Keeping a Ship Shape Boat

Ahhh…fall in Florida.

Question: How do you know fall has arrived in Florida?
Answer: By all the presents left on your boat by the migrating birds!

Yes, the birds are beginning to make their way south for the winter and that means extra scrubbing and rinsing for all us boat owners.
It's a very good idea to rinse your boat often during this time because the toxic ingredients in those bird droppings can put an ugly stain on your gelcoat and canvas. Of course, we highly recommend regular cleaning in all four seasons; but it's especially important during 'bird season'.

Rinsing your boat regularly with freshwater will reduce the amount of time needed to wash and wax your boat. After a voyage we suggest first spraying the entire boat with a fine spray. This includes the cockpit area and the underside of the bimini. For sailboats you should spray as high up the mast and rigging as possible. It will take a few minutes for the dry salt crystals to begin to dissolve. Once you have given them time to dissolve go back over the entire boat with a high pressure rinse.

When it's time for a good scrubbing, using a high-quality marine soap is better for the boat's surfaces. Some household cleaners can have a high alkaline level and may cut short the life of your wax job. They can also scratch the gelcoat if not removed promptly.

Try to BE GREEN. Many cleaning products contain chemicals that aren't good for marine life. Phosphates for example are very unfriendly to aquatic life. Pay attention to the ingredients and try to stay clear of high chlorine, ammonia, potassium hydroxide, and solvents. It is best to use a soft bristle deck brush for cleaning cushions and canvas and never use a brush of any kind on dodger windows. For bright finishes, imitation lamb's wool brushes are the least abrasive. For tough areas, try to avoid stiff bristles and opt instead for a natural bristle brush if possible. And if you want to avoid water spots, we suggest drying the boat thoroughly.

To restore the shine to gelcoat, some people like to use an oxidation remover. If you decide to give this a try, you should start with a less aggressive rubbing compound. If your boat simply has a moderately dull look, use a fine rubbing compound. If your gelcoat is severely oxidized, you should seek professional help.

For a good wax job you may want to hire a professional as it can be back breaking work. If you opt to do it yourself start the waxing process with a properly prepared surface by using a good fiberglass cleaner. Boat wax can contain powerful acid cleaners so protect yourself with gloves and avoid breathing the fumes for extended periods of time. Try to keep the wax away from metal surfaces as it can cause corrosion. Before beginning the job, be prepared with LOTS of soft clean rags. To save time and conserve your energy, we highly recommend an electric buffer.

A good cleaning kit should contain marine cleaner, sponges, squeegee, wax, lots of soft rags, compound (for deep scratches), good selection of brushes, boat pole with scrub brush attachment, and hose with good pressure water.

At Whiteaker Yacht Sales we believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For the best overall maintenance of your boat, preventative care is the way to go. Always rinse your boat after each voyage, give her regular scrubbings, keep her waxed, and keep all exterior teak touched up. If you're trying to sell your boat, the outward appearance is especially important because it is often considered to be an indication of how well you have maintained her other components. And remember that all important "first impression" goes a long way in attracting a buyer to your boat.

Happy cleaning!

A grassroots effort by many in the boating industry has led to an important victory for the estimated 17 million recreational boaters in the United States. On July 29, 2008, President Bush signed the Clean Boating Act of 2008. This is probably the biggest legislative victory for the boating industry since the repeal of the boat luxury tax in 1993. This important Act will permanently restore the previously long-standing exemption for recreational boats from having to obtain a discharge permit.  Under the Clean Water Act pleasure boaters were caught up in a law meant to mandate treatment of ballast water in large commercial ships. It would have required all vessel owners to get expensive permits in each state that the boat operated in.

It is estimated that 150,000 people sent emails to Congress on this issue. The National Marine Manufacturers Association, BoatU.S., and a coalition including outdoor enthusiasts, conservation groups with diverse backgrounds, and boat owners rallied together to help accomplish this important victory. It is even more impressive when you consider that on average it takes Congress seven years to pass a bill and in this instance the time was cut to 4 ½ years. Plus it was done at a time of gridlock in Washington resulting in Congress passing very few bills.

With all the obstacles we are facing in the boating industry from outrageous insurance rates to high fuel prices it is refreshing to have something go our way. Whiteaker Yacht Sales applauds everyone who participated and made their voice heard on this important issue. It is a very good example of what we can accomplish if we all work together.

At Whiteaker Yacht Sales, we understand that savvy shoppers no longer depend solely on local or national publications when searching for their next boat. Today, the primary tool used to find a pre-owned boat is the internet. Buyers can shop and compare hundreds, even thousands of boats in their desired size and price range. That is why it is extremely important that the online listing for your boat stands out from the crowd. Otherwise, a potential buyer may never notice just how nice your boat really is.

The Headline!
We have an advertising background and we put this experience to work in our listings. Before we get into the details of the boat's systems and inventory, we give a lot of consideration to the opening description in an effort to get the buyer to notice your boat. We give a lot of thought to what makes your boat special and we use descriptive, compelling wording to attract the buyer's initial attention.

