Yacht TBC

When you dream of buying your own yacht to cruise off into the horizon, are you concerned that the price of a new sailboat will be too hard on your finances to make your dream a reality? Maybe you should contemplate exploring all the used sailboats for sale these days, because for cheaper the price of a sedan, you might soon be cruising away on your very own antique yacht. The timing is exceptional, because of the popular sailing explosion that swept the country almost 30 years ago, that has now fed a healthy market of older used sailboats, many that have been well preserved and are even now in fantastic condition.

One advantage to purchasing a pre-owned sailboat is that it is already outfitted with all the accessories, the type of additional — and extremely necessary — items that can truly go a long way when you invest in a new sail boat. For those who are new to sailing it can be hard and frustrating to learn about the various kinds of sails and how to actually outfit a new boat. Even though it is possible that the equipment may be many years old and in need of fixing, you will have the advantage of knowing what works, or what is non-operational on the make of pre-owned yacht you buy.

Like any other used piece of equipment, you will need to be cautious when hunting for pre-owned boats because there is invariably the chance that there are significant problems that has prompted the owner to sell to avoid imminent restoration expense. Certainly prior to you putting any cash down, you will need to conduct a comprehensive inspection and also take it for a cruise, since pictures and sales copy can be somewhat misleading.

To find used sailboats for sale, potential buyers are sensible to utilize different shopping techniques such as classified ads, internet searches and good old fashioned local word of mouth, since neither the costs or options are standardized. as soon as you have begun your investigation, you will get acquainted with the up-to-date price trends and the availability of pre-owned sailboats in your region that match your needs.

To find the latest information on pre-owned yachts for sale in Canada, look into local trade journals that gives you exclusive access to boat listings. The classified sections in the publications frequently list quality yachts for resale. Similar magazines that promote pre-owned sailing yachts is Boat for Sale that not only has many listings for pre-owned sailboats, but publishes a value guide each year that covers price ranges of popular sailing yachts that are resold in Canada.

Professional sailboat dealers can also be helpful if you make sure they are qualified, because anyone can brand themselves a broker. A genuinely informed dealer can be invaluable and absolutely worth the additional commission tacked on to the asking price. Reputable brokers can ease the process of both purchasing and selling a used sailboats because they will assist you focus on the kind of vessel to suit your particular requirements so you don’t waste time on reviewing used sailboats for sale that are not feasible for your needs.

Almost all of us who have anything to do with pleasure boats, wonder how is the boat market going to be in the future? Where is it going from here? Do pleasure boats have any future? Will the trend of owning and selling boats be a larger market or smaller due to world’s economy. What will particularly happen in Asia? Which country will be the major boat market? China, India, Indonesia perhaps? Importantly what steps should be taken today, in order to create a better market in these countries.
In Hongkong, we are realizing the obvious saturation of boating market and almost all dealers and global manufacturers of boats are pointing towards China and India. Making these 2 countries the biggest potential boating markets.
Lets talk about China first and realize that in 2005 we had big hopes for the boating business in China, we thought that the boating industry would be huge by the year 2010. Well, we are in 2010 now and China clearly has not picked up to that level of prediction, so the market is still slower than what the lot of industry experts had predicted. The reason behind that is China’s rules and regulations in pleasure boat industry. Taxation and licensing rules are very unclear in China. The rules are different for different states in China and for new boats there is a 40% tax.

Infrastructure and development speed in China however, is fantastic. But there are very few pleasure boats that are floating on the waters of China. There are definitely buyers for a high end yachts, but the maintenance is still difficult and costly. People are prepared to pay to own a luxury yacht but they are not willing to put a lot of time, over spend on maintenance, pay high taxes and go through long procedures to acquire licenses. Some marina clubs in China are now assisting in providing necessary licenses for their members, but it is not cheap. Another way the Buyers handle this issue, is by simply keeping and using their boats in Hongkong. This obviously overcrowds HK’s marinas and does not help much to boost sales into China.

A way to overcome this issue and in order to create better regulations in future, is for brokers in Hong Kong to sell more low priced and good quality used boats into China. If dealers stop hunting for high end clients and direct more marketing towards the younger and median rich clientele, It will create a lot more pleasure boats in the waters of China. The market will surely respond. Forbes list of 2010 confirms that there are 64 billionaires in China, however, a point to note that there are over 900,000 people whose net worth is more than 10 million RMB. Majority of these people are younger than 39. Even a larger and younger population exist, who are up to 5 million RMB worth.

