The World's Best Luxury Yacht Manufacturers

Those who have been fortunate enough to be able to purchase a brand new luxury yacht can tell you the first thing you need to do in looking for a luxury yacht to purchase is find the world's best luxury yacht manufacturer. Then do some comparison shopping with a few other yacht and power boat manufactures to weigh all your options; both pro and con before you make that all important luxury boat purchase.

Everyone involved in the luxury yacht industry has the boat owners' best interests at heart when they set out to build a fine luxury yacht or upscale powerboat. These yachts are not for the everyday boater but for the ones who fancy themselves as fine coinsurers of luxury yachting. Luxury Yacht manufacturer who cater to these yacht enthusiasts taste for quality and craftsmanship will do well in this business. Building a solid reliable reputation for quality yacht building should be the main goal in mind for the yacht builder also. What better way to do that than to make sure the customer is pleased and satisfied? Getting highly recommended by your customers proves you are one of the worlds best luxury yacht manufactures.

New yacht building materials are out on the market. New experimenting is being done on fabricating watertight hulls. Finding the best materials for building new production-line luxury yachts keep many boat manufacturer hopping to keep up with new technologies.

Fiberglass hulls have been around for about 40 years and have proven to be watertight, safe and reliable in storms. Experimentation started when boat manufactures went from wood hulls to the production of plain fiberglass hulls and has since gone on to using more exotic blends or composites of building materials to produce quality hulls. Combining plastic resin with fiberglass has produced the desired safety and reliability in hulls also. When boat manufacturers go a step farther and try to mix in a third component, such as balsa or foam, the quality of the hull seems to be lowered.

Purchasing a luxury yacht is very expensive. Manufacturing them to high quality standards for the boating industry is expensive. Choosing the very best building materials is imperative to remain in the competition for snagging quality customers to make a purchase from your manufacturing business.

Today, many yacht manufactures are located in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Australia, Asia and the United States. Crow's Nest Yacht builder is one such fine company located on the western coast of the United States.

A luxury yacht line known as Paragon Yachts were designed by Scott Robinson drew ideas from his many years as a luxury yacht captain. His ideas are indicative of what the luxury yacht buyer is looking for.

Viking is another excellent line that comes in an open bridge, enclosed bridge and convertible model.

Tiara yachts have a supremely long lasting finish, have a quite a smooth ride and are a joy to operate. Luxury boats are built to the highest standards as one might expect from any worlds best yacht manufacturer. When looking to purchase your first yacht, look for the worlds best luxury yacht manufacturer for pointers on what to be looking for.

By: Callie Morris

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The Lakshadweep Islands - Yacht Charter

It's difficult to find areas not overly developed for tourists these days. As soon as one is discovered, the world finds out about it and before long, it has lost its charm.

Fortunately, there are still a few places that are untouched by mass tourism, where you have a chance to experience local life to the fullest. The Lakshadweep Islands, off the Malabar Coast in Kerala, India, is one of those places.

The local government has made it their mission to keep it that way too, by promoting tourism only on islands that can sustain it, and keeping it all as eco-conscious as possible: high-rise buildings are banned, only bio toilets are allowed, rain water is collected to conserve fresh water, electricity is supplied by solar power, and they even go so far as to encourage tourists (and locals) to burn coconut husks instead of using pesticides to fight off mosquitoes and other pests (Bravo! I say. If only governments everywhere could follow suit).

The islands, atolls and reefs of Lakshadweep are actually the mountaintops of a submarine volcanic range, the Chagos-Laccadive Plateau (which also includes the Maldives and Chagos). The name suggests that there are many islands in the group (the Malayalam word Lakshadweep translates to "a hundred thousand islands") but in reality, there are only 36. Ten are inhabited, but, in keeping with the effort to limit tourism, foreign visitors are only allowed on 3 of those: Bangaram, Agatti and Kadmat, and you will need a permit from the Indian Government to be able to visit.

