How To Winterize Your Boat
January 5, 2012 | 
Author 
Winterizing your boat is the single most important maintenance duty that you will have to perform as a boat owner. If it is done correctly, very little work will be required to get the boat ready for the water in the spring. Proper winterization greatly extends the life of the boat and its engine by protecting its components from freezing, corrosion and lying idle for long periods.
The first step in the winterization process is to ensure that the boat’s fuel tank is full – leave just a little room for expansion – and add fuel stabilizer in accordance with the instructions on the product. If the fuel tank isn’t full you run the risk of condensation forming within the tank which can lead to corrosion and clogging.
Turn off fuel valves and seal through-hull exhaust ports with duct tape. Replace the water separator and the fuel filter.
Protecting Your Engine
Run the engine for a while to warm it up and change the oil while it’s warm. This allows many of the impurities in the oil to be drained away. Change the oil filters. If your engine uses coolant drain the current fluid from the engine block and manifolds and replace it with a propylene glycol based antifreeze.
When a boat is not being used, oil tends to settle at the bottom of the engine block, exposing the pistons and valves to air, humidity and other corrosive materials. To avoid this situation remove the spark plugs and spray “fogging oil” inside the carburetor and into each cylinder. Replace the spark plugs without reconnecting the wires.
Replace the engine’s old gear oil with fresh oil. Dispose of any used oil at an authorized recycling center.
Outboards
Flush outboard engines with fresh water. Allow all water to drain from the engine and wash down the engine with soap and water. Disconnect the fuel hose and run the engine until it stops. It is important to ensure that all fuel is drained from the carburetor. Use fogging oil in the cylinders. Apply water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads, and lightly lubricate the exterior of the engine or polish with a quality wax. Change the gear oil in the lower unit.
If your boat will be stored out of the water during the off season, disconnect the battery and store it at home. Boats left in the water should have the battery left in place on board and functioning so the bilge pump will continue to function if required. If you are removing the battery from the boat, ensure it is fully charged before stowing it away. Recharge every 30-60 days or keep on a trickle charger during the storage period and check the water level from time to time.
It is also sensible to remove any valuable marine electronics from the boat for the winter, and to store this equipment in a safe place to avoid theft and possible damage caused by temperature changes and humidity. The winterization process also offers an opportunity to inspect items like lines, flotation devices, flares, fire extinguishers, etc., for wear and tear and possible replacement.
Propeller
This is also a good time to check your boat’s propeller and hub. Bent or nicked propeller blades will diminish performance. The hub may also be have sustained extensive wear. If this type of damage is apparent, replace the propeller and make any necessary repairs during the winterizing process.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Clean the boat thoroughly inside and out. If you store your boat with dirt, scum, barnacles and the like on the exterior, these impurities will be even harder to remove in the spring. After the exterior of the boat has been cleaned, apply a quality polish to the exterior surfaces to create a protective barrier against dirt and dust. Clean the interior, including all timber, vinyl and carpet.
To help keep your boat free from mildew, you may wish to install a dehumidifier or use a moisture absorber. Turn any cushions up on edge so that air can circulate around them, or better yet, remove them from the boat.
Drain and clean the bilges. (If your boat will be stored out of the water remove all drain plugs and put them in a place where they’ll be easy to find when relaunching your boat in the spring.) Spray the bilges with moisture displacing lubricant and add a little antifreeze.
Empty The Head
Pump out the holding tank at an approved facility. While pumping, add fresh water to the bowl and flush several times. Use an approved cleaner for your type of system, and let the solution sit for a few minutes before adding more fresh water and pumping it out again. Add antifreeze and pump the coolant through the hoses, holding tank, Y-valve, macerator and discharge hose. Check your owner’s manual to be sure that an alcohol based antifreeze won’t damage your system.
Water Tanks
Drain the fresh water tank and any hot water heater. Isolate the hot water heater by disconnecting the in and out lines and connecting them together. Pump non-toxic antifreeze through the system by turning on all the taps / shower until the antifreeze starts coming out. Add non-toxic antifreeze to the water heater.
