It’s that time again and I’m sure everyone is as anxious to get back out on the water as I am. It’s tempting to pull off the cover and just go, but there are 5 things you should take care of first to avoid the maiden voyage from Hades, well you get my point.
Number one on the list is the battery. I can’t stress this enough. If you make it away from the dock and your battery isn’t 100% you’re asking to be towed back. Check the water in each cell unless it is a sealed battery and add if needed. Charge fully and keep the first trip short in case you do need assistance.
Continue reading ‘Spring Maintenance for Used Boats’
While the docking techniques in boating are always going to be dependent upon the weather conditions, there are a few simple things that you should always keep in mind. First of all, in this particular case practice makes perfect. Although we can provide tips, please remember that the docking techniques in boating are going to be something you will have to personalize to your experience, your particular boat and of course, the dock itself.
Secondly, the most common mistake boater’s make when attempting to dock their boats is to try and approach the dock in a straight line. By approaching the dock from an angle, however, it will much easier to get close without scraping and to hit the spot you’re aiming for. Thirdly, the speed at which you come in to the dock must be controlled. Anything you’ve ever been told about the best docking techniques in boating probably mentioned that it requires you to run your boat in at the slowest possible speed.
Continue reading ‘Docking Techniques in Boating’
There are many boats out there on the market, with something for everyone. If you are new to boating, selecting the right boat can be hard. There are boats for every purpose on the water, all you have to do is find the one for you.
Continue reading ‘Types Of Boats Available’
Schöpfer Yachts has unveiled a new design concept for super-yachts that looks really impressive:
The concept called “Oculus” is the first design that newly-founded Schöpfer Yachts has made public. The 250-foot vessel was designed by company founder E. Kevin Schöpfer. It was designed to accommodate 12 guests at a speed higher than 25 knots.
Asia’s economy is growing quickly and some Asian companies are currently looking into ways of getting into the high-luxury-boat market big time. Especially China and Taiwan have been very active in this field in the recent years.
They’re really investing a lot of money in research and development, because it is still Europe where most of the expertise in the lucrative luxury yacht market can be found. If Asia wants to grow their market share it will have to learn and get better in terms of quality and exclusivity, and the Asian companies know that very well.
Though, it’s not only quality that should be a selling factor for Asian yacht builders. They’re trying to put their yachts on the market at very competitive prices: Yachts built in Taiwan are often about 30% cheaper than those built in the West, Chinese yachts are even priced at 50% of the price one would have to pay in Europe or in the USA for a comparable luxury boat.
Asia is still behind with yacht orders, but it is gaining on Europe and America: This year there have been about 100 orders for yachts in Taiwan and China, 400 orders in Italy alone and 100 in the United States. As comparison, in 2005 Taiwan and China had only about 50 orders combined.
And foreign companies are going to cash in on the growing Asian market, too. Many yacht manageing companies and additional service providers for the yacht industry have opened offices in Asian cities in order to provide value-added services to yacht builders as well as yacht owners.
