers visit the Caribbean every year to experience a true tropical getaway. Every island has its own unique history, heritage and culture, but the one thing all the islands have in common is their natural beauty, surrounded by vivid blue ocean waters, pristine beaches and breathtaking tropical landscapes. Perhaps one of the ultimate ways to experience the diversity of the Caribbean is by taking an island-hopping golf vacation aboard a luxury mega yacht charter. Using Antigua as a jumping-off point, golfers can choose to either travel north to Anguilla or south to The Grenadines. Tim Nelson will be happy to assist in planning a unique Caribbean adventure.

From Anguilla to The Grenadines, the Caribbean has become known for its championship golf courses. Although you can bring your own clubs and equipment, most courses have everything you will need, including lessons and full service golf shops. Tee times should be made in advance, especially at the more popular, upscale courses. Plan on spending anywhere from US$45 to well over US$200 per round depending on the location and course. Following are some unique island golfing options.

Anguilla

The low coral island of Anguilla sits at the top of the Leeward Island chain. It is a serene, remote place of magnificent soft, undeveloped, dazzlingly white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and some exclusive hotels and estates all surrounded by the most turquoise blue sea possible. There are no towns- just a scattering of houses and business places. The interior is dry, dusty and covered in scrubby vegetation. The attraction for the luxury mega yacht charterer is the coast and the pure relaxation and escapism that come from the island’s seclusion as well as the friendliness of its people.

An 18-hole Greg Norman Championship Golf Course being developed at Rendezvous Bay is scheduled to open in the fall of 2006. The Temenos Golf Club is being constructed in conjunction with a 5-star St. Regis Hotel and Spa, and approximately 50-100 multimillion dollar residential estates. The entire course will be open to the public, but in order for persons to become members of the golf club, they will be required to be a home-owner. One of the newest owners is Tiger Woods. According to Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Osbourne B. Fleming, “The availability of golfing facilities will increase the appeal of Anguilla for key segments of the market- those interested in small meetings, incentives or group travel.” One can only hope that this large scale development will not ruin the appeal of this island – the tranquility and serenity of its deserted beaches.

Saint Martin/Sint Maarten

Shared by the French and the Dutch, the busy island of St. Martin/St. Maarten is one of the most developed in this part of the Caribbean. With fabulous beaches, lots of tourist facilities, and a huge duty-free shopping area, it is a Mecca for the luxury mega yacht charterer. The daily stream of luxury yachts entering and leaving the harbors – one bigger than the other- is mind boggling. With the limited choice for golf on St. Maarten, the luxury mega yacht charterer should spend time exploring this shopper’s and sun seeker’s haven. The French side excels in gourmet restaurants offering everything from delectable local seafood to fine French cuisine. Shopping is a fusion of French chic and open-air markets featuring souvenir T-shirts, as well as a host of local island spices, flowers, fruits and vegetables. The Dutch side is a gambler’s delight with many large Casinos, resorts, and fast-food chains. In addition, the best nightlife in terms of bars and nightclubs are located on the Dutch side. For party-goers, there is something happening every night. The only place to play golf is at the Mullet Bay Resort in St. Maarten. Designed by Joseph Lee, palm-lined fairways offer beautiful views of the lagoon. Green fees run about US$93 for 18-holes, with cart rentals extra. If you are a serious golfer, you are better off island-hopping to nearby St. Kitts to test your skills.

St. Kitts/Nevis

The islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, which together form one nation, are unique in the Eastern Caribbean for their remarkable preservation of West Indian culture and attitudes. Nowhere else in the region will you find such perfect examples of colonial architecture, gorgeous plantation inns, ramshackle sugar mills and great hospitality. The discerning luxury mega yacht charterer will find deserted beaches, lush vegetation, exotic animals and many historical sites to explore, as well as magnificent accommodations for the luxury cruiser.

