By Tom Virden

About Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Carbon Credits

Whenever you use a motor on a yacht, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is emitted into the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide has been scientifically linked to Global Climate Change and Warming. With the worldwide concern about Carbon Emissions, it’s important to understand how the activity of pleasure boating and yachting impacts global warming and what can be done about it.

Measuring Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions are directly proportional to the amount of fuel burned by a yacht’s motor. In general, burning a gallon of gasoline produces 19.564 pounds of carbon dioxide. You might be surprised that a gallon of gasoline that weighs 6.3 pounds produces such an enormous amount of CO2 - the reason being that the process of burning combines the gasoline with many times its weight in Oxygen.

Knowing this, we can easily and accurately predict or measure carbon emissions from boats and yachts. Virtually all boat and engine manufacturers provide information on the amount of fuel the boats burn per hour. That number, multiplied by the number of hours you cruise, will predict your carbon emissions. Alternatively, at the end of a trip, you can just add up the number of gallons or liters of fuel burned and do the same calculation for an exact figure.

Offsetting CO2 Emissions

There are a variety of organizations that allow you to buy “carbon credits” to offset the emissions you create while chartering. The United Nations works with many charities and NPOs to certify projects that will reduce carbon emissions (more about this below).

To get an idea of what this might all cost, here’s a simple example. Consuming 100 liters of fuel will produce 516 pounds of CO2 emissions, which will cost approximately £1.76/€2.51 or $3.52 to purchase carbon offsets. Similarly 50 gallons of fuel burned will create 978 pounds of emissions, costing £3.33 or €4.75 or $6.66. A small cost to do your part to reduce Climate Change!

What are the Credits used for?

When you purchase a carbon credit you are generally investing in a project that will reduce carbon emissions. For instance, credits are often used to build wind generation plants, replant rainforests, create bioenergy, and install efficient lighting, among many others. Each project creates real reductions in CO2 that would not have happened otherwise. Projects are funded around the world, wherever funding goes farthest and has the greatest impact.

Low Carbon Emissions Chartering

The best way to charter with low carbon emissions is to charter a sailboat - monohull or catamaran! While the motor will create a small amount of CO2, you will generally be using the best renewable source of energy known to man, the wind!

Beyond using wind as your sole propulsion, certain engines pollute less than others. 4 stroke engines, because the gasoline does not need to be mixed with oil, produce much lower emissions than 2 stroke engines. Fuel injected engines produce fewer emissions than carburetors. And wind assisted yachts, that run on both sail and motor, emit less than pure motor boats.

There is a new class of sailboat emerging that act similar to hybrid cars to reduce emissions. These boats use electric motors instead of diesel or gasoline, run by powerful batteries. These batteries can be regenerated by the spinning propellers while the boat is moving under sail, similar to a hybrid car. So they effectively are “Green” boats that produce almost no carbon emissions at all! Some are even efficient enough to offer air-conditioning, so you can have comfort with no negative environmental impact. The leading production boat is the Lagoon 420 Hybrid.

Author: Thomas Berten

It’s difficult enough for an experienced yachter to find the perfect yacht, but for a first time yachter it can be even more difficult. However, there are a few key areas that can help your quest to find the perfect yacht.

Types of yachts

Yachts will typically fall into five categories:
- fishing yachts,
- power yachts,
- sailyachts,
- personal watercraft,
- self powered yachts

When searching for the perfect yacht, we need to look at what each of the categories offers. We will go through the first three major categories; fishing yachts, power yachts and sailyachts.

Power yachts
Power yachts are the most popular types of yachts sold, which contributes to the varied designs that can be sought. Power yachts with seating in the front are called bowriders, and are mainly used for towing skiers or rafts. They can also be used for fishing as well. To do this there are many ski and fish combined power yachts available.

Fishing yachts
The designs that are available for fishing yachts vary quite a bit, as are the places where they can be used. Fishing yachts that are meant for shallow waters of inland lakes and rivers are not the same yachts that are meant for deep seas and great lakes. There are many designs available even for yachts that serve no other purpose besides fishing. These yachts usually have stowage and holders for bait, fishing poles, tackle, and sometimes have special tanks for holding live fish.

