My wife, Jan and I have enjoyed yachting in the Marco Island, Florida area  for  many years and have bought/ sold a number of  various sized  power yachts ranging from 32’ to 60’ in length.  Over the last 6 years, we have bought and sold 3 yachts – a beautiful 2002 57’ Symbol pilothouse, a 2005 50’ Cruisers express and most recently a 2007 42’ Sabre.  Most folks who enjoy this lifestyle will notice that their needs change – as have ours for various circumstances. 

 What has made this process truly enjoyable is our relationship with Andy Kniffin of Ak Yachts in Fort Lauderdale.  We met Andy approximately 6 years ago and engaged him to sell our Symbol pilothouse yacht at the time – as he had extensive experience with this brand.  Andy was able to procure a buyer through his relationship with another brokerage firm in short order and we enjoyed a quick, uneventful sale.  Shortly thereafter, Andy found us a new, untitled 50’ Cruisers which we were able to buy at a very attractive price.  Since this was a new boat, we had a number of optional equipment to add and some warranty issues to correct – with Andy assisting us through the entire way.  We enjoyed this boat for a few years, when our personal situation dictated that we should sell the boat as we were not able to use it frequently enough to justify owning it.  Once again, Andy found a buyer quickly and we sold it with just a few months of listing her. 

 A few months ago, we decided that we really missed the yachting lifestyle and wished to get back into it.  Naturally, we contacted Andy again and explained to him what we had in mind, as my wife has a minor disability; thus we needed a boat which would make it easy for her to assist me with docking and getting back and forth to the foredeck.  I went to the recent Palm Beach boat show and saw a Sabre 42’ which seemed to fit our needs perfectly.  Andy went to work and quickly found several late-model used Sabre 42’s which seemed ideal….as we wanted a boat in top shape.   We were surprised to learn from Andy that this manufacturer made a custom model which offered only one stateroom forward, thus allowing for much more space in the salon and galley area.  Soon thereafter, we traveled to Sarasota and found two ideal candidates of this rare model, and made a bid on one.  Even though I might have expected to pay more for the boat, Andy negotiated a deal which was very favorable to us.   

 Our deal went through very smoothly along with a list of minor discrepancies (as found on any yacht purchase).  Although I am accustomed to  yacht transactions, there is always a list of expert assistance required – including deficiency negotiating,  insurance decisions, registration and closing paperwork. Andy seamlessly made this an easy process and was able to recommend good companies and handle all this to our benefit.   After we closed, Andy (assisted by his lovely wife, Connie), arranged to pick me up and he helped me to bring the boat home.  Once at my home dock, Andy stayed for several days and worked diligently with me to correct the various issues we had.  I am truly delighted with my new purchase (2007 42’ Sabre downeast style motor yacht) and am looking forward to good times over the next few years.  

 I should point out that myself and my wife, Jan, were owners and operators of a substantial food industry corporation for many years.  We have always had the point of view that engaging reliable and expert consultation for areas which are not in our level of expertise with – offers us the best possible outcome for our goal satisfaction.  With this in mind, I have engaged a number of yacht brokers over the last decade or so – and have not found anyone with more knowledge, attentiveness, diligence or ability to happily service our needs than Andy Kniffin of Ak Yachts.   He has become more of a trusted friend and resource than I could have ever hoped for! 

 We love our new boat!

 Jim and Jan Rich

Marco Island, Florida

“Ocean Hammock” 2007 42’ Sabre

"Ocean Hammock" 42' Sabre

Andy,

 I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I appreciate you and your team in my recent purchase of our 45′ Sea Ray Sundancer. Having done most my boating in the Pacific Northwest, I questioned you about what type of boat would be right for us now that we live in Florida. Not only were we looking for a boat that is easy for my wife and I to handle but also one that is just right for our three golden retrievers. Thanks to you Andy, we found just the right boat.

 As in any boat purchase, there are many steps along the way from the initial decision to make an offer to selecting the right surveyors to sea trail and final acceptance. Andy helped me each step of the way recommending excellent surveyors, giving me the facts and discussing each of the alternatives. Never was I pressured to make a decision one way or the other. I always felt that I was in control to make the best decision.