Basseterre is home to a new duty-free shopping district. A race track and casino are under construction. They are sure to be a fun-filled landside distraction for the cruiser on a luxury mega yacht charter. There are three golf courses located on these tiny islands. The 2-year old Frigate Bay Golf Course is a challenging par 72 operated by the Royal St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort. It is bordered on the south by the Caribbean Sea and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, with views of a dormant volcano island. Designed by five-time British Open winner, Peter Thompson, the course is dotted with many water hazards and is swept by sea winds from all directions, which adds to the challenge. The Golden Rock Golf Club is a smaller, less luxurious facility offering 9 holes. On Nevis, the Four Seasons has a 5-star resort on beautiful Pinney’s Beach. The course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., is continually named by Conde Nast Traveler readers as one of their favorite resorts worldwide. The course offers splendid views of Nevis as well as St. Kitts across the Caribbean. Almost every hole has a backdrop of Mt. Nevis or a view of blue ocean and emerald islands. The course dips and twists through foothills. Palm trees and tropical flowers line the fairways, wild monkeys chatter on the mango trees, and goats graze in the bunkers. The course is swept by sea winds, which necessitates the constant change in club selection

Antigua

With 365 white sandy beaches, and a turquoise coastline full of bays, coves and natural harbors, Antigua is one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations for the luxury mega yacht charterer. This is especially true in April when the international yachting set descend on the island for Race Week and partying vies with sailing. Antigua is well-equipped to cater to the mega yacht cruiser with numerous luxury amenities, facilities and yachting services.

There are two locations to play golf on Antigua. Adjacent to the Jolly Harbour Marina, and surrounded by excellent shopping and beaches, Karl Litton designed the par 71, 18-hole Jolly Harbour Golf Club. This championship golf course is located in a lush tropical parkland. With easterly trade winds, the challenging course winds its way around seven lakes. 18 holes cost US$ 40.00 and a golf pro is available for lessons. A second course is located at the Cedar Valley Golf Club just east of St. John. The 18-hole par 70 championship course was designed by the late Richard Aldridge and is renowned for its panoramic views of the island’s coastline. Green fees are US$35 for 18 holes; cart rentals are an additional US$30. Cedar Valley hosts all of the major Antigua golf tournaments and has welcomed the British Pro-Am as well.

Guadeloupe

The butterfly-shaped island of Guadeloupe is one of the larger islands of the Lesser Antilles. It is not only diverse but very complex. The western wing of Basse-Terre is dominated by large mountain ranges, dense rainforests, the Caribbean’s tallest waterfalls, and black sand beaches. The eastern wing of Grande-Terre is utterly flat by contrast, with rural sugar cane fields and white sand beaches. As part of the French West Indies, Guadeloupe has much to offer the luxury mega yacht charterer. St. Francois is a posh harbour town located in Grand-Terre. Its anchorage is very popular with the luxury mega yacht charterer. It does not have much of a beachfront, but it makes up for it with its beautiful marina, where a boardwalk lined with chic boutiques, cafes and restaurants draws affluent clientele. The major land activity happens next door to the marina at the 18-hole golf course – Guadeloupe’s only links. Robert Trent Jones, designed this golf course, teased by trade winds, over twenty years ago. The course spreads its 18-holes over nearly 200 acres lined with royal palm trees. The course is marked by artificial lakes, numerous flat lying areas and well designed bunkers. The greatest challenge is the constantly shifting trade winds.

Martinique

Landing on the island of Martinique, Christopher Columbus declared,”…it is the most charming country in the world.” The island is a breathtaking mix of little French villages, lush tropical rain forests, exotic flowers, towering mountains and dormant volcanoes, and black and white sand beaches. Its hillside banana plantations, pavement cafes, boulangeries, Parisian shops and street markets are a tropical France.