Photos, Photos, Photos!
Because so many buyers are looking from a distance, often from another country, photos are more important than ever. We take lots of photos! We often include several shots of the same cabin or area on the boat from different perspectives. We also pay a lot of attention to equipment, engine, and deck photos. Even with the large number of photos we include, we often have buyers asking if we have any more pictures! When it comes to photos, they simply can't get enough.

Details, Details, Details!
Complete and accurate specifications are also very important. We go into great detail when explaining the inventory and systems on your boat. It has been our experience that the more detailed the specifications, the better to attract the buyer and get your boat an extra long look. However, not everyone agrees with our philosophy. You have probably noticed listings on YachtWorld that are very brief and only include the major highlights. Perhaps their logic is the potential buyer will simply call for more details if they are interested. At Whiteaker Yacht Sales, we don't take this approach. We believe that when a buyer is looking at a long list of boats, he will zero in on the listings that answer his questions in advance. This can only be achieved with attention to detail.

The Closing!
Equally important is a good closing. We often have a final entry on our listings which gives the broker's personal thoughts and also a summary of the reasons why your boat is special. Many buyers have told us this final commentary was what motivated them to pick up the phone and give us a call.

The Extras!
YachtWorld is probably the most visited site in the United States for prospective used boat buyers. We budget extra funds in order to have Enhanced YachtWorld listings. When a buyer pulls up a list of boats, an Enhanced listing is larger and includes a small slide show. This is just another way that we strive to make our listings stand out from the pack. Knowing that not everyone uses YachtWorld, we make sure your boat's listing appears on many other major internet sites including several in Europe.

We try to put ourselves in the mind of the average shopper. What would they type into the search engine when looking for a boat? We use key search words throughout our listings in a further effort to draw the prospective buyer to our listings.

Finally, we know the value in guiding the buyer to our website. We pay a lot of attention to our site, never allowing it to become stale. We are constantly working to add, change, and improve the site. In addition, all our boat listings are entered individually on our site, not simply linked to the YachtWorld site. This gives your boat another separate internet entry and will further help draw attention to it.

In today's internet driven economy, a professional approach to marketing your boat online is more important than ever. At Whiteaker Yacht Sales, we are always striving to learn more and do more to make your boat's online presence as special as it deserves to be. It all adds up to give you an advantage over your competitors and to help you sell your boat faster!

As you can imagine during this downturn in the economy, boat sales are not as brisk as they once were. As in real estate, the number of units sold and the average selling price are both down. However, the good news is sales are still being made. In fact, many buyers are excited by the obvious "buyer's market" and are actively searching for the boat of their dreams.

Whether sail or power, people are still very enthusiastic about the idea of getting out on the water and enjoying a boat. For many of us, owning a boat may be the reward we have been dreaming about and counting on for years.

Many of our customers at Whiteaker Yacht Sales are purchasing a boat to go cruising as the first stage of their retirement years. These people have been working most of their lives to get to this point. Just because the economy is down doesn't mean they don’t still have that nest egg. And yes, they're willing to spend it in order to live their dream. These people feel they have worked hard to get to this point and they are determined to reap the rewards.

In spite of the fact that a typical boat will not appreciate in value, many potential buyers will consider a boat purchase as an investment. They feel that it is wiser to spend their money on a boat which will give them many years of fun and enjoyment rather than on expensive vacations or other luxuries. Properly maintained, their boat will return much of their initial investment when it's time to sell. They may also consider their boat as a valuable asset that can be enjoyed now and passed along to their children and grandchildren in the future. And we can't think of any stock or bond that would be nearly as much fun as a boat!

So how do you sell your boat in today's market? It's really not that difficult.

First and foremost, make sure it is clean and well maintained. You can see specific tips and suggestions in the "Boat Selling Tips" section of Whiteaker Yacht Sale's website.

Secondly, choose a reputable broker who knows how to market your boat in a tough economy and who will be candid about your boat's market potential.

Third, price your boat competitively. The internet makes it extremely easy for potential buyers to compare price and features. You may be emotionally connected to your boat and may think "my boat's special" and thus be tempted to ask more than it's really worth. If you fall into this trap, your boat will likely stay on the market for months, even years, until you lower your price.

And that's it! If you do these three things, you will greatly enhance your odds of selling your boat sooner rather than later.

So, how do you find a reputable broker who will successfully market your boat? There are many fine brokers to choose from, but quite naturally, we hope you choose Whiteaker Yacht Sales! We pride ourselves in forming a personal relationship with all our customers, both buyers and sellers. We try to set ourselves apart from the many brokerage companies who simply have a sales quota to make. We take the time to ask questions, listen, and follow up. We strive to provide excellent service during the search, purchase, closing process, and after the sale. We get a great deal of satisfaction from helping people to live their dreams.