Put it on Blocks
If you own a trailer boat, consider putting the boat and trailer up on blocks for winter to take the pressure off the tires. Inspect the trailer and tires for wear and tear. Grease the wheel bearings and replace if necessary.
If at all possible, store your boat undercover. If you need to leave it outdoors you’ll require a boat cover. A good quality 8- to 10-ounce canvas boat cover should be adequate for most situation. Even undercover the boat should be covered to protect against dust and dirt, pests and bird droppings. For extreme conditions you could consider shrink-wrapping the boat. Do-it-yourself kits are available.
The Day a "Tidal Wave" Hit Chicago
“Giant tidal wave hits local town lake.” April Fool’s joke? Probably. “Giant Tidal Wave Hits Chicago.” Joke, right? No. This was the headline of the afternoon edition of the Chicago Daily News on June 26, 1954.
I left the house in my beat-up Chevy at around 9:00 a.m. on a warm Saturday morning in June 1954 and drove uptown to Lake Michigan’s Montrose Beach and harbor to meet my father and some friends at the Wilson Rocks Bait Shop where he hung out with his fellow fishermen. We were going to do some Perch fishing……which is a chewy white meat fish that is a taste of Heaven when deep fried and served with, lemon, tartar sauce and accordion fries. Getting ready for my final year in high school, I had been working a hard construction job and was in need of some sun and relaxation. Perch were the answer this Saturday morning, but I would soon find something quite different……something that I would never forget.
As I pulled into the parking area, I noticed it was full of water despite it being a bright sunny day. The Lake was unusually choppy. I also noticed people running toward the pier. There was a sense of something very serious and very bad going on and immediately and instinctively I headed for the bait shop to connect with my father. He saw me coming and said “let’s go to the pier, they need help down there,” and we took off at full speed along with many others. A Seiche (pronounced saysh) had struck Montrose Harbor without warning on this June morning. It was 8 feet high and 25 miles wide and hit Chicago’s entire lakefront……from Michigan City, Indiana to the North Shore. Eight people were killed, most of whom were fishing right there in Montrose Harbor where about 15 or 20 fishermen were swept off the narrow, 175-foot concrete pier. And we knew many of them.
When we arrived, bathers and fishermen were running for cover. Men, women and children scurried and fell. Yachts bobbed widely in the water. The wave at some points had rushed 150 feet inshore before subsiding in a few minutes which explained why I saw so much water as I pulled into the parking lot. There were rescues, panic, despair, and narrow escapes. Unfortunately, we were too late to be of any real help and then stood by helplessly as the the rescue teams began the grim job of pulling each body from the lake. Apparently, fishermen who had been lying on their stomachs, idly guiding lines in the water, were simply swept off the pier as the water swelled up and washed over them. Fishermen on the North Avenue pier, several miles to the South, were also swept into the lake, and the same grim work was being done there. Among those hurled into the water was Ted Stempinski, who had been fishing with his son Ralph, 16. Ralph left the scene for a moment shortly before the wave struck. When he returned his father was gone. The same thing happened with John Jaworski who also was fishing with his son. Those tragic facts hardly went unnoticed and stayed with me for a long time after.
News of the oncoming wave was spread quickly by park police who cleared fishermen from a pier at 61th St. In Jackson Park minutes before the water submerged that area. At Loyola Beach just North the waves broke over a 9-foot seawall. All the docks at the Belmont Harbor yacht basin were flooded when the wave raised the water level there about 6 feet.
Prior to June 26, nobody had ever heard of the word “Seiche.” After June 26, most of us were experts on the phenomena.
Specifically, “A Seiche has to occur in an enclosed body of water such as a lake, bay or gulf. A Seiche, a French word meaning “to sway back and forth”, is a standing wave that oscillates in a lake as a result of seismic or atmospheric disturbances creating huge fluctuations of water levels in just moments. The standing waves slosh back and forth between shores of the lake basin, often referred as tide-like changes of the Great Lakes, by many. Most seiches on the Great Lakes are results of atmospheric disturbances and a cease in wind, not seismic activity or huge tidal forces” ( Heidorn 2004; Wittman 2005).
