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yachts

What to use for Anchor Rode

by Capt. Doug Malat on March 16, 2010

There are 2 main ways to go with Anchor rode for Powerboats or Sailboats. You can use anchor line/rope or anchor chain. I was a fan for many years on the line/rope with a 20 foot length of chain from the anchor. I felt the length of chain from the anchor protected the line from getting chafed from dragging on the bottom as the boat would swing in the wind or change of tide. The chain would scrape along the bottom to a new position instead of your bare anchor line as it bumped or snagged shells, rocks, or debris on the bay or sea floor. By using the chain off the anchor, you’ve added weight which keeps the anchor line parallel along the bottom, making your boat anchor always bite deeper into the bottom.

As my cruising area grew larger, I would see other new or used boats and yachts anchoring with all chain. That tata-tat-tat of the chain going over the bow roller is very distinguishable, and as time went by, I heard this sound more often. Being able to let out less rode if you are equipped with all chain, is quite handy in tight areas. Another factor to mention in direct relationship between the two, is with anchor rode of line/rope, you swing around a lot more and also feel quite a bit more movement when the wind freshens. With all chain for your anchor rode, you seem to not swing as much and as the wind gets fresher, you also seem to not move back as much on the anchor. It’s like slow motion.

Diving below the water, I have seen the difference between the chain anchor rode and the line/rope anchor rode. With the chain you can see it head right for the bottom and then go in the direction of the boat anchor. As your boat or yacht eases back from a puff of wind, the chain lifts off the bottom. That’s a lot of weight that chain has to lift off the bottom so you don’t move back too much. With line/rope anchor rode, that same puff of wind pushes your boat or yacht back till it gets to the chain by the anchor and sometimes gives you a jerk as it tugs on the anchor itself. Also when swinging in the wind, the anchor rode with line/rope takes on a full swing of the line, while the all chain rode from its weight keeps you in tight swing so you don’t notice it as much.

In bigger blows it is good to use all chain rode to keep that anchor biting the bottom, but with this kind of wind you can be putting more stress on the chain links and the boat or yacht by the jerking. Here is where you should hook a line/rope right to the chain, maybe 20 feet or so and tie the line/rope to a cleat. This section will now allow the stretching abilities of the line/rope to create less strain and stress to the boat and on the chain links themselves.

Anchor chain does come in various sizes and tensile srength to match your boat or yacht needs. There maybe some considerations to take on the storage and weight of chain, but you will find that most boats and yachts today, (even yours) are equipped with anchor windlass to aid in the ease of letting out and/or bringing in the anchor chain. When looking around the harbor, you will now see the different reactions of boats and yachts on all chain rode and line/rope anchor rode.

Douglas Malat is a licensed captain, sailor, powerboater, and co-creator of Yacht Authority.com, where you will find numerous boat services and power boats for sale , sailboats and boat repair services in your area.

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Relaxing On A Yacht At Sea

by Sam Morton on March 12, 2010

Taking a yachting holiday means living on a seafaring boat for days or weeks. But because yachting is historically a luxury setting, we regularly consider yachting to be the same as living in a five star hotel that also is free to wander the high seas. But the truth is there’ll be a different lifestyle on a cruise ship and even the most roomy and luxurious yacht is still a seafaring vessel and it’s good to predict that approach to life and be prepared.

There are small points to think about when packing for your yachting holiday. Besides being bound to pack your bathing suit, you should keep in the mind that you are at sea and no quantity of luxury or spending can keep the ocean from creating waves under the ship. So if you’re susceptible to seasickness, the proper medications should be took along and taken before you take your foot off dry land. Of course, any good yacht will have medical facilities and your crew will keep an eye fixed on everyone onboard, particularly if you are new to yachting. But it is’s best if you anticipate the requirement so you don’t have to go through a bad experience.

Before leaving to take ownership of your yacht, get a checklist from the yacht charter company so you know the way to pack and how much storage you have on board. Even the most magnificent of yacht still has some limitation to storage. So get some dimensions and a physical outline of what would be suggested wardrobe and what kind of facilities will be available. If you know there will be hair dryers, curling irons or even a beauty shop on board, the ladies can leave plenty of their “toys” at home which makes packing and emptying a lot easier.

Talk about the approach to life on board the yacht with the party before you board and the expectations in terms of activities and services. In fact, you ought to know long before you are about to board what forms of special considerations to have available to your group. The crew captain will have some type of medical expertise on the yacht in the shape of a dedicated doctor or a member of the crew with medical information. Make him conscious of any food allergies that the cook should avoid or other medical issues to be conscious of so all mandatory appliances and drugs are on board so no medical emergency can interrupt the trip.

By being prepared in advance, you can assure that everyone in your yachting party is aware of how it’ll be to live at sea for a couple of days or weeks and the rolling waves and the adequate sea air doesn’t take them by surprise. And as you made sure to head off problems in advance, your cruise will be a delight for all concerned and memories born on your yachting adventure will last a whole life.

