life on a superyacht

Can You Live on a Superyacht? (The Pros and Cons)

Have you ever dreamed of living on a superyacht, and cruising around the world in luxury and style? It may sound like a dream, but it is possible to make a life on board a superyacht.

In this article, we will explore the types of superyachts, the cost of living on one, the benefits, challenges, and safety considerations.

We will also look at what to consider when selecting a superyacht and the advantages of chartering one.

So, come along as we discover the pros and cons of living on a superyacht.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

Yes, it is possible to live on a superyacht.

Generally, superyachts are designed to accommodate a crew of several people, so they usually have plenty of space for living quarters.

Most superyachts are also equipped with modern amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom, and living area.

Depending on the size of the yacht, there may even be separate bedrooms and other luxuries.

Living on a superyacht can be a unique and luxurious experience.

Types of Superyachts

When it comes to living on a superyacht, there are a wide variety of options available to choose from.

Superyachts can range from smaller, more basic models to ultra-luxurious vessels with five-star amenities.

These larger vessels are often outfitted with spacious cabins, multiple decks, and a range of amenities and entertainment options.

Some of the top amenities found on superyachts can include swimming pools, hot tubs, gym equipment, a movie theater, and even full-service spas.

For those who want to explore remote destinations, superyachts can also be equipped with a range of marine equipment such as jet skis, fishing gear, and other water sport equipment.

Many superyachts also offer a range of amenities such as a professional chef, a concierge service, and a range of private activities such as wine tastings and guided tours.

Cost of Living on a Superyacht

Living on a superyacht is often seen as the ultimate luxury lifestyle, but it can also be an expensive one.

The cost of living on a superyacht varies widely depending on the size and amenities of the vessel, as well as the duration of the charter.

For a basic model, the cost of chartering a superyacht for a week can range from $10,000 to $50,000, while a larger vessel with more amenities can cost upwards of $200,000 per week.

For those who plan to live on a superyacht long-term, the cost of berthing and maintaining the vessel can add up quickly.

In addition to the cost of chartering or owning the vessel, there are other expenses associated with living on a superyacht, such as fuel, food, and crew salaries.

All of these factors must be taken into account when deciding whether living on a superyacht is a feasible and affordable option.

Benefits of Living on a Superyacht

Living on a superyacht has many advantages.

For starters, you get to experience the freedom of life on the open seas, with access to some of the most stunning destinations in the world.

Superyachts provide a luxurious, private, and secure place to stay, with all the comforts and amenities of home.

You’ll have access to spacious cabins, gourmet kitchens, and even swimming pools and hot tubs on some of the larger vessels.

You’ll also benefit from the expertise of a professional crew, who can take care of the day-to-day maintenance and operations of the yacht, as well as provide expert advice on sailing locations and activities.

Plus, you’ll be able to dock your yacht in some of the most sought-after marinas and ports in the world.

Finally, there’s the added benefit of exclusivity and privacy you won’t have to worry about neighbors or crowds of people.

Overall, living on a superyacht provides a unique and luxurious lifestyle that’s hard to replicate on land.

With a variety of sizes and amenities available, you can customize your experience to suit your individual needs and desires.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or a peaceful escape, a superyacht can provide the perfect escape.

Challenges of Living on a Superyacht

Living on a superyacht may be a dream for many, but with it comes a unique set of challenges.

For starters, space is often limited on a superyacht.

This means that the living quarters can be cramped and there may not be enough room for all of one’s belongings.

Additionally, the remote and often isolated locations that many superyachts travel to can limit access to amenities such as grocery stores and other necessities.

Finally, living on a superyacht can be expensive.

Chartering a superyacht can be costly, and the cost of maintenance, fuel, and crew can add up quickly.

Security is another issue to consider when living on a superyacht.

Because many superyachts are in remote and often isolated locations, there may be limited or no access to law enforcement if there is an emergency.

Additionally, there may be limited access to medical care, which could be a problem if someone were to become ill or injured while on board.

Finally, the weather can present a challenge for those living on a superyacht.

Because superyachts travel to many different destinations, they may be exposed to rough seas , high winds, and other unpredictable weather patterns.

This can be dangerous for those on board, and can also put a strain on the vessel if the weather is too severe.

Privacy and Safety Considerations

Living on a superyacht can provide an unparalleled level of privacy and safety, allowing you to enjoy your time on the water without the risk of intrusions or unwelcome visitors.

Many superyachts are equipped with their own onboard security systems, as well as sophisticated navigation and communications systems that allow you to stay in touch with the outside world while keeping your location private.

These features can be especially beneficial for those who are looking for a secure, secluded escape.

Additionally, superyachts are often equipped with state-of-the-art fire safety systems, as well as lifeboats and other safety equipment, which can provide peace of mind for those on board.

What to Look for When Choosing a Superyacht

When it comes to choosing a superyacht to live on, there are a few important factors to consider.

First, youll want to make sure that the yacht is large enough to accommodate your needs and provide the amenities you desire.

Many superyachts are equipped with luxurious amenities such as swimming pools, hot tubs, and jacuzzis, as well as other features such as state-of-the-art kitchens, spacious cabins and suites, and even onboard entertainment and gaming centers.

Youll also want to consider the size of the yachts crew, as the number of crew members needed to operate the yacht will affect your overall costs.

Additionally, youll want to consider the yachts capacity for fuel and water, as well as its ability to accommodate your travel and recreational activities.

Finally, youll want to make sure that the yacht is properly insured and that you are familiar with any applicable laws and regulations regarding the operation of a superyacht.

By taking the time to research and consider these factors, youll be able to choose the best superyacht for your needs.

Advantages of Chartering a Superyacht

Living on a superyacht can be a truly luxurious experience, offering unparalleled privacy and remarkable amenities.

One of the biggest advantages of chartering a superyacht is the flexibility it provides.

Superyachts can be chartered for short-term stays, allowing you to experience all the benefits of living on the water without having to commit to the long-term ownership of a vessel.

Whether you’re looking for a luxurious vacation or a permanent residence, a superyacht charter can provide a unique and unforgettable experience.

Another benefit of chartering a superyacht is that you can customize it to suit your exact needs.

Many superyachts offer a variety of amenities, from fully-equipped kitchens to state-of-the-art entertainment systems.

Depending on the size and features of the yacht, you can create a home away from home, complete with all the conveniences and luxuries you desire.

The size of a superyacht also offers advantages.

Most superyachts can comfortably accommodate several people, making it the perfect option for larger families or groups.

Many superyachts also offer access to remote destinations and secluded bays, allowing you to explore and discover new places with ease.

Plus, the seclusion of living on a superyacht offers a level of privacy that can’t be found in traditional homes.

Finally, superyacht charters are often more affordable than owning a vessel outright.

This makes it an ideal option for those who desire the amenities of a superyacht but don’t have the budget to buy one.

With careful planning and research, it’s possible to find an affordable charter that allows you to enjoy all the benefits of a superyacht without breaking the bank.

Final Thoughts

Living on a superyacht can be a luxurious and exciting experience.

There are many different types and sizes of yachts available, so it’s important to consider the features and cost of living on a superyacht that meet your needs.

With the right vessel, you can enjoy all the benefits of life on the water, from privacy and comfort to access to remote destinations.

There are also safety and privacy considerations to keep in mind when choosing a superyacht.

If you’re considering living on a superyacht, consider the advantages of chartering one that meets your needs and budget.

With the right yacht, you can have the experience of a lifetime.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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How to Live on a Super Yacht

Living on a super yacht is a dream come true for many people. The luxurious lifestyle, breathtaking views, and the freedom to sail across oceans and explore exotic destinations are why owning or chartering a super yacht is often the ultimate symbol of wealth and success.

However, living on these massive boats is not just about indulging in luxury and relaxation. The lifestyle requires careful planning, organization, and adaptability.

If you want to test the waters and live at sea on a super yacht, let’s see what it takes.

Let’s dive in and get started!

What Is a Super Yacht?

A super yacht is a luxury vessel, typically over 80 feet long, for pleasure cruising. Wealthy individuals or corporations usually privately own these vessels. They come with all the amenities and features one would expect from a high-end luxury resort. 

Super yachts range from sleek and modern to classic and elegant. Construction of these units is to the highest standards of craftsmanship and engineering. They can accommodate various activities, including dining, entertainment, and water sports. 

Crews for these vessels are often a team of professionals who provide personalized services to ensure guests have the most enjoyable and comfortable experience. Overall, they’re the ultimate expression of luxury and freedom, offering unparalleled comfort and convenience to those fortunate enough to own or charter one.

Can You Legally Live on a Super Yacht?

Living on a super yacht or any other boat is generally legal. However, the rules will vary depending on where you’re attempting to live. You must follow the local regulations, whether in a country, state, city, or marina.

If you’re thinking about living in international waters, it’s not very easy. International waters typically are 24 nautical miles from a country’s coastline. It’s crucial to note that international waters are not the wild west. Most travelers in these waters must follow the laws according to the country they’re sailing under.

HOT TIP Get good internet no matter where your super yacht sails to. Learn more about using Starlink on boats .

What to Think About When Living on a Super Yacht

Living on a super yacht is an exciting and luxurious lifestyle offering the ultimate comfort, relaxation, and adventure. However, it also comes with unique challenges and considerations to make the experience enjoyable and stress-free. Let’s look at several things you must consider before living on a super yacht.

Good Boat Insurance

One of the most crucial considerations when living on a super yacht is having adequate boat insurance . Super yachts are precious assets requiring specialized insurance coverage beyond what standard marine insurance policies typically provide.

Since your super yacht will be your floating home, you must acquire adequate coverage for your vessel. Coverage and premiums will vary depending on the vessel’s value, onboard equipment, and personal belongings.

It would be best to work with an experienced insurance provider when acquiring your insurance policy. This can help ensure you don’t have any surprises should you need to file a claim. 

Living Expenses

Like living in a sticks-and-bricks home, you will have living expenses while on a super yacht. You must cover onboard amenities and supplies, docking and berthing fees, fuel, and crew salaries for those helping to manage and maintain it. 

Captains, engineers, deckhands, attendants, chefs, and other employees will have salaries and benefits packages. These will be ongoing expenses that you’ll need to consider. 

Yacht Maintenance

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but even if you spend millions on your super yacht, things will break. You must do regular inspections, scheduled maintenance, and repairs promptly. 

Unfortunately, things don’t always break when it’s convenient. So you will need a healthy stack of cash to replace parts and components when they unexpectedly break. If not, you could be stuck at the marina.

Unseen Weather Conditions

The weather conditions can be incredibly unpredictable. However, weather conditions at sea are more than worrying about how much rain or lightning you’ll experience. Severe weather can significantly impact water conditions. The weather can change quickly at sea, and you must constantly stay aware of the weather forecasts.

You must have an emergency plan and a staff trained in responding. A super yacht offers the flexibility to move when weather conditions may not cooperate. You may have to adjust your itinerary or plans, so that flexibility will be crucial in this lifestyle.

Yacht Registration

Just like you must register your vehicle, a super yacht will also require registration. Where you register your vessel will determine the taxes and fees associated with registering a yacht. Additionally, where you register your craft will also determine the legal requirements your vessel must meet.

You need to understand the legal requirements, taxes and fees, and other factors associated with yacht registration. This allows you to make informed decisions that meet your needs, preferences, and those of your staff or anyone onboard the yacht.

