Yacht Guide

So You Want to Work on a Yacht?

2008-05-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

So you are looking for an adventure? Well, how does traveling around the world working on a private mega yacht sound? You can travel to some of the most remote and beautiful places in the world on someone else's dime. And you can get paid to do it. Want to sign up?

First, I recommend checking out some crew agency websites. They list the positions available on yachts, typical salaries and what to expect. You can register with the agencies for free, interview with them in person or over the phone, and they will look to place you on a yacht. The usual ways people start on yachts is by working as either a deckhand, stewardess or chef or combo of all three! These are some agencies to register with They are all located in Ft. Lauderdale.

http://www.crewunlimited.com

http://www.carolemanto.com

http://www.luxyachts.com

September to December is a good time to start looking for work for the Caribbean season when all the yachts will looking to crew up to head to St. Martin, St. Barts, Antigua and the USVI. Some yachts will fly you out of where ever you are or you can go to Ft. Lauderdale. You can day work there while looking for a full time job and pulling in anywhere between $10-15/hr. And if you need a place to stay there are crew houses where all the yacht crew go while looking for work. They are great for networking, meeting people from all over the world and so much fun! Basically, they're hostels for travelers and people seeking yacht employment.

http://www.maryscrewhouse.com

Around April the yachts leave the Caribbean and head to the Mediterranean to places such as Antibes, France, and Palma de Mallorca for the Summer season. You can catch a ride across the Atlantic with one of these boats from either Ft. Lauderdale, St. Martin or Antigua. Often you can find a yacht looking for crew to do a crossing just by walking to docks and speaking to crew. Make sure you always have a CV or resume to hand out. Some people can be hired on the spot.

So, this is how to get started working on luxury yachts. Remember working on yachts is really hard work, but the payoffs and rewards. are so worth it!

Jerri grew up on a small ranch in West Texas where there is only one language spoken: Texan. Jerri?s first trip abroad was to Oxford, England as a junior attending Abilene Christian University. After graduating with a BBA in Management and Marketing, Jerri, moved to St. Martin, Dutch West Indies, to work as an Office Manager at a beach hotel. After getting island fever, Jerri moved to Ft. Lauderdale where she got started working on yachts and traveling around the world on the open seas. Jerri has been to every continent except Antarctica and her favorite place in the world is Coffee Bay, South Africa. For more on her travels check out her blog and podcast at http://jerristephenson.blogspot.com

A Guide to Chartering a Yacht in St Vincent and the Grenadines

2008-05-28T03:47:00.000-07:00

St Vincent and the Grenadines are a group of islands that make up one country. Other than being next door neighbors, they bear no relation to Grenada, despite the similarity of the name. These special islands have a similar feel to the British Virgins in that you can easily sail or motor from one to the other while remaining in the same country. The similarity ends there in that these islands are still less developed and far less ?discovered? than the BVI. No jet skis, aquascooters, or spearfishing are permitted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which make it perfect for a relaxing charter (see our boats in the Grenadines). There is a conscious effort toward protecting the spectacular natural heritage of the islands.

The prevailing winds and currents are north to south, especially in the winter months. It is comfortable to sail southward from St. Vincent down to Union Island , with the wind and the swell. Steaming north can be more of a struggle but the islands are close together and a round trip can easily be accomplished in a week to ten days. But?the main point of the Grenadines is not to ?accomplish? anything. As one visitor put it, ?There is never enough nothing to do?.?

St. Vincent

St Vincent is a rugged, hilly volcanic bit of real estate that still houses a 3,000 foot volcano named Soufriere, which last erupted in 1979. There are no white sand beaches to attract tourists, and, thus, the island has remained largely unspoiled. The interior is undeveloped and, in a sense, nothing but ?wild nature?. There are not even roads crossing the island. A true ?eco-tourist? will enjoy climbing the volcano or taking a trip by boat to the Falls of Baleine on the north end of the island. For the less adventuresome, the Botanical Gardens near Kingstown are the oldest in the Western Hemishere and quite beautiful. There are still specimens of breadfruit left by the famous Captain Bligh.

Bequia (pronounced Beck-way)

This beautiful island is only about eight miles from Kingstown or Blue Lagoon in St. Vincent down to Bequia. Bequia is the largest of the Grenadines (7 square miles) and has a rich history of boatbuilding and whaling. For years it was only possible to get to Bequia on a ferry from St. Vincent or a private boat so the island has maintained a very authentic West Indian character.

The main stopping point for yachts is Admiralty Bay/Port Elizabeth. There is a long walkway around the bay with various local shops, bars and restaurants. Try the Gingerbread Caf?, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also sells gourmet special ty goods including wine, coffee and caviar?or Auberge Des Grenadines, famous for fresh lobster?or Frangiapani (right on the water), known for lobster (grilled lobster, lobster cocktails etc), curried conch and its Thursday night ?jump-up? and barbeque. A little outside of town, Le Petit Jardin is a special treat. Its owner/chef trained at the Culinary Institute in the US , but his style is definitely mouth-watering French gourmet. At the southernmost end of town is the Plantation House, an old West Indian-style plantation resort with cottages and a restaurant and bar.

Mustique

This island hideaway (only 3 miles long and a mile and a half wide) is about fifteen miles from St. Vincent and ten from the West Cay of Bequia. Mustique is a privately-owned island sprinkled with only about 90 homes, many belonging to the rich and famous. Gently sloping manicured lawns and beautifully kept houses are characteristic of the island. The best way to get around is to rent a ?mule? (heavy duty golf cart) or a motorbike (Mustique Mechanical Systems 488-8555).

Competing with Foxy's for the most famous New Year?s Eve party in the Caribbean is Basil?s Bar ( ph# 784-488-8350 basils@caribsurf.com). Basil?s also hosts a Blues Festival each year (from January 19-February 5 in 2007) and a Wednesday night bbq buffet and ?jump-up? with a steel band. Yachties in search of a drink, a great sunset and a little Caribbean music dinghy right up to the pier where Basil?s is located. You can buy a kaftan (for which Basil?s is known) in shop adjacent to the restaurant.

Cotton House, formerly a suger mill was completely renovated in 2004, is the only resort on the island. It is small with only 20 rooms, and like just about everything in Mustique, offers complete luxury in a small, private setting.

For provisions, try Corea?s Food Store or the Mustique General Store in the harbor. (The harbor is quaint and boats hosting more than 25 people are not allowed in.) There is a lovely French pattiserie, Sweetie Pie Bakery that sells baguettes, croissants and pain au chocolat.

Canouan

Canouan was a quiet island virtually untouched island until Italian developers bought it some years ago. Now it hosts a large Raffles Resort, the Tamarind Beach Hotel and Yacht Club, the Villa Monte Carlo Casino, the Amrita Spa and the Trump International Golf Club. It is not a favorite of yachties in the Grenadines, but if you have had enough tranquility, it is the perfect place for an afternoon on the golf course or evening at the casino!

Tobago Cays

Further to the south are the Tobago Cays, famous for amazing snorkeling and for the filming of ?Pirates of the Caribbean ? and ?Dead Man?s Chest?. This cluster of cays inside a rim of reef (Horseshoe Reef) are becoming more popular but are still far less crowded than places like the Baths in the BVI. Every morning, the ?bread man? will come around to your boat offering bread and ice, two necessities. Sometimes, there will be fishermen offering fresh fish or lobster (beware the underweight/illegal lobsters!). Islanders sometimes host beach parties or bbq?s, but the Cays are by and large a natural phenomenon and remain a completely undeveloped national park. Be sure you are well provisioned before going in. Once there, soak up the beautiful sights around you, both under the water and above.

Mayreau

Saltwhistle Bay in Mayreau is not to be missed. It is one of the most perfect beaches in all of the Grenadines. If you arrive too late in the day during high season, you will have to anchor in Saline Bay on the far side of the island (a nice hike over the crest of large hill). (Beware of anchoring anywhere near the ferry that comes barreling into Saline Bay in order to dock at the enormous concrete pier over to one side).

Saltwhistle Bay is home to a spectacular resort called the Saltwhistle Bay Club (ph: 784-458-8444). Visiting yachties are welcome to lounge and swim at the beach (pretty much like being in a postcard that is too good to be true). For a luxury experience, reserve well in advance for cocktails at the Saltwhistle bar and dinner at the stone tables under the trees at the beach. For a little ?local flavor? or a less expensive dining experience, walk up and over the hill to some of the local bars and restaurants. The food is fresh and delicious, and the people of the island are very welcoming and friendly.

Palm Island

Just a mile to the west of Union Island and south of the Tobago Cays is Palm Island . There is a narrow strip of sand just off the island, which looks like what you always imagined a deserted would be. Many of the palms that were planted here have been stripped off by hurricanes. You can anchor and go snorkeling in an area that is protected and clean.

Palm Island itself is home to an upscale resort called Royal Palm and a chi-chi beach bar and restaurant. Yachties can reserve for lunch or dinner. (ph: 784-458-8824) The ?main event? on the island is still Casuarina Beach, one of the prettiest in the West Indies .

Petit St. Vincent

This tiny island has a beautiful, quiet little ?cottage? resort (22 cottages). Each cottage has a flagpole and when the guests want room service, they run up a flag! There are no televisions, telephones or even room keys. The resort?s bar and restaurant will accept a few groups of yachting guests each night. The only way to get a place at the bar and a table is to reserve well in advance. Petit St. Vincent Resort ph 954-963-7401).

Union Island

Union Island can be seen from miles away because of its famous peak, Mt. Parnassus (866 feet). The main town of Clifton is a bustling, ?happening? spot. There is an open-air fruit and vegetable market in the main square and a number of grocery stores. There is also one lovely gourmet store, which sells fabulous wine, coffee, olive oil, bread and chocolate. There are several local restaurants/bars overlooking the harbor including Lambi?s and the Anchorage Yacht Club. In May, the island celebrates the beginning of the planting season with the Maroon Festival. Easterval is held each year during the four days around Easter.

In the harbor of Union Island , there is a tiny bar on a man-made island called Happy Island . Happy you will be when you stop in there for a cocktail at sunset. Just tie your dinghy up and enjoy!

On the far side of the island in Chatham Bay, there is a crescent beach (quite nice but not a spectacular white sand beach like the one at Saltwhistle Bay ) where ?Shark Attack?, a Union Island local has a beach barbeque featuring pork and lobster. (Reservations 784-2694). Just make sure you bring your own plate and cutlery, get near the front of the buffet line (or you will miss the grilled lobster) and ask Shark Attack the price of the dinner before it is time to pay (prices can drift upward as the night goes on). There is a steel band and dancing after dinner.

Other Helpful Information

There are infinite ways to spend your holiday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is important match your (and your party's) desires and goals to the itinerary.

Written by Tom Virden at Boatbookings.com

Car and Auto Detailing to Boat Detailer or Yacht Cleaning to Automobile Detail Service?

2008-05-27T03:11:00.000-07:00

As the Founder of The Detail Guys, a mobile auto detailing franchising company often folks will shoot me an email to ask me a question after reading one of my articles online or in an Industry Trade Journal.

Recently I was asked if it made sense for someone with lots of boating experience who wished to become a Boat Detailer if he should start his business cleaning boats or start with cars first and move into boat detailing later?

Impressive question indeed and yes well this is definitely thinking ahead as one prepares their business plan. Going from Detailing Cars to Boats is an easy transition and it makes sense; although, boat detailing is much different. There are nautical personality types and there are those who are not.

If you are a nautical type then it might makes sense to do both. Why turn away work, but if you have enough business in boats, well, you would not have time for cars anyway. Someone who can talk the marine language indeed is much more likely to have many customers. Having started out in aviation, I just do not see how a non-aviation person could build their business at an airport without that knowledge.

Same is true with the nautical personality displacement. Of course in wintertime you could still refurbish and hibernation services and in the summer you would extremely busy, but chances are you might also like to be out on the water, catch 22. In aviation, I loved to fly not clean the aircraft, but I loved aircraft so it was fun to be cleaning them when I was not flying. You learn a lot by doing these things of course.

The skills needed to clean boats are different, more advanced and more difficult in the marine industry than the automotive industry. Many auto-detailers have a tough time with gel coats and glass, and do not know a thing about corrosion, teak or metal type cleaners and often spin their wheels.

You have a much better opportunity going from Boats to Cars to stay busy than someone who details autos and goes from cars to yachts. And most owners of nice pleasure craft can tell the difference and they get few referrals. Well you know I am just thinking out loud really. The point of the matter is that you can learn a lot from contacting Industry folks with experience in such endeavors. I hope this article propels thought in 2007.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/

Looking For Yachts To Rent Or To Buy, Travel Wise!

2008-05-24T03:53:00.000-07:00

You can afford. And you think that owning one is possible for you considering that you have the financial resources and you believe that you could count on a yacht as a very good property or investment. If you think what you have is not that sufficient, you could always have the other option which is to rent a yacht instead.

There is a wide market for yacht selling and renting but how would you know that you are buying it from a reliable source? What are the considerations that you are going to buy it from that of good quality?

Since yachts are included in the family of boats, it would be better if the sources would be narrowed down. From the World Wide Web, there are sites you could visit that would lead you to better options in order for you to weigh choices and make the best decision. Having these purchased or rented, you would surely be glad and satisfied, realize how much fun travel could be.

The following are the sites you could navigate through:

Boats.com- This is the most reliable source of all the lists you need. This site has a lot of features that makes it as then best, most updated, most reliable source for your yacht information. It has this section which shows the latest models and creations of boats such as fishing boats, water sports, sailing boats and so forth.

This also includes pontoon, pleasure boating and of course, yachting. These categories are also broken down to more specific sub-categories like manufacturers? listings. These listings include the details about the manufacturer. Moreover, photos of the products are also shown.

This site also sells second-hand boats.

Searay.com- Rangerboats.com- these are all other sites where you could navigate and look for the Regalboats.com- boat you want to have. These websites have updated information, Larsonboats.com- photos, reviews and price comparisons as well. This is of very big help to you since you will not only get to know the product but as well as how is it doing in the market.

Ebay.com- the best auction site in the world, it would respond to your needs of looking for used yachts. This site offers products not only in a state or country but in all parts of the world.

With these sites to visit to, what are you waiting for? This would mean making your mind-boggling task a bit easier and it is just right on you fingertips.

James Penn runs a highly informative Caribbean website which details exactly how to find cheap Caribbean cruises and also the ten best activities in the Caribbean for families and couples alike.

Yachting in the Caribbean

2008-05-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

Caribbean yachting is different from other forms of Caribbean water sports because a yacht is far roomier and it offers you the chance to enjoy your vacation away from hotels and on a boat. People with sailing experience are especially going to enjoy the freedom of chartering their own yacht and sailing in the Caribbean. However, note that if you want to just sit back and not worry about the technicalities of sailing then you had better get some crew. If you have never tried a sailing vacation before then perhaps it is time to give Caribbean yachting a chance.

Probably the biggest advantage of Caribbean yachting is that you get to choose which islands you wish to visit. Though most charter companies will suggest an itinerary, you are not legally bound to follow it and if you feel like going left when the plan says right, there is nothing to stop you from doing so. During your sailing experience you also get to choose what kind of food you are going to eat. Beware that no crew means that you will be doing your own cooking so do not overlook that detail. A crewed Caribbean yachting option means you just sit back and relax.

For most people however the easiest option is to pay for the charter and leave the details to the captain. With experience you will learn how to plot your own courses and what places to visit. While you are in the Caribbean yachting, make sure you make a note of what all you can see and enjoy along the route so that you do not just end up taking a long boat ride and nothing more. If you are the type that gets bored easily then carry some books for the time when time begins to get heavy.

Note that if you wish to charter a yacht without a crew then you must carry documentation proving that you have sailing experience so that the charter companies can safely trust you with their boats. This is especially true if you are carrying passengers because the charter company is responsible for their safety.

Caribbean yachting is a good way to spend time with friends or family far away from the hotels and resorts full of strangers. The cruises are not too long and so you will not end up getting bored with each other or getting cramped in a small space with so many people.

Caribbean yachting is also one of the few ways in which you can actually experience the Caribbean for what it is instead of coming back like most tourist, with a few pictures and videos but no real conception of what you actually visited.

James Penn runs a highly informative Caribbean website which details exactly how to find Caribbean villa rentals and also the ten best activities in the Caribbean for families and couples alike.

How Smart Yacht Management Can Prevent Marine Pollution And Big EPA Fines

2008-05-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

Environmental Concerns:

Yacht Management involves managing and protecting America's navigable waterways from oil spills and other pollutions that may flow from recreational boat activities. The US waterways are an integral part of many U.S. watersheds and must be protected from oil and other hazardous substances.

The waterways play an important role in the U.S. commercial and recreational boating industries. Minimizing water pollution begins with preventing spills in theirs place.

Some of the concerns that Yacht operations and other recreational water vehicles present to the integrity of the water system include bilge water (water that collects in the lowest part of the ship?s hull and may contain oil, grease, and other contaminants. A single pint of oil released onto the water can cover one acre of water surface area.

The Law The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or the waters of the contiguous zone if such discharge causes a film or sheen upon, or discoloration of, the surface of the water, or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to a penalty of $5,000. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances that are harmful into U.S. navigable water.

In Case of an Oil Spill

Each recreational vehicle owner/operator must develop a plan that identifies the personnel, equipment and materials required to deal with a spill. The plan should include information about storage capacity, environmentally and economically sensitive areas, products that can contain the spill, personnel training if appropriate and practice drills. This requires preparedness and continuous improvement in every phase of yacht operations.

Yacht owners/operators can help mitigate the impacts of oil spills on the environment by taking quick action to contain the spilled product.

Fuel or oil in the water or on the boat can be picked up with special oil adsorbent materials. Adsorbents come in many forms including pads, sweeps, and pillows. Carry these products on your vessel.

Products that can help you prevent spills and reduce emissions include:

Oil absorbent booms are perfect for marine and industrial spill containment. These oil booms are constructed with a strong mesh outer skin encasing highly absorbent polypropylene filler. A nylon rope and steel hardware ensure long-lasting durability and easy retrieval. Repels water and won't sink even when saturated.

Oil Absorbent Sweep is designed with built in straps. The absorbent sweep can be drawn over the water surface to absorb broad sheens or surface spills. This is a great way to clean up oil spill on water.

A bilge boom can be lowered into your bilge, sump or tank to remove oil, not water. Won't sink, even when saturated. Will float indefinitely. This product can be reused. The boom comes with loops for a rope for easy deployment or fastening.

Disposal of Oil Absorbent Materials.

The disposal of used oil absorbent material depends on what type of product it is and how it was used: Standard absorbents that are saturated with gasoline may be air dried and reused. Standard absorbents saturated with oil or diesel may be wrung out over oil recycling bins

Many spills are the result of human error. Being prepared to correct the problem with prompt action and proper equipment will protect future access to our boating environment.

Travis Zdrazil is a successful businessman who has been part of a successful partnership since 1985.

With over 10 years of business experience Travis uses his business expertise to select and supply businesses with products and information to aid in EPA and OSHA Regulations in the areas of:

Storm water pollution
Pollution Prevention & Control
Other industrial, commercial & environmental issues.

Keep your company compliant with EPA's New Initiatives. Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.absorbentsonline.com< or feel free to contact him if you have any questions on marine pollution through the site. You may publish this article, but must keep the resource box ?2007 PCI Products Company. All rights reserved.

Shipping Your Yacht Over Land

2008-05-20T01:25:00.000-07:00

One would think moving a Yacht would be as simple as sailing off to a destination. Yacht shipping over land, however, is a growing industry as trucking is often the quickest way to get to a destination.

Yacht transports are the common name for a distinct branch of the trucking industry that is concerned with the transport of large boats across land. While it is usually desirable to sail the boat to its new destination, occasions arise when this is impractical, and the boat must be removed from the water and transported by truck and trailer. Many trucking companies specialize in this form of transport and utilize some special equipment to get the job done correctly.

The first major problem in the transport of a yacht by truck is getting the yacht out of the water and onto the trailer. The normal size limits for yachts that are to be trucked are 100,000 pounds of weight, 18 feet of height and 20 feet of width. These limits are set more by the limitations of allowed weight on bridges and highways as well as overpass heights than the capacity of the trucks and trailers themselves. Most dry dock facilities will have the cranes and the expertise to remove the yacht from the water and place it on the trailer. Yacht transport trailers tend to be very low to the ground to allow maximum height of the boat.

The next step is preparation of the boat for transport. The yacht trucking company will normally have a checklist of pre-transport items to guide the owners in the preparation of their vessel. These preparations include the removal or stowing of all loose items. All fuel and water must be removed from the vessel as well as drain plugs left open. All battery cables should be disconnected. Any device that extends above or outside the hull should be removed. This would include antennas and radar devices.

Shrink wrap is a debatable subject among yacht truckers. If the shrink wrapping is done professionally and correctly, it will protect the boat during transport. A poor job could cause damage if wind tears the shrink wrap and allows it to flap and scratch the surface of the vessel. If it is necessary to transport the yacht bow first, shrink wrapping of any glass or Plexiglas windshield is recommended to prevent damage.

A boat is a valuable investment that usually is the subject of much love and devotion from its owner. Yacht trucking companies that have the equipment and the experience in moving them are certainly worth investigating if you need to move your boat.

Carl Stinson is with TruckingCompaniesforyou.com - providing articles on trucking.

Yacht Clubs: What Are They About?

2008-05-17T03:42:00.000-07:00

Yacht clubs are full of members that own yachts. They all get together, and go out on them, as well as show them off to each other. The clubs are full of people that have the same interests, which are yachts, and yachting. If you are thinking about buying a yacht for yourself, and have a friend that is in a yacht club, going as a visitor to the club may not be a bad idea. You can get a feel of what kind of yachts there are, and you might even find one that you would love to own.

When the members of a yacht club all get together and meet, it can either be on someone?s yacht that is a club member, or at a designated area. Many times the yacht clubs will hold races, for those that want to show off the speed of their yacht. Others may have fishing tournaments for the members as well. Just depending on what the majority of the members are interested in will have a huge effect on what kind of activities the yacht club members will do together.

Some yacht clubs will even hold yacht shows on the dock. This is so that the general public can come on board and check out the many yachts that are sailing up and down the ocean. This also gives the yacht owners a chance to show their yacht off, and see who has the biggest as well.

Many yacht club members are known for the yacht parties that they throw. They will all get together on someone?s yacht and cruise the ocean while having a party on board. Taking turns to allow the many members a chance to show off their yacht to the other members. Yacht clubs are a lot of fun if you are interested in yachts and yachting. They are always doing things together.

What Is A Yacht?

2008-05-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

A yacht is a huge boat that will hold many, many people. Some people refer to a yacht as a party boat, because it is wonderful for hosting parties on. This large boat can also be used for many other things. It can be run by a motor, or a sail. Depending which kind you choose to buy. If you are considering buying a yacht for yourself, you should go out on one first, to make sure that is an investment that you would enjoy.

Owning a yacht and yachting has been known as part of the good life for some time now. You only own a yacht if you are loaded. At least that is what many people think in the US. However, you should know that you do not have to be loaded to go yachting. Renting a yacht is something that you can look into, to make sure a yacht is what you want. Kind of a try before you buy thing.

Where are yachts used? Yachts are only taken out into the ocean because of their size. They are not used in lakes, or rivers in most cases. If you were to ever see a yacht in a river, it is a smaller one, and not a huge one as we know most yachts to be.

Have you ever been invited to a party being held on a yacht? If so, you should attend, and have the time of your life. They are so much fun to throw parties on, and just have a great time and relax with friends. Passing up a chance to party on a yacht might be something that you later regret.

As you can see, a yacht is a super large boat. It can hold many people. They are mostly taken out in the ocean, and they are great for parties. Renting a yacht can give you an idea of what it is like to own one, and not a bad idea for someone that is interested in buying one themselves.
Find out more about Yacht

How Do You Yacht?

2008-05-13T04:38:00.000-07:00

Yachting is such a broad term that can mean so many different things. If you own a yacht and often go yachting, you may not do it exactly like the next person that goes yachting as well. When you go yachting, of course, you are on the water, and your yacht. But there are so many things to do while yachting, that you may not even know of some of them.

Yacht racing is a form of yachting that you may not be familiar with. Often people will all get together and line their yachts up for a friendly competition of whose yacht is the fastest. Some yacht racers are even more serious and taking winning very seriously. However, there are some that are in to it just for the fun of the race.

Yachting can also be a taking your yacht out and fishing off of it. If you love to go fishing in the ocean, and off of a yacht, then this is the sport for you. Whether you are deep sea fishing or shark fishing, you will have a blast fishing off of your yacht. You may also find competitions that are for yacht fishing as well. Those are also a blast, especially if you are competitive.

Yachting can mean so many things. Some consider yachting having a party on their boat, and inviting everyone that they know to the bash. With friends and cold drinks all on board, what more could you possibly ask for?

As you can see, yachting can mean so many things. From just simply taking the yacht out, to sports and hobbies that you can do on your yacht. If you are a yacht owner and have not tried any of these things from your yacht, you might want to consider it. You just never know what you might be missing.

Buying A Used Yacht

2008-05-12T04:37:00.000-07:00

Are you considering purchasing a used yacht? If so, you are probably looking for a deal, and a good one at that. When looking for a yacht that is used, there are several places that you should look. People sell things everyday that are used and still in great condition. It is just a matter of finding that thing that you are looking for.

One great place to look for a used yacht would be the classified section of your local newspaper. This is a really good place if you live somewhere close to the ocean. That would mean that yachts as well as boats go up for sale daily. You could easily find a good used yacht that someone just needs to get rid of because they need the money badly. You may also find one that just needs a little fixing up, and small repairs.

Checking with a yacht club and its members would also be a great place to find a used yacht. You just never know when they may have members that are looking to sell their yacht for whatever reason. Perhaps they want to sell to buy a bigger and better one. Maybe their spouse is making them give up their yacht. Just because someone is selling a yacht does not mean there is anything wrong with it. You can find a good deal if you keep your options open.

Whether you are going to buy a used yacht, or a new yacht, it really does not matter. You will love yachting and experiencing the ocean like you never have before. If you have never driven a yacht, some lessons may be in order. Contact your local boating organization to find out where you can take classes and learn how to sail your yacht. You will be glad that you did.

Find out more about Buying used Yacht

Experience The Panama Canal On A Charter Yacht!

2008-05-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

At Tropical Beach Destinations we share the secrets of Specialty Travel that your travel agents wish they knew. Learn exclusive travel tips, ideas and ways to save money from REAL experienced world travelers!

The Boston Yacht Club Hosts the 2005 Jackson Cup Team Sailing Challenge

2008-05-09T03:06:00.000-07:00

The Jackson Cup, named in honor of the late Past Commodore Dr. Robert F. Jackson, (1993-'94), is an annual invitational team race challenge by the Boston Yacht Club to other clubs and organizations. The teams selected for the April 16th and 17th challenge at the BYC are chosen for having demonstrated high racing skill and the Corinthian spirit. Included in the group are the top 4 ranked teams in the USA, and a ?who?s who? of Olympic, national and collegiate champions. The Jackson Cup was inaugurated in 1999 and is held in April each year. It is sailed in Sonar class boats. Participating in the Jackson Cup this year are: Boston Yacht Club, Eastern Yacht Club, Larchmont Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Southern Yacht Club and Yale Corinthian Yacht Club.Two days are scheduled, with dinner on Saturday evening and awards on Sunday afternoon. With eight teams of three a typical race format would be multiple round robins with a preliminary round followed by seeded rounds to keep everyone racing over the two days. With good winds there can be over 50 races in that time.About the Boston Yacht ClubThe Boston Yacht Club, nestled in the historic "Old Town" section of Marblehead, is the third oldest yacht club in America, and the oldest club in New England. From its founding in 1866 through the present, the club's history has been rich in lore. The membership roll holds names such as Nathaniel Herreshoff, General Benjamin Butler, Sir Thomas Lipton, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Ted Hood.

Bahamas Boat Rentals and Yacht Charters

2008-05-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

When traveling to Nassau, various boating experiences are available to embark on. Whether you enjoy a boat or a yacht doesn?t change the exciting experience you will have on the beautiful blue water of the Bahamas Islands. Bahamas yacht charters are a popular Caribbean adventure that will give you just what you need to go home and brag to all of your friends.

Fishing boats and fishing charters exist for the sportiest of the group. The Nassau area houses one of the greatest sport fishing spots in the world. From marlin and tuna to yellow fin and wahoo, a large variety of fish are available to be caught. So cast a reel in! A variety of exotic fishing experiences can be had in this beautiful area. Experienced tour guides are available to guide you into finding the perfect adventure whether it?s deep sea fishing or a Bahamas yacht charter for your interests. Boats leave early morning to late night. Find the perfect one for you!

For other travelers, sailing is their first choice. Sailboats are available for rental and one can cruise the crystal clear waters of Nassau. This Caribbean water adventure keeps visitors smiling throughout the entire trip. Various other boat cruises are available during the day and even through the night. Bahamas yacht charters as well as many other boating experiences provide great fun for the visitors of the Bahamas islands. Book a trip to the Bahamas and schedule a boat tour to see all this beautiful area has to offer!

Planning a trip to The Bahamas? Whether it's a scuba diving vacation or a sport fishing trip we can help you book your flight, find the right hotel and schedule tours and rentals.

A Visitors Guide to Yachting the San Juan Islands of Washington State

2008-05-06T23:07:00.000-07:00

One of the best ways to take in the beauty of these islands can be through a luxury yacht charter. Yachting is fast becoming a preferred method of luxury travel in coastal waterways and even for open ocean voyages. One of the most preferred places to travel by yacht in the United States is the San Juan Islands of Washington State.

The San Juan Islands of Washington State are part of a much larger archipelago that includes the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. This island chain is made up of more than 700 individual islands. The San Juan Islands are made up of Orcas Island, Lopez Island and San Juan Island. These islands have over 200 days of sunshine each year and receive much less rain than Seattle. Lopez Island is the flattest of the islands which makes it perfect for cycling, kayaking or just lying on the beach and beachcombing. Orcas Island is the largest of the group and offers great galleries, lush forests, mountain peaks, pristine lakes and many small villages and towns to explore. San Juan Island is the most diverse of the three offering sandy beaches as well as rocky shores. Be sure to check out the whale museum and experience the Orca whale pods on the west side of the island from about April until late September. The beauty and mystique of this island chain can be enjoyed all year long. Each island offers a unique experience to all who travel to them. By taking a chartered yacht, you can enjoy the beauty and charm that each island has to offer.