There are definitely more number of people who are willing to spend a small amount of money initially for a boating venture. Since boating lifestyle is not very common for China, the importance should be given to bringing more boats into China, which are not very expensive and are good in quality.
This can fill the marinas, force the management to grow and also provide decent opportunities for shipyards to work.
It will also force government to look into creating manageable regulations and taxing, and if the growth of this concept is healthy, this will undoubtedly create a friendlier and hassle free market for the high end yacht buyers. In any case, China will have a large boating market, but to make it earlier than later, depends on our actions today.
Lets talk about India.
One of the biggest advantages India has is that Indian mentality and lifestyle is very adaptable to western lifestyle. India adapts and accepts ideas, culture and products from the west very easily. High number of Indian population speaks in English. Almost everyone understands English. If you are a non-Indian company, you can easily find educated work force in India. It is also easy to set up a service centre and to train workers due to India’s language capabilities and educated population.
GDP growth of India is currently 7.2%, The country is ranking no.5 in the billionaires list and India currently holds approximately 200,000 millionaires with net worth of USD 1 million to 10 million, and a larger population of people that are worth slightly less. India’s upper middle class population is expected to grow about 10 times in the next 10-15 years.
But here are the set backs! India’s politics is a chaos, corruption exists in many sectors and things become inefficient.
Major concern is that the infrastructure growth is slow. Due to corruption and differences in political groups, it is difficult to commence any kind of infrastructure. The marina which was due to be built more than 5 years ago in south of India is still not ready. Therefore the speed of development of marinas is a lot slower than China. Boat owners still do not have berthing facilities in India.
On a positive note, being the world’s largest democracy the rules and regulations are flexible and with its plus points, if the luxury boat business does reach a good start like having few working marinas and few decent boats. Indian market for boats will see faster growth than of China’s boating market.
The dealers of boats in India also need to market cheaper and quality yachts for bigger clientele. More boat chartering businesses also can boost the industry in this initial stage.
I am also sure it wont be too long until I can have hassle free cruises in the waters of India and China.

by Baggy Sartape
For more info on boats www.asia-boating.com

The Original Yacht
Derived from the Dutch term “jagen”, meaning to hunt or chase, the word Yacht usually refers to a small, fast craft which is excellent for small voyages and short crossings. Originally this meant a fully rigged vessel that was smaller than a pinnace but large enough to be fully decked over.

Defined as such back in 1742, what classified as a Yacht had changed from the years preceding this and would change in the centuries following it. Today, as the capabilities of Yachts increase, everything from a luxury motorised cruise liner to a private family boat is labelled as one, with all the material prestige that comes with it. But however you define this type of vessel today, it has a rich history that should be known by every person who calls themselves a sailor.

The First Yachts
The Yacht was the vessel of choice for many explorers in the 17th Century. Spacious enough to house several men as well as several months’ worth of supplies, including fresh produce to avoid the dreaded scurvy, these Yachts were fast, nimble and seaworthy – perfect for exploring unchartered waters. The Duyfken, which dropped the first western visitors on Australian shores in 1606, was a small 60 ton Yacht and, similarly, the coast of New Zealand was first sighted from the deck of such a vessel 36 years later.
Besides being an ideal exploration vessel, early Yachts also played a pivotal role in many great wars and battles. The Dutch favoured the Yacht as armed tenders and the now famous Duyfken was a critical player in the infamous battle against a blockade of Portuguese ships which essentially ended the Iberian dominance of the spice trade in 1601. As warships grew bigger with improved technology, the Yacht settled into the role of courier during war time, relying on its speed to pass on vital information in a hurry.

The Beginnings of Yachting for Pleasure
Boating and yachting for pleasure is almost as old as boating itself. Egyptian Pharaohs recognised the splendour of water travel and were buried alongside elaborate barges to transport them through the afterlife in elegance and style. But it was in the late 1600’s, many thousands of years later that the joys of water recreation became more attainable and part of everyday life.

Yachting as a Dutch Invention
It was the great maritime country of the Netherlands that, centuries later, not only brought yachting to the world’s attention, but also built and essentially invented the first Yacht. The massive waterways in and around this Dutch country necessitated the use of quick waterborne transportation to move around both goods and people. As the country utilised these vessels to explore the world and trade across the oceans, so their wealth grew. This new found affluence was naturally expressed in finally being able to enjoy this wondrous natural asset of water that had served the people so well.
The pleasure-Yachts that resulted were fiercely patriotic and many even featured cannons to celebrate their country’s military prowess. Waterborne activities such as competitive races, parades and mock-battles became a staple in Dutch culture, cementing the Yacht’s place in leisure activities for the future.