Safety and Security

When living on a super yacht, safety and security are critical items you must take seriously. While yachts typically come with many safety features and security systems, there are still potential risks and threats that you must address.

It is vital to take proactive steps to mitigate potential risks and threats. The vessel will need the appropriate safety and security systems, and the crew will need training in basic procedures and protocols to keep everyone, including the vessel, safe and secure.

Living In International Waters

International waters are outside of the jurisdiction of any specific country, and they present opportunities and challenges for those living on a super yacht. Understanding the legal requirements and regulatory authorities is essential to ensure you comply with laws and regulations.

Living in international waters will require a tremendous amount of self-sufficiency. Accessing supplies, services, and emergency assistance can be challenging. You’ll also need the proper navigation and equipment to communicate with other vessels and the appropriate authorities.

While Jack Sparrow may not be on the open seas, pirates exist. You cannot take your safety and security too seriously when staying safe on international waters. You’ll likely want to consider hiring security personnel and avoid cruising into high-risk areas.

What Are the Pros of Living on a Super Yacht?

There is a long list of pros to living on a super yacht. It’s one of the most luxurious lifestyles imaginable. The level of service that individuals receive onboard these vessels is unlike anything most people will ever experience.

Life on a super yacht provides much freedom and flexibility. You can travel practically anywhere and make the world your playground. You can create your schedule and choose where to set the sails daily.

The lifestyle can be incredibly relaxing and rewarding. You’ll experience new cultures, taste exciting foods, and meet people with equally exciting adventures. Who wouldn’t love that?

HOT TIP Just because you live on a super yacht doesn’t mean you won’t get mail! Find out How to Get Mail Sailing Around the World .

The Cons of Living on a Super Yacht

While there is much to love about living on a super yacht, it’s not perfect. The lifestyle is costly, and you must deal with limited space. Additionally, you have to manage the crew’s dynamics, which can be challenging. Unfortunately, you can’t force anyone to walk the plank if they cause a fuss amongst the staff.

Don’t forget that you could experience days of rough seas. This could result in experiencing seasickness. The vessel will constantly be floating on the water and can be challenging for those prone to seasickness.

Does Living on a Super Yacht Cost Less Than in a House? 

Living on a super yacht is typically more expensive than living in a traditional house or apartment. Super yachts are costly to purchase or charter, and they also require ongoing maintenance, crew salaries, and other expenses that can add up quickly. 

While it is possible to save money on specific expenses, like property taxes and mortgage payments, the overall cost of living on a super yacht is typically higher than living in a traditional home or apartment. There are often additional costs associated with living on a super yacht that may not be present in a conventional home, like higher fuel prices and the fees for maintaining and repairing complex systems and equipment.

How luxurious you expect your lifestyle will significantly determine whether it’s more or less expensive than a house. However, it’s crucial to remember that yachts are typically depreciating assets and require substantial maintenance to retain their value.

Is Living on a Super Yacht Worth It?

Living on a super yacht can be a fun and exciting way to live. However, it will take a pile of cash. The lifestyle can be incredibly unpredictable, dangerous, and expensive. Severe weather conditions at sea can threaten you, your vessels, and any crew or passengers on board. Before you sell your home and move into a boat, make sure you fully consider the entire lifestyle.

Would you live on a super yacht full-time?

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Home » Budget Travel » Boat Life 101: How to Live on a Boat and Travel the World! (2024)

Boat Life 101: How to Live on a Boat and Travel the World! (2024)

Waves lap at the hull of the boat. Your feet are in the glassy water, a glass of rum in your hand, and a glorious sunset in front of you. Of course, the weather is perrrfect .

Just another day in the life of living on a boat.

Surely that’s not all what living on a boat is like though, right? What about the sea monsters ? What about getting shipwrecked and floating for days on end at sea awaiting rescue?

And as if a broke bum can really live on a sailboat. Come on!

Rest assured, greenhorn – I’ve got you.

I went from a baby sailor who almost blew up the boat, to hand steering my way across the Pacific Ocean using the Southern Cross as my bearing. And I did it all with very little cash to my name.

Now I’m here to pass on to you what it’s really like to live on a boat AND how to do it . It’s the how-to-poop, how-to-cook, how-to-sail – and the best places in the world to do it all in. PLUS how exactly you can put a budget on a dream.

Avast! I give you, how to live on a boat and travel the world.

Living on a Boat: What’s it Really Like?

How to live on a boat full time, best places in the world to live on a boat (and when to go) , the cost of living on a sailboat (and how to minimise it) , can you live on a sailboat for free, last tips for living the boat life.

“Indigo, where’s the F**CKING coffee?” 

Yeah, you want to buy a boat. And then you’re going to sail off into the sunset – travelling the world without spending a dime – with twelve babes on one arm and the world’s greatest rum in the other. Oh, it’s going to be so lovely, isn’t it?

Welllllll , I’m not here to burst your bubble, but I am here to give you a wee reality check. 

Living on a boat is not for suckers; it’s not for the impatient; it’s not for the stupid. I realise that many people who suck and are stupid, can and do sail. They give the rest of us a headache – don’t be them. 

If you forget the coffee, the rest of the boat may very well feed you to the sharks. The only shop for the next 200 nautical miles is now a distant speck on the goddamn horizon, after all. 

However, provided there is ample coffee, rum, and good conversation, there is nothing better than living on a boat. No, that is not a cliche.

Life on a sailboat is life at its most .

• The duality of boredom and near-death experiences.
• Harnessing the wind and moving soundlessly across the great blue spectacular.
• Fresh sashimi.
• Deep introspection.
• The oscillating moods of the crew that spread like the flu.
• Long stretches of time with no goddamn Instagram.

A boat becomes a very miniature village, and in this, you can touch on a very primal way of living; one that has been passed down to us from many millions of years of evolution. 

The simplicity is not always poetic. But it will make you appreciate every damn cup of coffee – and isn’t that what life is all about? 

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So here it is folks! The basic and hyperbole-filled how-to of living on a boat.

It’s just three simple things. (Sort of.) And then, the ocean is your oyster.

Hoist those sails and may the wind be ever in your favour.

Boat Life 101: Pooping 

Don’t laugh! Pooping on a boat is your first lesson in how different living on a sailboat is to land life.

You have to think about the consequences of your every action: sustainable travel MATTERS . If it’s a small sailboat, it will likely have a manual pump instead of a flush. You do your business, and then pump, pump, pump. 

And that’s not where it ends. You need to think about where exactly your poop is going. 

It becomes very clear that all drains lead to the ocean. 

Usually, your poops will be going into the boat’s holding tank, but they only hold so much. You need to know the regulations in the national waters of wherever the boat is because you can’t empty the holding tank until you’re far enough away from shore, certain mooring fields, and protected areas… for obvious reasons.  

Now, I would argue you haven’t lived until you’ve dealt with a malfunctioning head (marine toilet). Nothing makes you appreciate modern sewerage systems like the sweet smell of shit. 

Boat Life 101: Cooking + Provisioning 

The consequences of your actions continue here. Even if you are sailing in proximity to shops or markets, the basic fact remains that the shops are on land and your boat is on the water.

That means there is no nipping to the servo for some extra milk that you forgot. You have what you have on the boat, and you make do. 

So yeah, not bringing enough coffee for the passage? A dumb mistake you only make once. 

Living on a sailboat has made me an organised (one might say obsessive, but one would be wrong) motherfucker. I am a HARDCORE list-writer, but you need lists when you live on a sailboat.

WRITE LISTS. And keep them going all the time.

• The food and supplies list.
• The fix-it list for maintenance.
• The visa requirements and beaurcracy list.
• The all-important books to read list .

If you go on an overnight sail and you know there’s food at the next anchorage, then you can get away with forgetting the coffee just this once. If you’re crossing the biggest ocean on Earth, that’s not gonna fly. You need to write a bloody list.  

Also, food sometimes needs to be refrigerated. Refrigerators come with limited space and the frustrating tendency to gain sentience halfway through a passage. With sentience comes a severe attitude and willingness to ruin your food.

All I’m saying is, you gotta plan your meals, know how you’re going to store them, and write lists.

Oh, and it sounds obvious, but while sailing, the boat moves.

Yes, the stove on a boat is on a gimbal which means it swings with the motion of the boat and compensates for the movement. But when King Neptune feels the sailors on board have grown too comfortable, the soup says hello to the floor.

Boat Life 101: How do I sail this thing? 

If you can take a shit and cook a meal while on a sailboat, you’re 90% done. 

Collectively, we humans have been chucking some cloth on a bit of wood to capture the wind since the original discovery of Australia and the Solomon Islands (50 000 – 25 000 years ago).

Over the millennia, the process has become more refined. Now we can sail upwind and tack and all this fancy stuff. But ultimately, with a little patience and a lot of practice, anyone can learn to sail. 

There is a multitude of electronic tools – chart plotters, AIS, GPS, Iridium GO – that help you keep a track of where the hell you are and give you detailed charts about where you want to go.

You can even get the weather sent in a tiny little electronic file via a device like the Iridium GO, even when you’re sailing across the Pacific Ocean . Very handy for avoiding boat-sinking storms!

Putting some sail on a mast and heading off has never sounded so sweet! But if you learn a thing or two about the trade winds , you can make your journey even sweeter.

The trades are these delicious winds that blow reliably from east to west, meaning you can access a reliable source of energy to propel you forward (provided you want to head west).

Trade wind sailing is famous for being fucking chill, with few gnarly storms and not too many becalmed days of boredom. The merchants of the tall ship days and the modern boat bum circumnavigating the globe both love the trade winds. Yes, for the easy sailing, and also for the good rum found at many of the ports along the way. 

But when all else fails – say if your mast is struck by lightning and all your electronics are fried – there are still ways to orientate yourself on the big blue. These are methods that have evolved over our collective sailing history:

• Celestial (star) navigation : Using the constellations and a sextant, plus some maths, to figure out the boats latitude and longitude.
• Cloud navigation : Recognising the flat bottomed clouds associated with land to keep you on track back to terra firma.
• Reading the swell : This is just fascinating. This means understanding the persistent swell that move across world oceans and their relation to the star quadrants to estimate where your boat is and where it is going.

Test the Waters BEFORE You Sail – The Liveaboard Experience!

Another way you can get a taste of the boat life before you commit to a lifelong project is to charter a boat! Sailo does just that: Sailo lets you rent the boat life.

You get a boat, a sampler of the experience of living on a sailboat, and people on deck that actually know what the bloody hell they’re doing! With over 30,000(!) boats to charter from and a fabulous selection of the BEST places to live on a boat around, you’re guaranteed to find something that… floats your boat.

Sure, it’s not the no-frills boatbum style, but ultimately, you can choose to do it bareboat – with no captain and you bring all your own provisions. Or you can choose to have the boat crewed so you can sit back, relax and, learn a thing or two about boat life. (And drink champagne.)

Living on a boat comes with a host of challenges (and juicy rewards) that are made that much easier by picking a good place to do it in.

Access to quality boatyards, provisioning, internet connection – these are all big plusses for those living on a sailboat!

But also, all the stuff that made you want to partake in this mad boat lifestyle in the first place rate highly too. A plethora of remote beaches, magic sunsets, and a friendly cruising community of cool travel buddies (soon to become treasured friends) can make or break a dream destination.