A chartered yacht can offer you luxury and convenience as you travel the islands. Many companies can provide the captain and crew to make your voyage spectacular. When planning voyage, a good idea is to check if a chef is provided or if you need to bring your own. Many times a chef is provided that can meet the needs of your culinary tastes. Other tips to making your trip spectacular when booking include, knowing how many people will be going with you on this excursion. You can sometimes save money by having more people share a cabin and bathroom on your voyage. By doing this you will still have all the fun, but you may save some money in the long run. Another thing to remember is that the more amenities you add to the trip, like extra crew members, the more the price will go up.

Now is the time to book your chartered yacht tour. A yacht vacation can be very luxurious and the vacation that you have been dreaming of. So the next time you are thinking of a vacation think about a chartered yacht and visit the majestic San Juan Islands.

Mike Buczek works for Blizzard Internet Marketing representing Premier Resorts. For more information on Yacht Charters San Juan Islands, go to http://www.mvglory.com/

Virgin Island Yacht Charters

2008-05-05T04:16:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Virgin Islands are among one of the many greatest places in the world to visit. There are so many exciting things to do at the Virgin Islands, and one of them is that of sailing around the area. There are Virgin Island yacht charters that are available for sailing. Virgin Island yacht charters are available on all three of the islands in the area, and you can use a yacht for a part of a day or for a full day.

There are many different Virgin Island yacht charters available for you to use on the islands. You should talk with a Virgin Island yacht charter expert for assistance in finding which of the yachts is best for you to use. The Virgin Island yacht charters can hold from two to two hundred people depending on size. Also, you can discuss what foods and drinks you want on your Virgin Island yacht charter and what types of activities you want to plan on your charter. Accessories for other activities that can be done on Virgin Island yacht charters are available as well. This includes scuba diving equipment. Also, you can ask for sailing lessons to help you with parts of sailing that you may not be familiar with or would like to improve on.

One of the most popular uses of Virgin Island yacht charters is for fishing. Virgin Island yacht charters are easily available to rent for fishing purposes. When you go fishing in the Virgin Islands you?ll be able to find many different types of exotic sea life, including kingfish, tuna and wahoo. This is one of the most popular reasons as to why people use Virgin Island yacht charters for fishing. Also, if you would rather experience the wildlife up close you can rent scuba diving equipment from the charter group. When scuba diving in the waters you can experience up close the beauty of the waters and the many creates that call the Virgin Islands home.

Day sail charters are popular among Virgin Island yacht charters. With this you can sail off through the seas and experience and see the beautiful scenery of the Virgin Islands. You can also make plans with the charter group to sail to nearby islands on your Virgin Island yacht charter, including the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. You can rent Virgin Island yacht charters for half or full day passes, so you can spend an entire day sailing around the islands if you would like to.

Virgin Island yacht charters are popular because of the many things that you can do with them. You can use Virgin Island yacht charters to go fishing, to go scuba diving and see the wildlife, see the sights of the area or just to relax and have a fun time on the seas. Be sure to talk with a Virgin Island yacht charter expert for help on preparing your exciting experience with one of their many Virgin Island yacht charters.

Anne Morris writes articles about travel. Discover more information about travel at virginislands-online.com and todaycaribbean.com.

HoaYachting announces redesign of web page

2008-05-02T03:50:00.000-07:00

HoaYachting introduced redesigned web page with a fresh and charming look.

Portoro?, Slovenia, November 2006 - HoaYachting, luxury yacht charter company, today announced a new look of its website.

With over 15 years of experience in the marine business HoaYachting offers personal attention, flexibility and friendliness to all their customers. Professional and well-organized team is a guarantee that your dreams can be realized.

New website takes advantages of the latest web design and technology. Red Orbit (web design company) came up with a simple construct for a very demanding user base. They focused on developing a content rich website, which is very user friendly and multi-functional. In addition, the highest possible coding standards mean the site's accessibility standards are second-to-none.

Improved content architecture reduces number of clicks needed to get to useful information. Users can now make their own luxury yacht wish list. The overall improved look and feel of the site ensures that the user experience is both informative and enjoyable.

The site was launched on Friday, 10 November 2006. In the next couple of months additional functionality and languages will be added to the site.

Andra? ?talec je urednik strani optimizacija.eu. Na strani lahko dobite nasvete za optimizacijo spletnih strani in razvoj spletnega marketinga. Vas zanima kako povečati obisk na svoji spletni strani? Preberete si strokovne članke na spletni strani optimizacija.eu in poskr

Types of Charter Yachts

2008-04-09T23:39:00.001-07:00

Whether you decide to opt for a sailing yacht or a power yacht depending on your taste and experience the catagories of charter are the same, what ever your budget, and there are three basic types.

Bareboat charter is for the more experienced person who has been sailing before. Infact the boat owner will insist on some type of qualification from a national authority before agreeing on the charter. This qualification will be something like an Offshore Skipper Certificate, depending where you are from. On a bareboat charter you are your own skipper, mate, mechanic, deckhand, chef and dinghy driver. Whilst on charter it is up to you to arrange all the watch keeping, safety, daily routine etc. To be ble to take on a bareboat charter you will be familiar with a yacht routine and know what to do. If you are a little rusty or not familiar with the type of yacht then you may wish to employ a skipper for the whole charter or for just a few days. You will quickly learn from the skipper before taking over on your own but you must realise that the skipper will require a cabin for his time on board so allow for that when planning your vacation.

Yachts offered for bareboat charter are more than likely to be older yachts that have been used as instructional yachts as well as hired by less than accomplished sailors. They are unlikely to be in pristine condition as they have been used and have aquired bumps and scratches from contact with jetties and inside galley spills leaving their mark. However you will still have lots of fun with good value for money a the charter rate will be lower for this type of yacht.

The size of the yacht could be anything up to 60 feet and will be comfortable and easy to handle for you and your party. Single hull sailing yachts, catamarans and power yachts are all available for the same cost or less than the cost per person on a mid range cruise ship. If you wish to employ a skipper or a chef/deckhand then obviously the cost will increase to pay their wages, possibly up to $300 per day for the skipper, who will do most of the work onboard and make life easier for you. If you are lacking the experience or would feel happy with company nearby then you might choose to take a flotilla charter instead. This allows you to sail your own yacht but have the support of a professional skipper and crew member leading the flotilla on their own yacht. You sail in company with other yachts and the agenda is arranged by the flotilla skipper who has all the local knowledge to make your vacation pleasurable. As you aquire knowledge and become more confident you may wish to sail independantly of the flotilla but arrange to meet up with them at the next harbour or anchorage. You will still be able to stay in contact with the flotilla by radio incase you need help.

The other catagory is that of a crewed yacht. This can be any amount of crew from just a skipper/owner through to a large yacht with captain, mate and full crew. A husband and wife crew on their own yacht is quite common where the wife will do all the cooking and domestic chores and lend a hand crewing as well. You will not be asked to do too much work but of course you can be involved as much as you want. So what is the difference here to the skippered bareboat, it is the fact that the yacht is owned by the husband and wife team and will be in better condition and well maintained. They will take greater pride in their yacht and will see themselves as hosts rather than paid crew.

Fully crewed yachts are the most expensive option but if you can afford it then you will find yourself fully pampered and served by the crew. If you are combining your budget with your friends then possibly your will be able to charter such a yacht. The yachts vary tremendously in size and style but luxury and service are the key words. A 46 foot sailing yacht with four guests will cost around $20000 for a week plus expenses such as food, fuel and berthing fees. At the other end of the scale hiring a 170 foot motor yacht with accomodation for ten guests would be around $250000 plus expences. So you can see that at this end of the market there is a yacht for every taste as long as you can afford to pay for it.

Bruce Walls is an author and webmaster. Read more articles at YachtCharterReview

Living Onboard a Charter Yacht

2008-04-09T23:38:00.000-07:00

When considering power yachts and sailing yachts it is realised that there are so many different models and designs of charter yachts. Consequentaly there will be so many different layouts of the cabins and living quarters on yachts along with the feel and ambiance that different designs generate. It is not possible to cover every option here so it will be better to state the basics that every yacht will have and to familiarise you with the terms that you need to know when booking your vacation to make sure you explain what you want.

What ever the yacht the following terms are the same. The largest and nicest cabin on board is the master cabin, and in most cases has an attached en suite bathroom and will have the largest bed and fittings such as closets and drawers. On larger yachts that might well be a VIP cabin which would be the next nicest cabin. The next level of cabins would be the guest cabins, with double or twin beds. The twin beds might infact be bunk beds so you must clarify this point when booking to save any disappointments later on. Bunk beds are ideal for kids but may not appeal to adults.

The beds will typically be arranged ?fore and aft? in the yacht. It might mean that you will roll around in your bed as the yacht moves in the sea but this is the best arrangement. If the sailing yacht is heeled over under sail then you will gravitate to one side of the bed. This is not uncomfortable, just different to what you are used to. The alternative arrangement is athwartships which is not so comfortable because as the ship rolls your head is one moment above the level of your feet and the next moment below them. Please keep this in mind when looking at the bed arrangement on any yacht you are thinking of chartering.

Smaller yachts mean smaller cabins and smaller cabins mean smaller beds. The size of yacht that you will charter as a bareboat charter will be at the smaller end of the market and so will have less space and features than a larger crewed charter yacht. The master cabin on a bareboat yacht will often have a three quarter size double bed with two or three sides open to access. The bed could be of a step up island design where it is raised a step up from the cabin floor. This is due to the design of the yacht as the space under the bed is used for other functions of the yacht. The island bed looks grand but can be difficult for taller people who may need to bend more to avoid touching the ceiling when steping up to get into bed.

The master cabin should have a full length closet, but possibly a half closet and adequate drawers for your clothes and possessions. In the guest cabins with bunk beds be aware the height above each bed may be restricted and more suitable for children than tall adults. The bunks will be quite narrow but you will soon get used to them and infact they will be quite comfortable if the yacht is rolling as it is easy to brace yourself. In some twin cabins such as the ?vee? cabin in the bow of the yacht the length of the bed might be restricted and a tall person will be unable to stretch out completely. This might also be the case with the bunk beds. This will not be a problem with the master bed as the bottom of the bed will be open.

The closet and draws in guest cabins will be limited in size so do not pack too many possessions. However there will be enough space if the space is managed sensibly. Some yachts have the facility to convert the dining table and couches into a bunk but it is not a good idea to hire a charter yacht with a view to this bed being used by members of the party. This is inconvenient and can cause tension with late risers or untidy guests. It might seem a good idea in the first instance to save money on your sailing vacation but you really should have a fixed bed for every guest.

Bruce Walls is an author and webmaster. You can read this article and more at YachtCharterReview

Caribbean Yacht Charter

2008-04-09T23:37:00.000-07:00

A yacht charter in the Caribbean has so much to offer. So many different countries, islands, cultures, food and so much more. Perfect sailing conditions in picture postcard surroundings. The scent of fresh coconut and the sound of steel drums carried on a warm breeze. A Caribbean vacation is a truly tropical experience, it?s the ultimate romantic escape with long, sandy beaches and tiny desert islands. The main sailing season in the Caribbean runs from November to July with the period December to March as the busiest when escapees from the winter weather of North America and Europe arrive. The Caribbean is affected by hurricanes from late July to mid October although they are rare in the southern Caribbean along the coast of South America. Hurricanes are prevalent in the nortern Caribbean each year and have been more numerous in the last few years. It is best to avoid the central and northern Caribbean up to Florida and the Bahamas during the hurricane season. April to July is a nice time to charter a boat as there are less visitors in the area with some nice settled weather with a warm but steady breeze.

The Caribbean is made up of many different multi-nation (and multi-cultural) islands. There are amazing sailing grounds stretching from Cuba and Jamaica in the west, through the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, The Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands, finishing with Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba and Curacao off the coast of Venezuela. Due to the scale and diversity of the different yacht charter areas of the Caribbean we have covered the major charter locations individually.

The Caribbean is the truely the king of yacht charter locations. It is an ocean laden with history and treasures, from tiny beach ridden coral atolls to substantial mountainous islands exuding rich and colorful cultures. You will be sailing over waters once sailed by pirates, buccaneers and Spanish treasure fleets which now offer wonderful locations offering so much choice to sailors and vacationers. Thriving bars and Caribbean nightlife; first rate cuisine; spectacular beaches; lush tropical rainforest; cloud-fringed mountain peaks; exotic birdlife; amazing diving and snorkeling and a serene blend of European sophistication and warm Caribbean hospitality. Yes it truely is a wonderful area to sail.

As the most popular charter ground in the world the types of boats available in the Caribbean include all the main types. Motor, sailing, bareboat charter, skippered, crewed yachts, catamaran, luxury yachts and the ever increasing super yacht charter. Both beginner and expert yacht charterers alike are drawn to the Caribbean for its warm winds, protected waterways and beautiful anchorages that lie snug and safe within the tropical island chain. A caribbean yacht charter is a truely wonderful experience for experienced and novice yacht charterers alike.

Bruce Walls is an author and webmaster. Read this article and more at CaribbeanYachtCharter

Bahamas Yacht Charter

2008-03-31T02:30:00.001-07:00

The sun, sights and sounds you?ll experience on a Bahamas yacht charter will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed for years to come. A simple Google search of ?yacht charter Bahamas? is all that?s needed to prove the popularity of this kind of vacation as the number of search results is simply astounding. Whether a sail or power yacht best suits your preferences, there is much to be enjoyed. Indeed, more and more people are choosing to spend their vacations on a Bahamas yacht charter because of the terrific flexibility one has when compared to a land-based or cruise ship type of vacation.

700 islands and over 2400 cays make a Bahamas yacht charter one of the most fun and visually stunning. Bimini, which is located only 45 miles from Miami, Florida, marks the northernmost point of the Bahamian Island chain. Such proximity to the continental US makes getting to the Bahamas a surprisingly short and hassle-free trip.

In the Bahamas, there is such a wide array of attractions and types of places, you won?t be able to help having fun. Nassau, for example, is a busy town dedicated to providing you with the most entertaining nightlife you could ever imagine. From luxurious restaurants, to glamorous casinos, to truly wild nightclubs, if you love the nightlife, there isn?t a better place. Nassau is located on New Providence Island and plays host to the massive Atlantis resort and marina. While nearly anywhere you could decide to go on a Bahamas yacht charter will present you with powdery white beaches and turquoise water, the quality is not easily matched in Nassau.

If the nightlife isn?t your cup of tea or you just need to relax from the night before, there is still much for you to enjoy while on a Bahamas yacht charter. In Barbados, you?ll be able to find some of the most amazing natural wonders this world has to offer. In Harrison?s Cave, for example, expect to be amazed at the gargantuan stalactites hanging from the ceiling and equally large stalagmites jutting out from the water. Also, within this cave, you?ll see waterfalls that have been described as nothing less than magical as they descend from the heights and splash down into hauntingly green pools of water. Also located in Barbados is Orchid World and Andromeda Gardens. Between these two fantastic attractions, you?ll bear witness to some of the most rare and beautiful flowers you?ve ever seen.

Truly, a Bahamas yacht charter has too many benefits and attractions to mention. Intriguing architecture, first-class golf courses, lighthouses and miles upon miles of natural beauty makes a vacation in the Bahamas one of the most fun and memorable experiences you could have.

Bruce Walls is an experienced yachtsman. Read more articles at FloridaYachtCharter

Florida Yacht Charter

2008-03-29T03:44:00.001-07:00

Florida and more specifically Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the USA. All the international charter brokers, yacht brokers and crewing agencies have an office in Fort Lauderdale which also has the infrastructure to support the yachting industry. The annual boat show in October is the largest in the USA. Not all the charter yachts are based in Fort Lauderdale, there are many available for charter on the Gulf coast.

The Florida Keys are the most popular sailing area and many wonderful days can be had here. The Florida Keys are over 100 miles long from Key Largo in the east to Key West at the other end. The islands can be grouped into five areas but with many islands and communities in each group. Each group has its own distinct flavor and all should be visited.

Key Largo, is the closest key to the mainland and the home of the world?s largest artificial reef, a 510ft sunken warship. It is also home to the spectacular John Pennekamp Coral Reef Underwater State Park and the famous Christ of the Abyss underwater statue. It really is rich for divers and snorkelers as well as for visiting yachtsmen and restaurants offering Florida Keys seafood are in abundance.

Islamorada, means purple isle and is recognised as the sport fishing capital of the world. There are many diving and snorkeling sites. Islamorada has an abundance of restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Marathon, is in the heart of the Florida Keys and is popular year round for sport fishing and water activities.

The extensive group of islands known as the Lower Keys includes Big Pine Key, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key and many more. Just above Key West, this group of islands are known for their natural beauty and abundant wildlife.

Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United State, has the tropical flavor of the Caribbean with beautiful water, historical attractions and non stop activities. Famous for its association with Ernest Hemingway, Key West has so much to offer the visitor and yachtsman.

The Florida Keys are not the only sailing area to visit in Florida. You can also enjoy sailing and exploring bays, rivers, estuaries, barrier islands and the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Secluded anchorages, upscale marinas, parks with nature preserves, hundreds of restaurants and a great diversity of shopping are all part of the Tampa Bay Experience. A perfect chain of barrier islands protects the coastline and is one of the largest protected bays in the country. Although the area is fairly shallow in nature, it is well documented and full of navigational aids. With a wide variety of seaside towns, secluded anchorages and fine marinas, captains and crew will enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters, gentle winds, abundant birds and dolphins.

Bruce Walls is an experienced yachtsman. Read more articles here FloridaYachtCharter

Florida Yacht Charter: Gulf Coast

2008-03-28T02:21:00.001-07:00

If you?re considering chartering a yacht for your next vacation but haven?t yet decided where to go, you?ll seriously consider the Gulf Coast of Florida after getting to know a little more about it. No matter whether a power or sail yacht better suits your tastes and budget, you?d be hard pressed to find a more exciting, visually stunning area than Florida. A Florida yacht charter will never leave you bored, oh no, its world-famous resorts, picturesque landscapes and legendary evening entertainment will have you wondering why you waited so long to take your hard earned vacation here.

The Cruising World magazine has recently rated the Gulf Coast of Florida the top yacht chartering destination in the whole of the US and for good reason. The immensely popular Fort Myers is a wonderful place to start your yacht charter in Florida. As relaxing as it is beautiful, Fort Myers offers the convenience of several top-notch marinas and is home to the City Yacht basin. This easy accessibility to Florida yacht charters marks Fort Meyers as a popular starting point. While there, be sure to take in the astonishing riverfront homes and peek at the estates of two of America?s shining stars ? Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

A yacht charter in Florida simply wouldn?t be complete without a trip to Naples. Touted as a hub for the wealthy, Naples has more than its fair share of five-star restaurants and other upscale amenities. Indeed, Naples is the place to be if you?re intent on treating yourself like a star. Luxurious day spas combined with the beautiful scenery and delectable dining may make Naples you?re favorite stop on your Florida yacht charter.

Another great stop you could chose to make while on your yacht charter in Florida would be St. Petersburg. This bustling city is a tourist?s dream come true, with a dazzling array of shopping areas and resorts, plus world class golf courses. While sailing in and around St. Petersburg, be sure to take note of the exotic wildlife. Bald eagles, manatees and osprey are just a few of the species that inhabit the region.

Indeed, the ease of chartering a yacht in Florida makes it perhaps the best choice for people who?ve never before experienced the joys of yachting. If you do chose to treat yourself to a yacht charter in Florida, you can rest assured that the relaxation and dreamlike memories you?ll gain will be with you for years to come.

Bruce Walls is an experienced yachtsman. Read other articles at FloridaYachtCharter

The World's First Star Trek Yacht

2008-03-27T03:49:00.002-07:00

It may not be considered a megayacht in size, but the Trilobis 65, a four level, 20 meter floating object-of-desire would still turn heads at any marina. Gianacarlo Zema Design Group (GZDG) of Rome in collaboration with Canadian company Underwater Vehicles are working hard to have one of these futuristic babies floating soon in a marina near you. This floating luxury home will sleep 6 and is described by the company as "ideal for living in bays, atolls, and maritime parks." Considering it is nonpolluting because it uses hydrogen fuels, perhaps even the rangers at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the nation's first underwater park south of Miami and east of Key Largo, will cut it some slack and let it drop anchor over the reefs.

Trilobis 65's fourth level is 3 meters below sea level. The "observation bulb" looks like something Captain Kirk would be comfortable in commanding and its design is entirely fitting with the yacht's overall "Star Trek" appeal. Although none of us will live long enough to see space exploration on the level found in "Star Trek," the few earthlings who can afford the estimated $4 million price tag of the Trilobis 65, will undoubtedly "explore strange new worlds" above and below the sea.

But wait, there's more! GZDG has designed a floating house called the Jelly-fish 45. Granted the name needs a little work, but priced at $2.5 million, it's a steal. It's ten meters high, sleeps 8, and has five levels connected by a spiral staircase. Any good entrepreneur could rustle up a couple of these floating homes, dock 'em at a marina, and lease them out for 3, 4, or 7-day vacations that include a leisurely cruise and anchorage over a reef. "Scotty, beam me down!"

D.C. Copeland is a writer and award-winning artist. When visiting Copeland's personal website and blog http://www.miamivisionblogarama.blogspot.com/, you will discover that Wayne Cochran is the Patron Saint and that many people consider it to be "The Rodney Dangerfield of Blogs."

2004 Olympics and Yachting in Greece

2008-03-27T03:49:00.001-07:00

Everybody knows that the Olympic Games are due to be held in Athens in 2004. Apart from the accepted consequences, positive and negative, for the city of Athens and Greece in general this sporting extravaganza will seriously affect the yachting fraternity from mid-July to mid-September.

Two major crises will afflict the greater Athens area i.e. transportation and accommodation. I will refer to certain aspects of transportation later but the accommodation problem will directly affect yachtsmen. How, you might ask ? I will tell you.

The Greek government is trying many ways to obviate the shortage of about 40,000 rooms. Athenians are being asked to offer rooms to visitors in their own homes and 11 cruise ships are being chartered and moored in Piraeus harbour for the duration of the Games. Not wishing to be left out of this possible bonanza, yacht owners will be offering their yachts as floating hotels in all the marinas along the Athens coastline, particularly Marina Alimos. Nor will this be restricted to Athenian yacht owners, as owners from all over Greece will be climbing on the bandwagon and will be moving their yachts into the Athens area for the Games. Many yachts are already booked to regular charterers and thus the prices for the period will go up to alarming levels, not to mention the shortage of available yachts.

Another serious problem will be the human waste from all these vessels. Piraeus harbour and all the marinas in the vicinity will become enormous sewage dumps. The people chartering these yachts as hotels are not yachties and will not know, or care, about the use of holding tanks and will simply dump the results of the exercising of normal human bodily functions into the sea. The shore facilities in these marinas will be nine times overstretched.

I promised to refer to transportation again because there will be massive shortages of flights over the period. Don't miss the boat - book early your flight aswell.

You must also realise that the influx of yachts into Athens will produce shortages all over Greece, not only for the period from mid-July to mid-September, but beyond because of the positioning and re-positioning times of the floating hotels.

My advice, therefore, is that if you are a yacht owner avoid Athens for the period, unless you are going to watch the Games, and if you are going to charter - DO IT EARLY, not forgetting to book your flights at the same time. The "last minute booking" syndrome is not going to work in 2004 for the crucial period of the Games and the immediate pre and post period - say 15 July to 15 September.

Finally - how early is early enough ? I would say by Christmas 2003, at the very latest. This way you will both enjoy the early booking discounts, which most of the charter companies are offering, and get the yacht of your choice from the base of your choice. Almi Yachts statistics are showing that by February all yachts will be booked for July/August 2004 and only dinghies will be available!

Alex. Vournas is the owner and managing director of Almi Yachts ltd, a yacht charter company in Greece. He is also the web designer and SEO for www.almiyachts.com

avournas@almiyachts.com

Live on a Yacht Tax Free

2008-03-24T03:48:00.000-07:00

This is a new concept but one that is gaining in popularity. This is for the nautically inclined only with boating skills that are developed. Basically you live your present country and become a citizen of the world traveling perpetually on your yacht. While all this sounds great you still need to have papers and documents of registration and passports to avoid constant hassles with authorities wherever you go. So what can be done is as follows:

You form an anonymous Panama SA company (bearer shares). This company then buys a yacht for at least $150,000. Now you need to hire three Panamanians for at least $253.00 a month each. So you have deckhands, crew, cook etc. This would let you get residency in Panama quickly and after three years you could apply for citizenship and get a Panama passport. You could also do a version of this using the small investor visa to do it with a $40,000 investment and three employees on your fishing or touring boat. You can get a Panama cell phone, mail box, bank account, visa debit card, atm card and you can travel the world. For most this isn't feasible but it is fun to dream anyway.

Investor Visa (Inversionista) Designed for those who wish to establish a business in Panama (note, though, that some retail businesses and some professions are reserved to Panamanians). There must be a minimum investment of $150,000 and minimum of three, permanent Panamanian employees hired. It is granted provisionally for one year and after renewal is granted permanently with the right to be issued a cedula identity card. Five years after obtaining the permanent visa, holders will be eligible to apply for Panamanian nationality.

Small Business Investor Visa (Inversionista de Peque?a Empresa) Designed for those who wish to establish a small business in Panama (note that retail businesses and some professions are reserved to Panamanians). There must be a minimum investment of $40,000 and minimum of three permanent Panamanian employees hired. It is granted provisionally for one year, and needs to be renewed three more times before it is granted permanently with the right to a cedula. Five years after obtaining the permanent visa, holders will be eligible to obtain Panamanian nationality.

If you'd like to know more about this go to. www.panamalaw.org

Adventures At Sea Yachts

2008-03-21T03:42:00.000-07:00

Newport Beach is fast becoming a favorite California vacation destination. Although relatively unknown to vacation planners, Newport Beach offers exciting options for visitors of all ages and interests.

Adventures at Sea Yachts have been taking Newport Beach vacationers on unforgettable cruises since 1980. With an energetic staff that happily meets any challenge, Adventures at Sea accommodates charters for all occasions. Weddings, corporate events, private parties, sport and fishing charters, surprise parties, sailing and just enjoying a cruise are all possible aboard Adventures at Sea Yachts. The countless awards, accolades and happy clients are proof that the crew of Adventures at Sea loves what they do and pay a great deal of attention to detail for every one of their cruises.

Catering to local clientele as well as the tourist market, Adventures At Sea offers champagne sailing cruises along the southern Californian coast, a sailing yacht charter in Newport Beach, an Orange County sailboat charter and sea yacht cruises throughout California. From Newport Beach, Adventures At Sea will take you on a California sightseeing tour you've never dreamed of.

Wedding planners take note: Adventures at Sea will make your special day absolutely perfect. Picture the romance of exchanging vows aboard a luxury yacht, the sea breeze tossing your hair, spectacular views of California and beach stretching as far as the eye can see. The picture-perfect scene is trumped only by the attention to details paid by the Adventures at Sea crew.

Corporate events are popular happenings aboard Adventures at Sea Yachts. On these charters, you can impress clients and associates with the California lifestyle that a charter embodies. From showing off to friends to treating your boss to a day away from the office, these charters can help make you very popular and may give you a little boost up the corporate ladder.

Make an Adventures at Sea cruise part of your Newport Beach vacation. It's almost impossible to cruise the California coastline without being completely relaxed. Whether it's around California or just across the bay, charter cruises are a lot of fun and a great way to see the sights. Check out the ocean and shoreline views, or just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Avid anglers enjoy the privacy and security that Adventures at Sea fishing charters offer. Cruise out to that sweet spot on the ocean, cast your line and wait for the big one to bite. The sun beaming down and the cool ocean winds remind you that this is what fishing is all about.

Whether you're on a romantic getaway, or a family vacation, Adventures At Sea Yachts add the perfect touch to your Newport Beach visit. Locals love the charters, so you can bet the experience is worth the money. If you've never been aboard a yacht or taken a charter cruise, make sure you take the time to try Adventures at Sea. Once you try it the first time, you'll wonder why it took so long to discover the ride of your life.

Barbara Miller contributes to several web magazines, on hobbies and travel and recreation ideas themes

Planning An Event On A Florida Yacht Charter

2008-03-21T03:41:00.001-07:00

A Florida Yacht Charter is a perfect destination for your next trip. The weather is ideal for sailing all year round. Hurricane season in the summer and early fall can be unpredictable, but in the absence of a hurricane the sailing conditions are beautiful.

Companies offering charters and luxury yacht sales are abundant in Florida. The company will help you plan your trip, set your itinerary and find activities. In addition, many offer packages that include your air flight and hotel reservations. For the best possible experience, work with a reputable company that has been around for a long time.

Florida Yacht Charter Destinations

There are many locations on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida for luxury yacht charters. On the Atlantic coast, Jacksonville offers an excellent location for watching Pilot whales. Daytona and Jacksonville are great spots for a fishing charter. On the Gulf coast, Fort Myers and Clearwater offer beautiful beaches and small coastal islands to explore. The scuba diving is excellent along the entire coastline.

For beautiful islands and clear blue water, consider sailing to the Florida Keys. This island chain boasts more bareboat charters than anywhere else in the world. If you prefer to sail a bit farther, the Bahamas are a popular destination for boats chartered in Florida.

Choosing a Florida Yacht Charter

Bareboat Charter

With a bareboat, you are renting the ship only. You are responsible to either skipper the boat or hire someone to do it for you. This charter includes no supplies or food. You will need to bring everything you need for your voyage. If you plan to skipper the boat, you will be required to show proof of your sailing experience and demonstrate your skills.

Crewed Charter

A crewed charter can range from just a captain and a cook to a full crew. This depends on the size of the boat, number or guests and length of the trip. The crew cabins are separate from the guest cabins. This is a great way to travel in luxury. The crew supplies your meals and helps plan activities.

Sailing School

Sailing schools are offered by charter companies throughout Florida. The trip will generally last between four and seven days, depending on the course you are taking. The average bareboat charter certification course lasts for five days and costs about $3000. Once certified, you can sail your own bareboat charter.

Planning an Event

A yacht is the perfect choice for a wedding, honeymoon, or corporate event. Weddings at sea offer a unique setting. The captain of the ship performs the ceremony. In most cases, you will use a crewed yacht for your wedding. You have the option of having the company cater the event or hiring your own caterer to supply the food. A representative of the company will help you plan your big day.

Consider having your next corporate event or sales meeting at sea. Charters are available for the day or for several days. Doing business at sea is relaxing and great for morale. The crew will supply meals, or you can choose to go ashore for meals. The size of the charter will depend on the number of people and duration of the trip.

Ciara McNamara releases often to the information source at http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com. She is writing on topics like florida yacht charter

Yacht charter Tobago

2008-03-20T03:51:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for a great way to sail the ocean, you will want to have the Yacht charter Tobago. This is a great way to spend a great vacation. You will feel great and wonderful when you decide to take a trip on this great ocean liner. You will want to share your time with people that you love and let them experience the same fun and excitement that you are.