This particular Seiche, which was the most dangerous of the three kinds, was fueled by a severe squall line with high winds and rapid changes in atmospheric pressure that pushed down on the lake’s surface and crossed southern Lake Michigan a few hours earlier, passing from northwest to southeast. It’s as if you dropped a stone in the middle of a bucket of water and watched the ripples move from the center. The atmospheric pressure caused be the squall was the stone and the ripples were the Seiche. Like water sloshing back and forth in a bath tub, fast-moving squall lines with intense atmospheric pressure caused the lake to slosh back and forth and water levels to rise on the shoreline and harbors by up to 10 feet in a matter of minutes and with no warning.
Unlike a tsunami, which can travel across the open ocean at extremely high speeds, a Seiche moves much more slowly. It took 80 minutes for the Seiche to travel 40 miles from Michigan City to the Chicago lakeshore at North Avenue. That’s about 30 mph. The Seiche Struck the entire Illinois coast with a wave about 2 to 4 feet high, but it reached a maximum height of 10 feet as it approached the North Avenue pier.
As an eye witness to the immediate aftermath, I was taken aback by the way in which the Chicago papers over-dramatized the tragedy. The Chicago Daily News, now defunct, ran headlines that read in two inch black lettering: “BIG TIDAL WAVE HERE! Many Swept Into Lake; Fear 10 Killed. Mother of 11 Among Victims. 3 Divers, Boats Hunt Others. Three persons were drowned and several more were feared lost Saturday when a 25-mile-wide tidal wave smashed the Lake Michigan shore here. The freak wave, estimated from 3 to 10 feet high, struck at about 9 a.m. From Jackson Park north to Wilmette. An undetermined number of persons were swept into the lake. Estimates of the death toll ran as high as 10…….” There had been no “big tidal wave;” there had been a freak and deadly Seiche. Since then, there have been numerous scares and reports of smaller seiches, but none that caused similar damage or deaths.
Interestingly, however,one of the greatest disasters in the city of Buffalo, NY’s recorded history occurred at 11 p.m. October 18, 1844 when a wall of water quickly inundated the commercial and residential districts along the waterfront. The disaster occurred without warning, breaching the 14-foot seawall and flooding the waterfront. Newspaper accounts indicate that 78 people drowned. This tragedy was also caused by a Seiche, as prolonged strong winds produced a Seiche by pushing the water toward one end of Lake Erie. When the winds stopped, or shifted to the opposite direction, the water moved back in the direction from which it came and the Seichedid the rest. It is estimated that Buffalo has two or three seiches a year, but the threat has been largely eliminated by building a breakwater in Lake Erie, a project that started in the 1860s.
Unlike devastating Tsunamis caused by underwater earthquakes, seiches have never caused much damage in the Great Lakes, and most go unnoticed since they are relatively subtle and imperceptible, causing water levels on beaches to rise just a foot or less.
But this one was very perceptible and occurred on a calm and warm Saturday morning in Chicago. What started as a day of peaceful fishing turned out to be an experience that has remained indelibly in my mind and, I believe, worthy of a sharing. One thing is for certain, we will never experience a Seiche here……….at least I don’t think so.
“It didn’t come in like a wall…..the water just started to rise and kept going until it was maybe 6 feet higher than usual.” Dick Keating, Belmont Harbor Foreman and eyewitness.
Types Of Ants
Ants are found all over the world, from the hottest deserts to the lush green rainforests. We can find them in our backyards, in our homes, and even in our workplaces. Ants live in colonies and a single colony may have over a million ants. There are several different types of ants. Some of the better-known varieties are the army ants, driver ants, honeypot ants, weaver ants, leafcutter ants, fire ants, silver ants, and bulldog ants. All ant colonies are comprised of three types of ants, namely the worker ants, the soldier ants, and the single queen ant.
The behavior of ants may vary according to their type. The size of ants range from two to 25 millimeters and their color may vary from red to brown or black.