I’ve also considered how easy it is to top up the cruising kitty with funds by rating how easy it is to find work in each place.

Australia + New Zealand 

• When to go: November – May (NZ & southern Australia) April – September (northern Australia)
• Best suited liquor: EMU BITTER MAAAATE Whatever the Australians aren’t drinking.

I don’t care that the citizens of both these fine nations will be after me with pitchforks for lumping them in the same pile. Honestly, mate, bro, whatever, come at me. They’re both equally dope places to liveaboard your sailboat.

Yup, gonna say it right now, both these places can be expensive for the boat bum. But they also provide good-paying work opportunities if you can play the visa game right. So they are great places to slow down, pick up a travel job , and stack some cash for future ocean adventures.

You can also take a break from the boat life, and go on an epic backpacking adventure around New Zealand . You won’t know how much you miss the ocean until you take a break from her, trust me.

Also, the sheer diversity that I’ve so callously dumped in one heading is incredible.

Honestly, you can sail down to Stewart Island in the subantarctic waters and then back up to the Eden on Earth in the equatorial Torres Strait .

You could spend a whole, wonderful lifetime sailing between these two continents and still die regretting not having seen everything.

The long and the short of it:

• You can make bank here $$$!
• You can get your boat fixed properly here. Island nations like Australia and New Zealand have a wealth of boat building and fixing experience.
• There are well stocked supermarkets here, so you can stock up on bulk items that prove tricky to find in more remote locations.
• People are cool, remote beaches are cooler. And there is a metric shitton of incredible beaches here.
• There’s also an opportunity for non-boat adventures (like backpacking around Australia ) that will make you appreciate the ocean nomad life even more.
• Diversity! Of landscape and cultures.
• Dude, the first nations of Australia managed to cross over from Papua New Guinea (probably) 60 000 years ago. SIXTY THOUSAND (louder for those in the back). The knowledge on this ancient continent will humble you if you pause to listen.
• And the seafarers that made it to Aotearoa? The Maori are some of the most badass, friendly, wise, creative, HILARIOUS people you will ever have the privilege of meeting.
• $7 bottles of wine. Sorry. But like, yes please.
• There’s epic diving in New Zealand and all over Australia with endless (and scrumptious!) spearfishing opportunities.
• Living on your boat here is easy . Not without its struggles of course, but it’s always easier to struggle close to wifi connection.

The Caribbean

• When to go: The conventional advice says December – May, but you can sail here year-round if you know how to dodge hurricanes.
• Best suited liquor: Rum. Obviously rum. Maybe with a squeeze of lemon and a splash of cola.

If you can dodge the hangouts of the rich and the famous (or work out how to make money off them) sailing the Caribbean and living on a sailboat is very rewarding.

Salsa lessons in the streets of Puerto Rico , rum-soaked nights in the Virgin Islands , goat hunting, spearfishing , azure waters, and white sand beaches all the way down to Bonaire .

Getting into the charter boat game provides a great way to make dat money. During the high season, this is one of the most popular places in the world to charter a boat.

If you are happy to do your own boat repairs, a lot of fishing, and get clever with your travel budget , the cost of living in the Caribbean is not super expensive either. You just gotta know where to go for what.

Cheap coffee and rum can be brought in bulk in the Dominican Republic . There’s a Costco not far away in Puerto Rico , so you can get some bulk toilet paper. Then it’s onwards to a deserted island, a reef, and some endless fun in the sun.

• Cheap boat repairs are available in places like Rio Dulce, Guatemala. So, for those big projects you can save quite a bit of money by getting them done here.
• The rum. I mean, it has truly been perfected here.
• There are oodles of work opportunities in the charter business or in the superyacht world.
• Cheap flights back to the USA means you can feasibly travel between the USA and El Caribe guaranteeing you an endless summer.
• The glorious azure waters and their 27-degree celsius temperatures. Helllloo, nude night diving.
• Warm, deliciously WARM, diving.
• More people at the anchorages = a very social and welcoming community of cruisers. There is a great liveaboard culture that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
• Easy trade wind sailing.
• Did I mention the rum?

The South Pacific

• When to go: May – October (You can arrive in the Marquesas in April with no problems.)
• Best suited liquor: A little vodka, a lotta soda, a squeeze of lime.

I won’t even try to hide my bias. I LOVE the Pacific.

Is it the best place to live on a sailboat for most people? Probably not. Because the distances between your boat and a grocery store are usually mind-boggling. It can be expensive. It can be lonely.

There’s just no way quite like travelling to places like French Polynesia the way you can on a boat. Out in the middle of the ocean life is not always easy, even if it is full of palm trees. 

But fuck it, I love the Pacific, so we’re including it. 

No, honestly, if you can mitigate the challenge of distance, you are rewarded with the best planet Earth has to offer. Incredible diving, a slow pace of life, some world-class hiking trails (and world-class peaks), lazy sunshiney afternoons. Perfect postcard sunsets. Mmmmm.

A full one-third of the globe is consumed by the Pacific Ocean, and scattered throughout this utter vastness are innumerable tiny little islands. Luckily for the bum of the seas, the trade winds can carry you from the Americas to these little flecks with few problems.

In fact, all the technical sailing here is relatively easy. As long as you don’t get becalmed at the equator thanks to the weirdness of the ITCZ band, it is easy sailing.

But you’re going to need a water maker and have a solid solar panel set up for power. Because between Panama and the Marquesas , there are approximately 3800 nautical miles – more if you go stop in at the Galapagos.

That’s a long way between places to buy coffee. And there’s not much in the way of supermarkets until you get to Tahiti , another 800 nautical miles away.

If you leave IndigoRadio on for long enough, inevitably Kiribati will come up. You can hide from hurricanes here. The South Pacific is defined by island life at an island tempo:

• You can get delicious fish on the end of your gidji real fast here.
• People-less anchorages.
• Dreamy atolls.
• And not a damn supermarket in sight.

Ok, not everyone’s idea of easy sailing, but certainly my idea of the best that living on a boat has to offer.

There is a multitude of lifetimes that could be spent escaping the rat race and kicking back in the Pacific. There is an awesome amount of diversity of landscapes and cultures here too, not to mention a proud seafaring tradition that we aspiring boat bums should shut up and learn from. 

A Tip From One Pirate to Another

Okiedokie, you wild little circumnavigator-to-be! There are multiple ways to criss cross the globe. Resources like noonsite.com and Jimmy Cornell’s cruising guides will be invaluable to you in the planning  and execution stages of your journey.

But at a glance : I would suggest starting in Europe and the mediterranean and picking up the trade winds west across the Atlantic in this order:

• Through the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.
• Onwards across the South Pacific, kissing New Zealand and Australia before either…
• Circling through South East Asia and back across the Northern Pacific…
• OR continuing up past Sri Lanka then…
• Around the Cape of Good Hope before…
• Going back across the Atlantic and the northern coast of the USA and back home!

Use the trade winds to your advantage! Go west until you can go west no longer.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

No sugar coating here. Buying and maintaining a sailboat, no matter how much it resembles a tin can, adds up real fast. 

But when the eternal sunshine and the lessons of the great blue spectacular call you – when King Neptune drafts you into his eternal service – it’s time to find a will and a way. 

Here are a few tips to help you plan a trip that I’ve picked up from my short time making various vessels my temporary abodes: 

• Don’t buy a project boat unless you want a project.  It will cost you more to fix everything on a broken boat than it will to buy a boat that’s good to go.
• But, when you do need to repair, DIY. Endless learning, yay! Or, plan your sailing route to include time in places like the Rio Dulce where repairs are cheaper.
• Anchor more often than you stay in marinas.  Marinas are devilishly expensive; anchoring is deliciously free.
• Volunteer on someone else’s boat before you get your own. 😉 If done right, this is win-win. You can take share in the labour of running a boat (for example by standing night watch) while learning the finer points of sailing from a master.
• Get seasonal work. There are so many options when it comes to this, from ‘backpacker’ staples like agriculture and hospitality to working on superyachts or as dive instructors.
• Or have residual or passive income if you’re real cool. If you’re on that elusive property ladder or earning money online , why don’t you have a boat? Just head off now and live off your automatic wealth. Be a cool kid.

Of course, when a backpacker asks about the cost of living on a sailboat, they really want to know if you can live on a sailboat for free. When a family looking to take a sabbatical asks about the cost of living, they just want to know hard numbers and a budget breakdown.

At the end of the day, you can hoist a heavily patched sail on a jerry-rigged mast and work on the boat yourself, and eat only what you catch or grow. At the other end, you can set sail on a superyacht replete with full-time staff and jetskis.

We anchor in the same sand and watch the same sunset though, so you choose what you need to spend.

I would suggest being honest about your lifestyle. Consider being a little obsessive organised about your annual costs. Because costs are going to vary greatly from boat to boat.

How Much Does it Cost to Live on a Boat? (Pricing Breakdown!)

Obviously, the variables that go into the cost of running a liveaboard boat are vastly dependent on your style of living and where in the world you are sailing.

Generally speaking, it is cheaper to spend more time at anchor and in countries with a lower cost of living. However, insurance will still be 1% – 2% of the cost of your boat and port fees are port fees. Still gotta pay ’em, whether you’re a broke bum or a gazillionaire.

Sailing and Diving Go Together Like… Sailing and Diving!

A way to combine two of the best things on Earth is to indulge in a liveaboard experience .

This is exactly what it sounds like – you live aboard a boat, usually in some fantastic and tropical destination. You can indulge in some wonderous diving, and pick the brains of the crew about their tips on living aboard a vessel!

The focus of the liveaboards is the epic diving experiences in destinations that just aren’t as accessible when travelling in other ways. Also, it’s a great inspiration for you to hustle your way onto your own boat so that diving amongst reef sharks becomes as normal as your morning coffee.

Now the controversial stuff.

I’ve had someone say, a little tongue in cheek: damn yachties get the wind for free and now they want everything else for free!

While I think being resourceful and a bargain hunter is the best way to live your life, boat or no boat, it’s just as important to have a bitta respect. So when you hit the seas or the road, I don’t see the point in haggling hard over what amounts to 50 cents.

When it comes to boat stuff, in particular, break it down into your shelter, food, and fuel, and don’t aim to get everything for free .

Aim to sustain your lifestyle for as long as possible in a way that doesn’t compromise it for everyone else. In other words, be ethical about your damn budget travel. The most rewarding consequence of trying to keep costs down is creating a more or less self-sustaining yacht. Better for you and your personal growth; better for this pale blue dot we call home.

Sailboat Cost Cutter #1: Shelter 

Maintaining your shelter (i.e. your boat) is not going to be a ‘free’ exercise. You will pay with money, or your own labour and time, to maintain it. 

It will be an exercise in learning all kinds of systems – both mechanical and electrical – and time management. Do you want to pay for that task with money or your labour? Whatever you land on for each maintenance task that inevitably comes up, you will learn that to sustain this boat bum lifestyle you just gotta take care of your wee home and she will take care of you. 

It is always free to sleep on your boat while underway. Well, it doesn’t cost any money anyway. You are investing a lot of time and energy into the passage, but you’re not paying to sleep on your boat!

