Stacy ObrienOn a cloudless morning in Viareggio, a Tuscan port where nearly a fifth of the world’s megayachts are built, a family of first-time yacht owners made final preparations. They wore upscale Euro casual: untucked linen and tight jeans, twelve-hundred-dollar Prada sneakers.
Some people buy yachts to show off their wealth and keep up with the Joneses. Others buy them to live a different kind of lifestyle.
Personal Entertainment
Imagine spending a weekend on your very own yacht, cruising around the Mediterranean. But, before you can do this, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done from purchasing and hiring the yacht to keeping it clean, stocking it with food and supplies, and making sure you comply with IRS guidelines.
A yacht can also be a place to strengthen relationships with family and friends, creating lasting memories in a peaceful setting. Plus, it offers a unique opportunity to build brand awareness and engage with clients, partners, and colleagues in an exclusive and luxurious way.
However, yacht owners need to be prepared for some sleepless nights on choppy seas, especially if they’re not using the correct type of anchorage. This is because smaller yachts can be rocked by a storm, which can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep. On the other hand, larger yachts are designed to be more stable and have a higher comfort level.
Social Standing
While yachts are a symbol of luxury and excess, they also offer an escape from fast-paced professional lives. A wealthy person may spend three or four times as much on a yacht as on a house.
Whether they buy a gleaming new custom yacht or a classic old-liner, owners often invest significant sums in their boats for bragging rights. Spence recalls that one owner had his yacht decorated with flourishes including a Renoir in the master suite and stools upholstered in whale foreskins.
To work on a yacht, you must be properly trained and certified. Getting that training typically means passing an STCW course in seamanship. The course teaches personal safety and survival, fire fighting and basic first aid. It’s also a good idea to be neat and tidy, iron your clothes and trim beards. Women should cover tattoos and pull back hair. These are the standards for working with wealthy clients, who expect that their crews will look and act professionally.
Travel Opportunities
Working on a yacht is a great way to get paid for traveling the world. Most yachts operate on a seasonal schedule so you’ll get to work in one destination for up to 6 months at a time and then have time off to enjoy the fabulous locales.
Most yachts are a little blingy and are filled with the latest gadgets, toys and facilities including a gym, home-cinema room and much more. When the owner is not on board it’s possible for crew to use all these facilities as well as jet-skis, tenders and explore the stunning coastline.
Yacht owners love to hire trustworthy people and once you’ve proven yourself this may lead to more opportunities to sail with them. Some yachts are a bit more strict in terms of hiring and you’ll have to meet certain medical requirements but others are very relaxed. Jack says that low-level crew will usually have 2 days off a month for travel and with experience, this can increase.
Lifestyle
A yachting lifestyle engenders new interests and hobbies that will benefit the individual in their personal life. For example, time on a yacht can teach the basics of sailing or introduce a new passion for water sports or marine life. A yacht also offers an escape from the daily grind of the working world, allowing individuals to connect with nature and their surroundings in a different way that can alleviate stress.
A yacht is a great place to create lasting memories with family and friends. It’s recommended to bring a camera onboard to capture special moments such as dolphins splashing in the water or the majestic beauty of sunsets. These moments will not come again, so it’s important to document them with photos and videos.