The Yacht Invades Europe
The delights of yachting for pleasure spread across the channel to England, ironically thanks to the British Civil War in 1642. Sent to an island refuge to protect the royal lineage, Charles II began sailing to keep himself amused and soon fell in love with this pastime. A spell in the Netherlands during his exile only deepened his passion for yachting and when he was finally instated as King in 1660, he began an enduring royal patronage of sailing as a recreational sport that would reach into modern times.
When the 17th Century Tsar Peter the Great discovered the wreck of a Yacht gifted to Ivan the Terrible over a century before, his own interest in the pastime was piqued. With Russia’s interest from the East and Britain and the Netherlands’ love for pastime yachting slowly spreading into Europe from the West, it was not long before yachting for pleasure was a staple in the European recreational calendar.

Yachting Today
Sailing around the Mediterranean on a private Yacht with the sun setting behind you and the turquoise sea glistening below is an undeniable fantasy of many people. Owning a holiday or vacation home in one particular place is becoming unfashionable. This fixed location becomes dull after a while and is also restrictive should the climate, political situation or currency of a country falter. A much more popular alternative is to invest in a Yacht. This floating holiday home is mobile and can house entire families, allowing vacationers to see the world with their loved ones in five star luxury.

Yachts today are a far cry from the basic sturdy vessels used to transport explorers around the ancient world. Equipped with every modern convenience, businessmen can check their email, make conference calls and organise a merger, all before breakfast and a morning swim in the ocean. Motorisation, differing sizes, increased safety, equipment and technology have all contributed to making yachting a viable and appealing alternative for vacationers.

The Rise of Yacht Charters
As an alternative to owning a Yacht, aspiring sailors can hire a Yacht from a Yacht Brokerage Company. These reputable companies, such as Yachting Partners International will take care of all the finer details, allowing vacationers to simply relax on the seas as their Dutch ancestors intended. Comprehensive itineraries can be planned according to each individual’s interest and all administration, catering and service related issues will be maintained by that company. A far cry from the strenuous yachting of the past, this recreational activity has endured over the centuries to have evolved into a luxury activity.

Luxury yacht charter companies offer a way to travel and enjoy the convenience and privacy offered by using a private yacht without having to buy one. Previously luxury yachts were a preserve of the extremely wealthy but with the introduction of yacht charter services, holiday revelers can enjoy living and travelling in a private yacht at a fair prices. Luxury yacht rental services are offered by companies which own fleets of yachts and offer access to luxury yacht destinations.

There are a large number of luxury yacht charter companies that offer their services through the internet. They allow clients to browse a wide variety of available charter yachts to various beautiful destinations such as tropical islands. The services offered by these companies include luxury yacht rental for all kinds of yachts according to the clients preference and budget. Most people intending to rent a luxury yacht have no sailing experience and hence the yacht charter companies have experienced staff that operate the vessels on their clients behalf.

Luxury yacht charter companies have a wide selection of the latest luxury yachts. Some of the yachts have state of the art accommodation services matching those on five star hotels. Other vital attractions include bars and hotels that serve exquisite cuisines aboard these vessels. Luxury yacht rental combines the elements of wind, sea, sun and beautiful yacht destinations, such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, all for the maximum comfort and luxury of their clients.

Yacht charter services have become popular with holidaymakers who find cruise ships to be too overcrowded and are not willing to spare any resources to guarantee themselves the privacy and luxury of travelling on a private yacht. Companies that charter luxury yachts have fleets of motorized and sailing vessels to suit the needs of their clients; some have mega yachts which are large yachts that boast the latest luxury features and advanced technology. Depending on the travel arrangements luxury yacht rental may provide crewed yachts or crew-less ones for those choosing to travel in privacy.

Luxury yacht charter services offer tours to beautiful locations and enable their clients to feel at one with nature and also sample different cultures of the world. The time for which luxury yacht rental runs may be one day to several weeks, depending on the needs of the holidaymakers and the travel packages offered by the yacht company. Before making bookings holidays it is important to browse through the internet for a list of luxury yacht charter services and make an informed choice. Details about departure dates, departure cities, payment rates and various services offered are available on the websites of yacht charter companies. It is essential to make sure that the company you are dealing with has good reputation of customer satisfaction before signing up for that a particular rental service.

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.