Sailyachts
Sailyachts are probably the most difficult yacht to pilot. It can be very challenging, although also very rewarding once mastered. A lot of skill and knowledge is required to operate a sailyacht in comparison to other yachts.

Again, as with other types of yachts, sailyachts have several varied designs although the single masted sloop is the most popular.

Decide what is important

When deciding on your perfect yacht you need to decide what is important to you. This will include deciding upon the use of the yacht - private use, fishing, or cruising. Your family may also contribute to what is important when deciding on a yacht if they are interested in yachting themselves.

Once you have decided upon a selection of yachts that you are interested in, take a look at what each one offers and how you plan to use it. There are plenty of yachts out there and you are sure to find one that is perfect for you, you just need to discover your most important aspects in a yacht.

Author: Christy Myer

There are various types of insurance policies available to get the coverage according to the usages. You must have to select the policy after consulting the insurance adviser or agent to give suggestion of the policy based on your usage. There are many other factors responsible for the insurance are your budget, types of coverage, condition of the yacht etc. Apart from the normal policy many additional coverage given by the insurance company to secure the yacht from the possible threats. There are different types of coverage available, which includes physical damage, liability, and medical coverage etc.

The policy gives protection against yacht, motor, equipments and trailer. You get coverage at the time of induction, yachting, hauling. The physical policy will protect you from various threats like fire, theft, damage, cyclone, sleet, lightening, and explosion etc. If your yacht operated by authorized third person, it will also cover under the physical policy. If you need any emergency services the physical damage policy give you coverage for towing, repair while breakdown. If you get physical damage the policy give you 5 percent of physical damage. The policy gives you yacht equipment coverage 10 percent. If you need to repair the yacht it will also give coverage limited losses. Finally you are free to select the deductibles as per your need.

The liability coverage provides liability coming out of the yacht ownership. The liability coverage gives protection if yacht owner or member of the family injured any third person in the accident. In all state, the liability policy gives coverage if your yacht cullied and damages some other yacht.

The medical insurance give protection against the require medical expenses in case of injury occurs due to accident. Under medical insurance the yacht owner and passengers are covered.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Experts advise on getting the best yacht insurance quotes for policy coverage only if you have new yacht; otherwise, they say it’s fine to just opt for minimal coverage of the more expensive and important yacht parts so you have a adequate coverage. A little bit of forethought can go a long way in saving you good money that would otherwise have been spent on getting extensive yacht insurance coverage by choosing a high premium and extended use insurance policy. You can select the crucial yacht parts for insurance coverage and put a top-price that you are willing to shell out for the cover so you are adequately covered but not over-board on your budget.

You can simply get online to receive various yacht insurance quotes and even use this convenient option to change the amount you have initially opted for, at a later date by requesting update on the earlier quote. Those buying a second-hand yacht are advised to first get the yacht inspected and check for necessity to upgrade main parts, such as the motor of the yacht; if it needs to be repaired or changed, then it doesn’t make good financial sense to insure the old one. The same principle applies for worn out yacht parts that you may need to replace.

Thus, adjustments to a yacht insurance policy is always possible and one needn’t spend their entire budget when they get the first quote; first evaluating the true cost of the yacht is important and then owners should move on to creating an insurance policy that fits them perfectly.

How old the yacht is and its current condition are some factors that determine its value; besides this, potential owners need to find out through an experienced inspector which yacht parts will require replacements (therefore adding to the cost) and which ones are worthy of covering by insurance. A yacht insurance agent can give valuable advice at this point, so speak openly with one such.

Also, remember that any adjustments you make on your coverage will affect your premium, so lowering or extending this should be done after some thinking. At times, the coverage is annual policy so you may have to wait it out till the year-end before getting a fresh quote; since this is a depreciating asset, your yacht will reduce in value unless you upgrade certain parts. So, while your insurance premiums decrease, your yacht insurance quotes will enable you to know the lowered value of the yacht.