Once you arrive, you can choose to stay in a marina, on a mooring, or at anchor. Anchoring will always be the cheapest (usually free) and so you don’t have to spend a lot to live in paradise. But don’t be a dick.  

• Have the right visa.
• Be respectful of others in the anchorage.
• Don’t dump shit (literal or otherwise) overboard unless you are sure you’re allowed to.
• Be friendly and offer your neighbours a hand if they need one.

This lifestyle can bring out the best in us provided we’re responsible travellers , so lean into that. 

Sailboat Cost Cutter #2: Fuel

As my friend said, damn yachties get the wind for free! Much of the energy needed to go from A to B is yours for the taking, provided you can harness it efficiently with your sails. But as with DIY vs paying for repairs, sometimes you pay just as dearly with your time as you would have with your money. 

If you are becalmed, the engine may be just the thing to help you out. When coming into a marina, you’re not going to want to be under sail. Likewise, in a storm, it is time to put the sail away and turn on the engine for stability. So having a little diesel onboard is necessary.  

Compared to land life, people living on a boat can minimise their carbon footprint and live very simply. But it’s difficult to ask the Earth for none of its resources. Just be mindful about the way you live, be eco-friendly , and try your best to not waste resources. 

You can recharge your boat batteries for electronics with the sun though – provided you can harness it with solar panels. And a lot of liveaboards will have a wind turbine for extra power on the less sunny days. This stops you from needing to use the engine so much. Yay for money, yay for the environment. 

It’s never going to be completely free. You either pay with time or money. But you can certainly save a lot of money on fuel while living on a boat. This is a rewarding way to sustain your lifestyle and be kinder to the planet. 

Sailboat Cost Cutter #3: Food

I apply the same principles to food as I do to food and shelter: you pay with money or you pay with time and labour. Also, don’t be a dick, and be good to the environment. What comes around goes around. 

This means, when it’s available, I will spearfish and I will hunt. This is me paying for my food with my time and labour rather than money. But I would also argue that it’s fulfilling my other principles of:

• Not being a dick and…
• Being good to the planet. 

Hear me out: I think vegans and hunters alike would agree that factory farming and the industrial scale of meat production are fucked up. It’s a waste of our water, arable land, and produces poorer quality meat. Furthermore, the animals suffer tremendously. 

But if I’m kicking it in Kiribati, there is no way I’m going to be a vegetarian and still believe I’m doing a solid for the planet. The carbon footprint required to get my strictly vegetarian tofu to the remote islands is greater than the carbon footprint of me harvesting a fish every few days. 

That fish has swum about its whole life having a good time doing cool fish stuff. And then, like all of us will, it died. I have immense gratitude toward this being for providing me with sustenance. I feel like I am part of a cycle of life that predates my puny existence. 

In the same vein, to bring tofu to the Caribbean has required a process that is on the whole less ethical than going for a shoot and getting a feral goat for dinner.

The land cleared to grow the soybeans + the production of soybeans into tofu + the carbon cost of flying the tofu product into the island = YIKES.

The feral goats that destabilize delicate island ecosystems? They had a good goat-y life and then they became a good goat-y curry that fed 12 people. 

Ok, I’m done. Eat meat or don’t; ethical animal tourism and all that jazz, however, morality is complicated. There are ways to reduce the money you spend on food and your carbon footprint without being a dick.

I’d also say that in the process of harvesting your own food, you gain a greater appreciation for life on this planet. And get a sense of urgency around stepping up to protect it.  Give it a try; you might be surprised.

Epic Tips for Broke Boatpackers

• Know your knots. Apart from knots being fascinating in their own right (knots were probably invented alongside stone tools?! ), they are the foundation of boat life. Knowing a couple of basics , like a bowline, will give you a good leg up when joining a boat. 
• Be able to cook at least two decent meals, also be clean. You aren’t only working, but living on this boat with someone. Take care of your space and bring some good food to the table and you will go a long way as a crew member. 
• Go to docks and ask around. This is a good way to meet people – even if you just end up crew for a day sail. Be friendly, make yourself known, and find you’ll find yourself on a boat in no time. 
• Facebook can be your friend. When walking the docks fails, there is a multitude of Facebook and other social media groups dedicated to connecting wannabe crew with boats!
• Know how to write about yourself on your Facebook adverts. But you’ve got to know how to sell yourself! If you can cook a bomb-ass puttanesca and can tie a reef knot – mention it! Don’t sell yourself short! That being said, don’t exaggerate and tell fibs about the sailing experience you (don’t) have. The truth will come out painfully during the first bit of real sailing you do, so be honest. There’s usually captains willing to teach the basics for a bit of company and a good meal. 
• Knowing how to fillet a fish is handy. Sailors know how to sail. They don’t necessarily know how to fish. So if you can bring this skill to the table, you’re going to be a beloved crew member in no time!

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Sweet, glorious tips from a pro-pirate to a soon-to-be, the seas are calling, so go sail them!

Stay Safe, Boat Bums!

One thing that many intrepid little sailors are not good at? Estimating danger and the likelihood of death.

Maybe this is a good thing because you do have to be the right sort of mad to get into a sailboat and cross an ocean.

Maybe, just maybe, you should consider purchasing travel insurance before shit hits the fan though. But enough from me, hear it from a fellow adventurer.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

FAQs About Life on a Boat

Here’s what I know you want to know about living on a boat!

What is the cheapest place in the world to live on a boat?

This will depend on your spending habits, of course. If you give yourself a budget of $3000 per month, you will spend $3000 per month. That being said, travelling around Southeast Asia and South America is an exquisite choice. They have superb cruising and a low cost of living. The Philippines stands out as a paradise to explore while on a budget.

Can you live on a boat in a marina?

You absolutely can! Now, call me biased, but the point of living on a boat is to go adventuring so I’d keep marina stays  strategic . Only stay as long as it takes to get repaired, or get provisions, and then take off into the sunset!

Can I sail around the world?

It doesn’t take much to put the sails out and follow a bearing. It also doesn’t take much to lose your mast in a surprise squall. Of course, you can sail a boat around the world, but you need to be organised. Provisions, finances, weather. The trip of a lifetime is not for the faint-hearted. Not that that should stop the intrepid adventurer!

SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT NOT TO FORGET

Follow instructions and ACTUALLY LISTEN. Put that ego aside, mate. The Captain ALWAYS has the final say, and if they say duck, you DUCK. The boat life can be real unforgiving. Oh, and learn how to handle your rum! It’s a pirate’s life and, well, nobody wants to be at sea with  that guy…

Do sea monsters really exist?

Oh yes. Without a doubt. You just won’t meet the monster until you’ve been at sea for more than 25 days straight. The crew are tired of each other. The boat keeps breaking. There’s a storm on the horizon. It’s night watch again and the clouds are hiding the stars. You wonder if your mother is worried for you and when you might be able to call her again. Briefly, you lean over the side of the boat and wonder what it would be like to just walk off. Would you sink or swim? The sea monsters don’t live in the sea.

Fair Winds, Sailor!

Living on a boat will challenge you.

There is no other lifestyle that forces you to be attuned to weather patterns, engine maintenance, personal dynamics, ethical dilemmas at every mealtime; to consider watermakers and wind turbines; to completely surrender while also stepping up and getting shit done. 

The nitty-gritty of how to live on a sailboat will not be fully revealed to you until you step onto one and do it. But, if you can poop and provision you’re halfway there! 

You gotta lick your finger and hold it up to the wind. Ah yes, the trades blow west. Rum and a seriously sexy sunset await.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Indigo Blue

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I truly enjoyed this read. I am under a government contract for the next while, but have a plan to retire and become a full timer somewhere warmer than Canada. I have been making my own notes and your writing gave me plenty more tips. Please feel free to email and keep me in the loop. Thanks so much and happy sailing!

Amazing read, thank you so much! I’m planning to get on with my own boat living dream and was curious if you (and fellow readers ) could share your thoughts on some of the big issues of boat living you have experienced? Much obliged 🙂 Keep up the good work!

First of all, welcome to the boat life! Biggest issues: Realistically the biggest issue is usually finances. The ocean is constantly wearing away at your boat and trying to sink it. Buying and maintaining a boat is expensive. That’s why so many boat lifers end up in the charter or delivery business – either as crew or as owner/operators – because it pays well.

Once you have your cruising kitty sorted, the next biggest issue is crew dynamics. Sailing alone is demanding, lonely, enthralling, and incredible all at once. Having crew on board and stepping up as captain is a trip in itself. Managing a team is always challenging – let alone when your team lives on a tiny sailboat and is constantly fighting the elements and can never take a break from each other.

The actual sailing and reading of the weather – that stuff becomes easy! This is why you should make yourself stop every so often and remind yourself how wild and wonderful it is that you’re getting around using the freaking wind! Also, the stars, man. If there’s one reason I’d cross the Pacific again for, it’s the stars.

Good luck and fair winds!

That is a f*cking great 101 boat guide! ahah Thank you Indigo for it and welcome to the writer’s team 🙂

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Screen Rant

Below deck: 10 things you never knew about life on a superyacht.

Below Deck is full of drama and demanding charters, but is this really what life is like on a superyacht?

Recent episodes of Below Deck have shown that hard work is required to make each charter meet standards, and big tips are not always guaranteed. The reality show has shown everyday people how the rich and famous sail in style, but life on a super yacht isn't always parties and significant earnings.

While yacht life may seem like one big party, the crew on these boats work long shifts and have to meet the demands of their clients, no matter how ridiculous. While life on the superyacht may seem drama filled on Below Deck, some crews are much more subdued, especially when cameras aren't around.

Staff Earnings

Some things about Below Deck are fake , but the money the crew makes per charter is very real. Fans of the show have seen even the worst deck hands get tips upwards of $1,000 each. This type of tip is in line with the industry standard.

In 2018, Business Insider reported that a five-person crew could make more than $3,000 per month, per person. And this figure doesn't include the tips they receive from guests. However, tips can fluctuate based on how the guests feel their demands were met on their charter, which can lead to crews being under-tipped for the amount of work they put in.

Their Living Expenses

When it comes to the cost of living as a yachtie, there aren't many expenses the crew has to worry about. Bloomberg reports that while working on a ship, the crew lives rent-free on the boat and doesn't pay for their meals. This is what draws many young people to the industry in the first place.

The lack of expenses allows money to be saved up quickly, but it can also be spent just as fast when ashore in areas that have a booming nightlife and designer shopping, as seen on the show.

Crew Behavior

While the Below Deck crew appears to party hard when they don't have a charter, this isn't the industry norm. In an interview with The Guardian , a yacht captain expressed that most crews are calm and don't party when they aren't working but rather rest and prepare for the next sailing.

However, other outlets report that crews party hard with all the money they rack up during charters and live more like their guests when ashore.

Responsibilities

The easiest way to earn the dishonor of being one of the worst crew members on Below Deck is to ignore the list of things that need to be done daily, which is no different for any job like this not documented on TV. Blue Water Yachting reports that deck hands are in charge of general repairs and cleaning.

All of these things contribute to the ship's upkeep and guests' happiness and even the most minimal tasks are pivotal to keeping the boat up and running.

There Is Likely Illegal Activity

While it will never be shown on Bravo, there is a fair amount of illegal activity on yachts, but it is an unspoken rule that the crew turn the other way and leave the guests to their own devices. According to Bloomberg , drugs are a staple on most yachts and often have to be cleaned up by the crew when the guests disembark.