Most sun worshipping luxury mega yacht charterers head directly to Southern Martinique where the island’s only white sand beaches are located. There is very little available in the small hamlet of Les Trois-Ilets other than the Golf Country Club de la Martinique. This is home to the par 71, 18-hole Robert Trent Jones course with an English-speaking pro, a pro shop, bar and restaurant. The view of the turquoise Caribbean waters through the palm trees makes every hole truly breathtaking. Normal green fees are EUR46; an electric cart is an additional EUR46, and pull carts are EUR6.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia, lying between Martinique to the north and St. Vincent in the south, is a glorious mix of honey and volcanic sand beaches, translucent blue waters, sheltering reefs swarming with tropical fish, lush interior rainforests, and a thriving culture of literature, theater, music and dance. Jungle biking and hiking are popular sports with over 12 miles of trails suitable for all abilities. Expect to see 18th century colonial ruins, swimming holes, and hundreds of fruit trees. To cure any aches and pains, a dip in Sulfur Springs, described by the locals as, “the only drive-in volcano in the world”, supposedly has restorative powers.

St. Lucia has become the perfect destination for the luxury mega yacht charterer looking for the truly unique golf getaway. There are several golfing options on St. Lucia. The St. Lucia Golf and Country Club is located at the northern end of the island. It is currently the only 18-hole course on the island. The semi private club welcomes the public and offers panoramic views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It accommodates players of all skill levels, from novice to professional. It is also the only course on the island that offers a driving range, full service pro shop and a golf academy.

Currently under construction, Jack Nicklaus is bringing his first signature course to the Eastern Caribbean Islands. The $100 million project at Cap Estates will provide St. Lucia two full-length 18-hole courses. The Sandals St. Lucia Golf and Resort is an all-inclusive golf alternative to the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club. Sandals has a 9-hole par 33 golf course. Those not staying at the resort are welcome to play for US$30 for 9 holes and US$45 for 18 holes. Finally, on the southwest shore is the Jalouise Hilton Resort, which also has a 9-hole par 3 course for those looking for just a taste of golf. Guests not staying at the hotel can play the course with the purchase of a US$75 a day pass to the resort.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Situated about 100 miles west of Barbados and nestled between St. Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south, St. Vincent and its 32 sister islands and cays known collectively as the Grenadines, are still untouched by the overt hand of tourism. There are no neon lights, no high rise buildings, no traffic jams, no fast-food joints, no crowds, and no noise. Only a handful of the islands are populated. Although some of the islands are reachable by plane, most arrive by sea either under sail on their own private vessels or on luxury mega yacht charters. Several of the anchorages in the islands of St. Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, and Union Island are particularly available to the mega yacht.

The islands’ volcanic features and underwater topography are ideal for diving and snorkeling, as well as underwater photography. For the more adventurous luxury mega yacht charterer, the small, crescent-shaped island of Canouan, located in the middle of the Grenadine island chain, has some of the Caribbean’s best and most private reef protected white sand beaches. A luxury resort has been developed on the island, complete with holiday villas, a casino and the Grenadines’ only golf course. The 18-hole course is located in the lush green hills of this tiny island.

The beauty of playing golf on Canouan is the island is largely set up to cater to the needs of its luxury seeking holiday visitors. Every luxury imaginable is offered for those that can afford it. A luxury mega yacht charter to the Caribbean is an unforgettable experience, especially if combined with a unique golf outing. Caribbean golf courses are highly attractive because of their landscaping, tropical surroundings, and stunning ocean views. They are also often a challenge because of the ever-present trade winds. Whether traveling north from Antigua to Anguilla or south to The Grenadines, an island-hopping golf vacation aboard a luxury mega yacht charter offers the ultimate vacation experience. Contact Gail Hartman for details on smaller yachts.

Anybody in the globe yearns for for a suitable journey be it to fly to a particular getaway region or to sail using a luxury cruise. Of late, alot more most people are typically fascinated in vacationing on a lavishness boat lease in place of flying. This is exactly as a result of it is always the recent comfort travels high-class! Maybe you have ever wished to encounter the fact that rich and famous consumers have fun with their particular yachting a vacation in Italy over a plush level? When it is a that is right, so therefore the notion of planning to get a private yacht yacht rental is actually a tremendous options.

It is a should really visit for almost everyone to check out Cinque Terre, a substantial extend of delightful plot of land. Through this plot, there exists a number of people which provides a rich customs, background and breathtaking magnificence of which made these individuals one of several earth traditions places by UNESCO. Travellers are granted of having a overall look regarding nearby existence which is the real taste of Italy so that it is the more quality location to pay a visit to. Furthermore this is the greatest magnet that you must not miss out in Italy at any time you would like to vacation at Italy by way of 5-star luxury boat book.