When it comes time to having a great time on a special boat, you need to see what the Yacht charter Tobago has in store for you. You will enjoy every inch of this great boat. You can set sail on the deck and watch the land get smaller and smaller as you drift away. You will appreciate the wonder of this great time. There is no better way to spend a great and enjoyable time.

If you are ready to have a great time on a special adventure, you need to get aboard the Yacht charter Tobago. This is something that you will love and appreciate with this package. If you are wanting to sail alone and meet new people or if you have a special someone to bring along, you will be impressed with all the enjoyable moments you are in store for.

If you are ready to have fun and games planned for your trip, you need to be on the Yacht charter Tobago. You will have something to do each second of the day and night. You will not have to worry about being bored, because this is a time when you can kick back and enjoy the time that you are getting alone or with your friends and family members.

When you want to get away for some peace and serenity, you will have to get to the Yacht charter Tobago. There is no better way to spend a relaxing vacation. You will find the views to be amazing, the food wonderful, and the activities and entertainment to be the best that you can have. You will not be disappointed in your choice to cruise along with this great boat.

Check out all of the great features that you can take advantage of on this cruise. You will have the options to have as much fun as you can without the high cost. You can find a way to make this ride fit into your budget. You can have the peaceful vacation that you deserve time and time again.

Lena Hilltorp

Lena Hilltorp is a freelance publisher based in Sweden. She publishes articles and reports and provides Mediterranean Rental Yacht resources on http://www.charter-yacht.org/mediterraneanrentalyacht.html Caribbean Rental Yacht http://www.charter-yacht.org/caribbeanrentalyacht.html

Galapagos Cruise Yachts - 3 Ways to Choose the Best One For Your Trip

2008-03-20T03:50:00.000-07:00

With so many Galapagos cruise yachts available on the island it's easy to pick a dud for your once in a lifetime trip but there is a way to minimize the risks of choosing the wrong one.

There are about 60 Galapagos cruise yachts plying their trade in and around the waters of those magical islands at the present time. With so much choice available it's very easy to become confused when the time comes to book a cruise yacht for your own Galapagos adventure.

Looking at a list of sixty different cruise boats and all they have to offer and having to choose one for a Galapagos trip that costs a lot of money and will probably only be a once in a lifetime experience for you can be very daunting.

And then of course there are always the cowboy operators and fly by night outfits that inevitably make their way on to the list that you have to contend with too. The bad apples look just like the good ones when viewed from afar.

So how do you make sure that the Galapagos cruise yacht you choose doesn't make you want to walk the plank as soon as you sail over the horizon? Here's three ways which will minimize your risk substantially...

1. Trip Reports

The experiences of past Galapagos cruise yacht travelers will be an invaluable aid in determining what a trip with a specific yacht might be like. If they had a bad experience the chances are that you might too and if they had a great time then all things considered you probably will too.

Of course, trip reports can be subjective on certain levels because people differ widely about what makes an enjoyable trip but if the boat is prone to breaking down, the cabins small and dirty, the food third rate and the sailors a bunch of pirates then that will become evident in a travel report no matter how subjective it is.

So you can learn a lot from other peoples experiences by reading their trip reports and not making the same mistakes yourself.

2. Forums

There are a number of forums on the web where people post their Galapagos cruise experiences and you can pick up some excellent unbiased tips about the standard of particular yachts there. Just do a search on your favourite search engine for "Galapagos forum" and read away. Just remember to pay it forward when you get back from your Galapagos trip by posting about your experience so that others can learn and gain from it.

3. Travel Agents

Their business depends on their reputation so a good Galapagos cruise travel agent will make sure that they only refer people to yachts that are first class because if something does go wrong it will reflect badly on them too.

Good travel agents who know the local scene are invaluable in helping you make the right choice of yacht but beware because not all travel agents are created equal and some of them are in it just for the short term gain. Make sure that the travel agent you use has been in business for awhile and get testimonials from past satisfied customers if possible.

Galapagos island tours trip reports grouped by yacht name give you an excellent idea of what the Galapagos cruise was really like and how the boat and its crew performed.

This is a ranking of the top three Galapagos travel agents based on trip reports and reviews, forums, art

Yacht Charter Benefits

2008-03-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

It is quite normal for people to consider that yacht charter is too expensive and only for the very rich. This might be the case with top end luxury and mega yachts but there are so many affordable yachts available. Compared to the price of a vacation on a cruise ship, especially if there are two or more in your party, then the cost of the charter yacht is very comparable. However if you have like minded family or friends and are prepared to pool your vacation budgets then the level of luxury, size and onboard facilities will increase considerably making your vacation far superior to that on a cruise ship.

The real benefits of a yacht charter are the freedom to go where you want, within the cruising area of the yacht, and do what you want and when you want. There are no 'Ship Sails At' boards to read before you leave your yacht as on a cruise ship because you, the charterer, will be making the decisions. You will be living in a private world that yacht charter can offer you, even in some crowded areas.

It is fair to say that the world is yours when talking yacht charter. If you are wealthy enough then you can charter a yacht that can travel far and wide while you are aboard. Otherwise you can travel within the area of operation during your two week or so charter period. However charter yachts operate all over the world so once you have been bitten then maybe you will want to fly abroad and join your yacht in Tahiti or Thailand or some other exotic location. The yacht charter industry is growing all the time and new yachts and locations are being added to meet increasing demand.

Unlike cruise ships, yachts are more variable with a lot more choice. There are big players with world wide fleets of yachts but equally there are small operators or even an owner with one yacht who will offer you no less an experience than the big players. So how do you find these yachts and why isn't your local travel agent offering them. You will need the services of a specialist, a charter broker, to find you the right boat at the right price without any effort on your part or you can spend your time surfing the net to visit all the online sites. The charter broker really is very knowledgeable about this industry and will help you to ensure that you have a perfect vacation. As you read through the pages on this site you will find many links and recommendations to help and guide you to make the right choice for your charter yacht and vacation location.

You can choose to cruise aboard a bareboat yacht with your family and friends if you have the required knowledge. Otherwise you can employ a skipper who will instruct you as you go. If you so wish you can also have a chef to make life that little easier. With a larger budget you can charter a fully crewed yacht to pamper and serve you. Want to be the skipper and have some experience but would feel more confident with other people nearby then a flotilla charter is the way to go.

Bruce Walls is an author and webmaster at YachtCharterReview

Yachts for the Rest of Us

2008-03-19T05:03:00.000-07:00

Yachts are the pinnacles of boat ownership. Owning a yacht, or even sailing on one, is a true luxury experience. A yacht is something that most people only dream of owning. Some yachts are so large and magnificent that they are indistinguishable from luxury cruise liners. The sizes, designs and amenities of yachts range so widely that the price ranges for yachts do as well. High-end yachts can sell for $60 million or more, and even the least expensive yachts will sell in the hundreds of thousands range. Bigger and more expensive yachts are often owned by private companies who use them to throw parties, entertain clients and reward successful executives.

Yachts are like floating mansions. Normally a yacht will include several rooms, and luxury models can include many bedrooms, a family room, office, den, library and a theater room. Only the view from the windows lets you know you are on the ocean.

Even though yachts can be expensive to purchase, they are often available for rental. Yacht rental companies allow customers to use their yachts for an hour, day, week or even longer. This can be a great opportunity to have the yacht experience without breaking the bank. Many people rent a yacht for cruising on the ocean or lake for a few days as part of their vacation.

If you rent a larger yacht, you will normally have an experienced boat captain and perhaps a crew to pilot the ship for you. This can allow you and your family and friends to relax and enjoy the water and the yacht experience. These crewed yacht vacations allow you to live in comfort and style during your vacation. Normally you will have full amenities on the lot, and even a few fun extras like scuba diving equipment or kayaks to enjoy the ocean.

Cookgroup Marketing LLC - All Rights Reserved. This article brought to you by http://www.Your-Boat-Portal.com/ . You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice, author name and URL remain intact. Jason Albright is a contributing editor at Cookgroup Marketing LLC. His background is with lifestyle topics including: Gardening, Outdoor Living, Home Decor & Travel Destinations

Buying A Cruising Yacht

2008-03-18T05:49:00.000-07:00

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

Yachting - Luxury Boating at its Best

2008-03-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

When people see a yacht cruising by in the ocean, on a lake, or down a river, the usual reaction is a series of "oohs" and "aahs". There is nothing that quite says "the good life" like a yacht. A yacht is something that most people only dream of owning; most are happy to simply be able to ride on one at least once in their lives.

Some yachts are so large and so luxurious that you can barely tell them apart from cruise liners. There really is no "average price" when it comes to yachts; their sizes, designs, and amenities vary so widely that their price ranges are vast. A top-of-the-line yacht can sell for as high as $60 million or more, and the least expensive yachts will still run in the hundreds of thousands. The bigger and more expensive yachts are often owned by companies for throwing parties, entertaining clients, or rewarding successful executives with luxury trips.

What exactly is it about a yacht, other than its size, that so enraptures people? For one thing, yachts are like floating mansions, or at the very least, very nice floating homes. For example, an upper-end yacht can have a living room, family room, several bedrooms, a den, office, library, bar, party room, and even a theater room. When riding on one of these, only the view from the windows, going out on deck, or the occasional rocking would betray the fact that you were actually on a boat.

Though it is true that most people, even those who are fairly successful, cannot afford a yacht, that doesn't mean that that they can never have a chance to ride on one or maybe even pilot one. Fortunately, for those who are not blessed with enough disposable income to purchase their own yachts, these luxury cruisers can be rented by the hour, by the day, by the week, or for even longer. Many people will rent a yacht for cruising in the ocean or on a lake for a few days and consider it a complete vacation. If you rent the right kind of yacht, there may never be a reason to disembark from it while you're using it, even if you'll be on it for several days. Though experienced boaters can often pilot their own medium-sized or smaller rented yachts, when renting one of the larger models it is usually best, and often required, to have an experienced boat captain pilot it for you. When renting one of the much larger, upper-end luxury yachts, the rental usually includes a boat captain. Though renting one of the upper-end luxury yachts may still be out of many people's price ranges, most people can still enjoy all the amenities and enjoyment that a smaller rented yacht offers. After all, if you are cruising on a yacht, no matter what the size, you are still going to get those admiring glances!

John Gibb is the owner of boating sources , For more information on boating check out http://www.boating-guidesforu.info

British Virgin Islands Travel - Charter a Yacht For a Unique Vacation Experience

2008-03-17T05:25:00.002-07:00

BVI weather is extremely consistent with perfect Caribbean trade winds that stay between 10-25 knots, sometimes a bit stronger during the winter months. You will find few places in the world that offer as many bays and anchorages to go exploring. You'll also find that the water temperature is just perfect for swimming with temperatures ranging from 76-85 degrees year round. The distances between the islands are quite short as well, which provides some benefits such as; the sailing areas are often protected from the open water, so you will find the seas are very calm. This is especially great if you're new to the world of sailing. Short distances also provide opportunities for many island stops and that means lots of exploring!

If you're ready for sunny days, pristine white sandy beaches, stunning coral reefs and for the water-sport enthusiast - an unlimited array of possibilities lay waiting for you to discover. One of the absolute best ways to discover the British Virgin Islands is by chartering your own private yacht! This brings us to another destination BVI famous fact. These islands are also home to the world's largest charter yacht fleet!

With more than 50 islands and cays, a BVI yacht charter may simply be one of the best ways to experience the magic that these islands have to offer you. The British Virgin Islands are also known as the Windwards and Leewards island group. They lie 1500 miles Southeast of New York and about 60 miles east from Puerto Rico. You'll find mountainous terrain, lush green valleys with rolling hills leading to spectacular beaches and serene coves.

A British Virgin Islands vacation will certainly not be like your 'typical' touristy islands, in the sense that you won't find any high-rise hotels, casinos or even traffic lights! What you'll learn on these islands is true peace and tranquility. You can discover an ancient tropical rainforest, irresistible land and beauty, even a rare inhabited coral island. These islands offer you a place in which you can truly discover yourself and this is what will make your British Virgin Islands travel really stand out.

They have worked extremely hard to achieve world-wide recognition with programs and workshops to study and protect the rapidly disappearing eco-systems of the Caribbean. With the National Parks Trust - a government department that was formed to protect the incredible beauty and infrastructure that lies under the sea, you'll find unique underwater parks that stretch all across the British Virgin Islands. Can you think of a better way to really explore this paradise than with a BVI yacht charter, one that can bring you to the heart and majesty that belongs to this incredible group of islands? After all, being in an area world-renowned for the best sailing and boasting the largest fleet of chartered yachts, why not make this vacation the most unique that you've ever experienced and charter a yacht!

If you liked what you read and would like to learn more about yachting vacations take a visit to Tropical Beach Destinations. Join your tropical adventure couple Jason and Sarah as they show you the ultimate vacation!

British Virgin Islands Travel ? Charter a Yacht For a Unique Vacation Experience

2008-03-17T05:25:00.001-07:00

Did you know that the British Virgin Islands are home to one of the best sailing areas in the world and is the sailing capitol of the Caribbean? There are so many reasons as to why these Caribbean islands can lay claim to this and you?ll soon learn why a British Virgin Islands vacation, is just what you need!

BVI weather is extremely consistent with perfect Caribbean trade winds that stay between 10-25 knots, sometimes a bit stronger during the winter months. You will find few places in the world that offer as many bays and anchorages to go exploring. You?ll also find that the water temperature is just perfect for swimming with temperatures ranging from 76-85 degrees year round. The distances between the islands are quite short as well, which provides some benefits such as; the sailing areas are often protected from the open water, so you will find the seas are very calm. This is especially great if you?re new to the world of sailing. Short distances also provide opportunities for many island stops and that means lots of exploring!

If you?re ready for sunny days, pristine white sandy beaches, stunning coral reefs and for the water-sport enthusiast ? an unlimited array of possibilities lay waiting for you to discover. One of the absolute best ways to discover the British Virgin Islands is by chartering your own private yacht! This brings us to another destination BVI famous fact. These islands are also home to the world?s largest charter yacht fleet!

With more than 50 islands and cays, a BVI yacht charter may simply be one of the best ways to experience the magic that these islands have to offer you. The British Virgin Islands are also known as the Windwards and Leewards island group. They lie 1500 miles Southeast of New York and about 60 miles east from Puerto Rico. You?ll find mountainous terrain, lush green valleys with rolling hills leading to spectacular beaches and serene coves.

A British Virgin Islands vacation will certainly not be like your ?typical? touristy islands, in the sense that you won?t find any high-rise hotels, casinos or even traffic lights! What you?ll learn on these islands is true peace and tranquility. You can discover an ancient tropical rainforest, irresistible land and beauty, even a rare inhabited coral island. These islands offer you a place in which you can truly discover yourself and this is what will make your British Virgin Islands travel really stand out.

They have worked extremely hard to achieve world-wide recognition with programs and workshops to study and protect the rapidly disappearing eco-systems of the Caribbean. With the National Parks Trust ? a government department that was formed to protect the incredible beauty and infrastructure that lies under the sea, you?ll find unique underwater parks that stretch all across the British Virgin Islands. Can you think of a better way to really explore this paradise than with a BVI yacht charter, one that can bring you to the heart and majesty that belongs to this incredible group of islands? After all, being in an area world-renowned for the best sailing and boasting the largest fleet of chartered yachts, why not make this vacation the most unique that you?ve ever experienced and charter a yacht!

If you liked what you read and would like to learn more about yachting vacations take a visit to Tropical Beach Destinations. Join your tropical adventure couple Jason and Sarah as they show you the ultimate vacation!

BVI Yacht Charters ? The Only Way To See The British Virgin Islands

2008-03-13T04:38:00.000-07:00

With BVI yacht charters you can choose to take a diving charter and learn to scuba dive in some of the most beautiful locations in the world. You can choose to take a yacht charter where you will learn to sail or even choose a luxury charter where you will have your own floating resort with amenities of all kinds at your fingertips. Flying to the British Virgin Islands is not expensive and when several couples book one of the BVI yacht charters it is only about the same as staying at an all-inclusive tropical resort.

BVI diving is rated as one of the best diving experiences in the world. There are over sixty dive sites you can visit with one of the yacht charters. BVI charters will take you to many unexplored reefs or if you want you can dive in one of the National Parks, where there are buoys for yacht charters to use. With the many vertical walls and shipwrecks, by booking one of the BVI yacht charters specializing in diving you might just discover a sunken treasure ship.

The year round temperature in the BVI is suitable for swimming and diving all the time. The seas are calm and there are no currents to worry about when you book one of the BVI yacht charters. The dive sites are all located in sheltered coves and if you have sailing experience, you don?t have to hire a captain or a crew. You can enjoy bareboat sailing with your yacht charter. BVI charter companies have all types of yachts from bareboats to luxury yachts capable of carrying 8 or more passengers.

You can have the ultimate honeymoon with BVI yacht charters. With its quiet pristine beaches, you can be alone in paradise with fabulous accommodations and dining on board the yacht. With honeymoon yacht charters, BVI companies can plan to meet you on any of the islands, except St. Croix, if you decide that you want to spend a few nights at a hotel before you get on board the yacht. With crewed yacht charters, you will have the perfect honeymoon where you have a crew ready to wait on your hand and foot.

BVI yacht charters offer discounts for families looking for the perfect vacation. You can choose captain only yacht charters or one with a full crew. If you have young children, you might think that a yacht charter might be dangerous, but it is perfectly safe. The only thing you need to keep in mind when booking family yacht charters in the BVI is that the crew does not look after the children for you. You have to do this yourself. BVI yacht charters have all the information you need available online so you can browse the many charters and choose the one that best meets your needs

Yacht Charter in the Central Cyclades

2008-03-13T04:37:00.000-07:00

The areas prevailing wind during the summer months is the infamous Meltemi blowing from the N-NW. It is first felt in June and becomes stronger through July, August and September when it can reach force 8. It dies down in October. In the spring and autumn gales are common from the N and the SE. The summer months are hot, average temperatures are 25 deg C and temperatures often reach 35 deg C.

Serifos is barren in the main but there are several green valleys around Livadhi on the east coast of the island. Go bow or stern to the jetty in the SW of the bay. If the Meltemi is blowing the S side of the jetty is preferable. There is reasonable protection from the Meltemi. There is water on the jetty and fuel can be delivered by mini tanker. Most provisions can be obtained in the village. The natural surroundings are pleasant, the bay lined with trees and the view up the hill to the whitewashed buildings of the Chora. Koutala is an open bay on the S coast of the island and provides good protection from the Meltemi. Anchor in the north of the bay just to the E of the village. There are foul chains immediately in front of the buildings.

Sifnos lies 7 miles to the SE of Serifos. It is a hilly island with the highest peak, Mount Ayios, rising to 694m. The west coast is barren but the east coast is greener and cultivated in places. In the past Sifnos was rich thanks to its gold and silver mines. A geological catastrophe, still not understood, destroyed the mines and led to the island's decline. Today the island has become known for itxs whitewashed settlements, its remarkable cleanliness and its superb beaches. Yeoryios is a narrow inlet in the NW of the island. It is exposed only to the W and offers good shelter from the Meltemi. Anchor fore and aft at the head of the bay as there is no room to swing. There are a couple of tavernas ashore. Further south is the bay of Kamares. Berth bow or stern to the quay between the two moles. The bottom is hard sand with weed and rocks. Holding is fair at best. Alternatively anchor at the head of the bay. There is good shelter from the Meltemi although wind fro the W produces some swell. There is water on the quay. Most provisions can be obtained subject to delivery by ferry. There are a number of decent tavernas. Vathi is a landlocked bay further south down the western coast. This is the best all round shelter on Sifnos. Anchor in the N of the bay, good holding on sand and weed. Water is available and there are several tavernas. The setting is very attractive, the waters a translucent turquoise. Fiikiadha is on the island SW tip. Anchor to the N of the inlet with a long line ashore or go bow to the pier below the chapel. Apart from the chapel the place is quite deserted. Plati Yialos is a bay on the SE coast. Anchor in the NE corner, the bottom is sand and rock and the holding patchy in places. There are tavernas and hotels on the beach. Faros is a little further to the NE and provides good shelter from the Meltemi. Anchor at the head of the bay off the village or in one of the coves either side of the entrance to the bay. The bottom is sand and weed and provides good holding once through the weed. There are limited provisions and a few tavernas in the village. This is another lovely setting with hills surrounding the bay. The waters are good for both swimming and snorkelling. Kastro is an open bay lying under a medieval village. It is only usable in calm weather. If you cannot get to it by yacht it is worth a bus trip from other locations on the island.

There is a deserted anchorage on the south side of the uninhabited island of Dhespotico offering good shelter from the Meltemi. Ormos Dhespotico lies between the islands of Dhespotico and Andiparos. The two islands provide good all round shelter. Anchor in the north in 2-4m where sand and weed provide good holding. There are several tavernas on the Andiparos side. To the NE of Andiparos is a narrow channel. Anchor in the cove of the village. There are several tavernas and some provisions can be found in the village.

Paros is a large oval island mainly barren. It remains a tranquil destination with some of the most charming villages and best beaches to be found in the Greek islands. The island was in the hands of the Cretans when the Ionians arrived in about 1100 BC from mainland Greece subsequently destroying the Cretan civilisation. One hundred years later Arcadians arrived on the island, under a leader known as Paros. The mix of Arcadians and Ionians produced a race that developed the island's agriculture and expanded on the neighbouring island of Antiparos, which was then called Oliaros. Paros became into a major maritime power controlling sea communications in the Aegean. In the 6th century, the neighbour island of Naxos replaced Paros as the centre of power in the Cyclades. It was only natural that war should break out between the two islands and continue for many years.

Paroikia is the main port and care is needed in the approaches with a number of rocky outcrops and reefs. Berth bow or stern to in the inner harbour. If the harbour is crowded it is possible to anchor in one of the two bays to the north, the one to the NE providing better shelter from the Meltemi. Good holding in sand and weed one through the weed. There is water on the quay and fuel can be delivered by mini tanker. All provisions can be obtained from the town. There are numerous tavernas to choose from and other restaurants catering to more cosmopolitan tastes. A visit to the old quarter around Kastro is rewarding. Naousa is a large bay on the N end of Paros with a choice of anchorages. The village of Naousa has a small but busy harbour. Yachts should go on the outside of the mole. There is water on the quay. The village will be able to supply most provisions and there are several good tavernas. On the E coast is Piso Livadhi. Go bow or stern to the breakwater with a long line. It is open to the SW and becomes untenable with strong winds from this direction. There is water one the mole and limited provisions from the village. The tavernas around the waterfront have wonderful views across the harbour. Aliki is a bay on the SW coast of Paros. Anchor in the bay, the piers have insufficient depths for a yacht. There is a hotel and a taverna ashore.

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades. It is mountainous island but has numerous green plains, fertile valleys and long sandy beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters. According to mythology Zeus, king of gods, grew up in Naxos, as did his son Dionysus, god of wine and feast. Dionysus loved Naxos so much that he made it a fertile land, full of vineyards, producing a wine of excellent taste and fine quality. There are several possibilities for mooring in Naxosxs harbour, under the breakwater in the NE corner, the bottom is sand, rock and weed. Go bow or stern to in the new basin, really only suitable in calm weather, the bottom is sand and rock with poor holding in places. Anchor and take a long line ashore On the NE side of the isthmus. Good holding and shelter from southerly winds but open to the Meltemi. Water and fuel are available in the harbour. Showers. Most provisions are obtainable in the town and there are many good tavernas. Naxos is the safest harbour on the island and should be used as a base if exploring inland. The anchorages of Ayios Prokopiou, Kouroupa and Kalando offer some shelter but there are no facilities ashore. Apollonia is near the NE tip of Naxos. Go bows to the outer part of the breakwater taking a long line to the shore. There is reasonable protection from the Meltemi. There are tavernas in the small village and some provisions can be found.

Dhenoussa lies 9 miles to the east of Naxos. Ormos Roussa is a bay on the E coast. Anchor in the N corner for the best shelter from the Meltemi. Limited provisions can be found ashore. Dhendro is on the south coast and offers good protection from the Meltemi. There are no facilities. Stavros lies just to the west, less protection but some provisions can be found ashore as can a taverna.

Iraklia lies 3 miles to the south of Naxos. Ayios Yeoryios is a deep inlet in the NE of the island. Go bow to the short mole or anchor off. Good holding on sand and rock. There is a taverna ashore in this very attractive setting. Pigadhiin is in the SE. It should only be used in calm weather when it too is an attractive setting.

Skhinoussa is a small island one mile to the NE of Iraklia. Mirsini is the ferry port. Go bow to the quay north of the ferry berth or anchor of. The bottom is sand and weed with poor holding in places. There are several tavernas ashore. A walk up the hill to the Chora is a must. There are a further 2 bays to the south of Mirsini that should only be used in calm weather.

Koufonisia is actually two islands, upper and lower. There is a bay on the NE tip of the upper island that is open to the E and provides some shelter from the Meltemi. Koufonisia village is on the south coast. There is some protection from the Meltemi but the constant swell makes the place very uncomfortable. There are provisions and tavernas ashore. Parianos is a small harbour just to the west. There is better shelter here and the village of Koufonisia is a 20 minute walk.

Amorgos lies to the east. It is mountainous with vertical cliffs dropping to the sea in places. Katapola is on the NW coast. Go bow or stern to the quay to the E of the ferry berth, good holding on sand and weed. Sewage is pumped into the harbour and it is smelly in the summer heat. As an alternative anchor in one of the three bays to the north or in the cove to the W of Katapola. There is water on the quay. Most provisions can be obtained. Good tavernas along the waterfront. The bay is a fine setting with steep cliffs dropping into the sea. Both the Chora and the monastery at Panayia should be visited. Ayios Annas lies of the village of Yialis. Go bow or stern to the mole or the quay keeping clear of the ferry berth. The bottom is mostly rock and poor holding. There is limited protection from the Meltemi. Despite the problems the surroundings are wonderful and the place is well worth a visit. Water is available as are some provisions. There are tavernas on the waterfront. There are further anchorages at Kolofana, Akrotiri and Kalotiri. There are no facilities at any of these

Yacht Charter in the Southern Cyclades

2008-03-12T04:21:00.000-07:00

Yacht Charter in Northern Crete

2008-03-11T03:53:00.000-07:00

Crete was home to one of world?s most important civilisations, the Minoans who ruled the eastern Mediterranean from 2800 - 1150 BC. The art that has survived shows a refined and peace loving culture. There is a good collection in the Museum at Iraklion. Through commerce, shipping and trade with other peoples, the Egyptians, Phoenicians and Syrians they built a powerful civilisation. The Achaians and the Dorians followed. The Romans occupied Crete 69 - 330 AD making Gortyn their major town. Crete fell into the Arabic hands in 824 and was not liberated until 961). Then in 1204, the island passed to the Venetians. They fortified the island with several new castles and broke the ground for new cities of Hania and Rethimno. Inside the walls the cities developed with narrow alleys and houses, interspersed with decorative churches, fountains, piazzas and palaces the remains of which can still be seen today. In 1645 the Turks set foot on the island for the first time and in 1669 the whole of Crete fell to them. Not until 1913 was the island reunited with the rest of Greece.

In the summer the prevailing wind is the infamous Meltemi from the NW ? WNW. July and August sees the winds at their strongest, force 5 ? 6 on the northern coast but more often a more gentle force 3 ? 4. The spring and autumn sees winds form the south, force 2 ? 4. The southern coast is notorious for strong squalls the blow down from the mountains. There is little in the way of warning and they can be violent close inshore. It gets very hot on the island during the summer months with the average daily temperature reaching 35 deg C in July and August and temperatures as high as 40 deg C are not uncommon.

Kissamoss lies in the NW corner of Crete. Yachts can berth alongside or anchor of in the harbour. There is good shelter from the W and NW but it is open to the E and SE. In a strong northerly getting away can be difficult, as the yacht will have to beat for 14 miles to escape the bay. Water is available and the re is a taverna close by. The nearest provisions are at Kastelli, which is a one mile bus journey away.

Khania is to the E. Entrance can be difficult in a strong northerly as the sea heaps up around the entrance. The marina is in the E basin. You will be directed to a berth where a laid mooring awaits. There is good shelter in all but northerly gales. There is water and electricity on the pontoons. A mini tanker can deliver fuel. All provisions can be obtained and there are good tavernas in the town. This Venetian city was for centuries the capital of Crete and much of the charming architecture remains.

Soudhas is further to the E. It is the Greek navy?s southern base and yachts have been refused entry at times. If allowed in go bow or stern to on the S quay. Shelter is extremely good. There is water on the ferry mole and fuel can be delivered. All provisions can be obtained and there is a good choice of tavernas. The military presence tends to put a bit of a dampener on things and this is not a must visit.

Yioryiopolis is a small harbour at the mouth of the river Almiros. Go alongside the quay or anchor in the bay to the north. There is good shelter except with winds from the N ? NE. There is water in the village and most provisions can be obtained and there are several tavernas. The village is both attractive the locals are friendly making a visit well worthwhile.

Rethimon is an old Venetian harbour. Go alongside inside the N jetty or bow or stern to the E jetty. There is good shelter even from the Meltemi tucked under the E jetty. There is water on the quay and fuel can be delivered. All provisions can be obtained and there are some good tavernas including several fish restaurants in the Venetian harbour. This should be one of the highlights of the charter. The Venetian harbour and town are attractive and the buildings with wooden balconies are a reminder of Turkish occupation.

Iraklion is the capital of Crete. Proceed to the Venetian harbour at the W end of the main harbour. Go bow or stern to at the ?marina? in the S or on the N quay. There is water on the quay and fuel can be delivered. There is excellent shopping and fresh fish is sold in the harbour. There are good tavernas many of which serve fresh fish. Try those around the market in town. The city itself has little to recommend it but visits to Knossus, an archaeological site, go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the tourists. And the museum containing a collection from the Minoan times is worthwhile.

Khersonisos is a small harbour. Go bow to the mole or anchor off. Care is needed because depths vary throughout the harbour and the holding is poor on sand and rock. There is good shelter from the N as the harbour is open only to the SE. Water, fuel and provisions can all be found in the town. The town is a modern tourist development, full of bad architecture and obnoxious holidaymakers.

Spinalonga Lagoon is situated in the N of the larger bay Kolpos Merembellou. Yachts can anchor anywhere in the lagoon. Most provisions can be obtained at Elounda. Take a look at Nisis Spinalongas. The setting for the Venetian fort and deserted settlement are most attractive.

