Behind Closed Doors, What Do the Pro's Claim To Be The Safest Yacht?

    Yachting is a wonderful past time, according to U.S. recreational statistics enjoyable by over 34% of  it's citizens. But, there is a dark side to ocean going yachts, often accidents are not widely reported because by the time next of kin are notified, the news is old and the media is on to the next item. Yachting is a wonderful adventure, one of the most relaxing and enjoyable events one can do.
    Consequently, when the weather turns bad, or the seal leaks, or the fire starts, or the communications crap out, or bad navigation leads to disaster, the fun past time becomes a nightmare.  So what can a captain do to make sure every trip is a fun one?  It all starts with safety and the captains knowledge or experience, without these two aspects of yachting nailed down, you are asking for trouble, the sea can be a cradle which brings the beautiful tones of aqua and blues, tinges and hues of orange with a gentle breeze speaking to your inner soul, or it can be a hellish nightmare bringing about the horror of damaging winds, monstrous waves, and swirling masses of water sending you into gouging reefs reaching into your hull structure as if invited.The bottom line, without safety first, most are bound to run into trouble.

    If one word could sum up safety in yachting that word would be "Prepared" learning from past mistakes, keeping your head in the game, if not for you, the safety of your passengers.  Learning what gear to take, what pre-voyage checklist have you created and stuck to religiously?  There is not enough space on my blog to cover all that is needed to keep your yacht safe, that's another topic.  But what do most experienced captains say when asked what is the safest made yacht?
    One yacht building company comes to mind, there relentless efforts to transform the yachting industry has been realized, they have received more awards for safety than any other ship company, they take safety to a level no other builder has to this day, they build safety first and their reputation and history proves it. The name of the company is called Burger.
     Burger Boat Company is one of the leading manufactures of well designed yachts, they have been building since 1863, yes technically since then! But, what Burger stands for is less about being noticed and more about what's underneath the hood.  Styling is important to them, but safety, or bringing home the crew is what Burger is all about. They build the safest luxury yacht hands down, no one and I mean no one can compare! if you polled most luxury boat captains, they would say Burger!

Check out this website:
http://www.burgerboat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=44

Yacht Broker Crime Blog

"An $800,000 motor yacht stolen Tuesday night from its dock in Orange Beach has been found anchored and abandoned after running aground off the Florida coast, police said today.

The 55-foot Fleming yacht was located Wednesday night anchored on a sandbar just east of Navarre, Fla., Orange Beach Police Lt. Steve Brown said today. He did not know if the boat had been damaged. The vessel was towed to Pensacola.

Brown said police are still looking for suspects in the case.

The boat had been reported stolen from a dock at The Wharf on the Intracoastal Waterway, where the vessel was being stored while the owner negotiated its sale."(register2010)

This is an excerpt from AOL.COM

Busby,Guy.Press Register. 2008.July "Orange Beach Stolen Yacht Found." Ret. June 24th 2011

What Products Work the Best on Mold or Algae?

     Mold, algae and saltwater residue combine to make work for most yacht owners, we are talking above the water line now, which is a lot of area.  Depending on the environment, which is just about every marina on every coast, fighting off the effects of the ocean air, water and wind can be a chore.  Most boat owners fight tooth and nail to remove the harsh effects the environment of the sea can throw at a vessel, with full force, mold, or algae finds it's way into every little hole and spot on your yacht.
    How can you stave off mold and algae?  First, the easiest way to stop the effects is to keep everything dry, I know impossible right? But, you can look at your yacht and focus your energies on making portal, hatch and dry storage water tight.  If you have done this, fifty-percent of the battle has been conquered.  Next you can apply marine grade silicon to every seam, weather stripping and grommet the vessel has exposed the outside environment.
    Also, how you make ready your vessel for storage or for absence of occupant can make a difference as well, rolling up dock lines flat on the deck, or insuring the vessel storage hatches are water tight is big! Keep the boat waxed well also can stop the nasty stuff, untie knotted dock lines to dry can help, But what works for those areas you just can't seem to keep clean, always turning green the minute you clean them?  There are many products on the market claiming to rid your yacht of the green stuff, but what really works? Most of the green you see on your vessel is mist algae, contained within the water spray of most marinas. The algae adheres to all viable surfaces and begins to grow, also mold is the presence of airborne bacteria that forms when water or damp surfaces are allowed to become breeding grounds with just enough light to perform the growth process.
    Try these proven products some I have used myself and work fairly well, they actually work:

Captain John's Boat Brite  http://www.captainjohnsboatbrite.com/algae.php

Believe it or not, "Cloralex Bleach Cleaner" available at Lowe's or Home Depot
     You gotta be careful with this stuff, do a color fast test first, but if you want something white, this stuff will get it that way fast. It has bleach in it!!! So be careful, don't let it splash on Bimini's. Wax your boat after you use this stuff. *********This product is not marine friendly does not meet EPA NCMG. Make sure you use this only on surfaces you can clean and dispose of water, such as dock lines in a bucket or hatch latches or deck surfaces, do not use and allow waste water to enter the ocean or bay water, use for small cleaning surfaces only**************************

Aurora Algex-great friendly cleaner that you can use all over your yacht http://www.southwestmarine.net/servlet/Detail?no=5

West Marine has a product called "Yacht Shine" used it once or twice works okay, will work if you leave it on for a spell http://www.westmarine.com

How has the Green Movement Affected The Yachting Industry?

     Going green, the latest of fads, yet when you breakdown going green, it makes sense.  Even if scientist are dead wrong and we are not effecting the ozone, going green saves you money.  How?  Yachts are becoming smarter more efficient, causing ship builders to make vessels, more economical while maintaining the rigid standards set forth by the American Boat and Yacht Council.
     Using high strength alloys, making a vessel faster, yet burn less diesel, this only helps the owner.  Think about the electrical equipment?  All systems are now designed to pull less energy saving valuable dollars, more equipment designed to run on long life batteries, banks of batteries instead of diesel generators. Engines have fewer and smaller oil reservoirs to deplete or hassle with, this translates to saving money.  Yes a new yacht has gone up consistently over the last decade, however, if you can afford one, you are buying a smarter, reliable, efficient vessel, in the end you win!