At this point maybe it is possible to assume it will be so significantly to embark on a cruise ship and not chartering a luxury boat. Adequately, it is possible to go with that but the truth is will undoubtedly be utilizing the conveniences within the cruise ship with hundreds and potentially 1000 of customers. What sort appears much better? That or having the level of privacy and ease on board your current chartered hugely luxury boat with folks associates to deliver you with all the luxurious 5-star and cruise trip at your special timing and convenience.

Some other historical location which may be most went to see due to the prosperous past through Italy is always Tuscany, Elba. Down the stunning coastline of Elba Island are a handful of terrific beaches and a number of fun-filled activities routines like trekking up a mountain, snorkeling and diving that you choose to could certainly enjoy. You also can easily step out on your chartered luxury boat patio to relax and sun bath if you had like to go for a terrific tan on a sunny day. Furthermore that, you can easily even participate in any the sea activities organised along at the sea-coast or go do some fishing on patio.

If you want to have to check out the country meadow, drop by the Capraia Island, where by the majority of area is a shielded nationwide park besides having one of many best islands that you simply check out. One additional tropical isle for you to will likely be intrigued by will be the Giglio Island considering its aged, outlying charisma. You will be gravel by simply beauty with the history beyond ages as you may will probably be welcome by architectural mastery, the ancient wall space and falling apart citadel shape in the town.

In case it ever happened to you in which that there may not turn out to be almost any facilities and facilities using a high end yacht rent, you will be wrong. In truth, you may seriously enjoy a high-class and calming escape because most of these features are on side luxurious yacht hire. You can even elect to engage a the mega private yacht that is included with team members like a cook, captain and butler require to be delivered and travel like a big shot on a lavish holiday getaway with the complete family members.

Simply, in Italy, nearly all places of interest like Portofino, a wonderful angling town and Santa Margherita Ligure are usually so renowned that numerous tourists trip to its wonderful harbour and enjoyable an assortment of eating places. Another two places that are legendary for its attractive great beauty are classified as the Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano. It is possible to experience quite a bit that is made available here from purchasing to scrumptious neighborhood dishes.

As you may is able to see, you can find lots of activities and sites go to in Italy. It is possible to especially experience the many comfy and high-class holiday break via Italy yacht charters which delivers style, relaxation, flexibility and most of all high class. Rather than the probability to savor the delightful shorelines in Italy, the good point about luxury yacht chartering is that they offer guests a exclusive and unforgettable adventure whilst celebrating and experiencing any unique reception with friends and family.

Particularly keen on this holiday destination are yacht owners and those with a yacht charter. This once inaccessible, ancient fishing village is now renowned as the playground for the rich and famous and attracts some of the richest pleasure cruising and yachting enthusiasts in the world. It’s marina can accommodate up to 1050 vessels at any one time with only 100 of the berths reserved for visitors, the marina is definitely the place to be. Summertime in the marina is quite a sight, with expensive yacht after yacht berthed dockside allowing many guests to step straight off deck and into the hustle and bustle that the town boasts. Many of the yacht guests own or rent property in the area and you can regularly see many executive, chauffer driven cars as well as high performance sports cars parked port side awaiting their owners.

Bars, restaurants and cafes sprawl the dockside of the Vieux Port and are frequented by yachtsmen and their crews there to hobnob, sip martinis and get noticed. There is plenty more wining and dining to be enjoyed around the Quai Jean Jaurès, on the Place des Lices (directly south of the old port), throughout the alleyways of the Rue Allard and Georges-Clemenceau with fantastic gourmet, seafood and traditional cafes and brasseries. The cuisine is distinctive of the area with a massive influence of spices and flavors, including olive oil, of the Mediterranean. Fine dining is surprisingly affordable and menus offer diverse and appealing food as well as wine, typically sourced from around the Rhone Valley.