Army ants and driver ants are highly evolved ants. Army ants are found in South America and driver ants are found in Africa. Unlike other ants, these do not have permanent nests. These colonies reproduce by two methods – fission or nuptial flights.
Honeypot ants generally have enlarged abdomens. They usually live in hot, dry places such as Australia, Africa, North America and they can be found in deserts as well. These ants are also considered a great delicacy.
Ants that make their nests in trees by attaching leaves together are known as weaver ants. These creatures first pull the leaves together with a bridge of workers and then they sew the leaves together by pressing silk producing larvae on the leaves.
Leafcutter ants live only within their colony and feed exclusively on fungus. These ants come in different sized castes to carry out various functions that are to be performed in the colony. Another unique type of ant is the fire ant. These ants have a sac of poison that is filled with piperidine alkaloids. The Australian bulldog ants are those with only one chromosome and these are amongst the biggest and most primitive varieties of ants.
Ants are of different types and are one of the most common creatures in the world. In spite of their small size, they may pose a threat to humans as well as animals.
Repossessed Boats for Sale – A Picked Over Bargain
Most people who hear the term repossessed assume the worst. One of the first thoughts that usually come to mind for most people is that the boat in question is torn up or not cared for, or both. This is not always the case and someone that is shopping for a boat should never completely rule out repossessed boats for sale. There are many bargains that are available and often times the work that the boat needs are minor or superficial. Many boat owners who have purchased their boats through repossession had to just simply clean the boat or put a new coat of paint on to repair a few scratches. You can never tell what you are going to find until you get out there and look, there is no harm in shopping around!
Repossessed boats for sale certainly sound negative and the reason behind that is because we as a society have conditioned ourselves to believe that someone who can not afford something are unable to take care of their belongings, this is simply not true. In most cases repossession simply means that the owner fell on hard times therefore had to give up their boat. I think everyone can relate when I tell you that there are extenuating circumstances that can cause hardships and sometimes people end up not being able to make their payments, whether it be for a boat or any other possession that is financed. When the finance company or bank repossesses the boat they then have a boat that they must sell quickly, banks and other financial institutions are in the business of making money not owning possessions from their clients like boats. As with anything else the banks get in their possession they will not get top dollar for the boat because it has been used. In order to get around this the lenders will hold what is called repossessed boats for sale in order to eliminate their stock of boats.
When looking for a boat through repossessed boats for sale you certainly want to be cautious. Ensuring that there is not damage that was masked or covered by the previous owner is one of the most important things to look out for. When the lender takes back the equipment they typically do not thoroughly inspect it to make sure there are no more damages than meets the eye, this is something that should be done by the perspective buyer. It is a good idea to take someone with you that is very familiar with boats, their engines and other internal workings to help ensure that you are getting a good deal and not something that will nickel you to death.
When you are looking to purchase a boat consider repossessed boats for sale. In many cases you can get an excellent bargain on a boat that would normally cost thousands of dollars more at your local dealerships. Remember, just because the boat was repossessed from the previous owner it does not mean that the boat is in disrepair. You may find a boat that was well taken care of by the previous owners but unexpected medical conditions or other financial difficulties made it impossible for them to keep it.
Facts on America’s Economy
It’s no secret that the United States is enduring an economic downturn. It’s all over the media every time you turn on the TV.
I believe there there isn’t a recession and that the United States is in a state of growth. Believe or not, it’s true.
Whenever there’s a economic downturn, it always sprouts back up even stronger and a lot more wealth is created turning this time.
The media has a lot people thinking in fear and scarcity. Which is not good, the media’s job is to give out bad news, when have you ever heard something good happen on the news?
It’s rare if you do and it gets a 10 second time slot.
For entrepreneurs like you and me, we must think in a state of optimism and abundance, because the future is very bright, believe it or not.
So here are the facts on America’s economy.
I may have been preaching early on how good things are but the information is bad news to the normal eye.
But to the problem solver, what we call entrepreneurs these days, I see opportunities and markets for new products.