Further to the south is Ay Nikolaos. There is a marina on the S side of the headland. Yachts should bow or stern to where directed and use a laid mooring. There is water and electric on the pontoons. Fuel can be delivered to the yacht. There are numerous tavernas and most provisions can be obtained. This fishing village is now a large tourist development although the marina is sited some way from the noisy area.

Pahia Ammos is situated at the S end of Kolpos Merembellou. There are depths of up to 3m at the extremity of the mole. The harbour is exposed to the Meltemi. Limited provisions can be obtained in the village and there are several tavernas

Further W lies Sitia. Go bow or stern to the inner N mole. The bottom is sand and weed with some rocks. There is good shelter from the Meltemi. There are both fuel and water in the harbour. All provisions can be obtained in the town and there are several good fish restaurants. The inner harbour with its tree lined esplanade is pleasant and watching dusk fall over the harbour while tucking in to a nice sea bass is the perfect end to a day?s charter.

Ak Sidhero is the NE tip of Crete and to the S there are several anchorages in small inlets. There are no facilities but the scenery is imposing with a desolate feel.

Crete?s cuisine is similar to that found throughout the Aegean. Fish plays a large part in the form of tuna, swordfish, sea bass, urchins, octopus, squid and cuttlefish. You will find beef, pork, lamb and goat. A rabbit stew is a speciality. As is cheese pie and fried cheese (staka). For those with a sweet tooth try yogurt and honey tarts (kaltzounia). Cretan wine is fairly good.

Yacht Charter in Southern Crete

2008-03-10T04:42:00.001-07:00

In the summer the prevailing wind is the infamous Meltemi from the NW ??? WNW. July and August sees the winds at their strongest, force 5 ??? 6 on the northern coast but more often a more gentle force 3 ??? 4. The spring and autumn sees winds form the south, force 2 ??? 4. The southern coast is notorious for strong squalls the blow down from the mountains. There is little in the way of warning and they can be violent close inshore. It gets very hot on the island during the summer months with the average daily temperature reaching 35 deg C in July and August and temperatures as high as 40 deg C are not uncommon.

Nisis Gramvousa lies off Crete???s S coast. There is a sheltered bay on the SE side of the island. Yachts can anchor in the bay or go bows to the quay. There are no facilities but water is available fro a well by the chapel

Palaiokhora is near the SW tip of Crete. Go alongside or bow or stern to in the new harbour on the E side of the rocky headland. Or anchor in either of the two bays to the E and W of the headland depending on the winds direction. There is water and fuel in the village and all provisions can be obtained. The tavernas here are good.

There are anchorages on either side of Ak Mouros. Ormos Loutra to the E where a yacht can anchor of the village and Ormos Foinikias to the W. There are a few tavernas and limited provisions can be obtained in the village.

Further to the W is Skafion. Yachts can anchor of the village in calm weather. There are tavernas ashore and all provisions can be found. The once tiny village is now a booming tourist resort

At Ay Galini yachts can go bow or stern to or alongside the quay. There is good holding on the sandy bottom and shelter from the Meltemi. There is water on the quay and fuel in the town. All provisions can be obtained and there are good tavernas. Another recently developed tourist resort.

Matala is a horseshoe shaped bay on the W side of Ak Latinos. Yachts should only use it in calm weather. Most provisions can be obtained and there are good tavernas ashore. Matala is mentioned in Homer???s Odyssey. Here Menelau???s ships were wrecked returning from the Trojan wars. It was an important port in Roman times.

Kali Limenes is a small bay on the E side of Ak Litinos. Yachts can anchor in the bay in depth of 3 ??? 6m. There is good shelter from the N and W but it is open to the E and S. Limited provisions can be found in the village and there are a few tavernas.

Lerapetrais a medium sized harbour. Yachts can go bow or stern to on the N or W sides. There is water on the quay and fuel from the town. All provisions may be obtained and there are good waterfront tavernas. The town and harbour date back to Minoan times but sadly little of the ancient architecture remains.

Yachts can anchor in the large sandy bay of Kato Zakros. There are a couple of tavernas ashore but the main attraction is the ruins of a Minoan palace at the foot of the dramatic gorge.

Ormos Grandes is a large bay on the N side of Ak Plaka. Yachts can seek shelter from the Meltemi at Kouremenos in the N of the bay. 2 miles to the N of Kouremenos is Vai. Here yachts can anchor of the sandy beach and there are tavernas ashore.

Crete???s cuisine is similar to that found throughout the Aegean. Fish plays a large part in the form of tuna, swordfish, sea bass, urchins, octopus, squid and cuttlefish. You will find beef, pork, lamb and goat. A rabbit stew is a speciality. As is cheese pie and fried cheese (staka). For those with a sweet tooth try yogurt and honey tarts (kaltzounia). Cretan wine is fairly good

Monaco - Luxury Yacht Show Fights Global Warming

2008-03-08T02:29:00.000-08:00

The world's leading luxury yacht show in Monaco is to pay for 55 wind turbines in New Zealand - enough to generate power for 45,000 homes - making the event 'carbon neutral'.

Under the watchful eye of Prince Albert, the yacht show is part of Monaco's new stance on global warming, and comes shortly after Prince Albert himself travelled to the North Pole in April to highlight the damage he believes global warming is having on the environment.

'Since Prince Albert came to the throne last year' comments Henri Boulanger of Monte Carlo travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com, 'Monaco has changed her policy from one of the few countries not to sign the Kyoto Protocol to not only signing it but taking a lead in the battle against global warming. Prince Albert has personally taken steps to show how concerned he is, and by setting the example of going to the North Pole has shown the leadership necessary to encourage Monaco companies to become environmentally friendly, and the Monaco Yacht Show is an example of this'.

The Monaco Yacht Show has bult a reputation over the years as the place for the wealthy to view potential purchases, and this year there will be nearly a hundred yachts on display to those able to afford it.

In total 22,000 visitors are expected to attend with over 500 exhibitors from the yachting world exhibiting.

The mix of wealth and Monte Carlo also means that real estate agents in Monaco will be on full alert. In previous years the Monaco Yacht Show has often proved more beneficial for the realtors than the Monaco Grand Prix .

The Monaco Grand Prix attracts tens of thousands of Formula 1 fans annually to the principality at the end of May, but with some Monte Carlo streets closed, showing property in Monaco can be more problematic than during the Yacht Show.

Monte Carlo real estate specialists Tribune Properties say that the more relaxed atmosphere of the Yacht Show allows potential property buyers to view properties.

'If someone is visiting Monaco for the Yacht Show and has several million Euros available, it's a pretty safe assumption that those buyers will have a few million for a property too, and a luxury yacht and Monaco Real Estate appeal to the same type of buyer', claims Roger Munns, Tribune's Managing Director.

Typical of Monaco Real Estate prices is a two bedroom two bathroom apartment in Seaside Plaza, close to where the Yacht Show is located, at 3,700,000 Euros.

Monaco Hotels

The emergence of the Yacht Show has helped the Monaco economy by drawing the world's wealthy to the principality for four days in September.

Until recently the Monaco Grand Prix in May and the Monte Carlo Masters tennis the month before have been the two main events of the year which boost the occupancy levels of the hotels in Monaco .

With the Yacht Show in September filling the hotels at premium rates, it has proved to be a welcome addition to the calendar of events for both residents and businesses alike, and the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo will be the scene of many deals being signed over the four days.

This year also saw the first Monaco Flower Show, which it is hoped will also be a tourist magnet in future years.

'In the past Monaco has had the highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix and the tennis, with consistent numbers of visitors the rest of the year,' state http://www.yourmonaco.com, 'but Monaco is becoming much more diverse in what it offers throughout the calendar year. The Yacht Show has been a success, and given a little time the Monaco Flower Show will appeal to a different type of tourist, and might be as popular as the Hampton Court and Chelsea Flower Shows are in the UK. Diversity is the key to sustained tourism, and Monaco is doing it very well.

Despite being the second smallest country in the world, Monaco has attracted many of the world's top business and entertainment people to live there due to her income tax free status, and with Prince Albert at the helm it seems that the principality is beginning to punch above her weight in world politics as he takes the lead on environmental issues', conclude YourMonaco.

BVI Yacht Charters ? What A Way To Experience The British Virgin Islands!

2008-03-06T03:27:00.001-08:00

BVI Yacht Charters is a company that operates sailing charters to the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The sailing yachts range from 32 to 65 feet in length and include bareboat single hull and multihull boats. With BVI you also have a choice of operating the yachts on your own, hiring a full crew or just a captain. There are also all-inclusive BVI yacht charters, which will give you the impression you are vacationing at a floating resort.

As soon as you cast off from the dock, your adventure with BVI yacht charters begins. You can experience the thrill of sunbathing on deck, feeling the warm wind blowing in your face and the sights and sounds of the Caribbean islands. When you choose one of the BVI sailing charters with a full crew, you also have many other choices to make. The website will give you lists for you to choose from, such as what meals you want aboard the boat. You can also choose what you want in a Starter Kit if you are choosing a bareboat charter. With the many things that BVI can supply for you, you have less luggage to take with you and you can just have all the extras added to the price.

Even if you intend to bring everything with you for the yacht charter, taking a look at the list of provisions on the BVI Yacht Charters website will give you an excellent idea of what you will need. For example, if you like to barbeque, you may not realize that you do need to have your own coals, fluid and matches with you. Since you are on the water with BVI sailing charters, you just can?t pop to the store whenever you realize that you need supplies. You will have to wait until you reach your next destination.

For all-inclusive BVI Yacht Charters, you can order the kind of wine and drinks you want before you even arrive. This is because unlike a resort, everything you need for the perfect vacation has to be packed on board the sailing yacht. When you book one of the BVI sailing charters, you fly to St. Thomas and then take a ferry to Tortola. This is the starting destination for the yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands. There are also hotels in Tortola where you can spend the night before you leave on the yacht charter or the night after you return.

Before you actually depart on your charter, BVI Yacht Charters will brief you on how to use the charts on board the yachts for navigating the Caribbean waters. They will also give you advice on what to do and what not to do as well as places that you should avoid. When you do book a BVI sailing charter, the anchorage fees are included in the cost, but you can also buoys at various locations if you do not want to enter a port. BVI Yacht Charters has a well-established reputation for providing its customers with everything they need in a sailing charter

BVI Yacht Charters - What A Way To Experience The British Virgin Islands!

2008-03-05T03:58:00.001-08:00

As soon as you cast off from the dock, your adventure with BVI yacht charters begins. You can experience the thrill of sunbathing on deck, feeling the warm wind blowing in your face and the sights and sounds of the Caribbean islands. When you choose one of the BVI sailing charters with a full crew, you also have many other choices to make. The website will give you lists for you to choose from, such as what meals you want aboard the boat. You can also choose what you want in a Starter Kit if you are choosing a bareboat charter. With the many things that BVI can supply for you, you have less luggage to take with you and you can just have all the extras added to the price.

Even if you intend to bring everything with you for the yacht charter, taking a look at the list of provisions on the BVI Yacht Charters website will give you an excellent idea of what you will need. For example, if you like to barbeque, you may not realize that you do need to have your own coals, fluid and matches with you. Since you are on the water with BVI sailing charters, you just can't pop to the store whenever you realize that you need supplies. You will have to wait until you reach your next destination.

For all-inclusive BVI Yacht Charters, you can order the kind of wine and drinks you want before you even arrive. This is because unlike a resort, everything you need for the perfect vacation has to be packed on board the sailing yacht. When you book one of the BVI sailing charters, you fly to St. Thomas and then take a ferry to Tortola. This is the starting destination for the yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands. There are also hotels in Tortola where you can spend the night before you leave on the yacht charter or the night after you return.

Before you actually depart on your charter, BVI Yacht Charters will brief you on how to use the charts on board the yachts for navigating the Caribbean waters. They will also give you advice on what to do and what not to do as well as places that you should avoid. When you do book a BVI sailing charter, the anchorage fees are included in the cost, but you can also buoys at various locations if you do not want to enter a port. BVI Yacht Charters has a well-established reputation for providing its customers with everything they need in a sailing charter.

To find out more about Sailing Vacations visit Peter's Website Your Sailing Vacation and find out about Luxury Yacht Charters and more, including Caribbean Yacht Charters, Crewed Yacht Charters, Bareboat Charters and Florida Charters

Where Can You Travel With Yacht Charters? ? Greece Is Waiting For You To Explore

2008-03-04T04:05:00.000-08:00

In the world of yacht charters, Greece is one of the most exotic destinations you can choose. Enjoy bareboat sailing on the Ionian Sea along the west coast of Greece where the islands are bound together by a unique culture. Another yacht charter that Greece offers is a chance to see the varied landscape of the islands in the Saronic Gulf. Take trip back to the place where civilization began when you choose one of these yacht charters. Greece has so much to offer that you will hardly know where to begin.

The Saronic Gulf offers exciting ports of call for yacht charters. You have the opportunity for you to charter a yacht on your own and enjoy bareboat sailing. Greece also offers luxury yachts with a full crew to pamper you as you sail along. Whatever your penchant for yacht charters, Greece will meet or beat your expectations giving you a vacation like none other. In addition to the Ionian Sea and the Saronic Gulf, with yacht charters along the coast of Greece, you can sail to the Cyclades Group of islands, the Dodecanese, the Sporades and the Samos area.

For those interested in bareboat sailing, Greece has many types of yachts available, such as sailing yachts and motor yachts. In order to book one of these yacht charters, Greece requires that there be two qualified skippers on board. This is because if one should have an accident, the other can handle the yacht. Greece also requires that skippers be licensed for sailing and you have to mail a copy of your sailing license to the yacht charter company when you make your booking. Don?t forget to bring your original contract for the yacht charter. Greece regulations require this for departure clearance.

Yacht charters in Greece begin on Saturday afternoon and end on Friday evening. The yacht charter company that you choose will also arrange for transfer for you from the airport to the yacht and provide the same service when the charter is complete. With a yacht charter in Greece, you will have to choose an itinerary from a list provided. It is unlikely that you will be able to change the schedule of ports of call.

When you book yacht charters, Greece regulations require that the yacht be full of fuel and water you will need for the trip. There are refuelling stations in the various ports and you must return the yacht in the same way you receive it. The charter company can advise you on what type of clothing to bring with you for yacht charters. Greece can get cold when you are on the water and at night. This is why it is recommended that you bring heavy clothes.

Where Can You Travel With Yacht Charters? - Greece Is Waiting For You To Explore

2008-03-03T03:07:00.001-08:00

The Saronic Gulf offers exciting ports of call for yacht charters. You have the opportunity for you to charter a yacht on your own and enjoy bareboat sailing. Greece also offers luxury yachts with a full crew to pamper you as you sail along. Whatever your penchant for yacht charters, Greece will meet or beat your expectations giving you a vacation like none other. In addition to the Ionian Sea and the Saronic Gulf, with yacht charters along the coast of Greece, you can sail to the Cyclades Group of islands, the Dodecanese, the Sporades and the Samos area.

For those interested in bareboat sailing, Greece has many types of yachts available, such as sailing yachts and motor yachts. In order to book one of these yacht charters, Greece requires that there be two qualified skippers on board. This is because if one should have an accident, the other can handle the yacht. Greece also requires that skippers be licensed for sailing and you have to mail a copy of your sailing license to the yacht charter company when you make your booking. Don't forget to bring your original contract for the yacht charter. Greece regulations require this for departure clearance.

Yacht charters in Greece begin on Saturday afternoon and end on Friday evening. The yacht charter company that you choose will also arrange for transfer for you from the airport to the yacht and provide the same service when the charter is complete. With a yacht charter in Greece, you will have to choose an itinerary from a list provided. It is unlikely that you will be able to change the schedule of ports of call.

When you book yacht charters, Greece regulations require that the yacht be full of fuel and water you will need for the trip. There are refuelling stations in the various ports and you must return the yacht in the same way you receive it. The charter company can advise you on what type of clothing to bring with you for yacht charters. Greece can get cold when you are on the water and at night. This is why it is recommended that you bring heavy clothes.

Choose A Caribbean Charter Yacht ? Three Varieties To Choose From

2008-03-03T03:06:00.001-08:00

When choosing a Caribbean charter yacht, there are three categories of yachts. They are power yachts, sailing yachts and multihull sailing yachts, such as catamarans and trimarans. You can also have a special Caribbean charter to learn about the art of sailing a yacht. This will give you the knowledge and training you need to charter a yacht all on your own without the need of a captain and crew. When you book a Caribbean charter yacht, you can browse the yacht catalog to choose the yacht that best meets your needs.

You can choose a Caribbean yacht charter that specializes in bringing passengers to the best scuba diving locations. This type of yacht has all the space you need for storing your equipment as well as staterooms and a dining room. If you are new to scuba diving, you can take lessons from the skilled crew of the Carribean yacht charter and get the instruction that you need. There are times when you can just relax on the deck of the Caribbean charter yacht or enjoy trips onshore to experience the true Caribbean culture.

The company you choose to deal with for your Caribbean yacht charter will supply you with a sample itinerary for a week long vacation. However, you don?t have to stick to this schedule and you can make different decisions where you want to travel on the Caribbean charter yacht. The Carribean islands you choose do have to be navigable and have appropriate anchorages and the captain will be able to give you advice about this aspect of the charter. You do charter the yacht yourself, so you won?t have to share your Caribbean yacht charter with another group.

There are occasions when you can book a Caribbean charter yacht where you do not know the other passengers. An example of this could be a singles only charter or a ladies only charter. Of course, you will know this when you make the booking for a Carribean yacht charter, but it is helpful to know that you can enjoy a yacht charter without having a group of your own lined up. While you might think that a Caribbean yacht charter is very expensive, but when you compare it with the cost of a vacation at a tropical resort, there is very little difference between the prices.

Fly to the island of St. Thomas to meet the Caribbean charter yacht. From there you can sail to the island of St. John and have a leisurely lunch on board the yacht. Spend some time swimming, walk along the beach and drink in the Caribbean sunset. When you arrive back at the yacht, there will be a scrumptious meal waiting for you. If this sounds like an idyllic vacation, there is a Caribbean charter yacht waiting for you to make your booking.

Choose A Caribbean Charter Yacht - Three Varieties To Choose From

2008-03-01T03:10:00.001-08:00

You can choose a Caribbean yacht charter that specializes in bringing passengers to the best scuba diving locations. This type of yacht has all the space you need for storing your equipment as well as staterooms and a dining room. If you are new to scuba diving, you can take lessons from the skilled crew of the Carribean yacht charter and get the instruction that you need. There are times when you can just relax on the deck of the Caribbean charter yacht or enjoy trips onshore to experience the true Caribbean culture.

The company you choose to deal with for your Caribbean yacht charter will supply you with a sample itinerary for a week long vacation. However, you don't have to stick to this schedule and you can make different decisions where you want to travel on the Caribbean charter yacht. The Carribean islands you choose do have to be navigable and have appropriate anchorages and the captain will be able to give you advice about this aspect of the charter. You do charter the yacht yourself, so you won't have to share your Caribbean yacht charter with another group.

There are occasions when you can book a Caribbean charter yacht where you do not know the other passengers. An example of this could be a singles only charter or a ladies only charter. Of course, you will know this when you make the booking for a Carribean yacht charter, but it is helpful to know that you can enjoy a yacht charter without having a group of your own lined up. While you might think that a Caribbean yacht charter is very expensive, but when you compare it with the cost of a vacation at a tropical resort, there is very little difference between the prices.

Fly to the island of St. Thomas to meet the Caribbean charter yacht. From there you can sail to the island of St. John and have a leisurely lunch on board the yacht. Spend some time swimming, walk along the beach and drink in the Caribbean sunset. When you arrive back at the yacht, there will be a scrumptious meal waiting for you. If this sounds like an idyllic vacation, there is a Caribbean charter yacht waiting for you to make your booking.

To find out more about Sailing Vacations visit Peter's Website Your Sailing Vacation and find out about Caribbean Yacht Charters and more, including Luxury Yacht Charters, Crewed Yacht Charters, Bareboat Charters and Florida Charters.

Caribbean Yacht Charters ? Take The Sailing Vacation Of A Lifetime

2008-02-29T02:32:00.001-08:00

When you choose Caribbean yacht charters for your next vacation, it will be almost like having your own exclusive luxury hotel on the water. If you choose the crewed option for your sailing vacation, you won?t have to lift a finger. If you already have experience in sailing, you can charter a yacht on your own to sail the Caribbean, but you won?t have the luxury of having someone attend to your every need. Caribbean yacht charters are not just for the rich and famous. If you can afford to spend a vacation at a tropical resort, you can afford to take a sailing vacation.

The advantage of booking a Caribbean sailing charter is that you can choose the islands you want to visit. Although the company for Caribbean yacht charters may suggest a sample itinerary for you, you decide where and when you want to stop and for how long. You can also decide what kind of food you want to eat. Of course, if you choose one of the bareboat Caribbean sailing vacations, you will have to cook for yourself. On a crewed sailing vacation, you will have your own chef to prepare exotic delights for every meal.

Take a look at the many options available to you in Caribbean yacht charters. You can leave all the decisions up to the captain, who knows all the best locations among the islands. You can also do your own research to find out what kinds of activities are open to you on the various Caribbean sailing vacations so you can select all your favorites. You can spend your time at sea sunbathing on deck while reading a book. You can also enjoy diving, swimming or snorkelling among the tropical fish. One of the highlights of a Caribbean sailing charter is that you can go ashore on the islands and partake of the culture and shopping that only the Caribbean can provide.

You will have to demonstrate experience in sailing in order to book one of the bareboat Caribbean yacht charters. The yacht charter companies have a responsibility to make sure that all the passengers on the yacht with you will be safe. You don?t necessarily need to have a sailing certificate ? experience is valued more than a license. If you choose the crewed option for a Caribbean sailing vacation, you will have an experienced captain at the helm. The crew are knowledgeable about all kinds of watersports and will be able to provide you with instruction if you need it to make the most of the Caribbean sailing charter.

Chartering a yacht for Caribbean sailing vacations is the perfect opportunity for families and groups of friends to get together for a short period of time. It is possible to book Caribbean yacht charters for day trips as short as an hour or two or for week long excursions to the islands of the Caribbean. Choosing to spend a week cruising the Caribbean waters is one of the best ways to experience the best of what this part of the world has to offer. Check out the many options of Caribbean yacht charters and get started on making memories to last a lifetime.

Having Difficulty Finding Crewed Yacht Charters? ? Book Online

2008-02-27T02:24:00.001-08:00

Crewed yacht charters are easy to find when you do a search on the Internet. These charters are available all over the world. Once you find the yacht charter company you want to deal with, the process of booking the sailing yacht and charter is relatively simple. First of all you have to decide where you want to travel this year and when you type the sailing destination into your Search engine browser the wealth of crewed yacht charters that result are absolutely amazing.

The location you choose for the crewed yacht charter is the most important part of the booking process. Once you know where it is you want to go, the rest of the procedure of booking online will fall into place. For example, you can choose crewed yacht charters to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Bahamas or even the French Riviera. The type of crewed sailing yacht you choose can also be different. You can choose a luxury sailing yacht, a powerboat or a catamaran depending on your individual preference for sailing.

A crewed sailing yacht includes the captain and the crew, who will take care of all your needs while you are on board the yacht. You do not have to worry about handling the yacht when you book crewed yacht charters, but you can take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about sailing. The crew has the knowledge you need to enjoy the best scenic locations, the best spots for diving or fishing and the best ports for shopping. The captain is responsible to ensuring the safety of everyone on board the crewed yacht charter and this will be uppermost in his mind at all times.

The all-inclusive crewed yacht charters include everything you need to make the most of your vacation. All the food and drink as well as equipment is included in the price. The only extra costs that you will incur are your shopping and dining experiences in the various ports of call. You won?t have to worry about ant anchorage fees or have to supply your own food. Even the chef to cook exquisite delicacies for you comes as part of a crewed yacht charter.

The rates of crewed yacht charters depend on the number of passengers, the size of the boat and the length of the charter. The time of the year also affects the cost, as winter is a more expensive time of year to book a crewed sailing yacht than summer. You should also consider having travel insurance for a crewed yacht charter, just as you would if you planned a trip to a resort destination. Even though the crew is vigilant when it comes to the safety of passengers on crewed yacht charters, accidents can happen at any time.

Looking For The Best Yacht Charter ? Cannes Film Festival Offers Luxury Charters

2008-02-27T02:23:00.001-08:00

For yacht charters, Cannes is the place to go when you want to experience the life of the rich and famous. Take in the famous Cannes Film Festival and cruise along the French Riviera. From the moment you step on the yacht, there will be a professional crew to serve you. Although the yacht charter company may suggest an itinerary, you may have different places you want to visit. As long as there are good anchorages, you can choose your own itinerary with yacht charters. Cannes is the ultimate destination, but there are many sights to see along the way. Yacht charters in Cannes are hard to beat.

You don?t have to choose luxury yacht charters. Cannes also has bareboat yacht charters that you can crew on your own as long as you have sailing experience. You also have to be very cognizant of the differences in sailing in this part of the world if you have never done so before. If you want to charter a yacht, Cannes experts will tell you that it is best to make your first trip with an experienced crew and learn what the potential dangers might be. Then you can charter a yacht on your own and set out on a unique adventure.

Technology has made its way into yacht charters. Cannes luxury yachts have Internet connections so you can keep in touch with home or the office while you are enjoying your time at sea. If you book a bareboat charter yacht, Cannes yacht charter companies do not provide Internet access on these boats. The idea is for you to enjoy the thrill of sailing, so you will not have the amenities of the luxury yachts. If you choose a crewed yacht charter, you will still have a chef to cook your meals, so you can enjoy the flavor of Cannes offshore as well as on land.

Choose Cannes as one of your ports of call when you book yacht charters. Cannes has all the flair of living life to the fullest. If you plan your vacation around the Cannes Film Festival, you will one of many that charter yachts to Cannes at this time of the year. This will give you an opportunity to rub shoulders with the stars of the film industry and take in some of the best films of the year. You do have to plan the trip and be very certain about the number of passengers you want to take with you on the yacht. International maritime law states that there can be no more than 12 passengers on yacht charters. If you intend to have more than this number in your party, then you will have to let the yacht charter company know so it can get the special registration required.

When you book crewed yacht charters to Cannes, you will have to leave your pets at home. Most yacht charter companies do not allow pets on board and because of the close quarters, smoking is prohibited inside. If you are travelling to France from another country for the express purpose of booking a yacht charter, you will need to present your passport in order to board the yacht. Charters to Cannes are subject to the customs and immigration rules and regulations.

Yacht Charter in the Southern Ionian Sea

2008-02-26T03:36:00.000-08:00

The Southern Ionian also known as the inland sea includes the islands of Levkas, Meganisi, Ithaca, Cephalonia and Zakinthos

Levkas is a popular, lively and windy island. It is the only island linked to mainland Greece, a swing bridge providing access by road. The airport at Preveza is only a 30 minute ride away. Lefkas Town lies a short distance down the canal, at the point where the canal turns to run SE. The buildings of the town are easily seen and the harbour is not difficult to locate. There is a marina here or you can use the town's harbour. Both provide good shelter in all weather conditions .The Lefkas canal enables sailors to pass along the east side of the island, which has most of the anchorages. The northern entrance can be found by locating the Santa Mauro Fort. The canal proper starts after Lefkas Town and is marked by red and green poles and by red and green buoys when the canal turns south.

Nidri is lively, the quay self provides water, fuel etc. but places you in the middle of yacht charter bases, tripper boats, ferries etc. A little further south he landlocked Vlikho Bay provides good all-round shelter the bottom is mud

On the southern end lies the sheltered bay of Sivota with several waterside bars and tavernas. On the southwest coast, Vasiliki has quayside bars, cafes and non-stop nightlife. Vassiliki was a sleepy little fishing village. It is now one of the islands main resorts The port is located in the south-east of the large bay. It offers good shelter although the prevailing wind tends to blow into the harbour making conditions uncomfortable at times. The bottom holds well. There are no anchorages on the west coast but you will find beautiful beaches where you can watch stunning sunsets.

Also worth a visit while on Levkas: The ancient city Nirikos was the first capital of the island from 2BC. Excavations have shown that Nirikos enjoyed significant economic growth. The collection in the Archaeological Museum of Levkas includes findings dating from the Proto-Hellenic period to the Roman era, including ceramics, pots, statues, signs, ecclesiastic pieces and photographs from the excavations in Nidri. Lefkata Cape is situated at the southern part of Lefkas and offers a majestic view. Originally, sacrifices to the gods and spirits took place here. Convicts were forced to jump from the rocks and attempt to fly using feathers tied around their bodies. The monastery of Panayia Faneromeni is the most significant religious monument on the island. It is situated 2 km east of the capital outside the village of Frynio and stands on the site of an ancient sanctuary for Artemis or Hera.

Meganissi has the magnificent inlet at Port Athene on the north coast. This is the perfect place for snorkelling and swimming and makes a good overnight stop. Vathi is the islands main port. It is a pleasant relaxed place with good walks through the olive groves to the bays on the east. The high village of Spartohori on can easily be seen from the north and west. Once you are in the bay the small harbour will be seen. Good shelter but the depth often exceeds 15m. The anchorage near the tavern is the best location in the bay. The village of Spartahori is an absolute must, walk up the hill for a warm local welcome and an incredible view out over Nidri, Madhouri and Skorpios and over to the mountains on the mainland to the east. The island has a number of picturesque bays where you can anchor and take a line ashore. Facilities are at best limited and usually non existent

Ithaca - Steeped in legend of Odysseus the island has beautiful bays and attractive anchorages. The island is essentially two heavily wooded mountain tops rich in flora and fauna, which protrude steeply from the Ionian sea, joined in the centre of the island by a thin stretch of land. It offers gentle green uplands in the south and rugged limestone hills in the north. Frikes is a small harbour and village in the north east of Ithaca set in the bay that it takes it's name from. A lovely place at the bottom of a steep wooded valley. There are several old windmills standing on the rocks above the village. Kioni lies just to the south of Frikes. The village is stunning with buildings dotted around the steep slopes of the bay. The bottom is mud and weed and care must be taken to get the anchor holding. Shelter is generally good but there are often gusts from the north west. There are shops in the village and tavernas on the waterfront.

Further to the south is Vathi, the island's capital and main harbour. It's red-roofed houses set among enchanting scenery at the end of the closed bay of Molosmeans Vathi means deep and that's what you will find. The bottom is a combination of mud and weed and care is needed to make sure the anchor is holding. There are plenty of shops and tavernas in the town. Three kilometres to the northwest lies the Cave of the Nymphs where, according to legend, Odysseus hid the gifts bestowed upon him by the Phaeacians who delivered him to his home after his many adventures. The bay of Polis on the west coast, near the village of Stavros, is the site of Loizos' cave. A couple of interesting finds have been made here: Shards on which were carved inscriptions testifying to the worship of Artemis, Hera and Athena and twelve tripods similar to those which the Phaeacians gave to Odysseus.

Cephalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands covering some 700 sq. km. It is renowned for its wine and more latterly for the novel Captain Corellixs Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. For the walker there are acres of forest covered limestone mountains to explore. 10 peaks rise above 5000 feet. The limestone rock results in remarkable caves and caverns as can be seen at the underground lake complex at Mellisani. Most of the mountains fall steeply to the sea and the you will be sailing at the foot of these peaks, in places this means the boat will be subjected to strong gusts of wind so care is needed.

Fiskardo is an enclosed bay and harbour on the north eastern tip of Cephalonia. It is an extremely popular stop for yachts and in the summer months the quay is normally packed. If there is no room anchor in the north of the bay and take a line ashore. The harbour provides good all round shelter. The village is picturesque and was one of the few places on the island that escaped the terrific destruction of the 1953 earthquake. Hence 19th century houses set amid green pine groves remain pretty much original and a historical preservation order should keep them that way. There are a number of shops in the village as to there are tavernas some serving excellent food. There are several anchorages on the coast between Fiskardo and Ay Eufimia to the south. Ay Eufimia is a small harbour in the north west corner of a large bay. Most provisions can be found and there are a few tavernas. Sami to the south of the same bay is the island's main ferry port. It was developed after the earthquake and is nearly all modern buildings. There are good walks along the coast to the north east of the harbour. Still further to the south is the small harbour of Poros. This is not the most comfortable harbour in the Ionian with the prevailing winds creating a chop in the harbour. It is uncomfortable rather than unsafe. Most provisions are available in the village. There are several tavernas with a good one by the harbour.

The capital of the island is Argostoli the SW. The earthquake in 1953 bought almost total devastation, all that remained intact were a couple of houses, the arched bridge stretching across the lagoon and the obelisk at it's centre. Sadly the rebuilding has produced a rather soulless place. There are plenty of shops and tavernas in the town.

Lixuri is a town with a small harbour opposite Argostoli on the western side of Kolpos Argostoliou. Unfortunately the harbour is situated next to the main sewer outlet and is extremely smelly during the summer months. Assos, on the western side of the island, should be used only in calms or when the wind is light from the west. There are numerous tavernas in the village and limited provisions can be found. The village is particularly picturesque set under the high cliffs and mountains and just across the peninsula from the ruined Venetian fort.

Zakinthos is the southernmost of the islands in the Ionian. A horseshoe shaped mountain range surrounds a rich fertile plain. Half of the island's cultivated land is given over to the currant vine which was originally transplanted from the Peloponnese by the Venetians.

In the north east of the islands lies Ormos Ay Nikolaos. You can anchor in the bay in about 5m depths or go stern to the outside of the breakwater and take a long line ashore. Strong gusts can be expected in the afternoon and most yachts leave after lunchtime and head south to the capital. A visit to the Blue Caves is a favourite in this part of the island. Join one of the local caiques as visit with a yacht is not advisable as the area is unprotected from north westerlies and the waters to deep to anchor in. The underwater rocks are covered by a mauve coloured seaweed. The seaweed together with the white sandy bottom of the caves reflect the incoming sunlight producing a blue hue.

To the south lies Limin Zakinthos, he capital of Zakinthos and most of the island's 35,000 population live here. The town surrounds a large harbour. It was devastated by the earthquake in 1953 but an attempt has been made to rebuild in the original style. When inside the harbour care is needed of the semi-sunk stone breakwater which protrudes from the north mole. Yachts should make for the designated yacht quay within the harbour. There are several museums in the town devoted to the islands history.

Porto Roma lies in the south east corner of the island. This is a wonderful anchorage in calm weather. There is a taverna on the beach.

The southern coast and beaches are host to the last and most important concentration of Loggerhead turtles' nesting sites in the Mediterranean. From May to November this area is subject to restriction regarding access by vessels. It is advisable to check with the authorities in the capital what restrictions are currently in place if you are planning to sail in this area. Ormos Keri lies at the western end of the restricted area. Anchor either side of the stone mole and take a long line ashore. Be aware of the underwater ballasting protruding out from the mole. Ormos Vroma is the only anchorage on the western side of the island. Anchor on the northern side and take a line ashore.

Sailing Site. More information about Yacht Charter can be found here Find other Marine Services in Greece here.

Ken Jones runs a http://www.sail-the-net.com/marinas/marinas_intro.html

International Yachtmaster Training Sailing Courses

2008-02-26T03:31:00.000-08:00

The International Yachtmaster Training programme was introduced in 2001. This article looks at the first 5 sections: Introduction to Yachting Certificate, The International Recreational Crew Certificate, Radio Operator/Communications Certificate, Watchkeeper/Flotilla Skipper Certificate, International Bareboat Skipper Certificate

Module 1 is the Introduction to Yachting Certificate

The International Recreational Crew Certificate is divided into 6 modules, module 2 gets us under way and you will be learn about safety on board a boat and the use of the life raft and first aid kit, fire extinguishers, flares, life jackets and safety harnesses. What clothing and footwear is suitable for the varying conditions met while sailing. Seasickness and it's symptoms, cause and prevention. How various equipment works including: battery selector switch, bilge pumps, cabin lights, cooker & butane/propane gas, heads and water pumps together with general housekeeping rules. You will learn a very basic theory of how a diesel engine works and maintenance procedures such as checking the level of the oil, changing the oil, changing filters, ensuring the flow of cooling water to the engine and how to change impellors. You will be taught how to keep a good and effective lookout, which should be maintained at all times, while under way. You will take a look at basic navigation, course plotting, nautical charts, safe passage conditions, tides and currents and weather forecasts.

On the practical side, module 3, you will learn how to coil a line and secure it to a cleat, tie a number of knots and use the winches. You will learn how to secure the boat for sea and then how to leave a berth, once under way you will undertake the duties of a lookout, learn how to hoist and set the sails and while helming the boat go through tack and gybe routines. You will anchor the boat and go through man overboard recovery drill.

Module 4 is theoretical and you will look at the International Regulations for Collision Avoidance or the "rules of the road". Specifically looking at lights, shapes, and sound signals. You will look at some more sail handling techniques, there is more work with charts and compass and to conclude you will take a look at marine customs, etiquette and manners.

The next practical module includes safety checks and look at the through hull fittings, engine warning lights and alarms and the emergency fuel cut off. You will learn deck seamanship with more docking and mooring routines. More sail work, bending on, hoisting, lowering, reefing mainsails, handling sheets, lines, halyards, outhauls and sail trim. You will learn more skills at the helm, tacking, gybing, sailing a triangular course, sailing a compass course and heaving to.

Module 6 looks at both theory and practise of Dinghy/Tender handling. You will learn the different types of tenders, engines, spares and maintenance and safety equipment. On the practical side you will learn to row, how to move under power, launch and recover and transfer to and from the dinghy to the boat or dock.

This section concludes with an assessment of theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained. At the of this course you will be a useful crew member on any small yacht.

The Radio Operator/Communications Certificate is a stand alone module. You will learn how to operate a radio including emergency calls, calling ship to ship, ship to shore, the types of marine radios available and the regulations governing it's use. An examination concludes the course.

The next 5 modules are the International Watchkeeper/Flotilla Skipper Certificate

Number 8 is theoretical and looks at the responsibilities of a watchkeeper, charts and chartwork, the compass, magnetism and concludes with a look at buoys and marks.

The next practical module concentrates on safety including a briefing that should be given to crew members when they join the vessel and looks at the galley area which if not used correctly can be a danger to all those on board. The rest of the section is devoted to boat handling and develops on the skills learnt in the International Recreational Crew Certificate course.

Back to theory in the next module with a look at basic first aid. More work is done with the International Regulations for Collision Avoidance. Finally you will take a further look at marine customs, manners and today's ever increasing legal requirements.

In module 11, the next practical stage you will prepare a passage plan, and while undertaking a short passage work still further on boat handling skills.

This section concludes with an assessment of theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained.

You have now reached a level that entitles you to the International Certificate of Competence or ICC. It is suggested that the skippers of vessels are required to hold this by some European countries. I have never been asked for mine by the authorities and I know of no one who has. It is also suggested that some companies require it prior to allowing charter of a boat. Again I have not come across this in practise.

The next three modules make up the International Bareboat Skipper Certificate and the first looks at taking over a vessel and the necessary checks on hull and rig, machinery and systems, instruments, safety equipment, spares, tools, fuel, water and provisions. It looks at tides and currents and what causes them. You will learn how to use tide tables and gain an understanding primary and secondary ports. There is some more chartwork that includes position fixing and plotting a course to steer to counteract a current. The section concludes with a look at the responsibilities of the Skipper, their communication with and delegation to the crew.

On the practical side you will develop sailing skills with more general deck work, ropes, knots, splices, the care and use of lines. There is more vessel handling work including anchoring, berthing, mooring, handling in confined areas and handling with currents.

This section concludes with module 16 and includes a look at the weather and sources of weather information, personal observations, weather patterns, land and sea breezes, the different cloud formations, rain and fog. You will learn pilotage. There is an in depth look at passage planning including pilot books, almanacs, considerations for passage planning, coastal passages, passage strategy, port regulations, pilotage plans. Finally you will take a further look at the International Regulations for Collision Avoidance. The section concludes with an assessment of theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained

Sailing Site. More info about IYT Courses can be found here Information on other Sailing Courses can be found here.

Ken Jones runs a http://www.sail-the-net.com/marine_directory/marine_directory_a_z.html

Looking For The Best Yacht Charter - Cannes Film Festival Offers Luxury Charters

2008-02-14T04:52:00.000-08:00

You don't have to choose luxury yacht charters. Cannes also has bareboat yacht charters that you can crew on your own as long as you have sailing experience. You also have to be very cognizant of the differences in sailing in this part of the world if you have never done so before. If you want to charter a yacht, Cannes experts will tell you that it is best to make your first trip with an experienced crew and learn what the potential dangers might be. Then you can charter a yacht on your own and set out on a unique adventure.

Technology has made its way into yacht charters. Cannes luxury yachts have Internet connections so you can keep in touch with home or the office while you are enjoying your time at sea. If you book a bareboat charter yacht, Cannes yacht charter companies do not provide Internet access on these boats. The idea is for you to enjoy the thrill of sailing, so you will not have the amenities of the luxury yachts. If you choose a crewed yacht charter, you will still have a chef to cook your meals, so you can enjoy the flavor of Cannes offshore as well as on land.

Choose Cannes as one of your ports of call when you book yacht charters. Cannes has all the flair of living life to the fullest. If you plan your vacation around the Cannes Film Festival, you will one of many that charter yachts to Cannes at this time of the year. This will give you an opportunity to rub shoulders with the stars of the film industry and take in some of the best films of the year. You do have to plan the trip and be very certain about the number of passengers you want to take with you on the yacht. International maritime law states that there can be no more than 12 passengers on yacht charters. If you intend to have more than this number in your party, then you will have to let the yacht charter company know so it can get the special registration required.

When you book crewed yacht charters to Cannes, you will have to leave your pets at home. Most yacht charter companies do not allow pets on board and because of the close quarters, smoking is prohibited inside. If you are travelling to France from another country for the express purpose of booking a yacht charter, you will need to present your passport in order to board the yacht. Charters to Cannes are subject to the customs and immigration rules and regulations.

Yacht Charter in the Northern Ionian Sea

2008-02-14T04:49:00.000-08:00

The Ionian combines both good sailing weather, sunny and warm with predictable winds with a facinating group of islands. Navigation is generally by line of sight and a passage between islands is generally only a few hours in duration The islands are attractive and steeped in Greek mythology. This is a great place for people learning to sail or building experience and so it is no surprise that it is home to several companies running flotilla sailing holidays.

No look at the Ionian would be complete withouth mention of Homer and the Odyssey. The Odyssey tells the storey of Odysseus and his travels and adventures throughout the Mediterranean in around 800BC. The Trojan War concluded when the Greeks sucseeded into bringing a wooden horse into the city of Troy. Greek soldiers were hidden inside and opened the city gates to the Greek army who sacked the city. Odysseus and the other Greeks could know return to their kingdoms across the sea. To say Odysseus's journey was eventful is rather understating the matter.

On departing Troy in what is now north west Turkey he sails south through the Aegean Sea. On reaching the southern tip of Greece he is blown off course to the lotus eaters in what is thought to be Libya. The it's on to Sicily where he runs into Cyclops. This one eyed giant eats two of the crew before they escape. More trouble in the Laestrygonians - Corsica or Sardinia. Here the fleet is attacked by giants hurling boulders and more of the crews are devoured. Theh survivors head east to Italy and the enchantress Circe. She entertains the sailors and then with a wave of her wand, turns them into swine. Odysseus is protected by the herb that the god Hermes has given him.

At some point in the journey reference is made to the pillars of Hercules. And this is supposed to be the Rock of Gibraltar and Jebel Musa in Morocco. These two mountains sit either side of the straights that are the enterance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Now he must pass the Sirens whose sweet singing lures sailors to their deaths. Odysseus plugs fills the ears of his crew with wax and then lashes himself to the mast so he cannot steer the ship onto the waiting rocks. Passing through the straits between Sicily and mainland Italy they run into Charybdis, who swallows the sea in a whirlpool, then spits it up again. And Scylla who uses each of her six hands to reach down from her cliff and pluck a sailor from the deck and then promptly, yes you guessed, eats them.

More misfortune as they upset the god Zeus who sends a thunderbolt to destroy the ship. Only Odysseus survives, washed ashore on Malta, the home of the nymph Calypsos who detains him against his will. Zeus, the king of the gods, sends Hermes skimming over the waves on magic sandals with orders for Odysseus's release. But when nearly home again another god, Posiedon, sends a storm to wreck his vessel and he is washed ashore on Corfu several days later. He falls asleep in an olive thicket and is woken to the sound of female laughter. This is the Princess Nausicaa come down to the riverside to wash her wedding dress. Odysseus approaches her and she agrees to help him try and finish his journey home. She introduces him to her father and when he has heard Odysseus's story he orders him sped home to Ithaca.

Once home he finds the island full of suitors for his wife's hand, after such a length of time Odysseus is believed dead. He and an ally fight and win a battle against overwhelming odds with a little help from the gods. And then Athena tells the contending parties to live together in peace down through the years to come.

Weather - The wind is consistent with conditions found throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. Little wind in the morning but from noon the wind freshens throughout the afternoon reaching perhaps 20 knots. The evening and night sees a return to calm cinditions. During the summer months it blows from the NW and from the SW for the remaining months.

The sailing area from the north

Corfu - . The island receives three times the average amount of rain for the area and as a consequence is a mass of green woodlands, wild pine-covered mountains, lakes and cultivated fields. It also has miles of sandy beaches. The island's capital, Corfu Town is atractivly situated on a promontory on the east coast, dominated by the New Fortress. Visit Sidari to the north to swim in the Canal d'Amour, the legend has it that lovers will stay together for life. 16 km to the south of Corfu Town is the Villa of Achillion, built in Italian Renaissance style and situated at an altitude of 145 m. It has magnificent gardens and attractive panoramic views. Today it is a museum. 3 km further south is the charming fishing village of Benitses and the remains of a Roman villa. Climb to the summit of Mount Pantokrator where you will find an abandoned monastery dating from 1347. The hilltop also provides beautiful views

The main harbour is in Corfu town. Enter the Old Harbour from the eastern end of the breakwater. The entrance into the interior of the harbour is very narrow and a strong northwesterly makes entry difficult. Once inside there is excellent shelter in all weathers. Visitor's berths are behind the windward mole, alongside, two and three deep. Anchoring is not advised, you will almost cetainly get gear tangled. Having berthed you are within walking distance of the town's centre. Adjacent to the harbour you will find chandlers, machine shops, boat engine repair services and others for electrical and electronic gear. Corfu town unquestionably offers the best all-round facilities in the northern Ionian.

3 miles to the NW is Linin Gouvia, a large land locked bay. At it's southern end is Gouvia marina which has become Corfu's centre of yachting. It is home to a Venetian arsenal.The surrounding area has beeen given over to the package holiday and there are more pleasent places to spend time on a yachting holiday.

The north Corfu channel is the stretch of water between Corfu and Albania. Beware the reef just to the north of Agios Stefanos.

Agios Stefanos is a small inlet in the North Corfu Channel. No objection is normally made to anchoring here despite the presence of a nearby military post. Anchor in the middle of the bay in depths of 3 - 6m. The bottom is thick weed and mud which can be difficult to get through. Good shelter from the prevailing NW wind. There is a rough stone mole on the south side of the bay but this is usually taken by local boats. There are numerous tavernas around the shore. Some holiday villas have been built here but the bay retains a calm and a beauty well worth the stop for the night. Limited provisions can be obtained

Agni Bay is immediately south of Kalami in the north east of the island. It is open to the south and and east but offers good shelter from the prevailing NW wind. There are three taverns, each with it's own private jetty, where you may anchor preferably bow to. If you overnight here it is better to anchor at the northern or southern end of the bay to avoid the large waves created by the ferries that enter and leave during the night.

Paleokastritsa is on the east side of the Island it is an attractive tourist resort dominated by the Monastery of Panayia Theotokos wich perches on a high cliff. A 90 minute hours climb takes you to the ruins of Angelokastro Castle which dates from the 13th century. There are many sea caves in the locality that can be reached by tender or dinghy. It is not easy by day to distinguish the entrance to the bay when approaching from the northwest. However the monastery on the peak of the peninsula is conspicuous. The harbour is situated on the western side of the bay and protected by a quay running north south. Usually full of fishing caiques the only a few available berths are to be found near the head of the quay. Protection is good in all weathers excepting strong southerlies when waves crash over the break water and create a large swell in the harbour. The port has no water. Fuel can be delivered. There are bars, restaurants and a supermarket all within walking distance.

Petriti Village - To the north of the harbour is an old quarry which visible from a distance. There are shallows stretching south of the harbour along the bay and care is needed. Good protection from all weather in the harbour. Head for the new quay towards the land where depths are greater than 2 meters. If you moor hehind the breakwater be aware of the shallows nearby. The taverns ashore usually have fresh fish. There are shops at the village of Argyrades some three km away. Good beaches for swimming nearby

Paxos is 7 miles to the south of Corfu. It is a charming little island, covered with pine trees. It can be explored fully in a few days with a car or motorbike both of which can be rented locally. The architecture of the three main towns, Gaios, Laka, and Logos is typically Ionian with colourful two and three-story homes lining the streets. By contrast the rural landscape is filled with low stone houses surrounded by lush green gardens.

The emblem of Paxos is the trident. It is said that Poseidon, the god of the seas, wanted to create a beautiful, peaceful island apart from the other gods and men and intended to live there with his beloved Amfitriti. So he struck the southern part of Corfu hard and Paxos was formed. However he lost his trident striking the blow which was later found by Paxiots who made it their emblem.

Gaiosis the capital of Paxos. It is a charming port and spreads itself along the waterfront. Enter Gaios from a northerly direction passing two small islands, Panayia and St Nicholas Island. Soak up the atmosphere of this bustling capital in Gaios square. In it's centre is the church of St Apostoli. Gaios harbour and the approaching inlet are very safe overnight moorings with security patrols on both land and water. There are several buildings worth visiting the castle of St Nicholas, the Monastery of Panayia, the Church of Agioi Apostoli and the early Christian church of Agia Marina. Take in the sunset at the Ostries. Ther are fine beaches at loni Gouli, Kamini and Kaki Lagada.

Port Gaios is the principal port of the island. You can moor right in the middle of the busy touristy scenery or choose aquieter berth further down the long quay. If you want a berth in July and August be here early in the afternoon. Excellent shelter in all weathers. Care should be taken when laying your anchor as passing ferries in the narrow channel may foul your chain.

Lakka, in the north of Paxos is set in a gorgeous horseshoe shaped bay and is flanked by high ground covered in cypres trees and olive groves. The bay which nearly landlocked is excellent for swimming and water sports. Holding is good. Some swell may occur dependent on the wind's direction. There are some berths on the quay, limited to around 10 yachts. Fresh water from the local water truck.

Its tiny sister island, just to the south, Anti Paxos is surrounded with crystal clear waters lapping onto some lovely sandy beaches.

More information about Yacht Charter can be found here Find other Marine Services in Greece here.

Ken Jones runs a Sailing Site.

Yacht Charter in Croatia

2008-02-13T23:11:00.000-08:00

Croatia's beautiful coastline with more than one thousand stunning islands only a short distance from the mainland offers safe easy navigation in clear blue waters. The mainland coast consists of Istria, the Croatian Riviera and Dalmatia and in addition there are an incredible 1,187 islands of which only 67 are inhabited. The length of coastline including the islands is 5,835 km. The islands account for over 4,000 km of coastline, Krk and Cres are the two largest.

Croatia is situated on the Adriatic Sea, opposite Italy, in the Northern Mediterranean. With a history going back over a thousand years, it first appeared on the political map of Europe in 1992, following the break up of Yugoslavia after a bloody civil war.

Weather - The climate is typical of the Mediterranean and provides for pleasant holidays throughout the year. The best season for sailing in Croatia is early summer with good winds in May and June mainly from the S/SE. Mornings tend to be calm with the wind increasing later in the afternoon to around 15 - 20 knots. The months of July and August see calmer conditions which is OK for those who don't mind motoring. Summer temperatures average between 26 to 30?C and the sea temperature in summer is about 25?C.

Sailing Area - Starting in the north

The Brioni Islands - Formally the summer residence of President Tito, these islands were closed to the general public. Today they are open but the facilities are a bit rundown, as little money was spent on their upkeep following the death of the President. The group of islands consists of 2 larger ones and 12 smaller ones. They were given National Park status in 1983. The largest island is Veli Brijun, just is 2km from the coast. It is very green being covered with vegetation.

Cres & Losinj islands - Covering nearly 400 square km, Cres is the second largest island in the Adriatic. It is grouped with Losinj and another 28 smaller islands. The harbour of Mali Losinj is said to be the most beautiful in the entire Adriatic. Cikat bay, which is well known for its beach and good windsurfing, is the tourist centre. While the town of Veli Losinj is much quieter. Cres Town is also popular and is reminiscent of an Italian village due to the fact that for several centuries it was ruled by Venice. The island of Susak is well worth a visit. The population speak their own dialect, which is not easily understood by other Croats. And the women often dress in a colourful costume, a short, multicoloured dress, red leggings and a white blouse.

Krk is the largest island in the Adriatic, covering 405.78 square km, and is also one of the most populous islands.. It is very busy with tourists being by bridge to the mainland. It is not the most beautiful or the greenest of the islands. The main towns are Baska, Krk town itself, Malinska, Omisalj, Punat and Vrbnik. Krk Town is famous for the Cathedral of St. Mary.

Rab island is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic and probably one of the most magical. It is has beautiful sandy beaches and is covered with pine forests. Rab Town, the main resort, is full of medieval buildings, built under Venetian rule in the 13th century. The old town walls are still visible in some places.

Pag is the second longest island in the Adriatic. It has little in the way of vegetation due to strong wind of Bora. In spite of this Pag has a lot of charm. It is well known for its lace making and the Pag Town is beautifully preserved.

Primosten, on the coast, is one of the most popular resorts on the Adriatic coast and boasts the best of Croatia from yesterday, stroll the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town centre set on a small, hilly peninsula and today, the Hacienda all night disco is just a 10 minute taxi away.

The Kornati islands - 140 islands make up this archipelago and it covers an area 300 square km. The majority of the area is a National Park, designated so because of it's numerous coves and crystal clear blue waters. It was described by astronauts as having the bluest water on earth seen from space .It is truly beautiful. George Bernard Shaw said of the island group "On the last day of Creation God desired to crown His work, and thus created the Kornati islands out of tears, stars and breath." Most of the area belongs to the people of Murter island who come to look after the olive groves, vineyards and orchards. They in stay cottages during the agricultural season but there is no permanent population. Hramina is a private marina on Murter Island with good facilities including a choice of restaurants.

Dugi Otok is home to the large, beautiful bay at Telescica. The small fishing town of Sali here is famous for summer events celebrating local folklore with a fun donkey race and a procession of illuminated boats. Brbinj higher up on Dugi Otok is a quiet, sheltered stop surrounded by pine woods and olive groves.

The city of Split is a UNESCO world heritage site famous for the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian.

Visit Skradin on the mainland and venture up-river to the famous waterfalls at Krka.

Brac is the largest island in Central Dalmatia and the third largest in the Adriatic. It is also one of the sunniest with 2,700 hours per year. Brac is renowned for its agricultural products, figs, olive oil, nectarines, wine and other fruits. However the main export is the famous Brac stone from which many buildings in the world have been constructed, including the home to the presidents of the United States of America, The White House in Washington DC Bol is said to have the most beautiful beach in the Adriatic. Other resorts include the Golden Horn (Zlatni Rat), Milna, Sumartin, Supetar and Sutivan.

Hvar is the fourth largest island in the Adriatic and is even sunnier than Brac. There is however enough rain to keep the island green and to maintain the beautiful fields of lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sage and thyme together with the vineyards. In the spring Hvar smells like a herbalist shop. The lavender oil is the island's major export. The main resorts are Hvar Town, Jelsa, Stari Grad, Sucuraj and Vrboska. Hvar boasts the country's oldest public theatre dating from 1612.

Vis - At 24 miles from the mainland this is the most westerly of the larger Croatian islands. Vis is the oldest established town in Dalmatia founded in 397 BC. The island was major base for British troops during World War II. After 1945 it was closed to the public the Yugoslav military and reopened in 1990. Some of Croatia's finest wines are produced there, such as Plavac and Vugava. The two main towns are Vis Town and Komiza. Vis is especially peaceful and relaxing.

Bisevo is home to the famous Blue Caves and this is the perfect snorkelling spot

Korcula is known for its dense forest. Marco Polo, the famous adventurer, was born on Korcula, and his house still there. Korcula known as "Little Dubrovnik", Vela Luka and Lumbarda are the main resorts.

On the mainland, Ston, is one of the most beautiful fortified towns you are ever likely to see. It is famous for its many cultural monuments and impressive defensive walls. The local restaurants serve delicious dishes of oyster and other fresh seafood. Spend the afternoon on it's sandy beach lined with olive trees.

Mljet is 23 miles west of Dubrovnik and is the southern most of the larger islands. The western half of the island is a National Park and over two-thirds of the island is forested with. According to legend, Odysseus fell in love with the island and stayed there for seven years. You will find numerous good anchorages and sandy beaches on the southern coast, the best of which is Saplunara

The Elafit islands - Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan - In ancient times these islands were home to a large deer population and take their name from the Greek word elafos, meaning deer. There are in fact six islands in the group and it is reputed the most skilful mariners came from here. Once again the islands are very beautiful and are a must visit. Lopud is little more than two hills which are connected by a beautiful valley. Follow the footpath through to the bay called Sunj, a round white sand beach perfect for a swim.

Dubrovnik is an immaculately preserved 13th century fortified city. Ancient walls surround the old town enclosing a fascinating mix of Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque architecture. Tall ramparts and towering spires rise dramatically from splendid squares packed with colourful bars, markets and restaurants. The whole city is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Food and Wine - Croatian cooking is typically Mediterranean with fish, shellfish, fresh vegetables and olive oil taking centre stage. Varieties of fish include dog's tooth, gilthead, grouper, mackerel, sardines and sea bass. You will find cuttlefish, octopus and squid, lobsters, mussels, oysters and shrimps. These are presented grilled or in stews and risottos. The local smoked ham is very good. Lamb is also highly regarded, especially baked on an open fire. There are some interesting local dishes, some found on individual islands, to be sought out or avoided. Take Vitalec as an example - lamb's offal wrapped in lamb gut and spike-roasted, not everbodys idea of culinary heaven. Regions with a plentiful supply of fresh water, the Neretva valley, Trilj and the Cetina basin, are well for their frog, eel and river crab dishes. Pag and Dubrovnik produce high quality sheep's cheese. Pag's is known as Paski-Sir, a hard, distinctively flavoured cheese. The unique flavour comes from the method of rubbing the cheese with olive oil and ash before leaving it to mature; in addition, the sheep eat a diet that includes many wild herbs such as sage. Dalmatian desserts are good too. The most usual ingredients include almonds, eggs, honey, local fruit, dried figs and raisins. Try Orehnjaca, a sweet bread with walnuts or poppy seeds. Palacinke are pancakes usually served with jam or chocolate. Dalmatian wines have been regarded highly since ancient times. Famous wines include Babic from Primosten, Dingac and Postup from the Peljesac Peninsula and Plancic from the island of Hvar. There are also good local brandies and liqueurs

Sailing Site. More information about Yacht Charter can be found here Find other Marine Services in Croatia here.

Ken Jones runs a www.sail-the-net.com/marinas/marinas_intro.html

Yacht Charters Offer Intimate Voyage Alternative

2008-02-13T23:10:00.000-08:00

Sailing the deep, blue waters of an ocean on holiday is a dream come true for many. But, some prefer to do so on a much smaller scale than most cruise ships allow. More rugged and especially private, yacht charter trips are a great alternative for vacationers.

The key to finding a great yacht charter trip, however, is doing some homework. The following are some steps to consider before booking a trip or planning a vacation:

* Destination. This is paramount. If you don't know where you want to go, it will be hard to find a charter. Locations where you can find yacht charter trips include Alaska, the Caribbean, Florida, California, Europe. Pretty much anywhere there's water, you'll find a charter company available.

* Purpose of the trip. Do you simply want to sail away your vacation in a relaxing setting or do some serious sight-seeing and fishing, too? The purpose of the trip will help make it easier for you to find the right charter.

* Overnight stay or not? Are you looking for a two-week charter or a single day out on a fishing boat. This is vital information to have in advance.

* Number of people. A charter boat captain will have a set number of people he or she can allow on board. The number will determine availability of the ship and is vital for booking a trip.

Once you know where you want to go, who you want to bring and what you hope to do, the search for a good charter will become much easier. Look for charter companies in the areas you'd like to visit and do shop prices and features. It's important to know what's included in a package and what's expected of passengers. Some sailing charters, for example, actually rely on passengers to help with the process of sailing. If working doesn't sound fun to you, it's a good idea to know the expectations in advance.

Before booking a charter trip, check the following things:

* Prices. Shop them.

* Inclusions. Will you have to pay extra for food? Port of call trips? Fishing gear and lures? Make sure you understand everything that's included in the price and what is not.

* What to pack or bring. A charter is not a huge cruise line. The trip may require you to actively get involved in the sailing process. If so, you may want to pack accordingly. Captain's attire for a working trip just won't do.

