The All Inclusive Luxury Motor Yacht Charter

 What is so unique about a luxury motor yacht charter? The list goes on and on, but the most poignant trait may be it is the only vacation you will ever take where you get both the control of calling all the shots and the pampering of an all inclusive vacation package. Whether you choose a motor boat or sailboat charter you will be on the trip of a lifetime. Hire a crew to make your vacation even more carefree and you’ll never travel any other way again.

 

Destinations of the Sea

 

A typical vacation for you may have been to some pretty exciting or peaceful destinations. Chances are you booked your flight and hotel online or through a travel agent then anxiously awaited your vacation. You fly to a specific airport then perhaps rent a car to use public transportation. Next you see all the sites within a day’s drive of your hotel, hope your flight home and it all becomes a distant memory as you try desperately to recuperate from your adventure.

When travelling aboard a luxury motor yacht charter the experience is entirely different. First and foremost you are not limited by geography and you don’t have to worry about booking a hotel for each city you visit. Your luxury suite travels with you along with your personal chef and butler. On top of that, all of your closest friends and family can come along.

Luxury yacht vacation packages that also include a flight to the departing port can range from weekend trips around the Caribbean Islands and the Bahamas to week long travels to the Mediterranean sea.  Generally the Caribbean is reached via Miami and European Islands and those in the Mediterranean are reached by a number of different departure cities. The all inclusive trip is yours for the designing. You choose where you will stop and how long you will stay. There are no other passengers to accommodate other than those you have invited so the choice is yours.

 

What Is It Like Aboard a Luxury Motor Yacht Charter?

 

Imagine the finest hotel with the best restaurant in the city at your disposal 24/7 and you only begin to see the luxury of a privately chartered cruise. Now add to that the best a private spa has to offer with exercise equipment, a spa tub and steam room and refreshing dips in a private pool. Now you are getting closer to the luxury of a private charter.

Accommodations are not the only aspect of luxury. Service that is top notch and available around the clock adds to the overall experience. A well trained and knowledgeable crew is always at your disposal. This includes the skipper, a first mate, the finest chefs, and discretely efficient housekeeping services. After experiencing such service you’ll want to take the crew home with you so you can extend the luxury of this type of travel.

Make a date with luxury by taking an online tour and reserving one of the finest sailing vessels on the sea. Your next trip will be the standard by which all others are measured.

Ten Watertight Luxé Yacht Builders

 While the size of one's boat may set yachtsmen apart, the underlying commonality is that all yacht owners are seamen at heart. Making a big splash on the marine scene today calls for something of substantive value. While every yacht out there is not a superyacht of 100 feet or more, or a mega-superyacht exceeding 200 feet in length, it should be equally superb as a looker and a performer. 

Here is a recap of some the yacht builders we presented over the past year or so. Each one is a shipbuilder of worldwide acclaim. Trinity Yacht can produce a 400-foot-long vessel. Azimut Yachts is renowned for its advancements in soundproofing technology. Christensen Shipyards has built more yachts measuring 120 feet or longer of composite materials than any other builder. The Burger Boat Company built numerous vessels for the U.S. during wartime. The firm also produced the first all-steel-welded hull made in the U.S. All are capable of fulfilling a buyer's vision of a "dreamboat," whether it is a power or a sailing yacht. 

Presenting the newest, the best, and the most innovative in all matters of luxury lifestyle is a never-ending process. So stay tuned. More noteworthy and up-and-coming yacht builders will be introduced throughout 2007 - and beyond. 

Azimut Yachts offer the best combination of features and benefits to its lucky owners. The Azimut 85, which premiered at the Genoa Boat Show in October 2005, is luxury afloat at its finest. The 85's length is actually a tad longer than its name and 22 feet wide. Stephano Righini designed the exterior and Carlo Galeazzi manned the interior. The advanced soundproofing techniques and windows on both decks are only two of the yacht's noteworthy and unique features. 

Marquis Yacht is a U.S.-based firm that is definitely on the rise. With each release, beginning with the Carver 59 Marquis, the company is diligently establishing its niche for launching innovative, Italian-inspired-designed yachts. The 59 features twin 660 horsepower Cummins QSM11 diesel inboards, with the option to upgrade to twin 825 horsepower MTU Series 60 diesel inboards. The ship's overall length is nearly 60 feet with platform and a waterline length that exceeds 45 feet. Standard features include a hydraulic swim platform and fore and aft shore-power ties. 

Saying it in Italian just sounds more romantic than saying it in English. But no matter how you say it, the 44.8-meters long Gran Finale by Delta Marine is one beautiful boat! Launched in 2002, this tri-deck is the winner of the 2003 "Best Motor Yacht Over 38 Meters" by Showboats International. Its all-encompassing craftsmanship is perhaps the boat's greatest benefit. However, providing a smooth ride at a cruising speed of 18 knots and a top speed over 20 knots, with its twin Caterpillar 3512B engine, is quite impressive too.

International Yacht Collection is a fourfold specialist in the luxury boating industry. The firm is capable of managing and maintaining a yacht for personal or corporate owners; taking a boating project from inception to design to completion; offering brokering services; and yacht-chartering specialists for either corporate or personal needs. 

The Rasselas, the latest vessel launched by Feadship De Vries of the Netherlands, is the most technologically advanced yacht to ever float across the waters. Strident progress has been made in shipbuilding technology over the past 10 years, and this craft has incorporated it all. The innovative technology addresses environmental and operational issues, reduces noise level, and facilitates maintenance and favorably. Specifically, it burns fuel more efficiently and is easier to keep in tip-top condition. Measuring out at 62 meters, it is nearly 30 feet longer than the previous Rasselas.

Thank goodness the Burger Boat Company was revitalized in the early 90s and put back in the waters of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by its new owners, David Ross and Jim Ruffolo. Founded in 1863 by Henry B. Burger, the contributions this organization made to the U.S. and to the boating industry are historic, patriotic and most inventive. From 1870 to the turn of the century, the firm specialized in manufacturing steamers, tugs, scows, schooners and barges to support the industrialization efforts of the USA. During World War I, Burger manufactured 22 vessels for the U.S. Navy and Emergency Corps. READ MORE 

When the topic of the conversation turns to yachts, the size of a vessel is generally at the top of the pecking list. However, the more significant issue regarding long-term value is the materials used in the construction of ships. Christensen Shipyards has built more 120-plus-feet yachts with composite materials than any shipbuilder in the world. Composite materials eliminate rust and corrosion and provide better insulation and strength compared to ships built from aluminum and steel. This makes overall maintenance easier and extends the life of a ship threefold compared to those predominantly constructed with metals. Christensen Shipyards is a certified shipbuilder by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), which was established in 1862 and is the governing agency for safety standards of the marine industry. ABS is a non-profit organization with 150 offices in 70 countries. 

Trinity Yacht encourages all yachtsmen to have it your way! Whether you are seeking a 72-footer, a 200-footer or a whopping 400-footer, your selection is built and designed to meet and, probably, exceed your expectations. Trinity can place bid on designs drawn up independently from outside sources or provide patrons with designs stemming from either its Victory Lane or Global Explorer series. 

It is very difficult to begin a sentence with a company that prefers not to capitalize its name or products, such as eLuxury, iPod, or oceAnco. However, what oceAnco does capitalize wisely are its resources when it comes to designing and building superyachts. The firm has built some of the finest 50-meter-plus vessels to clientele around the world. Its main office is in Monaco, and its shipyard is based in Albasserdam, Holland. The yacht builder's Web site boasts of 16 launched boats. Over the past three years, oceAnco has launched three stunning 60-meter-plus yachts: the Lady Lola at 62.6 meters, the Alfa Four at 60 meters, and the Dilbar at 66 meters. The Dilbar has two master suites and a dip pool on its sundeck that is over 15 feet wide. Mr. Alberto Pino is the interior designer of the steel hull with an aluminum superstructure, and oceAnco is both the naval architect and the exterior designers.

Princess Yachts International is a shipbuilder with over 40 years of know-how. The company, which began in 1965 and was known as Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd., originally specialized in making 20- to 30-foot ships. Today the company is regarded as one of the world's most prominent manufacturers of Flybridge yachts and "V" class sports yachts. Yacht building began in 1970 with the launching of the Princess 32. Over the next decade, approximately 1,200 Princess 32s were ordered and sold.

Take A Catamaran Sailing Charter: Room Enough To Move Around

 A catamaran sailing charter is the best option to choose when you want to take a sailing vacation. This is because this type of boat has the most room of all so that you can enjoy your sailing experience to the fullest. A typical catamaran sailing yacht has 4 private double cabins, plus 2 more for the captain and the crew. If you are chartering the catamaran and handling the sailing yourself, these extra cabins could be for the children. A catamaran sailing charter is an excellent idea for a family vacation where all the family can be together all the time. 

Some of the amenities you can enjoy with a catamaran sailing charter include cooling fans in the cabin and the salon. There are also fresh water transom showers so you won’t have to bathe in salt water on your catamaran sailing vacation. The electronics on board the catamaran include a GPS, a CD player and a VHF radio. You don’t have to do without cold food because catamaran sailing vacations have a refrigerator and beverage cooler on the yachts, as well as a barbeque and a microwave. Enjoy all the comforts of home as you are sailing along. 

