Buying A Cruising Yacht

Have you ever dreamt that you would one day own a yacht of your own? I think everybody dreams of one day owning a shiny new boat. If you do get to the stage where you find yourself in a position to buy a new yacht, which being an accomplishment in itself, you should spend with-in your budget and be able to take it anywhere. When you buy a yacht, always look at what comes with the boat and decide if it's everything you want. There are many types of construction and we summarize them below for you:

1. GRP - Almost all cruising yachts out there today are made of GRP construction. GRP material is long lasting, strong, and easy to repair. Osmosis is the only real problem here, as the blisters it leaves can be sometimes costly to repair.

2. Steel - Steel is always a great a idea, as it is by far the strongest material. There have been steel boats ran into reefs and banks and received just a few mere scratches. Even though steel has many advantages, rust is the true enemy here. You must keep all surfaces thoroughly painted, primed, and ready to avoid all types of rust.

3. Aluminum - Although rare in the normal cruising market, aluminum is very popular with the construction of top quality custom built yachts. If you are looking for an aluminum constructed yacht, always make sure that it wasn't constructed by an amateur yacht builder - as this can cause major problems later on down the road.

4. Wood - Even though it's the most traditional building material, wood still has a lot to offer. If you get the right kind of wood, it can last just as long as any other type of material. The maintenance costs are very high with wood, especially if you do your own painting.

5. Ferro-cement - Concrete type boats have been around for a long time. A cheap method of hull construction, it was very popular in the 70's. If done properly, it can be a very strong method of yacht construction.

6. Rigs - The most popular choices of yacht rigs include sloop, cutter, and ketch - in that particular order. Sloop has the virtue of simplicity, while ketch and cutter rigs will split the sail plan into more easily managed areas. A ketch rig can sail under mizzen and headsail alone, while cutter rigs can offer a simple twin headsail with downwind option.

The main question you should ask yourself is "what is essential" and "what is desirable", it is a good idea before you begin looking for a yacht, to make a list of what you must have then make a list of what would be nice to have. There are many additions and add - ons you can get for yachts, although they can get very expensive if you do not plan carefully and purchase in a hurry. It is strongly recommended that when you shop for a yacht, you should always plan out your budget before you even start looking. A nice yacht can cost a lot of money, which is something you may need to save up for. Yachts are great to sail on, especially for those who have a lot of money to spare, so, in conclusion, good luck in your quest and we hope the above comments assist you in your search.

Author: Jenny Gill is an international author with vast experience in a diverse range of subjects, for more information visit www.recreationforallsyte.com

Jenny Gill is an international author with an immense range of knowledge and skills in a wide range of areas. Jenny is a mother and a grandmother and devotes a lot of her time supporting the aged in her community