Posts Tagged ‘florida’

Gulf Yacht Sales Brokers Have it All!

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

If you’re looking to buy a boat located in one of the Gulf States, the following Gulf yacht sales brokers may just have what you’re looking for.  To make the most of your search, it may be a good idea to take advantage of the tips offered by the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.).  It might help make choosing your boat from a Gulf yacht sales broker a little easier.

BoatU.S.’s consumer guide, Buying & Selling a Boat, offers useful tips on such topics as ‘finding a boat that fits,’ ‘new or used,’ plus guidelines on pricing and costs involved in owning a boat.  BoatU.S. also has a boat condition checklist for comparison and evaluation of boats you may be interested in purchasing, along with information on boat financing, marine insurance, United States Coast Guard (USCG) minimum requirements, and sales agreements & contracts that apply to a Gulf yacht sales broker or any other broker.  (Read More About BoatU.S)

Save up to 50% on Fuel PurchasesFirstBoat.com is another website offering information on purchasing a boat.  Their advice topics include buying a boat; purchasing a small boat versus a bigger boat, information on boat auctions & eBay, plus tips on how to name your boat.  In addition, there is an article posted by Rod Lynch, who states “the Golden Rule when buying a boat is – buy quality, not quantity.”

By keeping this ‘golden rule’  in mind, Tommy Tipton’s Lauderdale Yacht Sales located in League City, TX, is reputed to be ‘the Gulf Coast’s Number One Yacht Broker,’ with 83 vessels currently for sale ranging from a 24’ Four Winns 248 Vista listed for USD $21,995 to a 56’ Sea Ray 560 Sedan Bridge for $695,995.

With two locations in St. Petersburg and Marathon, FL, Gulf Coast Yacht Sales, Inc., has been a Gulf yacht sales broker since 1996.  Specializing in Irwin Yachts, they feature both new and used power and sail vessels.  Current listings include a 40’ Catalina Sloop for $129,900 up to a 68’ Irwin Custom Ketch listed for $525,000.

Gulf Coast Hatteras, located in Orange Beach, AL, is another yacht sales broker (recently celebrated their 50th anniversary!).  Providing sales, parts and service, this dealership features Hatteras, Cabo Yachts, Albemarle, and Grand Banks.  With 128 vessels currently listed, they range in price from a 53’ Carver 530 Voyager at $329,000 to a 76’ Queenship yacht listed for $2,495,000.

The YachtCouncil, a federation of yacht broker associations, has hundreds of ‘yacht for sale’ listings in all of the Gulf States.  In Texas, for example, there are 101 vessels  for sale including a used 60’ Chris Craft for $234,500, while in Florida a new 180’ Newcastle Shipyards yacht can be had for a mere $54,900,000.  A 72’ King Marine yacht is available in Louisiana for $399,000; a 53’ Nautor Swan is for sale in Mississippi for $465,000; and for $498,000, a 58’ Sunseeker can be yours in Alabama.

With so many choices for Gulf yacht sales brokers, it’s smart to do your homework.   Evaluating options within your specs and budget becomes fun when you have a clear understanding of what you’re looking for, and what you can afford.

Sources:
Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.)
FirstBoat.com
Tommy Tipton’s Lauderdale Yacht Sales
Gulf Coast Yacht Sales, Inc.
Gulf Coast Hatteras
The YachtCouncil

Yachts For Sale in Florida

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

There are many pre-owned yachts for sale in Florida right now, with prices ranging from several thousand to millions of dollars. A variety of ways to find yachts for sale in Florida are available:

Yacht Fuel Bid Desk
1. Classified ads sections in newspapers and boating magazines are good places to find a yacht to buy. If there is no picture with an ad, you can use the Internet to see what a particular model looks like.

2. You can search for a yacht in Florida on various yachting websites as well. Such sites include YachtWorld.com (use the Advanced Search for Florida specific results) and YachtTraderOnline.com, which also publishes a magazine that lists boats for sale.

3. The popular classified listing service CraigsList.org is another source of yachts for sale. When searching for a yacht on CraigsList, select the “only search titles” checkbox and search under “boats” for the best results (without “Land Yacht” listings).

4. Because of their high value and relatively few potential customers, some owners use yacht brokers to sell their boats. Like real estate brokers, such companies usually have their own websites and advertise the yachts in various media.


Using these four methods you are sure to find a wide selection of pre-owned yachts for sale in the state of Florida, with varying ages, amenities, passenger capacities, and engine sizes.

Consider a Yacht Rental for your Wedding in Florida

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
Yacht Wedding in Florida

Yacht Wedding in Florida

By Connie Motz, Marinefuel.com Travel Expert
September 3, 2009

Imagine your intimate wedding ceremony conducted by the Captain onboard his ship or exchanging your vows on a palm tree-filled beach in the Florida Keys.  Sip champagne as you later stroll the deck, gazing into the sunset as a newly married couple.  A yacht rental for your wedding in Florida can provide all of these plus memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’re exploring the option of a yacht rental for your wedding in Florida, here are some guidelines to help make the process go smoothly.  A yacht wedding can provide everything you’d expect in a traditional wedding from the ceremony, flowers, photographer, catering, to entertainment.

As with any big event, a yacht rental for your wedding in Florida can be customized to suit your needs and budget.  Many companies offer the services of a wedding planner who can help you with pre-planned wedding packages that include decorations, cake, hors d’oeuvres, and a reception buffet or dinner.

With over 30 years of event and wedding planning experience, creating ‘the most memorable event’ is the goal of Boat Miami, who accommodates wedding parties from 12-500 passengers.  According to Boat Miami, expect to pay between $100 and $200+ per person per day for a yacht rental for your wedding in Florida including the ship rental, fully catered reception meal, and an open bar.

