Monday, July 27, 2009

Tips When Picking Boat Charters

David Hackert, president of Prestige Yacht Charters, says nothing beats boat charters when it comes to celebrating your special day, whether it is a birthday, an anniversary or a wedding. "Think about the weddings you have attended in the past. You celebrated, danced and went home," he explains.

"A wedding on a yacht, however, could offer panoramic views, imposing skylines or even an exploration of serene inlets and coves. It would be an occasion your guests would remember for the rest of their lives." There are many decisions to make when it comes to selecting from the diverse pool of luxury yachts but the benefits far exceed the initial effort.

Do you want to be a skipper? This is one of the first decisions to make when considering private a boat charter. If the answer is "yes," then be prepared to hand over your boating resume to the charter company, which includes several years of experience sailing the size and type of boat you intend to charter. At Ebare, you can take an assessment to see if you are ready for smooth sailing and to see what your options are if you are not quite prepared.

You may need to take a few boating and safety courses before being allowed to hold supreme power aboard your private yacht. On the day of your charter, some companies may take you out on a demo cruise, where you will demonstrate your knowledge. If you flunk the demo, then the company will place a captain aboard your vessel. If, on the other hand, you pass your demo, then congratulations! You will be commanding your first bareboat charter.

If you are not sure about sailing the high seas on your own just yet, then a flotilla is one of the better intermediate boat charters you can take. In a flotilla, a fleet of 8-10 private yacht charters band together on an unforgettable adventure. A captain, chef, engineer and activities planner will sail on the lead yacht, offering assistance to anyone in the fleet who needs it.

You will essentially sail your own ship for the most part. Each morning you will be briefed on optional activities and group meals for the day, as well as where to meet for nighttime docking. Many travelers say this is the ultimate party, offering some of the best off-the-beaten-path experiences, with none of the anxiety of going it alone. Greece and the British Virgin Islands are popular places to link up with a flotilla.

The cost of boat charters is entirely up to you. Many beginners choose to hop aboard sailing yachts with a handful of other couples to offset the cost. Affordable trips can also be taken in a flotilla fleet, which offers a good middle-ground for relatively inexperienced sailors who still crave the privacy of their own boat. Smaller boats, sailboats and off-season trips all offer deep discounts.

Choosing an all-inclusive sailing vacation is a good way to prevent overspending on port stops, food or other unanticipated expenses. As you travel more and more, you will soon be ready to command your own boat, sail on luxury yacht charters or throw an extravagant party aboard a crewed yacht charter!

Source: Ezine Articles
Cape Town Boat Charter


Friday, June 12, 2009

How To Have A Great Deep Sea Fishing Adventure

Deep sea fishing can be an exciting adventure indeed, especially for those who love fishing and the ocean. Here are a few pointers to help you find and hook the right sort of game the next time you go deep sea fishing:

Keep an eye out for telltale signs: When out on the ocean, if you spot seagulls swooping down to pick up small bait-type fish, you know there are bigger game-type fish hunting and driving these fish into tight balls near the surface.

In certain cases, you will even find larger fish swimming near floating wood or debris. Generally, the best place to fish for big game fish is near reefs. This is because these larger fish prey on the fish that live in the reef.

Oftentimes, fishermen try to catch live bait-fish near the reef and head to deeper waters in the hopes catching the big ones. However, this tactic rarely proves successful and it's recommended to fish around the edges of reefs.

Type of Fishing rods and hook: Using lighter fishing rods out in rivers, streams, lakes and even surf fishing is fine, but when you go fishing in the ocean for larger fish like marlin, large sea bass, shark, tuna and stripers, you will need a much stronger rod that can take the weight of the fish, withstand the time it takes to catch one and handle the struggle between fish and fisherman.

This is why it's not surprising to see fisherman opting for graphite fishing rods which are relatively light yet extremely strong and durable for heavy duty fishing. Although graphite is also used to make fishing rods for other types of fishing, deep sea fishing rods made out of graphite are much longer, wider and denser. The only downside to graphite fishing rods is that they are not as flexible, which is why some fishermen also use relatively less durable but strong, light and flexible fiberglass fishing rods for deep sea fishing.

As far as hooks are concerned, circle hooks are best suited for deep sea fishing. Circle hooks translate into more catches since they have a minute gap and a reverse point. Such hooks are also better for the fish because they hook the fish in the lip and not in the gut, causing minimum suffering.

Popular Catches: Snooks are a popular fish among deep sea fishermen and these can be found swimming around rocks, ledges and posts. Another popular type of fish are Stripers and the best time to go fishing for these is at the full moon when they are hunting for crabs who have just shed their shells.

A great way to catch these is to use crab imitations as bait. Yet another popular deep sea fishing fish is the yellow fin tuna. These are often found schooling with dolphins, so if you spot a dolphin group, you may find some tuna swimming in the area as well.

The aforementioned are a few tips that will help enhance your deep sea fishing experience. So go ahead, head into the open seas and strap yourself in for a fun filled roller coaster ride!

Source: www.articlesbase.com
TiggerToo Charters