1- More women will file bankruptcy than graduate college this year in the US.
2- The number 1 resolution this year was to get out of debt – overtaking weight loss for the first time in history.
3- Last year – there were 80 million unpaid credit cards in the US alone with an average balance of $8000.
4- Today, two income families have less discretionary income than single income families just a generation ago – now approaching 90 percent.
5- The average American family brings home less than $36,000 a year.
6- 79 million Americans plan to start their own business in the next 3-5 years according to Forbes Magazine.
7- Both Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki recommend Network Marketing
Now based on those facts how many potential products or services could you come up with to serve this market. The possibilities are endless!
How to Find Latitude and Longitude on a Nautical Chart
Any GPS receiver will find Latitude and Longitude along your sailing routes at any moment. But as a skipper, have you plotted this information onto a nautical chart to check your position? Boost your sailing navigation skills to the next level with this vital sailing skill!
Navigating with Latitude
Cartographers create a grid-like web on your navigation chart. Latitude lines run in a horizontal direction. Longitude lines run in a vertical direction. Imagine the earth, balanced on her axis without a tilt. Wrap a “belt” around the earth, divide it in two and you have the equator–birthplace of Latitude. Label the equator 0 degrees.
Latitude lines parallel the equator to the north or to the south. To plot Latitude to find out where you are, you measure how many degrees you are north or south of the equator. Latitude reaches a maximum of 90 degrees at both north and south poles. Always label Latitude N, if north of the equator, or S, if south of the equator.
In chart navigation, use the scales on the right or left side to find your Latitude. These scales are broken down into degrees, minutes and tenths of a minute, or degrees minutes and seconds. One degree of Latitude equals sixty minutes; one minute of Latitude equals sixty seconds. Here’s a simple way to remember this:
1 degree = 60 minutes.
1 minute = 60 seconds.
Navigating with Longitude
Return to your imaginary globe. To measure Longitude, you again divide the earth in half, but this time lengthwise. Locate Greenwich, England on your globe. Draw a line around the earth that intersects Greenwich and both north and south poles. Cartographers call this the Greenwich, or prime meridian–the birthplace of Longitude. Label the Greenwich meridian 0 degrees.
Longitude lines parallel the vertical Greenwich meridian to the east or to the west. To find longitude, you measure how many degrees you are east or west of the Greenwich meridian. Longitude reaches a maximum of 180 degrees on the other side of the earth, at the International dateline. You must label Longitude E, if east of Greenwich, or W, if west of Greenwich.
Use either the top or bottom of the chart to measure Longitude. Like Latitude, Longitude is broken down into degrees, minutes and tenths of minutes or degrees, minutes and seconds.
How to Convert Increments of Minutes
All nautical charts show minutes broken down into increments so that you can plot parts of a minute. For example, if your gps position shows 23-13N; 82-16W, there are no increments to worry about. But, if your gps position shows Latitude 23-13.278N; Longitude 82-16.786W, you have increments of minutes. Before you plot your position, round off increments to the closest tenth of a minute. Round off like this: Latitude 23-13.3N; Longitude 82-16.8W.
Look at the Latitude scales (right or left side) and Longitude scales (top or bottom) on your chart. Are minutes broken down into tenths or into seconds?
Some charts show degrees, minutes, and tenths of a minute. The minutes will be broken down into 10 small segments. Each small segment equals one-tenth of a minute. Other charts show degrees, minutes, and seconds of a minute. If your chart shows degrees, minutes, and seconds, you will need to multiply the “tenths” of a minute by 6. Follow this example:
GPS reading (with minutes rounded as described earlier): Latitude 23-13.3N; Longitude 82-16.8W.
Multiply the increment of Latitude minutes like this.3 X 6 = 18 seconds.
Multiply the increment of Longitude minutes like this.8 X 6 = 48 seconds.
Plot: Latitude 23 degrees, 13 minutes, 18 seconds; Longitude 82 degrees, 16 minutes, 48 seconds.
