Articles by Marinetrader on ArticleSnatch.com

Making Sure Your Vessel is Ready For A Marine Survey

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:55:04 -0500

You have received an offer for your boat; the buyer is now organizing the marine survey. The survey is an in depth inspection of your yacht and can be the make or break part of the contract. Therefore planning for the particular survey ought to be taken seriously. Marine surveyors hope for a clean, well taken care of yacht; it sets the atmosphere for the inspection. I have had a lot more than a couple of surveyors say to me that they can often know what they really are about to discover by how a vessel appears on the dock. A surveyor is going to come across those items that don't function and notify the buyer. If items do not run, any prospective purchaser will assume the worst and likely be looking for an allowance for new equipment. It really is much less complicated and less expensive to fix everything before surveying the vessel than to pay to have it repaired later. Plus, once your vessel is inspected by a probable buyer, if everything operates, your sale is nearly in the bag. **End Summary** Topics: marine survey]]> marine surveyor]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog

Vessel Rating Guide

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:29:25 -0500

Buying a second-hand yacht can be difficult. Interpreting the listing specs could be baffling as to the real condition and operational status of the boat; a good number of listing yacht brokers would rather not convey to you the exact drawbacks of a boat. The rationale for this? A good number of boat sellers take a negative outlook of their broker indicating anything bad about their yacht; the listing is thought to catch the attention of a buyer, not intimidate them. However we work a bit differently. We prefer you know what you are going to have a look at right from the start; after all, you will uncover the problems upon inspection nevertheless. But when we reveal problems up front, we can corroborate the selling price of the yacht. This ranking guide has been created to provide you with a synopsis of the boat's overall shape as it concerns what you might require to do to prepare her for use. Each and every boat is ranked based upon the reported condition, available gadgets and/or the selling broker's personal inspection of boat. The rating guide is not to be misinterpreted a ranking provided by a marine surveyor to ascertain worth. **End Summary** Topics: boat sellers]]> yacht broker]]> vessel rating]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog

Selling Your Yacht in a Bad Economy

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:30:07 -0500

We Yacht Brokers are very knowledgeable on promoting the bonuses of owning a boat. And those of us Yacht Brokers that actually own a yacht have a definite advantage. But what we do not particularly like are the problems connected with promoting a boat in a bad market; it's challenging to say the least. However it can be accomplished. A boat, like automobiles and homes, takes a beating in a down market. Values can plunge overnight purely as an outcome of supply and demand. If you find yourself in these circumstances of wanting or needing to sell your yacht, you will appreciate the situation. All of sudden it seems like there are many miserable yacht owners, every one of whom seems to have a boat better than yours, at a lower price than you are set to accept. There also appears to be fewer serious buyers. Those Purchasers that are around are searching for a bargain. It would seem that the only tactic to sell a vessel is for the seller to get hit and sell at a significant deficit. The ironic part is that very often, that deficiency is not necessary. **End Summary** Topics: selling your yacht]]> yacht broker]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog

The Boating Lifestyle

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:21:35 -0500

Boating is a lifestyle that many Americans like. Boating is fun for folks who like being out on the open waters. Boating is fun but does require specialized training and understanding; it is more than just grabbing the wheel and starting an engine. Although yachting is enjoyable, however, it is also a pastime where you have to be extremelely safety conscious. However, there are actually some items to take into consideration before you get your boat on the water. Can you operate a vessel in tight spaces? What about understanding charts; these are some requirements before venturing out on the water. Yachting is a major activity in Florida, just about 25% of the US boats are located here. A lot of restaurants also have docks reserved for ravenous yachtsmen. Cruising is so important in lots of people's lives and rightly so. While many people enjoy boating, however, it is also a way where lots of people make their livelihood as charter boat captains or delivery skippers. Pleasure boating is one of our leading activities, and therefore it's vital to the economy all over the country. Florida's marine business generates over 10 billion in sales on an annual basis. **End Summary** Topics: boating lifestyle]]> live aboard]]> cruising]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog

Yacht Gel Coat Repairs Made Effortless

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:46:56 -0400

Most boats and yachts made these days are made of fiberglass. A fiberglass vessel is composed of resins and synthetic glass plastic matting combined as one to give it strength. The exterior yacht areas are made of layers of dyed resins referred to as gel coat. Gel coat is the substance utilized to give the top-quality texture on the visible surface of the toughened material underneath. What is gel coat? The most prevalent gel coats used with today's yachts are based on polyester resin chemistry. Gel coats are resins that are sprayed into molds in a liquid. The manufactured module, when satisfactorily cured and removed from the cast, creates the gel coated surface. After a while, the gel coated topsides can be scraped and nicked from age. The sunlight can also produce tiny scratches, but repairs can be made. Here is how I accomplish this. Surface gel coat cracks can be rubbed out of a gel coat surface with auto polishing compound and good old elbow grease, but deep scratches must be packed. Excluding shade matching, gel coat repairs are rather uncomplicated and easy. **End Summary** Topics: gel coat repairs]]> fiberglass]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog

Snapping Shrimp

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:55:02 -0400

As a boater we encounter many distinctive and sometimes strange conditions; and many times they are not what we believe they are. We had these dock mates a couple years ago that were complaining to me about the galvanic decomposition on their boat's submerged zincs while staying at a local marina. "It was so severe, you could in fact hear the decomposition occurring; we will never visit that marina again." I just smiled and nodded my head. As a cruiser, when you arrive in the balmier waters of Florida and further south, you might hear noisy crackling sounds coming from beneath your vessel's hull at night. The sound can be shocking if you do not understand what you are listening to; is the boat breaking up you think? The sound might be described as cooking bacon in a frying pan or the crackling of dry lumber burning. On the docks, it is frequently thought that these noises were purely krill feeding on the marine grass on your vessel's hull. Not so say marine biologists, it's the noise of snapping shrimp. **End Summary** Topics: zincs]]> galvanic decomposition]]> snapping shrimp]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog

Selecting and Installing a Wind Generator Aboard Your Yacht

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:45:02 -0400

For a while I have been investigating ways to produce energy without the support of my boat's genset. It doesn't take very long to make use of 100 hours of generator time, enough for another oil change. First I installed a solar panel, and after that was an inverter, and now, the newest is a wind turbine. Wind has been used for creating energy for hundreds of years; initially in Persia (present-day Iran) as early as 200 B.C. Yet, the first known functional windmills were made by the Dutch in 1300, by means of cloth sails stretched across wooden frames. In a few designs these sails could be cut to make the most of inconsistent wind velocity conditions. The sizeable windmills of the Dutch design stayed in operation all throughout Europe until the introduction of the steam engine in the 1800s. Wind is really a type of solar power. Winds are brought on by the unequal warming of the atmosphere by the sunlight, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and spinning of the planet. Wind flow patterns are created by the earth's terrain, areas of water, manmade buildings and vegetation. **End Summary** Topics: wind generator]]> installing wind generator]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog

Understanding Water Makers Aboard A Boat

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:51:43 -0400

Over the past several months, we have been trying to improve our trawler's ability to run without help from land. Before long, we wish to be traveling to the Bahamas where being self-sufficient is a necessity. To begin with there was an inverter, now we have installed a water maker. Today's water makers utilize a reasonable amount of energy to change undrinkable salt water into clean fresh water. A well-constructed, well maintained water maker will significantly improve comfort while traveling. A water maker is a piece of equipment that requires a little upkeep for its constant functionality. But when you become familiar with the function of the piece of equipment, make use of it often and maintain it in proper operable order, a water maker is in fact an amazing piece of equipment. Why Would You Need A Water Maker? There are several reasons to contemplate installing a water maker on board your yacht. 1. It will lessen your vessel's weight and enhance performance given that you don't have to top off the water tanks. It is a worthwhile endeavor as 50 gallons of water weighs over 400 lbs. 2. Water makers will expand your range of cruising. **End Summary** Topics: understanding water makers]]> water makers]]> aboard a boat]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog

LED Lights for Marine Use

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:55:18 -0400

I was keeping track of our power usage aboard our yacht as we anchored out recently and was surprised to learn just how much power a typical incandescent bulb utilizes. Our anchor light pulled 2 amps while lit, pulling a total of 18 amp hours on any given night. The Edison light bulb that has lit up our yachts since 1879 is formally being retired. The inefficient incandescent, which loses nearly all of its energy as heat, has fallen in disfavor. Early in 2012, U.S. residents won't be able to obtain one even if they desired to. The government is planning to prohibit their manufacture to conserve power. The main substitute for the incandescent light bulb is the higher-efficiency fluorescent bulb. The fluorescent, though, has its own problems, mainly the presence of lethal mercury in the bulb and a peculiar tint that many people find objectionable. Now enter the LED, or light-emitting diode. LEDs have been in existence for a good number of years. Numerous problems have prevented businesses from making them in standard, replacement size bulb appearance, primarily the cost to the consumer. **End Summary** Topics: LED lights]]> energy efficiency]]> light bulb]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers and Used Motor Yachts National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

GPS Fundamentals for Boating

Thu, 05 May 2011 09:12:44 -0400

GPS Basics If you are thinking about getting a new GPS for your boat and are not sure how it functions or how to even work it, no problem. These units made nowadays are easy to operate. Where do We Start What is a GPS? GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Made for the military, a GPS can work anywhere in the world. It makes use of satellites in space to give you the latitude and longitude for your precise position on the land or water. There are a number of makes on the retail market; Garmin, Raymarine, Furuno to name a few. They all do the same thing, but several have more gadgets. It's all about your individual preferences. If the GPS has a built-in antenna, it is ready to operate as soon as you connect the power connections. You will need to have an unobstructed view of the sky as a yacht hardtop will preclude the GPS from receiving satellite signals. If your GPS has a remote antenna, put the antenna on the hardtop, radar arch or rail. Since a GPS antenna is "looking" up, there is no advantage to putting it high. **End Summary** Topics: GPS]]> boating]]> waypoints]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers and Used Motor Yachts National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Installing a Solar Panel Aboard Your Boat

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:27:38 -0400

After a recent 5-day cruise aboard our trawler where we had to constantly start up the genset to provide electrical power to the 115 volt ac freezer to sustain temperatures, I started to think about alternate options. We put more than ninety hours on the vessel generator in just five days; time for another oil change! I put in an inverter shortly afterwards and that enhanced the run time for the generator significantly, but there was still work to be done. I still needed to keep the batteries fully charged to operate the inverter. Then it occurred to me, why not explore solar panels for use on our trawler. Solar panels have been effectively used since the mid 1950s, originally utilized in manned space exploration. They have been falling in price since roughly 2004 when their popularity increased significantly. And now with the Ecological movement afoot, solar panels are as accepted as always. So I set out to delve into them and ascertain how to purchase and install one; I was in for a surprise. **End Summary** Topics: installing solar panel]]> solar panel boat]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Vessels of Freedom

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:16:09 -0400

As a boater it every so often becomes difficult to describe to non-boaters what the love affair is all about. Maybe it's a disease; at least it's a bug. A few of us use our yachts as a residence, treating her like a member of the family; others make use of them to earn an income on the ocean. I do have a habit of speaking to our trawler, the Patricia Ann; she talks back but in ways only I can understand. She has become a sanctuary of sorts, a protected harbor. So what are the reasons to go boating? Boating is Simply Pure Enjoyment There are a lot of activities to research when it comes to going out on the water, regardless of whether you like to deep sea or inshore fish, snorkel and dive, cruise, get away for the weekend, throw a party, gunk hole, explore or just take pleasure in relaxing on the water. You can achieve one of them or all of them, the decision is yours. Boating is fun, enjoy! Boating is a Reasonably Priced Hobby Do you believe that pleasure boating is too costly for your financial plan? Well reassess. **End Summary** Topics: recreational boating]]> boating]]> trawler]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Draw Bridge Manners for Boaters

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:00:17 -0500

You have just acquired that new 40' yacht and are all set to start cruising. You can't wait to take her out on the ICW and take her south. This has been your vision and it is at long last coming true. You previously spent some time learning your new boat, her mechanical systems, her plumbing, her electronics; you think you are all set. And what about navigating in the ICW? That 25' sport fishing boat you upgraded from to your new trawler gave you plenty of training, didn't it? Most of you new to boating may or may not know there are particular rules to understand when approaching a bridge. Even as many of the older bridges have been replaced with higher draw bridges of sixty-five feet, there are still a lot of lower draw bridges to contend with on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Some of these draw bridges are as low as eight feet. Before you get going, there are several details to consider. On that 25' vessel, bridges weren't a concern; you were not high enough to matter. But this forty foot boat will require draw bridges to go up enabling you to go pass through them. **End Summary** Topics: draw bridge manners]]> draw bridge]]> bridge manners]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Yacht Broker - Tips to Select the Best Firm