 The follow-up after the sale was just as remarkable. Since we were running the boat upon sale from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville, Andy helped me plan for the voyage making sure we had all the safety equipment on board and putting me in touch with excellent people to make sure the vessel was seaworthy for the voyage. While I would like to tell you that our voyage was flawless, we experienced trouble with one of our Racor filters plugging up when we headed out into the ocean in the vicinity of Lighthouse Point. My first call was to Andy. He marshaled a team to solve my problem. He even volunteered to bring me some additional filters. Thanks to Andy and Charlie of Smith and Wick Marine Diesel, We were back underway in several hours with full confidence our problem had been solved. Most recently, Andy called to ask me if I had solved the issue with my local boat registration office. I told him that they were not very familiar with the process in Jacksonville and that it would be several weeks waiting on the US Coast Guard Documentation office before the tag could be issued. Andy volunteered to help and had the boat registered in a day.

 If you are looking for a broker that you can really depend on….Call Andy!

Other blogs of interest include: , “Considering your needs when buying a Yacht” , “Buying a Yacht in a Depressed Market” , “Yacht Dockage in South Florida” , “The Process of  Buying a Used Yacht” ,  ”Transporting Yachts” .

A note:  I welcome emails with questions or feedback anytime! But I do not follow comments much as most are spam. Any ideas for blog-worthy topics are also welcome!  andy@akyachts.com; (954) 292-0629 cell

Happy Dogs love their new yacht!

Vessel Name – Z Goldens

Steve Collar

Jacksonville, FL

Buying a yacht requires a survey with hull inspection

Looking to reward and upgrade your family lifestyle with the purchase of a yacht?  This article will outline the various considerations and steps taken in the yacht buying process. 

After deciding what type of yacht will suit your yachting lifestyle,  the buyer will want to devote time to check various yachts for sale by inspecting a list of candidates with the help of your broker and make a short list.  Some folks are very analytical about this process, others know what they want as soon as they see it while most are somewhere in between (make sure the spouse is involved if you have one!).  Considerations to bear in mind are the engine types (repair-ability), hours and age of the equipment (with some newer upgrades), layout and interior furnishings, condition of the exterior, seaworthiness and so on.  South Florida is a unique hub with many used yachts for sale, as there is always a good variety of different styles which can be shown in a short time and distance from each other (most sellers realize this – thus this area is sought out for serious sellers).   Just as in real estate, appointments and timely notice are often very important, as every seller/listing broker has different rules for boat showings.  

When it is time to make an offer, many buyers wonder if there is a specific rule for formulating an offer…such as a blanket 20% off the asking price.  You should bear in mind that every seller is different and the most serious ones with the nicest boats (the ones worth buying) often price their yachts at the front of the market with slimmer margins -  after all, there are yachts just for sale and then there are those which are seriously for sale.  Listings often ‘mature’ with the sellers becoming more motivated when they realize that they will have to sell at what the market bears.   A buyer should note that the seller pays any and all commissions.  

Your broker will be required to fill out a purchase and sales agreement for your review and signature. Suggestions to help ‘sell’ your offer would include a deposit in place, a timely period of time to complete the deal (we normally suggest 30 days or less), no trade-ins and financing in place (or approved).  Ak Yachts uses a Purchase and Sales agreement which has been developed by the FYBA (Florida Yacht Brokers Association) with the cooperation of the finest maritime attorneys in the yachting industry – with all parties (Buyer, Seller & Broker) in mind.  Buyers for larger yachts will likely seek a maritime attorney who specializes in yacht transactions – and who will often participate in the purchase agreement, escrow deposit and registration process of the yacht.  

Often, negotiating will take a few days or so to come to an agreement.  At this point the Seller will sign the agreement with the expectation for a deposit to be implemented to act as ‘consideration’ for the deal.  10% is the normal deposit and can be placed in either the Buyer’s broker escrow account or for larger deposits, with an attorney who will act as escrow agent.  Special note should be made for Broker escrow accounts – the State of Florida mandates and regulates yacht brokers very carefully and requires no co-mingling of escrow funds as well as ensuring that the Broker carries a surety bond (up to $20,000 usd).  Buyers and Sellers should both realize that in the event of a dispute between themselves, the escrow agent will likely interplead the deposit to the appropriate court of jurisdiction for further resolution.  However, this event very rarely happens as the buyer will either accept the vessel whereby the deposit becomes non-refundable and is applied to the purchase price; or reject the vessel whereby the deposit is refunded and the agreement is terminated without further responsibility by the buyer or seller.     

