Paradise Yachts

Consider A Trawler Yacht – Part 2

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TRAWLER SIZE

Once you feel you have just the layout that will suit you, whats the right length? You need to know that the overall room in a 36 footer compared to a 40 footer is very different even with just a few feet added. The following is a basic guide.

30 – 35 foot: This is fine for day cruising and two people. One head and shower may make day-to-day living a chore. Overnight guests aboard may be difficult. Fine for inland and light offshore use. Consider this to be analogous to a pop-up camper.

36 – 39 foot: This size boat is easy enough for a couple to handle and suitable for light cruising and offshore use. Its large enough to cruise comfortably for 2 people and accommodate guests. Think of this as a condo.

40 – 44 foot: This boat length has the beam to insure stability and roominess. Think of this as a single family home. They have more than enough room to accommodate guests for extended period. This is probably the most popular length trawler found in the cruising community.

45 – Plus: These are your blue water long-range cruises. These vessels have luxurious accommodations but come with a handsome price tag. Think of this as a second home villa in the islands.

TRAWLER ACCOMMODATIONS

Now that we have covered the basics of trawlers and their designs, what is best for the actual living part? Trawlers generally come with 1-2 staterooms maybe three, 1-2 heads, salon, galley, and dinette. The salon is where we turn on the tube to catch the latest news and read the latest issue of Living Aboard. Like most trawlers handcrafted teakwood cabinetry is throughout with large windows.

Sundeck models have stairs leading to the aft sundeck. Most also have parquet teak floors, which looks nice with a nice oriental rug. Most trawlers have engine room access panels in the salon as well. Most salons of the 40-foot class will accommodate a couple of lean-back chairs or sofa, two small tables and an entertainment center. Placing a teak magazine rack close by and you have about all you need.

Staterooms are the private areas aboard. The sundeck model has an aft master stateroom that is very large and separated from the forward stateroom by the galley and salon.

Staterooms have a variety of storage lockers so make sure the boat you like has ample. Like everything, price is not always an indicator. Carpeting in the stateroom is a matter of choice. Many prefer to use rugs as not to hide the beauty of the teak flooring.

The galley is where you will spend a considerable amount of time. Most galleys, depending on the size of the boat will come equipped with range, propane or electric, microwave, and a refrigerator/freezer. Ample storage again should be evaluated. Galleys that are down have separation from guests in the salon.

The galley down has a dinette across from the cooking area with seating for 4. The dinette also converts to a berth for two. You can use the storage beneath the seating for seldom-used items used in the galley.

Most boats of the 40 foot and larger class are provided with two heads; a master and one available to the guest cabin and common areas.

Many master stateroom heads have a separate shower, toilet, and vanity. Having a separate shower is a must if guests are expected. Even so, its like two people getting showered and dressed in a phone booth. Older heads had hand-pump toilets but the newer electric flush or Vacuflush models are much better and easier to use. Some boats have one head to be shared by all on board so consider who may join you on your new boat.

ENGINES

Boats can be found with both single and twin engine configurations. There is no shortage of articles about the advantage of both. The primary advantages to twins are 1) easy maneuvering at close quarters, and 2) get home engine if one fails. The disadvantage is having to maintain two of everything. Fuel consumption is also doubled.

Single engines offer low fuel consumption but require more difficulty in operation at close quarters. There is usually no get-home engine so that may be an issue to some. An advantage in most boats is the ease of maintenance due to more room in the engine room.

TRAWLER MARKET

Ok, now we have gone through most of the differences between a variety of trawler styles and accommodations. So where can you find your perfect boat? I recommend a number of sources.

Find a good buyer’s broker. If I do not have the right one in inventory, I have access to hundreds of other boats in my multiple listings and can find you the best available at a price you wish to pay.

Check out Yachtworld.com to preview style and designs.

Go to every marina and boat show you can find. Commpliment any boater on their boat and they will gladly show you around.

Have fun shopping.

The author is a live aboard trawler owner and owner of Paradise Yachts, a full service Florida yacht brokerage.