Of course, Below Deck can't show this on television, but a few charters have likely had some illegal activity happening when the cameras were off.

There's No Privacy For Crew

While viewers have seen the cast of Below Deck in their cramped quarters, with little to no privacy between crew members, those chartering the yacht don't get the luxury either. Bloomberg reports that superyachts are filled with cameras, so the crew can attend to the guests before they ask for something.

No detail goes unseen and can be said to whoever needs to know how to fix an issue. This tech may explain how some chief stews on Below Deck become the best in the business.

No Request Is Denied

The rich and famous flock to yachting because their wildest requests must be met by the staff, no matter what. CNN reports that private planes and ships are often used to get things from the mainland to the vessel if a guest wants something.

A crew has to be well-rounded in their skills, so there is always someone on board who can meet the guests' needs. However, as shown in the series, the crew is usually rewarded for their efforts.

Guests request a special menu before boarding their charter. As the chiefs of Below Deck know, there is no limit to what their guest can order, and it often leads to extravagant meals having to be made in small ship kitchens.

Bloomberg reported that most larger meals result in leftovers, and caviar is continuously flown in for the wealthiest guests. The menu is one of the most stressful parts of a charter for the chief and those who have to serve the meal.

It's A Competitive Job Market

Only the best can make it on a superyacht, but with high wages and the promise of traveling the world, the hiring pool to work on a ship is growing by the minute. Many positions need to be filled on each charter, but most crews work together for the duration of their time on the ship with minimal changes.

Those hired must keep up with standards, or they will be let go. Flying Fish reports that crews have to undergo training before and after getting a job on a ship and should always aim to expand their skills.

The Captain Is In Charge

Below Deck has made it clear that no matter how much money the guests are paying, the captain is the law of the ship. Guests can not trample over the rules of both the yacht and the ocean to have a good time.

The captain wants the guests to have a great time, but safety is the number one priority for the crew and guests alike. While some people get wild, most know their limits and respect the rules. However, a few push the boundaries.

NEXT: 10 Below Deck Med Crew Members That Only Lasted One Season

Life and death on a superyacht: 'If something goes wrong, they can just raise the anchor and leave'

Crewing can seem a glamour-filled job. But at least three young Brits have lost their lives, as Rupert Neate reports

I f Dirk Zimmerman’s boss fancies a fresh tomato salad, the 35-year-old German hangs up his chef’s apron, dons a headset and takes to the skies. Zimmerman, who has been working on superyachts for more than a decade, has lost count of the number of times he’s been sent out on a ship’s helicopter or seaplane to source food, from courgettes in Oman to truffles in Argentina or vine tomatoes from a nearby Pacific atoll.

“It might shock you to know how much money some people spend privately,” he says as he prepares sushi in the professional-grade kitchen on the 60-metre St David, moored in Monaco. “But to be able to take a helicopter and fly two hours somewhere to get the boss’s preferences makes his day.”

As the rich become even richer – 145 more dollar billionaires were minted last year – orders for new superyachts (longer than 24 metres) have hit a record high. More than 500 are being built in shipyards around the world, and with many requiring at least 100 staff, superyachts now employ more than 37,000 people. Britain’s seafaring history has made it the biggest source of employees; crewing on a superyacht is so popular among young adventurers that Southampton Solent University now offers degree-level training at its Warsash Superyacht Academy . Every spring, dozens of young Brits decamp to Antibes on the Côte d’Azur, the unofficial centre for superyacht crew recruitment, where you can wander along the docks looking for opportunities.

While it is a dream job for some, other deckhands and chefs have horror stories of working punishing hours. Accidents, injuries and deaths are also commonplace, with union leaders believing working on superyachts to be more dangerous than life on oil rigs; over the past few years at least three young Brits have died while serving their billionaire bosses. Because many superyachts continually float around the world ( this is marketed to some as a way to avoid being registered in any country and hence to avoid paying tax), their crews may not be afforded the same legal protections as those on land. Families complain about a lack of assistance and sympathy from owners and those in charge of the vessel. None of the owners attended the three British men’s funerals.

M ichael Hanlon, 22, left Cumbria for his dream job as a deckhand and watersports instructor on 62-metre superyacht Faith, owned by the Canadian fashion billionaire Lawrence Stroll , in March 2013. Less than a month later, and before he’d had a chance to spend any of his first $3,500 (£2,600) monthly pay cheque, he was dead.

Michael, known as Milo to his friends and family, had returned exhausted from a night out to the vessel docked in Antibes on the French Riviera. He had done two shifts back to back, working night and day, then gone to local bars to celebrate sailing across the Atlantic. Faith had been locked up for the night, and Michael climbed to its top in an attempt to get inside via an unofficial emergency entrance. An inquest found he fell from the top deck, hit his head on the quay and drowned. His body was recovered the next day.

Jacob Nichol, from Cornwall, died last summer, aged 24, two years after he suffered severe brain injuries after falling from superyacht Kibo, while cleaning it as it was docked in a Majorcan port. Jacob, the yacht’s third assistant engineer, had been hanging in a harness when he fell and fractured his skull. His sister, Jenade Moon, said he had never been asked to clean the boat before: his job focused on engine maintenance. The owner of the £90m yacht, Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut – until last month owner of Waterstones, and friend of Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich – was not on board at the time.

After 10 days in a coma in a hospital in Palma, Jacob was repatriated to Shropshire, where he needed constant care. In September an inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death. “Our beautiful Jacob has sadly passed away,” his family said. “A young, bright, intelligent, kind soul has left us after an excruciating two years.”

In 2010, Robin Black received a call from the captain of the £15m sailing superyacht Burrasca , on which Black’s son Will was bosun, or officer in charge of crew and equipment. At the time, it was moored at the Monaco yacht show in Port Hercules, the annual beauty parade held in the industry’s global hub. The captain told Black that Will, 28, hadn’t been seen since the night before, when the rib he was piloting (a small boat used to ferry passengers to and from the yacht) collided with another boat. He thought Will may have been knocked overboard.

By the time Robin, Will’s mother Judith and his sister Rosanna, now 37, arrived in Monaco to join the search, the yacht had left. “The captain said: ‘Don’t worry, we threw some flowers over the side and gave his belongings to the police,’” Rosanna says, fighting back tears as she describes “the worst days of our lives”. “I couldn’t comprehend that the boat had gone before Will was found and before we got there,” she says. “How could they just leave a family to deal with the death of one of their crew, and the police and paperwork and everything? I can’t believe that if something goes wrong – if someone dies – they can just raise the anchor and leave.”

The family don’t know who owns Burrasca, though he is thought to have been a Russian billionaire (owners do not have to declare themselves). He was not on board at the time of the accident. The yacht did not request divers to look for Will’s body, leaving the captain of another superyacht, who was a friend, to pay for search and recovery divers. But they were unable to find Will, who had not been wearing a life vest.

Will’s life was not insured. “But it’s not about money,” Rosanna says, “it’s about respect for another life.” She says that the owner didn’t and doesn’t seem to have cared. A spokesman for the yacht’s management did not respond to the Guardian’s requests for comment.

If something goes wrong on a superyacht, it can be incredibly difficult for crew and their families to understand which laws and rights apply. Vessels are often operating in international waters, their day-to-day operations run by management companies on behalf of often unidentifiable owners; their yachts are registered via offshore companies in places such as Panama or the British Virgin Islands.

To add to the confusion, superyachts can be registered with another country and fly their flag, even if the yacht is not based there. At the time of Will’s death, Burrasca was registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines. There was no British inquest, and local authorities recorded this report of the accident: “Mr William Black was on tender duty between the mothership at anchor and the shore. The anchorage was very crowded. Returning to the mothership, the tender hit an unattended vessel that was anchored in the bay. The tender was found drifting with no one on board… Mr Black’s body was not found.”

Will, who had always wanted a life of adventure, had worked his way up from a deckhand on smaller boats to an officer on Burrasca. He’d recently begun his role as bosun on the 55.7-metre yacht and Rosanna says he was passionate about his job. “Will had found his calling. He worked hard, but he played hard, too, and always came back with the most amazing stories,” she says as she shows me photos of Will on a night out with 50 Cent and Jamiroquai . “We still get letters from some of the families he worked for. They send cards for Uncle Whale, as he was called,” she says. “He had a huge personality and everyone loved him.”

Despite the circumstances of his death, Rosanna says she would not discourage others from joining the superyachting world. “I would just tell them to make sure they’re always on top of safety, and to find out who the owner is before they join.”

I t’s shorts, T-shirts and deck shoes weather at the Monaco yacht show, as I weave my way through champagne receptions, passing Ferraris and Aston Martins for sale on the quayside. This year’s display of yachts is collectively worth more than £2bn; the combined annual spending on the world’s 6,281 superyachts could wipe out all developing countries’ debts.

There are so many superyachts docked for the show that Top Shop boss Sir Philip Green ’s £100m Lionheart has been forced out of its mooring into the Bay of Monaco. The 110-metre Jubilee, which was built for the late emir of Qatar, is on sale for $300m.

On board the six-cabin St David, which is on sale for just under £20m , Zimmerman is preparing canapes for a party. He says the industry keeps many people in well-paid employment, adding that he can’t envisage going back to work on land, as “the pay cannot compare. I have three children, and working here pays for their education.” But, he adds, newbies have to decide early on whether they can sit by and watch their billionaire bosses spend vast amounts enjoying themselves, while appearing not to care about those around them. “It’s a compromise that everyone has to make – can you accept it?”

Liz Brasler, 29, is chief mate, or second-in-command, of one of the yachts in the harbour. She won’t say which but “it’s one of the bigger ones”. She has worked her way up the ranks from deckhand since 2006. “It can be great fun but it’s also exhausting, delivering the highest standards invisibly, magically, with no apparent fuss,” she says. “Owners expect the best in the world. They want to go wherever, whenever, and demand the highest standards without delay. Money is not a problem for them.”

For most of her career, Brasler, who is South African, bunked with colleagues in small cabins; now she has a cabin of her own. But while she has more privacy, she says she can’t remember the last time she had seven hours’ sleep while on charter or at sea.

Has she ever woken up to find an A-list actor on board? “Oh yes, quite often. You can’t get all excited every time you see Tom Cruise . It is a glamorous life. I’ve met some of the most famous people you can imagine. [But] they pay to be invisible – the richest of the rich are sometimes the most discreet.”

The billionaires’ superyacht designer of choice, Andrew Winch , knows all about the needs of the super-rich. We speak on Cloud 9 , the 74-metre, £59m yacht he designed for the Australian retail tycoon Brett Blundy ; this is the first time he has stepped aboard since he handed it over. Winch, who has designed yachts in a London studio since 1986, created Madame Gu , the 2014 motor yacht of the year, and Phoenix 2 , owned by the late Polish billionaire Jan Kulczyk. His yacht designs have proved so popular that he now designs clients’ homes and planes, including Roman Abramovich’s Boeing 767.

“Most clients will have three, four or five houses around the world,” he says. “We have clients we’ve already worked with on their jet and their yacht, and soon there will be a ‘rollover’ and we’ll start on another sequence.”