At this point, the yacht for sale is officially “off the market” and the seller cannot legally sell her to any other buyer until the terms of the agreement have been concluded.  The buyer (with the broker’s help) is encouraged to perform due diligence in order to estimate any defects with the boat.  Numerous companies which specialize in surveying yachts and their machinery are available, especially in South Florida.  Frankly there are good ones, mediocre ones and not such good ones.  Any experienced yacht broker will have a short list of surveyors which he feels will do a good job for the buyer for a particular type of yacht – as surveyors often have specialties in different used yachts and know what to look for right away.  I would encourage engaging a surveyor who specializes in the type of yacht to be purchased –with a background of doing a thorough job and who can discuss defects intelligently with a buyer…over a surveyor who specializes in a completely different category of yachts.  Survey prices are typically around $20/foot for mid-sized hull surveys (plus the cost of hauling out the boat for bottom inspections) and go up from there for surveying larger yachts (as they take more time).  Buyers should note that while a hull surveyor will be able to record observable machinery operation and apparent leaks – however if a buyer wants to be more thorough (as engines and gensets are such a major component and costly to repair), then a separate engine surveyor should be engaged….one which specializes in the particular equipped brand of engine/genset package.  Prices for engine surveyors typically run in the $1,000-1,500 range including oil sampling.  Once the survey is concluded, the surveyor(s) will provide written reports detailing the equipment and recommendations.  Special note should be made that while a qualified surveyor will find most of the defects, the possibility exists that others may arise down the road…just as in any piece of complex machinery.  A safe estimate is that a competent surveyor will be able to find at most 95% of the various deficiencies found in most yachts.  

The survey is not only important to the buyer in order to establish the real condition of the yacht, but essential to potential insurance companies and necessary to bind the yacht with an insurance policy.  

Armed with a good survey, the buyer determines that he can live with the defects (which will be hopefully minor) or seek some restitution on the purchase price for any substantial defects.  This stage often requires fair-minded willingness on both parties.  Once the buyer and seller agree to terms, the yacht is ‘accepted’ and the deposit ‘goes hard’ (ie non-refundable and applied to the purchase price).  

Now the time comes to determine a variety of issues which are crucial to the closing of the yacht.  An insurance agent should be engaged (see future article on insuring yachts) and a policy should be decided upon with a binding date to coincide with the closing date.  A documentation company (or maritime attorney for larger yachts) should be engaged at this point.  The agent will seek any liens on the yacht including those implemented by financial institutions which must be financially satisfied at closing.  Bank loans complicate matters, and sufficient time must be allowed to pay them off and in turn have the lien released.  However, this is common practice given the relatively ‘cheap’ money available for financing in these times.  The agent (or attorney) will then prepare the proper documents needed for the transfer of ownership, which is often held in escrow until the funds are transferred to satisfaction of the owner/lien holders.  There are a variety of ways to title a yacht (see future article on yacht registrations/titling) and register a yacht depending on the buyer’s circumstances and residency.  

The ‘closing’ is often handled long distance with wire transfers of funds.  There was a time before the State of Florida legalized a sales tax cap of $18,000 for yacht sales (6% up to $300,000) whereby many yacht buyers chose to register and ‘flag’ the yacht offshore (in a country which offers the best maritime advantages), thus the yacht closing often took place in a foreign country (such as the Bahamas).  This practice is still used (once again depending on buyer circumstances), however not as frequently. 

Happy kids enjoying the yachting lifestyle

Most experienced yacht buyers recognize the complexity of buying a yacht and rely on an experienced yacht broker to assist them…as do experienced sellers.  It is quite rare to see transactions handled by individual buyers and sellers above 40’ due to the factors involved.    

Once the yacht is officially closed, it is time for celebration and the beginning of a lifestyle which embraces family/friendship experiences, privacy and exploration. Let the good times begin! 

“Yachting is the Ultimate Lifestyle”

Other blogs of interest include: “Being the Second Owner of a Yacht” , “Considering your needs when buying a Yacht” , “Buying a Yacht in a Depressed Market” .

