Sunday, December 28, 2008

Yacht Delivery

There are times when you will need to travel, whether for business or recreational purposes. During this time you may need your yacht or some other type of vessel transported from one destination to the other. If this is the case you may want to solicit the services of a yacht delivery service. A Yacht Delivery service delivers all sized sailing and motor vessels on the water under their own power. They can be privately owned, commercial or charter vessels.
Inquire about whether the yacht delivery service that you choose is insured properly although you will need to be insured as well. The cost for this type of service can vary based on the length of the passage and the type of vessel that will be transported. Other factors that affect the cost of this service would be the time of year, the weather, and various types of crew requirements. Owners are encouraged to join the crew and travel with their vessel. This can give the owner a chance to become part of the crew, provide the owner with valuable insight about their vessel. This will also give the owner time to improve his or her abilities, gaining confidence and experience.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Diverse Advantages Of A Boat Loan Calculator

A boat loan calculator is useful tool when you need to calculate the finance options for your new boat. When you are starting to consider purchasing equipment either for yourself or for your business then you may be considering obtaining some kind of finance package such as a loan. For many people the most obvious place to go to in order to obtain a loan or any other financial arrangement is the bank. However, it is not necessarily always the case that your bank is going to be able to provide you with a finance package fully appropriate when taking into account the equipment that you are looking to purchase.
However, the purchase of a boat will again involve a range of factors which your bank may not be experienced enough or specialised enough to address. You may have used a loan calculator to establish interest rates, terms and charges and to identify the kind of payment arrangement which will be best suited to your circumstances, but have you considered using a more specific boat loan calculator?
A boat loan calculator will take into consideration the specific item which you are looking to purchase and the wide range of very specific factors which will come into play during the purchase and maintenance of the item in question. Similarly, for farm equipment and construction equipment, boats and other major purchases will often involve a wide range of other costs, some of which can be included within the cost of the loan itself. One specific example would be the insurance, something which will almost certainly be necessary should the boat, or whatever equipment you have purchased, be considered by the loan company as security.
A boat loan calculator will also be able to help you identify ways in which your purchase can be adapted to suit your financial style, and even take into consideration those situations where you may even be considering constructing the boat fully or partially yourself. This self-assembly of expensive items, or combination of expensive items, can often be experienced within both the farming and the construction industry is as well. Very often banks will not be able to take these situations into account sufficiently.
Using a loan calculator will allow you to very easily identify the type of boat loan which will be most appropriate for you. For example, you can experiment with altering the number of years over which the loan term runs; often this is five years but in some cases there is a degree of flexibility. Alternatively, you may experiment by comparing the difference between having a secured loan and an unsecured boat loan. Obviously, an unsecured boat loan will be much the same as taking out a personal loan and will very likely entail paying a much higher rate of interest. Using a boat loan calculator will let you identify exactly what savings might be made by switching your boat loan to being secured. Naturally, a secured boat loan will include an interest rate which is significantly lower.
Your bank is unlikely to be able to arrange a boat loan which will take into account the insurance which you will necessarily have to take out. It would be foolish indeed to purchase a boat or any other expensive item such as farm equipment or construction equipment, and not have those things insured. A secured boat loan is likely to require you to have an insurance policy, and if you do not already have one of these then your boat finance calculator should be able to include the cost of such a policy in calculating your monthly repayments.
A loan calculator which is specifically geared to the purchasing of large and expensive items that are specific to a particular industry or interest will also be able to take on board related factors about which your bank is unlikely to be aware. For example, if you expect to be financially better off towards the end of the loan term that at the beginning, you can choose a balloon payment that offers a lower initial repayment, and a cash repayment of the outstanding sum at the end of the loan term.
You are very strongly advised, therefore, to at least take the time to explore a wider range of financial arrangements and loan plans through the use of a finance calculator, such as a boat loan calculator, to identify a coherent package which will let you see more realistically your likely costs over time before committing yourself to the limitations of a bank loan.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Marine Audio - Get The Party Started

