Yacht TBC

Frequently I have customers or friends say to me, It must be very much of fun being a Yacht Broker; being on boats all day, youre on vacation all the time. Sure, I do enjoy it but it is a lot of work if you want to be productive. Let me tell you what it takes to make it work. If you think you have what it takes, give me a telephone call.

The hard part.

To start with, Florida boat Brokers have served a 2 year apprenticeship as sales people, before a full Broker position can be attained. Other states have different requirements. As a Broker you may own the company or merely work as an Employing Broker for a parent company. As an owner/Broker as I do with Paradise Yachts, performance of a yacht sales business includes marketing, sales, marketing, accounting, banking, web site design and building, search engine optimization, tax collecting, and bottle washing. So I have to allocate my time based upon what needs to keep the business operating. But for the purpose of this article, well just be assuming you will want to become a yacht sales person.

So to start, the primary thing is you have to like yachts; no, you have to live yachts and boating. But theres more. You must know boats and yachts like the back of your hand; its got to be your life. You have to be able to discuss yachts in detail; your customers will certainly be able to do so.

Do you own a boat? Have you ever owned a boat? What is your experience operating a boat? Your customers will want to talk about how to work things while underway, how to dock a twin screw boat, and how things aboard operate. Can you walk the talk? Have you ever done it? Can you guide your customers based upon experience?

Whats your personality? Are you outgoing and able to reach out to clients? Most of the individuals you meet will be total strangers.

Are you a self-starter? Are you prepared to make it happen; if you dont go to work, no one will be there to remind you?

Do you possess a basic sales perspective? Are you a customer service type of person?

Can you exist without a paycheck for 1, 2, 3 months? It does and can happen. boat Brokers only get paid when we sell a yacht. Money management skills are critical.

Are you prepared to work 7 days a week, every day including holidays if necessary? I work every day, usually 12 hour days. Clients look at boats everyday and you must be willing to take the call or answer the email at any time, Sundays and holidays included.

Are you computer literate? Can you handle your way around a website? Youll need to own a powerful computer, printer, and scanner and have internet access to upload listings online.

Are you an accomplished photographer? Can you use a digital camera and use photographic software. Youll need to own at least a 8 mega pixel digital camera. They are not cheap!

Can you survive a full background investigation? If you wish to work in Florida, its required to be conducted before you are issued a license. If you are in another State, you cannot even enter the State of Florida as a Broker if not licensed.

Are you willing to dish out $600.00 every two years for the exclusive right of having that license?

Do you have a cell phone, and/or a Blackberry; they are essential.

Are you willing to work in the hot sun, sometimes in the pouring rain to show yachts to customers?

Are you willing to put up with annoying customers that often want something for nothing?

Can you live with many nos before getting a yes; you must as it occurs all the time.

The easy part

Do you wish to have an infinite income? Yes, the money you make is up to you. You receive a portion of the commission when you make a sale. Boat sales commissions are 10% of the selling price; a yacht selling for $100,000.00 will net the company $10,000.00.

Do you like to have fun? Yes, its a lot of fun meeting a new, happy boat owner. And yes, you get a lot of boat rides.

Do you like taking on many new friends? Every stranger I meet is just a friend I havent yet made.

Do you like being your own boss? In the boat business, you get to call the shots.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.

Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide.

Greece is one of the most beautiful countries in the world that has been attracting visitors from all parts of the globe. Sailing in Greece offers its tourists a great opportunity to uncover the natural hidden beauty of Greece and the Greek Islands. You can charter a yacht in order to experience the luxury of the crystal blue waters of the Greece and explore hidden coves and secluded beaches on remote Greek islands. There is no better way to experience the outstanding beauty of the Greek archipelago than by renting a charter yacht in Greece. By boarding this vessel, you will be able to enjoy unprecedented beauty of network of natural trails, marvelous beaches, gorges, and a peaceful tranquility of rural island life.

So, if you are seriously thinking of chartering a yacht during your upcoming holiday break in the Mediterranean, then its of supreme importance that you are aware of the essential guidelines, and choose the right charter agent or broker, who will ensure you best service! Using a charter broker will offer you security and maximum assurance that you will have a memorable, enjoyable, cruising experience. You can enjoy the enthralling and soothing aspects of the experience, cruising through the Greek islands on a mega yacht charter in Greece. If you are thinking only rich and famous can opt for this marvelous sailing experience, then you need to do away with your misconception as even you can have the lifestyle like them even if it’s only for a week or two. The type of yacht you choose depends on what you want, a luxury motor yacht in Greece offers more space, privacy, luxury and comfort. You can take the help of a good yacht charter company in Greece that can help you plan your sailing holiday, where you can choose your own custom itinerary and select the right type of yacht for your great sailing vacation in Greece. With fascinating archaeological sites, great nightlife, secluded anchorages and great food, you can pamper and relax yourself when it comes to things to do and see while cruising the Greek islands.

Sailing a charter yacht in Greece can make your vacations an enjoyable experience. Choosing the right yacht can turn a good experience into a great one!

