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Why Phuket is the Next Big Yachting Destination

September 18, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

Perhaps the single most idyllic holiday destination on planet earth, the Thai island of Phuket is one of Asia’s most captivating destinations. Amongst Phuket’s considerable charms are the peace and quiet of island life, the tropical rainforests that hug gravity defying mountains, the golden beaches that stretch to infinity, the warm waters that maintain a crystal clear clarity, the aromas of wonderful street food that can be found in every town, and the sheer warmth of the friendly locals who always go out of their way to make sure your stay at their piece of paradise is as magical as possible. And the latest attraction to add to the list is that Phuket is quickly becoming a major international centre for yachting, rivalling Florida, Monte Carlo and the Amalfi Coast. Here is a look at why Phuket is the world’s next big yachting destination.

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Asian Boat Buying

While the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Baltic seas currently lead the world for boat ownership, Asia’s rapidly growing economies are busy buying up boats. No more are super yachts solely to be found in exclusive marinas in Europe and America, instead you are just as likely to find luxury vessels in Singapore, Hong Kong and Hainan. And this burgeoning class of wealthy boat owners in the far-east are increasingly turning to Phuket for the most luxurious yachting holidays available. Mooring their yachts in shallow, azure waters and feeling the tropical ocean breeze on their skin, it is not difficult to see why Phuket is becoming so popular. And the options for luxury boat charters here is also increasing, meaning you too can sample a bit of the high life when visiting this astounding destination.

Incredible Scenery

Phuket really exemplifies the idealised image of a tropical Asian retreat better than anywhere else on the continent. Pillars of rock rise abruptly from the turquoise waters, thickets of jungle perched on their top, all overlooking a hidden beach of almost impossible beauty. Swaying palm trees provide shade as you rest in your hammock, coconuts falling from heavy branches to provide hydration with their fresh, delicious milk. Every now and then a colourful parrot swoops overhead as the blood red sun sets, casting lurid rays across the cloudless sky and onto the jagged forms of hills and mountains. After a couple of days here, visitors all agree that Phuket really is paradise.

Value for Money

Despite its immense popularity Phuket never really feels over-crowded, perhaps because it is so isolated, and as a result it is still relatively inexpensive. Your money goes a long way here, whether eating at great restaurants or shelling out for a bareboat charter to take you out into the calm waters of the sea. Whereas many of the world’s top marinas are achingly expensive, a week or two with your vessel moored at one of Phuket’s well maintained ports will prove surprisingly affordable.

A Tropical Climate

Of course it helps that Phuket’s weather is nigh on perfect, with hot mornings ideal for walks on the beach, light rains cooling the air at lunch-time, and sultry evenings where one can linger lazily deep into the night. Whether you want to relax on deck, on the beach or in a beer garden, the weather here is guaranteed to be great. And with seas shielded from much of the worst weather that the rest of South-East Asia experienced, especially on Phuket’s mild east coast, you do not have to be an experienced sailor to navigate these waters.

John is a travel writer with articles published in dozens of online magazines who has travelled the world in order to locate the finest luxury boat charters around.

Filed Under: Blog, Other useful stuff, Sailing Holidays

Finding the right destination to suit your level of sailing

August 8, 2012 by guestblogger Leave a Comment

There’s never been a better time to get into sailing and if you get the chance to go on your sailing vacations with friends or rent a yacht charter for your family then jump at the opportunity because, before you know it, you’ll be hooked.

Like anything, practice makes perfect and sailing presents many challenges for both crew and skipper. Obviously, one of the first challenges is knowing where to start and with this in mind I’ve highlighted a few locations that I feel will take you from landlubber to skipper in the space of a few hundred nautical miles.

So, set your captain’s hat at a jaunty angle, pump your bilges and find out what it takes to become a Level 3 sailor and what you’ll have to do to achieve success.

Level: Novice

To reach the heady heights of novice you’ll be a newbie to sailing or only undertaken a couple of voyages where you basically hung on for dear life or sunned yourself whilst the rest of the crew worked their barnacles off.

