Yachting - Luxury Boating at its Best

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And the jobs are open to anyone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A word on pay.

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

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

Do you want to be out there with them?

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

Areas To Visit On Mediterranean Yacht Charters

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

Options for Mediterranean Yacht Charters

Bareboat Yacht Charters

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

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

Crewed Charters

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

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

Flotillas

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

Areas to Visit

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

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

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

Choosing a Company for Mediterranean Yacht Charters

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

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

Yacht and Ship Registration in the Isle of Man

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

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

Benefits of registering a vessel on the Isle of Man include

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

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

The Isle of Man recognises the following Classification Societies

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

Registration

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

The registration process is in two main steps

• Incorporation of a company on the Isle of Man. There are no nationality restrictions on the ownership of shipping companies.
• Registering the vessel. The majority interest in the vessel must be owned by one of the following,
• A company incorporated in the Isle of Man and having its principal place of business within the Island
• A company incorporated in the U.K. Channel Islands, any British Dependant Territory, or in a Member State of the E.U. or E.E.A. and having its principal place of business in one of those territories
• Limited Partnerships established and registered in the Isle of Man

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

Yacht Charter

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

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

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

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

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

Charter Yacht

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

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

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

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

FROM Porto Ercole (GR) ITALY Nizza - FRENCH RIVIERA

http://www.ilcharter.it/eng

Yacht Transporting

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

Catamaran Companies Approach

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

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

Dockwise Yacht Transport

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

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

Caribbean Yacht Charters

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

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

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

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

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

With more than 40 islands and cays, the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean archipelago are ideal cruising ground, particularly for the honeymooners. They are ideal for yachting and water sports as well.

To 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands comprise of rugged mountain peaks silhouetted against blue Caribbean Sea. The islands have such unusual names as Prickly Pear, Fallen Jerusalem, Great Dog and Pelican Island.

Many of these islands are uninhabited and reachable only by boat, idyllic exploration grounds for those who seek solitude.

Christopher Columbus discovered the Caribbean islands in 1493, who named them after St. Ursula and her 11,000 virgins slain by the Huns in the 13th century.

Honeymooners prefer the Virgin Islands mainly because of their quiet, pristine beaches. The yachts chartered by the honeymooners offer personalized and discreet service, magnificent accommodations and excellent dining.

Some couples even prefer to have their weddings aboard the yacht or on the Virgin Islands.

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.

Mega Yacht Charters

If you are looking for the best in hospitality, luxury accommodations and five-star cuisine to entertain family, friends or important business associates, a mega yacht charter may be the perfect choice.

Mega yacht charter accommodations and hospitality areas are ideal for important celebrations such as weddings, birthday parties or special anniversaries. Large staterooms and quiet conversation areas offer charter guests appropriate privacy when aboard.

A well-planned mega yacht charter provides all the toys for your guests to use and enjoy. The abundance of space onboard most mega yachts allow for kayaks, jet skis, sailing dingys, water-skis and jet boats for guests with a thirst for adventure. Scuba diving equipment and a certified diving crew will take family and friends for an underwater experience of a lifetime.

Chartering your own private luxury yacht ensures privacy for you and your family and friends. It provides for luxurious living on a comfortable modern yacht, with a crew eager to pamper you and your company. It gives you the freedom to select your own itinerary, visit the sites you want to see, or simply to follow the wind wherever it leads.

A mega yacht is a vessel of over 90 feet in length that can accommodate a small number of guests in luxury. Prices start around $4,000 per person, plus expenses, for 6 guests, for a week. For a 160-foot yacht, expect to pay $14-18,000 per person for 10, plus expenses. Larger yachts can cost considerably more.

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.

Solent Sailing & Yacht Charter

The Solent is a magnificent sailing playground on the South coast of England between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. Approximately 30 miles long and 3 to 5 miles wide, it encompasses an amazing variety of geography and sailing conditions. You could choose a quiet natural harbour like Newtown Creek nature reserve or a busy cosmopolitan city like Southampton. Nowhere is more than a few sailing hours apart and it is all protected from the worst of any weather by the Island itself. That's not to say there are no challenges for the yacht sailor and for sailing instruction courses there is no better spot to learn due to the wide variety of navigational obstacles some natural and some man made. To give you an idea, here are some of the obstacles that you may find.

· An historic ship wreck
· Tides in excess of 4 knots
· Dangerous rocks
· Ferries
· A curved ledge with a trap in its hook
· High speed catamarans
· Oil tanker and container ships with moving prohibited zones
· An offshore sandbank suitable for hosting a cricket match
· The biggest yacht race in the world
· Radar speed traps
· Pile moorings
· In excess of 30 marinas
· A National Trust nature reserve
· Hovercraft
· Underwater submarine barriers
· Mid channel defensive forts
· Cross Channel ferries
· Ocean going liners
· Warships & a naval dockyard
· A small boat channel
· Fishing vessels
· Active minesweepers
· Floating dead whales
· Railway sleepers adrift
· Lighthouses, lateral buoys, cardinal buoys, safe water and isolated danger marks
· Locks
· Firing range danger area
· Sand bar
· Chain ferry
· Submerged pipelines marked by a fresnal lens

As a result of this variety, the Solent is a paradise for sailors and Cowes at its centre can rightly describe itself as the home of yachting. The annual Cowes week regatta sees the Solent filled with so many yachts, taking part in so many simultaneous yacht races, that its virtually impossible to navigate a straight course. But it is also this huge variety that enables so many sea schools and yacht charter companies to flourish in the area. It may not be as beautiful as the West Coast of Scotland, but I know where I would rather learn or instruct.

Martin Thomas BSc FCA
Commercially endorsed Yachtmaster & Cruising Instructor
Member of the Royal Institute of Navigation
Member of the Royal Naval & Royal Albert Yacht Club
http://www.solentsail.co.uk

An Introduction To Crewed Yacht Charter

Many of us dream of touring the tropical Caribbean, but there is no other warm and cherished way to experience it, than on a yacht. From the USVI all the way down to the Grenadines, each Caribbean island has its own diverse character and each time carries some thing different to offer. Added up with that crystal clear aquamarine waters, dolphins rolling around your boat and tropical sunsets on close beach and your sailing vacation would be a life time experience.

Crewed yacht charters are the yachts where the crew is completely devoted to any specific yacht. They take care of the maintenance, sailing, cooking, and cleaning and also with the other navigation services, and are usually experts in the region where you would be chartering. Do not misjudge the worth of the local knowledge – it could make a huge difference among efficiency and hassle when finding a mooring, restaurant, or moving with the local customs around.

Crews range from husband and wife people who own the boat and charter for a living/lifestyle as they just love it, to huge, competently trained crews on Super Yachts where each crew member has a detailed task, ranging from cooking to serving to navigating, and sometimes to rub and other hair dressing. On most of the large yachts, team members are certified in their roles by yacht training companies. All luxury yachts and about all the motor yachts come with an experienced crew that is familiar with both the boat and local water. They can take care of your every requirement and operate the boat like a 5 star floating hotel.

Mr.Monish is a Copywriter of Florida yacht charter.He written many articles in various topics.For more information visit:yacht design. Contact her at yachtloop.marine@gmail.com.

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.