A note:  I welcome emails with questions or feedback anytime! But I do not follow comments much as most are spam. Any ideas for blog-worthy topics are also welcome!  andy@akyachts.com; (954) 292-0629 cell

Fort Lauderdale Deepwater Yacht Home

South Florida offers many folks who embrace the yachting lifestyle (as well as our wonderful climate and cruising areas) the opportunity to own or lease homes  with deepwater dockage which can accomodate yachts up to 175′.  Given the market conditions and low interest rates, there is not a better time than now to take advantage of buying a waterfront home at very reasonable prices.  There is a wide selection of yacht homes starting in the mid-300,000 range up, with properties which handle anywhere from a 50′ yacht and up.  Because of building and dredging restrictions, these waterfront properties will always go up in value…as there are only so many homes with waterfront access…never to be more. 

For larger yachts, the Fort Lauderdale area reigns supreme.  The ultra-deepwater Port Everglades inlet is close to areas such as Harbor Beach, Rio Vista, Las Olas and Sunrise Keys.  A few select homes offer the draft and lot size which can accomodate more than 9′ of draft and up to 175′ in length.  When seeking a yacht home, consider that the lot has a setback for yachts which average between 5-10′ from the property edge, thus a 100′ yacht will require a lot size of between 110-120′, depending on jurisdiction.  While not publically recognized, many home-owners lease their docks to yachts. 

Many waterfront homes are on canals, which offer limited depths of water (some tend to silt up) and impose beam (width restrictions), therefore it is wise to survey the canal with a depthfinder prior to focusing on a certain area if a certain draft needs to be carried.   Others are located up the New River, which becomes more brackish (fresh water) as it moves inland past downtown Fort Lauderdale.  However, many boaters favor the New River locations as they offer more protection from Hurricanes.  The entire New River has opening drawbridges by which even yachts up to 130′ can safely navigate. 

Other desirable areas in South Florida include Lighthouse Point, Boca Raton (Hillsboro inlet) Palm Beach (Lake Worth inlet)  Delray Beach (Boynton inlet – limited), Jupiter (Jupiter inlet),  Stuart (Saint Lucie inlet), Hollywood, Sunny Isles and North  Miami (Haulover inlet), Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Coral Gables (Government Cut to Biscayne Bay) .   The Florida Keys also offers some areas where larger yachts can moor, although few due to the generally shallow waters found throughout the Keys.   All of these areas have unique, distinctive charm offering a wide selection of waterfront homes with varying depth and length. 

For more information on availability and pricing, contact Andy Kniffin CPYB (954) 292-0629.  Andy works with local realtors to help find the perfect waterfront homes most suitable for docking yachts. 

Other blogs of interest include: “Being the Second Owner of a Yacht” , “Considering your needs when buying a Yacht” , “Buying a Yacht in a Depressed Market”  and “Yacht Dockage in South Florida” .

A note:  I welcome emails with questions or feedback anytime! But I do not follow comments much as most are spam. Any ideas for blog-worthy topics are also welcome!  andy@akyachts.com; (954) 292-0629 cell

Used Delta Yacht for Sale

How can buying a new or used yacht in this day and age of uncertainty be a good decision?  For those who have managed to retain liquidity or are in markets which are still thriving, owning a high-end luxury commodity might not be such a bad idea.  Here are some compelling reasons why:

• The yachting market, similar to other luxury markets in our previous era of booming economics, have seen prices rising unreasonably – mostly due to supply and demand.  A correction is certainly evident today, with many yachts having come to market; some just to cover liquidity needs, others competing for few buyers.  Thus we see many buyers actually buying yachts at prices that they would not have dreamed of a year ago.

Realistic buyers know value when they see it – Unrealistic buyers often miss the great deals.  See other tips “Being the Second Owner of a Yacht”, “The Process of Buying a Used Yacht”,  “Considering your Needs for Buying a Yacht” .

• The cost of money is extremely favorable with plenty of credit available to persons with sufficient liquidity.  Never have rates been this low.
• Repairs and improvements are not only much easier to organize (no standing in line waiting for quality vendors these days), but time constraints and pricing is much more favorable.  The same goes for other aspects of ownership, such as fuel costs, quality crew and salaries, dockage, etc. 
• Cruising grounds and marinas are less crowded and more flexible during the popular seasons, thus offering more choices to cruise areas which may have been previously limited – such as Nantucket, or Nassau (Atlantis). 

