Tips for Yacht Shopping and stuff

If you know me, then the title of this post should not have thrown you for a loop. Yes, yacht shopping. Have you ever shopped for a yacht, daydreamed of owning one, renting one, or even walking aboard a yacht? Stick with me kid, I'm taking you places. 

    My cousin Craig Henry (The Traveljunkees, blogger, and world traveller) often asks "When you gettin' that yacht cuz?" The funny thing is, he's not saying it as a joke, more like a shared goal. I always respond "One day cuz, have a bag packed." Anything is possible.

    I've found that shopping for a yacht is both enjoyable and dreamlike. If you get the chance, give it a shot. Meander down to the docks in Miami Beach, or any other harbor, and go for the gusto.

    Walk past, replete in khaki shorts, a kepi hat on a string, and boat shoes with no socks. Greet the gentleman or woman leaning on the rail, or reclining upon the deck, and when they respond, strike up a conversation.

   "How many does she sleep?" (All boats are female!) "How many knots can she do?" "What size is your crew?" Asking these questions in an educated, curious manner, will more than likely get you invited aboard for a tour (especially if the owner has been imbibing), and you can go yacht shopping.

     As the owner shows you around, casually mention the teak interior you saw on another yacht recently, and the owner will tell you why he does or doesn't have it in his. They'll ask "Are you in the market for one?" To which you always respond in the affirmative. Say you're kicking around the idea, or you and a buddy are looking for one. Next thing you know, he's handing you his guy's number, assuring you his guy will give you a great deal. Pocket the number for later use, thank the dude, and be on your way, smiling at the opportunity you created for yourself.

   Have I yacht shopped? Yup. I've also priced how much it will cost for me and eleven of my friends and relatives to rent a crewed yacht to take us around the Caribbean for a week. I promise that it is nowhere near as expensive as one might think. Am I going to? Yup.

    There will come a day when I'll be taking pictures of myself and my peeps enjoying the hell out of ourselves at Croatia's Yacht Week. Smiling, sippin', and enjoying the sun on our faces. Why not? Life is a banquet, and I have a voracious appetite.