Ideal location: Greece

A great location for novices to learn to sail is the southern Ionian Sea around Greece where conditions are ideal for families and flotillas. Beach clubs such as Vounaki offer excellent facilities and with the summer breeze ranging from 0 – 15 knots, getting to grips with line-of-sight navigation, a basic knowledge of charts and understanding more about where to anchor are all achievable for the uninitiated on their sailing vacations.

Level: One

So, you’ve been on at least one or two flotilla training courses and you’ve skippered a yacht for over 100 nautical miles. You’re now classed as a Level 1 sailor, congratulations. No doubt you’ll be chomping at the main sails and ready to develop your strengths and learn new disciplines.

Ideal location: Croatia

As one of Europe’s ‘must sail’ regions, Croatia is regarded as the perfect place to practice coastal cruising and easy island hopping. The Dalmatian coast is as good as it gets and with crystal clear waters and a warm breeze, reaching up to 20 knots, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to really take control. Thanks to a rich and varied heritage, Croatia is an excellent option for lazy days at sea interspersed with cultural sightseeing on land.

Level: Two

As a Level 2 sailor you’ll be well-versed with naval experiences and will have at least 10 days at sea under your belt and a couple of qualifications, namely the RYA day skipper and the ICC qualification. You’re almost at the top of your game but there’s always more to learn where yacht charters are concerned.

Ideal location: Caribbean

St Vincent’s, Grenada, St Lucia, these spice islands slide off the tongue quicker than honey off melon and if you’re a Level 2 sailor then you’re bound to view the tidal variations and strong currents as a challenge far too great to ignore. These sumptuous warm waters are ideal for understanding tidal flow, learning the significance of protected anchorages and navigating open waters in some simply stunning locations.

Level: Three

There’s no need to explain to you the jargon and the nuances of sailing as you’ll have over 400 nautical miles experience as well as qualifications such as the higher level RYA day skipper, the RYA coastal skipper and the higher level ICC qualification in your arsenal. Where’s left to sail that you haven’t already experienced?

Ideal location: UK

Good old Blighty with its ever changing weather, strong currents and large tidal variations. Regions such as the Solent, in the south coast of England, provide some exceptional challenges for Level 3 sailors as well as historic ports of call where maritime history buffs will be in their absolute element. With wind speeds reaching upwards of 25 knots and plenty of poor anchor holding grounds to test your grit, making a passage plan and taking part in racing around the Isle of Wight will be what you dream of.

Biog: Chris is the father of two teenage boys and through a combination of common sense and sheer bloody mindedness he’s managed to make sailors of the pair of them.

 

The photo was used under the Creative Commons license curtsey of Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nuttinbutlove/5892333256/

Filed Under: Blog, Learning to Sail, Sailing Holidays Tagged With: holiday, learning to sail, messing around in boats, sailing, sailing holiday

Five superb water sport holiday destinations in USA:

June 22, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

Are you a water sport lover? Looking for some fun? Then it is the best time to visit the amazing water sport holiday destinations in USA. If you are visiting USA for the first time, then fill up your ESTA VISA application now and have a memorable trip to USA.

Going for a water sport holiday in US is the best option because there are dozens of places to visit and experience a perfect holiday destination. If you are a water lover and not afraid of meeting new adventures there are numerous water sports waiting for you like going river drafting, a scuba-dive to experience the marine life and many more.

Top five water sport destinations in USA are :

Kayaking at Lake Tahoe:

A Kayak is an Eskimo boat with a light wooden covering open at just one or two places. Have an amazing paddle-sport experience with your friends. You can also try out parasailing to experience the utmost adventure and fun.

A Dive in Bronx:

Bronx is a pool situated on a barge. You can get an astonishing view of the pool here and have a wonderful time enjoying the pleasant environment around it. This pool is famously known as the Floating Pool.

A Breath taking Dive in Waimea Bay:

Experience the thrill and fun by taking a river draft in the Waimea Bay. This is located in Hawaii in US and is extremely popular with tourists. The best place to visit if you are a real a water sport lover and ready to experience a thrilling adventure.

Jet Ski in Muai:

Visit the beautiful beaches in Muai and do not forget to book a jet ski for yourself. You can enjoy this amazing sport alone or along with your loved ones. By booking a jet ski you can have a lovely ride over the beautiful beach and enjoy the cool water splashing over you.