How to Plot Latitude and Longitude
Use a pair of dividers to plot your position by Lat and Long onto the chart. Read the degrees and minutes from your GPS. Find the closest degrees and whole minute of latitude on your GPS.
For example, for Latitude 23-13.3N, you would look for 23 degrees, 13 minutes on the right or left side scales on your navigation chart. Push one point of your dividers into the 13 minutes. Open up the other leg 3 small segments (three tenths), above the 13 minute mark. If your chart shows seconds instead of tenths, open up the other leg of your dividers 18 seconds (.3 X 6) above the 13 minute mark. Place a pencil mark where the dividers touch the exact Latitude.
Next, plot your Longitude. Use the same exact method to plot your Longitude. Make sure to use the top or bottom chart scales to plot your Longitude. When you’ve found your Longitude, place a pencil mark where the dividers touch the exact Longitude.
Find Your Exact Position
Align your parallel rules or any other straight edge so that the top long edge touches the Latitude pencil mark. Make the parallel rules or straight edge perpendicular so that when you draw in the Latitude line, it will be parallel to all other latitude lines. Draw a light pencil line across the body of the chart to a location close to where you marked the top or bottom Longitude scale.
Repeat this same method to align and draw in your Longitude line. Where the Longitude pencil line intersects the latitude pencil line shows your exact position. You should now have a cross. Place a dot where the two lines cross. Circle the dot. Erase the light lines drawn from the edges of the chart to clean up the chart and keep your plot neat.
Use these easy steps to find Latitude and Longitude on your nautical chart fast. With these sailing skills, you will be well on your way to become a confident sailing skipper-anywhere you choose to go sailing!
Yacht Safety
Yachting is an enjoyable and rewarding pastime. But is is always important to ensure your crew and passengers remain safe ensuring that there are no accidents or incidents. When boating the safety of all aboard the vessel must be paramount.
It is important that you ensure you have the correct safety equipment on board before setting sail. Everyone should have a life jacket, especially children, babies and infants who are on board. There are even life jackets available for pets if you decide to take them with you.
Depending on where you are sailing, and especially on the high seas, you should also have a EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) on your yacht. An EPIRB will send out a radio signal to alert emergency services and rescuers should you hit difficulties. An EPIRB is able to float upright, has a built in strobe light to aid identification and should have batteries fitted that will last no fewer than 40 hours. Personal locator beacons, that are similar to the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, are also available, but are of course carried on the person.
A first aid kit on the yacht is also essential, whether it is to provide a plaster for a minor cut or scrape, or to help stabilise a stricken passenger while help arrives. The first aid kit should be kept in a special waterproof bag and should include a waterproof torch should any first aid need to be carried out in the hours of darkness or when visibility is poor.
A lifebuoy or lifebelt are also useful in times of distress. These should be brightly coloured to ensure easy identification, especially during bad weather when visibility can be poor. Also when sailing your yacht faraway at sea, or in an ocean, a life raft is essential. Holding from four to ten people,these can be easily stored on board.
A good compass as a back up navigation system is an essential item on any yacht, no more so when you encounter difficulties. And should you need rescue or other help, a V sheet is vitally important as it can be spread on the deck or flown as a flag to indicate you are in distress.
As well as ensuring you have the correct equipment on board, you can also take other practical steps to ensure yacht safety. Before sailing check how the weather will be. Make sure you are familiar with the area you will be sailing. Also inspect your yacht to ensure there is no damage to it. And ensure that someone who is reliable is aware of where you will be sailing and for how long.
If you carry out these simple tips you will help to ensure the safety of your yacht and those on board.
What is a Super Yacht?
Think of a super yacht and it is likely that you will picture a huge sailing vessel that is luxuriously fitted as well as being hugely expensive. And it is fair to say that you would not be far wrong with that assumption.
Super yachts generally are are over 150 foot long. And as far as cost is concerned, a 2005 Sunseeker Predator was recently on sale for a staggering £1.75m. Such is the opulence of the super yacht, it is sometimes called a luxury yacht. Which has to be a huge understatement!
