What kind of boat will meet your needs?

Do I want a motor yacht or sailing yacht?

Do I want new or used?

1.                  Where will I cruise 90% of the time with this boat? (draft, hull composition, sail/power, tankage, instruments)

2.       Will I routinely be obliged to cruise at night, in inclement weather, or limited visibility? (hull composition, instruments, emergency equipment)

3.         How often will I line fish, troll, or tournament fish? (decks, transom, fishing equipment, instruments)

4.       How often will I swim or scuba-dive? (swim platform, layout, engine options, ground tackle)

5.       How many people will accompany me 90% of the time? (LOA, staterooms)

6.       Will my guests be close family or friends? (cabin layout)

7.       Will I routinely be cooking aboard or generally be dining out? (layout, galley equipment)

8.       How far will I have to go without refueling on 90% of my outings? (tankage, engines, propellers)

9.       How fast MUST I go to have enough time to enjoy myself on 90% of my excursions? (hull, engines, propellers)

10.     What is the maximum amount of money I want to spend each year for fuel, repairs and maintenance, insurance, and dockage? (make, model, LOA, age)

11.     How many years do I plan to own this boat and how much depreciation am I willing to incur each year that I own this boat? ? (purchase price, age of vessel, hull composition)

12.     Do I plan to anchor out often or will I generally overnight in marinas? (ground tackle, shore power options, gensets, tender)

13.     Will I ever be obliged to dock the boat on my own? (size, access to decks from helm, visibility from helm, steering equipment options)

14.     What is the clearance of any fixed bridges that I will have to routinely pass under? (height of mast/flybridge)

15.     What is the controlling depth of 90% of my habitual cruising grounds? (draft)

16.     What are the variances in ambient air and water temperatures that I will encounter in 90% of my cruising? (hull composition, hull insulation, heating, AC, emergency equipment)

Even if you do not have solid answers for every question, just thinking about the issues that they pose, brings you closer to identifying the boat for you.

Write me dschechter@floridayacht.com or call me 954-682-1245.