Yachting today offers a far greater tangible and “quality of life” value than the uncertainty of equity markets – plus they won’t lose value overnight for no apparent reason.   Some wise business folks are taking time to enjoy life with their families and friends – knowing that things will eventually turn around and that they may never have the opportunity to spend precious leisure time exploring the finer things in life – like watching the sunset behind a tropical island while at anchor.  You can’t put a price on these experiences. 

Express sportfisher for sale in Florida

Used Searay Sedan for Sale

Whether a first-time buyer or a seasoned yachtsman, the art of locating and buying a used yacht can be a truly enjoyable experience.  Here are some tips to making a good decision:
I find that the best yachts (or boats, or cars, etc) are ones that are slightly used or exceptionally cared for.  When I managed boats for television shows (such as Miami Vice), I found that the first year is spent troubleshooting glitches, or problems.  Most of these were electrical in nature, some mechanical.  Because boats and yachts are built of components that become increasingly complex with size, thus system, increase – it is hard to tell what will fail from one boat to the next.  I found that most problems were solved within a year, after which each boat was fairly trouble-free as long as it was maintained and operated well.  I actually pleaded for the manufacturer to leave the one-year old fleet of fast boats alone, as they were much better than when I put them into service.  Thus – the value of warranty in new boat ownership.  
Historically, yachts (especially production yachts) depreciate rapidly the first year.  Often, if it is a bad sales year, the dealer will actually compete with used boat prices by discounting their inventory.  The real gimmick for the dealer to keep the business of these one or two year old boat owners, is to inflate the trade-in price and get them into a new model (at full retail).  It’s really just a shell game and most savvy buyers eventually come to grips with this form of business – then face the real market and take their lumps.  Then they get smart and buy next time as the second owner.  
Here’s another reason why – new options don’t increase market price (but can increase desirability).  A 2002 46 SeaRay is worth “x” amount of money on the market, whether it has a transom lift, or satellite TV, or new electronics.  These options cost someone a lot of money up front, but only add value several years down the road.  However, if you have to have a certain option, such as a hydraulic wim platform, it is wiser to seek used yachts which already have these installed, as retro-fitting is prohibitively expensive in some cases and often not able to be recaptured on resale.   Of note – the electronics industry has morphed to “black box” technology – thus allowing upgrades to equipment over time rather than planned obsolescence – making wise electronics module  purchasing a viable investment in your yacht.  
Thus, It is a win-win situation to buy a second hand (used, pre-owned)  boat – the first guy takes the biggest hit, you get lots of virtually free options (even if you don’t need some) and hopefully the bugs are worked out (with maybe some warranty left). 
Yachts which are well-cared for are certainly more desirable than those which are not.  And though you might congratulate yourself on the “killer” deal that you made on a repossessed boat with only one engine running – just wait until you start seeing all the other problems that show up as a result of neglect.  In some ways, boats are like onions – you often don’t see the real boat until you peel away a few layers – and while some things work well at the dock, murphy’s law has a sinister way of coming into play when one is in difficult conditions.  The “idiot light” is sure to blink on when your family holiday is ruined because of neglect problems. 
Most buyers realize that a good broker is a true asset in finding the perfect yacht.  Find one that is willing to help you find you the best boat at the best price.  Stick with him (or her); as they will do the same and be an invaluable resource to help make those moments on the water the best ones of your life.   Be reasonable and try to learn as much as you can – most brokers have a lifetime of experience to offer, and will surely agree that the best value is often a fresh used yacht or boat.

Other blogs of interest include: , “Considering your needs when buying a Yacht” , “Buying a Yacht in a Depressed Market” , “Yacht Dockage in South Florida” , “The Process of  Buying a Used Yacht” ,  ”Transporting Yachts” .