Marine audio has come into its own, with an ever increasing array of products to satisfy your need for sound.
With this little cautionary statement out of the way, lets look at how we can make our boat bound for sound. The basic components needed to make your boat rock (or country, or jazz) are a stereo receiver and a set of speakers. Wiring a boat for marine audio is very much similar to the stereo system in your car. The main difference being marine stereo receivers and other components are made with being on the water in mind. These products are manufactured to be water and corrosive resistant to stay intact for years of enjoyment. Beyond the basic receiver, speaker pair, many boaters like to pump up the volume with a combination of amplifiers and subwoofers. Nothing is better than pulling up next to your friends boat and having an instant tailgate party. There are many choices for your sound source such as CDs, XM Radio, and of course your regular local stations.
While you enjoy fishing, sunbathing or entertaining friends; the children can find relief from the hot sun while watching a DVD. Marine video has now become an important addition to your cruiser just as in your house (and probably SUV).
In my opinion boating is for enjoying the outdoors so I keep any video watching to a minimum. But it does provide a nice change of pace at night in the cabin. To many their boat, like their homes and cars, are an extension of themselves. So keep the excitement going from the land to the water.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

The Case For A Pontoon Boat

If you need a boat for personal use that includes a wide variety of recreational activities, a pontoon boat will be perfect. The different features that it offers fit a wide variety of needs. With the many cheap pontoon boats for sale made widely available, having a party out in the nearby lake or river has never been more attractive. Personal or large scale fishing expeditions can also be done via the use of pontoon boats.
What makes such boats so attractive and user-friendly? It all originates from the two main uses that it has established for itself. Pontoon boats are most popular for having a decent sized party out on the waters, while fishing enthusiasts have often relied on it for trips out on lakes, rivers and even swamps.
Having parties or picnics out at a nearby lake can be perfectly served with a medium sized pontoon boat. The ease of accessorizing the boat often makes it a popular choice for such occasions. Furniture can be loaded up on deck, while it will never get safer than having some fun on them, with railings usually attached along the perimeter. If required, having a pontoon boat with a cabin can provide shelter or even an extended day out in the outdoors.
Fishing hobbyists have also made pontoon boats one of their first options when setting out for a day of gathering a good harvest from the waters. The ease of navigation and floating capabilities of the vessel also makes it an ideal choice when fishing in a more swamp-like surrounding. There is less concern of getting trapped in the latter's congested areas which normal boats might not be able to survive in.
With its usability, durability and cost effectiveness, a pontoon boat can and will be a wise investment for anyone looking to own or rent a vessel for water-based outdoor activities. Especially with the current economic outlook, owning a pontoon boat will be a more reasonable, and overall wiser, choice than going for an expensive but more restrictive yacht. Even with the additional costs of gas, accessories and other extras, the case for a pontoon boat will still stand stronger in comparison to other seafaring vessels.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Stormcats Boat Builders Isle Of Islay Scotland

The West Coast of Scotland: hundreds of breathtaking islands set along a stunning coastline, all linked by some of the most challenging, fertile, and beautiful waters in the world.
Imagine the exhilaration of these bracing Western winds and North Atlantic swells. Imagine the tranquility of cutting effortlessly through glass-like, aqua ripples as they make their way towards deserted white sands. It was the West Coast of Scotland, renowned for its North Atlantic swells and storms as much as its breathtaking scenery, which first inspired our trademark strength and resilience.
Tough, versatile, and exceptionally strong, our boats are built not just to survive in challenging weather conditions, they are built to excel. With their reinforced hulls and deep keels filled with solid fibreglass, our boats have incredible damage resistance and longevity. Heightened strength, combined with our unique, supplementary buoyancy systems, make our boats safer, more stable in the water and virtually maintenance free.
We have a wide range of designs to suit all purposes and budgets. All boats are custom built, using the highest quality materials, to your own individual needs and specifications. AYour dream, your boat, your layout.B
It was the need to find a sturdy, safe boat for his commercial Dive business which led StormCats Managing Director Gus Newman to design and build his very first boat F a Commercial Catamaran. Built from decades of experience on the water, the first Dive Charter ABraveheartB set the standards to which all StormCats boats now adhere to: stronger than anything else on the market, highly durable, with reinforced hulls and keels, and with safety as a priority. Braveheart was built to excel even in the wildest weather conditions, and she did. All our catamarans are built to Lloyds special service class rules, and for charter boats, to the MCA code of practice to carry 12 passengers and 2 crew up to 60 miles offshore.
Take a testdrive at www.stormcats-islay.com and/or visit the stunningly beautiful Isle of Islay at www.islayinfo.com