There are a couple of yacht charter companies on the mainland, and you have the option of flying over to Agatti Island (a 1.5 hour flight) from Cochin and meeting up with your boat and crew there, or starting out from Cochin and sailing across, which takes around 3 days. Bareboat charters are hard to find here, but skippered and crewed are readily available.

Lakshadweep has a monsoon tropical climate, and the best (driest) time to visit is December to March. The air temperature remains in the 80s and 90s, and the water in the upper 70s to low 80s year round. All the other ingredients that make up a paradise getaway are here too - white sandy beaches shaded by coconut palms, aquamarine lagoons, sparkling coral reefs and an abundance of colorful marine life. Food and drink, however, is not a major reason to visit - the islands are not exactly known for their cuisine, and being 95% Muslim, alcohol is not permitted (except for on Bangaram, and the Bangaram Island Resort boasts a well stocked bar). The main reason people come to visit is the ocean and all activities related thereto: scuba diving (the islands are recognized as one of the best diving spots in the world), snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and sunbathing.

The westernmost island in the group, Agatti, is home to the only airport and one of the two resorts (Agatti Island Beach Resort) in Lakshadweep. It has one of the most beautiful lagoons in the area, a museum of Lakshadweep's history, and a mosque built in the 16th century.

Bangaram is uninhabited, except for the staff and guests at the aforementioned Bangaram Island Resort. Spend an afternoon here snoozing on a sandy beach to the soothing sound of the ocean, or, if you want more action, get in it. The diving here is fantastic and you can expect to see sharks, rays, moray eels, turtles and a myriad of colorful coral reef fish - angels, clowns, butterflies, surgeons. If you're new to diving and want to give it a try, the diving center at the resort offers courses.

Diving is also a popular pastime on Kadmat, the only island in the group with has lagoons on both sides. There is a Water Sports Institute and Dive School here which, in addition to diving, offers windsurfing and parasailing and also rents out kayaks, pedal boats and glass bottomed boats. Kadmat, which only allows 48 tourists at a time, is becoming increasingly popular with honeymooners looking for privacy in paradise.

By: Cattie Coyle

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Chartering Sailboats - Yacht Charter Mediterranean

For many people, the idea of Mediterranean boat charter represents the ultimate in dream holiday experiences.

However, given the fact that Mediterranean yacht rental is generally associated with extremely high-costs, most people believe that they will never be in the financial position to pursue their interest.

While it is true that areas such as the Cote d'Azur remain exclusive to all but the rich and famous, there are still many parts of the Mediterranean where charters for sailing boats remain affordable to those on more restricted budgets.

Three ways of Chartering Mediterranean Yachts

The first thing to realise when looking for good value is that there are in fact three different methods of securing yacht charter in the Mediterranean.

Fully Crewed Yachts

The first method is to charter a private yacht with a full crew. These boats tend to be larger and more luxurious than most hire boats, and prices tend to include all meals and occasionally drinks too. Unsurprisingly, this is the most expensive option for yacht charters in the Mediterranean, and even if you attempt to share costs by travelling with another family, you will still find this to be an expensive choice of holiday.

As an example a typical cost of hiring a crewed catamaran in the Mediterranean with 4 cabins and a capacity for 8 guests, is 18,600 euros per week during the high season and 15,500 euros per week during the low season.

Mediterranean Bareboat Yachting

The second method is to charter a bareboat for your Mediterranean cruise. This is undoubtedly the cheapest option as you do not have to pay for a crew, only the hire-cost of the boat itself. However, in order to qualify to hire a bareboat you have to prove that you have the relevant experience level for the area where you intend to sail.

Fortunately there are many Mediterranean destinations with a Level 1 rating, and you can qualify for this with as little as 5 days, or 100 miles, skippering experience.

As an example a typical cost for hiring a Mediterranean charter bareboat with 3 cabins and a capacity for 8 guests, is 2,400 euros per week during the high season and 1,800 euros per week during the low season.