So You Want To Become A Yacht Broker

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Frequently I have customers or friends say to me, It must be very much of fun being a Yacht Broker; being on boats all day, youre on vacation all the time. Sure, I do enjoy it but it is a lot of work if you want to be productive. Let me tell you what it takes to make it work. If you think you have what it takes, give me a telephone call.

The hard part.

To start with, Florida boat Brokers have served a 2 year apprenticeship as sales people, before a full Broker position can be attained. Other states have different requirements. As a Broker you may own the company or merely work as an Employing Broker for a parent company. As an owner/Broker as I do with Paradise Yachts, performance of a yacht sales business includes marketing, sales, marketing, accounting, banking, web site design and building, search engine optimization, tax collecting, and bottle washing. So I have to allocate my time based upon what needs to keep the business operating. But for the purpose of this article, well just be assuming you will want to become a yacht sales person.

So to start, the primary thing is you have to like yachts; no, you have to live yachts and boating. But theres more. You must know boats and yachts like the back of your hand; its got to be your life. You have to be able to discuss yachts in detail; your customers will certainly be able to do so.

Do you own a boat? Have you ever owned a boat? What is your experience operating a boat? Your customers will want to talk about how to work things while underway, how to dock a twin screw boat, and how things aboard operate. Can you walk the talk? Have you ever done it? Can you guide your customers based upon experience?

Whats your personality? Are you outgoing and able to reach out to clients? Most of the individuals you meet will be total strangers.

Are you a self-starter? Are you prepared to make it happen; if you dont go to work, no one will be there to remind you?

Do you possess a basic sales perspective? Are you a customer service type of person?

Can you exist without a paycheck for 1, 2, 3 months? It does and can happen. boat Brokers only get paid when we sell a yacht. Money management skills are critical.

Are you prepared to work 7 days a week, every day including holidays if necessary? I work every day, usually 12 hour days. Clients look at boats everyday and you must be willing to take the call or answer the email at any time, Sundays and holidays included.

Are you computer literate? Can you handle your way around a website? Youll need to own a powerful computer, printer, and scanner and have internet access to upload listings online.

Are you an accomplished photographer? Can you use a digital camera and use photographic software. Youll need to own at least a 8 mega pixel digital camera. They are not cheap!

Can you survive a full background investigation? If you wish to work in Florida, its required to be conducted before you are issued a license. If you are in another State, you cannot even enter the State of Florida as a Broker if not licensed.

Are you willing to dish out $600.00 every two years for the exclusive right of having that license?

Do you have a cell phone, and/or a Blackberry; they are essential.

Are you willing to work in the hot sun, sometimes in the pouring rain to show yachts to customers?

Are you willing to put up with annoying customers that often want something for nothing?

Can you live with many nos before getting a yes; you must as it occurs all the time.

The easy part

Do you wish to have an infinite income? Yes, the money you make is up to you. You receive a portion of the commission when you make a sale. Boat sales commissions are 10% of the selling price; a yacht selling for $100,000.00 will net the company $10,000.00.

Do you like to have fun? Yes, its a lot of fun meeting a new, happy boat owner. And yes, you get a lot of boat rides.

Do you like taking on many new friends? Every stranger I meet is just a friend I havent yet made.

Do you like being your own boss? In the boat business, you get to call the shots.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.

Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide.

Consider A Trawler Yacht – Part 1

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In looking for the right powerboat, consider that they come in a variety of styles and configurations. They are all generally the same, all having staterooms, salons, heads, etc.

In choosing the one that best fits your needs I think it is important to determine what you will do with it. Will it always stay at the dock or will you do some island hopping on her? Is a fast moving boat the right one for you or do you like to take it slow and easy. Do you like to use 4-8 gallons of fuel an hour or can you handle 40 gallons per hour? How about construction? A wooden boat has her charm but requires more bottom maintenance and insurance may be an issue. All of these must be considered.

If taking it slow is your cup of tea, the trawler may be just for you. Taking it slow and easy stopping to smell the salty air and watch the osprey soar overhead. So why choose a trawler? The modern trawler is comfortable, roomy, stable and seaworthy coupled with reliability and economy of operation.