Scuba Dive in Florida:

Florida is one of the most popular Diving destinations in the world. A large variety in marine life and the different dive sites present in Florida have made it one of the most popular diving destinations. If you are a marine life lover this is the best place to have a lifelong experience of this amazing sport.

If you plan a holiday to USA, do visit the above mentioned places and have a fantastic and cheerful vacation.

Author Bio: Hi this is Joanne Smith. My passion is to write on Travel Blogs reach me @travelplex.

Filed Under: Blog, Sailing Holidays

Why Stockholm is the Yachting Capital of the World

June 14, 2012 by guestblogger Leave a Comment

Plenty of cities stake a claim to being the yachting or sailing capital of the world, from sunny Fort Lauderdale in Florida to sedate Annapolis in Maryland, while cities such as Monte Carlo, Empuriabrava, Singapore and Dubai all vouch for having some of the largest marinas and biggest yachting scenes on the planet. Yet perhaps the real yachting capital of the world is somewhere with rather cooler climes, where getting in your boat, dinghy, yacht or sailing ship and setting out across the waters is a part of everyday life. It happens to be Stockholm, the Swedish capital and arguably Scandinavia’s most stylish and slick city, that is the real yachting capital of the world, and here are a few reasons why.

 

Old Town in Stockholm, Swedenhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaven/3731398839/

Photo by Michael Caven on Flickr.com. Used under Creative Commons Licence.

 

Island Culture

One look at a map may tell you why yachting and boating are so popular in the Swedish capital, and that is because the municipal area is made up of around 24,000 islands and islets, collectively known in Swedish as the skärgård archipelago. Overall, around 30% of the city’s collective area is constituted by water, and many in the region dub Stockholm the Venice of the North. The centre of the city itself lies on 14 major islands, but it is to the smaller islands, many rocky outcrops barely big enough for a few visitors, that most people like to travel to, for a bit of peace and quiet, and utterly gorgeous natural surroundings. And nor is boating here merely a leisure activity, as many boat-owners in this salubrious and well-heeled city use their boats to commute on a daily basis. And even if commuters do not have access to their own boat, tens of thousands of people travel to and from work each day on the regular Waxholmsbolaget ferries that ply the waters of the city, while travel to cities as far away as Helsinki and Turku can be undertaken on larger, overnight ferries.

 

A Culture Boat Ownership

Scandinavia leads the world in the amount of boats owned per capita, and Sweden comes top of the global rankings, with one in seven people owning their own boat. And whether they have a small rowing vessel moored to their own private yet modest jetty, or a more lavish and expensive super-yacht permanently berthed near the city centre, Swedes just love their boats. Go out on a sunny weekend and the waterways surrounding Stockholm will be full with people setting sail and enjoying the weather out in their boats. And even those who do not own a private vessel can easily and inexpensively hire a yacht charter to take them out for the day, or even longer, a favourite past-time for urbane Stockholm residents seeking to get away from the busy city.

 

Sophistication

Stockholm is one of the most fashion conscious cities in the world, and any visitor here is likely to be stunned at the sheer sophistication and élan of the locals, who all seem well groomed, well dressed and well spoken. And so going out on hired boat charters on the weekend seems like a natural extension of this style conscious attitude, knowing that setting sail on a stream-lined, vintage yacht or sailing boat is one of the most stylish ways to enjoy yourself.

 

Marinas and Boat Builders

Stockholm, and indeed Scandinavia as a whole, benefits from ample marina space, so you will never have to struggle when searching for a place to berth for the night. And, with so many people interested in sailing, there are a huge amount of boat builders in the region, set up to meet demand, many of whom are known to produce the finest and most elegant yachts on the market.

 

John is a travel writer who has penned articles on subjects such as locating the best boat charters in Hong Kong and where to go for the most stunning scenery in Britain.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Sailing Holidays

Yacht Masters Course – Certificate of Competence

May 30, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

Sailing is a fun and challenging activity enjoyed by many. It is a form of recreation which requires a high level of skill. While not many are able to afford their own boats, there is no reason why this activity should not be accessible for those even on a budget. In fact, these days there are boats that can be chartered for a short time to make sailing activities more affordable and enjoyable without worrying about costs. Since there are risks involved with sailing, it is necessary to undergo a yacht masters course to become competent in operating a vessel. There are different courses that will tailor fit the need of the person who wishes to be trained in sailing.

