Caribbean Yacht Charter

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

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

Choose A Caribbean Charter Yacht ? Three Varieties To Choose From

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.

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.

Experience The High Life With Luxury Yacht Charters

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 .

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.

Monaco Yachts

 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.

Diesel Electric Yacht Propulsion

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

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

A Look at Luxury Yacht Charters

Luxury yachts are floating hotels at your command. They vary in length from less than 100 feet to over 300 feet, and a week’s charter is priced between $ 50,000 and $ 250,000. They can accommodate up to two-dozen guests and half the number of crew.

Besides the lounge on the deck, furnished with comfortable chairs, sofa and table, a typical luxury yacht has spacious air-conditioned state rooms for the guests, each fitted with an independent bathroom. The yacht also has a kitchen and a well-stocked bar to cater to the palate of the guests.

Once you charter a yacht for your dream vacation, you will have direct contact with the chef and captain in advance of your trip that will let the crew know your favorite foods and beverages and your favorite things to do.

Living in style aboard the yacht, one can spend quality time with friends and family, read a book, listen to music, watch TV or just laze around. One can also take part in such pleasurable activities as swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing, sunning or just sipping a cool drink in the shade of the cockpit.

The company that gives you the yacht on charter can also make arrangements on the islands you visit for other activities like fishing, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, jogging, mountain-biking, parasailing, picnicking on a secluded beach, jet-skiing, scuba diving, water skiing, windsurfing and so on.

You need not worry about getting lost at sea or running into rough waters while on a yacht charter vacation. You are in the safe hands of the captain, who is equipped with radio set, global positioning system (GPS) and a satellite phone.

A luxury yacht charter is ideal for a group of people that can be part of a family, a close-knit group, a special-interest group or an exclusive club.

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.

Buying An Old Wooden Yacht

So you’ve decided to buy a boat? Congratulations! Each year people all over the World decide to do the same thing. However, a lot of these people will be experienced boat-buyers. On the other hand, there are many potential buyers who find no shame in admitting that they couldn’t find their way around a kayak armed with a million-watt searchlight on a sunny day. On a scale of one to ten, where are you?

A FEW GROUND RULES
Let’s presuppose a couple of things:
1. The boat you want is an elderly wooden sailing boat and;
2. You fall into the last category, about 9 on the scale.

My advice is ‘Spend money on a survey if you think you need to and spend money on a survey anyway.’

A professional survey is just that. You’re paying someone with experience and knowledge (the key word) to do something you can’t. You’ve got to pay for that.

BRING A LEARNED FRIEND
What if you really can’t afford a survey or that it’s just not practical? The next step is to bring along someone who does know something about the boat you want to buy. A yachtie friend or club member who owns a similar boat, for example. This reduces the chances of you (a novice) buying two and a half tons of soggy ply and twelve kilos of rusty nails masquerading as ‘The buy of the Century’.

ARM YOURSELF BEFORE YOU GO
There’s a bit that you can do to save yourself a wasted journey. A few questions on the phone could save you time and money. Get a pencil, make a list.
1. What was the date of the last known survey/insurance certificate? Beware of paper certificates… In this day of computers documents can be convincingly forged…Ask to see the originals wherever possible…Don’t trust photocopies. Surveys and insurance documents have a limited life-span.
2. Is the boat out of the water? If so, where?…How long has she been out? A wooden hull can dry out rapidly in a week or two and the planks will shrink leaving huge cracks. Be careful of a boat that has been out for months unprotected from the sun.
3. Can the seller prove the boat is his to sell? If not, why not? A broker has a responsibility to guarantee title on all boats that he sells. It must be in a safe, seaworthy condition unless otherwise specified. Remember, It could be stolen. Check with your local Department of Consumer Affairs about ‘Revs for Boats’…they can tell you, for a small fee, if there are outstanding debts and also the Police have lists of missing and stolen craft.
4. Try to have a little knowledge of the kind of construction the boat has. Buy, beg or borrow any books that can help you in your search… there are dozens of them. Bone up on the engine, gearbox and other gear that it may have on board.
5. Bring a torch.. handy for those dark corners!
6. Have a good idea what you will and won’t pay.

WHEN YOU GET THERE
If things aren’t as expected or you get evasive or very smooth answers about things which are obviously not right, ask a few pointed questions (politely, of course)…..Why is there concrete poured in the bilges?…….Why is the battery flat? If you get no joy, perhaps this is the time to point out that you have other boats to see.

Oh yes, another delicate subject. When searching for rot, don’t start hacking great lumps out of the paintwork with a pointy knife. The boat is not your property and you’ve not been invited on board to vandalise his boat at your leisure. You are likely to get chucked over the side and receive a damn great bill for repairs and damages… quite right too!!

Don’t be too critical! People can be sensitive about their boat (even if it isn’t up to much) Most wooden boats are not up to Lloyds A1 standards…nothing kills a deal more effectively than aggressive tyre kickers deliberately rubbishing the boat to knock down the price…Be subtle. A little compromise could get you a fair deal.