WHAT IS A TRAWLER?

So what is a trawler? A trawler is not to be confused with fishing vessels although the idea originated with the seagoing fishing vessels. Trawlers in general are boats with long, deep keels to prevent running gear damage in the event of grounding, boats with top cruising speeds of 7-10 knots, and boats with large panoramic windows for good views. Trawlers have large fuel and water capacities to enable extended cruising and have crew creature comforts that will match any vessel afloat. The primary draw of a trawler is the traditional salty lines that turns heads at every dock.

TRAWLER ADVANTAGES

The advantages of owning a trawler may not be so obvious. In addition to the graceful lines, here are some of the most important traits.

Very economical to operate. A trawler uses only from 2-8 gallons/hr. at cruising speeds of about 9 knots.

Large fuel and water capacity.

Very large onboard storage in the many lockers, cabinets and drawer.

Large rudders make docking simple.

Many were embellished with exotic teak, even below decks in engine rooms. Teak is resistant to rot.

Slow RPM diesel engines produce anywhere from 10-20,000 hours of use before any serious work is needed.

Very high resale value due to tight market. Unlike cruisers and motoryachts, the trawler market exceeds the supply.

TRAWLER HULLS AFFECT PERFORMANCE

In choosing a trawler, one needs to choose between full displacement and semi-displacement hulls.

Displacement hulls are generally found on ocean going vessels. These hulls can carry more payloads due to their design. The hulls do not plane and power is directed to pushing the hull rather than raising it. The hulls are generally rounded which produced a soft ride.

Semi-displacement hulls combine round bottoms forward and flat bottoms aft. As it moves the hulls partially raises out of the water. These hulls give a bit more speed but may sacrifice a soft ride. These hulls are not suitable for blue water crossings.

TRAWLER STYLES

There are five trawler styles. Each style features unique floor plans and layouts. Trawler styles are as follows.

Classic or Trunk
Sundeck
Sedan
Pilothouse
Passagemaker

Trunk styles are considered to be the classic, double cabin trawler. They have wide walk-around decks and access to the salon from both side doors. It sits low to the water making boarding easy. The fly bridge is normally 3 steps up from the trunk deck and has ample sitting area for guests. The traditional mast with boom holds a sail to prevent rolling in heavy seas. The boom can also be used to launch the dingy. The interior provides an aft stateroom and private head. Two steps up is a large salon for entertaining. Forward is the galley, which may be up or down. A dinette is usually provided adjacent to the galley. Further forward is the guest quarters with another private head. I love the look of the trunk but it does not allow a place to be when the weather is bad other than indoors.

The sundeck model made its appearance in the mid 80s. Sundeck models are similar to the classic trunk styles except that the sundeck is enclosed allowing access to the bridge via the sundeck from the salon in inclement weather. Sundecks have wide bodies with decks higher than trunk styles. This allows for a very large master stateroom. A swim platform is provided which allows access to a dingy while away from the dock. Some are fitted with wet bar on the sundeck to entertain. Bridges are. large that will allow 6 to sit while underway. If you consider yourself to be an outdoor person, this is the model for you!

The sedan model is a trawler preferred by many due to few steps to negotiate. Everything is on one level with the exception of the bridge, which must be accessed by a ladder. The model has no aft cabin and all of the cabins are somewhat smaller than other models of similar lengths. There is a salon aft, with the galley forward generally with a dinette up. Two staterooms are forward, generally with a single shared head. The cockpit allows entertaining but only in favorable weather.

Many boaters, especially in northern climates, prefer the pilothouse model. The pilothouse models feature a single helm, which is completely enclosed. It affords excellent visibility. The typical layout includes a large galley, salon and cockpit on the lowest level. The master stateroom with private head is located amidships below the pilothouse. The guest stateroom and head is located forward of the master stateroom. A fly bridge overhang protects the aft deck and side decks. A large deck extends beyond the fly bridge allowing room for dingy storage etc. An advantage of this boat is operability in inclement weather. A disadvantage is having to use the generator and air conditioning during hot months in southern climates.