When you choose a catamaran sailing vacation, you will have a spacious deck where you can sunbathe, use as a diving platform or just sit and chat. The cockpit of the catamaran sailing charter is also quite spacious and has a table where you can sit and enjoy the scenery on days when the weather doesn’t allow you to spend time outdoors. From the seat on the helm you have a view of all parts of the deck when you are docking if you are operating the catamaran on your own. 

The oversized main salon of a catamaran has ample room for all members of your group to be seated comfortably. There are huge windows that give you a 360° view to help you make the most of a catamaran sailing vacation. If there is a lot of sun, you don’t have to be uncomfortable inside, because with a catamaran sailing charter the overhanging top of the cabin provides shade from the sun as well as cooling down the interior. When you book one of the catamaran sailing vacations, the charter company will make sure you understand how to use the navigation charts before you depart. 

When it is your turn to cook on your catamaran sailing charter, you can still be part of all the action with the way the galley is designed. The galley is located on the starboard side of the catamaran and the gallery area is an open space. You can cook and talk to everyone else at the same time. Along with a three - burner stove and an over, you have ample storage space for all your food supplies. For the sleeping arrangements, a catamaran sailing charter provides you with queen-sized berths, each with its private bathroom.

Rudder Angle Indicators: A Smarter Way to Dock

 When maneuvering a vessel in tight quarters, the ability to have a quick visual reference of your rudder angle is very important.  A collision could jeopardize the safety of your passengers and of others.  It could damage your boat and your pride.  Luckily for us, technology provides a solution.

  We took a look at several different types of rudder angle indicators and reviewed them for you in this article.

Gravity Driven Rudder Reference Gauge

  The first type we reviewed are gravity driven rudder angle locators.  These simple devices attach to the center of your steering wheel and use gravity to pull a needle downward as the gauge moves in synch with the wheel.  These units are inexpensive and easy to install with no cabling or drilling required.  

&nbsp;&nbsp;During testing we found that these rudder locators to be inaccurate and unreliable.  Any time that the boat rocks from side to side, the needle swings back and forth making it virtually useless in choppy water.  On vessels with hydraulic steering, these indicators give poor reference of the rudder angle due to variances in hydraulic fluid pressure.  Our Score: <strong>3/10</strong>

Mechanical Arm Rudder AngleIndicators

The second type of rudder indicator we reviewed operates using a mechanical arm.  Mechanical arm rudder locators are the most common type on the market.  Arm-driven units like come stand-alone or as a part of auto-navigational systems.

These mechanical indicators consist of a dashboard gauge and an arm (often sold separately) that connects to your rudder or outboard motor.  A downside to these devices is that on some vessels the rudder moves further in one direction than another, this cannot be read by the mechanical arm.  Otherwise, these units are accurate and reliable. They are somewhat pricey though, ranging from $350-$2000 and typically require expert installation.  Our Score: <strong>6/10</strong>

Cable Driven Rudder Locators

&nbsp;&nbsp;Last but certainly not least, we reviewed cable-driven rudder angle indicators.  Unlike other indicators, these units work for both in-board and out-board motors.  A company called SmarTrac inc. currently holds a patent on the system which is used in their product the SmarTrac Rudder Locator.

The SmarTrac rudder angle indicator has a sending unit (also called a potentiometer) that is mounted near your rudder or outboard motor.  A steel cable is then pulled from the sending unit and hooked to your rudder linkage.  This unique cable driven system allows the device to measure the entire range of rudder movement. 

The sensor sends data through a 3-conductor cable to the dashboard gauge which then calculates a reading using a built-in microprocessor.  The microprocessor is easily programmed to match the specifics of your vessel. This product is effective for use on hydraulic steering systems because it connects directly to the rudder linkage.  Accurate, inexpensive ($199), and easy to install, this new technology could make a big splash in the nautical electronics market.

Survival Life Jackets For Inflatable Boat Owners

 The most essential boating accessories sailors should have aboard their inflatable boats are survival life jackets. Wearing a life jacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD) will save your lives if you are in a boating accident because it will keep you afloat until help arrives. There are several different kinds sailing life jacket designs. You need to know about each type of life jacket to make an informed purchase.

If you regularly take your sail boat on the ocean, you should use an offshore life jacket. This survival jacket is designed to keep you afloat in rough waters. Even if you become unconscious during a sailing accident, this type of personal flotation device will turn your face up. With 22 pounds of buoyancy it is the best PFD to have if you are sailing in remote lakes where help may be a long time coming.

The classic life jacket for adults and children is referred to as the near shore survival jacket. It is not as bulky as the offshore PFD and is designed for sailing in inshore waters. This type of personal flotation device is designed for areas where you won’t have to be in the water very long before help arrives.

For comfortable sailing, you might want to consider a flotation aid. This type of life jacket is the one used for most recreational boating activities. These are not really survival jackets because although they will keep you buoyant in the water and save your life, if you are unconscious they will not turn your face up.

You need to know about the different designs of life jackets in order to equip your inflatable boat with the best survival gear for your passengers. Families that enjoy sailing together should have a personal flotation device for each member of the family. Life jackets and survival vests are not as bulky and uncomfortable as they once were. Make sure the PFDs you buy for your inflatable sail boat is certified by the Coast Guard.

River Party Boat Cruises in Greater London: a Corporate Event to Raise the Team-Building Attitude

 The River party boat cruises in Greater London offer an experience unparallel to any other boat cruising parties. If you have a fetish for the warm sparkling waters of the river, then you should opt for such a gala cruise party to get refreshed after weeks of constant work pressure. If your town or the nearby town to your place has a frothy blue river then you can go for such parties on every weekend. The party truly seeks to test the team-building attitude present in corporate people. 

The riverboat party offers you a promising time with its varieties of games, fun-filled entertainments and unique interaction. As you come to meet various people of different origin, you feel rejuvenated in soul and this induces further effective participation and productivity in you. There can be no greater alternative to this riverboat party cruise.

If you are thinking of visiting one of these evening gala parties, then you can contact Chillisauce. With the reputation of these corporate event organizers reaching skyrocketing heights, one can never ignore the functional activity of this company. Chillisauce is managed by efficient event planners that offer an array of exciting daytime and evening activities for corporate people. With the soul purpose of freshening the minds of corporate people, the river party boat cruise in greater London also tests the team-building spirit and time management skills in them.

However, river party boat cruise can only take place in Gloucestershire and Greater London. 

River party boat cruises in Greater London offer great fun onboard of some famous and luxurious ships or yachts. You can dance throughout the night or simply chill at the bars with an array of exotic drinks.  The deck, which remains flooded with rainbow colored lights, offers all corporate people to enjoy in the al fresco party and get thoroughly refreshed. Just as the chill sets in, the booming voice of top class DJs fill the evening air echoing fun and frolic all over. There is also a cash bar on the board that can be available at regular pub prices. 

The culinary delights offered in the river party boat cruise in Greater London are simply amazing. You can enjoy dishes of roasted legs of chickens, hot jacket potato with butter, different types of salads with spicy dressings and buttered rolls. Along with the food, the party extravaganzas continue for 4 hours and leave you completely refreshed and rejuvenated in mind and spirit.

The river party boat cruise in Greater London imbibes the following factors among corporate people:

-- To increase productive efficiency

-- To test the team building attitude

-- To enhance inter-personal relationship between corporate people

Attend the river party boat cruise in Greater London to feel regenerated before going back to your hectic schedule.

Stag Weekends in Brighton: Yacht Sailing

 With its best social scene on the South Coast and fantastic locations for all types of outdoor activities, Brighton is easily the number one choice for a stag weekend. Mountain boarding, kayaking, sailing, raft building, paintball and clay shooting are a few of those stag dos you will find in Brighton. 

<b>Yachting Day in Brighton</b>

The best part of yacht sailing in Brighton as a favourite stag do is that you get a full day to ride a 36 ft racing yacht. You will be given a safety briefing before being taken by your skipper on board. For two hours, you will be taught the mechanism and the basic skills required for sailing. Chillisauce ensures that you are treated to a delicious lunch at the yacht club while sharing your new experience with the rest of the crew. 

The time to test your skill comes in the afternoon when you will be asked to take charge of the yacht yourself. The skipper will then act as a passive crewmember and will only take charge of the yacht if your team finds it difficult to control. Each team will comprise of a minimum of six and a maximum of ten members. A fun filled stag do, yacht sailing is the best way to spend your stag weekend in Brighton. 

<b>The Positive side of Stag Do in Brighton</b>

Stag weekends with stag parties and stag nights are the best ways to enjoy your weekend. Brighton, with its scenic beauty and thrilling nightlife is the right place if you are looking for a calm place, eager to escape the din and bustle of city life. When it comes to all types of stag outdoor adventures and water activities, stag do in Brighton gives you the ultimate pleasure. Yacht sailing, one of the most sought after stag do in Brighton, releases you of all the tensions of the past week and rejuvenates your mind by giving you a adventurous feel with a long lasting soothing effect on your mind. If you are looking for some adventurous water activities, just go for the big challenge of Yacht sailing in Brighton.

Riding In The Lap Of Luxury Travel With A Virgin Island Yacht Charters

 If you've never had the experience of being at the helm of a yacht as you sail through the crystal waters of the Virgin Islands, then consider making that your next vacation goal. A variety of yacht rental and/or vacation facilities are available that will provide you with a complete line of vessels from which to choose for your luxury excursion.

