First-time yacht buyers always get surprised by the process of buying a yacht and more often than not, buyers get lost in the market. Therefore we are releasing a series of articles you can refer to for yacht buying tips. In this article, we will help you to understand how to determine the features of your ideal yacht, what to keep in mind plus some tips and tricks. In particular, we will help you to choose a yacht that best suits your needs. Making a list of desirable features and amenities will help you to eliminate possible choices, and narrow your selection down.
How and where will you be using your yacht?
It is vital to know how you will be using your yacht. Are you planning to sail around the world with your family and friends? Will you primarily be cruising the warm Mediterranean or perhaps you want to venture to colder seas and climates?
If circumnavigation is how you see yourself enjoying your yacht, you might want a sailing yacht or motor yacht that you can either navigate by yourself or perhaps with the assistance of a small crew. If you plan to skipper your yacht by yourself, you will want to consider the size carefully as well as how easy and safe the yacht is.
A good range and fuel consumption are a necessity for long travel, as you will need a transatlantic range or a 5000+ real explorer range. A proper airco-system will make your trip more comfortable and is required with the humidity in tropical climates. It is also essential to think about the electrical systems onboard as you will spend time in countries with different power supplies. Serious attention should be paid to the communication systems onboard when cruising in diverse areas. We think about satellite connection, Wi-Fi antenna etc., and also the reliability of these systems is crucial when you are in more remote areas. Who will be responsible for maintaining these systems, you or your crew?
If you intend to cruise mainly in the Mediterranean, you could consider a fast motor yacht. They typically have larger engines and have higher fuel consumption. Or, perhaps you want something more timeless, like a classic gentleman's displacement yacht. Packed with lots of charm and character they tend to have lower fuel consumption? A canoe stern is comfortable for cruising and has beautiful lines, but is how is the access to the water? Perhaps you prefer a swimming platform where you have easy access to the water at all times?
Safety and comfort are very important when buying your yacht. Whether you are wiling away the days at a gorgeous marina, spending time at anchor in the azure seas, or cruising, you should be safe and secure. Finally, consider how the yacht performs at anchor. Look at the overall stability of the vessel itself. With a stable yacht, you won't need extra zero-speed systems. Extra Zero speed systems request a running generator at all times, which is both costly and pollutive.
If you are planning to cruise into the northern climates such as Norway / Alaska, you will want a reliable heating system and isolation and insulating glass windows. Depending on how far north (or south) you go and at what time of the year, you might want to consider an ice-class yacht. These are specialist yachts that have reinforced hulls for breaking through sea ice.
If you are going to use your yacht just a few weeks a year, it is a good idea to keep your eyes open for a yacht that is (or could be) commercially registered. We will explore this topic in more detail in a later post. Chartering your yacht can help you carry the running costs. Charter yachts usually have many staterooms and are well equipped as you also need enough space for your permanent crew.
Another insiders' tip is to check the systems – Do you want/need a stabilizer? Noise and vibration aspect for example can the yacht get through the night without running the generator while at anchor for example? Also keep your eye out for the exhaust you are emitting, as rules apply in certain areas and are getting more strict.
We'd love to hear from you.
With this series of yacht buying guides, we would like to help you by giving you a better understanding of topics that yacht buyers and yacht owners run into. Topics and issues we will address in the coming guides include: How to register your yacht and type of operation (pleasure or commercial), Crew for your yacht, Running costs of a yacht, and more.