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

First-time Yacht Buyers

If youBre a first-time yacht buyer the choice of used yachts available for purchase can be overwhelming. How do you make sense of all the models and styles out there?
Once you have assessed your yachting preference you can then decide on the type of yacht you are likely to need. Are you going to sail, cruise or fish from it? Of course, you could fish from anything if you wish, but yachts made for fishing are much different than those built for cruising.
How often will you use your new yacht? I always say that there are boaters and boat owners. Boaters use their boats; boat owners just like to say they own a yacht as their boats rarely leave the dock. Some boaters may be full-time liveaboards using their boats as their home every day. Others may just use their boats on nice weekends when time permits.
Next is the cost of yacht ownership. You must take this into consideration. The purchase price is almost like a down payment. Boating has its costs that you need to be aware of. If you are mechanically inclined, you will find that the costs are not substantial. Most boat owners do the majority of work themselves. I have another posting at my Cruising Center about the specifics of boating costs that breaks it down into each expense.
So thus far we have determined what type of boater we are, we know what style of yacht generally appeals to us, we know how much we expect to use it and about what to expect in the upkeep of her. So far so good!
Now comes the hard part; how to choose just the right one? I have developed a purchase checklist that I use with my customers to let them specify the critical features of a boat. This allows them to choose features that they can live without and those that are features that are must-haves. That checklist then becomes the basis for the perfect boat search. I then look for used yachts that best meet the customerBs wants recognizing that boat purchases usually involve some compromise. In the looking phase, I always say that youBll know it when the right boat comes along; it will talk to you.
But what about the cost? How do you know you are getting a fair deal? Borrowing from another posting at the Cruising Center about the True Value of Boats, good boats always command higher prices, always! A newer boat in poor condition will bring less than an older boat in good condition always! Never buy a yacht based upon the price alone or youBll be selling it within 6 months.
Using a BuyerBs Broker to represent you in your search, selection and purchase will save you time, money and a lot of disappointment.
The author, Mike Dickens is a Yacht Broker and owner/operator of Paradise Yachts.

Monday, December 8, 2008

North Carolina Boat Cruise

When you are going to take a boat holiday nothing may be more pleasant then attending North Carolina all along the United StatesB East Coast. North Carolina provides a great variety of spots to attend along the beach and along the ICW or Intracoastal Waterway.
When you come from the south, the excellent way to reach North Carolina by boat is via the Dismal Swamp Canal. As you arrive, you are sure to be greeted by the Lock Master inviting you into the unique lock keeper's home for a conversation on the history of the canal over coffee and doughnuts. The canal brings you on a 23-miles picturesque passage from the State of Virginia to North Carolina. When you enter North Carolina, you are sure to locate a visitor center that has 400 feet of dockage for those persons who have to stop overnight.