Of all Winch’s projects, which first take shape at his offices on the banks of the Thames, Cloud 9 was a clear favourite. “He [Blundy] is great fun. This is the second boat we’ve done with him, so we know him very well, and he’s family.”

Everything on board is designed for the owner, from the bedroom suites named after Star Wars characters (his favourite film), to the extra head space above the gym’s treadmill (he’s tall) and the proliferation of chess sets: “He likes to play chess, for several days, with various guests at the same time,” Winch says. In the hair salon, a wall folds down to create a balcony “because it’s very nice, when the sun’s setting in Greece, to have a massage outside”.

A short ride downstairs in the ship’s glass-topped elevator is the “beach club” at the bow. From here Blundy and his guests can hit the water with the boat’s “toys”, including a speedboat for waterskiing, jetskis and what Winch calls a “James Bond-style personal submarine”. A “water sports and boys’ toys” instructor will be on hand to help guests get the hang of it and take care of “all the boring things”, like cleaning and clearing away. For guests who dislike the swell or salt of the ocean, there’s a swimming pool above an espresso bar.

The gym includes a pair of rowing machines and exercise bikes which can be carried up to the bow so the owner and his personal trainer can race each other in the sea breeze. “The captain can be motoring the boat from place to place, and it could feel as if he is pedalling it there,” Winch says. The gym can also be turned into a classroom for Blundy’s two children. Chairs and desks appear from discreet compartments; the walls contain an interactive blackboard and video screen. “They [the children] can join any class anywhere in the world,” Winch says. “They can learn about the history of the ship’s next destination before they get there.”

The ship’s teacher, one of 22 staff, is on hand to guide their learning. There’s also a nanny, personal trainer, masseuse and hairdresser. “You take your life with you,” Winch explains.

“L ife on board is perfect for owners – they receive a seven-star service. But for officers and crew it can be a lot more difficult,” says Danny McGowan , the strategic organiser of seafarers’ union, Nautilus International . He has come from their offices in London to the Monaco show to draw attention to the deaths of young workers, highlighting the dangers of working in an industry that to outsiders appears the height of glamour.

“They will often be working very long hours, right around the clock, looking after guests,” says the fair-skinned, red-haired McGowan, sheltering from the sun in Monaco’s famous La Rascasse bar, which a crew recruitment company has hired out for the week. “These are tragic situations where young people have lost their lives, and there are hundreds of other injuries and complaints that aren’t reported.” He says staff have had their passports confiscated and wages withheld; they talk of being sent home for the slightest uniform infraction.

Superyacht owners can view crew as “dispensable and replaceable” and don’t consider the impact on their families. “Often an owner feels they can just get a new third engineer, rather than thinking of the consequences for the individual,” he says. “We’re not here to be up against these billionaires. We want to work with them to make employment in this industry better.”

Most recently, McGowan has been representing the 42-strong crew of a £67m superyacht owned by the Indian multimillionaire Vijay Mallya. The crew, among them several Britons, haven’t been paid for months, and are owed more than $1m. McGowan helped them take their case to court, to have the yacht impounded in Malta. Mallya, a co-owner of the Force India Formula One team, was arrested in London last year over allegations that he supported the team with laundered cash, and Indian authorities are currently seeking his extradition to face trial. He is living in a Hertfordshire mansion while on bail; the yacht, which features a 15-seat cinema and Sir Elton John’s baby grand piano , remains impounded, with some of the crew still on board.

S itting on the harbour wall overlooking Cloud 9 and a fleet of other superyachts, Fiona Hanlon fights back tears as she remembers the “heartbreakingly impersonal” way she was informed of the death of her 22-year-old son, Michael.

Hanlon has flown to Monaco from the family home in the Lake District to scatter Michael’s ashes. At the same time, knowing he had worked two shifts back to back, she is taking the opportunity to highlight the plight of some other superyacht crew, who she says are often forced to work long hours – conditions that might be illegal in the UK. “It was Michael’s dream job,” she says. He grew up sailing on Windermere. “He had just got his first salary and he’d sent me photographs of the sunglasses and travelling guitar he was going to buy. He was so excited, it was wonderful.”

Michael had been texting his mother daily updates about his adventures sailing across the Atlantic. But on 7 April 2013, Fiona’s phone didn’t ping. She texted him: “Worried about you now – no contact gets me thinking something is wrong – say hello soon please x” followed by, “My baby where are you x x please get in touch angel – we just want to know you are OK.”

The next day his mother was told Michael was missing. “It was seen as an inconvenience, as the boat was going on to pick up Catherine Zeta-Jones ,” she says. The following day Michael’s body was found under the yacht by police divers.

The coroner for Cumbria, Philip Sharp, ruled that he died from drowning and recorded a verdict of accidental death. He wrote to the yacht’s registered owner – a PO box in the British Virgin Islands – to raise concerns that “crew members and in this case the deceased were likely to have been asked to work additional shifts when the boat came in to port, potentially causing tiredness”. Sharp’s letter required the yacht’s owner to provide all crew with a key to the boat, and to ensure the captain check the crew are not required to work excessive hours.

An unnamed director of the superyacht’s owner, Pluteus Limited (a company based in Monaco, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and registered in the Cayman Islands), wrote to the coroner to say: “We are keen to cooperate and address the concerns you have identified as a result of the inquest. However, please note that in doing so, no acknowledgment or admission of failings or liability is intended or to be inferred.”

The director said that access to the yacht had been improved by the provision of keyless codes to all staff. It was also promised that working hours would be monitored, “to ensure crew members are not working additional hours without the requisite rest periods, in particular between shifts, unless the safety of the boat, crew and passengers is in danger”.

“It’s destroyed our family,” Fiona Hanlon says. “Michael wanted to travel the world. Instead he’s in my bag [she carries his urn with her] and I’ve taken him to see the Great Pyramid of Giza, Pearl Harbour and the Great Wall of China.”

Meanwhile, chief mate Liz Brasler is wondering what job she might do next. She says that while working on superyachts has been fun, it can be difficult, demoralising and sometimes dangerous. Friends have been injured and she knows of others who have died. “We’re insured, but it doesn’t cover everything. I know the price of my life,” she says. “And it’s less than my parents think.”

• Death and dying

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

How to live aboard a yacht for years at a time

• Helen Fretter
• April 24, 2023

What if one or two years of adventure just isn’t enough? Meet the cruisers who’ve been on board for a decade or more, and find out how to make long-haul cruising work for you

“I probably wouldn’t even recognise the person that I was when I first started,” admits Brian Trautman, skipper of the Amel Super Maramu Delos (and eponymous YouTube channel ). In 2009 Trautman cast off his life in corporate America, hustling to make his own tech business a success, and set off on what he thought would be an 18-month-long cruising adventure. Fourteen years later he’s still sailing the world on Delos , now with his wife and young daughter. But if you have no idea where the future will take you, how can you plan to keep your cruising options open?

We spoke to cruisers who have spent between eight and 40-plus years cruising and living aboard. Some set out with a rough deadline, others had no stopping point in mind, but the common theme is that all were able to keep their plans flexible and had made the life changes necessary to stay afloat.

“When Jill and I moved aboard our 1984 Grand Soleil 39 Yahtzee in Seattle in 2012, we had no time frame,” explains Andy Cross. “It was, and still is, open ended with the caveat that if the lifestyle isn’t working for one of us we’d reassess and make changes. We always intended for the boat to be our home, not just for cruising, and it wasn’t a ‘one, two or three years and we’re done’ plan.

“We both had jobs, but we weren’t tied down to the trappings of a house and cars, so it was relatively straightforward moving aboard, beginning to learn the boat, and starting a family. Our goal was to take it slow, not sail to a schedule too often, and hopefully share the dream with our children. I’m happy to say, we’re still doing that over 10 years later.”

Brian Trautman’s 14-year sailing adventure aboard SV Delos has grown to include a family and a livelihood

Trautman initially thought his cruising adventure would be for less than two years, having sold all his possessions and taken out a mortgage to pay for the boat.

“When I left, the time frame was 18 months. The reason is when I ran my budget and my monthly expenditures, I only had enough money for 18 months. So my plan was to just go, get somewhere cool – my intention was to try and make it to New Zealand – and then figure something else out.

“I didn’t know if I was going to stop and work when I got there, or if I was going to leave the boat and fly home. Or if I was going to sell the boat and go back to work. All I knew was that I was going to go now and figure out the rest at some later point.

“I ended up stretching that 18-month budget to about two and a half years getting from Seattle to Australia. When I stopped in Australia, we hauled Delos out of the water for about a year. I actually did remote consulting while living in Melbourne to make money for the next cruising season because after having had that taste, I knew there was no way I could stop then.”

Like Trautman, Ginger and Peter Niemann dipped back into ‘real life’ after their first major adventure – a four-year, 50,000-mile circumnavigation west-about from Seattle aboard their 47ft sloop Marcy , including rounding both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn .

The SV Devos family onboard

“When we moved aboard we had the idea to live aboard ‘as long as it was fun’, to quote Lin and Larry Pardey,” explains Peter. “It was certainly fun for a circumnavigation , but when we returned to home port four years after departure we were out of cruising funds. We rejoined the working world while living aboard.

“I assumed that was the end of our life afloat, and asked Ginger if we should put the boat up for sale upon our autumn return or wait until spring when the market might be better? ‘Heck no, we are just getting good at this!’ she answered, ‘But maybe we should get a boat you can stand up in!’ And so we lived aboard, swapped boats and worked until the cruising budget was restored a couple of years later, and set off again.”

Ages and stages

Long-term cruising looks different at different life stages. The Cross family always planned to sail through their boys’ childhoods, but are flexible as to how long they spend afloat at any one time.

“Every year is different. Some years, we’ve been on Yahtzee almost exclusively, other years we’ve taken off a few months at a time. This has worked well for us because we’ve planned the time away around northern winters or hurricane seasons in the south – times when we might not be cruising much anyway.

“We want our boys to know and be a part of their grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends’ lives, which has meant taking breaks off the boat to spend time with everyone. Then, we return to Yahtzee excited, rejuvenated and ready to continue the adventure. Our ability to balance life ashore and cruising is one of the main reasons I think we’re still happy with the lifestyle of living on a boat.”

In the 14 years since he first sailed away with Delos , Trautman’s life has gone through huge changes. “I’ve found the love of my life, gotten married, sailed with my family, sailed with tons of friends, we’ve had a child on board,” he reflects.

SV Devos under sail

“When I first started cruising, I was absolutely in the frame of mind that I would spend 100% of my time on the boat. And as time has gone on, I’ve actually seen the value in taking time off the boat, because you don’t really understand how good something is until you take yourself away from it. So when we start to get a little edgy or a little like, ‘Oh man it’s another beach, but I don’t want to go to the beach today!’ then we know that it’s time to take a break.

“So at least once a year now, we’ll put the boat in a marina or yard, and we go back and visit our family for a few months. It’s even more important now that we have Sierra, because she’s three and a half, and I want her to know her Swedish heritage.

“But obviously, we fund our lifestyle through sailing and making YouTube videos. So if we’re not sailing and making videos, then we’re not making money.”

Some cruisers report that as they get older they find themselves spending more time ashore. After a second demanding circumnavigation, the Niemanns are shifting their sailing style. “We are just now entering a new phase of cruising plans,” says Peter, “We aren’t getting any younger, and recognise that at some point in time the stresses of voyaging will be more than we can easily handle. So for now we plan to enjoy exploring a smaller area in more detail.”

