MAKING A CHOICE: NEW OR USED
There are advantages and disadvantages of both. Discuss with your broker your yachting plans.
Pros:
- Newest designs, materials, technology
- Much less maintenance in the first years
- Warranties
- Financing more readily available
- Highly Reliable = Peace of Mind
- You can choose options and upgrades
- Good performance
- Refined systems
Cons:
- Extended waiting period
- Quicker depreciation
- Cost more initially
If you choose to pursue a new catamaran you will find a selection of builders from around the world with the majority of the premier builders located in France.
PRE-OWNED YACHTS
Pros:
- Slower depreciation
- Bigger "bang for the buck"
- Huge selection
Cons:
- You inherit problems of previous owner
- Less curb appeal
- Older designs and manufacturing techniques and materials
- No warranty protection
- Hidden defects
CHARTER YACHTS - CONSDIER OUR YACHT PLACEMENT PROGRAM
Pros:
- Costs of ownership is reduced through charter income
- Sometimes there are additional tax benefits
- Someone else will maintain the yacht for you. When you are done sailing just walk-away and the boat is cleaned…
Cons:
- The yacht will receive additional wear and tear
- Charter clients have been known to damage the yacht
(Note: The Catamaran Company's insurance option fully covers our operating charter owners)
- Most charter companies restrict the equipment you can have (except The Catamaran Company).
- You must leave the yacht at the charter base year-round (through pre-arrangement with The Catamaran Company, you are able to take your yacht sailing at any time)
Yacht Placement Program More>>
DEFINE YOUR YACHTS CRUISING ROLE
You first should define what your cruising plans are and how you plan to use your yacht. The normal alternatives are:
- Charter management programs based in the Caribbean with 2-4 weeks of owner use/year.
- "Privately" owned and sailed primarily on weekends or short trips best described as coastal-cruising voyages.
- Living aboard and cruising the world (blue water cruising).
Other things to consider:
How many people will you be cruising with? (i.e. how many sleeping cabins do you need ?)
Most catamarans have a minimum of three sleeping cabins and more storage space than you will ever use. However, as you add extra weight to a cat, the sailing characteristics can be altered significantly if the load is beyond what the manufacture has designed the yacht to carry. Hull design makes the biggest difference . You will notice that modern hull designs with fuller hull cross sections forward and aft will carry more load and perform better offshore. If you look at older hull designs i.e. first generation designs you will notice very narrow bow and stern cross sections. The Prout and Manta designs are very much like this example. ( Lagoon 380 is rated for 6,636 Lbs. load carrying capacity and is an example of a modern catamaran hull design that will perform well even with the addition of significant load.)
A cat that is suitable for charter may not necessarily be the best for a couple's live-aboard. Many people tell us, "We will cruise our new boat for "x" months and then we will put it into a charter program". Well, then, you must go with a charter type boat (lots of staterooms and simply equipped) because otherwise, high maintenance costs and low utilization will impact your income.
CHOOSING YOUR CRUISING WATERS
HOME WATERS CRUISING
There are many local bareboat charter companies in areas where is good sailing. The trade off with these programs is the charter revenue is often much less than a Caribbean based charter yacht however, you may use your yacht more if it is close to home. This type of chartering is called a "demise charter" and there are no special licenses or permits required in most locations.
If you want to take people out on your yacht and act as the captain on US waters you must have a USCG license. In the past a little piece of legislation called the Jones Act precluded yachts that were not built in the USA from embarking and disembarking from a US port. The Secretary of Transportation is now allowing foreign built vessels that are at least 3 years old to carry up to 12 passengers for hire. This Jones Act waiver cost $300 and can be submitted electronically at www.marad.dot.gov/programs/smallvessel/index.html.
For more information call Michael Hokana: 202-366-0760.
GLOBAL CRUSING
So you want to cross-oceans! Get hooked-up with a good support group like the Cruising Club of America or Seven Seas Cruising Association: 954-771-5660 . These clubs have thousands of members and tons of friendly advise from experienced cruisers.
Cruising Club of America |
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Seven Seas Cruising Association |
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