Yacht Chartering Services

+ Bareboats BVI - Located in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, this facility offers a comprehensive line of yachting models and services. Complete with Caribbean sailing charters, motor yacht vacations and crewed yachting holidays, there's something for everyone - with every level of experience - at this premier yacht chartering establishment. They can be located online at www.bareboatsbvi.com.

+ Island Yacht Charters - Be the skipper of your own chartered yacht or rent a crewed charter when you choose a vacation package through this top-of-the-line Caribbean facility. Located in the Red Hook area of St. Thomas, these folks also offer land packages which include accommodations at Villa Nathalie - a two-bedroom villa on the island's east end. For more information, visit their website at www.iyc.vi.

+ St. John's Classic Motor Yacht - Complete with public cruises and private charters, this establishment - located in Cinnamon Bay - offers a variety of vacation and charter packages. Destinations include Virgin Gorda, Outer Cay and Norman Treasure Caves, and will personally customize your trip to accommodate up to 40 guests. Their luxurious yachts include amenities such as spacious salons, teak and mahogany construction, awnings, oversized sun decks, on-board heads and more. Visit their website at http://motoryachtcinnamonbay.com to check out their vessels and vacation options.

+ Destination BVI - This wonderful online travel facility allows you to charter a yacht, plan a vacation and virtually tour the surrounding areas that you may choose to sail by visiting www.destinationbvi.com. Both motor and luxury yacht charters are available to guests, as well as special holiday options that are available during designated times. Whether you prefer a sailing yacht, motor yacht or luxury crewed yacht, you'll find what you're looking for at Destination BVI.

+ VIP Yacht Charters - With more than a dozen models to choose from and a variety of locations throughout the 75 islands which comprise the Virgin Islands territory - including both the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands - VIP Yacht Charters offers comprehensive packages for vacationers who are looking for more than the run-of-the-mill boating excursion. Their website, www.vipyachts.com, includes fully linked pages that provide information on all aspects of your Caribbean vacation.

Amenities and Activities

For the most part, the basic types of activities and amenities that can be expected from a yacht chartering vacation are pretty much the same, regardless of which facility you choose for the planning of your excursion.

Although the particular attractions will vary from one destination to another, you can expect to enjoy excellent opportunities for fishing, water skiing, wind-surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking, in addition to other water-related sports. For those who prefer to soak up the sun at the water's edge, there are plenty of beaches throughout the Virgin Islands, and most of the chartered yachts are equipped with spacious decks that are just right for getting a bit of sun without ever leaving your lodgings.

If you're booking a crewed yacht charter, or taking a group tour with others on a luxury yacht, then the menu is often prepared in advance, offering a delectable assortment of foods that will appeal to just about everyone. In addition, most will offer custom dishes for those who wish to enjoy a special favorite, since the chefs that accompany such cruises are generally pleased to accommodate guests in such a manner. Other amenities include a wide variety of luxury items, specific to each model.

For a great sea-going vacation in the Virgin Islands territory, treat yourself to a chartered yacht, and enjoy the best of all possible worlds.

Sportfishing Security Tips

 First of all you should check all of the tools; equipments like rod without fracture and reel should move easily and smooth, Check them carefully if they are working fine before start to enter the water. Otherwise replace them immediately. Also same for the lure and sinkers should be rust free to avoid injuries. Be aware of the biting fishes like Muskie and others, it leads to life danger for you and others. And also you should keep in mind about the weather conditions, always be aware of it, you should confirm from the officials is there any weather changes expected in that day, but no one can say exactly about the weather conditions, so you should come to sportfishing with all necessary safety things including your dress material like life preserver since it is painful, don’t avoid this to wear.

You should be aware of others while you do sportfishing with a group of people and don’t take children with you, The dangerous thing is doing the idiot game Noodling, this can lead your hands can be attacked by the cat fishes and some other types of dangerous fishes, many of the people has loss their life, while doing Noodles by searching the holes in the water by pending down up to their chest level.

Don’t decide to go for ice fishing without having secured build systems including your dress materials, also your health conditions may be affect by serious diseases. You should be careful always, sometimes careless leads to fall in ice.

If you follow these security things described above in this article, then you can enjoy the memorable sportfishing experience and safe you and others without injuries.

Once In A Lifetime Experience: Yacht Charter Sailing In Greece

 Greece is a country chosen by the Gods Offering its visitors spectacular beaches, interesting villages, an abundance of history, as well as flowing green country sides, Greece is an ideal destination for a wide variety of groups.  Greece boasts one of the world  largest and most beautiful coastlines and over 2000 islands to choose from.  Therefore, chartering your own private, crewed yacht is quite simply one of the best ways to visit this exciting destination.  With numerous luxury yachts adorning the perfectly blue, crystal-clear waters off the coastline of Greece, Yacht Charter trips in Greece has turned out to be one of the favorite past times of the country and an awaiting adventure for its many visitors.  As you island hop your way through the islands of Greece, a wide variety of available activities and land base excursions are at your disposal.  Drop anchor for a while and wander the winding cobbled streets, experience a Greek coffee or a taste of sizzling grilled octopus at one of the many small island taverns, visit one of the many beautiful beaches, or take a cooling swim in the sparkling sea.  A Yacht Charter in Greece is not your ordinary vacation  it  a trip of a life time and an experience that is sure to be filled with adventure, history and fun.

For our clients interested in Yachting Vacations in Greece, we offer quality yachts, professional crews, friendly service, and 12 years of hands on experience owning and operating our own charter yachts, at no additional cost to our clients.  We make it our business to know the yachts, the crews, and our destinations we recommend first-hand.  Therefore, we recently attended the charter yacht show in Poros, Greece where we had the opportunity to step aboard classic Sailing Yachts, stunning Motor Sailers and sleek Power Yachts galore.  In addition, we took the opportunity to explore the most popular grouping of islands in Greece, the Cyclades, which include well-known Mykonos and Santorini.  These are the islands that typify Greece with their white washed villages, beautiful beaches, and cosmopolitan nightlife. Other popular island groupings in Greece include the Ionian, the Argo-Saronic and the Dedoconese.  The Argo-Saronic Islands, with their close proximity to Athens have a rich history. The picturesque harbors and cobbled streets of Aegina, Poros and car-free Ydra are still lined with Neo-Classical mansions of a time gone by. The Ionian Islands, which lie off the west coast of mainland Greece, are the greenest of the island groups, less visited than the popular Cyclades islands, and therefore a "crew favorite" among the yachts of Greece. These islands, which include Corfu and Ithaca, enjoy crystal-clear seas, superb beaches and inviting towns and villages.  The Dodecanese Islands are situated at the most eastern part of Greece, along the West coast of Turkey. These islands, including Rhodes and Kos, offer their visitors a wonderful blend of architectural styles with both eastern and western influences. Discover traditional villages, crystal clear waters, splendid beaches, historical sights, and an exciting nightlife.

In addition to destination choices in Greece, there are various types of yachts available for Yacht Charters in Greece, including Monohulls, Motor Sailers and Power Yachts.  Monohulls are the perfect choice for the traditionalist as these yachts provides a classic sailing experience. Guests aboard this style of yacht will experience the exhilarating thrill of sailing as well as the traditional features of these yachts.   Motor Sailers are a traditional yacht style found in Greece.  These yachts typically use their engines in tandem with their sails. This would be an excellent choice for those wishing to explore the islands of Greece in luxury while enjoying the character and exhilaration found onboard a sailing yacht.  Power Yachts are a suitable choice for those interested in greater mobility in the islands. This type of yacht is a popular choice in Greece as the distances between many islands are greater than those found in the Caribbean.  This category additionally features yachts of over 100 feet in length, which could be individually classified as "Mega Yachts". This type of yacht is suited to the high-end customer interested in world-class amenities, cuisine and service while traveling the islands of Greece aboard a private, luxury yacht.

Sea Kayak Accessories: Essential And Fun Accessories For Kayakers

 Sea Eagle.com is well known for their inflatable whitewater and ocean kayaks. The manufacturer offers a complete line of sea kayak accessories. Some of these accessory items are essential for your safety on the ocean or whitewater trips, others fit into the ‘fun’ category.

Some of the most common inflatable ocean kayak accessory items include:

Life jackets and paddling vests – Coast Guard approved PFDs are a must for owners of inflatable boats and kayaks. 

  

Inflator pump – You can inflate your sea kayak with a hand operated pump. A 110 V high volume inflator/deflator makes the job easier and faster.

  

Repair kit for kayaks – This is an essential accessory item in case the kayak develops a leak. The kit contains two patches of the hull material, glue and a valve replacement tool.

  

Bilge pump – A high volume hand operated bilge pump is essential for getting the water out of the inflatable when on the water.

  

Storage bags for bow and stern – Great boating accessories for storing your supplies and gear.

  

Kayak carry bag – Deflate and roll up the inflatable sea kayak, then place it on the bag and wrap the bag around it for easy storage.

  

Seats – It’s nice to have a seat with a back rest in your ocean kayak for long paddling or rowing. These Deluxe seats are very comfortable 

Although there are many more types of accessories you can get for your inflatable ocean kayak, this will give you an idea of what is available.

The most important accessory on the above list is the life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD). A PFD is not considered an accessory for any boat, whether it is an ocean kayak or a dinghy. It is an essential part of any sea kayaking equipment and you should never go out in any inflatable without wearing a Coast Guard approved life vest.

The second most important inflatable boat accessory is your hull repair kit. Although Sea Eagle has a small patch kit for minor repairs there is a better inflatable ocean kayak repair kit available for bigger jobs from Tuff Coat. Most if not all of these boating accessories can be bought from the manufacturer or retailer where you bought the kayak.

