Florida Yacht Charter

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

2004 Olympics and Yachting in Greece

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

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF ALASKA WITH YACHT CHARTER

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

The Bottom Line On Yacht

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 Winterization Service Business

If you own a boat maintenance business you need to be providing winterization services to your customers. Many boat owners who get to know you may trust you to help them winterize their boats. The best place to store a boat is under a cover in a controlled climate environment. This can be very costly and although there is debate on whether a boat should be "shrink-wrapped” for winter or not that too is very costly.

Since during the winter you will be requested to either halt services or curb washing to a frequency of every two months. Of course, the charge for these washings will be at double or triple the weekly price but you still lose a lot of weekly wash monies. If you charge $20 for weekly washing then that is $160 for two months of washes instead of $60 every two months for one wash. Including snow and debris removal.

Your solution is easy. Get the $60 for the washing every two months plus charge a $200 winterizing fee which includes weekly walk-byes for no additional charge. On those check-up days, cruise by the slip or dry storage and make sure the covers and tie downs are all secure. Boat owners seldom find time to get down and check on their boat during the four to six month ‘dormant period’. You would normally make $320 for washing a boat weekly for four months (4 months = 16 weeks), (16 x $20 = $320). During the winter if you wash the boat twice then that’s $120 plus $200 for your winterizing service. This equals the same amount of money.

Here are some of the services you can do as part of your ‘dormant period’ winterizing service. Now, before we list all these services, remember the obvious… a boat detail, window treatment coating, coating of metal parts (tuna towers, tie downs, horns, hooks, aluminum striping, propellers, etc.). If the boat is going into dry-dock how about an www.ADSIL.com coating. Hull only $30 per foot in Florida, $60 to $70 per foot in California, $50 to $60 per foot in the northeast. That can certainly add up on a 23 foot Sea Ray. And, of course, there are boat painters’ referral fees and even engine, canvas covers, etc. bird dog fees. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

The Luxury of Renting Private Yacht Charters

You can relax on a private yacht and travel at your own pace, pampered all the way, for much less than what you end up paying for a crowded cruise ship. Private yacht charters are becoming increasingly popular for intimate and flexible vacations. And most yacht charters are just as attentive to your needs as any cruise ship.

The private yacht charter allows you the freedom to spontaneously change your mind and stay an extra night at your favorite island or to explore an uninhabited island close by.

Your location is the single most important point of your entire vacation. Pick a calm, protected location with many islands all within sight, with many gorgeous lagoon anchorages.

Private yacht charters are favored by honeymooners, family reunions or by close friends who want to spend their time together undisturbed. Buddies looking for an opportunity for fishing in tranquil waters, deep-sea diving, water skiing or just relax on a secluded beach can also find private yacht charter a fulfilling experience.

Generally, individuals who want to enjoy a quiet vacation prefer small motor yachts staffed by a crew. Such charters are easy on the pocket as they cost anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000 a week, depending on the size of the yacht.

Since it is a cheaper alternative, college youths can also afford to enjoy their dream vacation aboard a small boat, surrounded by the blue sea or a lagoon amidst a cluster of islands, particularly in The Bahamas, the Virgin Islands or the Mediterranean near Greece.

You have the freedom to choose a yacht, its route, anchorage and stopovers, cuisines that you would like to have for every meal, assortment of drinks and beverages and activities, such as water sports and sight-seeing on land during your vacation.

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.