* Amenities on the boat. If it's a basic boat, stripped down of all life's little luxuries, you will want to know this. It may not be the trip for you if a family will be coming along.

* Safety record, years of experience. You want to go on a charter with a captain who knows his or her stuff and the area in which you'll be sailing. This is especially so in areas with treacherous waters, but applies anywhere as things can and do happen.

A yacht charter cruise is a great idea for a vacation that's a little different than an ordinary cruise. Keep in mind, however, the little extras on a regular cruise are not likely to be present and you may, in fact, find yourself doing a little sailing, too. These are perfect vacations for those who want to get away from it all without doing it with 1,000 other people.

More Resources

Yacht charter trips.

http://www.yachtchartertrip.com

Cruise vacations.

http://www.cruisevacationsinfo.com

Enjoy Life On The Atlantic Aboard A Miami Yacht Charter

2008-02-12T03:22:00.001-08:00

When you charter a boat in Florida, you?re treating yourself to the ultimate in vacation experiences. Whether you choose a sailboat, yacht, motor boat or catamaran, there?s nothing like feeling the spray of the Atlantic on your face as you cruise around the eastern coastline, looking for just the right place to dock for a bit of fun.

If this sounds like your idea of the perfect vacation, then you?ll be happy to know that there are several establishments who are in the business of offering luxury yacht charters in and around the Miami, Florida area. After you?ve experienced one, you might just find yourself in the market for companies that offer luxury yacht sales, or sales of other types of water vessels.

Miami Yacht Charter Companies

? Water Fantaseas ? Servicing the areas of Ft. Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami, this facility offers a variety of cruise options, including corporate charters, and an accommodation for special events. Among the many vessels that they offer, you?ll find luxury sport yachts, luxury motor yachts, party yachts, power boats, fishing boats, luxury mega yachts, luxury sailing vessels and catamarans. In addition to half and full day charters, they also provide term charters ? all of which can be seen by visiting their website at www.waterfantaseas.com. This outstanding organization offers the best in top-quality sea-going excursions for those who want something more out of their next vacation.

? Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters ? Found online at www.biscaynelady.com, this boat chartering company will put you in the lap of luxury when you book a vacation on one of their charters. Whether you?re interested in something for a corporate or social event, wedding or ? perhaps ? something a bit smaller, they have what it takes to outfit you with the latest in style at Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters. Among the amenities that their luxurious yachts include are three grand decks, the ability to accommodate up to 400 passengers, catamaran designed twin hulls, state-of-the-art interior and exterior design and lots more.

? Florida Yacht Charters and Sales ? Serving Miami Beach, Key West and the Bahamas, the folks at this establishment offer charters and instruction, in addition to sales and service. For those who are interested in a more consistent yachting experience, they even provide the opportunity for boaters to join a fractional yacht sharing program, called ?SailTime Miami?. Their full line of vessels, including yachts, sailboat, catamarans, trawlers, bareboats and motor yachts, offers a wide variety of crafts from which to choose, with amenities that will please even the most discerning of sailors. Visit their website at www.floridayacht.com for more information.

? Carrousel Yacht Extraordinaire ? Whether your intention is to host a holiday party, reunion, anniversary, wedding, graduation, birthday party, business dinner ? or simply charter a yacht for your own personal get-away ? Carrousel Yacht Extraordinaire can accommodate your needs in a grand style. Cruise the Florida coastline to Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Aventura, Miami and Miami Beach in one of the most luxurious chartered yachts of the day. Based in Miami, this chartering company offers a virtual tour of their top-of-the-line yachts by visiting their website at www.carrouselyacht.com.

By performing an online search, you?ll be able to find the right chartering service for you in virtually any waterside location around the world. Until you?ve experienced the luxury of a chartered yacht, you?re missing the vacation of a lifetime. Whether you want to get away on your own, or with family, friends, business associates or former classmates, there?s a vessel out there that?s right for you, and a company that will do its best to meet the needs of your ocean-going party.

Ken Morris reveals for the information source at http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com. The writer is publishing about miami yacht charter.

Visibility ETO ERP Conference to Include a Yachting Adventure

2008-02-12T03:21:00.000-08:00

Visibility Corporation (www.visibility.com) is a leading developer and supplier of business software solutions designed for the unique needs of project-based, engineer-to-order and to-order manufacturers. Visibility's Enterprise Application solutions help midsize manufacturers of complex products operate their businesses effectively. At the 2006 users' conference there is a special treat; participants of the conference are invited for an evening cruise on a 142' luxury yacht through Fort Lauderdales' scenic Intracoastal Waterways, the Venice of America. Climb aboard the richly decorated yacht where we will have cocktails, appetizers and a sumptuous 5-star cuisine prepared for us by world class chefs. Musical entertainment will keep us energized and dancing throughout this four hour exploration.

April 5 through 7, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Visibility Corporation will be holding their annual users' conference titled, "Optimizing Your Technology Investment." Break out sessions including VISIBILITY.net Basics, Workflow, and Configuration will be conducted. Similarly, VISIBILITY 6 Track sessions will include Database Tuning, Optimize V6 Business Processes, and Business Intelligence. There is also an Executive Track that includes Managing Global Enterprise, Business Differentiators, and Financial Consolidation. The event is geared to both current and potential users of the ETO (Engineer-to-Order) ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) technology.

VISIBILITY.net is an integrated ERP solution and more. Offering unparalleled functionality and integrated workflow, this browser-based solution cost effectively delivers the power of .NET-based Web services for use with either a Microsoft SQL Server? or Oracle? database. Conducting business any place, any time, any where is a reality, deployable with unprecedented flexibility.

Visibility www.visibility.com Jaclyn Aldrich marketing@visibility.com 978-694-8000

Stag Weekends in Brighton - Yacht Sailing

2008-02-09T02:58:00.000-08:00

With its best social scene on the South Coast and fantastic locations for all types of outdoor activities, Brighton is easily the number one choice for a stag weekend. Mountain boarding, kayaking, sailing, raft building, paintball and clay shooting are a few of those stag dos you will find in Brighton.

Yachting Day in Brighton

The best part of yacht sailing in Brighton as a favourite stag do is that you get a full day to ride a 36 ft racing yacht. You will be given a safety briefing before being taken by your skipper on board. For two hours, you will be taught the mechanism and the basic skills required for sailing. Chillisauce ensures that you are treated to a delicious lunch at the yacht club while sharing your new experience with the rest of the crew.

The time to test your skill comes in the afternoon when you will be asked to take charge of the yacht yourself. The skipper will then act as a passive crewmember and will only take charge of the yacht if your team finds it difficult to control. Each team will comprise of a minimum of six and a maximum of ten members. A fun filled stag do, yacht sailing is the best way to spend your stag weekend in Brighton.

The Positive side of Stag Do in Brighton

Stag weekends with stag parties and stag nights are the best ways to enjoy your weekend. Brighton, with its scenic beauty and thrilling nightlife is the right place if you are looking for a calm place, eager to escape the din and bustle of city life. When it comes to all types of stag outdoor adventures and water activities, stag do in Brighton gives you the ultimate pleasure. Yacht sailing, one of the most sought after stag do in Brighton, releases you of all the tensions of the past week and rejuvenates your mind by giving you a adventurous feel with a long lasting soothing effect on your mind. If you are looking for some adventurous water activities, just go for the big challenge of Yacht sailing in Brighton.

Getting a job as a crew member on a luxury mega-yacht.

2008-02-08T01:00:00.001-08:00

Larry Ellison, Paul Allen and Tiger Woods all have them.

I'm talking about mega-yachts - privately owned floating palaces. In case you aren't already aware, a mega-yacht is any motor or sail powered yacht over 24m in length. They have award winning interiors, the very best navigation equipment available and a permanent compliment of crew who live on board and travel with the yacht where ever it goes.

And the jobs are open to anyone.

The crews are comprised mostly of Australians, Kiwis, South Africans, Canadians, Europeans, South Americans and the odd US citizen. The industry is dominated by hard working travelers, eager for tax free US dollars and the lifestyle.

The lifestyle of being a 'yachtie' and chasing the sun is very hard to beat. Being surrounded by opulence is a lot of fun, not to mention berthing downtown at some of the finest cities in the world.

Most of the work is spent keeping the yacht looking pristine and when the guests are aboard, long hours ensue, but here are some of the benefits:

* Great tax free salary
* All expenses paid including free food, wine, beer
* At least one paid trip home each year
* Travel to some of the best places on earth
* Meeting VIPs, Captains of industry and celebrity types
* Use of the tenders and jet skis

Most of the yachts will move between the US, the Med and the Caribbean, but 99% of them are registered in offshore tax havens such as the Cayman Islands. This allows people of all nationalities to work on yachts located in the US or anywhere else in the world for that matter. The yachts themselves tend to travel together and frequent the best parts of the world at the best times to be there.

The real work only exists when the owners and guests are on board and then it is all about service. The yachts are used exclusively by the owner or chartered out. The number of guests will vary, but it is not uncommon for the owners and several guests to be on board at the same time.

Below are some brief descriptions of jobs available on mega-yachts:

Captain - responsible for the running of the yacht and yearly running budget
Mate - link between captain and crew members from all departments
Bosun - responsible for deck staff
Deckhand - responsible for upkeep of yacht.

Engineer - reports directly to the Captain. Responsible for the myriad systems on board the yacht
2nd Engineer - assists the engineer with engineering tasks and keeping the engine room immaculate.

Head Chef - works with owners/Captain to set menus
Assistant Chef - assists the Head Chef as required.

Chief Stewardess - responsible for entire interior and uniforms for all crew. Like a cruise director in many ways
Stewardess - responsible for keeping interior looking immaculate.

The smallest yachts will have 3 or 4 multi-tasking crew members while the largest have over 50. On some occasions, staff will assist the other departments.

Even though the Yachts are mostly registered in offshore tax havens, as vessels, they still need to comply with the standards set down by the MCA (Maritime and Coast Guard agency - UK).

One of the recent changes is the requirement for all crew members to be STCW95 certified. This course covers survival at sea, fire fighting, first aid and occupational health and safety. Most yachts will require crew members to already have this, although there are still some yachts that will pay for their crew to complete the course.

A word on pay.

Crew on privately owned yachts receive straight salary, but crew on charter yachts - which cost anywhere from $50,000 and up per week to charter - offer tips as well. Usually 10-15% of the total cost, they are usually divided amongst the crew. Charter yachts are hard work, but the money to be made is exceptional.

For the itinerant, hard working traveler, mega-yachts offer a very lucrative way to live in luxury and see the world. As more and more people become wealthy and get into the mega-yacht industry, the demand for crew members will only increase.

Do you want to be out there with them?

Matt Canham has worked on mega-yachts in Seattle, San Diego and Ft Lauderdale. He has a resource site at: http://mega-yacht-jobs.marinerblue.com

Areas To Visit On Mediterranean Yacht Charters

2008-02-07T00:42:00.001-08:00

Mediterranean yacht charters are one of the most popular destinations for a sailing vacation. This area is the birthplace of modern civilizations. You can explore ruins dating to 3000 BC. The area offers a unique blend of the old and the new. The landscape is the result of a variety of geological activity over millions of years, including earthquakes, volcanoes and shifting of the earth?s plates. The result is breathtaking scenery for sailing.

Options for Mediterranean Yacht Charters

Bareboat Yacht Charters

Bareboat charters work just as it sounds. You are chartering the ship and nothing else. If you are qualified, you can skipper the boat yourself. You will have to show proof of your sailing experience before you are allowed to skipper a chartered yacht. Most companies will take you out on a short trip and have you demonstrate your abilities. If you are unable to do this, you will not be able to take the boat without a crew.

If you don?t have the sailing experience, you will need to hire a skipper. In most cases, the charter company or yacht broker can help you find someone. In some cases, you can arrange for sailing lessons, at an additional cost. Bareboat trips include no supplies or food. You will need to shop before you arrive at the marina.

Crewed Charters

With a crewed charter, you can generally take a larger yacht. The size of the crew varies according to the ship and number of guests. You will at least have a captain and a cook. The cook will prepare your meals according to your tastes. The menu will be discussed prior to the cruising.

Some people choose this method because they aren?t qualified to sail. Others can sail, but prefer to relax on a yachting vacation and not have the responsibility of being the captain. You will have more time to relax in luxury or enjoy activities like water skiing or scuba diving with a crew to look after the boat.

Flotillas

A flotilla is a group of yachts sailing together. This is a great option for less experienced skippers. You captain your ship and gain experience in sailing. The flotilla leader is on a nearby yacht to offer guidance, assistance and support as needed. If this is your first time sailing on your own, a flotilla is an excellent option. A charter broker can put you in touch with a group and help you plan your trip.

Areas to Visit

Once you have decided how you will travel, you will need to decide where you want to go on your holiday cruise. When you charter sailing yacht in Greece, the company will help you set your itinerary. The Ionian Sea offers seven islands: Paxos, Antipaxos, Corfu, Ithaca, Lefkas, Zakynthos and Kafalonia. There is plenty to explore in this area that ranges 180 nautical miles from the northern to southern islands.

The Ionian boasts beautiful weather and excellent wind conditions for smooth sailing. The islands offer beautiful beaches and lush vegetation. For evening, there are lively ports bustling with activity and night life. Your crew will help you find activities that interest you and assist in making reservations.

You may prefer to sail the Aegean. The Greek Cyclades Islands consist of fifteen islands in the Aegean. Your charter company will help you set an itinerary and decide which islands to visit. The beautiful waters of the Aegean offer great sailing. The summers are cool and the winters are mild. There is a good mixture of villages and country side to visit on your trip.

Choosing a Company for Mediterranean Yacht Charters

You can either book your trip through the charter company or through a charter broker. The fees for a broker are paid by the charter company. In either case, look for a reputable company that has been in business for ten years or more. Brokers deal with charters in Europe, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. A good broker will be familiar with the charter companies and the ships. Ask for references from people who have travelled with the company in the past.

Bianca Bartegi publishes often to the information source at http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com. She writes about mediterranean yacht charters.

Experience The High Life With Luxury Yacht Charters

2008-02-06T02:16:00.000-08:00

A vacation is something that we all look forward to in order to enjoy some rest and relaxation, and some serious time out from the hustle and bustle of every day life. However, all too often we find the destination to which we travel overcrowded with other tourists, which means that we often end up taking the hustle and bustle of normal life with us on vacation. When you opt for luxury yacht charters you can rest assured that you will have the ideal vacation, combining the rest and relaxation that you crave with the opportunity to see some spectacular sights and enjoy a wide range of excitement. With luxury yacht charters you can cruise the seas and soak up the sunshine, and you can still dock and visit the places you wish safe in the knowledge that you can return to the peace and tranquillity of your own yacht when you are ready to do so. This is fast becoming a popular way to enjoy the ultimate vacation, and whether you are planning to take a loved one on a romantic trip or whether you are planning a family vacation, this is the ideal solution to a once in a lifetime holiday to remember.

See some of the most spectacular places in the world with yacht charters

When you decide to charter a yacht for your vacation you can select from a range of destinations, giving you the choice of visiting some of the most spectacular and beautiful places imaginable. From Greece and the Mediterranean to Miami and the Virgin Islands, you can enjoy soaking up some serious sunshine aboard your yacht as well as enjoying excitement and adventure in some fabulous destinations. You will find a range of different vessels to select from when you wish to charter a yacht or boat, from the fabulous mega yacht to a sailboat charter. You can also select from bareboat for those that do not require a crewed vessel, or you can opt for crewed yacht charters depending on your needs. With so much choice in terms of vessels, prices, and crewing options, you can kick back and enjoy the perfect vacation when you decide to charter a yacht or boat for your next holiday.

You can find great deals on luxury yacht sales online

If you are interested in luxury yacht sales you will find a great choice and some excellent deals when you go online. You can enjoy a choice of vessels from highly respected manufacturers in this field, such as Feadship, Lurssen, and Palmer Johnson. The cost of the vessels can vary, which means that you can find something that fits in with your budget as well as your needs. You will be able to enjoy exploring some of the most incredible destinations in the world with your known yacht, and you can enjoy the most fabulous vacation whenever you wish. The freedom and exhilaration that comes from this type of vacation cannot be understated, and when you take advantage of affordable vessels such as those you can find online you can enjoy this freedom and the beauty of some incredibly exotic destinations whenever you want. Clinton Maxwell publishes many news to the information source at http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com. The publisher is also publishing on issues like luxury yacht charters .

Single? Meet and Greet on a Yacht!

2008-02-05T02:44:00.000-08:00

If sailing's your thing, just because you're single doesn't mean you have to miss out on some of the world's greatest excursions! You can book a cruise with an agency or a cruise ship, which organizes all the activities, on-board meals, and other amenities. There are a plethora of packages from which to choose, so there's a "matchmaking" cruise on a sailboat or yacht for anyone!

Also, the entire yacht will not be comprised of only single people. Some couples like to join in on the fun, too, but one thing's for sure: you won't have to contend with any families, or the pitter-patter of children's noisy feet running around to disrupt the "mood."

Most cruise yachts catering to singles tours carry from 250 to 400 people, reserving a block of cabins for the groups of singles and the "couple's groups." However, some yachts and cruise ships can carry up to 2,000. You'll have no trouble finding the right number of people for your individual preference.

You'll have a blast sailing the ocean blue while your hosts schedule the parties, games, lectures, pool parties, and nightly get-togethers that'll keep you entertained. These tour guides specialize in this kind of cruise, so they're very experienced and not apt to seat a 24-year-old free-wheelin' single gal from Pittsburgh next to a 55-year-old male librarian from Santa Fe.

There's usually a yacht online message board where you can start "chatting" with your sailing mates before actually meeting, if you'd prefer. And, some agencies organize a special "meet and greet" before the cruise so you can get to know your travel partners ahead of time.

And there's also variety: you'll never find a "typical" cruise; unless you're signing on for a very specific type of cruise, i.e., "Vegans Only," you'll meet singles from all walks of life, involved in all kinds of trades and professions. And many will be returning to reunite with friends they made on their last trip; maybe you'll be next!

Traveling alone has never been so much fun! Just think "yachting" for this year's upcoming vacation, and you're guaranteed to meet new people; maybe even a special someone. So whatever your tastes, interests, or age, there's a sailing adventure waiting - just for you!

David is the founder and owner of multiple online boating and sailing resources. For more information on sailboats, yachts or other sailing topics, feel free to visit http://theoceansailingguide.com

Enjoy The Luxury Of A Crewed Yacht Charter

2008-02-04T01:58:00.001-08:00

Imagine a vacation where you could really kick back and relax, without the worry of hordes of tourists making you feel like you are back in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. An increasingly popular way to travel and experience peace and tranquillity combined with excitement and adventure when you want it is to charter a yacht, where you can enjoy the luxury of relaxing and soaking up the sunshine as you cruise the waters combined with visiting some truly exciting destinations when you are ready for a little excitement. You can enjoy avoiding the often stressful experience of staying in an overcrowded hotel on your trip, and instead you can really relax on your own vessel leaving the throngs of other tourists and visitors behind. When you charter a yacht you can opt for bareboat, where you have a totally unscrewed vessel, or you can select a partially or fully crewed yacht charter. When you go for a vessel with a crew, you can look forward to the ultimate in relaxation and luxury, as the trained and experienced crew ensure that your trip is everything you hoped it would be.
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Enjoy a wide choice of destinations when you charter a crewed vessel
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When you decide to hire a boat or yacht for your holiday the possibilities are limitless when it comes to your choice of destination. You can select from all sorts of fabulous areas, from Europe and the Mediterranean to the Bahamas, Miami, and the Caribbean. By opting to have a crew on board you can look forward to some real relaxation without having to worry about the vessel. You can simply lie back and soak up the sunshine in some far flung destination whilst enjoying quality time with your loved ones. Whether you are on a family holiday or whether you have taken someone special away for a romantic experience you will find that having experienced and friendly staff on board can make all the difference when it comes to making the most of your time and your holiday. Wherever you decide to go when you rent a yacht you will be thrilled by the peace and tranquillity you experience whilst the beautiful waters lap around you and the golden sunshine beats down on your very own vessel.
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Go for full or partial staffing on your yacht to make it the perfect holiday
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You can tailor make your holiday when you oft for a staffed yacht simply be selecting how many and what type of staff member you want or need on board. You can pt for a fully or partially staffed vessel, which means that you can get the assistance where you need it without the need to feel as though the yacht will start to get a little overcrowded. Whether you simply want a captain aboard to get you around the areas you wish to visit or whether you want all the bells and whistles with cooks, maids, and other staff members, the choice is yours. Erica Bosworth writes articles for http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com . She is helping people finding the best solutions for crewed yacht charter.

How to buy a Cruising Catamaran -Voyage Yachts

2008-02-02T01:04:00.000-08:00

Who are Voyage Charters?

VOYAGE is comprised of VOYAGE yachts and VOYAGE charters. VOYAGE charters international are commonly accepted as the premier provider of Five star Crewed, BareBoat and cabin only cruises. VOYAGE operates in the British Virgin Islands and Spanish Balearic Islands only chartering catamarans built by VOYAGE yachts. VOYAGE is in constant search for new and unique experiences, coupled with quality and personalized service.

In 2002 VOYAGE yachts won best multihull and best overall boat of the year for the VOYAGE 440 and in 2003 VOYAGE yachts again won best multihull for the VOYAGE 580.

Why Choose Voyage Charters?

Best value - Offering quality premier catamarans for an incomparable price. Best Personal service - We care and know our yachts inside and out. Best catamarans - Multiple award winning catamarans

Benefits of Purchasing your Personal Yacht? The VOYAGE charters program gives you the opportunity to own a prestigious STEALTH yacht, the revolutionary hydrofoil assisted leisure catamaran. Our catamarans will not only give you pride of yacht ownership, but also the pleasure of cruising the world without the expense and stress of private ownership.Sunny Hoggard expert Sailing. Have written many articles for renowned sailing adventures and technicalities involved

The Luxury Of Traveling With Yacht Charter Companies

2008-01-31T23:27:00.001-08:00

Planning Your Luxury Trip

With your budget in mind, it is easy to plan a chartered yacht vacation. Companies often have a fleet of sailing vessels that can accommodate parties of various sizes. You may want to make it a more intimate trip with only close family. There are charters that can be rented for as few as two people. These include either a sailboat or motorboat and can come with or without a crew and captain to sail the ship for you. If you choose not to hire a crew, you will have to show that you are knowledgeable of sailing and can handle the ship competently.

The next part of planning is to determine your starting and ending ports. This could be a place close to home and sail in one area or start and finish at two different ports. Generally, starting and stopping in the same port will save you money and is usually more convenient.

You can also fly to a destination far from home and then sail another exotic sea. There are luxury yacht charter companies that cruise the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas or around Alaska, the Panama Canal, or anyplace you can imagine.

Determining the type of cruise is another aspect of planning a chartered yachting trip. You can have as little or many crew members as the ship will hold. A captain takes all the worries out of navigating and onboard housekeeping services make it a real vacation that rivals the finest hotel services. You can also choose to have a chef and service crew as part of your vacation package.

If you like the idea of knowing what it is really like to sail, but don?t want to risk safety, you can charter a sailing cruise that puts you in the role of deck hand. A competent crew will direct you as to your ?chores? for keeping the ship in top shape and on course.

Destinations & Ports of important Charter Companies

One of the greatest benefits of choosing a chartered cruise as a vacation is the choice. You will most likely have a rough itinerary and that can be affected by weather. However, you are flexible in deciding how long you want to stay in a particular port and if you want to add or subtract stops along the way.

Your yacht is your hotel that travels with you. There is only one flight and one hotel to book! Then you take all of your luggage and unpack it just once to enjoy several days of new destinations.

If you have never experienced cruising before, a chartered experience is a great way to get your feet wet. It is different from cruise lines with thousands of guests because the people on your ship will be your friends and family. The personal touches of a chartered trip will help you develop your love for the sea with all the best benefits of commercial cruises.

Clinton Maxwell distributes very often to the spezialised website http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com . Amongst his works he is trying to help people on topics around http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com/yacht-charter-companies.html and sailboat charter.

Which type of Yacht Charter suits you?

2008-01-31T23:26:00.001-08:00

Chartering a boat is a good way to sail without the expense of owning your own boat. If you can't spend more than a few weeks a year sailing and few people can the the option of chartering is definitely worth serious consideration. It also provides the opportunity to sail different boats in varied and far off locations. Choose between sail and power. Get the right boat in terms of size dependent on the number of people chartering and the depth of your pocket.

Apart from the choice of the type of boat, size and cost there are various types of charter packages available and this article takes a closer look at what is on offer.

Flotilla Sailing - A great way to get started for those with an bit of an independent streak. And the social scene is can be something else. The flotilla usually comprises of 8/10 boats, one of which, referred to as the lead boat, carries a skipper, hostess and an engineer. The skipper will be responsible for ensuring that the guests on the other boats in the flotilla have the navigational skills and boat handling/seamanship skills required providing help and advice where required. The hostess will organise the social events - meals out in the evening, lunchtime barbecues and the famous last night party. The engineer is there to repair the boats while the holiday makers will do their best to break things as they learn to sail. My initial impression of this type of charter was that the whole thing would be a bit regimented with all the boats in the flotilla following the lead boat like ducklings do a duck. This is far from what happens in practice. The day begins with the skipper of the lead boat carrying out a briefing giving the destination you will be expected to make for during the day and any navigational considerations along the way and then you're pretty much on your own. The next time you see the lead boat will be at that evenings destination where the crew will be waiting to assist you with berthing. A great way to sail in company with the reassurance that experienced help is never more than a VHF call away.

Skippered Charter - Perhaps you're a bit short of experience or don't want the responsibility of managing the boat or the navigation. As the name suggests you charter the boat and the skipper comes with it. You're expected to make up the numbers of the crew but all the responsibility is with the skipper. In practice the level of involvement of the charterers is down to them. Most skippers are flexible enough to allow the customers as much involvement as they wish.

Crewed Charter - You get the boat, the skipper and crew and a good cook. This tends to be an expensive way to charter, you have to pay the wages of the crew and because you are carrying more people the boat is bigger and costs more to charter. But if your idea of sailing is sitting in the sun drinking a gin and tonic watching others do the work then this is for you. Most skippers won't stop you getting involved with the sailing of the boat if you want to but if you're wanting a more hands on experience consider an alternative form of charter.

Bareboat Charter - The ultimate freedom. All you get is the boat and a briefing when you collect the boat at the start of the charter. This briefing should include safety on board, a look at the way the various systems work on the boat and some local knowledge of the proposed cruising area. Then it's down to you. Before taking a bareboat charter you should have some basics of navigation and seamanship, the level of this knowledge in some part determined by the proposed cruising area. You will, for example, need more experience for a two week charter in the Channel Islands, just of the coast of France in the English channel, with its 5 metre tides and numerous rocks and shoals lying just beneath the surface than is required for an Ionian charter in Greece. No tides, very little to bump into in terms of hidden rocks and most of the sailing between islands is by line of site.

Corporate Sailing - Many yacht charter companies offer what is known as corporate charter. The boat will be chartered by a company or organisation and used for team building, an employee incentive reward or entertaining customers. A comparatively recent innovation is to offer the yacht for hen/stag parties. People chartering a boat for this any of these purposes can expect it to come with skipper and crew.

More information about chartering can be found here To find companies offering charter boats in your chosen area visit the Marine Directory

Ken Jones runs two websites. A Spanish Travel Guide which includes a commercial directory wth extensive listings for hotels, hostals and pensions, property for rent and sale. And a Sailing Site which features

The Luxury Of Traveling With Yacht Charter Companies

2008-01-30T00:11:00.000-08:00

Luxury is something everyone deserves from time to time. Such an indulgence can make a vacation a truly rejuvenating experience. One of the best ways to get the luxury of the rich and famous to fit into your budget can be yours through yacht charter companies. These companies specialize in creating custom sailing vacations that redefine travel.

Planning Your Luxury Trip

With your budget in mind, it is easy to plan a chartered yacht vacation. Companies often have a fleet of sailing vessels that can accommodate parties of various sizes. You may want to make it a more intimate trip with only close family. There are charters that can be rented for as few as two people. These include either a sailboat or motorboat and can come with or without a crew and captain to sail the ship for you. If you choose not to hire a crew, you will have to show that you are knowledgeable of sailing and can handle the ship competently.

The next part of planning is to determine your starting and ending ports. This could be a place close to home and sail in one area or start and finish at two different ports. Generally, starting and stopping in the same port will save you money and is usually more convenient.

You can also fly to a destination far from home and then sail another exotic sea. There are luxury yacht charter companies that cruise the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas or around Alaska, the Panama Canal, or anyplace you can imagine.

Determining the type of cruise is another aspect of planning a chartered yachting trip. You can have as little or many crew members as the ship will hold. A captain takes all the worries out of navigating and onboard housekeeping services make it a real vacation that rivals the finest hotel services. You can also choose to have a chef and service crew as part of your vacation package.

If you like the idea of knowing what it is really like to sail, but don?t want to risk safety, you can charter a sailing cruise that puts you in the role of deck hand. A competent crew will direct you as to your ?chores? for keeping the ship in top shape and on course.

Destinations & Ports of important Charter Companies

One of the greatest benefits of choosing a chartered cruise as a vacation is the choice. You will most likely have a rough itinerary and that can be affected by weather. However, you are flexible in deciding how long you want to stay in a particular port and if you want to add or subtract stops along the way.

Your yacht is your hotel that travels with you. There is only one flight and one hotel to book! Then you take all of your luggage and unpack it just once to enjoy several days of new destinations.

If you have never experienced cruising before, a chartered experience is a great way to get your feet wet. It is different from cruise lines with thousands of guests because the people on your ship will be your friends and family. The personal touches of a chartered trip will help you develop your love for the sea with all the best benefits of commercial cruises.Clinton Maxwell writes often for http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com . He helps people finding yacht charter companies and sailboat charter.

Beachfront Villas, Yachts, All-Inclusive Packages Make Great Caribbean Vacations

2008-01-30T00:10:00.000-08:00

The Caribbean, also known as the West Indies, is the common term given to a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. Located from the southeastern areas of Mexico to the northwest of Venezuela in South America, these Islands are organized into 25 territories including sovereign states, overseas departments, and dependencies. There are at least 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cayes in the whole Caribbean region.

Because of their location and their natural beauty, the islands in the Caribbean region have become favorites to tourists, due to the many things they offer like style, seclusion, niche gifts, and nightlife.

Planning a trip to the Caribbean soon? Read the tips below to make the most of your vacation.