How To Buy A Yacht

Buying a used yacht is an emotional experience and usually the culmination of a long dream. This can be an exciting time and a lot of fun as the vision of cruising off into the sunset is very appealing.
ItBs very important that you know the character of the person you are dealing with. Some brokers care more about their commission than you as a customer. They will likely sell you anything that gets your attention, just for the sale.
No Cost Professional Help
You can search for and buy your used yacht on your own but are you going to have every possible advantage on your side to help you buy the best for the least? The answer is absolutely not! You will be at a significant disadvantage when dealing with a yacht Broker on your own.
Pre-qualifying for Marine Financing and Insurance.
There are a few things I urge you to consider before you begin to search for your boat. You may want to pre-qualify for a boat loan before you shop. That will give you some extra leverage and breathing room when you're shopping. Money is still availablefor marine loans unlike the housing market.
Locating the Perfect Yacht
Buying a boat is compromise and some will suit your intended usage much better than others. A sedan trawler with full 18" walk around may not look as sleek as a motoryacht but you will be able to reach the dock without being an acrobat. The trunk cabin trawler looks salty but a sundeck model will keep your guests dry when it rains.
The varieties of equipment and layout are endless but the benefits and downfalls of each will quickly become apparent after spending some time evaluating each vessel.
Once we determine which styles will work best, IBll then do some background investigating, making calls to the listing brokers, about the condition of each one. IBll give you feedback to save you frustration and disappointment.
Once we determine which boat(s) is potentially, just the right boat, IBll use a Purchase Prequalification Disclosure to obtain details about her. I'll then personally visit each boat, speak with the listing broker, and see for myself if the boat will meet your needs. I am going to look at things you will probably not consider and ask questions about things that never occurred to you. I am there to help find the best boat at the best price for you.
When I locate a few boats that might just fit the bill, weBll schedule a trip to go look at them. You will want to have me at your side when you look at them. You are going to be excited and would not want your emotions to get the best of you causing you to act in haste. I will be your devilBs advocate, helping you make the best decision and help decide if the boat is just right for you. I'll tell you if I think a boat is worth considering.
Making the Offer
WeBve now found what we think is your boat. You want to make an offer on her. Anyone can look up asking prices on boats on Yachtworld, but I have an intimate knowledge of current market conditions, the values of boats, a familiarity with similar boats, and information on recent sale prices and time on the market through industry resources not available to the public. I'll also have an idea of the sellers motivation to make the sale.
The Price - If you call any used car dealer or bank in North America and name any production automobile, they will quote a value of within a few dollars of each other. This is due to the multi-billion dollar, organized wholesale car auction system. With over 2,200 boat manufacturers (USCG Listings) in North America there is no such market for boats and there is no official Yacht Blue Book that gives retail and wholesale prices.
Keep in mind that asking prices of yachts generally reflect what the owner feels his boat is worth based upon her condition. I always tell my shoppers that a good boat will cost more than the average one. I tell my sellers of boats that if they have a good boat, they can demand a higher price.
Simply speaking, a boat is only worth what you are willing to pay and a seller is willing to take. I research what the boat you are considering has been selling for in your part of the US. That then becomes our basis for your offer.
The Offer - Once we determine what the boat has been selling for we will arrive at an "Offer to Purchase" price. The price will reflect what your budget will allow, what is fair, what is realistic to buy the yacht based upon her age and condition, and protection for you as conditional.
The offer will be made conditional on a satisfactory marine survey and sea trial. Other conditional items may be added as well.
IBll ask you to make a good-faith 10% deposit on the boat. I am required by law and do use an escrow account for your offer deposit and ensure that at closing, any existing loan or other encumbrances are paid off. This safeguard is of critical importance to the buyer and seller, and can be a potentially serious hazard in a private transaction not involving a broker.
Survey and Sea Trial
Part of our offer will be to have a marine survey completed with the findings to your satisfaction. I know many certified surveyors and IBll recommend several that are top shelf and let you interview and select the one you prefer. You may wish to use an engine surveyor as well as a hull surveyor. They work for you! Of course, you are responsible for the survey cost. The going rate in Florida is from $16-18 per foot. It is customary to pay the surveyor on the day of his work.
On the day of the sea trial, weBll bring on board the selected surveyor(s) to inspect the vessel in detail. His job is to operate, test, and evaluate everything onboard to make sure it works and is in serviceable condition. He will use up the bulk of a full day going through the entire vessel. IBll be there with you.
You have to be realistic about a marine survey. Surveys are limited by the physical and visual accessibility to the structural elements and systems. No surveyor can find everything thatBs wrong with a boat in the few hours allotted to a survey and a lot of the issues he does find are subject to his interpretations. For instance, your boat may have balsa cored decks and some surveyors make a big issue of boat decks and consider this a serious issue while I have never seen it hurt anyone or sink a boat.....so if the price is right.... buy it and go cruising. A 100% accurate survey would require complete disassembly of the yacht and we know thatBs not practical. Oh yes, during the survey itBs ok to ask your surveyor questions of how heBs doing, just donBt hover over him. YouBll get in his way.
After the survey, the surveyor is going to verbally give you his impression of the boat. YouBll know before the day is done if the yacht is a keeper. HeBll follow that up a few days later with written copy of the survey for you and your insurance carrier. In virtually every survey, there are issues with the yacht that arise. Some may be minor but some may be significant. If the significant issues are such that we have an inferior vessel and you no longer want the vessel, you still have language in your Offer to Purchase that will allow you to back out of the deal. If the issues are correctable, we again negotiate with the seller and determine if the seller will correct the items before we take delivery or reduce the price accordingly and you correct those things after you take possession. Those issues are resolved by us before we accept the boat.
On the day of the survey, we will also conduct a sea trial. During the sea trial you will get to operate all of the onboard equipment, run the vessel at operating speeds, observe how she behaves and basically operate the vessel and everything aboard to make sure she is what you expected. IBll be there at your side to help you along the way.
Language in the Offer to Purchase we have prepared states that if you donBt like the way she handles you can walk away from deal and have your deposit refunded.
Final Acceptance
Once we have completed the survey and sea trial, our Offer to Purchase requires you to sign a formal acceptance document and either accept or reject the boat. We generally include any issues you want corrected as a result of the survey as well. This acceptance document is submitted to the seller for his signature as well.
Once signed by both parties, this document serves to initiate the final legal closing for the yacht.
Documentation, Bills of Sale, Title Abstracts and State Sales Taxes.
Yes, there is legal paperwork that documents the purchase. I facilitate all the paperwork requirements needed to complete the sale, from the initial Offer to Purchase to the Bill of Sale. I take care of documentation, taxes and other fees, as well as certificates of ownership, and title abstracts you will need. I will see to it that all the necessities are completed in a timely manner.
Taxes, yes the government always wants their share. But there are certain circumstances when you do not have to pay state sales taxes. I will review your options when the time comes.
So from the time you made your offer, it will take about 4 weeks to cloe the deal; the yacht is then legaly yours. Happy sailing!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Kayaking Tips And Basics - Gain Some Knowledge On River Kayaking