It’s good to remember that getting a net-quote is simply an estimate and an inspection of all its parts is what determines its real value, which may be greater or lesser than your evaluation. These are pretty close to the true value of the yacht so sign an insurance policy guided by these, given by a reliable person and this will stay constant for the length of it. A safe-guard against extra costs if accidental damage occurs or on buying a new yacht, your insurance premium can be changed to accommodate these eventualities, so consult today to save tomorrow.

Author: Andrew Dillan
As a boater, you want the waterways to stay clean. To make sure that your beautiful scenery will be around for your next trip out, here are a few tips that you can use.

1. Lead by example.

Next time you are at the marina, be sure to bend over and pick up a piece of litter out of the water (or from the beach, docks, or ground). If people see you taking the time and energy to clean up, they will know that it is not acceptable for them to litter.

2. Start a movement.

If everyone on your water picked up one item of garbage each time they went out, the water would be clean in no time. Put up signs suggesting the “pick up one piece” policy along the dock or at a relative area.

You can also organize to get a lot of people together to clean your lake or river. Like the “adopt-a-highway” program, getting everyone together once a year to clean your waterway will help you get your shores looking clean in no time.

3. Use Common Sense When Fueling.

If you have a portable fuel tank, be sure to always fill it on solid ground where spills are less likely to occur. In many areas it is illegal to fill a portable fuel tank in a boat for fire regulations. If your fuel tank is on-board, be careful while you fuel. Keeping a cloth or towel with you to wipe away spills will save the environment and your paint job!

Always know the capacity of your fuel tanks. Be sure that you have an accurate gauge to tell how full your tank is. Never overfill your tank.

If you have a smaller engine, use a funnel to fill your tank. You can even take an engine ashore to fill. This will give you an opportunity to wipe down the area of your boat where the engine attaches, and can prevent you from getting rust and other problems. This particularly applies to emergency engines for sailboats.

4. Know your Vent Line.

When fuel gets warmer, it expands. This can cause it to escape from the vent line. Riding through particularly choppy or rough waters can also cause fuel to escape from the vent line. You can install an anti-surge valve to prevent fuel from leaking overboard while you are having a good time.

When you are filling your tank, you will be able to feel air flow from your vent line. This air flow will increase dramatically when you are close to filling your tank. When you feel the air flow increase, it means that it is time to stop filling your tank.

There is no excuse for littering, especially on the water. The litter that you throw into the water can contaminate fish, the water that goes to our cities, and surrounding farmlands. The smallest items, such as cigarette butts, often take the longest to decompose (cigarette butts are NOT decomposable and will stay in the water, keeping it ugly, until they wash ashore where children might play).

As a boater, I have an intense respect for nature. I like going out into nature, and I have a vested interest in keeping our environment clean. Together, we will be able to keep our waterways clean.

Author: J. Lloyd
Boating is a great sport that can be enjoyed all year round in most parts of the country. Taking the boat out on the lake, a river or into the ocean is one of America’s favorite pastimes, full of fun and adventure. However, boating is serious business and any boater will tell you that you need adequate boating equipment to make sure that your outings are as safe as possible, for you and your passengers.

Everyone knows that there are a few essentials of boating equipment, like life preservers and other personal flotation devices. But did you know that there’s so much more that should be stowed on every boat? Let’s start with the basics.

The law requires that any passenger under the age of 12 must wear a personal flotation device while on an open boat deck of any kind. When it comes to purchasing personal flotation devices of any kind for your boat, there are several things to consider.

First, everyone on board must have a flotation device, child or adult, and those devices must be within easy reach. These flotation devices must be approved by the Coast Guard and bear their seal of approval. Lastly, these flotation devices must be in good condition.

Other kinds of essential boating equipment consist of a throw-able flotation device such as a floating donut or some buoyant item that can be used to keep a person afloat for an unlimited amount of time. Every boat longer than sixteen feet in length must have one of these on board or face fines. Ski belts don’t count.

Some flotation devices are designed to turn an unconscious person around in the water so that they are face up instead of face down, and are also effective for all types of water. Some flotation devices protect the wearer from hypothermia, while others are meant for sporting activities like skiing, sailing and fishing.

