What Is A Yacht?

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

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

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/

Florida Yacht Charter: Gulf Coast

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

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

Adventures At Sea Yachts

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

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

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.

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

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.

Buying Your First Yacht

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

Galley Slaving on a Yacht

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

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.