At Whiteaker Yacht Sales, we have a background in advertising and marketing. We know that slow times mean that we should increase our advertising budget, not cut back. Following that philosophy, we have indeed increased our advertising budget over the past few months and it is paying off. We have expanded our print advertising and, more importantly, we have greatly increased our advertising on the internet which is definitely where most people shop for boats these days. Now more than ever, we recognize that it is a global market. That is why we now advertise all our listings on several European websites. As a result, we are now receiving inquiries from savvy buyers in Europe and around the world.

Of course, our best form of advertising is what our customers are saying about us. We are very thankful for the many wonderful testimonials and referrals we have received from satisfied buyers and sellers.

So, can you sell your boat in a slow economy? Absolutely! Will you need to work a little harder to do so? Of course! Does choosing the right broker make a difference? You bet!

We hope you will choose Whiteaker Yacht Sales to help you sell your boat. No one will work harder and invest more to market your boat and earn your trust.

If you have any questions about selling your boat, please contact us. We will be delighted to assist you in any way possible.

By Debbie Whiteaker

Over the years I've heard the same story time and again. A woman's agonizing decision…to go on a cruising adventure with her husband or significant other or to stay in her nest where she can be available to her children, grandchildren, or elderly parents. A woman's obligatory feelings toward her family are often much stronger than those of her male counterpart. It's just born into most of us to be there and be available anytime these people need us. But there is this yearning for many of us to go on an adventure. To spend time on a boat cruising the world with our partner…discovering new things, eating new food, meeting new and exciting people, and enjoying the breath taking scenery we usually only see in photographs. Letting go and taking that big step onboard that boat and shoving off for ports unknown is so hard. But if you look at it from a different point of view it could make it much easier decision.

The Simple Life
I lived aboard and cruised for three years. I was apprehensive but hopeful during the early stages of letting go. We sold our house and all the furnishings. I went through all the "stuff" and only kept the most precious things. There were many trips to Goodwill to drop off "stuff". There were Yard Sales to sell "stuff". Finally I was down to a small collection of "stuff" that I couldn't possibly part with. For that we bought a small storage building and located it beside my parent's house. It was a nice arrangement. Then we loaded the rest of the "stuff" that we couldn't possibly live without into the back seat and trunk of our car and headed to Florida to live on our 40' Island Packet Sailboat. What a wonderful drive that was. How liberating!  How light I felt. I could almost float because the weight of all that "stuff" had been removed. Simple life aboard a sailboat awaited. No yard work. And what about housework? Believe me it doesn't take nearly as long to clean a 40' sailboat as it does a house.  Of course there's boat maintenance but my husband would do most of that and besides it's small in comparison to maintaining a house.
For many years we would hold the promise of spending weekends on the boat as the carrot on the stick that helped us get through the week and now we lived full time on the boat. Yes, I liked it just fine… I made my nest on the boat.

The Grieving & The Guilt Trip
OK, so there was the grieving of giving up my home and saying goodbye to my family. I had lived in the same place my whole life. I had lived in three different counties and they all bordered each other. So this was a big change.  My mother cried when we left. And, yes I was on a major guilt trip for awhile. At the time she and my father were still in good health so it was actually a good time to have this adventure. But I had never lived that far from home so it was hard. I couldn't be available if they needed me on short notice and vice versa. But the timing seemed right. They were in pretty good health at the time although about a year and half into the adventure my father was diagnosed with cancer. He lived for four years so I was available toward the end when I was most needed. However, even if they had not been in great health, I think I still would have gone. I had decided that I (and more importantly my husband) deserved this time. Sometimes you just have to put yourself first.

Maybe even more troubling than leaving my parents was leaving our three sons. However, they were all comfortably installed in college. They had been living away from home for a couple of years already. They were all grown up now and could take care of themselves just fine, right? But do we ever stop being Mamas? I don't think so. But here again was the thought; I deserve this time. I had been there through diapers, kindergarten, karate class, football practice, student council trips, etc. It was time for an adventure and I was going to put myself first just this once.  And thankfully for me there were no grandchildren yet, I don't know if I could have handled that one.

The Metamorphosis
So did the adventure change me? Yes, it definitely did and for the good.  Change often brings new vitality to your life. Change opens new doors to parts of you that you never knew existed. Perhaps one of the most unexpected things was that I developed a renewed appreciation for being in the great outdoors. I realized how much of my recent life had been spent all cooped up inside. I found myself enjoying the stars at night again. I found out how much I loved the smell of the ocean. I developed a new appreciation for tropical plants and the warm tropical breeze on my face. And then there was the wonderful experience of meeting new and different people and learning about their way of life.  Eating new and different foods or learning how to prepare the old ones in a new way. And of course I gained confidence because this life is definitely not a bed of roses. I learned that I was tougher than I thought. I learned I could do things I never thought possible. And most importantly I learned this one very important thing. After all the guilt trips I put myself through; worrying about leaving my parents and my children. Was I being an ungrateful daughter? Was I being a bad mother? No, I was taking some well deserved time to be a good and caring friend to myself. And in the end I actually gave those loved ones in my life a very nice gift… a new and improved me. I returned to them a more independent, secure and well rounded person. I returned a better daughter and a better mother and of course, I'll have some wonderful stories to tell the grandkids.