There are many sailing schools that offer courses for interested sailing enthusiasts. It is important to differentiate and understand what you are looking for in terms of a yacht masters course to ensure that you are making the most out of your investment. Look for courses that have the least student to teacher ratio. Since you will experience sailing firsthand, you should look for schools that have the best and the latest facilities and vessels. If you are a beginner, look for a yacht masters course that will provide you with the basics in day skipper training where you will learn how to man a vessel during the day and in favorable conditions. There are advanced training to fine tune your existing sailing skills as well.

If you want to achieve a certificate of competence, find a training program that is facilitated by RYA yacht master experts. RYA sailing training programs that will immediately lead to a certification examination is also ideal. The students will be trained in offshore and coastal yachting skills through various RYA sailing training programs. Oftentimes, accommodation on board the vessel will be provided by the school. If you are not comfortable sharing cabin accommodations with other students, you can opt for a course that provides students with individual cabins inside the vessel, but be prepared to pay for such a luxury.

There is information on the internet that will connect you to some of the best yachting and sailing schools in your area. You can research as much as you can if you are not sure of what course you are interested to take. Assess your skills and decide on the areas you need to improve. If you really want to take sailing as a serious form of recreation or hobby, you will greatly benefit from certified training courses for yachting and sailing.

More Info About Sailing Courses visit http://www.universalsailingschool.co.uk

A fully recognised RYA Training Centre offering the complete range of RYA practical sailing courses

Filed Under: Blog, Learning to Sail

What is the Day Skipper Qualification?

May 20, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

The Day Skipper qualification is one of the most widely recognised worldwide qualifications in sailing. Most yacht charter companies will insist that at least one person holds the Day Skipper qualification before allowing them to charter a yacht.

The Day Skipper qualification demonstrates that the holder has a basic level of skills in boat handling and navigation. The course has two parts – Theory and Practical courses – which take you from being a crew member to being able to confidently handle small to mid-sized sailing yachts in day light hours in familiar waters. It is assumed you are already a competent crew member before taking the Day Skipper.

Day Skipper Theory Course

The shore based course includes a lot of the basics for those new to sailing: nautical terms, how to handle ropes and anchors, plus critical safety information. The course involves a great deal of training on navigation, including the use of GPS and electronic charts, meteorology, collision regulations and safety procedures.

The course does not assume any level of knowledge but is proving both popular and useful for experienced crew as well as novices, who are keen to learn navigation skills so they can skipper a yacht for themselves.

The course is often split into weekend or evening classes rather than being delivered in one session of five days.

Day Skipper Practical Course

The Day Skipper practical course provides the practical skills and knowledge you need to make sure you are able to put all the theory you have learnt into practice. You will learn how to handle a yacht effectively which includes preparing to sail, manoeuvring and mooring.

During the Day Skipper Practical course you will also be responsible for plotting a course, and making sure the course is accurately maintained, as well as mastering the critical aspect of piloting in and out of the harbour.

Part of the course involves practising for emergencies, such as a man overboard or emergency towing, so that in a real life emergency both the skipper and the crew are able to respond quickly and efficiently.

The practical course takes 5 days to complete but assumes that you have at least some basic skills. It is therefore best if you have a week or two of practical experience on board a yacht or have completed the Competent Crew practical course previously, before undertaking this course.

The course can be taken over 5 consecutive days or split over 2 weekends (a short and a long).

What comes after Day Skipper Qualification?

You can go on to complete the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster courses if you are feeling inspired following the completion of the courses above. These courses give you the skills and knowledge you need to sail and navigate for longer periods of time and to sail further from shore, or even around the world! It’s a legal requirement that someone on board must have a VHF Radio Licence, obtained by taking a 1 day course. So you should be thinking about doing this before or after your Day Skipper courses

First Class Sailing offers the complete range of RYA Sailing courses including the Day Skipper practical and theory courses. They have centres in London, Southampton and Burnham (East Coast).

You can book sailing courses online at www.FirstClassSailing.com

Filed Under: Blog, Learning to Sail

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