What a tough couple of years it has been. One moment the world was chugging along hapilly and then along came a great big credit crunch and all that entails. The age of frugality has well and truly arrived upon us. However that doesn’t mean we need to cut all those little luxuries. In fact contrary to expectations Britons are not cutting back on their holiday costs as much as many people might have thought. While they might be prepared to cut back in most aspects of life they will do everything to maintain their life style, which explains why so many people visiting places such as Turkey and Greese are choosing to splash the cash on a yacht charter.

Make no mistake, this does not come cheap. Prices for a week’s yacht charter seem to average out at around 1500 pounds, which in many cases will double the amount you have already paid so far. Not the most recession resistent industry to be in you might think, but consider this for a moment.

Most of the potential customers looking for a yacht charter aren’t the kind of people who are seriously affected by the credit crunch. No indeed these are city brokers, businessmen, traders, bankers. In other words the kind of people who caused the whole mess in the first place, but were rich and powerful enough to make sure that other people carried the can.

However times for the rest of us are improving and even though you might not be a captain of industry you can still enjoy the wonderfully relaxing experience of a luxury yacht charter particularly if you gather together a bunch of friends to split the costs. For the cost of the fee you get a plush yacht complete with a professionally trained crew. They can help you explore the area in a way nobody else can. For example, you could enjoy a week relaxing in the Ionian sea, meandering through the small inlets and coves of the islands that speckle the ocean.

When so many people visit these tourist destinations it is difficult to come away with any unique memories – something that thousands of other people do not also share. However a yacht charter not only gives you the chance to have a week in the sun in unparallelled luxury but it also allows you to free your adventurous pioneering side and see the world from a whole new perspective.

For those who are not sailing aficionados or members of a navy, watercraft terminology can be a somewhat mysterious topic. Joshua Kerrigan, a captain and owner of Yacht Management, raises some of the fog by tackling a frequent question: whats the difference between a boat, a yacht, and a ship?

While these words are frequently used interchangeably, they in fact have far more specific meanings than those they are normally given in colloquial conversation. These distinctions mostly rely on issues of size and purpose, rather than more intricate distinctions of whether or not they have an engine, their shape, or any other attributes one would need to have a deeper grasp on sailing to understand. Heres the general rundown:

Boats

Boats are generally smaller watercrafts (meaning a vessel that floats or otherwise operates on top of the water) shorter than 60 meters in length overall. They can be used for a variety of purposes, from business to military use to use as a living quarters to pleasure. Some sources may highlight that boats tend to be used for shallow-water travel, but again, this is a result of their size – you wouldnt want to try to traverse an ocean with an 8-meter craft!

Ships

In contrast to boats, ships are larger vessels, generally 60 meters and up. A common way to remember which is which states that you could fit a boat on a ship, but you couldnt fit a ship on a boat! Among non-motorized vessels in particular, the definition of ship sometimes includes the requirement for three masts. Typically, ships sail deeper waters than boats, as they are more equipped for these types of journeys based on size.

Like boats, ships may be used for a wide variety of purposes.

Yachts

What separates yachts from ships and boats is their purpose. Unlike ships and boats, yachts are used only for pleasure and recreation, either by their owners or a third party.

Yachts come in a wide variety of sizes, which of course fall into ship and boat categories. However, for yachts, these sizes have alternate names. These designations are somewhat flexible but mostly when talking about yachts, you will find that a day yacht is under 6 meters, a weekender yacht is between 6 and 9.5 meters, a cruising yacht ranges from 7-14 meters, and a luxury yacht is at least 25 meters. Furthermore, a mega yacht is generally at least 30.5 meters, and a super yacht is over 47.5 meters.

Therefore, while most yachts could be classified as boats, super yachts and luxury yachts can frequently fall into the ship category.

Sources:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,,-197783,00.html
http://www.westlawn.edu/student_center/definitions.asp

What’s the difference between a boat and a ship?

Sibenik is beautiful city and an excellent starting point for exploring the national parks of; Krka, Kornati and Telascica Bay. There are charter boats in the marinas of Marina Mandalina, located near the centre of town, and Marina Solaris.

What You Need – Experience, Qualifications, Visa Requirements, etc. – The skipper of the boat is required to have an ICC certificate or equivalent.

Charter Season – The best season for a yacht charter in Croatia is early summer with good winds in May and June mainly from the S/SE. Mornings tend to be calm with the wind increasing later in the afternoon to around 15 – 20 knots. The months of July and August in Croatia see calmer conditions which is OK for those who don’t mind motoring on their yacht charter.

Weather – The climate of Croatia’s coast is typical of the Mediterranean and provides for pleasant holidays throughout the year. Summer temperatures average between 26 to 30C and the sea temperature in summer is about 25C.

Time Difference – GMT +1

How to Get There – The nearest airport is Split (SPU). Scheduled services fly from major European cities. There are additional charter flights in the summer.