To go out kayaking for the whole day on a river is an extensive way for a team of kayakers to learn the skills needed to survive on long rivers. There are a lot of beginners who will want such opportunities in which extensive paddling exercises will be practiced. To look for and get such a venue in which a range of practices can be done is not an easy thing.
Getting Knowledge on the Proper Kayaking Methods
If you intend to paddle on a river, you must know that this will be quite different from paddling on bigger avenues such as seas and lakes. For this reason, you should think of methods different from what you already know. This will involve some learning on paddling on rivers and tips to be able to come to the aid of others while kayaking. You will also have to learn how to paddle when the river is overflowing and how to ensure your own safety.
You should also choose the best kayak that you can find. This is in order that you should have the chance to experience all sorts of movements. Sometimes, a small kayak will offer you a memorable experience. Remember that with this, you will be able to go to places and experience what will be impossible with bigger kayaks. You will also be able to learn by coming into contact with every type of water movements. Always make sure that you have an expert kayaker to lead you through. Keep in mind that you are out there to enjoy as well as to remain safe.
What Tools Do You Need And When Lessons Should You Engage In?
If you want to enjoy every kayaking lesson and ultimately every kayaking experience, you should be able to know and accept what you can do from what you are unable to do. This will be in relation to knowing the starting point of your experiences. For example, you should be able to read river signs created by the 'International Scale of River Difficulty'. You will have to learn how to interpret these signs and how to recognize them where you are kayaking. Some of these signs are best known by river tour guides.
At this stage, you should not think much on the type of tools you have. Remember that this will only come in when your skills are perfect. But make sure you carry out a lot of investigation ahead of paying for any equipment. You can get recommendations from experts or you can try out some of these tools ahead of paying for them. Trying out these equipments will of course lead you to used equipments. Most of such equipments are even preferable to be bought because you must have tested them and you can further sell them again to others.
How Should You Begin Kayaking?
Start by looking for a guide to take you through. Make sure that whatever you plan for includes good equipments, some provisions as well as some guidelines for usage. Make sure you take every lesson of safety procedure serious. Focus on these basics. You can go in for anything stylish when you become an expert.
Before you pay for any kayaking equipment, make sure you have genuinely considered your choice. Remember that if you are passionate about this sport, spending anything on it will be a great investment to you. However, whatever you pay for should be based of safety and ease of use.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Yachting F Looking Into Adventure In A Different Light