A note:  I welcome emails with questions or feedback anytime! But I do not follow comments much as most are spam. Any ideas for blog-worthy topics are also welcome!  andy@akyachts.com; (954) 292-0629 cell

Used Cruisers Yacht in Fort Lauderdale

 I get a lot of customers who are new to yachting and wonder if there are any good books focusing on buying a yacht and the variables involved in yacht ownership.  I have looked around and can’t find anything specfic to buying a pre-owned yacht (which is what I specialize in), however there is a good book relevant to megayacht buyers who want to build a custom design…” Megayacht Wisdom  II” by Buddy Haack and Doug Hoogs (both competent ex-yacht captains) and available online. 
This blog is relevant to the buyer who wants a yacht, but needs to determine which is the best one suited for his (or her)  needs.  I work with a variety of buyers, each with a different set of values and try to match the market to their needs.  Let’s face it…nobody wants to make mistakes in any size purchase, least of all an expensive one.  So…
The first question is obvious…what is your budget?  A buyer needs to be realistic with him (or her)self, as the market changes radically as the budget goes up or down.  Getting everything that you want is proportionate to size, goals and budget. With this in mind, the budget is not limited to simply the purchase price, but to also keeping things going.  Other considerations are maintenance and repair, dockage, crew considerations, and so on.    This is where other factors come into play.
What are your crusing goals?  Do you want a boat which is fine for weekend (or an occasional two week) trips say to the Florida Keys and perhaps the Bahamas…or a boat which has longer “legs” which can navigate in safety to the Caribbean Islands for a longer period of time (I will cover some criteria for this in another blog)?  This also applies to sailing yacht buyers, although more critical for motor yacht buyers. 
How large of a boat will you be comfortable in?  Staying aboard for longer periods requires a full beam  aft or mid-ship main (master) stateroom with room outside to enjoy life, whether it be a large flybridge or aft deck.  Most of the folks who find out that this is a terrific lifestyle, eventually opt for a larger boat which will allow for these two important factors….livability for longer periods.  Without a doubt, seaworthiness is paramount.  If your goals are to cruise from marina to marina, then one doesn’t need to worry about the very seasick wife hitting the rails with the cry of “this isn’t my idea of fun!”.  If your plans include more adventurous plans, say to the lower Caribbean or unprotected waters, then a planing, light cruiser is not a very good choice (see blog on transporting), but rather a displacement or slower yacht with stabilization.

Guests and Family – an important aspect of yachting is the ability to gather and share the seagoing home.  Once you are away on the vacation, new friends (and often family) want to join in the fun and experience (which is exactly why yachting offers a unique lifestyle to enjoy intimate time together) .  Thus the question of comfort and how long one can sustain a crowded boat.  It is very important to have expectations with individual comfort in mind…and how many staterooms will be often in use.   It expands once a larger yacht is envisioned as crew need their comfort as well to do their very hard  jobs.  Of course, this expands into the galley and amenities to be able to keep the party in large happy.  Additionally, the ideal yacht should have outdoor spaces for all not to feel too clustered as privacy and space become important quickly. Equally important is the age of intended guests…as small children and such will need to be watched carefully and not exposed to dangerous ladders or spaces where they can injure themselves. 
 

Styling –   All of us have a sense of what we thinks looks good.  Just as in picking a car style, we all want something which defines who we are.  Face it - you need to look with a boat with ’love’ - something that we can look at and say ‘that is me’. Yet, different styled yachts have different limitations. For instance, Euro-styled sleek-looking boats have a limitation on interior volume, whereas domestic US styled boats (note that the majority of Taiwanese built yachts are designed and built for the American consumer) put an emphasis on volume….and thus livability.  The same holds true with Sailing yachts.  Thus the variety of the multitude of yachts abounds. 
Age -  Are you handy with fixing things or is the newness of equipment and systems more important?  If handy, an older boat will certainly demand more monitoring and repairs as equipment ages.  With this goes the availability of parts and technicians who can perform repairs.  A good example might be the saga of Detroit Diesel engines. There are plenty of these venerable engines still around, along with fair parts supply.  Just about any island has a fellow who can work (I did not say competently) on these as they have been around for over 50 years and are fairly simple.  Compare this to a modern, electronically controlled engine (as mandated by increasing pressure to control emissions) and you almost always require a factory trained tech to troubleshoot and repair these increasingly computer controlled (but here to stay) engines.  On one hand…aging, less fuel efficient engines which may be simply repaired …or relying on manufacturers with a stretched-out service ability.  As you wander from the major coasts (which is the goal of course), one should realize the probablity of service. 