Rent or buy a beachfront villa If you have the money, the best way to totally enjoy the Caribbean is to rent or buy a Caribbean villa. The prices of Caribbean villas range from the cheap to the outrageously expensive. The prices depend in the location but almost all villas are beautiful.

In general, beachfront villas in the Bahamas area are expensive while beachfront property in the Dominican Republic is more affordable. Both locations are beautiful but the Bahamas is frequented by significantly more tourists than the Dominican Republic.

IF you are planning to stay for just a few days or a few weeks, it is highly advisable that you rent a beachfront villa instead of staying in a hotel. There are many advantages to doing it this way. It is more private and beautiful than a crowded hotel. Another advantage of a rented beachfront villa is the fact that you can cook your own meal there. In a hotel your choices are to all meals, in a restaurant. You can even hire someone to cook for you in a beachfront villa.

Rent a Caribbean Island But if you want to have a really perfect Caribbean vacation then rent a whole Caribbean Island for yourself or for you and your friends or family. That's right! You can rent a whole Island in the Caribbean. You can truly live like a king on the island because it comes with staff and everything you need to spend a luxurious vacation. Renting a whole Caribbean island is also a very nice idea for a wedding or any party.

Charter a Yacht If the island is too much activity for your tastes, you could just charter a luxury yacht. There are many Caribbean yacht providers that will surely be able to meet your needs and budget.

Get in touch with a Caribbean holiday specialist Of course you can simply go online and start searching and learn everything there is to do in the Caribbean and the places to go when you get there. But it is definitely a lot easier to simply employ a Caribbean holiday specialist to help you plan the perfect Caribbean vacation. Getting the services of a Caribbean holiday specialist will save you a lot of time and energy. You could also save money with this method because they know different discounts and preferred rates. They have insight and knowledge and many years experience booking Caribbean vacations so you don't have to do serious work and effort to plan the vacation yourself.

David Arnold Livingston loves to travel with his family
and a favorite spot for vacation is the Caribbean.
As a resource, he recommends: Ultra Kool Caribbean

EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF ALASKA WITH YACHT CHARTER

2008-01-28T03:27:00.001-08:00

INTRODUCTION:

People explore the wonders of Alaska in their voyages with Yacht charters for fishing, glacier viewing, whale watching and exploration into remarkable places of Alaska such as Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords. Yacht charter groups are created with the idea of allowing people to truly experience the indescribable beauty, magnificent wildlife and fishing activities of Alaska's wonders with the comfort of a yacht built exclusively for such purposes.

Yacht charters help you to relax with comfort and make you enjoy the local entertainment including humpback whales, porpoises and sea otters and breath-taking vistas, awful tide water glaciers, etc. Yacht charters help you to spend your carefree days with friends and family with fishing experiences and other joys.

CRUISING AREAS WITH YACHT CHARTERS:

Alaska is one of the few places filled with miles and miles of untamed wilderness. Prince William Sound is one of the crown jewels of Alaska. This place is an expansive area of spectacular features with rugged shorelines and comprises the Pacific and North American plates in the famous "ring of fire" and has a long history sixty million years ago. A journey into the sound is almost like exploring a veritable labyrinth of deep-water fjords, islands, bays, passageways, estuaries decorated with cascading waterfalls and dazzling wildlife .

A journey to this place with the yacht charter energizes and enchants the visitors with its unique features and call people back to marvel the beauty and bounty again and again. Kenai Fjords National Park is another place in Alaska where voyagers should never miss to enjoy glacier carved valleys filled with ice glaciers and earth's most powerful natural forces has worked to create truly magnificent national treasure.

One of the striking features of this place is the Harding Ice field, which is the source of over 30 named glaciers. It has awe-inspiring landscapes with the beauty to enjoy the wildlife.

Seward is the other striking area of exploration. It's extremely charming and picturesque and is most well known for its outstanding small boat harbor and its location in the head of resurrection bay with abundant wildlife viewing and magnanimous fishing opportunism for the voyagers to enjoy this very special marine paradise.

YACHT:

Yacht charters design the yacht with a sharp bow to cut the water for a stable ride. The interior of the Yacht is designed with space and enables the voyagers to fulfill their satisfaction with family and friends. The heavy-duty generator in the yacht also allows full galley with household appliances to fulfill the needs of day-to-day life. Experienced owners chartering in Alaska designed such exclusive yachts especially to the voyagers to feel comfort throughout their voyage.

YACHT CHARTER INFORMATION:

This helps us know about the information regarding the Yacht charter groups. This gives the knowledge about Yacht, Fishing licenses and crew gratitude's. Reservation, Insurance and Yacht costs are the other aspects to be considered.

YACHTING:

Yachting towards a small iceberg makes the voyagers to open their mouth wide to enjoy the reality of yachting. The gently rocking and floating on the placid looking blue waters captures the hearts of the travelers to fantasies. Gorgeous water waves lined with the beauty of Alaska's wonder anchors deeper in the hearts of the voyagers. Yachting helps us to have a better look at lounging harbor seals and a pod of humpback whales that stayed busy feeding for hours together. Such different experiences make the voyagers freeze and enjoy the adventures, which make them, feel enriched with new joy through sealift.

START TO EXPLORE NOW:

Its fortunate to have yacht charters to help the voyagers to enjoy the wonders of Alaska through Yachting. The voyagers are respected with their thoughts to spend their holidays in a different way with the chartering crew. The yacht charters guide their voyagers throughout their journey with all kinds of information's and entertainments to make them feel a different world.

Yacht charters also bring the voyagers with true comfort and safety and fulfill your dreams that will last for a lifetime to be passed to the future generation to enjoy and explore the wonders of Alaska.

Reena Madhu is a SEO copywriter for internationalyachtchartergroup.com,She has written many articles in various topics.For more information visit http://www.internationalyachtchartergroup.com.
She can be reached at reenaamadhu@gmail.com

DISCOVER THE JOY OF YACHT CHARTER

2008-01-23T03:28:00.000-08:00

YACHT CHARTERING - AN INTODUCTION:

Today for most of the people, sailing is a recreational activity, pursued with the joy of being on water and to experience the fresh breeze of the sea wind, beautiful landscapes off shores to fulfill their joy of the holidays with unforgettable experiences of nature. Recreational sailing is further divided into racing, cruising, day sailing, yachting, etc.; Yachting is a non-commerce boating activity. It may be racing on sailing boats, cruising to distant shores or day sailing along a coast.

Yacht chartering has become the lifestyle for people in western countries who consider yacht charter as one of the best ways to spend their money on holiday rides off the sea. Yachting could be a trip to the other side of the bay or across the oceans through islands where people hire yachts from the yacht charter company to enjoy their holiday trips for days together or even for more than a month.

YACHT CHARTER COMPANIES:

The companies that provide yachts for charter and usually for people who come for their holiday trip to sea shore resorts. They provide various types of motor yachts and luxury yachts to travel various coastal, island destinations, which are usually considered as the vocational activity. The flexibility of the yacht charter companies offers surprisingly excellent value for money often working out cheaper for booking best yachts especially designed to accommodate good number of people going for a holiday tour.

In the U.K, a system of association is run by the Royal Yachting Association which includes a range of courses both theoretical and practical for yacht charter companies covering all the activities of sailing and yachting.

SERVICE OF YACHT CHARTER GROUPS:

They have experts with marketing skills, industry knowledge and innovative of getting through the clients from various parts of the world. Most of the clients typically spend between 4-8 weeks of the year on board on their own yacht. Some of the clients may not use their yacht at all and regard it solely as an investment while others allow the yacht to be charted for a limited period of time.

On peak seasons where the hot spots of recreation land upon is the time for the charter management process to set a good hand with the clients to fulfill their affairs of yachting.

EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF SEA THROUGH YACHTING:

Yachting enables one to enjoy the fun of the sea breeze with excellence in the enjoyment of sailing through all phases on a sailing yacht boat and charter a yacht for holiday vacation sailing . To explore the beauty of the sea, oceans or landscapes off the shores the yacht charter agencies offer modern traditional yachts. It offers many possibilities of unforgettable sailing trips and luxuries through the course of yachting.

Leading yacht and boat charter companies offer every conceivable crafts for hire. They provide spacious fully serviced yachts of all available sizes to accommodate any number of persons for a day, month or even a year. Nowadays, the yacht charters have developed modern yacht to accommodate small groups or 55 couple with voyages in the Mediterranean and Caribbean . They provide all services of a perfect yacht ride and satisfy the voyagers to fulfill their pleasures of sea ride.

LUXURY YACHTS:

Luxury crewed super yacht charter offer sailing boats for sailing vacations and holidays . Luxury yacht provide elegance and style with exclusive hotels and other facilities with professional and friendly service with ultimate freedom to the clients. There are numerous sources for the clients to book their journey through the yacht charter companies who offer exclusive ranges of yacht preferred by the clients.

START YOUR YACHTING NOW:

Don't miss the chance to enjoy the pleasure and joy of sea life during seasons. Most of the yacht charter concerns have remarkable yacht ships offered with utmost care and concern to the riders. Charter managers have experts in every aspect of charter management who take a very personal care in every approach of each yacht.

They always have a close relationship with their riders through the captain to form a link between them throughout their journey through yachting. Yacht charter vacations are fast becoming a popular way to enjoy spectacular sceneries, brilliant services and to explore the exotic coastlines and sports in all style and comfort with full enjoyment for the riders.

The Need for Well-Trained Yacht Crews

2008-01-19T03:12:00.000-08:00

The safest and most convenient yacht charters are on board yachts that have a well-trained, experienced crew. One just leaves to the crew all the worries about the handling and safety of the yacht and about catering to your needs. If you want a tension-free, hassle-free dream vacation on the sea, go for crewed yacht charter.

Since you do not assume any responsibility or liability for the vessel, there is no security deposit required for chartering a yacht. Additionally, you will get all the comforts and extras such as air conditioning, TV/VCR, cameras, GPS, water toys, if you opt for a crewed yacht, which you won't get if you go for a bareboat charter.

Moreover, if you go for a bareboat charter, you need to either hire the services of a professional captain or hold the necessary license to handle the yacht. Besides, you need to also handle your cooking while navigating.

Prices for a crewed charter start at $1,050 per person per week for a better yacht with better equipment and gourmet cuisine served to you just as it is in the world's finest restaurants.

The crew tends to the yacht and the guests. They help you to plan your itinerary, prepare your land excursions, prepare and serve your meals and drinks, show you the best places for anchoring, snorkeling and swimming and introduce you to finer yacht handling. These are the advantages of crewed yacht charter you cannot find in bareboat charter.

Yacht Charters Info provides detailed information about yacht charters, including Caribbean and Mediterranean yacht charters, as well as luxury, crewed, motor, private, and corporate yacht charters. Yacht Charters Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink

Vacationing Aboard Mega Yacht Charters

2008-01-19T03:04:00.000-08:00

More than your average sailboat, mega yacht charters offer all the luxury of a five star hotel, more room than most city apartments around the world, and the freedom to go where you want without having to pack and unpack at every stop. In addition, mega yacht charters come fully staffed if you so desire making this one vacation you won?t need another vacation to recover from!

The Secrets to Affordable Yachting

Mega yacht excursion can run the gamut of prices. Some fully-loaded and staffed luxury yachts can cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single week. So how can the average person afford such luxury? The key is to make it a family affair, choose the right destinations, and time things to get the best rates. If you are willing to do some of the cooking, cleaning, and even sailing responsibilities yourself, you will find it even easier to afford a vacation at sea.

Most luxury motorboat vessels can accommodate dozens of people. If you have a large extended family or close friends that you enjoy travelling with then it?s easy to share the expense and make an affordable week-long trip. With six sleeping cabins, for example, you can accommodate up to six separate families. If the week?s voyage runs about $30,000 (an easy to find fare) then each family is only spending $5,000 for a week of luxury and exciting site seeing. You can hardly get into the Disney theme parks with a family of four for that!

Another way to cut costs is to choose a destination that is more contained. A trip through the Bahamas or Caribbean Islands will be more affordable than an excursion that spans the seas from one continent to another. Three or four days on this kind of cruise is easy to travel and visit many different ports representing several countries.

If you don?t hire a cook or cleaning crew, you can save on the rent as well. A trip from Miami to the Bahamas is short enough that you will not have to worry about major cleaning and can save money on housekeeping services.

The Advantages of Private Cruising

Mega yacht charters are unlike regular cruise ships. On commercial cruises there is a social element many people enjoy, but the private cruising really puts you in the captain?s chair. A professional captain does the navigating of course, but you are in charge of the destinations. You choose when you will depart and how long you will stay.

In addition to choosing the itinerary you also get to decide who will be seated next to you at dinner since a chartered cruise has only your invited guests. You can even choose the menu and select the wine, and when the day is done, you retire to a suite as luxurious as those found in the finest hotels.

Private quarters on a mega yacht charter means you won?t have to worry about lugging a suitcase from one vacation spot to the next. Your room goes with you everywhere! Most yachts of this calliper also have full sized baths, exercise facilities and several parlours for evening entertaining that never has to end.

Charles Mohaney writes frequently for http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com/mega-yacht-charters.htm. He is working on yacht and sailing topics.

Monaco Yachts

2008-01-19T03:03:00.001-08:00

by: Laura Ciocan

Sea and rich people: where else to find a better combination than in Monaco! A real yacht parade can be admired throughout the year in the Hercule Port besides the local yearly yachting events. From imposant, big-sized ones to neat, small, jewel yachts. If you are a yachting amateur or if you are hardly interested in the matter (as I was before seeing this impressive display) you will find something to like here.

There is a restraint, exclusivist rich group that has a thing for yachting, mainly because they can afford to! You and I, we both know that we'd like to own even a small, "unpretentiuos" sailboat, don't we? And have at least once dreamed to relax on the deck of a luxury yacht in Monaco. But, hey, who needs a yacht in a so busy world? Do we wake up in the morning with nothing better to do than dress in white completely (maybe some blue too), have our cafe au lait (maybe a croissant also if not on diet) and go to the quay ordering around the employees to rub up better that side? We certainly don't! If you say you do, that's another story!

What better place (and object) for a competition: who has the bigger, more expensive model, envies arise, disputes start... Shirley Bassey reportedley complained of the big size of "Le Grand Bleu" belonging to the Russian billionaire Abramovich. The yacht appearantly spoiled the view on the port of her uphill apartment. Well, what else would you like rich people to do?...

Besides occasional cruises and constant care some rich peolpe find a practical use to their yachts: some rent them, others live there. Owning a yacht can be extremely useful if you are a tax exile, especially UK citizens who live in Monaco but work in the UK. Renting is very profitable, especially during holidays season or when big events happen in Monaco: prices go from EUR25,000 per week to EUR365,000 per week, depending on the size and facilities.

Some of world's famous yachts rest in the waters of the bay. Some of them are so big that they have helicopters on their top decks. Among worlds' 100 largest yachts are:

Octopus - owned by Paul Allen, the Microsoft cofounder;
Tatoosh - owned also by Paul Allen;
Atlantis II - owned by the Niarchos family, descendants of Onassis rival Stavros;
Le Grand Bleu - owned by the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich;
Delphine - owned by the American car magnate Horace Dodge;
Montkaj - owned by Prince Mohammed bin Fahd, son of Saudi Arabias King Fahd.

Following its policy of capitalisation of all (though scarce) natural resource, the Principality quickly became aware of the potential of the Hercules Bay and started a yachting tradition. There is a Yacht Club founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and it was all along supported by himself and his son Albert, who is also its President. The Yacht Club de Monaco gained international fame attracting worlds' greatest names in sailing to came and do battle on the Monegasque waters.

Naturally, there are also prestigious yachting events of international interest, excellent opportunities for yacht owners all over the world to show off. There is Primo Cup Trophe Credit Suisse, Challenge Inter-Banques, Monaco Classic Week, Fte de la Mer, Rgates Corporatives, Monaco Yacht Show. The events are organised with the support of H.S.H. Prince Albert I and of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III. All of these events have display and competitions parts, except for Monaco Yacht Show which is the greatest in-water yacht exhibition in Europe, without competitions show.

So, rich or less rich, you can enjoy for free at least a great show if you happen to be in Monaco at the right time. Welcome aboard!

Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.ilovemontecarlo.com/ where you can find all you want to know about living in Monaco

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:lauracio@gmail.com.

Yacht and Ship Registration in the Isle of Man

2008-01-18T03:24:00.001-08:00

The maritime history of the Isle of Man dates from the eighteenth century and the Island is recognised internationally as an efficient and well- run centre for both registration and management. It was ranked third in the world by Port State Authority in September 2004.

The Marine Administration was established in 1984 and offers 24 hour cover for both yacht and ship owners. Local legislation has also been amended to adopt the Megayacht code and enable commercial yachts exceeding 24 metres to be registered on the Island.

Benefits of registering a vessel on the Isle of Man include

A zero rate of tax for shipping related activities
No annual tonnage dues
A low registration fee
Attractive VAT arrangements
Security of mortgages registered on the Island
A Demise Charter Register, both in and out
British Flag and support of British Consular services
Flexibility in the requirements for registered owners including limited partnerships

Merchant ships to be registered in the Isle of Man should be registered with one of the approved Classification Societies and it is a requirement that functions of effective management are undertaken by a ship management company, resident in the Isle of Man, having responsibility for the ship.

The Isle of Man recognises the following Classification Societies

Lloyds Register of Shipping
Germanischer Lloyd
Bureau Veritas
Det Norske Veritas
American Bureau of Shipping
Registro Italiano Navale
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai

Registration

Owners have the option of registering either on the main register or on the Demise (Bareboat) Charter Register.

The registration process is in two main steps

Incorporation of a company on the Isle of Man. There are no nationality restrictions on the ownership of shipping companies.
Registering the vessel. The majority interest in the vessel must be owned by one of the following,

A company incorporated in the Isle of Man and having its principal place of business within the Island
A company incorporated in the U.K. Channel Islands, any British Dependant Territory, or in a Member State of the E.U. or E.E.A. and having its principal place of business in one of those territories
Limited Partnerships established and registered in the Isle of Man

The Chesterfield Group provides a full range of trustee, and corporate advisory, formation and management services and invites enquiries. More particulars can be found on our web-site www.chesterfield-management.com

Choose the best boat or yacht at our online auction

2008-01-18T03:22:00.002-08:00

The best way to enjoy a water escapade is to buy your own boat. Boat or yacht auctions is just the kind of place for you to pick up a boat or yacht of your choice at down to earth prices! A whole range of boat parts, hardware, accessories, electronics and instruments are also on offer on boat parts auctions!

But buying a boat or yacht at online auction also requires some careful planning so as to ensure that you get the best deal available. Here we provide you some useful tips that may help you in choosing the best boat or yacht at our online auction!

Tips for buying boats at boat auctions

Online boat auctions offer a wide range of boats, yachts and watercrafts and so some experienced opinion would help you make the right choice. If you're a first time buyer, we suggest you engage a professional boat surveyor to help you - not only to assess the boat you're interested in, but also to decide what sort of boat is most appropriate for your needs.
For instance, do you need the boat primarily for your own use, i.e. fishing boat or cruising, or will do you plan to take your family members out in it too? Then make sure you dont end up with a boat too small for your familys needs or one too big for just one person! Be sure to think about what is really important to you and those around you.
Most used boats for sale online need some work done on them and it is better you do some research beforehand, study some boats preferably in the company of someone experienced, to assess what work is required and how much it would cost additionally. You will be amazed to find how this would help you avoid putting money in boats with problems you cant fix.

Examine carefully the equipment and safety items in the boat whether they are in good condition or would it cost a fortune to have them replaced? Sometimes, you may also find a boat has a lot (and we mean a lot) of equipment that doesn't get factored into the sale price. If the equipment's sound, these boats can make great buys.
Online boat auctions offer a wide choice of models. Opt for a popular model, which makes it easier for you to find replacement parts or even resell the boat at a later date. Do a market study on the prices of different models so that you pick the best deal. Boat or yacht auctions try and set a fair market value for goods.
A larger boat will require higher costs to operate, maintain and store it. A general guideline for boat cost is to take the boats monthly payment and double it for estimating your total monthly outlay. A boater is likely to spend that amount due to added cost for gas, insurance, maintenance and mooring or storing the boat. Fortunately, Galleys (cooking, head and sleeping quarters) do qualify in most states for a write off as a second home. Check with your accountant before you buy a boat to see what the tax implications are.

Tips for successful boat auction sales
For conducting successful boat auction sales, we are providing some useful selling tips too!
Boats typically fall into five categories: Fishing Boats, Power Boats, Sailboats, Personal Watercraft and Self powered boats.
Make sure to put up some good photos of your boat in your listing in our online boat auctions. Photos should be exterior side view, rear shot, helm and interior. Buyers wont bid for plain text description of your boat.
Add value to your used boat by mentioning that you are including a radar, fish finder, downriggers etc. These often spur buyers to opt for a used boat rather than a new one.
Put a clean boat for sale and not a filthy one. Its much easier to find buyers for a clean boat.
If your boat has had repairs, list them. It is normal for most used boats to have undergone repairs. Ignoring these will only create suspicion amongst your potential buyers.
Price your boat right! Do a survey on the internet for similar boats to ensure that you dont price yours too high. Moreover, it will help you find out what advantage you have over the others either in price or features.
If your boat is over 5 years old, it is advantageous for you to get a survey done on it before you list it. A survey will help you identify the weak points. This is especially true for Yacht and High Performance boats.
If you are on the hunt to buy your dream boat, yacht or watercraft or any other hardware, parts or accessories, visit Auctions4Wheels.com for some truly affordable online boat auctions. Registration is FREE with this auction site. You can choose to place a bid and if successful you will receive a confirmation message. If your bid fails to outbid the current high bidder you will be offered the option to place a higher bid.

Ben Stewart

Motorcycle Leather: A Purchasing Guide for Leather Motorcycle Apparel Michael TalbertSince the dawn of the age of motorcycling, it was apparent that something was needed to protect the exposed human body from the elements. The natural solution was leather. The leather motorcycle jacket, a style made popular by such movie icons as James Dean and the Fonz, not only serves as a fashion statement, but is an essential piece of equipment to any serious biker for keeping warm, dry, and in one piece. A good riding grade leather jacket combined with motorcycle chaps or leather pants, will act as a second skin between you and the road, and can quite literally save your hide. With all this in mind, lets explore the things to consider when purchasing motorcycle leathers.

The most common material for motorcycle leather is cowhide, chosen for its strength and durability. Buffalo hide, another high quality leather, is made not from the U.S. buffalo, but the water buffalo most commonly found in India and Pakistan. Many leather products come from this part of the world, and the Pakistanis are world renown for their expertise in the manufacturing of leather garments. Whichever type of hide you choose, you must understand the tanning process, and how it adds or detracts from the quality of the leather.

Leather was of course once the skin of an animal, and therefore must go through a tanning process to strengthen it, and to keep it from decomposing. Tanning makes the skin stable and rot proof without sacrificing its structure and strength. The tanning process involves several stages, including the removal of the hair and the outer layer of skin, as well as the fatty part of the flesh. The hide is then stabilized by one of several methods using animal oils, alum, chrome salts or vegetable tanning. How it is actually finished determines the quality, or riding grade, for our purposes.

Types of Leather
To fully understand the types of leather available, one must first know the term grain. The grain is simply the epidermis, or outer layer of the animals skin. While imperfections such as cuts, scars, and scratches will exist, the grain in its natural state has the best fiber strength, and therefore the best durability. The grain also has natural breathability, resulting in greater comfort to the wearer.

Finished Split Leather
The middle or lower section of a hide that has been split into two or more thicknesses. A polymer coating is applied and embossed to mimic grain leather. Finished splits should only be used in low stress applications because they basically have no grain. If the polymer coating is left out it is often used to make suede. Not considered to be riding grade, but can look good nevertheless.

Top Grain
Top grain leather has been sanded to remove scars and imperfections, then sprayed or pasted for a uniform look. The smooth side is where the hair and the natural grain used to be. Top grain is not the same quality as full grain or naked leather, but thicknesses of 1.2-3mm make this type of leather a very strong and durable riding grade material.

Full-Grain and Naked Leather
Full-Grain leather is made from the finest hides, and has not been sanded to remove imperfections. Only the hair has been removed. In the case of Naked Leather, where nothing other than the dye is added; this very soft leather requires no breaking in period. Hides are typically 2mm thick, and must be hand picked for uniformity. The natural full-grain naked leather will wear better than other leather, and will actually improve over the years. This type of leather is the ultimate riding grade; the most sought after, and consequently, the most expensive.

Now that we know what type of leather we want, we must understand the fact that leather is hot, and understand the options that we have for the climate we live in. For winter biking, a jacket with side laces and a belt will allow you to adjust the jacket to fit snugly against the upper body. Of course, being able to fully zip up only adds to your protection from the wind. You can also wear a leather vest underneath your motorcycle jacket for extra warmth. For hot summer days, a leather jacket with air vents allows the air to circulate underneath the jacket and around your body. For an all year round jacket, consider one with a zip or snap out insulated lining.

Leather is not meant to get wet, as that tends to deplete the natural oils, and it is advisable to wear a rain suit over your leathers in inclement weather. However if they do get wet, allow them to dry naturally away from extreme heat. If the leather seems to be losing its luster, it can be oiled to improve its appearance. This supplements the natural oils in the leather itself, which can be washed out through repeated exposure to water. Frequent oiling of leather with mink oil or other commercially available products will keep your leathers supple and improve their lifespan dramatically.

Now that you have found the perfect biker jacket, take care of it, and it will reward you with years of wear. The typical lifetime of a heavy textile jacket will be from 3 to 6 years at the most. A well maintained top quality leather motorcycle jacket will easily give you 10 years and more of riding pleasure!

Michael Talbert is the founder of Florida based Biker Leather Ltd., an online retailer of leather and textile motorcycle apparel. For more information you can visit the web site at http://NakedLeatherBiker.com

Should you keep your old car or buy a new one.Roger CharlesAre you sure you need a new car? I'm sure you want the newest safety features and modern styling that a new car offers. Perhaps you need a larger vehicle to fit your growing family. You probably feel that your old car no longer fits your life. But how about cost?

From an economic perspective, you're better off keeping your old car. It could save you thousands of dollars. Taking better care of your current car may make much more sense in the long run.

You're probably thinking - those repair bills are really adding up. But the cost of repairs will never exceed the cost of a new car. Changing your oil, replacing brakes, belts, and hoses are nothing compared to monthly payments on a new car. Even costly repairs like rebuilding an engine makes good financial sense.

If you've paid off your car, it is still in great shape and needs only a few modest repairs, there's no need to throw it away. Enjoy your freedom from car payments. Enjoy lower annual taxes, insurance rates and license fees on your old car. Buying a new vehicle would mean several years more of monthly principle and interest payments on a loan.

You can feel secure knowing that modern vehicles last longer. Not too many years ago, a vehicle's useful life did not exceed 100,000 miles. Today, many vehicles can breeze right past that 100,000 mile mark with no more than a tune-up, or maybe a new timing chain or fuel pump.

Older cars generally cost more to maintain and are more likely to break down. Repairs can be frustrating and expensive. But on the other hand they're cheaper to own and operate. They lose most of its value in the first five years of their life. Your used vehicle won't depreciate as much, saving you thousands.

Unless you're rolling in cash, I'd say keep your old clunker. Comfort yourself knowing that one day you'll be able to easily afford that costly new ride.

Roger Charles is a successful author and publisher of http://toyota-parts-guide.comA resource for information and tips on buying auto parts and accessories online.

Chartering a Yacht in Greece - Things to Consider

2008-01-18T03:22:00.001-08:00

The sailing season in Greece lasts from March to early November. During the Spring months, the weather during the day varies from cool to warm and is usually cool at night. The sea temperature is not usually suitable for swimming until the middle of May and then you can swim right through to the middle of October. The months of May, June, September and October usually have warm to hot daytime temperatures and pleasant temperatures at night. There are good winds at this time, but they are often variable. In July and August there are stronger winds, particularly in the Cyclades islands. Spring and Autumn are the most popular seasons for yacht chartering in Greece because this is when the climate is most suitable and there are far fewer tourists on the mainland and on the islands, than there are in high Summer.

Deciding on the Type of Charter

There are many options to choose from and when planning your trip you should consider the following questions. How many people will be in your party and will they require single or double berths aboard? Do you require a sailing yacht, a motor yacht or a motorsailer? What level of comfort do you want aboard? Will you require a skipper? If you require a bareboat (i.e. you intend to do the sailing yourself, without skipper or other professional crew aboard), what size of yacht are you experienced in handling? Remember that European regulations, require that two qualified people be aboard. Another option is to sail in a group or flotilla of other boats. These can be a combination of bareboat and skippered yachts, and can provide you with the right balance of educational support and local knowledge.

Length of Trip

In order to get the most out of a yacht charter, the minimum length of trip should be about 7 days. As for the maximum amount of time, that is up to you. Many companies will offer discounts for longer charters. Good charter companies will have lots of local knowledge on the best routes and places to visit, and will work with you to agree an itinerary, which suits your needs. Remember that you do not have to spend all of your time aboard the boat. You could arrange a couple of days at the beginning at the end of your charter to explore the mainland. It is well worth spending at least two or three days in Athens, which unfortunately is often side-stepped by people who visit Greece and head straight for the islands.
Emmanuel Mendonca is the webmaster and publisher of Athens Room at - a free service for finding and advertising property for rent in Athens, with a wealth of information on visiting, living and working in Greece.

Sit Back and Relax on a Crewed Yacht Charter Vacation

2008-01-17T03:32:00.001-08:00

Ever wanted to really put yourself to the test and teach yourself how to sail and guide a yacht? On a crewed yacht charter voyage, you can do just that and more while taking turns at the helm and seeing the sights of your specially planned destination.

Unlike other ocean yachts, a crewed charter yacht vacation allows you to be more independent and make more choices about your trip. For example, youll set your own pace by choosing your itinerary and the activities you prefer, instead of going along with the crowd; you can even decide to go off chart and head in a new direction.

This kind of yacht vacation includes, of course, the boat, its captain and crew, the chef, who will prepare your favorite meals at your request; and a standard bar, with your choice of wines or liqueurs readily available. With all the freedom you want on the wide-open ocean, the price, starting generally around $1300 per person per week, is a really good deal when you consider that everything is set up entirely to suit your preferences.

You can be alone, or you can mingle with the crew. Its all up to you its your own private yachting trip, whether you choose crewed yacht charters on a sailboat, motorboat, or a yacht.

Also, youll need to plan where you want to go, of course! Popular destinations for crewed yacht charters are to the South of France or to the Cannes Film Festival; the Mediterranean; the Caribbean, Alaska, New England, or even Canal Barge Yacht Cruises in France! Closer to home, Florida and the Bahamas are also excellent choices.