Another valuable piece of boating equipment is a fire extinguisher. While many don’t think such would be necessary, with so much water around, engine fires require a certain type of extinguisher while cushions or interior cabin materials might require another. Boats more than twenty-six feet long are required to have at least one fire extinguisher on board.

There are additional requirements for the installation of fire extinguishers on board, so check with state boating regulations to determine what those are before taking your boat out on the water. Another boating equipment must for boats with inboard mounted gasoline engines is a flame arrester that is fitted onto the carburetor for backfire flame control.

Again, check your state boating laws to determine whether your boat needs such an adjustment if it doesn’t already come with one. Also keep in mind that boats with gasoline engine compartments must also be properly ventilated.

A sound device is also a necessary piece of boating equipment, most especially for boats that are over thirty-nine feet in length. Some sort of distress signal flare gun is also a good piece of boating equipment to have on hand, as is a first aid box and extra bedding and blankets in case of emergency. Boating is great fun, but can be dangerous if you don’t plan properly and carry the right kind of boating equipment that ensures the safety of both yourself and your crew or passengers.

Author: Thomas Holley
While the docking techniques in boating are always going to be dependent upon the weather conditions, there are a few simple things that you should always keep in mind. First of all, in this particular case practice makes perfect. Although we can provide tips, please remember that the docking techniques in boating are going to be something you will have to personalize to your experience, your particular boat and of course, the dock itself.

Secondly, the most common mistake boater’s make when attempting to dock their boats is to try and approach the dock in a straight line. By approaching the dock from an angle, however, it will much easier to get close without scraping and to hit the spot you’re aiming for. Thirdly, the speed at which you come in to the dock must be controlled. Anything you’ve ever been told about the best docking techniques in boating probably mentioned that it requires you to run your boat in at the slowest possible speed.

This however, is not as easy as it sounds. Often, even idle speed on a boat is too fast. Coasting, however, as a docking technique in boating, causes problems in and of itself. Coasting reduces steering capability, which makes it even more difficult to accurately line up with the dock. The best way to counter this problem is to alternate between power for steering (short shots of forward gear) and coasting for speed control. Being able to use the best docking techniques in boating is not automatic.

You’ll have to practice this one over and over. As you get closer to the dock, the best docking techniques in boating will tell you to start to turn the boat. It is at precisely the same time, however, that you will also need to decelerate to a stop in reverse. Again, the deceleration reduces steering capability. When approaching the dock, you are going to have to rely on the momentum of the boat to get you over this obstacle.

Momentum and speed, however, are not the same thing. Momentum is simply the forward motion of the boat that will actually carry you into the dock. You will need just enough momentum to get into the dock and that will allow you to smoothly make the shift to reverse so you can stop. Once you’ve actually mastered this task, you’ll probably agree that the best docking techniques in boating were the ones that you learned by trial and error. None of the docking techniques you’ll read will ever be a better teacher than practice, practice, practice.

The best advice that one could ever receive when looking for information on the best docking techniques in boating would be to take it slow, don’t get nervous or discouraged and most importantly, remember that every time you try it, will make it a little easier the next time.

Author: Peter One
Crewed motor yachts are yachts that you charter for a vacation without needing to have any sailing experience. With the crewed charters, you don’t have to do any work in handling the yacht or navigating the waters of the location you choose. You can choose to have a luxury charter where you have exquisite surroundings and meals prepared by a chef. Waiters bring you drinks and the members of the crew will provide instructions for water sports if you need any. Crewed motor yachts range in size from yachts that can only take 2 passengers to ones that can take up to 12 or more.

A crewed motor yacht charter is an excellent choice for a family vacation. Children are welcome on these yacht charters, but none of the crew will be assigned to looking after them, even with luxury motor yacht charter. Parents are expected to keep the children entertained and to bring whatever they need for enjoyment aboard with them. Crewed motor yachts are perfectly safe for children, but like any location, you do need to keep them within your sight at all times.