The popularity of the super yacht grew in the early 1900s when luxurious motor yachts such as the 325 foot Christina O and the Savarona, then the largest yacht in the world at 408 feet, were constructed. The economic downturn of the 1920s and 30s led to a drop in demand for these huge vessels, but subsequently the market for such luxurious craft has revived.
Such is the size of a super yacht, it is not the type of vessel that can be sailed only by the owner and his friends and family. They have to be staffed by professional crews, even when for purely personal use. Also many crafts of this type are used for charter purposes. They can command huge fees, some topping over £300,000 per week of charter. Up to a third of this cost can be for fuel, food and costs for berthing. A bonus for the crew can also add to this figure.
On a typical super yacht there are often three decks, a lower deck, main deck and an upper deck. Many of the larger vessels even have four of five decks. There may also be a sun deck. It will also have cabin provision for guests, as well as quarters for the crew and a separate cabin for the captain. The cabins will also have en-suite bathrooms or showers.
Because of the size of this type of craft it will have room for an open air swimming pool, salon, sauna, steam room, cinema, disco, dining room, medical centre galley, gym and jacuzzi. Added to the luxury will be a secondary dining room, private sitting rooms and library.
An up scaled addition to this class of vessel are “mega” or “giga” yachts with some breathtaking additions. These can incorporate helicopter hangars, indoor swimming pools and even miniature submarines. In short, the term “super yacht” is no misnomer, in terms of these crafts size, facilities and luxury.
Top 10 of the World’s Most Expensive Mega-Yachts
When the incredibly wealthy want to travel they want to travel in the ultimate luxury. For many of the wealthy traveling by sea is the most luxurious mode of travel. Especially when their huge luxury yachts have such features as multiple swimming pools, helipads, submarines, a full staff and the latest in nautical technology. All of these extras don’t come cheap, if you total up the prices of these ten yachts it comes to 1.6 billion dollars. Want to see what you can get for $1.6 Billion? Come along as I show you how the world’s wealthiest live it up at sea.
10. $90 million – Le Grand BleuFirst up is the 370-foot Le Grand Bleu which was gifted to Eugene Shvidler by its previous owner, Roman Abramovich, but don’t feel bad for Roman, This gift was more of a hand me down, more on this later. Le Grand Blue was built in Germany’s Vulkan yard and set sail in 2000, setting out on a couple of 3,600-horsepower Wärtsilä engines and a crew of 50. If Eugene Shvidler ever gets tired of being on board he can jump on his 74-foot sailboat or 67-foot speedboat and explore the open waters or surrounding islands.
9. $100 million – Tatoosh
Next we have the 301-foot Tatoosh, owned by the secretive Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, no photographers or reporters have been allowed on board. Supposedly this mega-yacht has a movie theater, swimming pool and lobster tank and of course the required helicopters landing pad..
8. $103 million – Annaliesse
Need to throw a good sized party? Well the Annaliesse may be the yacht for you. You and your guests can take over the 280-foot roomy interior with 15 staterooms with marble columns, its own “full-service” spa, salon, library, children’s play area and movie theater with a 100-inch screen. If you are up for a more private party the master stateroom has a king-size bed and remote-controlled panoramic windows.
7. $116 million – Alysia
The Annaliesse has a slightly prettier sister ship, called the Alysia. The Alysia has 5 decks all connected with elevators, on the different decks you which include a sundeck with barbecue, a bar, an 8-person hot tub, spa, gym, salon, a 500-bottle wine cellar. If you get tired of your guests you can retire to the 1,300 square-foot master stateroom which has its own private deck, jacuzzi, marble decked bathroom and king-size bed. If you need to make a quick get away you can make on pair of “scuba scooters.”
6. $129 million – Ecstasea
Remember Roman Abramovich who supposedly gave away his other yacht the Le Grand Bleu? Well he traded up for the 250-foot long Ecstasea which was built with an Asian-inspired interior theme, carved cherry panel walls and marble flooring. The luxuries that guests will enjoy on this yacht are a disco, sauna and Turkish baths.