Learning to sail the USA way

 The syllabus can be readily divided into two parts. The Keelboat Sailing Certification Program is made up of seven stages while Small Boat Sailing Program contains a further two stages.

The Basic Small Boat Sailing Standard requires no previous experience or qualifications. It is the first course in the Small Boat Sailing Program. Students must demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of the names and functions of various parts of a boat together with common sailing terms, the sail and its ancillary components, the International Rules for Collision Prevention both at sea and on inland waters and hey should demonstrate a basic knowledge of safety procedures. On the practical side they must show they can tread water for 5 minutes and swim 100 metres, rig, launch and retrieve the boat, set and trim the sails, sail both upwind and downwind, tack and gybe, correctly apply the rules of the road, recover a man overboard, recover from a capsize, accept and pass a towline, tie four specified Knots within a given time. Upon completion he or she will be able to sail a centerboard or multihull sailboat in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters.

The first course in the Keelboat Sailing Certification Program is known as Basic Keelboat. No experience or qualifications are necessary. To complete the course students will be required to demonstrate that they can put a name to and describe the workings of various parts of a boat including the hull, keel, deck bow and stern. The components of both the running and standing rigging. The different sails including the names of part of a sail - foot, leech, luff, head, tack and clew. The various spars, mast and boom. They will be familiar with sailing terminology used to describe various manoeuvres such as gybing and coming about. Students will understand the points of sail be it close hauled, reaching or running. They will understand the basics of collision avoidance including rules of the road. They will demonstrate they are familiar with regulations covering registration and identification, proper waste disposal, who to notify in the event of an accident and what safety equipment is requires by law to be carried on a vessel and how it is used. They will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of buoyage Participants will know how to anchor a boat and describe the choice of anchors and their attributes and failings. On the practical side they must demonstrate sail handling skills, they will display competence at the helm including mooring, sailing both upwind and downwind together with a successful tack and gybe. They will complete a successful man overboard recovery. They will show they know how to tie 6 different knots and understand their various uses. Upon completion of the course students should be able to sail a boat of some 20 feet in length in moderate winds in familiar waters.

The second stage is called Basic Coastal Cruising and students must hold the Basic Keelboat Sailing Certificate prior to undertaking this course. The course looks at safety on board including equipment and procedures. An understanding of fire prevention and fighting is required. Students will be required to demonstrate a knowledge of first aid and the treatment of hypothermia. Basic meteorology is considered and students must demonstrate an understanding of shipping forecasts. An understanding of the relationship between the skipper and crew and the respective duties of each is required. Students must be able to undertake basic chartwork including depths; types of bottom, hazards, bouys, beacons and lights. The practical side of this course looks at boat handling under power and sail, man overboard recovery, the various points of sail, reefing and heaving to, docking and mooring and some knot work. When completed the sailor should be able to cruise safely in regional waters on a sailboat of up to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.

Trailerable Multihull Standard, this course is the second in the Small Boat Sailing Program. It may be taught as part of or following the Basic Coastal Cruising course. Completion of the Basic Keelboat is a prerequisite prior to taking this course. On the theory side students must be able to identify and name the various parts of a multihull that are not found on a monohull including the different wing decks, hulls, cross arms, three point rig, bridle line, safety nets, seagull and dolphin strikers. They will be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of multihulls including, performance, comfort safety and the danger of capsize. On the practical side the sailor will demonstrate: how to cast of and leave the quay with at least two different wind directions relative to the bow and then return and berth alongside, pick up a mooring buoy, manoeuvre in a restricted space, reverse, recover a man overboard, the different points of sail, tacking and gybing, sail a compass course within 10 degrees. They will anchor in the following ways, bow anchor and bridle and single bow with a stern line to the shore. When completed sailors are able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary multihull sailboat of up to 30 feet in length, in moderate wind and sea conditions.

Bareboat Chartering is the next stage. Participants are expected to hold the Basic Coastal Cruising Certificate before doing this course. The theory side covers the preparation of both crew and boat for a one week cruise including the preparation of a passage plan. Meteorology is considered including a look at fog and onshore and offshore winds. Seamanship is looked at and students should know what action is required if the engine fails, they should know how to anchor the boat bow or stern to. On the practical side the student will be able to undertake daily and weekly maintenance tasks, manoeuvre the boat under power in a restricted space, pick up a mooring buoy, use the VHF radio. The following navigational skills are required, plotting a course and establishing the compass heading and calculating an estimated time of arrival. Establishing a fix using visual bearing. Use a chart to pilot the boat into an unfamiliar harbour. Students must obtain and interpret a shipping forecast. When completed the individual can act as skipper of a boat up to 50 feet in length sailing by day in coastal waters.

The next stage is known as Coastal Navigation. This is a theory only course and no prior experience or knowledge is required. Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge of various State and Federal regulations pertaining to sailing. They must understand how the use navigational instruments including both steering and hand bearing compasses, binoculars, depth sounder, log, parallel rule and dividers. Participants must display an understanding of tide tables and their use when dealing with secondary ports. They should be able to convert bearings and compass courses between, compass, magnetic and true, plot a dead reckoning position, understand the effect of current and leeway when estimating a position and plot a position by two or more bearings, a running fix and a bearing and distance. Finally they will need to demonstrate a knowledge of buoyage and lights.

The Cruising Catamaran course deals exclusively with multihull sailing and concentrates on the  differences a sailor finds as opposed to monohull sailing. Participants should have completed the Bareboat Chartering stage. On the theory side students must be able to identify and name the various parts of a multihull that are not found on a monohull including the different wing decks, hulls, cross arms, three point rig, bridle line, safety nets, seagull and dolphin strikers. They will be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of multihulls including, performance, comfort safety and the danger of capsize. On the practical side the sailor will demonstrate: how to cast of and leave the quay with at least two different wind directions relative to the bow and then return and berth alongside, pick up a mooring buoy, manoeuvre in a restricted space, reverse, recover a man overboard, the different points of sail, tacking and gybing, sail a compass course within 10 degrees. They will anchor in the following ways, two anchors of the bow or stern, bow anchor and bridle, single bow with a stern line to the shore and bow to fixed mooring. Upon completion the person can skipper a multihull sailboat of up to 50 foot in length by day in coastal waters.

Advanced Coastal Cruising follows and participants should have completed both the Bareboat Chartering and Coastal Navigation stages. Students will be required to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the theory of sailing, an understanding of meteorology including the various cloud formations and the weather that can be expected with each. They will understand the needs of heavy weather sailing, the necessary sail changes and the use of the correct safety equipment and procedures. They will be able to describe: how set a second anchor to reduce swinging, how to recover a fouled anchor, how to use a trip line and an anchor buoy and when and how to set an anchor watch. They will describe how to tow or be towed. They will have a knowledge of distress signals. Students will correctly describe the actions required in the following emergency situations: a dismasting, running aground on a lee shore and engine failure. Students will be able to carry out maintenance and repairs on the engine. On the water students must: sail on all points of the wind and tack and gybe in a wind of at least 15 knots, sail a compass course to within 10 degrees, carry out a man overboard recovery in darkness. They will demonstrate their ability to set, sail with including a gybe, douse and pack a spinnaker. And finally they will stand a navigation watch of 20 miles both at day and night. When completed a person can skipper a sailing vessel of up to 50 feet in length both during day and night in coastal waters regardless of weather and sea conditions.

The next stage is called Celestial Navigation. The course is theory based and requires no experience or prior qualifications. The student must be able to demonstrate the Celestial Navigation required to navigate a sailboat on an offshore passage. The successful student will have demonstrated their ability to: Convert longitude into time and standard time and zone time to GMT. They will be able to calculate: the zone time given longitude, the chronometer error given a previous error and the daily rate, the time of meridian passage of the sun and calculate the boat's latitude from the observed meridian altitude of the sun, the times of sunrise, sunset and twilight, plot celestial lines of position on a Mercator projection or on a universal plotting sheet and the true bearing of a low altitude celestial body in order to determine the error and deviation of the compass. The student will be able to apply the corrections for index error, dip of the horizon, and total correction to convert sextant altitudes of the sun, stars, planets, and moon to true altitudes, determine the latitude at twilight by means of the Pole Star and the approximate azimuths and altitudes of the navigational stars and planets at twilight. In addition they will be capable of solving the navigational triangle using a navigation table and advance the LOP obtained from a sun sight to another LOP obtained from the sun at a later time and find the boat's position using a running fix (sun-run-sun).

This celestial theory can be put into practice during the Offshore Passage Making course. Entrants should be certified to the Advanced Coastal Cruising level. The student will plan a passage across either the Pacific or North Atlantic using Great Circle Plotting Charts and Climatic Charts. They must show an understanding of the essential factors to be considered when selecting a vessel for an offshore ocean passage of at least 1000 miles including hull construction and shape, keel, rig, and rudder type, fuel and water capacity. They must provide a list of tools and spares required for such a voyage. They must victual the boat for four people on passage for seven days. They must list the items to be carried in the first aid kit and describe basic treatments for injuries and illnesses that may occur together with identifying a source of mare advanced medical information while on passage. They will prepare a watch keeping system and define the duties of crew members both on and off watch. They will design a maintenance plan to cover: Bilges, electronic equipment, fuel system, hatches, galley equipment, rigging, safety equipment sea cocks, steering and the water system. They will describe the procedures to be undertaken in the following emergency situations: abandon ship, dismasting, fire onboard, lightning strike, man overboard. A comprehensive knowledge of the International Regulation for Preventing Collision at Sea must be demonstrated. When the course is completed is the sailor cans skipper a sailing vessel on offshore passages in any weather.