Re-salability – what might seem like a bargain up front, meeting all of your needs might turn out to be a lemon on the market when it comes time to sell.  Given our dubious global economy, yacht buying is at the bottom of the food chain.  Yet, we still survive as it is one of the most glorious and satisfying  lifestyles around.  Be aware that repos and bargains often are extremely neglected.  I have resold more than a few from owners who have doubled (and more) their budgetory expectations of bringing the boat back into shape, along with a promise to themselves never to consider such folly again.  These boats are for the experienced buyer only without having to resort to boatyards and retail vendors to repair.  Keep in mind also that trends change over the years and that custom (or one-off) boats tend to have very small markets indeed.  My advise…follow the market with production yachts with proven desirability and options.  My philosophy (in concert with the majority of my seasoned buyers) is to buy with value in mind, yet with proven upkeep. 

Other blogs of interest include: , “Considering your needs when buying a Yacht” , “Buying a Yacht in a Depressed Market” , “Yacht Dockage in South Florida” , “The Process of  Buying a Used Yacht” ,  ”Transporting Yachts” .

A note:  I welcome emails with questions or feedback anytime! But I do not follow comments much as most are spam. Any ideas for blog-worthy topics are also welcome!  andy@akyachts.com; (954) 292-0629 cell

Used Symbol yacht for sale in Florida

Symbol yacht at dock in Fort Lauderdale

Did you know that Fort Lauderdale, Florida  is often  referred to as the ‘Venice of the Americas”?  Good reason for this analogy, as this area has plenty of waterfront homes with private docks which directly and easily access the Atlantic Ocean. 

Many home owners offer dockage for rent at a huge discount over marinas.  Let’s face it…many owners are busy and can’t use their boat all the time.  A yacht has  to have a place to safely be moored, so why not do what many savvy yacht owners do…and rent private  dockage. 

Consideration has to be given to the draft (depth) and access to the private slip.  Some yachts need 6′ or more to get in and out to the navigable waterways.  Plus, the city code mandates a setback of 5′ -10′ from each side of the property whereby the yacht has to fit (for example a 100′ yacht requires a property of 110′-120′).  Power supplies must also be met, as larger yachts use 100 amp service (although twin 50 amp service can often be made to work).  One also needs to consider the parking and dock access, livability (most private docks don’t allow staying onboard),  the condition of the dock, location for easy ocean access, power requirements, landscape conditions (home with big trees are nuisances for keeping the yacht clean), fixed bridges and protection (upriver docks are favored by insurance companies during hurricane season).   Ak Yachts assists their clients in finding the perfect dock to keep their yachts behind, often going the extra mile to survey the depth of approach and these other important considerations. 

Private home dockage can range from $10 per foot per month to $25 per foot per month.  Some even include ‘light’ power usage (you won’t want to run your air-conditioning full-time, but that is another subject which will be covered in an upcoming blog).  Some dockage even allows for occaisional staying aboard.  Many home owners will rent their docks on a monthly basis .   We recommend finding conveniently located dockage with good access (not restricted in depth by tidal conditions) and moving the boat to a variety of ‘resort marinas’, of which Fort Lauderdale boasts many, when actually in town and using the yacht (naturally since Ak Yachts is a full-service brokerage, we can assist you with this).

Resort marinas in Fort Lauderdale  include Bahia Mar, Las Olas City Docks and Hall of Fame (located directly across from the very nice Fort Lauderdale beach), Pier 66 and Hilton Marina (located nearby the port entrance and capable of handling very large yachts up to 200′).  Rates vary with season with the high rate being $5 per foot per day…but you get great locations to the action, beach and many desirable amenities to compliment your yachting experience.

Part of the beauty behind yacht ownership is the ability to experience different areas at whim,  as well as cruising grounds not accessible to the ordinary person.  South Florida offers a a key staging point to cruise the finest waters in the world; including the Bahamas (800 islands  with breath-taking crystal clear water starting at only 50 miles away, South Miami Beach (ready to party?) , the Florida Keys (Key West being the best for the laid back tropical lifestyle …may never want to leave as many don’t!), and a centralized ‘jump point’ to Caribbean destinations such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and the far Caribbean chain of islands (including the Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, Saint Barts, Martinique, Grenada and so on – see transport blog).  Many yachts in this area also cruise the very desirable area up to the New England coast and the Great Lakes region during the summertime months. 