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:23:28 -0500

How do I pick a yacht broker to sell my yacht? How do I locate the correct yacht broker to sell my vessel? These are questions that you as a vessel owner may ask when it is time to sell your boat. In my communication with sellers, I find that most, if not all of them had no plan when deciding on the brokerage to represent them. Their option was made arbitrarily it seems. When you are all set, you need to find a good yacht brokerage that you can depend on. Some of the factors that you should take into account are honesty, value and expertise. A yacht is a huge expenditure and lots of people desire to buy one from a yacht brokerage. A brokerage sells boats to interested people for a commission. Clearly, before you consider which one to go with when selling, you will need to be familiar with the commission rate that they charge; it is a standard 10% in the trade. Of course, you need to look for honesty in a yacht broker. Nobody wants to trade with a dishonest person in any way, but some people are extremely dishonest without appearing to be. **End Summary** Topics: yacht broker]]> yacht brokerage]]> sell]]> yacht]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Hints to Get Your Yacht Ready To Sell

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:17:55 -0500

Sooner or later every boat owner is faced with selling his/her boat. You want to sell her as quickly as possible yet obtain the best value you possibly can. Below are a few ideas to make the deal go as intended. Prepare the Boat for Sale: Make any evident repairs. Damaged glass, rotten or discolored wood, ripped canvas or zippers, discolored upholstery, are negative attention getters. Remember that $5,000.00 invested up front to correct problems may net you an additional $10,000.00. Most purchasers do not want to purchase a vessel and have to put it in the yard. Turn-key vessels sell for top dollar. Clean, clean, clean! Clean heads, vacuum carpets, cushions, wash windows, blinds, mirrors and of course, the engine room. Eliminate the clutter. Remove all excessive stuff, personal property, trash, tools, knick-knacks, periodicals etc. both inside and out including lockers and cupboards. You want your boat appearing ship-shape and close to showroom perfect. Check for any water leaks near windows, sinks, plumbing, thru hulls, rudder posts. Repair as required. Dock attractiveness. Make sure your yacht has a first-class look to her from the dock. **End Summary** Topics: selling your boat]]> boat for sale]]> boat]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Getting Your Partner to Like Boating

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:54:46 -0500

Mary and I repeatedly come across couples where one is an experienced cruiser and the other is an amateur. How to balance the scale and get the amateur at ease? Will living and cruising aboard ever work when one of the parties is inexperienced or a tad uncertain how or if to proceed? The first step is to present boating slowly. Charter a trawler together so you understand whether it is something that might work before you make the plunge and buy a new or used trawler or motor yacht together. Go out on weekend cruises with friends who own boats. Is your partner relaxed? The old saying is that you either love it or hate it. Once you have made the decision to proceed with buying a yacht, be sure your partner is involved in the purchase course of action. Both of you must be partial to everything about the motor yacht or trawler you get. Look at boats via the web and compose a catalog of things you like. Compare notes to ensure you and your partner like similar features basically. If not, you will be selling it again in a few months. We have observed this often. **End Summary** Topics: trawler]]> motor yacht]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Dingy Davits

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:08:43 -0500

One of the delights of cruising is anchoring out at your favorite gunk hole and launching the dingy and taking in the sights of the region or visiting other yachts; it’s a good way to meet new friends. But if your tender is not very accessible or difficult to launch, you will not likely use it often. All tenders require adequate storage. Towing is not always practical and can be dangerous in bad conditions. The same goes for on deck storage; a big wind and you may lose it. But if properly setup your yacht with the appropriate davit system, your dingy will provide carefree service. However before you select your davit system, you’ll need to choose the right dingy for your boating needs. Do you favor a rigid dingy or inflatable? Remember punctures are very common with inflatables? Where will it be used? On the high seas or inland waters? How big do you need her? Many of the answers to storage locations and systems lie in how large it is and much your tender weighs. **End Summary** Topics: yacht]]> dingy]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Provisioning Your New Boat