Sailing on the Costa del Sol

 Spain is part of the European Union and all EU and American nationals can visit the country for a period of no longer than 90 days solely with a passport. EU national can apply for a residency permit if they wish to extend their stay. Non EU nationals can apply for a further 90 day extension. These regulations do not appear to be enforced as far as the yachtsman living aboard is concerned. It is advisable to clear customs if entering Spain for the first time. The vessel's registration papers and the passports of crew members will be required. A certificate of competence, evidence of the boat's VAT status, a crew list with passport details, the radio license and a certificate of insurance may also be required. A VAT (Value Added Tax) paid or exempt yacht can apply for a "permiso aduanero" . This allows for an indefinite stay in the country and can be helpful when importing yacht spares from other EU countries. Boats registered outside the EU on which VAT has not been paid may be imported into the EU for  a period not exceeding six months in any twelve, after that VAT becomes due. This period can often be extended by prior arrangement with the local custom authorities. There is a legal requirement for foreign vessels to fly their own national maritime flag together with the courtesy flag of Spain.

It is worth considering the following equipment when cruising this area. An SSB radio is useful for obtaining weather forecasts. It is very hot in the summer and ventilation is important. It may be worth fitting extra hatches and a wind scoop over the fore hatch will help a lot. An awning or biminy, covering the cockpit, to provide shelter from the sun is a must. A cockpit table is useful as eating outside during the summer months is one of the pleasures of cruising. Mosquitoes can be a problem and many boats screen all openings while others rely on mosquito coils, insecticides and repellents. Sunburn is the other hazard cruisers should be aware of, the sun can be deceptively strong while the boat is underway, plenty of cream and a hat will go along way to avoid the misery of sunstroke.

There is a constant east going current of between 1 and 2 knots flowing through the straight of Gibraltar and between the Costa del Sol and the north African coast. There is some tide to be considered at the western end of the region, Gibraltar sees 1 metre at most. This diminishes the further east traveled. The weather is affected by several systems and is consequently difficult to predict. There is an old saying that in the summer months nine days of light winds will be followed by a full blown gale that is inaccurate. A wind from the northwest is known as the "tramotana". It can be dangerous because it can arrive and reach gale force in as little as 15 minutes. It often lasts for 3 days and can blow in excess of a week. The wind from the east, the "levante" can also blow for several days at gale force. Annual rainfall at Gibraltar is 760mm. The Costa del Sol will experience about 4 days a month of fog. Summer temperatures can exceed 35 degrees C and the winter months see around 15 degrees.

The remainder of this article looks principally at the harbours of the Costa del Sol. There are also numerous anchorages bbut only a few of the notable ones are mentioned here.

Marina Bay is largest of Gibraltar's three marinas with 350 berths. Most berthing is stern/bow to. Larger yachts can lie alongside. Water and electricity on the pontoons. Within the complex you will find a chandlers, launderette and a good selection of restaurants and bars. There is an indoor market less than 5 minutes walk from the marina. Queensway Marina is much quieter than Gibraltar's other two marinas. Security is excellent with all the pontoons being gated. Within the complex you will find several restaurants and bars.

Gibraltar itself was ceded from the Spanish to the British in the early 18th century and for most of it's history since that time Spain has been trying to get it back. There is evidence of this wherever you go on the rock. The rock itself is honeycombed with tunnels constructed at one time or another for the purposes of adding to the defences of Gibraltar. Many of the older tunnels are open to the public and feature exhibitions of how life was for the soldiers of the day. Many of the tunnels are most definitely not open to the public and there is considerable speculation as to what might be seen in these. You can see Rosia Bay where Admiral Lord Nelson's body was bought ashore from HMS Victory following his famous victory over a combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar. Nelson's body was returned to Britain for a hero's funeral but many of the seamen who died alongside him in the battle are buried on the rock at the Trafalgar cemetery. Take a cable car ride to the top of the rock, stunning views of Spain and across the straights to Morocco. Up here you will also find the famous colony of Barbary apes. Rumor has it that only when the apes are no more will the British leave the Rock. A rumor taken seriously by Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of Britain during the Second World War, who on learning of their dwindling population ordered more to be bought to the Rock from Africa.

Puerto de Sotogrande is an attractive marina complex surrounded by apartments, shops, bars and restaurants. The overall design has been inspired by Portofino. There are

sandy beaches to either side of the marina and golf, riding, tennis and squash courts nearby. One of the most expensive marinas on this part of the coast.

One of my favorites is Puerto de la Duquessa. Not too big and not to noisy. The marina is surrounded by apartments, shops, restaurants and bars. The marina offers free medical care to it's users. There are sandy beaches either side of the marina. The village of Sabinillas is 5 minutes walk to the north. Another bus will take you to the village of Casares which clings to the side of a mountain. Marbella, popular with the rich and famous is another bus journey away. Don't expect to see the famous on the bus though, they are the ones in the Ferraris. Hire a car and drive up to the picturesque town of Ronda.

Puerto de Estapona is a medium sized marina with the usual development of restaurants and bars.

Puerto de Jose Banus, the marina of the rich and famous and the prices reflect this. Whitewashed, Andalucian style building surround the marina, hosting boutiques, bars, restaurants and night clubs. There are several Yacht Charter and Yacht Brokerage operations within the marina complex. Marbella is 15 minutes away by car or bus. Good beach to the west of the marina which belongs to the hotel and allows berth holders access. This can be arranged at the control tower. Many golf courses in the area.

The small marina at Puerto de Marbella is surrounded by tourist developments. The marina can be noisy at night during the summer months. Wind from the east, south and southwest can produce a heavy swell within the harbour. Be prepared to double up on lines. Beaches on either side of the marina but these get very crowded during the summer months. The town itself is well worth exploring. Don't miss the famous Orange Square which can be found at the heart of the city centre.

Puerto de Cabopino is a pleasant, small harbour surrounded by Andalucian style houses which makes a nice change from the normal high rise developments. Good shelter within the harbour. Limited space for transient yachts and it is recommended that you call ahead to confirm there is a berth available. Marina charges are on the high side.   Cabopino beach, with it's fine sand is reckoned to be one of the best on the Costa del Sol

Good shelter can be found at Puerto de Fuengirola. The nearby town is both noisy and very busy during the summer months. All provisions can be obtained in the town. There are good beaches on either side of the marina but these get very crowded during the summer months.

Puerto de Benalmadena is a huge marina with over 150,000 square metres of water. There is good shelter with the only swell being experienced in a W gale. Whilst the surrounding area is the usual overpowering high rise blacks the marina itself is quite attractive. It was named best marina in the world in both 1995 and 1998. There are over 200 commercial premises including boutiques, night clubs and the usual numerous restaurants and bars. There is also a sea life centre. There are good beaches on either side of the marina. Malaga airport is just 8 km away.

Puerto de Malaga is the major commercial and fishing port of the Costa del Sol. The only facilities for yachts are at the Real Club Mediterraneo de Malaga and there is little room for visitors. Malaga, known as the "City of Flowers" is both interesting and charming. It can be reached on foot from the port.

The small harbour of Puerto del Candado is found 3.5 miles E of Malaga. Suitable for vessels drawing 2m or less. With strong winds from the W - SW considerable swell builds up and the harbour becomes uncomfortable. Harbour charges are low

Puerto de Puerto Caleta de Velez is a quiet fishing harbour 22 miles to east of Malaga. There are beaches on either side of the marina.

The anchorages of Fondeadero de Neja and Cala de Miel are both worth a visit. Cala de Miel has a fresh water spring.

Marina del Este is a purpose built marina set amongst a huge housing development in a beautiful area. Wind from NE - E produces a limited amount of swell within the marina. Harbour charges are high in the summer months. There is a small beach close to the harbour and a pool at the yacht club. There are prehistoric caves to be seen at Nerja. The city of Granada and the famous Alhambra can be seen in a days trip. As can the Alpahurras valley, with it's charming villages, towered over by the magnificent Sierra Nevada.

Once a small fishing port, Puerto de Motril has developed into a commercial port serving the inland city of Granada. Beaches on either side of the harbour.

The harbour of Puerto de Adra was founded by the Phoenicians and has been in use ever since. Today it is both a commercial and fishing port. The continual movement of the fishing boats makes for much disturbance. Facilities are limited. Harbour charges are high. Beaches on either side of the harbour. Adra town is small and has little in the way of development for tourism.

Puerto de Almerimar, a  very large marina with the capacity for over 1,000 boats. Excellent shelter from everything but strong SW winds when some swell can build up towards the entrance of the harbour. Prices are low. Astonishingly so compared to some other marinas on the Costa del Sol. Sandy beaches on either side of the marina. This part of the coast is covered with plastic greenhouses, it has to be seen to be appreciated both for the vast number of acres under cover and it's ugliness.

Puerto de Roquetas del Mar is a small fishing harbour. Strong winds from the SE - NE make the harbour uncomfortable.

Good shelter can be found at Puerto de del Aguadulce except with wind from the ESE which can cause some swell making conditions uncomfortable. The marina can cater for some 150 boats. The complex includes a swimming pool and squash court. Sandy beaches to the S with waters clean enough to merit a blue CE flag. Two 18 hole golf courses.

