{"id":8116,"date":"2021-01-04T11:27:07","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T16:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/?p=8116"},"modified":"2021-01-04T11:27:58","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T16:27:58","slug":"living-the-lavish-life-your-complete-guide-to-yacht-ownership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/living-the-lavish-life-your-complete-guide-to-yacht-ownership\/","title":{"rendered":"Living the Lavish Life: Your Complete Guide to Yacht Ownership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The popularity of boat ownership has skyrocketed in recent years. Heck, boat sales were up 10%<\/a> in 2020! That\u2019s a whole lot of new people hitting the water and enjoying the immense benefits boating has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all boats are made equal though. And, of all the diverse vessel options available, there\u2019s one, in particular, that\u2019s sought after more than most: yachts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yacht ownership is the holy grail of boating. Buy a yacht and you can go on a luxury vacation whenever you want, take amazing day trips with friends and family, and revel in the simple joy of being on the open water. It\u2019s deluxe, fun-filled entertainment at its finest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there\u2019s also a lot of learning to do. First, you have to buy the best yacht for your needs. Next, you need to know how to maintain, drive, and look after it to get the most from your investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want some help doing exactly that? Keep reading for the only guide to owning a yacht you\u2019ll ever need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Shop Around<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Owning a yacht is a privilege that few people ever get to experience. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because they don\u2019t come cheap! You don\u2019t necessarily need<\/em> to be a millionaire, but it certainly helps\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a lot of money on the line, it\u2019s imperative that you pick the right yacht for the job. You\u2019ll enjoy the experience of yacht ownership far more if you take the time to find your ideal vessel. Put some thought into what you want<\/em> (in terms of size, features, and aesthetics) and shop around <\/em>until you find it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust Your Gut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Doing your homework\u2019s important. As we noted above, this isn\u2019t a decision you want to rush. Take that tack and you risk spending huge amounts of cash on a yacht you don\u2019t even like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even worse, you could buy a vessel that\u2019s riddled with underlying issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some people take so long searching for the perfect boat that they forget why they wanted one in the first place! They go from boat show to boat show, speaking to countless companies and private owners. Many lose all heart along the way; many more lose patience and make unwise decisions in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both cases lead to a bad outcome: a bad<\/em> yacht or no yacht at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it\u2019s enough to trust your gut. Always pay attention to your reaction to the boats you see. If it\u2019s love at first sight, then that\u2019s often reason enough to buy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn to Drive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Driving a yacht isn\u2019t easy. Remember, these are large and complicated vessels. Even experienced boaters can struggle to master them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to drive your own yacht, then you\u2019ll need to invest in your learning too. Practice makes perfect, but taking official training courses will speed up your progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, and be sure to check the rules around licensing and qualifications in your state as well. You might need to get a license before you can legally operate the yacht. Clarifying your legal obligations could save you a world of trouble down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, if you want other people to pay you to drive the yacht (i.e. you\u2019re starting up a business), then you\u2019ll need a captain\u2019s license first. This may also prove important when arranging insurance for the vessel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or Hire a Driver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, not everybody wants to drive their own yacht. Many people prefer to sit back and relax while a captain they\u2019ve hired does the work. Others want a full crew <\/em>onboard- especially on larger boats that demand more hands on deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the size of your yacht could make this decision for you. If it\u2019s too big for one (inexperienced) person to handle, then hiring a captain will be key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never rush the decision. Ask around for referrals, do a rigorous search, and double-check their documents to ensure they\u2019re legit. You could also consider doing a \u2018trial run\u2019 to ensure you\u2019re happy with their capabilities and trust them at the helm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get the Right Gear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Buying a yacht is one thing. Kitting it out with all the necessary equipment is another. Trust us, having the boat is great, but investing in high-quality equipment will be the cherry on top. From sailing the boat to staying comfortable on it, first-rate gear is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, most yachts come with everything you need to run them. Yet many new owners decide to upgrade some (or all) of it if the current systems are old and outdated. Everything from modern boat props<\/a> and electric winches to bow thrusters, heating systems, and dishwashers make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand Yacht Maintenance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alas, owning a yacht isn\u2019t all sunshine, rainbows, and sipping champagne at sunset! It takes a lot of work to keep it running and looking its best. Let the maintenance slip and you open the door to expensive issues that can impinge on the yacht\u2019s operation (and your bank balance).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s cleaning to do (inside, outside, and underneath), services to arrange, and systems checks to complete. You\u2019ve got to wax it, repaint it, and do whatever it takes to ensure the yacht\u2019s safe and seaworthy at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the manufacturer\u2019s ownership manuals, read articles on the topic, and watch relevant YouTube videos to upskill yourself. Or, if you don\u2019t fancy the hassle, pay someone to handle it all for you\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Forget This Guide to Yacht Ownership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the pecking order of brilliant boats, yachts stand out from the crowd. They\u2019re the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of the boating world. Luxurious, extravagant, and elegant vessels, they\u2019re also highly sought after around the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet yacht ownership isn\u2019t all about knocking back caviar and champagne! It can entail lots of time, work, and energy too. Have you just bought one for yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, with any luck, this guide will have provided all the information you need to make the most of it. Browse the \u2018Travel & Leisure\u2019 section of the website to read more articles like this one now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The popularity of boat ownership has skyrocketed in recent years. Heck, boat sales were up 10% in 2020! That\u2019s a whole lot of new people hitting the water and enjoying the immense benefits boating has to offer. Not all boats are made equal though. And, of all the diverse vessel options available, there\u2019s one, in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8116"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8116"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8118,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8116\/revisions\/8118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atyourbusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}