St Tropez’s night life caters for everyone, with retail houses remaining open until dusk to allow for the perfect outfit to be purchased for the evening. Legendary nightclubs such as Les Caves du Roy in the swanky Hotel Byblos allow you to rub shoulders with Hollywood’s elite. Bodega de Papagayo, an Asian inspired bar and restaurant catering for the younger scene and Kelly’s Irish Bar where Guinness and live music are always on the menu, casinos and discotheques are packed full of wealthy individuals enjoying what’s on offer throughout the high season. If the aim is to mingle with celebrities and the elite then there is no avoiding the expense that comes hand in hand with such an extravagant lifestyle, cocktails and food can be very expensive in these parts.

Think of St Tropez and immediately you see sun, sea and sand. With magnificent golden beaches including the small and enchanting Baile des Canoubiers and the world famous Les Salins, and of course Pampelonne beach which is perhaps, for yacht owners and charters, one of the most popular destinations to anchor off shore and spend the day getting well introduced to the yacht’s sea toys including jet skis.

Despite first glances, St Tropez has a lot more to offer than just overpriced glitz and glamour, the town boasts some of the most incredible architectural marvels, art exhibitions, museums and beautiful parks where you can often find a game of Boules being played.

When exploring the surrounding Riviera particular hot-spots for yachters include Nice, often thought of as the down-to-earth St Tropez. Nice exploits yet more picturesque beaches, a more vibrant and younger gathering and offers more artistic culture.

Cannes is another local destination definitely worth visiting. As famous for the annual film festival which is held there every May as the rich, celebrity crowd that populate the area, Cannes hosts exclusive beaches, shopping boutiques and a sensational climate.

Also nestled along the French Rivierra, known locally in France as the Cote D’Azur, are the charming tows of Antibes and its sister town Juan-Les-Pins, located just five minutes south. Both towns are incredibly busy in peak season, between June and September and it can be difficult to find an available spot to sit and enjoy the sun and sea. A multitude of water activities are on offer in both areas and rental locations are easily accessible for jet ski hire etc. Juan-Les-Pins is regarded as the more playful Antibes and houses the largest yacht and super yacht port in Europe, renowned for its exceptional access.

Having mentioned a small variety of other areas that you can visit whilst holidaying here, there is no place quite like St Tropez. It is uniquely brilliant and has so much to offer that you will never get bored. Whether it is a quiet, sun and sea filled yachting holiday that you require or if wish to party like a rock-star in the A-list celeb clubs then St Tropez could be your perfect destination.

How do I select a yacht broker to sell my vessel? How do I come across the best yacht broker to sell my boat? These are questions that you as a yacht owner may ask when it is time to sell your boat. In my transactions with sellers, I find that the majority, if not all of them had no idea when deciding on the brokerage to represent them. Their preference was made arbitrarily it would seem. When you are ready, you need to find a first-class yacht brokerage that you can rely on. Some of the factors that you should think about are honesty, value and competency.

A yacht is a huge expenditure and a lot of people prefer to buy one from a yacht brokerage. A brokerage sells boats to interested people for a commission. Obviously, before you think about which one to go with when selling, you will want to be familiar with the commission fee that they charge; it is a standard 10% in the trade.

Of course, you want to look for honesty in a yacht broker. Nobody cares to trade with a dishonest person in any way, but some people are extremely dishonest without seeming to be. Check out the reputation of the brokerage before making a commitment, and make sure that there are no complaints filed against them. The brokerage should be competent when it comes to pricing your yacht. Your yacht brokerage should have a good knowledge of the market and how much to price your boat.

Always look for skill in a yacht brokerage. They should have been in the trade for some time. The longer, the better, obviously, as this shows they’re able to stay in business. They will not only have the opportunity to sell your yacht at a respectable price, but also manage to obtain the perfect yacht if you are looking to buy another one from a broker.

In order to locate the right yacht brokerage, you must shop around. Talk to some people until you get at ease with one. Ask for and phone references. Never deal with a brokerage that is aggressive or insists that you put your signature on a contract that you do not understand. These legal contracts are binding. If you do not grasp the listing contract, you should check with an attorney. In addition, remember that buying a boat is like buying a house. You will want to investigate the business as you would a home brokerage business.