Boat Miami also features a Wedding Essentials store online where themed wedding favors, jewelry, and even lingerie can be purchased for that special day. Personalized sea shells, sailboat tea light holders, flip flop coasters, and natural sea shell place card holders are amongst the favorites.

Requests for an estimate for a yacht rental for your wedding in Florida should include information about the U.S. Coast Guard Certified capacity, fuel cost, dockage fees, crew salary, catering and beverages, service charges, and any applicable taxes.

Michelle Sandy

Michelle Sandy

Better yet, utilize the services of a professional wedding planner.  Michelle Sandy, owner of Your Travel Concierge of Naples, highly recommends a yacht rental for your wedding in Florida.  “Keep in mind that many yachts sail to the Mediterranean/Europe over the summer months.  It will be more difficult to find a yacht in Florida from May to October,” says Sandy.

As a Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist, Sandy also advises to plan your yacht wedding at least six months to one year in advance, to remain flexible, and to always use a reputable wedding planner that has knowledge of the yachting business.  Following these tips will help to ensure that a yacht rental for your wedding in Florida will be smooth sailing all the way.




Sources:
Boat Miami
Michelle Sandy, Your Travel Concierge of Naples
Florida Keys
Florida Association of Convention/Visitor Bureaus


Day Yacht Rental Tips for South Florida

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
Sailing in Miami

Sailing in Miami

By Connie Motz, Marinefuel.com Destination Expert
September 2, 2009

With an average temperature of 82°F, it’s no wonder that renting a yacht in South Florida for a day is a widespread year round activity.  One of the most popular destinations for a day cruise in South Florida is Millionaire’s Row in Biscayne Bay.  Here you’ll see the stunning mansions of the rich and famous including homes owned by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Oprah Winfrey, Julio Iglesias, and Gloria Estefan.

Along with the gorgeous Miami skyline you’ll also have views of the many yachts in the Port of Miami, South Beach (also known as SoBe), Brickell Avenue, Little Havana and Calle Ocho, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and Fisher Island, home to television’s Flipper.

Another commonly visited destination when you’re renting a yacht in South Florida for a day is Elliott Key, the northernmost island of the Florida Keys.  Only accessible by boat, Elliott Key is part of Biscayne National Park and provides camping, hiking, and nature trails.

When you’re renting a yacht in South Florida for a day, be sure to take advantage of the infinite white sand beaches that can be found at John Lloyd State Park, Dania Beach, Hollywood Beach, Hallandale Beach, and the clothing-optional Haulover Beach.

Tropical Boat Charters in Miami also suggests plotting a course for Cape Florida, No Name Harbor, Virginia Key, and Biscayne Bay at night.  A 28’ Crownline yacht for 6 guests can be rented for 8 hours for $1,400 while a 115’ Westport complete with two wave runners will cost you $9,500 plus fuel.

Miami Boat located in South Beach can also arrange renting a yacht in South Florida for day with vessels like 60’ 600 Wide Body Rodriguez with a maximum of 12 passengers for $5,500 or up to 122’ Oceanfast Super Yacht for $14,000 per 8 hour rental.

But before you go, here are some things to take into consideration when you’ll be renting a yacht in south Florida for a day.  Have you chartered a yacht before?  Do you want a bareboat rental or a skippered/crew charter?  How many passengers will there be – are any of them children?  What is the purpose of renting a yacht in South Florida for a day – sightseeing? Fishing? Relaxation? Is snorkeling and other water sport equipment supplied?  Do you need to bring food and drinks?  What do we do in the case of an emergency?

Answering these quick questions will help to provide you with the best overall experience when it comes to renting a yacht in South Florida for the day.

Sources:
Miami Boat.com
Tropical boat.com
Miami and Beaches.com
Visit Florida.com
Florida State Parks.org

Miami Beach Marina

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

By Connie Motz, Marinefuel.com Destination Specialist 
August 26, 2009

Located in the heart of South Beach, Miami Beach Marina offers 400 boat slips with docking for watercraft up to 250 feet.

The popular full service marina provides 24-hour security and dock attendants, a Hopkins Carter marine hardware store, U.S. Customs clearance and features Valvtect Marine Fuels.  Further features include wireless internet, heated pool, laundry facilities, a market, and two on-site restaurants.

With over 1,000 feet of floating docks (and because the harbor can be busy!), the Miami Beach Marina features a control tower with high-tech weather capability, making mooring easy and safe for even the smallest of vessels.

The Miami Beach Marina is within walking distance of South Beach and the Art Deco district where you’ll find endless restaurants, nightlife and shopping.  If you want to go scuba diving, jet skiing, or sport fishing, the marina has on-site facilities to take care of your every need.  If you decide to stay where the action is in trendy South Beach, the Miami Beach Marina offers discounted rates to its patrons at the South Beach Marriott.

In case you’d like to upgrade your boat while you’re there, the Miami Beach Marina has on-site retailers for YachtBrasil, Florida Yacht Group, and Ocean Style Yachting.  Or, if your vessel needs mechanical assistance, the marina also offers marine towing & rescue.

Further amenities include concierge service, telephone access, cable television, restrooms with air conditioning, and pump-out services.  Nearby, you can hit some balls at the historic Miami Beach Golf Club or Normandy Shores Golf Club, or swing a racket at the North Shore Park Tennis Center.

The Miami Beach Marina is the official departure venue for poker runs and rallies to the Florida Keys, like those hosted by the Florida Powerboat Club (over 500 members).

Affordable rates and an online reservation system make booking at the Miami Beach Marina a breeze.