Whatever you decide, a crewed yacht charter vacation will be one you and your family or friends will remember for years to come. Pick up a travel brochure, choose a spot, and sail away for a week of pure, hedonistic FUN!

For more information, see www.onlyforyachts.com.

David Dunlap is the owner and founder of Only For Yachts, an online resource for everything related to yachts. Visit http://onlyforyachts.com to get information on yacht charters, yachts for sale and also sign up for the free yachting newsletter.newlink@onlyforyachts.com

Take a Wine-Tasting Tour While Yachting

2008-01-14T02:12:00.000-08:00

Just think of it, the world of opulence and leisure: Youre on a luxury yacht. Youre sailing the ocean blue, not a care in the world. Youre being served a taste of different varietals of fine wines by waiters wearing white gloves and tuxedos with tails. Youre catching the scintillating scent of fresh sea air from your overstuffed chaise lounge on the yachts deck. Strawberries dipped in chocolate and truffles glide by on gleaming sterling-silver trays.

And guess what? Its not a dream! This can really happen to you! A wine-tasting tour on a luxury yacht is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities any true wine connoisseur surely wouldnt want to pass up.

From the bright, sensuously sweet taste of chardonnay to a fuller cabernet blanc (for white wine aficionados) to a full-bodied, cherry-and-oak flavored merlot or pinot noir (for those who favor the reds,), youll enjoy sailing while dreamily sipping succulent wines on a special wine-tasting yacht tour set up to make you feel freshly pampered and safe.

Your yacht captain and crew will be fully trained in specialty tours like this one, and theyll be on hand to cater to your every whim, allowing you to sample wines from all over the world, testing your taste buds to the limit. Youll also learn how different varietals are made, processed, and stored until they reach their best-aged perfection. The delicacy of wine-making will be an education from start to finish, usually complete with a tour through the yachts wine cellar.

Usually, parties of 20 to 50 guests are on board most yachts specializing in wine-tasting, and you can be sure your meals will be well-coordinated to match the wine offerings.

The only questions you need bother answering are where and when you want to take your wine-tasting yachting trip. The Baltic, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean will definitely beckon, while some will want to stay closer to home base, just off the California coast.

For anyone whos ever wanted to book a decadent, theme-packed cruise on a luxury yacht, this just skims the surface of all the indulgent experiences youll remember for years to come and youll likely make several friends who are along for the ride!

For more information, see www.onlyforyachts.com.

newlink@onlyforyachts.com

Buying Your First Yacht

2008-01-14T02:11:00.001-08:00

The Luxury of Your Own Yacht

Not many of us can afford to own a luxurious yacht. Most of us see it as a symbol that someone has made it big financially. If you are someone who expects to make millions of dollars, you've probably been planning on buying a yacht.

It is extremely expensive to buy most yachts. You can expect to pay thousands of dollars, if not millions, if you are looking for a brand new yacht. A luxury yacht can cost more than what most people earn in a lifetime. It is probably far out of our reach to owning a yacht, such as the types that many famous celebrities and socialites own.

There are ways to buy a gorgeous yacht more reasonably. It would mean going without the hot tub, sauna, and bar. A truly workable idea is to buy a yacht with friends, family, or business associates. By sharing the costs, you have a much better chance of attaining your goal.

If you intend on sharing the cost of a yacht with several other people be sure to establish how it will work when two people want to use the yacht at the same time. You may want to establish at the beginning of each year, or even years in advance, what days, weeks, or months each person can use the yacht. This will give everyone a good chance to plan vacations around the schedule.

It probably sounds fine in the beginning to just make verbal agreements since you're all friends. When it comes to money though disputes can arise abruptly. It would be far better to draw up a legally binding contract that will state how much each party is paying, how the scheduling will be done, and any other legal issues that might come up. Once everyone has signed, settling disputes will be much easier.

If a yacht isn't in your future, think about buying a sailboat in its place. They can be a lot less costly and you can still take long sea excursions. Most of them have some type of sleeping quarters and kitchens. Luxury sailboats can also be very expensive, so again you may want to think of a sharing arrangement.

Alternatively, you can always rent a yacht for a few days. You can rent yachts for anywhere from $300 to $1000 a day, although sometimes it can cost even more. Renting a yacht is a great idea for events such as a birthday party, anniversaries, big company events, and even weddings. What a great way to turn an average party into an elegant, grand affair.

If you are interested in renting a yacht, take a walk around the marina in your area. There most likely be signs indicating which yachts are for rent. You can learn more about it by talking with other boat owners or people employed there.

It would be wonderful to own a yacht, so if it's feasible for you, you should definitely buy one. You will love it and have many exciting voyages over the years.

Glyn Wilsons is the owner and operator of Star Yacht, the best place on the internet for information about yachts. For more articles on yachts why not visit:
http://www.staryacht.com/articles
http://www.staryacht.com

The Bottom Line On Yacht

2008-01-14T02:10:00.001-08:00

Whether you are considering your first yacht charter vacation or simply looking to live the experience again there is a lot of vital information you need before planning and embarking on your voyage. Firstly, you need to consider the type of yacht charter that is suitable for you. There are crewed or unscrewed yacht charters, bareboat or even a motorised yacht. Each have their advantages and personal preference will dictate the chosen charter for you.

One thing for certain, though, whatever type of vessel you go on, there are many destinations to choose from each of them offering beautiful islands and shimmering seas by day and exciting or romantic night life. As with any vacation you need to plan carefully, but when chartering a yacht it is absolutely imperative that you take the essentials and spares. Once you're out to sea there will be few opportunities to stock up and an emergency is much of an emergency when you're hundreds of miles from the nearest chemist or shop.

Many who are chartering for the first time do so for a little quality time with family, friends and loved one because chartering a yacht is one of the most tranquil and peaceful vacations you can decide on.

What experience is required for charters.

The experience you need is dependant on the type of charter you are looking for. A bareboat charter means you and a group of family or friends charter the boat with no crew to assist. For a bareboat charter, you are always required to have some former sailing experience and usually need to submit a sailing resume to the charter company. Many will require that you have experience on a similar sized boat and with similar displacement and rig. A number of chartering companies may request that you go on a short sail around the harbour to make sure that your actual skills match your resume.

If you or a member of your group does not have this experience then you should consider chartering a crewed yacht. Chartering a boat and crew requires little or no experience. You may decide that your sailing skills are a little rusty, in which case you can take a captain or small crew for the first few hours of your trip to help you get your sea legs' back. Alternatively, if you have no experience whatsoever with yachting then you can take an entire crew and spend your vacation safe in the knowledge that your boat and your vacation are in safe hands.

What insurance do I require, and what is available?

As well as the usual travel insurance, you may want to consider further insurance for your yacht charter vacation. In fact, some charter companies will demand it. Accidents happen in everyday life and this is no different when chartering a yacht, however, there are some vital differences; the cost of a yacht and any parts of the yacht can be very pricey. The charterer is responsible for loss or damage to any of these parts. While many charter companies offer insurance that will cover a certain amount of damage, you should consider taking extra Charterer's liability insurance, usually costing approximately $250 for $1m cover. This figure can change depending on the terms of the agreement and the time of year you intend to charter the boat.

Additional health insurance is advised but not essential, although you should especially consider this for foreign travel of any kind not just charter vacations.

Another good idea is to take cancellation or curtailment insurance because many charter companies require a deposit of up to 50%. If you any of your party cancel or need to finish the vacation early, this insurance will become invaluable.

Charter vacation destinations.

But where should you go? There are many places you can charter a yacht, so you should consider exactly what you are looking for in your vacation.

The Galapagos is an archipelago that consists of 13 volcanic islands as well as 40 small islands. It is a haven of beautiful plants and exotic animals including marine iguanas and sea lions, the weather is very good, and there are many coves and incredibly picturesque beaches to relax on and around.

The Bahamas is a popular destination consisting of more than 700 islands. There are countless cays and beaches to explore as well as some incredible nightlife and beautiful settings. The reef and shallow waters make this a safe place for families to charter a yacht.

And then there's the Greek Islands. One of the world's most enchanting cruising grounds, with ancient history and culture at every turn. Islands such as Lesvos, Mykonos and Paros offer a combination of breathtaking scenery and history.

Still in the Mediterranean - at the western end - there are the Balearic islands off the coast of Spain. There's Majorca, it's smaller sibling Menorca, and the hedonistic playground of Ibiza. You'll find it a little busier than the Greek islands, but on the plus side the back up and support is first class.

On to the Caribbean: It has it all. Many different cultures and nationalities, hundreds and hundreds of islands to explore, and clear blue waters. Yachting at it's best.

The choice of destinations is amazing, and the beauty of chartering a yacht is that you are free to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, drop anchor, pour a stiff drink and soak up the sun!
John Thompson is webmaster for http://www.yacht-and-boat-charters.com , an online information resource for yacht and boat chartering. - http://www.yacht-and-boat-charters.com

Yacht Charter

2008-01-11T02:47:00.002-08:00

Chartering a yacht has always been thought of as an expensive way to have a vacation. Let me explain why that's not always necessarily right.

But I'll start with yacht charters that really are expensive. There's virtually no upper limit to the amount you can spend on these types of vacation. One of the largest mega yachts available for charter, MY Annaliesse will set you back approximately EUR 94,000, and that's for each day. Expenses, fuel amongst others, have to be added to that amount. We have to admit though that Annaliesse is not a standard mega yacht but rather a floating hotel, capable of accommodating up to 36 guests. You will be pampered by crew of 34, including hairstylists, fitness instructors, some of the best chefs and of course the captain and his crew who safely navigate the vessel in the Mediterranean, Caribbean or other beautiful places around the world.

Now, Annaliesse is of course an extreme example. Nevertheless she is booked throughout the year. Considerably cheaper is, for exampe, MY Carmen Fontana. This 40 meter / 120 feet long mega yacht is available in the Greek waters from approx. US$12,000 per day. Still a large amount of money for most of us though. However, these yachts are typically chartered by pop stars, movie stars or other VIP's. The alternative, booking a room or suite in a hotel, will often not work for well known people for obvious reasons. On a yacht one can enjoy their holidays in utmost privacy while a professional crew is always available at their service.

As said, US$12,000 per day is an amount most of us are not willing to spend on a vacation. Most people who charter a yacht in the Mediterranean or Caribbean spend amounts like US$1800 per week for, for example, a 36 feet bareboat sailing yacht. A 36 feet sailing yacht for example, is capable of accommodating 6 people. So when you decide to take your friends and split the amount, you will only spend like US$300 per person per week..... Which in many cases is cheaper than a hotel room. Add the great views, changing by the day if you decide to do some island hopping, the joy of being on the water and the fun of sailing in the most wondeful places on earth and you know why yacht charters are becoming increasingly popular.

Marc Onrust is owner of MarineYacht, a Dutch Yacht Charter agency with charter yachts worldwide. http://www.marineyacht.com

Charter Yacht

2008-01-11T02:47:00.001-08:00

Cities of art and Spa Towns are perfect for Easter, however for Summer 2007 one is always making a tendency to look for a really new holiday: IL Charter. Renting a yacht for a dream holiday is the latest craze in tourism. A splendid 5 star luxurious hotel on the sea, everybody’s dream with passions of nature and elegance. The most desired destinations for a Mediterranean cruise on board a prestigious yacht are for sure Sardinia with the beautiful Smeralda coast, but also the coasts of Corsica, navigating as far as the Balearic Islands then to return and stop at the natural Oasis of the Tuscan Archipelago. Luxury and maximum comfort constitute the philosophy of this holiday, with an attentive and professional service to the highest degree, satisfying every minimum need. If you would like to dine with the finest porcelain, dishes prepared by an exceptional chef, sipping prestigious wines from Crystal glasses, or perhaps aperitifs at sunset in an outdoor Jacuzzi, then what is proposed by the IL Charter agency of Viterbo with a new way to live your holiday with style and elegancy, this is the target for very demanding clients.

IL Charter agency is at your disposition to satisfy all of your needs. From Sardinia to Corsica, the magical French Riviera, Tuscan Archipelago, or Balearic Islands, the elegant Eolie Islands plus other small islands of the Mediterranean.

For more information on renting the Yacht, please contact us direct. Telephone number +39 348 65.22.520

IL CHARTER Charter Yacht Mediterranean Cruises tours in the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean Cruises Italy

FROM Porto Ercole (GR) ITALY Nizza - FRENCH RIVIERA

http://www.ilcharter.it/eng

Yacht Transporting

2008-01-09T02:03:00.001-08:00

Enjoy peace of mind and avoid costly mistakes by putting our team of experts to work on your new or used purchase. Yacht Deliveries is one of the many functions of yacht services. Which is implemented to ease the time and effort it would take for the boat owner to maintain their yacht. Yacht Delivery is not an exception to this. Maneuvering a yacht in water is something the boat owner definitely looks forward to. However, moving a yacht out of water is a different story. When it comes to yacht delivery the logistics of the task can become complicated. Each individual shipment presents its own special circumstances and challenges. Experienced teams and an experienced organization like The Catamaran Group are what minimize those circumstances and challenges.

Catamaran Companies Approach

The Catamaran Company’s staff handles all types of storage, maintenance, refits, and restorations on any type of boat or yacht. The Catamaran Company’s staff has worked together for many years to standardize a high degree of coordination, professionalism, performance and care for this complex task

The Catamaran Company can help you arrange a delivery anywhere in the world. We have partnered with industry specialists who have excellent credentials in safely delivering your yacht to a number of international destinations. Yacht owners can now log into our special satellite system to chart the position of their yacht anywhere in the world. The system is powerful - it allows you to zoom in on the boat via special illustrative charts. Not only does this give you piece of mind knowing exactly where your yacht is in the delivery stage.

Dockwise Yacht Transport

Dockwise Yacht Transport has experienced the increased demand for yacht deliveries over the years. Specialized yacht carriers like Dockwise Yacht Transport provide owners and yacht companies with optimal service around the globe. Our expertise combined with other industry leaders determine the best solution to your yachting needs.

For additional information, please visit http://www.catamarans.com

Caribbean Yacht Charters

2008-01-09T02:02:00.001-08:00

The Bahamas and the Virgin Islands are two of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean for yacht charter vacation seekers, particularly during the winter.

The Bahamas contain 700 islands covering 150,000 square miles of tropical sea with approximately 5,000 square miles of land. The islands have flat coral formations and some low rounded hills.

Each island of The Bahamas has a unique personality. The cosmopolitan Nassau city has duty free shops, golf, museums and restaurants. There are bright, white sand beaches on the island.

If you love sea diving, the coast of San Salvador offers challenging and exciting adventure. The Inagua National Park offers the spectacle of nesting flamingos and other exotic wildlife. The Exumas offers a 100-mile-long cruise along a string of pristine cays.

The main cruising islands in The Bahamas are: The Abacos Islands, Bimini and the Gulf Stream Islands, the Berry Islands, the Exuma Cays chain, Harbour Island, Eleuthera and Cat Island, the Out-Islands, Grand Bahama, Freeport and Port Lucaya, Nassau and Paradise Island.

With more than 40 islands and cays, the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean archipelago are ideal cruising ground, particularly for the honeymooners. They are ideal for yachting and water sports as well.

To 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands comprise of rugged mountain peaks silhouetted against blue Caribbean Sea. The islands have such unusual names as Prickly Pear, Fallen Jerusalem, Great Dog and Pelican Island.

Many of these islands are uninhabited and reachable only by boat, idyllic exploration grounds for those who seek solitude.

Christopher Columbus discovered the Caribbean islands in 1493, who named them after St. Ursula and her 11,000 virgins slain by the Huns in the 13th century.

Honeymooners prefer the Virgin Islands mainly because of their quiet, pristine beaches. The yachts chartered by the honeymooners offer personalized and discreet service, magnificent accommodations and excellent dining.

Some couples even prefer to have their weddings aboard the yacht or on the Virgin Islands.

Mega Yacht Charters

2008-01-07T01:16:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for the best in hospitality, luxury accommodations and five-star cuisine to entertain family, friends or important business associates, a mega yacht charter may be the perfect choice.

Mega yacht charter accommodations and hospitality areas are ideal for important celebrations such as weddings, birthday parties or special anniversaries. Large staterooms and quiet conversation areas offer charter guests appropriate privacy when aboard.

A well-planned mega yacht charter provides all the toys for your guests to use and enjoy. The abundance of space onboard most mega yachts allow for kayaks, jet skis, sailing dingys, water-skis and jet boats for guests with a thirst for adventure. Scuba diving equipment and a certified diving crew will take family and friends for an underwater experience of a lifetime.

Chartering your own private luxury yacht ensures privacy for you and your family and friends. It provides for luxurious living on a comfortable modern yacht, with a crew eager to pamper you and your company. It gives you the freedom to select your own itinerary, visit the sites you want to see, or simply to follow the wind wherever it leads.

A mega yacht is a vessel of over 90 feet in length that can accommodate a small number of guests in luxury. Prices start around $4,000 per person, plus expenses, for 6 guests, for a week. For a 160-foot yacht, expect to pay $14-18,000 per person for 10, plus expenses. Larger yachts can cost considerably more.

An Introduction to Mega Yacht

2008-01-04T00:25:00.000-08:00

Mega yacht charter is an ultimate picture of luxury. If you are looking for an excellent, and once in a lifetime vacation, mega yacht is just ideal for you. A mega yacht is a huge yacht charter, which accommodates a relatively small number of guests in total lavishness. A Mega yacht cruise calculates about 100-400 feet in length. It is also defined as a private luxury sailing vessel, the size of newer mega yacht models are more bigger surpassing more than 450 feet. The beautiful accommodations and hospitality areas of these super-vessels are perfect sites for special occasions like wedding party, birthday event, company celebration or any other important events.

A mega yacht charter allows you complete freedom to go almost anywhere you desire and promise to make your vacation a dear for lifetime. From Greece and the Mediterranean to Miami and the Virgin Islands, you could take pleasure in soaking up some amazing sunshine aboard your yacht charter with enjoying thrill and adventure in some wonderful destinations. The most popular yacht charter destinations consist of the Caribbean, Bahamas, New Zealand and even such extremely exotic destinations as Thailand in Southeast Asia.

A well-planned mega yacht charter features the most excellent toys money could buy. In addition to such taken for decided activities as swimming, sunbathing and other enjoying tasty meals and cool drinks in the shadow of the ring, spending excellent time in the company of friends and family, mega yachts offer a huge deal of extra leisure and entertainment facilities not available on any other types of yachts.

Some of the unique features on these luxury yachts comprise Jacuzzis on deck, helicopter pads, in house theatres, fiery swimming pools, wave runners, and brilliant sport fish fighting chairs. Everything you could just imagine could be found on one of these floating islands of luxury.

When you choose mega yacht charters you could rest assured that you would have the perfect vacation, combining the rest and recreation that you crave with the chance to see some stunning sights and enjoy a huge range of excitement. Overall, if you desire to wow your guests and family with royal treatment, an experience in a mega yacht charter is an ideal choice for you.

Mr.Monish is a Copywriter of Florida yacht charter. He's written many articles in various topics.

For more information visit: Boat trailer for sale.

contact him at yachtloop.marine@gmail.com.

Galley Slaving on a Yacht

2008-01-04T00:24:00.000-08:00

You wouldn’t believe how much people eat when they’re on a boat. I’ve been slaving down here in this galley like… well, a galley slave. Must be all that salt air.

Not that the air down here in is particularly fresh. Something to do with the loo. They all seem to think life’s too short to pump a toilet.

The toilet isn’t the only thing that’s primitive on this 36 foot bath toy we’ve hired for the weekend. Before we left port yesterday, a bloke with a grey beard showed us the ropes.

His language was so archaic it was like watching a foreign film. Why call it a cleat when “thing you wind the rope around” would do? He kept trying to scare us with stories about people getting beached and having to be rescued. Silly old barnacle.

I didn’t much like the way he smiled when we waved him goodbye and motored away from the wharf without pulling the rope off the thingee he called a bollard. We weren’t trying to demolish the wharf.

Nautical door heights haven’t changed since the Battle of Trafalgar – which accounts for the huge lumps on my head. Not that I’m complaining. Nothing worse than a belligerent sailor.

I don’t mind being stuck down here really. I much prefer roosting in the woody womb of the vessel to being up there white knuckling the wheel and screaming.

But I only did that once yesterday. Sailing’s like war, I’ve decided – long periods of boredom interspersed with brief moments of life threatening terror.

I was steering through a stretch of perfectly empty water, when suddenly hundreds of little yachts started whirling around us like angry bees.

The famous camaraderie of the seas went right out the porthole. You’d think the Anglo Saxons had invented only one word.

I can still see the faces of the yachtsmen I nearly sliced in half - pale and open-mouthed like portraits of the damned in a medieval painting.

A miss is as good as a mile, I said. But they told me go downstairs and cook dinner. All they think about is their stomachs.

Soon after, my husband visited me in the galley saying he needed the radio. Well, the boat does have a nice cd player. No, he said, we’d run aground.

The man with the grey beard’s smile seemed to have widened an extra few centimentres when he turned up in a yellow rescue launch. He told us to sit on the far side of the boat while he tied a rope around the mast and hauled us out of the mud.

The yacht leaned on such a sharp angle as he roared off into the distance we were heaved into the air like acrobats from Cirque du Soleil.

Things quietened down after that. We anchored overnight in a bay. Now they’re hungry again. And they expect meals from a pathetic excuse for a fridge.

If they’re not careful I’ll throw in the tea towel and run away to sea.

Helen’s email: notnuts@bigpond.com

Solent Sailing & Yacht Charter

2008-01-01T22:49:00.001-08:00

The Solent is a magnificent sailing playground on the South coast of England between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. Approximately 30 miles long and 3 to 5 miles wide, it encompasses an amazing variety of geography and sailing conditions. You could choose a quiet natural harbour like Newtown Creek nature reserve or a busy cosmopolitan city like Southampton. Nowhere is more than a few sailing hours apart and it is all protected from the worst of any weather by the Island itself. That's not to say there are no challenges for the yacht sailor and for sailing instruction courses there is no better spot to learn due to the wide variety of navigational obstacles some natural and some man made. To give you an idea, here are some of the obstacles that you may find.

· An historic ship wreck
· Tides in excess of 4 knots
· Dangerous rocks
· Ferries
· A curved ledge with a trap in its hook
· High speed catamarans
· Oil tanker and container ships with moving prohibited zones
· An offshore sandbank suitable for hosting a cricket match
· The biggest yacht race in the world
· Radar speed traps
· Pile moorings
· In excess of 30 marinas
· A National Trust nature reserve
· Hovercraft
· Underwater submarine barriers
· Mid channel defensive forts
· Cross Channel ferries
· Ocean going liners
· Warships & a naval dockyard
· A small boat channel
· Fishing vessels
· Active minesweepers
· Floating dead whales
· Railway sleepers adrift
· Lighthouses, lateral buoys, cardinal buoys, safe water and isolated danger marks
· Locks
· Firing range danger area
· Sand bar
· Chain ferry
· Submerged pipelines marked by a fresnal lens

As a result of this variety, the Solent is a paradise for sailors and Cowes at its centre can rightly describe itself as the home of yachting. The annual Cowes week regatta sees the Solent filled with so many yachts, taking part in so many simultaneous yacht races, that its virtually impossible to navigate a straight course. But it is also this huge variety that enables so many sea schools and yacht charter companies to flourish in the area. It may not be as beautiful as the West Coast of Scotland, but I know where I would rather learn or instruct.

Martin Thomas BSc FCA
Commercially endorsed Yachtmaster & Cruising Instructor
Member of the Royal Institute of Navigation
Member of the Royal Naval & Royal Albert Yacht Club
http://www.solentsail.co.uk

Yacht Management Made Simple

2007-12-29T02:20:00.000-08:00

Yacht Management is a relatively new branch to the Yachting Industry. It has emerged through the ongoing popularity of sailing vacations, or chartering. Boat owners are opting out for the opportunity of placing their yacht in a charter fleet.

Yacht Management alleviates many of the activities that support the operations of a yacht. The responsibilities that are associated with the care of your yacht are made as pleasurable as possible, and less of a hassle. The role of yacht management is to bridge the gap between recreational and professional yachting. A “newbie”, intending to relieve their stress would benefit greatly from this. Yacht Management can make the difference of keeping a dream from becoming a nightmare.

Yacht Management & Chartering

Yacht Management is crucial when it comes to chartering a boat. Generating income with a boat isn't easy, but in almost all cases, success depends on treating a vessel as a business. Yes, of course a boat owner will attach only recreational purposes to their boat. This is normal, most of time that is the intention. Purchasing Yachts and immediately placing them into a charter program is a growing trend, though. According to many boat owners, one of the easiest ways to slip into chartering is to get the help of a yacht management company. The Catamaran Company has a division dedicated to these kinds of services.

These services include listing the vessel with yacht brokers nationwide or internationally, so the yacht owner does not have to spend their time on advertising and marketing. The most sophisticated services take care of everything from booking the yacht, collecting payments and coordinating maintenance and repairs. In return, the management company collects a percentage of the charter income. The boat owner collects on the larger percentage of course. The Catamaran Company client profits are in the higher side of the spectrum, when considering industry standards.

Allowing, a firm take care of the management of your boat will help you offset some of the costs of buying and maintaining a boat. One of yacht managements many functions are to protect the buyer’s investment. A team of professionals will have a greater chance of prolonging the life of the investment.

Typical Catamaran Company Maintenance Services

The Catamaran Company is dedicated to making every aspect of boat ownership and use pleasurable for you, your family and your guests. Our service department can help preserve and even enhance the long-term value of one of your most important investments. We will make sure that your yacht is ready to go whenever you are.. and all in top operational condition!

Typical services include:

• Complete Yacht Services

• Varnish & Bright Work

• System inspection on a regular basis with a written report of findings & recommendations to owner

• Administer an applicable Preventative Maintenance program

• Scheduled systems operation to ensure the preventative maintenance program is effective

• Structural repairs

• Fiberglass

• Engine Overhauling, re-powering

• Hardware & hand-hold restoration or replacement

Yacht Deliveries – Satellite Tracking

Yacht owners can now log into our special satellite system to chart the position of their yacht anywhere in the world. The system is powerful - it allows you to zoom in on the boat via special illustrative charts. Not only does this give you piece of mind knowing exactly where your yacht is in the delivery stage, but its fun.

The system functions through two main components: they are the terminal, and satellites. The terminal is the only physical element that is needed to install on the boat. It contains modern GPS and sophisticated software to achieve bi-directional communication with Inmarsat geostationary satellites.

The satellites work through the Inmarsat Network (International Maritime Satellite). This system offers world-wide coverage excluding the world’s remote regions like the North and South Poles. The four geostationary satellites are located on top of the Ecuador at around 35,500 kilometers.

If you would like to view a short clip on the delivery of a Lagoon 44 go to

http://www.catamarans.com/catamaranco/video/lp_44_Delivery.asp?bhcp=1

Private Management in British Virgin Islands, Tortola

The British Virgin Islands and the Island of Tortola exists in one of the most beautiful, quite and well preserved natural environments rivaling just about anyplace in the world to visit. Over the course of the last few years this area has proved to be one of the most fertile grounds anywhere in the world relative to the generation of income for the charter industry.

In order for these services to be optimal quality control must be implemented. Control in the quality of service must be handled by both owners and customers in the preparation of each charter as well as understanding and maintaining the yachts in our care and custody.

For more details please visit http://www.catamarans.com/

Diesel Electric Yacht Propulsion

2007-12-26T23:26:00.000-08:00

The all-new Lagoon 420 offers a new method of yacht propulsion, using a very old idea that has already proven itself in locomotives. In essence, a diesel electric power plant includes a diesel engine connected to an electrical generator, creating electricity that powers electric motors. Traditional electric propulsion systems have been heavy, and cumbersome. Diesel electric systems are now lighter, and less expensive. Due to the ongoing effects of pollution, environmentally friendly propulsion systems are being heavily evaluated. This type of power plant is the remedy for highly polluting traditional forms of yacht propulsion. This is one of the reasons why Lagoon has chosen to incorporate this system into one of their latest yachts.

Also, diesel electric propulsion is very reliable. Electric components have few if any moving parts. They can run for thousands of hours per year without having to be replaced or fixed. The Lagoon 420 only requires a bearing change after 20,000 hours. Since the engine is removed from the propeller shaft it is never under or overloaded. Spending less time maintaining your yacht will give you more time to enjoy it instead.

Very few moving parts also means that noise generation is minimal. Since the marine gears are completely removed you achieve noise reduction from the standard way of mechanical propulsion. Fuel economy is greatly increased with this system along with engine room space.

Turning the propellers with electric motors enhances slow-speed maneuverability by providing unrestricted minimum propeller speeds with 100 percent torque available to provide immediate power response at all times. Propeller synchronization is automatic and extremely precise. While the vessel is under way the electrical power required by can be supplied from the diesel electric propulsion system. Electrical power from the Lagoon 420’s genset can be used to propel the boat, providing a built-in backup. On the contrary the prolusion system can serve as a backup for the yacht’s gensets.

Moving into an environmentally conscience era, the Lagoon 420 is on the forefront of making a change. Since this type of propulsion system has been in existence for many years now, the concern of trying out an untested technology is eliminated.

For more information, please visit http://www.catamarans.com

An Introduction To Crewed Yacht Charter

2007-12-23T23:00:00.000-08:00

Many of us dream of touring the tropical Caribbean, but there is no other warm and cherished way to experience it, than on a yacht. From the USVI all the way down to the Grenadines, each Caribbean island has its own diverse character and each time carries some thing different to offer. Added up with that crystal clear aquamarine waters, dolphins rolling around your boat and tropical sunsets on close beach and your sailing vacation would be a life time experience.

Crewed yacht charters are the yachts where the crew is completely devoted to any specific yacht. They take care of the maintenance, sailing, cooking, and cleaning and also with the other navigation services, and are usually experts in the region where you would be chartering. Do not misjudge the worth of the local knowledge – it could make a huge difference among efficiency and hassle when finding a mooring, restaurant, or moving with the local customs around.

Crews range from husband and wife people who own the boat and charter for a living/lifestyle as they just love it, to huge, competently trained crews on Super Yachts where each crew member has a detailed task, ranging from cooking to serving to navigating, and sometimes to rub and other hair dressing. On most of the large yachts, team members are certified in their roles by yacht training companies. All luxury yachts and about all the motor yachts come with an experienced crew that is familiar with both the boat and local water. They can take care of your every requirement and operate the boat like a 5 star floating hotel.

Mr.Monish is a Copywriter of Florida yacht charter.He written many articles in various topics.For more information visit:yacht design. Contact her at yachtloop.marine@gmail.com.