The Origin of Yachts

The term Yacht comes from the Dutch word jacht or jachtschips.  The Dutch Navy in the 14th century did not have fast enough ships to catch the rampaging pirates, a smaller and faster jacht was designed which was able to outrun and catch them.

Yachts – History

In the mid 1600’s Royalty, the elite and wealthy merchants started building and racing yachts, it became a popular sport and developed into what it is today. 

 

The America’s Cup

In 1851 the schooner ‘America’ competed in the 100 Guinea Cup presented by the Royal Yacht Squadron of Great Britain, for a race around the Isle of Wight. ‘America’ went on to win this race and the America’s Cup was borne..

 

Yachts

A yacht is generally used for leisure, racing, or cruising and can be a sailing or a powered vessel.

 

Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht was designed and built as a Royal residence to entertain guests around the world. The late Queen Elizabeth II commissioned the Royal Yacht into service on 11th January 1954, she was decommissioned in 1997 and is now a 5 star visitor attraction with nearly 400,000 visitors per year from all over the world. Her permanent berth is the Ocean Terminal, Leigh, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ, Scotland.

 

Yacht Propulsion

Yachts were originally powered by wind, then for a short period, by steam, followed by diesel engines, traditionally with shaft drive and more recently sail drive. The new propulsion system of electric and hybrid is slowly gaining ground for yachts of all sizes. Solar panels now add a boost to creating green energy afloat.

Sailing boats offer a unique and environmentally friendly way to travel on the water, harnessing the power of the wind for propulsion.

 

 

Yachts for Sale Guide

The Yachtsman's Guide to Buying a Boat

Buying a yacht can be a thrilling yet complex experience. We have designed this guide to simplify the process by breaking it down into manageable steps, ensuring you make an informed decision.

 

Determine Your Budget 

Initial Cost: Includes purchase price and any taxes or registration fees.

Annual Operating Costs: Fuel, Maintenance, Insurance, Marina Fees, Waterway’s Licence.

Financing: Cost of a mortgage or loans. 

Travelling: The annual cost of travelling to and from your boat.

 

Type of Yacht

Yachts can vary in different forms and sail configurations from Ketch Rig to standard Bermudian Rig. Keel configurations are different with the all encapsulated keels to deep bulb keels and twin keels and drop keels. Your yacht can be slim racing yacht to the wider beam cruising yacht all these configurations. Are you an ocean sailor or coastal one? Dutch sailing barges are graceful and is an ideal floating home.

Living aboard 

Are you going to live aboard permanently, just for the summer months, or just occasional cruising? If living aboard permanently consideration should be given to the type of boat, a steel yacht can be fully insulated, with double glazed windows and doors, and heating systems, very comfortable in the winter, its not necessary to have this type of boat if you are summer cruising only.

Your cruising Yacht

Having guests aboard is a great social event. When you have guests aboard to stay consideration should be given as to the sleeping arrangements and toilets (heads) will they snore, and might have to use the toilet throughout the night. When planning your new yacht it is ideal, if your budget allows to buy a yacht where there are after and forward cabins both with toilets, your toilet has the shower which all can share.

Where am I going to keep my yacht - very important question?

In a Marina your yacht is secure and easily accessible and with all the utilities alongside, very convenient. Some marina’s offer a lift out service in the winter into their secure pound. In some cases owning a yacht means a flight or long drive to the marina; the marina manager can be contacted so that work can be carried out in your absence, including lifting back in to the water and securing your boat alongside. Normal winterisation and de-winterisation can be done so that your boat is ready to go when you arrive.

Buying a new yacht

Buying a new yacht offers the latest technology, a very useful warranty, and the opportunity to customise your yacht during the build process. This comes at a higher cost than buying a used one, however depreciation may occur when selling.

Buying a used yacht

Buying a used yacht is more affordable, less depreciation, layout could be appealing: however, there are fewer customisation options and there could be unknown mechanical defects.