“The major life change was: cruising,” says Janneke Kuysters, who has been cruising with her husband Wietze on their steel-hulled Bruce Roberts design Anna Caroline for eight years. “After that, we haven’t had any major changes in our lives, apart from growing older and the repercussions of that re. strength and agility. In our minds we’re still 25, but the bones say different!”

Andy and Jill Cross try not to sail to a schedule but still spend a lot of time aboard Yahtzee 12 years after first setting out on their adventure

Both the Niemanns and Janneke and Wietze admit, however, that they don’t necessarily find being ashore more restful. “We have always needed to get back to the boat to regroup. Afloat is our comfort zone,” says Peter Niemann.

“We would typically fly to the Netherlands every two years for about three weeks, but the boat is our home, so that is where we feel happy and comfortable,” says Janneke.

For Janneke and Wietze, time ashore is instead spent exploring new countries. “For instance: we left the boat in Valdivia, Chile, for five months to go backpacking all over South America. In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa we have rented or bought a campervan to travel inland for weeks or months on end.”

Power of knowledge

‘To cruise is to learn,’ wrote Lin Pardey in The Self Sufficient Sailor , and with experience comes confidence. Many cruisers who have sustained their adventures for decades began their adventures relatively cautiously, building the skills that would then enable them to take on longer passages or explore more remote areas.

“When we were in our mid-30s, we sailed the Atlantic circuit with our 31-footer. This was a test year, meant to find out what it was all about and to gather information,” recalls Janneke. They then bought Anna Caroline “with all the knowledge we had gathered in mind”, and began an eight year circumnavigation – first sailing around Scotland, Ireland, Portugal and Spain before completing a transatlantic, then heading south to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Antarctica and Patagonian Chile. They rounded Cape Horn, visited remote areas of the Pacific including Robinson Crusoe Island, Easter Island and French Polynesia, then headed north to Alaska and British Columbia.

The Cross family moored up

Cruisers often report that ocean crossings become progressively easier, and both faster and with less damage sustained, over the years. Much of that is down to the added knowledge they’ve gained, which feeds into making better decisions when it comes to sail selection, interpreting weather forecasts and predicting sea state, and knowing how their boat – and each other – fares in different conditions.

Also key is confidence in your own ability to handle any problems or fix any breakages when cruising more remote areas or for extended periods. Lin and Larry Pardey famously inspired many cruisers to cast off the lines with their advice to ‘Go small, go simple, go now’.

“I honestly feel that setting off cruising was a lot easier when we went because there was much less equipment that you added to your boat. So they were simpler machines, easier to take care of,” Lin Pardey says.

“I think that more people are put off cruising by the sheer hassle of fixing and having other people fix your boat, feeling like the budget is just being blown by mechanics and electricians.

“But it isn’t just keeping your boat simpler that matters, it’s being able to say, ‘Okay, I really don’t need that, so we’re not going to worry about fixing it right now’. It’s the ability to just do without it, if you can’t fix it. That’s a really important aspect of enjoying what you’re doing. I’ve seen people dream of sailing to the Tuamotus, but they get to the Marquesas with something broken and realise the only place they can fix it is Tahiti, so they just skip right through and miss the whole Tuamotus.

Ginger and Peter Niemann’s first circumnavigation was a four year trip aboard their 47ft sloop Marcy

“For example, the watermaker: if you make sure you have enough water tankage and learn to be quite happy with just limited water for a period, you can fix it later.”

Over years of living aboard, most cruisers we spoke to have made substantial upgrades or modifications to their boats to enable them to take on more adventurous cruising. “We try not to anthropomorphise, but we really have the feeling that ‘we take care of her, and she takes care of us,” says Peter Niemann.

“Our boats evolve continuously: equipment is upgraded, worn items replaced, dodgers added. Specialised Arctic (ice poles, redundant heaters) or tropical/desert (awnings, fans) items are acquired, stowed and put into service as needed. The essential major change we made to both our boats was the addition of cockpit shelter.”

“Pretty much every system has been upgraded over time. We have new instruments, a new chartplotter , a lot of solar and wind. One of the huge improvements was the lithium batteries because that allowed us to get rid of propane. And so we can really extend our range because it’s a lot easier to get diesel fuel in any part of the world,” explains Brian Trautman.

“We’ve also really upped our game with the dinghy. Our dinghy now is aluminium, it’s a little bit heavier, but we love it. It has a big engine, so it’s our SUV, our family car, and we need that.”

The Niemanns heading ashore

Pace yourself

When you have no fixed deadline, how do you plan? Most cruisers we spoke to sketch out ‘big picture’ plans determined by the seasons, but leave themselves the freedom to vary their route along the way.

“We typically plan about one season in advance, but we don’t plan in detail,” explains Trautman. “So right now, we’re planning our South Pacific season. And all we know is that we’re going to try and get to French Polynesia or the Marquesas from Mexico. We’re going to arrive sometime during April and then we have the next six or seven months to figure out what we’re going to do.

If it means we’re going to stay in French Polynesia for the cyclone season, or end up sailing west towards New Zealand for the cyclone season, we just don’t know.

“We just know we’re travelling generally westward best we can, and that’s often worked out for us. We pay attention to the big picture things: the hurricane season, cyclone season, when the good weather is, and we kind of make broad strokes to travel in that general direction.”

“Seasonally, we’ve set our plans to cruise more miles during summers in northern climates and then stopping or slowing down during the colder months of winter. It’s the exact opposite now in the tropics,” explains Andy Cross.

“Here we have hurricane seasons to contend with in the summer and fall, and insurance parameters dictate where the boat can be to continue coverage during named storms.”

The Cross family making great cruising memories

Maintaining momentum is a tricky balance, and will be different for everyone. “What made it work for us is we went without serious plans and kept ourselves highly flexible, we went cruising to just really enjoy sailing,” explains Lin Pardey. “But the thing that really kept us from getting tired of it or frustrated by it was taking advantage whenever we met somebody who said ‘Our family is on this little island, you should go visit them.’ So instead of heading south with other cruisers, we’d turn and head to some island or other, and ended up with wonderful friends who introduced us to other friends. So it was that real unscheduled-ness that kept letting us have new adventures and go in different directions.”

Lin and Larry Pardey broke up their cruising routine, which saw them voyaging for some 47 years, with periods spent working and also treating themselves to short ‘holidays’ on land.

“What people don’t quite expect is that if you set off on a voyage around the world, the seasons push you on and it can leave you feeling tired,” says Lin.

“I’ve watched people sail from England to New Zealand over a year and a half period, because that works nicely with the seasons. But when they get here, they’re just tired of moving on. The fact that we had to work meant we didn’t feel we always had to keep moving on. Every year we’d stop for at least three or four months, to let us catch up with ourselves.”

Equally, long-distance cruising can be exhausting, and without a broad-brush plan it can be tempting to linger, cautions Janneke. “It takes (a lot of) effort to keep yourself and your boat going. You are in a strange environment all the time, change is a constant in this lifestyle. It’s easy to arrive somewhere and make it your home. Especially when you have an open-ended plan, it can be attractive to stay somewhere a little longer.

“But that has an impact on everything that follows: you can manoeuvre yourself in a situation where you have to stay somewhere much longer than expected, because of the weather. Beaten paths are there for a reason, and often this reason is the weather. If you decide to leave the beaten path, you need to be independent in making your own plans and time schedule.”

And, sometimes, it’s about knowing when to stop. “When it came to planning our voyage, we sat with a lot of people that had returned from a long trip. We found that there is a tipping point after about 8-10 years. When people stay out for more than that, it becomes less of a voyage and more of a way of life. We are project-minded people, so we needed the voyage to have a beginning and an end. So we left with a plan to stay out somewhere between six and nine years. It worked out to eight years.”

Go slow, stay loose

So how do you know which pace is right for you? “My advice would be go slow and keep it loose,” says Trautman. “Write your plans in the sand at low tide, and be okay with changing them.

“And just take time. You’re not out there to check items off of a list, in my opinion. There are some places where you’ll be okay with leaving after a couple of days, and there are some places you’ll really want a few more weeks just to enjoy. That could be a factor of the place, or it could also be a factor of your frame of mind after moving for so long. That’s all part of the lifestyle.”

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Living on a Yacht: Pros and Cons

Like almost everything about yacht life, living on board is amazing, but you’ll probably find a reason to complain a little, too. It’s one of the best first world problems to have. However, the truth is that living on a boat is not for everyone.

Living on a yacht is a big lifestyle change, and there is no denying that. Yacht Management shares the pros and cons of this type of living.

Home is Where You Lay Your Head: Living on a yacht is your ticket to see the world, and if you aren’t planning on travelling from port to port, then you’re missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. You are free to travel the world! Sailing La Vagabonde is a great YouTube channel that documents the experiences of a couple traveling the world on their sailboat La Vagabonde. The Cost of Living: The highest cost of living on a yacht is the mooring and the maintenance. After that, you’ll be saving money on water, electricity, and mortgage or rent. The cost of living on a yacht will also significantly decrease your cost of life in other, indirect ways too. Because space is so important, you will have less tolerance for accumulating clutter, and you’re likely to spend less money. You’ll also waste less food on board, choosing rather to cook and eat everything you bring aboard because again, less space means you pay more attention to what you buy. Nothing Will Be the Same: There is truly no other living situation that comes even close to achieving the same level of solitude, freedom, and sense of self sufficiency that you experience living on a yacht. Once you’ve lived on a yacht, you have truly done something amazing that not many people have ever had the privilege of experiencing.

Errands: When living on your boat , leaving the comfort of your water home to run errands is a challenge all on its own. Groceries: Carrying groceries from the car to the house is not too bad, even for those of us who like to grab every bag in the trunk and painfully crab walk to the front door. Trying to do the same from the parking lot, down the steps on to the dock, across the swaying waters, and up onto the deck of your yacht is a great challenge. Laundry: Carrying laundry from the yacht to the car and vice versa has the same set of challenges as the groceries we mentioned before. Unless you have a washing machine on board, laundry can get difficult at times. No Sleep on Stormy Nights: If you ask almost anyone if they like sleeping when it’s raining, chances are they’ll say yes. There’s just something about sitting cozy in a sturdy house while the heavens stir around you. Not in a boat, no sir. When the sea is upset, you’ll know, and you won’t get much sleep because of it. Large yachts tend to rock less, and with the right kind of mooring you can avoid some sleepless nights, but when it’s storming out, chances are you’ll have a tough time sleeping.

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Can you live on a yacht full time? Our advice

Choosing to live on a yacht full-time is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, the fact that you’re thinking about it suggests that you’re one of those people who finds the curiosities of a life spent bouncing on the sea, river, or lake appealing. It’s easy to romanticize the concept of living aboard a yacht full-time. However, such an unconventional lifestyle necessitates planning, organization, and the capacity to adapt to change. “”

There’s a lot to think about, from the type of boat you buy to where you’ll moor it, as well as various lifestyle aspects. Make checklists of essentials and discuss deal-breakers with your companion once you’ve decided to move aboard. Certainly, ensure that you are well-aware of the pluses and minuses of living on a yacht full-time. This will help you to better plan your budget and all the resources. So, before making the final move, brace yourself and your boat to enjoy the adventure. But at the same time, be prepared to face any uncertainties that can come along the way.