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Things To Help You Plan A Super Yacht Charter Holiday

by Jack Whitman on November 8, 2009

As private yacht charters have become more popular over the years they have also become more affordable. Those who want to avoid the crowds on a cruise ship opt for the more intimate environment of a yacht charter.

Yacht charters are a truly wonderful way to sail and explore less navigated routes. They also allow you to chart your own course, whether you take the helm of the yacht yourself or not.

There are many interesting places you can visit on every continent on your holiday travel. You can choose your route depending on what you want to see and do. You can sail through places endowed with wonderful historic monuments, incredible wild and marine life, great sandy beaches, stunning scenic beauty or happening party towns.

The number of people who will be sailing with you will usually dictate the size of your yacht. Your yacht should have enough beds and cabins to sleep all those on board. You can of course go for a yacht that’s much bigger than what you need but this will naturally mean more expense. Apart from size, charter costs also vary depending on whether they are equipped with basic amenities or have luxuries like jacuzzis and gyms.

A skippered yacht charter is for those who can’t or don’t want to navigate the yacht themselves. An experienced captain will sail for you and the advantage of this kind of charter is that usually your captain is someone who knows the sailing area quite well and is aware of the local wind and weather conditions. If you want a truly luxurious holiday opt for a crewed yacht charter so have your own chef, hostess and other crew as well on board.

If you are an experienced sailor you can consider choosing a bareboat charter which allows you to navigate the yacht yourself. You can arrive at the nearest port and then sail from there. Bareboat charters can be challenging but exhilarating because you will be sailing in unknown waters. Before you leave port you must check the yacht thoroughly and preferably you should do this at least one day before your sailing date.

Different sailing routes require different levels of expertise. Some can be sailed by those who are beginners or have an intermediate level of expertise. Others require more experienced sailors. The reason is that sea and winds conditions can be unpredictable and even treacherous in certain areas. Some routes have calmer conditions with no hidden rocks and sandbanks in the waters, making them ideal for those with less experience. It is extremely necessary for sailors on bareboat charters to acquaint themselves with weather charts and sailing routes before setting sail.

One of the most important decisions you will make is about the choice of your yacht charter company. Make sure that it is reputable and has a good track record.

Jack Whitman recommends some great sailing routes for Alaska Private Yacht Charters. He has also written in great detail about routes for Yacht Charters In The Greek Island.

categories: yacht charter,private yacht charter,skippered yacht charter,bareboat charter,holiday travel,Charter,yacht charters,bareboat,bareboat charters,yacht,yachts,luxury yacht charter

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Important Questions Answered For Buying The Right Yacht!

by Neil Andrew on November 4, 2009

Purchasing a yacht or a boat, whether for the first time or not, requires quite a lot of time to research and analyze. Owning a lake or a sea vessel involves investing a large sum of money, with many other ongoing and regular maintenance expenses throughout the months and / or years of ownership.

A few important questions that you should think about in regards to considering yachts for sale have been noted below:

How much can you afford to spend on a Boat? Ownership and maintenance of a vessel can be very expensive. If this is your first purchase or major upgrade from a small boat you will want to ensure your spend is within your financial means. You also need to factor in the costs that you will need to part with each month /year to keep your vessel in excellent condition due to environmental and mechanical wear and tear such as: the corrosive effects of sea water, damages from sunlight, ice and snow, rain and rough sea / lake conditions. Taking excellent care of your vessel will ensure your enjoyment is maximised and will make for reliable sailing. This will also help retain the resale value of your investment, like other yachts for sale that have been well cared for.

Are you looking at second hand / used vessel? Given that the average boater only gets out on the water about once a month it is likely that many of the pre-owned yachts for sale on the market will be in pretty good condition. A very wise option is to have a professional assessor thoroughly look over a potential yacht for you. A qualified assessor can help identify if any structural damage is due to wear and tear or likely to impact the performance of the boat, if other obvious repairs have been done correctly and by quality repairers and not quickly covered up, what the condition of the hull is like, if there is any internal / external rust that needs attention, and if the boat has durable and robust ropes and rigging.

A few questions you should ask the existing owner about the vessel for sale include: -Where was the vessel stored? – Marina, dock or trailer for instance. -What was the boat used for? – Cruising, sailing or racing for example. -Does the boat come with a trailer and/or motor? What condition are these in? -Does the vessel meet current safety guidelines and when was it last inspected? -Has the yacht ever been in an accident? When, how etc.

Have you considered boat share? This is a new and excitingly option that allows you to enjoy a boat at a fraction of the cost of sole ownership. It allows you to share the cost of owning and maintaining a vessel amongst several other owners. This a fantastic idea for people new to sailing and yachting as it provides you with an affordable way to become familiar with the sport while also giving you a chance to decide if sole ownership of such a vessel is something you wish to embark on. If you enjoy sailing, cruising or racing on the open waters but do not have the time and money to support your own boat or yacht, then the boat share option is definitely something to look into.

Thorough research is certainly advisable prior to purchase and will ensure that your money is well spent on a boat / yacht that you can be confident in using out on the open water.

Visit our sea vessel website here. You can also sell your boats here!

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