The Puerto de Almeria is a commercial & fishing port. Yachts use the Club de Mar del Almeria. There are several large rusty industrial structures close by a dominating the view and giving the place a rather grim feel. Overall the shelter is good but strong winds from the E produce swell that makes it uncomfortable within the marina. The Alcazaba inAlmeria, a Moorish castle, is well worth a visit.

Kayaking Facts

 Kayaking is the process by which a kayak will be used to move through rivers or lakes. The kayak is a small boat that must be powered by a human. It will have a deck which is covered, and it will also feature a cockpit that is covered as well. A special paddle is used to push it forward, and this boat was first invented by the Inuit and Aleut hunters in the colder regions of North America. A contemporary kayak can come in a wide variety of different styles, and kayaking is a sport which is enjoyed by many people. Research has indicated that the kayak has existed for at least 4,000 years.

Some kayaks can hold a maximum of three people, but they will commonly only seat one or two people. The person will sit in the cockpit facing forward, and the spray skirt will stop water from getting into the craft. While the Aleut or Inuit males would design kayaks to be used for hunting, some kayaks were specifically designed for women. Generally, a kayak will be about 17 fee long, and could be 22 inches wide and 7 inches deep. In the early models, the kayak could almost be compared to an additional layer of clothing. Kayaks are commonly used today by people who practice kayaking. 

Kayaking is the process of paddling a kayak on water that is moving. While some people consider it to be a sport, others do it for mere recreation. There are multiple forms of kayaking, and the two most common are Sea kayaking and Whitewater kayaking. While traditional kayaks were made from wood and animal skins, most kayaks today are made from materials such as kevlar or fiberglass. Some people will challenge fast moving rivers by using a kayak to move through certain sections of a river. These trips may last a single day, or could last multiple days. Whitewater Racing is a professional competition in which racers will attempt to use kayaks to outrace each other. 

The term creeking is used to describe kayaking in difficult rivers. People who practice creeking can expect to run into slides, waterfalls, and ledges. Slalom is another form of kayaking in which racers will try to get to the bottom of the specific part of a river. Not only must they move quickly, they must also move around gates, and these are poles that have been set up at certain points in the river. Most Slalom races will have over 20 gates on a single course, and they must be properly navigated. Playboating is another variation which places an emphasis on the artistic side of kayaking instead of the speed.

With this style, the participants will generally remain in one portion of the river, and will seek to move from one point to another. However, they will need to work against the power of the river in order to achieve this. Kayaking is a sport that is popular in places that have strong river. However, it can be dangerous, and some participants have died in the most difficult rivers.

Sail the Florida Keys

 

At the south point of Florida, there is a chain of islands 170 miles long that is embedded in turquoise water. This is the Keys, bordered by the unique living coral reef in the United States. The subtropical climate and the extraordinary beauty of the Atlantic have made this ecological wonder one of the most prized destinations for sailors. Sailboat Chartering With or Without a Captain You can choose from four types of sailboat vacation: Leasing the sailboat without a captain or "Bareboat Chartering" - The sea has no secrets for you or your crew and you are capable of bringing the sailboat back to port even if a hitch happens during your trip. Chartering a sailboat with a captain - You prefer to have a captain on board to help you with the bowline knot. Sailboat training - You want to learn to navigate or you wish to enhance your knowledge. Charter companies offer courses at every level, for groups, couples, for a weekend or for the whole week. Cruising with a captain and cook - You watch them raise the sails and manipulate the sauce pans, while you take it easy.

  Choosing a Sailboat The marinas cannot always accommodate boats that are too big. Also the draft of your boat should not exceed 4.5 to 5 feet and the beam 13.5 feet to 14 feet. We prefer mono hulls from 40 to 43 feet long. They combine space and comfort and generally find a spot in the small marinas of the Keys. These boats are also better equipped than the smaller sailboats. Catamarans rarely find a dock large enough and must anchor outside. The boats are rented for a day, a weekend or for a week. Best Time for Sailing the Keys The Keys benefit from a subtropical climate. You can sail all year long but, like everywhere else, there is this fantastic time of the year and less favorable periods. The best periods are: March, April, May, end of November and beginning of December. 

 The periods of tourism affluence are Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year Possible cold front periods: End of December, January and February. Hurricane, humidity and mosquitoes' months are June to November, with a peak in August September, and October. Books Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys, by Captain Frank Papy. Good basic information about places to visit, marinas, underwater activity, etc. Excellent maps describing the entrances to ports and marinas, usually difficult in access because of shallow waters. Diving and Snorkeling guide to The Florida Keys, by Halas and Kincaid. Excellent guide for skin diving and snorkeling. Description of coral reefs, exotic fish and sunken Spanish Galleons. Indication of depth and the level of difficulty of the different sites.

International Yachtmaster Training Sailing Courses

 Module 1 is the Introduction to Yachting Certificate

The International Recreational Crew Certificate is divided into 6 modules, module 2 gets us under way and you will be learn about safety on board a boat and the use of the life raft and first aid kit, fire extinguishers, flares, life jackets and safety harnesses. What clothing and footwear is suitable for the varying conditions met while sailing. Seasickness and it's symptoms, cause and prevention. How various equipment works including: battery selector switch, bilge pumps, cabin lights, cooker & butane/propane gas, heads and water pumps together with general housekeeping rules. You will learn a very basic theory of how a diesel engine works and maintenance procedures such as checking the level of the oil, changing the oil, changing filters, ensuring the flow of cooling water to the engine and how to change impellors. You will be taught how to keep a good and effective lookout, which should be maintained at all times, while under way. You will take a look at basic navigation, course plotting, nautical charts, safe passage conditions, tides and currents and weather forecasts. 

On the practical side, module 3, you will learn how to coil a line and secure it to a cleat, tie a number of knots and use the winches. You will learn how to secure the boat for sea and then how to leave a berth, once under way you will undertake the duties of a lookout, learn how to hoist and set the sails and while helming the boat go through tack and gybe routines. You will anchor the boat and go through man overboard recovery drill. 

Module 4 is theoretical and you will look at the International Regulations for Collision Avoidance or the "rules of the road". Specifically looking at lights, shapes, and sound signals. You will look at some more sail handling techniques, there is more work with charts and compass and to conclude you will take a look at marine customs, etiquette and manners.

The next practical module includes safety checks and look at the through hull fittings, engine warning lights and alarms and the emergency fuel cut off. You will learn deck seamanship with more docking and mooring routines. More sail work, bending on, hoisting, lowering, reefing mainsails, handling sheets, lines, halyards, outhauls and sail trim. You will learn more skills at the helm, tacking, gybing, sailing a triangular course, sailing a compass course and heaving to.

Module 6 looks at both theory and practise of Dinghy/Tender handling. You will learn the different types of tenders, engines, spares and maintenance and safety equipment. On the practical side you will learn to row, how to move under power, launch and recover and transfer to and from the dinghy to the boat or dock.

This section concludes with an assessment of theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained. At the of this course you will be a useful crew member on any small yacht.

The Radio Operator/Communications Certificate is a stand alone module. You will learn how to operate a radio including emergency calls, calling ship to ship, ship to shore, the types of marine radios available and the regulations governing it's use. An examination concludes the course.

The next 5 modules are the International Watchkeeper/Flotilla Skipper Certificate

Number 8 is theoretical and looks at the responsibilities of a watchkeeper, charts and chartwork, the compass, magnetism and concludes with a look at buoys and marks.

The next practical module concentrates on safety including a briefing that should be given to crew members when they join the vessel and looks at the galley area which if not used correctly can be a danger to all those on board. The rest of the section is devoted to boat handling and develops on the skills learnt in the International Recreational Crew Certificate course.

Back to theory in the next module with a look at basic first aid. More work is done with the International Regulations for Collision Avoidance. Finally you will take a further look at marine customs, manners and today's ever increasing legal requirements.

In module 11, the next practical stage you will prepare a passage plan, and while undertaking a short passage work still further on boat handling skills.

This section concludes with an assessment of theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained.

You have now reached a level that entitles you to the International Certificate of Competence or ICC. It is suggested that the skippers of vessels are required to hold this by some European countries. I have never been asked for mine by the authorities and I know of no one who has. It is also suggested that some companies require it prior to allowing charter of a boat. Again I have not come across this in practise.

The next three modules make up the International Bareboat Skipper Certificate and the first looks at taking over a vessel and the necessary checks on hull and rig, machinery and systems, instruments, safety equipment, spares, tools, fuel, water and provisions. It looks at tides and currents and what causes them. You will learn how to use tide tables and gain an understanding primary and secondary ports. There is some more chartwork that includes position fixing and plotting a course to steer to counteract a current. The section concludes with a look at the responsibilities of the Skipper, their communication with and delegation to the crew.

On the practical side you will develop sailing skills with more general deck work, ropes, knots, splices, the care and use of lines. There is more vessel handling work including anchoring, berthing, mooring, handling in confined areas and handling with currents.

This section concludes with module 16 and includes a look at the weather and sources of weather information, personal observations, weather patterns, land and sea breezes, the different cloud formations, rain and fog. You will learn pilotage. There is an in depth look at passage planning including pilot books, almanacs, considerations for passage planning, coastal passages, passage strategy, port regulations, pilotage plans. Finally you will take a further look at the International Regulations for Collision Avoidance.