Passagemakers are the last type of trawler, which are designed, and intended for making the Trans-oceanic passage. Passagemakers are usually full displacement and over 45 feet in length.

In the next posting well discuss the different sizes, accommodations and engine selections.

The author, Mike Dickens is a trawler owner and owner of Paradise Yachts, a Florida yacht brokerage.

Proper Anchoring of Your Trawler or Motor Yacht

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Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale “>In a previous article we talked about the five categories of anchors and how to select the best one for your needs. Today we will review how to successfully use that anchor.

Logic would have it that dropping and setting an anchor is simply nothing more than lowering the anchor, setting out some line and kick back and start having fun. Not so fast!

To work properly, anchors must develop enough resistance in the sea bed to endure the environmental forces on the trawler-the wind and the tides. An anchor’s capacity to develop resistance is completely dependent on its capability to penetrate the sea bed. We will assume that you have aboard your yacht, the best anchor for your intended sea bed conditions . We will also assume you have enough rode, chain, rope or a combination, to play out the anchor.

As you near your chosen anchorage, always allow plenty of swing room. The tides, currents and winds will always swing the boat so be sure to allow plenty of room to avoid hitting other boats that may be anchored nearby. Be sure to estimate how far you’ll be from your anchor when it is set.

When you have chosen the best place to anchor, place the bow into the wind and or current and slowly bring her to a stop. Look at other anchored boats to get a feel of the tides if necessary.

On our trawler, the Patricia Ann, we have all chain rode. We have marked the rode every 25 feet with red string. The initial 25 feet is marked with 1 string, the second with 2 and so forth. This makes deploying the anchor with accuracy.

When you are in position, begin letting out the anchor rode. Your trawler will begin drifting somewhat with the current. When you have played out enough rode to place your anchor on the bottom, bump the engines into reverse to begin laying the rode out. We rather not have the anchor on the bottom with the rode piled on top of it to perhaps tangle. Do not keep the trawler in reverse; you just want to begin laying the rode out. When you have adequate rode out halt the trawler’s reverse speed.

Some boating “experts” insist that it takes a scope of 7:1 rode to safely hold a yacht. That would equate to 7 foot of rode for every 1 foot of water depth. For example, to properly anchor in 10 feet of water, would require 70 feet of anchor rode. But we routinely anchor the Patricia Ann in 15 foot waters with a 35 lb. CQR anchor and 5/16 inch chain rode. We usually deploy 50 feet of rode and have never had a dragging anchor even in some 25-30 mph winds. I suspect that the more chain you use, the greater the holding power as the rode is pulling more horizontal to the sea floor and the chain further offers supplemental weight.

Now you have an appropriate amount of rode deployed, how do you set and secure it. We have an electric chain windlass aboard our trawler. Our windlass has no locking feature so chain will continue to be deployed if the yacht pulls it. Your windlass may be different but you must make certain that you can secure the rode so no more will be deployed.

I made up a bridle, consisting of a 5/8 inch dock line that we use to stop additional chain deployment and give some elasticity to it. A stainless shackle is attached to the line. The shackle is connected to the chain rode as it is lowered; the other end is tied to the king post. Be sure to use chafing gear where the bridle meets the anchor roller.

If you are using chain with a nylon rode, you’ll not need to use a bridle. If you are using a metal cable, you can use a cable or wire puller to fasten a bridle to it.

Once the bridle is secured, the trawler is backed-down until the anchor is set. You will know when it sets as the anchor rode will rise out of the water and the boat will stop.

Finally, the rode is lowered a bit more allowing the bridle to hold the boat.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a live aboard boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.

Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide.

Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale

Understanding Yacht Values

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I get calls or emails weekly from individuals that are in their final passage to yacht ownership; finding and buying their dream boat. They want my counsel. And more often than not, most buyers do not have a true understanding of boat values and the prices they command. Most individuals are shocked to find boats cost as much as houses do. They are often taken back when I try to explain the reason a boat is priced so low.