The other desirable motivation to a yacht owner; is that the South Florida area offers the best availability of yacht services and crew worldwide!  Indeed, Fort Lauderdale has also been termed the ‘yachting capitol’ of the world!  Selling a yacht? Why not use it while enjoying your yacht in the premier yacht selling region worldwide?  Buying a yacht?  Can’t get better to see a huge variety of yachts at attractive pricing anywhere.  Shhh! don’t tell everyone this secret, or we won’t have the same opportunities to share!

yacht transport offloading

Often Buyers and Owners face the challenge of having a yacht transported; which can be done effectively and economically by a number of well-established worldwide operations.   In today’s world it is common to see good opportunities to buy yachts in areas offering a favorable currency exchange and including the cost of transporting yachts to home locations.  The US is currently favored by regions such as Australia and Europe for yacht buyers who then transport yachts back to these areas. 

Shipping as deck cargo, or on a specialized yacht carrier can both extend the opportunities to cruise parts of the world which cannot be accessed easily, due to range constraints or weather concerns.  There is virtually a ship for every port destination ; anywhere in the world.  Transporting yachts by ocean carrier saves much wear and tear often experienced by long trans-oceanic cruises, not to mention the hours accumulated on the machinery and systems.  Yachts arrive in a ready-to-go state.  Often they can be attached to shorepower while underway.  Carriers such as  Dockwise Yacht Transport (www.yacht-transport.com) offer submersible yacht carriers which offer float-on-off service whereby the yacht is driven onto the yacht with divers placing supports for the hull, then the cargo area is raised and unflooded.  This service travels worldwide with such destinations as South Florida, USA, Vancouver, Canada, West coast Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia, Tahiti, Europe (Medditerranean), Caribbean and many more.  Other ships (www.yachtpath.com) offer crane service which pick up the yacht with teams of cranes and carry the yachts as deck cargo with service worldwide.  When using a ship transport, the yacht will carry a seperate cargo insurance policy and often be shrinkwrapped (enclosed in a plastic shell) to protect the yacht on long-cruises.  I advise customers to even consider moving yachts over short distances (1000 miles) by this method, especially if the trip is against wind conditions (as often found between moving from South Florida to the Virgin Islands – much easier coming back from the VI’s with prevailing winds from the stern). 

Moving smaller yachts within continental North America can be economically accomplished by trucking.  Most express style yachts are built so that they can be moved by truck and trailer without exceeding a height limit of 13’6″ and a beam (width limit) of 14′  from the road.  Depending on the route, some road transports can exceed this height and   Even some sedan style motoryachts can have the flybridge removed and shipped on the same trailer, then reassembled on the delivered side.  This method of transporting yachts is often more economical than physically driving a yacht.  Most owners will shrinkwrap the yacht while transporting.  Sometimes a combination of transporting means will be the most effective way to accomplish deliveries; such as moving a lake-bound yacht to a navigable waterway where an on-water delivery team can take over. 

Professional delivery crews are also employed to move yachts between locations.  Many are free-lance operators who have many years of experience.  It is an  important consideration to select a delivery crew who has experience on the desired route and with the type of yacht being delivered.  Provision should be made for weather conditions which could potentially interrupt the trip, as often occurs..so that the delivery can be accomplished smoothly and without damage. 

Ak Yachts has many customers who elect to buy yachts which are good buying opportunities  from various  locations and transport to their home port . We handle all aspects of  this service at no-charge to the customer and can often negotiate more favorable pricing. As worldwide currencies become stronger against the US dollar, many international yacht buyers seek the  used yacht market in the US, especially South Florida; where most of the best opportunities to buy yachts advantageously are found.   We see many buyers from Europe, Australia, South and Central America and Canada who recognize this fact and make up a major part of our buying market – then use transport services to bring their purchased yachts to their home port.  Many buyers elect to use their newly purchased yacht to cruise our fine destinations, such as the Bahamas and Florida Keys prior to transporting.  Ak Yachts often handles the management (including dockage, maintenance, captain services, etc) to assist  these happy new owners to keep the boat in South Florida and do some excellent cruising prior to transport.

Other blogs of interest include: “Being the Second Owner of a Yacht” , “Considering your needs when buying a Yacht” , “Buying a Yacht in a Depressed Market” and  “The Process of Buying a Yacht” .

A note:  I welcome emails with questions or feedback anytime! But I do not follow comments much as most are spam. Any ideas for blog-worthy topics are also welcome!  andy@akyachts.com; (954) 292-0629 cell