When you choose a luxury motor yacht charter, you have a personal chef to prepare your meals. However, before you arrive to meet the yacht, you will already have informed the company about your food preferences through the food preference sheet. This sheet also includes a list of beverages for you to choose from, which include soda, wines and alcoholic beverages. The chefs of crewed motor yachts take great care to prepare meals that you will enjoy and only use the freshest ingredients. In the case of fruits and vegetables, the chef of a crewed motor yacht charter may buy foods at the various locations.

Whether or not you experience any seasickness on crewed yacht charters depends on you. It is probably a good idea to take some form of seasickness medication with you so that you can thoroughly enjoy being on a luxury motor yacht. If you are new to vacationing on a crewed motor yacht charter, be sure to let the crew know so they can choose routes that will cause you less discomfort. If you smoke, you will have to limit your habit to the outside areas of the yacht. Since the interior of the yacht consists of close quarters, yacht charter companies do not permit smoking inside.

With crewed motor yachts you have comfort and style. You do not have to bring anything with you and all the linens, dishes and utensils are there for you to use. Both the exterior and interior of these yachts are roomy so you can sit back and enjoy the charter in comfort. You don’t have to worry about the wind because the motor will take you to your destination on time. You can enjoy air-conditioning with luxury motor yacht charters, although most of the charter yachts do have this feature included. Depending on the location and type of charter, some crewed charter yachts include scuba diving equipment, kayaks and other equipment you would need to enjoy a variety of water sports.

Author: Rory H. Hawkins
This article has been selected by United Yacht Sales for those boat/yacht owners who are looking for good insurance advice about their boats.
There is no right answer when someone asks which boat insurance company is the best. Most boat owners are simply looking for an insurance company that knows about boat coverage and provides quality service as well as support. Insuring your boat with the same company that issued your auto, life, or homeowners insurance can have certain advantages. Though it does pay to work with a company who thoroughly understands boat and yacht insurance. With any luck your present insurer knows a good bit about boats. If not, your best option is probably to go with experienced boat insurers.

Liability Coverage

While there may be some variation in boat policies, the main types of coverage are physical damage and liability coverage. The limit of liability varies based on whether or not the insured is legally required to raise, remove or destroy the boat. Theft will not be covered if the boat is off the “residence premises.” Liability coverage is only available for certain smaller boats. Basic boat insurance should always cover physical damage as well as liability. Liability may also provide the necessary coverage for legal representation should it become essential from any incidents involving your boat.

Don’t forget to insure your boat against damage, sinking, and most importantly, accident liability. Personal Umbrella policies provide you with an extra layer of liability coverage above and beyond what your auto, home or boat policies provide. Therefore, a specific boat or yacht policy is required to provide coverage for the boat and equipment, personal property and liability.

Insuring Yachts

Generally speaking, yacht coverage is broader and more specialized because larger boats travel further and have more unique exposures. Also, many marinas and yacht clubs won’t allow you to dock your boat unless you’re insured. Additional coverage can be obtained by purchasing a boat policy, a yacht policy, or a personal watercraft policy. It should be noted that, in the pleasure boating industry, boats can be insured either under a yacht policy or a boat policy. One of the main criteria insurers weigh when it comes to insuring a boat or yacht is the owner’s boating background. Most yacht policies today also include a specific amount for personal property carried or stored aboard, other than regular boat equipment.

Damage to Your Boat

Depending on how you use your boat, you may or may not want coverage for fishing gear, hurricane damage, hurricane haul-out expenses, etc. Physical damage insurance is usually called hull insurance although it takes in the whole boat. In fact, there was not one but two insurance coverage forms designed to protect against damage to stored boats. These policies usually also REPAIR the boats with a deduction for depreciation. The restrictions and limitations on material damage to the boat, as provided by homeowners insurance, are many.

Value is Important

You should insure your boat for market value. A basic policy which will insure your boat for depreciated value will be the cheapest. Another option is to insure the boat for an agreed upon replacement value. The higher the agreed replacement value of the boat, the higher the deductible and the cost of the insurance policy. They should insure the value of the boat - not what you paid for it. should also increase the coverage to reflect the increasing value of the boat.