This section concludes with an assessment of theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained

Find Your Client a Private Yacht Charter

 Have you ever had a booking catastrophe turn GOLDEN?

An August news flash via one of our daily emails alerted me of a "situation" in Europe with the Windjammer vessels. Apparently they were being held in port for non-payment of various bills, and I diligently forwarded this press release to my client, who had been booked for a January 2008 cruise with Windjammer for some time. Not only had we deposited $1,500 for three cabins, but we had pre-paid the hotel stay as well! I was very concerned when my call to the company went unanswered.

As my client was concerned enough to decide to cancel his vacation, I went to work quickly attempting to rescue him, as he and his wife, an adult son and his wife, and another son had arranged flights into St. Martin and home from Tortola. NOW what?

Google to the rescue! I plugged in "yacht charters", discovered there were several different brokers we could consider from Tortola, and I quickly emailed several of them. As is often the case (we should all make note of this in our OWN business!), the first responder got my attention that day. Lynne Campbell of Carefree Yacht Charters was going to be my "lifesaver!"

What fun! I asked my client, Steve, if he would consider a sailboat charter, and he hesitated. "My wife and daughter-in-law are both worried about seasickness," he replied quickly. "Let me see what they say about that."

While Lynne worked quickly on her end to see which yachts were available, the next email from Steve revealed that the girls were a "GO!" I was VERY excited, and let Lynne know immediately that the client was game.

We discussed the fact that perhaps a catamaran-style boat would suit this family's needs best, but Lynne also explained that the classic sailing experience found aboard a mono hull-style yacht might be an excellent option as well. Not only did she discuss this with me, but she was more than happy to talk directly with my client in order to answer questions, address concerns, and help determine the best boat and crew for this particular vacation - which turned out to be a mono hull in this case!

Carefree Yacht Charters takes care of EVERY detail. I can’t tell you how many amazing amenities these boats have, right down to the great water toys. Of course, each yacht is unique, just as each crew is different. Some have just one crew member who acts as both captain and chef, while others have two or even more.

A yacht charter typically includes ALL alcoholic beverages and meals, and the course is often charted according to the clients preferences!  A client preference request form is sent to the clients in advance of the charter so that all their requests and requirements are met. The price is NOT much more than the cost of a Windjammer or big-ship cruise. In fact, this family is bringing six people for just over $10,000, plus the customary 15 percent tip to the crew. 

I need to share with you that Lynne and her husband owned and operated two successful yacht charters in the Virgin Islands for twelve years, so they are really well equipped to organize and book your clients vacations. And I can’t WAIT to hear the stories when my clients return from this adventure. And, to think it all came about because of a potential cancellation!

Experience A Charter Boat

 I love going on vacation to Florida. I have been vacationing to Florida at least once each year since I was a little kid. My parents, siblings and I would pile into our family station wagon and make the long drive from Wisconsin to Florida every summer. We would stop at camp grounds along the way to spending at least two weeks as close to the ocean as we could find a place to stay. I remember spending endless hours on the beach shores looking out on all the large boats that passed me by. I wanted to be on one of those charter boats more than anything else.

As an adult, I have continued to vacation to Florida with my own family and our friends. We go to a condo every spring for two weeks and we love it. I never tire of Florida vacations because they are absolutely beautiful. I love walking with my daughters along the water and playing football with my sons along the beach. My absolute favorite thing to do each year on vacation, however, is spend a day fishing on a charter boat.

My childhood dream has been coming true each year for the past twenty years. In fact, I think I have been fishing on a deep sea charter boat nearly thirty times since I first dreamed about doing it. I have been on the charter boat with my father, my father-in-law, my wife, our children and several of my closest friends at different times in the past twenty years. I just cannot get enough of fishing on the charter boat in what seems like the middle of a huge ocean.

If you're looking to vacation to Florida any time soon, then I suggest you make your way to the Gulf of Mexico and get yourself on a charter boat fishing excursion as soon as possible. You'll absolutely love the feeling of spending a day at sea and of catching the biggest fish you can possibly catch. A charter boat fishing experience is truly one of the best parts of a Florida vacation, so don't go without taking at least a day for this.

Do a little research and see what kinds of fishing charter boats are available in the area you will be visiting. Look for great deals by taking a large group with you or by going on an off day. Charter fishing is a great hobby to develop, so make plans to experience charter fishing for the first time.

Finding the Right Vessel At Boat Shows

 Boat shows are the best way to check out the new seasonal offerings before you hit the water this year. As you shop the boat shows in your area, though, what, primarily, should you shop for in a new boat? This guide should help.

First, look around the boat shows near you for a good selection of boat styles that fit your needs. Some want the right pontoon boat to carry more party gear. Others need a speed boat for boat racing that reflects their fast, sleek personalities. Whatever your chosen boat style, though, understanding what you need before you walk into any boat shows is essential.

Once you've narrowed things down by style, it's time to start looking at the general size of the vessel. While vessel styles may actually help you determine the size, with boat styles like speed boats, you'll have lots of choices. Keep in mind that you need to choose a boat size that fits both the trailer you currently own and your level of experience. Bigger boats take a lot more maneuvering than smaller ones do, and if your last lake boating experience was a dinghy with oars, you may need to start small or at least invest in some boating courses to get the job done right.

Now that you've looked at styles and size, your next step is to start choosing the preferences that best fit your needs. Most people look at engine capacity first. The larger the engine, the faster your boat is going to go, and boat shows are a great way to look at the engine technology that is currently available. Talk with dealers about what is new in the world of boat engines, look at demonstrations, and if you're interested, talk about alternative fuel technologies. After all, gas is getting expensive for every engine, including those you'll be seeing at the boat shows you attend.

In addition to engine size, you need to consider other boating accessories. While you can do lots of accessorizing after the fact, choosing a model at the boat shows you visit that comes close to meeting your needs may help things out quite a bit. Look at the lights, seat covers, and furniture included to be sure that you're getting the right boat. If you're shopping for higher end accessories or boating apparel or you have special boating needs (fishing and so forth) be sure to ask boat show dealers what could be added to their current model to make your boating experience a bit smoother.

Not sure where to find boat shows in your area? Go online. With thousands of boat shows from coast to coast, you're sure to find one within driving distance.  It's unquestionably the way to get a look at all of the hottest models of the season and help narrow down your boat purchase choices. Moreover, though, you can check out some of the awesome boating products boat makers have created for the market this year. It may just give you the fix you need to make it to the next season.

Evaluating a coastal cruiser

 Going coastal? You have abundant choices in boats

Because coastal-cruising sailors are most often sailing on tight schedules, using their boats for only a day or two or, at most, a week or two at a time, the first thing they need to consider when choosing a new boat is its speed. Not that this is the only criterion, but the faster the boat, the larger your cruising ground. On a coast where harbors and anchorages are few and far between, a slow, heavy vessel will not prove much fun. Unless you live in an area where places to pull in are only a few miles apart, it is wise to look for something that can average at least 5 knots under both sail and power if it's a smaller vessel -- say, 32 feet and under -- and at least 6 to 7 knots if it's a larger vessel. Usually this means you'll be favoring a lighter boat with a fin keel and spade rudder over a heavier boat with a fuller underbody.

Because coastal-cruising boats are not as likely to be caught out in bad weather for extended periods, their construction need not meet offshore standards. Any of the popular mass-produced boats currently on the market should be more than adequate in terms of strength. Because coastal boats do tend to spend a lot of time tied up to docks, you may wish to focus on amenities. A substantial AC shore-power system is usually a critical item and will go a long way toward making your boat as comfortable as your home, allowing you to enjoy microwaves, hair driers, air conditioning, televisions, and other luxuries without installing such impedimenta as generators, huge battery banks, and inverters. Nor do you need big tanks. Capacities of as little as 20 gallons of fuel and 50 of water, given a mid-size boat between 30 and 40 feet, should be adequate in most cases.

Otherwise, what constitutes a well-equipped coastal cruiser varies by location. A boat based in colder, more northern waters will get a lot more use if it has a sheltered cockpit and a good heater on board. Likewise, a boat in the sunny south will need good ventilation and a good bimini to keep its crew happy. The same goes for the sail inventory. If light winds predominate, you will need a big genoa, probably a spinnaker or drifter, and a lightweight main. If your cruising ground sees a lot of heavy air, you'll need smaller, tougher sails. In all cases, you'll want a roller-reefing headsail with a sunstrip (so you can leave it bent on when the boat is idle) and a mainsail cover that is easy to put on and remove. The faster you can get under way, the more you will use the boat.   Charles J. Doane

Performance cruisers

I've already urged you to favor faster boats over slower boats when shopping for a coastal cruiser. Here's an even more radical suggestion: How about getting a boat that's really, really fast? For a certain sort of sailor, particularly one who likes to both race and cruise, the temptation to favor speed above all else will be irresistible. If you are one of these, you'll need to keep a few things in mind.

Lesson number one: You can't have it all. There is a decided trend among many production-boat builders these days to enlarge a boat's accommodations at the expense of its performance potential. There are still several boats that favor the performance end of the spectrum, but that almost always means sacrificing accommodation space. The extreme examples here are the smaller coastal trimarans and catamarans on the market. These boats are a total blast to sail and can easily top 10 knots under sail, but the living space and amenities down below are definitely minimal -- though multihulls do have lots of deck space to play on. Faster boats (at least when it comes to monohulls) also tend to be deeper boats. This will limit your ability to explore shoal-draft cruising grounds.

