What Is A Superyacht?

Many people may wonder what it is that defines a superyacht. Since the 1990’s more and more of these beasts have been built, including the Lionheart owned by British businessman Sir Philip Green which is based in Monaco and cost over £100 million. Sir Philip also owns three other yachts – Lioness, Lionchase, and Lion Cub. (Quite why anyone needs four yachts is a matter of mystery to some). However, even Lionheart is overshadowed by some of the yachts owned by Russian oligarchs, and the world’s most expensive yacht is the History Supreme which was commissioned by an anonymous Malaysian businessman, is covered in gold and platinum, and cost $4.5 billion!

A superyacht is defined as any yacht that is 24 metres or more in length, is commercially operated, and has a professional crew. It can be sail or motor powered, but most are motor powered. 

Read more at superyacht

Safety tips to help you sail your yacht like a pro

Sailing yachts are nothing but fun. Despite many people being experienced in sailing, accidents still continue to happen. No matter how much experience you have, review basic sailing safety rules before and after any trip. Let’s refresh your memory with these top safety tips for sailing.

Ensure you and everyone else is wearing life jackets. Insist on your guests and even crew wear life jackets. Over 70 percent of fatal boating accidents drown because they weren’t wearing life jackets. Ensure you always have enough life jackets on board. Jackets are even more important in cold water areas in that hypothermia is a risk factor. Victims will lose body heat 25 times faster in cold water. This will lead to the onset and progression of hypothermia. Life jackets will make all the difference.

Track the Weather. Check local weather conditions before departure. See what sailing conditions will be like before sailing out. Pay attention to wind direction, and visibility. Sometimes the weather can be quite unpredictable so check the skies for signs. It is always safe to head back to dry land if you sense a storm brewing. Most sailing yachts can hold their own during storms.

Have an Assistant Skipper. An assistant skipper knows all about your boat’s handling and operations. It is important to make sure there is a backup person who can follow the proper safety rules.

Have a float plan. Always let someone else in on your float plan. A float plan includes your destination and route. A typical float plan will have all these essential bits of information:

1. They contain your name, address, and phone number of trip leader
2. A name and supporting phone number or contact details of all passengers
3. Details of the boat type and boat registration information
4. Your logged trip itinerary
5. Easy access communication and signal equipment onboard the boat, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

Aside from all of these you would be advised to always carry an emergency toolbox on deck with you. Accidents can happen anywhere, so be sure to always have a first aid kit that contains at least the basics. Plasters, bandages, antiseptic, painkillers and sunscreen. 

Save alcohol for dry land. Sailing mishap probabilities double with alcohol use. Many studies have shown that sun and wind aggravate alcohol effects.

Be your own handyman. Ensure that you have the knowledge and skill set so that you can at least make minor repairs on your yacht. Investing in basic boatman skills will save you time and money. Spare fuel, fuses, and engine belts are must-haves for you. Lastly, can you swim? This skill is invaluable if you plan on sailing for a long time. This singular skill is the difference between life and death in sailing mishaps.

Avoiding Big Problems When Buying A Used Yacht or Luxury Boat

Buying a used yacht
According to statistics, 60% of first-time boat buyers choose to buy a used yacht. Part of the lure is the price and of course, if you’re just starting out, you may not be ready for a big financial investment. Another popular reason with most people is that the yacht has been used and it thus tested and trusted. But is a used yacht really reliable? The fact that it was pre-owned may or may not result in unpleasant future surprises. Here are four pitfalls to avoid buying a used yacht. 

How safe is the engine, have you checked?
The engine may have been patched up. The engine of any device is the most important. Yachts are not any different. The engine’s water jackets may have cracks, which mean it hasn’t been properly winterized. The engine mounts may have also been worn out causing the engine to be misaligned. The cylinder compression and exhaust system should be checked as well.

Consider the Yachts wiring
Do you know whether or not the wiring on the boat has been replaced? Wiring problems on a yacht is a nightmare for any owner. Yacht wiring schematics often run under deck into closed compartments. If you are looking to buy a used yacht, you will need to turn on every electrical item. Even if you take a peek at the fuse box, you might not know exactly what is wrong. To be sure of the wiring, you may need to hire a professional to take a second look. This service won’t come cheap and after a few years the multitude of issues you might discover occur over time with a used yacht could have you questioning whether or not it would have been better to consider a brand new purchase, perhaps something with a German Frers yacht design instead.

Have you checked your Hull?
The Hull is the foundation of a yacht or indeed any naval vehicle. Most hulls will have blisters which are pockets of moisture trapped between the layers. Over time, these blisters will grow and pop and this is not good for the resale value of these boats. The rub rail is also one area to check. A damaged rub rail indicates a stressed joint. A stressed or incomplete joint seal might eventually need a repair.

Have you checked your steering systems?
A worn steering system is both dangerous and expensive to repair. The cables and mounting areas are the most common areas of wear. Experts will check for a limited slack while testing the steering before buying. Steering issues are major safety issues that are very expensive to repair. 

Cracks are concerning- Any used yacht will definitely have a crack or two. However, many cracks or cracks in a pattern could show structural or impact damage. Multiple cracks could also mean delamination.

Essentially, buying a used yacht entails some inherent risk and ultimately might not even be much less expensive. If the used yacht or luxury boat passes through this checklist, you could consider forking out your money to buy one, however our recommendation would be to consider something with a German Frers Yacht design to help maintain its value over time.