Live on a Yacht Tax Free

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

Yacht Charter Benefits

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

Yachting - Luxury Boating at its Best

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

Yacht Charter in the Southern Ionian Sea

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

Vacationing Aboard Mega Yacht Charters

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.

Yacht and Ship Registration in the Isle of Man

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

Chartering a Yacht in Greece - Things to Consider

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 http://www.athensroom.com- a free service for finding and advertising property for rent in Athens, with a wealth of information on visiting, living and working in Greece.

Yacht Transporting

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

Pre-Qualifying for Boat or Yacht Financing

Starting the boat financing process can be a challenge. Calling brokers for rate quotes over the telephone can sometimes be confusing; so before you make that step it’s best to understand how the process works.

With any large purchase that is financed, customers want to get the best rate available to them and boat and yacht loans are no different. Understanding what you are getting into beforehand is important for ensuring you get the best deal. Calling around to different brokers to feel out the market is a smart idea. This will give you an indication of what boat loan rates the market is currently bearing. However, there are many unforeseen elements that this process does not reveal.

So why is it difficult to get a firm quote over the phone? In order to provide an accurate boat or yacht loan quote it is imperative that the broker understands the nature of the purchase including your credit history and current financial standing via an “underwriting process.” Without submitting a boat loan application though the underwriting process, the broker won’t fully know if or how you qualify for a loan. A reputable broker can only give you an indication based on a range of A+ interest rates that “may” be available to you if you qualify.

So why call different brokers if you can’t get a solid answer? Other than gaining a general idea of what A+ credit customer’s rate is – not much reason at all. So what should one do if they are trying to get a solid quote for a boat loan interest rate? Customers should “pre-qualify” for a boat loan.

Pre-Qualifying for a Boat Loan

Pre-qualifying for a boat loan is a smart choice. Why shop for a boat or yacht without having the financing in place to support your purchase? Pre-qualifying for a loan will create financial structure that will guide you through the purchasing process.

Boat loan brokers that have multiple lending sources will match you with the lender with the best interest rate. Each lender has a unique program and will lend based on a different set of criteria. Thus by employing a reputable boat loan broker, such as SeaDream Marine Financing - www.seadreaminc.com, with multiple lending sources, the broker can match the customer with the appropriate lender and obtain the best market rate.

However, by shopping with multiple brokers you risk damaging your credit score. Brokers that don’t underwrite your deal in house may initiate a process of shopping or “shotgunning” your boat loan application to numerous lending sources in “hopes” of finding a good deal. This may come at a serious cost to you. Every time a lender receives an application, they will run a check on your credit history. Every inquiry will reduce your credit score. Submitting your application haphazardly to multiple brokers that do not offer in-house underwriting may seriously damage your credit.

Therefore it is wise to ask the broker about their process, including if they underwrite their applications, how many lending sources they utilize, and if they are adept at matching your application to the “appropriate” lender in their portfolio via the underwriting process vs. randomly shopping your application to many or all of their lenders.

A quality professional boat loan broker will underwrite the loan and then submit it to the “appropriate” lender for consideration. The lender will then approve the deal and the broker will then call you back with a firm deal that includes a locked interest rate and structure of the financing available to you. You are now officially pre-qualified to shop for the best deal and will have the financing in place to make a strong offer. Once you’ve decided on a boat the broker will then work with you and the selling party to facilitate the deal within the framework of the approval. When you reach this stage it’s just a matter of signing on the bottom line and the boat is yours.

Eric Vaughan is a leading marine finance professional at SeaDream Inc. Boat Loans and Boat Insurance - SeaDream is nationally renowned for its expertise in new and used boat loans, boat refinancing, yacht financing, and boat insurance.