5. $130 million – Pelorus
I’m sorry did I make you think that, Roman had two yachts? Actually he has 3. The third one is called the Pelorus. So what can we find on this sea going luxury? A pool – check. Helipads – yep, two of them. Staff? – 40, including a few from Britian’s SAS. A Mini-submarine? – oh baby! A Missile detection system?…. sure why not!
4. $200 Million – Octopus
The octopus is another Paul Allen yacht that stretches 416-feet. The Octopus is manned by only 40 crew members, some that are possibly ex-Navy Seals. This ship is more like an 80s cartoon robot. The Octopus has seven smaller boats, two helicopters, a 10-person submarine even a robotic submersible, that searches the sea floor..
3. $200 Million – Rising Sun
This lovely 453 foot yacht is co-owned by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and producer David Geffen. The highlights on this five-story 82 rooms beauty include onyx countertops, 9,900 square-feet of teak-layered decking, a movie theater and a combination basketball court/helipad.
2. $210 million – Lady Moura
The Lady Moura is a big lady that was made to order by Saudi Prince Nasser al-Rashid. This mega-yacht has a crew of 60, a pool with a retractable roof and its very own faux beachfront.
1. $350 Million – Dubai
The ruler of Dubai needs an opulent ship to travel around. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owns the 531-foot Dubai. The Dubai has space for 115 guests and 88 crew members, six guest suites and five VIP suites – all with open balconies. Interior areas flow into a “massive” foyer and atrium connects each of the mega-yacht’s eight deck. Outside, the ship hosts a large pool, squash court, helipad and a small aircraft hanger.
Beachfront Villas, Yachts; All-Inclusive Packages Make Great Caribbean Vacations
The Caribbean, also known as the West Indies, is the common term given to a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. Located from the southeastern areas of Mexico to the northwest of Venezuela in South America, these Islands are organized into 25 territories including sovereign states, overseas departments, and dependencies. There are at least 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cayes in the whole Caribbean region.
Because of their location and their natural beauty, the islands in the Caribbean region have become favorites to tourists, due to the many things they offer like style, seclusion, niche gifts, and nightlife.
Planning a trip to the Caribbean soon? Read the tips below to make the most of your vacation.
Rent or buy a beachfront villa If you have the money, the best way to totally enjoy the Caribbean is to rent or buy a Caribbean villa. The prices of Caribbean villas range from the cheap to the outrageously expensive. The prices depend in the location but almost all villas are beautiful.
In general, beachfront villas in the Bahamas area are expensive while beachfront property in the Dominican Republic is more affordable. Both locations are beautiful but the Bahamas is frequented by significantly more tourists than the Dominican Republic.
IF you are planning to stay for just a few days or a few weeks, it is highly advisable that you rent a beachfront villa instead of staying in a hotel. There are many advantages to doing it this way. It is more private and beautiful than a crowded hotel. Another advantage of a rented beachfront villa is the fact that you can cook your own meal there. In a hotel your choices are to all meals, in a restaurant. You can even hire someone to cook for you in a beachfront villa.
Rent a Caribbean Island But if you want to have a really perfect Caribbean vacation then rent a whole Caribbean Island for yourself or for you and your friends or family. That’s right! You can rent a whole Island in the Caribbean. You can truly live like a king on the island because it comes with staff and everything you need to spend a luxurious vacation. Renting a whole Caribbean island is also a very nice idea for a wedding or any party.
Charter a Yacht If the island is too much activity for your tastes, you could just charter a luxury yacht. There are many Caribbean yacht providers that will surely be able to meet your needs and budget.
Get in touch with a Caribbean holiday specialist Of course you can simply go online and start searching and learn everything there is to do in the Caribbean and the places to go when you get there. But it is definitely a lot easier to simply employ a Caribbean holiday specialist to help you plan the perfect Caribbean vacation. Getting the services of a Caribbean holiday specialist will save you a lot of time and energy. You could also save money with this method because they know different discounts and preferred rates. They have insight and knowledge and many years experience booking Caribbean vacations so you don’t have to do serious work and effort to plan the vacation yourself.