I want to give you a good idea of why used boats cost as much as they do so let’s start from the top.

On other pages on this website, you will read about the absence of a Yacht Blue Book. Yes, that’s right, there is no such thing. There is one for motorcycles but not for boats. If you call any used car dealer or bank in North America and name any production automobile, they will quote a value of within a few dollars of each other. This is due to the multi-billion dollar, organized wholesale car auction system.

And there is also the Powerboat Guide, NADA and others that like to sell you their version of a boat Blue Book.

With over 2,200 boat manufacturers (USCG Listings) in North America there is no such wholesale market for boats and the older a boat gets the bigger the price discrepancies. And keep in mind that boats and yachts are not built on an assembly line. I’ve been through my share of boat building plants including Hatteras, Bertram and Carver. Boats are built like houses, one step at a time. Very labor intensive, boats are built, cars are assembled. So you can easily see why new boats cost thousands, perhaps millions of dollars to produce. Powerboats cost more to produce than sailboats as they are more complex.

Generally speaking boats do not appreciate in value. But they do reach a point in their life where they do not loose any more value. Much like antique paintings, the rarer a boat is, the more it will be in demand. A 40 year old Huckins will often bring more money today than when it was first commissioned. But boats generally depreciate about 10% a year.

So you are looking at that 1984 40 foot Catalina sailboat, with a single Lehman and 2 staterooms. What is it worth? What is a fair price? Simply speaking, that boat is only worth what you are willing to give and the seller is willing to take. So where do you start?

Here is what you need to know when considering prices of boats. The owner has established his asking price with consultation with his listing Broker based upon several factors. I do the same with my sellers.

In what condition is the boat? Good boats always command higher prices, always! A newer boat in poor condition will bring less than an older boat in good condition always!. By condition I am speaking of both cosmetics (cleanliness, gelcoat, paint, woodwork, canvas) and structural issues involving fuel tanks, rudder posts, blisters etc. The more upgrades and maintenance that has been completed, the more you should expect to pay as the owner knows this. He also knows that you will have already looked at the worn out boats and have rejected them too.

How old is the boat? See above. This factored in but is not the deciding factor.

How motivated is the seller? Some owners want to move their boat as quickly as possible and any thing close to an asking price might be acceptable. This doesn’t happen often but it does occur.

How many of these 40′ yachts are there on the market? Remember, the more demand for the boat, the higher the price will usually be. And I find that most people will not travel far to buy a boat, so boats in New York will not be in competition with Southeast boats.

And lastly, and perhaps the most important factor in determining that asking price will be recent past sales history of similar makes and models. The recent past sales history is available only to Brokers however through our multiple listing service, YachtWorld. It will give me the recent demand for this 40′ boat and at what selling prices have been in different parts of the USA. It tells me what people are asking and what people are paying!

So when you are looking at this yacht and you have found at what seems to be a great boat for $50,000.00 and all of the others are in the $85 – $100,000.00 range, there is a reason for this. Remember, condition, condition, condition! Be carefull as new fuel tanks will cost you about $30,000.00 to replace, and rudder posts about $8000.00. But if you can live with the problems with the boat, then by all means buy it. I am just wanting you to know not to expect a problem – free boat for the low, low price; you’ll pay for what you get.

So now you are thinking, are all boat prices negotiable? Certainly they are. Everything has its selling price and neither the listing Broker nor the owner may know what that price will be. Only a serious buyer with money on the table will be able to find that out through negotiations. but I will tell you that as of 11/24/2008, boats are selling at about 15% off of asking prices.

Another factor that comes to mind is that powerboats always sale for more than sailboats. I ran this search on the MLS system and found that a 1985 40′ sailboat will have an asking price in the low $100s, however a 1985 trawler or motoryacht will be in the $130 – $140s. Sailors sometimes get sticker shock when they began to search for powerboats. Mike Dickens is the operator of Paradise Yachts, located in Florida USA. Paradise Yachts is a full service yacht brokerage offering quality used yachts and boats. We sell and ship worldwide.

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