Lesson number two: Fast is more expensive. Performance boats are often built of high-tech lightweight materials; their rigs and sail inventories are also more sophisticated. Many now sport retractable bowsprits that facilitate the setting of large asymmetric spinnakers. All this costs money. Such boats also tend to demand more maintenance. If speed is what most thrills you, you'll need to spend more time fairing the bottom and keeping it clean, overhauling winches, and so on.

Lesson number three: If you want to race as well as cruise, be sure to do some research. Simply getting the fastest boat you can afford may not be the best way to find the best action. Check to see which types of boats are most commonly raced in your area so you can be sure of finding some interesting competition.

Having Difficulty Finding Crewed Yacht Charters? Book Online

 Crewed yacht charters are easy to find when you do a search on the Internet. These charters are available all over the world. Once you find the yacht charter company you want to deal with, the process of booking the sailing yacht and charter is relatively simple. First of all you have to decide where you want to travel this year and when you type the sailing destination into your Search engine browser the wealth of crewed yacht charters that result are absolutely amazing. 

The location you choose for the crewed yacht charter is the most important part of the booking process. Once you know where it is you want to go, the rest of the procedure of booking online will fall into place. For example, you can choose crewed yacht charters to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Bahamas or even the French Riviera. The type of crewed sailing yacht you choose can also be different. You can choose a luxury sailing yacht, a powerboat or a catamaran depending on your individual preference for sailing. 

A crewed sailing yacht includes the captain and the crew, who will take care of all your needs while you are on board the yacht. You do not have to worry about handling the yacht when you book crewed yacht charters, but you can take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about sailing. The crew has the knowledge you need to enjoy the best scenic locations, the best spots for diving or fishing and the best ports for shopping. The captain is responsible to ensuring the safety of everyone on board the crewed yacht charter and this will be uppermost in his mind at all times. 

The all-inclusive crewed yacht charters include everything you need to make the most of your vacation. All the food and drink as well as equipment is included in the price. The only extra costs that you will incur are your shopping and dining experiences in the various ports of call. You won’t have to worry about ant anchorage fees or have to supply your own food. Even the chef to cook exquisite delicacies for you comes as part of a crewed yacht charter. 

The rates of crewed yacht charters depend on the number of passengers, the size of the boat and the length of the charter. The time of the year also affects the cost, as winter is a more expensive time of year to book a crewed sailing yacht than summer. You should also consider having travel insurance for a crewed yacht charter, just as you would if you planned a trip to a resort destination. Even though the crew is vigilant when it comes to the safety of passengers on crewed yacht charters, accidents can happen at any time.

Enjoy The Luxury Of A Crewed Yacht Charter

 Imagine a vacation where you could really kick back and relax, without the worry of hordes of tourists making you feel like you are back in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. An increasingly popular way to travel and experience peace and tranquillity combined with excitement and adventure when you want it is to charter a yacht, where you can enjoy the luxury of relaxing and soaking up the sunshine as you cruise the waters combined with visiting some truly exciting destinations when you are ready for a little excitement. You can enjoy avoiding the often stressful experience of staying in an overcrowded hotel on your trip, and instead you can really relax on your own vessel leaving the throngs of other tourists and visitors behind. When you charter a yacht you can opt for bareboat, where you have a totally unscrewed vessel, or you can select a partially or fully crewed yacht charter. When you go for a vessel with a crew, you can look forward to the ultimate in relaxation and luxury, as the trained and experienced crew ensure that your trip is everything you hoped it would be.

 

Enjoy a wide choice of destinations when you charter a crewed vessel

 

When you decide to hire a boat or yacht for your holiday the possibilities are limitless when it comes to your choice of destination. You can select from all sorts of fabulous areas, from Europe and the Mediterranean to the Bahamas, Miami, and the Caribbean. By opting to have a crew on board you can look forward to some real relaxation without having to worry about the vessel. You can simply lie back and soak up the sunshine in some far flung destination whilst enjoying quality time with your loved ones. Whether you are on a family holiday or whether you have taken someone special away for a romantic experience you will find that having experienced and friendly staff on board can make all the difference when it comes to making the most of your time and your holiday. Wherever you decide to go when you rent a yacht you will be thrilled by the peace and tranquillity you experience whilst the beautiful waters lap around you and the golden sunshine beats down on your very own vessel.

 

Go for full or partial staffing on your yacht to make it the perfect holiday

 

You can tailor make your holiday when you oft for a staffed yacht simply be selecting how many and what type of staff member you want or need on board. You can pt for a fully or partially staffed vessel, which means that you can get the assistance where you need it without the need to feel as though the yacht will start to get a little overcrowded. Whether you simply want a captain aboard to get you around the areas you wish to visit or whether you want all the bells and whistles with cooks, maids, and other staff members, the choice is yours.

Hawaii Yacht Charters Enjoy A Sailing Vacation In Paradise

 Hawaii yacht charters allow you to sail around the most beautiful coastline in the world. Enjoy the balmy winds of the Hawaiian Islands and sunbathe on the deck of the yacht. Watch the surfers perform their feats of expertise on the huge waves from your berth at the dock. Along with the stunning landscape, you can also enjoy some of the most famous beaches in the world by booking one of the Hawaii yacht charters. This type of sailing vacation will be the vacation you have always fantasized about. 

There are many coves and inlets you can visit during your yacht charter to Hawaii where you can be completely alone, The 3800 –foot cliffs on Moloka are the highest in the world and the Pelekunu Valley opens into a uninhabited valley. There are golden beaches in this area and if you wish you can moor your yacht offshore and row to shore in the dinghy. Hawaii Yacht Charters will also provide you with the opportunity to engage in spectacular diving experiences. With Hawaiian sailing vacations you can also enjoy the thrill of sliding down over 10 foot waves, something you won’t encounter on other tropical yacht charters. 

Hawaiian sailing vacations are very fast – much faster than in the Caribbean. This is what makes Hawaii yacht charters so popular with those that have been sailing for years. You do have to have some knowledge of sailing the waters around Hawaii when before you take one of the bareboat charters. Tips to help you have a safe Hawaiian vacation with a yacht charter include such things as not taking a night trip on the water when the wings lay and avoiding going to the windward when the trades winds are up. 

One of the advantages of booking one of the Hawaii yacht charters for the sailing vacation of your dreams is that there are no taxes in Hawaii. Therefore the cost you are quoted is what you pay. You don’t have to allow any extra money for Hawaiian sailing vacations. The director will find the perfect yacht to suit your needs. There are also many options you can have included, for an extra price of course, so that you have a truly customized Hawaiian vacation. 

Some of the various Hawaii yacht charters that you can choose from include sunset dinner charters, event charters, activity charters and charters for formal occasions, such as weddings. You can choose a yacht that can only hold 6 passengers or choose one that can hold as many as 49. This larger yacht is a powered boat and it is crewed so that you can enjoy a private resort as you are sailing the islands of Hawaii. You can book your Hawaii yacht charters completely online without leaving the comfort of your home.

Enjoy Freshwater All The Time With Watermakers

 Advanced technology has truly helped make people’s lives easier, more convenient and even healthier. Just take the case of the water we use every day whether for personal, commercial or industrial use. Thanks to the technology of watermakers, we are now able to savor pure, fresh water without having to worry about its effects on our health and on the things we use them for. 

An important use of watermakers is for sea vessels like sail or power boats and yachts. The marine water maker makes use of the desalination system to remove salt and other substances from water and make it suitable for use on board from washing down the boat, cooking, drinking, washing the dishes, making ice, bathing and doing the laundry. Marine desalinators can produce around 170 to 6,800 gallons per day while commercial watermakers can produce a maximum of 50,000 gallons per day. 

A marine watermaker also known as sea water desalinator is very inexpensive but the benefits you can get is enormous. Besides being economical, it can also save time and effort and most of its running costs is actually just for the cost of electricity. And if used properly with the right routine maintenance, this device can last up to 20 years. 

A desalinator on board can save the boat owner money as he no longer needs to buy purified water elsewhere for use while on his vessel. Also, he does not need to store several gallons of water on board which would otherwise just add on weight to the boat, take up much space and increase its fuel consumption. This, of course, allows the vessel to take longer voyages and at a faster speed to boot. 

In addition, a desalinator on board is very convenient as it allows you to do many things similar to what you do at home like cooking, bathing, washing dishes and clothes without having to worry about contamination or conserving water. And with fresh water always available, washing your boat is easy and requires little effort in drying it. Fresh water also helps protect the boat’s rigging and hull.   

A desalinator utilizes the reverse osmosis system in purifying seawater. Fifty years ago, this system was originally developed to make clean water for industrial use. It is considered the most rigid method of water purification in a large scale. But through the years, its usage has expanded to marine watermakers and home water purifiers. Reverse osmosis takes place when pressurized seawater passes through a semi-permeable membrane where up to 99 percent of salts, contaminants and pollutants are removed. The semi-permeable membrane allows only water to pass through but not ions or larger molecules such as bacteria, glucose or urea. So at the other end of the membrane, fresh, potable water is produced from either seawater, salty bore water or recycled water. 

A reverse osmosis desalinator is normally operated for only part of the day from four to six hours depending on the amount of fresh water needed. To determine the gallon per hour rating, first find out where pure water will be used and the daily amount needed then divide the total gallon usage by the number of hours the watermaker will be used.