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 07:28:43 -0500

You recently obtained that new trawler or motor yacht and you are eager to get her underway to take her home. You have been running around for what feels like months getting everything ready. Food, drinks, clothing, the list goes on and on. Suppose you forgot something? To assist you in remembering everything, here is a simple list with almost all you will need to get underway. Navigation - Make it a point to have paper charts on your boat and that you be acquainted with how to read them; you never know when your chart plotter will choose to give up on you. Maptech Chart Kit Dozier's Waterway Guide Binoculars Up to date flare kit First aid kit Suitable dock lines Correct fenders Laptop with air card Handheld VHF Flashlight Mechanical - It is crucial to have spare parts on your vessel. They may be challenging (if not impossible) to locate on your cruise home. You might be anchored out in the middle of nowhere and require a spare part. **End Summary** Topics: trawler]]> motor yacht]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Boat Search Previews

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:27:55 -0400

As you know, I help many clients find and purchase their yachts. I took Mary with me last week so she could go through first hand how I go about inspecting vessels. I previewed a Cheoy Lee trawler for an out of state client. I actually conduct a mini-survey looking for anything that might be a red flag for a prospective buyer. He had rather find out sooner than later about a boat. The first thing I did was to give her a good look over on her hull and decks. I used a moisture meter to detect any moisture below the gel coat. I performed a thorough inspection of all the decks searching for anything suspicious. I did not find any soft spots or anything other than she could use a little fresh paint at the rubrails. I then began inside the boat, inside the salon to start. I went throughout the salon looking especially for any evidence of window leaks. Again I used my moisture meter to peer beneath the surface. I only found one small place that was not active, just a little staining from a past water leak around a window. **End Summary** Topics: trawler]]> motor yacht]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Servicing Stuffing Boxes

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:36:30 -0400

If your boat has inboard engines, odds are it is fitted with a stuffing box to allow a watertight seal for the prop shafts. Stuffing boxes are also used to seal off rudder posts that penetrate the hull beneath the waterline too. Stuffing boxes are really the seals that permit prop shafts and rudder posts to come into the boat but yet keep the water out. Stuffing boxes built today are built a bit differently than those of just a few years back, thus earning the name "drip less" seals. But this post is about the older boxes found on older trawlers, motor yachts and sailboats. Keep in mind that the older stuffing boxes were merely a compression fitting and sleeve filled with a flax material; they were intended to "leak" a little with the water allowing essential lubrication. A drip or two a minute is about right. But if want dry bilges, you can make the older stuffing boxes drip less too. How? By substituting your current flax packing with a new material called GFO Packing, made by Gore-Tex. **End Summary** Topics: trawlers]]> motor yachts]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Choosing the Best Antifoulant Paint for Your Boat

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:28:10 -0400

Antifoulant Paints - How They Work Antifouling paint keeps marine growth such as barnacles, mussels and sometimes oysters, and plant growth from attaching to your sailboat, trawler or motor yacht. Most antifouling paints use the dispersion of metals within the paint to halt these foul critters from bonding. Copper (cuprous oxide) and tributyl tin are 2 metals that have proven to be successful as biocides, but tin, banned worldwide on ship hulls in 2009, was so poisonous that it eradicated whole marine ecosystems. Copper compounds are now universally acknowledged, but the price of the copper raw material has risen considerably. In addition, high copper concentrations have dissolved in the water in several places in the USA setting limitations on the practical application of copper-based paints. Paint manufacturers continue to develop a number of new antifouling technologies that tackle these and other problems. New Paint Products Composite Copper: Substitutes the traditional cuprous oxide with silica, lowering the copper content by up to 40%. The consequence is a copper based biocide that gives superior protection for your boat, with a base that is made from elements found in the sea. Water-Based ablatives: Water substitutes the solvents found in standard bottom paints. **End Summary** Topics: trawler]]> boat]]> antifoulant]]> paint]]> sailboat]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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 National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Tips on Choosing a marine Battery for your Boat