A FEW OTHER POINTS
If the boat is in the water, you won’t be able to see the hull. That is pretty important. If you want to inspect it you’ll have to pay for slipping fees unless otherwise agreed. If so, get it in writing!

The old argument rages on about ‘glassing’ or ‘sheathing’ wooden hulls. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I don’t believe in it unless it’s constructed like that from new! Now, I’ll tell you why.

Traditional wooden boats weren’t built to be glassed over. The way they are built dictates the way they move or ‘work’, especially sailing vessels. Glass ‘em over and different strains work the boat and eventually the glass breaks away partly from the hull….next thing, rain or sea water seeps inside and the boat has a death sentence on it from there on in.

A FINAL THOUGHT
If you think the purpose of this article is to frighten you, you’re right. Money is hard to come by but there are folks who’ll take it off you any way they can. What I’ve written is to keep you, the boat buying punter, firmly in possession of your hard earned cash until you are convinced that you are doing the right thing. After all, how many boats will you buy in a lifetime? You can’t really be an expert, especially on wooden boats. All is not doom and gloom, there are a great many honest boats and people out there and to buy a bargain for the right price can be a satisfying experience! Happy Hunting!

A CHECK LIST FOR A WOODEN YACHT

1. PLANKING
Cracks, splits and sprung butt ends suggest loose fastenings. Check for rot gently using a small knife or screwdriver, especially at the waterline.

2.SEAMS
Check for rotted caulking and for security. Re-caulking may be required.

3.PAINTWORK
Excess weed suggests poor maintenance as does smelly, diesel filled bilges inside the hull. Lack of antifoul can allow damage by marine growths especially ship-worm. Check carefully for signs of worm. They get in through pinholes, chew and chew until the planks become powder! If worm is suspected, get professional help!

4.PATCHES OR TINGLES
Copper, fibreglass or wood, they come in all shapes and sizes. They are there for a reason and your job is to find out why. They are temporary bodges really, what are they hiding? Plenty of patches mean plenty of room for discussion concerning a reduced price, there will be plenty of work to do, for sure.

5. PROPELLER AND SHAFT /BEARINGS
Check these all for electrolysis, splits and damage. Check the bearing for play by lifting it up and down. If water drips out then it’s getting in, definitely. Is the shaft worn to excess or even bent?

6. ANODES
How many? How good? If they are badly corroded they are doing their job. Have a good look on all other metal surfaces to see if a good corrosion job has been done on them too.

7. HULL FITTINGS
Metal or plastic, check them for security. Check filters for effectiveness, metal ones for corrosion. A favourite is to use household brass fitting to save money…. they fall apart as they dezinctify.

8. STEM, TRANSOM AND RUDDER
All of these component parts should be strong, secure and in fine condition. Check for worn pintles or rudder bearings and ensure they are not loose.

9. RIGGING
Check all rigging wire for rust, wear and worn fittings. Check ropes and sheets for mould and blocks for security and wear.

10. SAILS
Sails cost a fortune! Unfurl and check for strained or ripped seams, tears, mildew and general aging. Canvas can rot and Nylon becomes brittle with age and sunlight.

11. MASTS AND SPARS
Inspect carefully for splits (shakes) and rot behind fittings.

12. DECKS
Decks can leak and are often a major job. Check them out on a rainy day, if not hose ‘em down!! Look for loose fittings, cracked ‘paying’ in between the planks and damage around strained or loose deck fittings.

13. BELOW DECKS
Look for tell tale stains, watermarks and poor paint work. Has she been under?… You’ll see the ‘tidemark’ some where around the floor line if she has. Mildew, wet and dry rot and peeling woodwork can be traced with eyes and nose….

14. ENGINE
A tricky subject, too much for this article, but if in any doubt, bring a marine mechanic not a car one. Watch the owner's face when you casually suggest an oil analysis check

15. ELECTRICKERY
Once again, a subject for the experts. However, signs of problems can be cracked, burned and brittle wiring. Loose and floppy wiring shows lack of maintenance.

A vast and never ending subject, the care of wooden boats can fill volumes and takes many years of experience to learn. However, even the most knowledgeable amongst us would be the first to agree the golden rule is to: GET A SURVEY DONE!! As you will be paying, get a surveyor of your choice, don’t get talked into having ‘someone I know who’s really good,’ but then again that’s another story!

Remember, with the blind leading the blind someone’s going to fall in the ditch…..Will it be you?

Terry Buddell is a freelance journalist and a Marine surveyor, boat designer and shipwright, He lives on board his yacht "The Nicky J Miller' that he built himself in The Gold Coast Australia and has sailed his yacht up the East Coast to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. He is currently resident in Gladstone Queensland where he is building another boat for his collection! Terry can be contacted on arcus1@bigpond.com or http://www.dolphinboatplans.com