 

The ‘Yacht’s for Sale’ process starts here.

You could be buying from a Yacht Broker a Private Seller, an Auction or direct from the Builders (with a warranty). The process for all of them is basically the same except for the Auction where the yacht is sold as seen. The sales contract known as the ‘Bill of Sale’ is signed by all parties and a returnable deposit is paid to secure the boat for a given period of time, generally ten days but can be more if a surveyor is not available. During this period a Survey and Sea Trial is carried out, paid for by the buyer.

The Survey and Sea Trial

A Professional Survey is essential when buying a used yacht to check for structural integrity, mechanical condition and to satisfy your insurance company. The Sea Trial is to test the yacht’s onboard propulsion and steering systems, and performance at sea whilst under sail.

The Final Price 

This is the time for negotiations on the price, and anything in the sea trial or survey report that needs attention, this is discussed and a settlement figure agreed or not, as the case maybe.

Bill of Sale

The Bill of Sale should be carefully read to check all necessary details, one item to add and that is to check there are no outstanding debts to the boatyard or marina.  The title is transferred and Registration documents completed. 

 Yacht Insurance

Don’t forget to insure your new asset, fully comprehensive is the best. Please read our section on the home page covering all forms of boat and yacht insurance.

 Additional Resources to help you 

There are online Discussion Groups to connect with other boaters for advice and experiences. Read reviews on different boat models and brands, visit Boat Shows where you can view a vast selection of boats. Have you considered renting a yacht for a holiday to practice your driving and sailing skills and ensure you are making the right decision to buy your own yacht.  

 By carefully considering your needs, thoroughly researching and following these steps, you can make a well-informed decision and enjoy your yachting experience to the fullest. 

 

Happy Sailing!

 

Yachts for Sale 

TheYachtMarket.com has around 50,000 new and used boats for sale of all types all over the world.

 

Read more ...

 

 

Yacht Maintenance

Maintenance of yachts is described fully in the main section. Click here to find out more.

None-Destructive Testing (NDT)

The None-Destructive Testing (NDT) technique is a very good tool for inspecting spars and standing rigging connections for hairline cracks. The Ultra-Sound is very effective but needs training to understand the kit and resulting data, the Dye Penetrant system below is much easier to use.

The Dye Penetrant Crack Detection System comprises three aerosol sprays, a cleaner, the dye, and a developer.  Follow instructions carefully and photograph the results; cracks will show as a distinctive red line.  Ideal for checking cracks in solid stainless-steel rigging, chain plates and toggles, masts and booms where there could be stress-related cracks behind tangs, spreader roots, and connections, ideal for testing the area around the foot of the mast.

PTFE – Spray Lubricant

PTFE spray is ideal for sheaves, cars and travellers, winches (not the greased areas), furling gear etc. it does not absorb dirt and dust and is suited to the sailing environment.

Modern Diesel Engines

To reduce harmful emissions from Diesel engines the  search for cleaner emissions has resulted in engine manufacturers redesigning fuel delivery systems.  Common rail diesel delivery is one system.  Injector pressures in the '70s were around 300 bar (4,351 psi); today, pressures exceed 2,500 bar (29,000 psi); this higher injection pressure is a key factor in reducing an engine's untreated emissions.  It also improves atomisation by having a better fuel-air mixture ratio, meaning optimum combustion is achievable, giving enhanced power output and efficiency.

Diesel Fuel-Sulphur Content

The sulphur content of diesel fuel over the last few years has reduced from 500 parts per million to 15 ppm.  This fuel is now known as ULSD (ultra-low sulphur diesel).  This dramatic reduction has resulted in problems for manufacturers and operators of diesel engines and diesel fuel distributors. 

Modern Engines

Modern engines have a higher power-to-weight ratio and are more reliable and cleaner than older engines.  Many now have electronic controls to optimise fuel consumption and efficiency. .

Team imardex marine 2022