Here are some questions to pose while looking for the top yacht brokerage. Make use of this list to establish which Broker is best for you.

Will you co-broke with other Brokers who might have a buyer that could purchase my vessel? Am I able to get it in writing? We have it in our listing agreement; we always co-broke with other Brokers. If you cannot get it in writing the broker is more worried about his commission; you could potentially lose out on a sale.

How reachable are you going to be to me, buyers and other Brokers? We make telephone calls often to other Brokers and wait for days to hear back from them. My cell phone and PC are constantly on; you can reach me if you need to; so can buyers!

Does your company sell yachts full-time or is brokerage just a passion? Numerous Brokers do it in their free time like a hobby. If your Broker will not act for you full-time, seven days per week, and holidays if needed, you need to select another company.

How long does your listing agreement last? Can I cancel if I want to? Our listing agreement is for an initial 6 months. Our rule is that if you are not pleased with our services, we will release you at any time at your request after that initial period. Most brokerage listing agreements contain a notification clause in fine print that claims you are obligated to give them a 90-120 day written notice before you will be released.

How do you market my boat? Marketing and advertising vessels is all related to exposure. It’s a well-known fact that today’s boat buyers shop the Web almost exclusively for their yachts. Here you are! The truth is statistics demonstrate that about ninety-eight percent of all boat sales transpire as a result of world wide web publicity. Ask about the web sites the brokerage uses to market boats and yachts. Having your boat on 10 little known web sites nobody can find is ineffective. Inquire how the brokerage has completed search engine optimization and what percentage of visitors visit their sites every month via search engines. About 63% of our site visitors get through to us by way of a search engine. It has been indexed by all of the most important search engines including Google, Yahoo, Bing, Dogpile, and others.

Ask what terminology the internet site is rated for; our web site can be Googled and located on page 1 for “used trawlers”, “used motor yachts”, “used cruisers”, and scores of other search terms. Perhaps that is how you located us? Can your selected brokerage certify that your yacht will turn up on Google page one? At our brokerage, we do warrant it with each boat listed.

What number of site visitors come to your web site seeking yachts? We often experience over 18,000 visits to our web site monthly, thousands more than the Yachtworld internet website.

Inquire if the brokerage makes use of the Yachtworld website, the international multiple listing service web site. This internet website is the multiple listing website where we share listings with other Brokers. And yes, all of our vessels are on there.

Global marketing is a big issue to us; it produces consumers. Do you realize that we have had site visitors from as many as 78 countries in 2010 from countries such as Australia, Norway, Canada, France, Finland, New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, and Germany on this web site, just to name a couple? We sold about 6 vessels to foreign customers last year. Request how a brokerage markets worldwide.

Does the brokerage employ direct email advertising and marketing? We keep an email marketing list of several thousand boaters, a good number of whom are purchasers. On a bi-monthly basis we email these buyers with a publication about new vessels on the market, price changes, boating headlines and other subjects of marine interest. Your yacht will be marketed here. It sends customers to the website.

Does the brokerage keep up a blog? We maintain a blog to help educate new customers to the boating community; your yacht will be posted there also. It is also indexed by Google daily and produces hundreds of visitors on a daily basis. We post to the blog twice weekly. We additionally maintain a Paradise Yachts existence on Face Book, the social media internet website where we interact with other boaters; a lot of our followers are boat buyers wanting to locate the best boat.

We are one of a few brokerages that make use of You Tube to promote your boat via narrated videos describing her features. Your yacht will be featured here as well. In addition, we also take part in sixty-one other social bookmarking websites with the only intent of bringing the buying public to your yacht.

How will you keep me informed of the progress of your marketing? At Paradise Yachts we frequently hear how other Brokers get a listing and don’t let customers know how things progressing. You will hear from us regularly; about every 6 weeks. I enjoy sending you an email outlining how I understand the universal market, how many boats like yours have sold and at what value, what the prices are with boats like yours on the market, if any boats similar to yours have entered the market and what, if any, recommendations I have to improve our internet marketing.