The most unique thing about a yacht charter ride is the queer combination of adventure and luxury deeply associated with it. The fact that the sea attracts everyone starting from the tots to a fifty-plus mortals is well known. Shrouded by an unknown mystery and excitement, the sea overflows with an underlying beauty of its own. A yacht ride unravels a world of adventure and excitement which generates a feel-good aura at the end of the day. Courtesy the luxury yacht charters newport beach, you will be able to avail of such a memorable opportunity of a lifetime if you choose to.
The ride in a luxury yacht is about freedom and privacy which everyone longs for away from the usual hustle bustle of daily life. It is a well deserved bonus that you are assured of the plushest of services while enjoying your stint with the best yachts on the Newport Beach. You will not regret the quality services of the luxury yacht charters at Newport beach by Orca Yacht Charters in the heart of Orange County. Cruising down the sparkling waters of the seas while being treated with the best of the world, would certainly not be a despicable idea. However, apart from vacationing in your style on the sea, the luxury charters also can double up as venues for social gatherings, weddings, funerals, corporate meetings etc. Fine dining, luxury boarding and exclusive dГ©cor are ensured to the utmost.
The unbeatable thing about yachting definitely remains the fact that you are the boss for the voyage. Exploring the alien edges of the shoreline or going deep for angling and deep sea adventure with the assistance of the ship's crew and captain, and being responded to all your needs and wishes as and when you require would certainly turn on the mood of even an otherwise dumb and dull person. The crew at the luxury yacht charters newport beach promise you the best while you steer your schedule your own way.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Tips For Spending Best Stag Weekend

Where to look for Stag Party Preparation and celebrations
Sometimes the celebration can extend beyond a day and this has brought the concept of Stag Weekends. A stag night or stag party is generally arranged by the best friend of a groom. It usually takes place prior to the wedding day. A stag party can be celebrated in different styles by different people. It all depends on oneBs liking and preferences. Some people like to have a quiet dinner with close friends while for some a theme based party with lots of entertainment is the norm.
However, in todayBs hectic life no one has the time to arrange for such lavish parties and that is why the stag party organizers have stepped in. They arrange such parties according to the liking and budget of a person. In recent times, these parties and weekends are increasingly being celebrated abroad. These parties are full of fun and similar to marriages the venue, cost and event list need to be finalized.
It would be wrong to assume that Stag parties can take place only in night. As a matter of fact, these parties can also include various types of daytime activities like windsurfing, clay pigeon shooting, taking a hike, paintballing etc. Some parties can last up to two or three days as well.
There are a number of companies that provide Stag party celebration planning online. Everything from hotel accommodations to Limo booking can be done by these providers. If a person is looking for an efficient and reliable stag party arranger in UK he can count on the services of Splash. This company is known for arranging White water rafting, hen party along with Stag weekends.
This company ensures that the customers enjoy the experience of the stag weekend and party to the hilt. It arranges the party at a location convenient for the client. Apart from arranging the event it also makes provisions for transport and accommodation as and when required. If a client wants the hen and stag weekends on activity basis without accommodation, the company can make provisions for that as well.
It provides the stag and hen parties in various places in Scotland at the most reasonable prices. Those who love water rafting will appreciate the Splash White Water Rafting packages greatly. The Canyoning Weekends are for those who have an adventurous spirit. Some packages also include provisions for mountain biking. However, every package is available for a particular time period. The guides and instructors of Splash are trained and treat the clients professionally. For more information on the services and packages one can see the site rafting.co.uk.
www.rafting.co.uk/stagnhen.htm