Currency – The local currency is the Kuna. The Euro is accepted almost everywhere in Croatia

Language – Croatian, with both German and English spoken widely

Food & Drink – Croatian cooking is typically Mediterranean with fish, shellfish, fresh vegetables and olive oil taking centre stage. Varieties of fish include dogs tooth, gilthead, grouper, mackerel, sardines and sea bass. You will find cuttlefish, octopus and squid, lobsters, mussels, oysters and shrimps. These are presented grilled or in stews and risottos. The local smoked ham is very good. Lamb is also highly regarded, especially baked on an open fire. There are some interesting local dishes, some found on individual islands, to be sought out or avoided. Take Vitalec as an example – lambs offal wrapped in lamb gut and spike-roasted, not everbodys idea of culinary heaven. Pag and Dubrovnik produce high quality sheep’s cheese. Pag’s is known as Paski-Sir, a hard, distinctively flavoured cheese. The unique flavour comes from the method of rubbing the cheese with olive oil and ash before leaving it to mature; in addition, the sheep eat a diet that includes many wild herbs such as sage. Dalmatian desserts are good too. The most usual ingredients include almonds, eggs, honey, local fruit, dried figs and raisins. Try Orehnjaca, a sweet bread with walnuts or poppy seeds. Palacinke are pancakes usually served with jam or chocolate. Dalmatian wines have been regarded highly since ancient times. Famous wines include Babic from Primosten, Dingac and Postup from the Peljesac Peninsula and Plancic from the island of Hvar. There are also good local brandies and liqueurs.

Suggested Itinerary;
Day 1 – Join the boat in Sibenik in either Marina Mandalina, located near the centre of town, or Marina Solaris.
Day 2 – Sibenik – Skradin – 10 miles. Head NE up the Krka River. Skradin is a small town located on the river and at the entrance to the Krka National Park. The main attraction of the park is a series of waterfalls.
Day3 – Skradin – Rogoznica – 25 miles. Return down river and then follow the coast SE to Rogoznica. This attractive fishing village has a naturally protected harbour with good depths. Fresh fish is available every day in the restaurants. Try the fish soup prepared la Rogoznica.
Day 4 – Rogoznica – Komiza – 38 miles. Head S to the island of Vis. Komiza is situated in a deep bay on the W coast of the island. There are several monasteries and fortresses worth a visit. On summer evenings you can see performances of Klape, harmony-singing groups, and children’s choirs on the coastal promenade or in one of local restaurants. Komiza is renowned for its wines.
Day 5 – Komiza – Vis – 10 miles. Sail around the island to the town Vis on the NE coast of the island. The town is located in a large and protected bay. The port of Vis is located in the SW part of the bay. The island is well-known for its wide selection of fish. There are extensive stocks of tuna and large crabs so check out the local restaurants.
Day 6 – Vis – Vela Luka – 30 miles. Head E to the island of Korcula. Vela Luka is located on the W side of the island. There are several museums and galleries located in the town centre
Day 7 – Vela Luka – Korcula – 25 miles. Head to the E side of the island and the town of Korcula, an historic, fortified town still surrounded by fortified walls. The town has mooring facilities. The western harbour provides shelter except from strong northerlies when you are advised to use the eastern harbour. Korcula”s historic sites include the central Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of St Mark, built from 1301 to 1806, the 15th-century Franciscan monastery with a beautiful Venetian Gothic cloister and the massive city fortifications.
Day 8 – Korcula – Scedro – 25 miles. Head NW to Scedro, an island off the south coast of the island of Hvar
Day 9- Scedro – Palmiza. Head N to the island of Hvar. Palmizana has a marina with 200 berths.
Day 10 -Palmizana – Trogir – 25 miles. Head NE and back to the mainland and the town of Trogir which is situated on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Ciovo. The town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List
Day 11 – Trogir – Primosten – 30 miles. Head NW along the coast to Primosten, famous for its huge and beautiful vineyards. It is also known for the traditional donkey race that takes place there every summer. Primosten’s Raduca beaches have been voted amongst the 10 most beautiful beaches in Croatia.
Day 12 – Primosten – Piskera – 35 miles. Head W to Piskera, a small uninhabited island in the Kornati islands National Park
Day 13 – Piskera – Sukosan – 30 miles. Head N and back to the mainland. Sukosan is a popular holiday resort and home to Zlatna Luka Marina. The town itself offers nice walks through the traditional narrow alleys.
Day 14 – Sukosan – Murter – 25 miles. Murter is located in the northwest part of the Sibenik archipelago and is separated from the mainland by a 20m wide sea canal at Tisno.
Day 15 – Murter – Sibenik – 15 miles. Leave the yacht

History of the Area – Croatia has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The Croats arrived in the seventh century in what is Croatia today. The first king, Tomislav I was crowned in AD 925 and Croatia became a Kingdom. The Kingdom of Croatia retained its sovereignty for almost two centuries. Croatia entered a union with Hungary in 1102. In 1526, the Croatian Parliament elected Ferdinand from the House of Habsburg to the Croatian throne. In 1918 Croatia declared independence from Austria-Hungary and joined the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During World War II, the Germans occupied Croatian territory and created the Independent State of Croatia. After the war Croatia became a founding member of the Second Yugoslavia. On June 25, 1991, during a bloody civil war, Croatia declared independence and became a sovereign state.