How many boats do you keep in inventory? I like to maintain from 25-35 vessels in my selling inventory. With this amount, I am able to keep track of each boat’s monthly progress, assess the traffic each yacht gets, examine what other boats like yours are selling for and keep you informed on her progress. More boats and you will turn out to be just another number.

What do you truly comprehend about yachts; have you ever owned one? I have sold more than one vessel because the buyer completed his investigation and found me because he recognized I myself own a trawler. The buyer sought me out as a result of my yacht ownership and know-how. I could talk the talk with him.

And lastly, ask your broker for a list of yachts that have sold in the past year. Has he sold any boats comparable to yours?

In summary, don’t just select the Broker that happens to be down at the local docks. He may spend more time on the golf course than you do. Do some Internet investigation and ask a number of questions to know you are getting the Broker who has your best interest in mind.

Most people enter yachting for similar reasons: the pursuit of adventure, getting paid to travel in a unique way, love of the water, and a stack of “once-in-a-lifetime” events that make other’s jaws drop with envy…

However, what people REALLY want out of their yachting career greatly varies!

It is critical to write down your specific personal and financial goals WITH a time-frame BEFORE you begin as professional yacht crew. (You’ll see why in a minute…)

Yes goals may change over time, but without writing down specific goals before your first crew job you can easily lose your frame of reference once you plunge into the wild world of mega-yachts.

Let me explain…

Once you kick-start your career as a yachtie, your perceptions and outlook will radically change…

You won’t believe how much it is possible to experience in a short period of time. In any given month you may enter in and out of several countries, or rack up thousands of sea miles, or have several millionaires and movie stars charter aboard the yacht, etc.

Compared to 9-to-5 living on land, the weeks rocket by – each packed with wild events, places, and faces that are tattooed on your brain forever.

It is easy to not be able to see the forest for the trees…

So it is critical to check your progress toward your original goals every month to truly see if you are getting closer, stagnating, or getting way off track. The real trick is to be 100% brutally honest with yourself (and your spouse, significant others, partner, etc.). Dead-serious-look-at-your-face-in-the-mirror honest.

After all, even though yachting is fun you DO want to achieve some level of success toward your original goals, right? Unfortunately, many yachties complete blow this…

A pile of cash in a bank account covers many “sins,” and trust me, your perceptions of reality really start to blur when you are surrounded by limitless budgets, luxurious surroundings, and you develop champagne tastes and expectations without ever needing to pull out your own wallet.

But beware…

95% of full-time, live-aboard professional yacht crew work on yachts for 5 years or significantly less!

Priorities, values, and goals DO shift over time. Plus commitments, responsibilities, and unpredicted events can shorten your career as well…

Yes there is a very good chance that your exciting career as yacht crew will only be for a relatively short period of time…

When a yachtie ends their career they always fall into 1 of 3 categories:

1) They either met or exceeded their personal, career, and financial goals…

2) OR have little to show for their time afloat other than a few cool stories and a couple of bucks that will evaporate within a week…

3) OR are somewhere in between, but certainly wished they were more strategic and disciplined along the way. (this “wake up call” can be hard to swallow once the dust settles)

The key difference between these career results?

Set goals, act, check in. Repeat.

Make your goal “real” now by writing it down EXACTLY as follows:

1) The reasons I am going to get a job on a yacht are (list them),

2) It is important to me to accomplish (list) while working on yachts,

3) I will starting hunting for my first yacht crew job on (date)

4) I will keep my written goals (exactly where?)

5) I will review them every (when? How will you remind yourself to do this?)

6) I will end my yachting career when (date) and/or once I accomplish (what and why?).

7) OR if, God forbid, I am totally honest with myself and see that I am NOT progressing toward my original goals (items 1 & 2 above), then I will make serious preparations to transition out of the yacht crew lifestyle to the inevitable reality of living on land and paying my own way month after month after month…

Yes, the yacht crew life, benefits, and wild possibilities are AWESOME and almost impossible to replicate in any other field or industry. Yet entering yachting is a BOLD move: you may either come out stronger, wiser, and wealthier, OR disillusioned and bitter…

“The bold are helpless without cleverness.” – Euripides

If you have the courage to take this “leap of faith” into a life-changing, adventurous yachting career, then progress toward your goals with firm footing so you won’t regret it once your days at sea are over.

