National Safe Boating Week kicks off the third week of May, just before many of us get out on the open water. The occasion is meant to draw attention to the importance of boating safely and to take a fresh look at boating safety tips. 

The moment you begin to drift from the dock, you will experience a sense of release. The separation is not only physical in the sense that you are no longer attached to the land, but the tensions and worries of everyday life begin to fade. Suddenly, the water, sky, and the wind become your focus.

You are thinking about selling or trading your marine pride and joy. But how do you know what it is truly worth? The adage about value based on “what the market will bear” naturally depends on the supply and demand for comparable boats and your urgency to buy or sell.

Many of us harbor dreams of sailing wherever and whenever we like. When we take time to pause, life on the water under blue skies can be both relaxing and therapeutic, offering an escape that makes many of our worldly concerns seem distant.

Maybe your fantasies of sailing away on an extended sea adventure or even dreaming of life aboard a yacht full-time are still slightly somewhat vague. You can bring those dreams into greater focus when you check out the latest Oceanis Sailing Yachts built by one of the world’s leading yacht design innovators, Beneteau.  

After turning the corner into the new year, visions of warmer, springtime days of carefree boating probably have begun to flood your imagination. While dreaming of another great season of sailing, fishing, or pleasure boating only weeks away, you should also be thinking about what you must do to get your boat back in the water in pristine condition.

If you had put your boat away for winter storage and it was stored properly at the end of the boating season last year, the recommissioning should be a straight-forward task. In any instance, proper steps taken now will increase the likelihood of a trouble-free boating season.

Recommissioning your boat in the spring should not be taken lightly. Diligent inspection, adjustment, and parts replacement will also extend the life of your treasured watercraft.

If you have been around boating to any extent, you have undoubtedly heard the term “marine survey” in some context. A boat or yacht inspection conducted by experienced marine surveyors, a marine survey is appropriate for several situations.

In much the same way that a successful stock or real estate broker studies their market, experienced yacht brokers are continually analyzing theirs. To stay current with pricing trends, supply and demand, and notable transactions, they follow the international yacht listings closely. 

As the New Year begins, the team at Cape Yachts look forward to new challenges and opportunities for the coming year. In 2019, we put together a banner year that exceeded every expectation. Through our commitment to the community, extraordinary attention to customer satisfaction and teamwork, the Cape Yachts professionals enjoyed a highly rewarding year. With the arrival of 2020, it's a perfect time to reflect on those accomplishments.

In the northern climates, the best time to shop for your next boat can be in the winter. Generally, the demand is down. And, if you are in the market for a high-quality used brokerage boat, know that many owners would prefer to eliminate storage costs sooner rather than later.