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:08:24 -0400

The most common kind of battery in marine use today is the standard lead acid battery. The wet cells can store a large amount of energy in a small package using just sulfuric acid. This energy is stored within lead grids mounted inside the battery. The lead explains the massive weight of lead-acid batteries. Battery choices are further divided along three methods of construction. Currently, there are three common battery technologies: Wet-cell, Gel, and AGM. As we stated earlier, wet-celled technology is the most commonly used battery. They offer the most size and design options and are developed for many different uses. The grids in wet-celled batteries are only supported along the edges, hence these are the weakest mechanically. And since these batteries are not sealed, you must be certain to insure you do not touch the acid when filling (chemical burns) or come in contact with sea water (chlorine gas) or create and explosion from the vented gas, hydrogen. The USCG requires that wet cell batteries be stored in an spill-proof box. Gel cell batteries use a thickened electrolyte . So if the container is broken, the cell will continue to perform as normal. **End Summary** Topics: trawler]]> marine]]> battery]]> boat]]> AGM]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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 Interact with us at the Trawler Blog National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Choosing the Best Insurance for Your Boat

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:39:12 -0400

Choosing an insurance policy and agent to protect your trawler or motor yacht can be very confusing and complicated. Marine insurance is highly specialized and is very much different that your auto or homeowners insurance. It is incidentally, the oldest form of insurance and often regulated by its own body of Maritime Law. Hull coverage normally encompasses the hull and all items on the trawler or motor yacht that are permanently attached or are on the trawler or motor yacht and used in the regular operation of the yacht, i.e. electronics, TV’s etc. Many policies will give you a lower deductible for nautical electronics which can be a good option given the cost to replace these items and the frequency of loss or damage to the electronics by storm and/or theft. Often you can buy hull insurance at Agreed Value, meaning that you and your insurance provider “agree” on the value of your vessel. If your boat is a complete loss you will be covered for that amount on the Declaration Page of the Policy. There is also, Actual Cash Value (ACV). **End Summary** Topics: trawler]]> motor yacht]]> marine]]> insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Mike Dickens, the author, is a live aboard trawler 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 Trawler Selection Guide Interact with us at the Trawler Blog National and international sales. We will ship your Trawler, Motor Yacht or Cruiser worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Understanding Marine Diesel Fuel

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:38:51 -0400

Trawler and motor yacht owners enjoy the sound of our diesel engines; like sweet music to our ears. The diesel engines are the core of any boat. But problems can take place with diesel fuel stored in your trawler’s fuel tanks, affecting those diesel engines? It is crucial to know what diesel fuel is to start with. Diesel fuel is processed from crude oil. In petroleum refineries, petroleum is heated, and different hydrocarbon molecules are extracted to produce the fuel. Diesel fuel is much thicker than petrol and vaporizes much more slowly. It's frequently referred to as "fuel oil" because of its consistency. Oftentimes forgotten, diesel is an organic matter. "Give a diesel engine clean fuel and it will run forever." This old saying is less of an exaggeration than you might think. Repair statistics record that 90% of trawler diesel engine problems result from contaminated fuel. The promise of eliminating 9 out of 10 potential failures should put fuel-system maintenance at the top of your list. The most common signals of fuel contamination in a boat are blocked fuel filters, and decreased engine performance. **End Summary** Topics: trawler]]> diesel]]> engine]]> fuel]]> engines]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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 Interact with us at the Paradise Yachts Blog National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Maintaining Your Trawler the Easy Way

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:57:54 -0500

You have been considering a long time about finding a nice used trawler or motor yacht to cruise the ICW and perhaps the Islands; it has been your lifelong aspiration. But you are brand new to big boats and imagine you need to get a better understanding of what it will take to sustain her before you proceed. Relax, we have all had to start from somewhere. Before the Internet was born it was a learn-as-you-go affair; rarely was there some one about to ask. to help those of you yet contemplating the move, this article is meant to make the procedure a bit easier. In this publication I will answer this question, “What does the upkeep of a pre-owned trawler or motor yacht consist of”. I own a 40 foot trawler, therefore, i am going to explain the points as it relates to my boating background. For starters, keep in mind that upkeep on a yacht will usually be greater the less time you use her. Boat systems must to be worked. This list naturally does not cover items that fail without notice. Engines Change engine oils after app. **End Summary** Topics: used]]> trawler]]> mootr yacht]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 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 Interact with us at the Paradise Yachts Blog Boat maintenance, cruising stories, living aboard tips, market updates at Living Aboard Cruising Center National and international sales.