When the time has come to paint your boat there are plenty of do’s and don’ts to take into account. I have been a boat builder for 25 years and here is some advice on steps you can take to make this expensive procedure turn out for the best, without too much stress and strain.

Firstly, wash the boat from top to bottom to remove any salt residue, remove the mast and rigging and store these away. You may want to consider painting the mast at this time if required. Then lift the boat and place into the paint shed and set up the scaffolding at an easy height to work from.

Go over the boat and decide if there is any gear that you don’t want to put back on after the repaint, or any changes that you want to make. Do these before any paint is applied so that they can be faired in and made to look like they were always meant to be there.

Cover the top of the boat from toe-rail to toe-rail with draping film so that you cover the entire deck area, this will stop all the dust from getting on the deck and into the interior of the boat. The clean up at the end will be a big enough job as it is. It is now time to mask up all the remaining fittings that you are not removing. It is hard to get tape to stick, once you get a layer of dust over things, without doing a major clean. The tape also gives some protection when you sand up close to the fitting.

Now it is time for the first sand, if you have access to orbital sanders you can do this part, make sure you use a good respirator as the dust from this is not good for the lungs. It will need a good, hard sand with about 80 grit paper. If this grit seems to take a long time to sand with, or clogs up very quickly, try a coarser grade, say 60, or you may need to solvent wash the area to remove any wax or polish that may still be there. You need to sand the entire surface until it is a matt finish with no shine showing, take particular care to get right into all the corners and up to any fittings etc. If you don’t, then this is where the new paint won’t stick well enough. Be sure to get the painter to check it before applying the undercoat.

The boat should be dusted down and washed with a degreasing agent or wax remover just prior to painting to make sure that any contamination from other chemicals or oils etc. is removed. You can go around the boat and spot fill any areas that need repairing at this point, or get the first undercoat on, and while it is still fresh, go around and fill all the holes and imperfections you can see. I prefer to do the filling after the undercoat as it is easier to see all the areas requiring attention.

Now ask the painter to spray or wipe on a “guide coat”. This is thinners, or solvent, with a dark tint in it. Once this is done your boat will look like the local gang has just attacked it with graffiti, but that’s okay because you get to sand it all off! We need to move to a finer grade of paper at this point, I suggest around the 180 grade, and make sure it is “dri-lube” sheet paper. On the hull sides we use paddle boards that take a whole sheet of dri-lube. Paddle boards are roughly 300mmx200mm, made out of plywood, with a thin sponge foam on the face and a handle on the back, to which you staple a whole sheet of dri-lube paper. Once you have sanded the guide coat off, so that all you can see is undercoat, then it is time to dust and clean ready for the next undercoat. Again, get the painter to check your sanding before he puts the next undercoat on. All going well this will be the final undercoat.

Once this next undercoat is on, again, check to see if any filling is required and do it if it is. Then another guide coat is needed and away you go with the sanding, this time with around the 280 to 320 grade dri-lube. Once you have finished and the painter is happy, it’s time for the top coat to be applied.

Once the top coat is applied, the next step is to mark out any boot top and stripes, for best results get someone to do this with a laser level. Apply the sign-writing, if it is within any of the stripes. Then back mask the boot top and stripes (back mask means mask all the newly painted topsides leaving only the stripe/boot top to be painted exposed) and sand with 280 to 320 grade paper, removing all the shine, then have the painter spray on the chosen colour. Warning: Don’t mask over fresh paint with plastic or draping film as it holds the solvents in, softens the paint, and sticks the film to the new paint. Use plain brown paper.

When all this is hard you can now proceed to unmask the boat. When pulling the final tapes off, pull them back on themselves so as not to be pulling the new paint off the job. Uncover all the deck as well then stand back and admire the new look!