Mediterranean Skippered Bareboat Yachting

If you are interested in Mediterranean sailboat charter but neither have the budget for a crew nor the experience to hire a bareboat, then the third option, hiring a skippered bareboat, may well be the right one for you. Although this option is clearly more expensive than hiring a crewless bareboat, it offers the advantage that under the tutelage of your skipper you can literally learn the ropes and gain the relevant experience that will allow you to charter a bareboat in the future. Should you wish, you can also upgrade your holiday experience by choosing to hire a host/hostess who will take care of cleaning duties.

Typical costs for hiring a skipper will begin at around 125 euros per day, while a hostess will cost a little over 100 euros per day. Although this seems to offer exceptional value, you should note that you will also have to factor in both their accommodation and living costs (i.e. food/drink) while aboard the boat. Generally, however, this remains a far more affordable option than hiring a fully crewed sailboat.

By: Rumble Romagnoli

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A Wedding Cruise On A Yacht

A wedding aboard a yacht has a surrealistic classic feel that is refreshing and a departure from the ordinary.

Many people find it to be so much nicer to be out in the fresh air out on the water rather then being stuck in some hotel room.

If you want your wedding location to be romantic , atmospheric, beautiful, luxurious and classy then you might want to consider having your ceremony on a yacht.

Bruno Schwarz, owner of Aolani Cat Cruises of San Diego, CA, has helped hundreds of couples get married at sea.

"It's a once in a lifetime unforgettable event." Says Bruno. "People tell us that this was the best wedding they have ever been to."

During his many wedding cruises, Bruno and his guests have seen dolphins and whales during ceremonies. Whales are generally seen in the winter, dolphins and sea lions may be seen all year.

Many people like to have their wedding at Sunset, which is usually a great time to perform the ceremony. If desired, the captain of the ship can perform the ceremony.

You and your guests will have a memorable experience sailing on the water. A good wedding yacht will be powered by sails rather then a powerboat where you hear the big diesel engine noise and smell the burning fuel exhaust.

His boat lets you be outside or go inside a big salon with 360-degree views to escape the "elements" if it's rainy, cold, windy or foggy where you find seating for 30 guests. On many regular sailboats everything takes place above deck with a small room below and only small portholes.

The yacht has a flat TV Screen and BOSE surround system in and around the outside of the boat. People can bring their own ipod and his systems can support the audio or video.

Bruno's yacht can accommodate up to 49 guests. More can stand on the dock if you want to be married in front of the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel and Marina, which is a very nice backdrop.

People can supply their own catering and music or it can be supplied by Bruno. The yacht can also be decorated with fresh cut flowers.

You can get some nice wedding party photos of the yacht from a photographer in the dingy approximately 100 or 200 ft away from the boat. These can be taken with different beautiful backdrops like a beach cove or an old lighthouse or in front of a historic sailboat.

By: Rob Cross

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The Elegant Luxury Yacht Alysia

A journey in the exquisite sea and islands in Greece and other parts of Europe is something irresistible if planning to travel Europe. And the journey is incomplete without such a beautiful and luxurious mega yacht like Alysia.

Luxury yachts Alysia is a sister yacht of mega yacht Annaliesse. It is available for charters worldwide. It is one of the world's largest yachts for charter being 85.3 metres in size. She has unquestionable presence with her sleek hull, at the same time towering but welcoming.

Once on board life unfolds over five spectacular decks. Thirty-six guests are looked after by thirty-four crew and there is room to entertain at the most lavish level. With 2,400 square metres (25,833 square feet) of guest space, everyone can enjoy the luxury yacht Alysia of their choice. And the choice is enormous. Arriving by lift 21 meters (70ft) up from the sea, the Sun Deck provides privacy, intimacy and spectacular views over your domain.

At one end, the heli-pad converts into a circular sunbathing terrace, at the other, is a Jacuzzi surrounded by sun beds. Crew at the large bar of this luxury yachts serve anything from a cold drink to a hot buffet - 24 hours a day. For sport, there are four wave runners, two tenders and a garage full of other leisure equipment including a fully equipped diving centre. At night the Bridge Deck is transformed - dimmed light overhead, candle light on starched white table linen and dinner as only luxury yachts Alysia can provide.

By: Jyoti Mali

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