Living on a yacht : pros and cons

For most folks, living on a yacht full-time is an adventure. There are both upsides and downsides to living on a yacht.

Main advantages about living on a yacht

Relaxed way of living.

Slowing down and relishing life in an age where life today is becoming faster-paced, more demanding and hectic can be difficult. Unless you’re on a yacht, of course. The feeling of liberation amidst nature is only the onset. Everything becomes much simpler and minimalistic. You only have those things with you on a yacht which are essential.

Low Cost of Living

Living on a boat is frequently associated with luxury and affluence. However, this life is frequently less expensive than other lodgings. You’ll save money on utilities, water, plus the mortgage or rent.

Endless Adventure and Getting Closer to the Nature

The symphony of birds, the swaying of the yacht, and the splatter of waves, all bring you closer to nature when you live on the water. Raucous seals, dolphins, and seabirds will be your neighbors. Indeed, you will have fresh fish for dinner, and watch the seasons change minute by minute.

Main drawbacks about living on a yacht

Small confined spaces.

It takes some time to get used to the cramped living areas on a yacht. Plus, there are no personal spaces for individuals. Sometimes, living in such small spaces can be problematic, although it may not look like during the initial days of living aboard.

Costly Yacht Maintenance

Maintenance and repair work of a yacht is generally more expensive than one may imagine. Mechanical components are costly, and mechanics are even more so.

Unseen Weather Conditions

It is vital to be aware of the weather on a daily basis when living on a yacht. You’ll also know when the water is disturbed, and you won’t get much sleep as a result. Large yachts are less likely to rock. Furthermore, the correct type of anchorage can help you prevent some sleepless nights, but if it’s storming outside, be prepared to have a hard time sleeping.

Read also : The 5 best sailing boats under 60 feet

What do you legally need to do to live on a boat full-time?

Find a good boat insurance

Choosing the best boat insurance as per your needs is very essential before moving onto a yacht for full-time living. Certainly, this will cover the repairs due to storms, accidents that may occur on the waters. It also protects you from liability if your boat injures somebody or damages someone else’s property. Importantly, be aware that the cost of yacht insurance is higher than the cost of recreational boat insurance. Nevertheless, having a proper boat insurance provides peace of mind in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Examine various boat insurance choices based on your requirements, destination, budget, and way of life.

Register your yacht in an appropriate location

It’s also critical to conduct your homework while choosing a yacht registration place. All local laws will apply to your yacht once it is registered in a particular region. Many countries with appealing tax arrangements have other drawbacks that you should avoid. You’ll also want to register your yacht in a well-known location or country around the world. If you choose a bad-reputed place, you may be limited in your travel options or, at the very least, exposed to extra detainment and checks.

Keeping ties with administration

While living on a yacht full-time, make sure to have cordial relationships with the local authorities and administration related to boats and yachts. Consequently, this will prove beneficial in the long-term while dealing with any legal complications.

The intricacies of living in international waters

The most important thing to keep in mind while planning to live full-time on a boat is to understand the laws related to living on waters of other countries. Additionally, be mindful of the security and safety while living on international waters.

What is the minimum boat size to live on it full time?

A single individual might be able to get by with a 30 feet one, but a family of six would require something closer to 50 feet. It’s also important to consider how much gear you’ll be bringing onboard. If you want to get a fridge, or a washing machine, you will surely need a larger one.

How much does it cost to live on a yacht full time?

Typical costs you can’t avoid while living on a yacht

• Boat/yacht charges
• Maintenance
• Marina slips
• Property tax
• Waste management

Non-mandatory costs

• Frequent dining outs
• Entertainment expenses like internet or TV

Minimum budgets to live on a yacht

The minimum budget required to live full-time on a yacht depends entirely on one’s lifestyle and needs. Living on the yacht costs between $3,000 and $12,000 per month on average. This, certainly, depends on the number of people who will be living aboard and the place you will be traveling around.

Minimum budget to live full time on a yacht alone

This can lie in the range of $1,500 to $3,000 a month.

Minimum budget to live full time on a yacht as a couple

Somewhere between $3,000 to $5,000 a month.

Minimum budget to live on a yacht as a family

The minimum budget required to live full-time on a yacht with family may start from $5,000. Certainly, there is no upper limit as it may go up as per the family size, location, and needs.

The best affordable yachts for full-time living

The options for best reasonably priced yachts for living depends on your needs and budgets. On a general level, following are some affordable boat alternatives for full-time living:

• Beneteau Swift Trawler
• Alliaura Privilège catamaran ( view our Privilege 745 for sale )
• Swan Yachts
• Albin North Sea Cutter
• Lagoon 52 catamaran ( our Lagoon 52 for sale here )
• Sunreef Power 68 Catamarans

Read also : 10 Yachts for Sale Under a Million

The best places to live on a yacht

A multitude of quiet beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and blustering winds are all important factors to consider while looking for the dream destination to live on a yacht.  Here is a list of some of the best places around the world to live aboard a yacht.

• Australia and New Zealand
• The Caribbean
• The South Pacific
• Greek Islands
• Costa Smeralda, Italy
• The French Riviera

Readl also : Top 10 of destinations for Luxury yacht vacations

I want to live on a yacht, where should I start?

Step 1: Pick the Right Kind of Yacht and Documentation

The first stage in the process is to choose a yacht to live on. Consider the type of yacht you want, your budget, and the extent of space and comfort you require. Check all the utilities available on the yacht. Make sure you know everything about the fuel capacity, type and refuel ways to stay prepared.

Once you have decided on the yacht, compile all the necessary documentation related to it. This includes the tax and insurance documents. Also, have in place your passports and relevant sailing or boating licenses and certifications.

Step 2: Acquire the Beneficial Skills and Understand the Pertaining Laws

In terms of regularity and precision, boat maintenance may be worse than residential maintenance. Because boat systems are often less reliable than their domestic counterparts, basic plumbing, electrical, and mechanical skills will be required. Also, practice anchoring and sailing.

Next, keep yourself updated with all the related laws in the area where you are planning to live on a yacht.

Step 3: Downsize Before the Final Move

You won’t be able to bring all of your belongings onto the boat. It’s up to you how far you go with your downsizing. However, having a backup plan is always a smart idea. People’s opinions alter as a result of unforeseen events.

When relocating to a yacht to live on it full-time, there are numerous things to consider. It’s excellent to have a decent beginning point for things to put on the to-do list. Use this guidebook as a reference point for planning a full-time life on a yacht. Set deadlines and cross items off your to-do list one at a time. Maintain your focus on the end result.           

You may want to select the right boat to live in depending on your project. Contact us to discuss your option and we’ll help finding you the right one!

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Open Space, Eco-Friendly Tech: What a Rising Class of Millennial Superyacht Owners Is Looking For

Ten years from now, Millennials will have taken over the superyacht world. At least that’s the forecast by several experts who are seeing ages of yacht buyers trending younger.

Nearly everywhere in luxury, in fact, buyers are seem to be getting younger. The average age of a Rolls-Royce owner has dipped to 42 years old , and even farther up the ladder of lavishness, superyacht owners are typically around 50 years old. Not only are these yacht owners younger, they also are often new to the industry, jumping into yachting with fortunes largely made in tech.

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That trend is expected to continue, according to research from Italian yacht builder Rossinavi and the University of Monaco, with the average age of superyacht buyers decreasing 10 to 15 years over the next decade. That could make Millennials the primary buyers of superyachts.

The topic of younger buyers is a constant discussion in shipyard boardrooms and among designers looking to modify their designs to this changing market. It was also one of the topics at the recent Yachtmaster event in Key West, hosted by Benetti Yachts. Benetti sponsors Yachtmaster events twice a year (the European edition was in Budapest last month) to brief captains and other professionals on new trends in the superyacht industry.

“We have been doing this event for 24 years now,” Benetti Americas manager Nick Bischoff told Robb Report . “The intent is to continue to build relationships with influencers of our current and prospective owners. In the beginning that meant mostly captains, but it’s expanded to include surveyors and owners’ reps, too.” The ultimate goal, says Bischoff, is for participants not only to network, but “put their heads together to create an ever-improving onboard experience both for owners and crew.”

Many seminars focused on the concept of onboard lifestyle, which most brokers and shipyards see as a primary driver for purchasing a yacht. Benetti’s head of product, Sebastiano Vida, also spoke about how lifestyle influences new designs in the yachts.

Benetti’s Oasis Deck , an extended platform near the stern of the yacht, and its even newer Veranda Deck , which creates an open space where an interior salon would be, were two examples of how design is changing to meet the needs of a new customer. The brand’s 121-foot 40M Oasis has proven popular since it was launched in 2020, a larger 131-footer came out last year, and the Veranda deck will be showing up on Benetti’s new 148-foot Motopanfilo.

But Jason Dunbar, a broker and appraisal surveyor with Vessel Value Survey, recommended tough love to the brokers. His discussion about managing expectations for newbie owners included advice about being “realistic” with owners who are flush with cash, but might be new to the superyacht world. If an owner wants a brand-new 120-footer with a crew of six, but has a budget of $8 million, the broker is the one who needs to break the bad news. “A good broker has to tell people ‘Listen, that’s just not going to happen,’” says Dunbar. “That will save a lot of headaches down the road and will hopefully keep a client in boating for the long term.”

A new buyer is often coming off a one-week charter that was magical: perfect weather, a well-oiled boat, and a crew looking forward to a little R&R after hustling all week for the charter guests. “It’s relatively easy to make things work like that one week at a time,” says Dunbar. “But a new owner who wants to use their boat for 10, 15, or 30 weeks, that’s a totally different thing. You may have to tell them they need to hire two crews and rotate them—which will be news to them.” He said that overworking the crew will “burn through humans.” The crew will be miserable, he says, which will make the boat not live up to the owners’ expectations. “The next thing you know these new owners will be long gone from yachting.”

Fraser Yachts CEO Anders Kurtén sees the new buyers as a boon for design creativity in an old-school industry. “It starts with a piece of paper,” he says. “We sit down and start designing these boats for younger clients and we see similar trends. Basically they all want to live their shore-based lives on a yacht.”

Owners of the recently launched 387-foot  Celerius   wanted just that and chose Paris-based architect  Joseph Dirand , who had never designed a yacht before. He broke loads of norms, including an interior with huge open spaces and end-to-end views throughout the vessel.

The segmented and often claustrophobic interiors of many current superyacht designs, says Dirand, just doesn’t float with the new generation. “Young owners’ preferences are honed by hospitality and a knowledge of architectural trends,” he says.

Because of that, wellness centers have become focal points of design. As moguls like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg have made clear as of late, having six-pack abs in middle age is the new Lamborghini. These new owners expect their boats to be designed with beach clubs with gyms, saunas, massage areas that allow owners and guests to work out or relax, amidst warm sun rays and luscious sea breezes.

Kurtén also pointed to green tech as key for the new generation of clients. “We’ve hit a point where a 150-foot sailboat can go across the Atlantic without burning a drop of fuel. And motoryachts can function on battery-only mode, at least when they are close to port,” he says. “That’s important to these new clients—they want to be green. A few years ago that was something you said at a cocktail party, but today it’s a reality for a lot of buyers.”

Peter Selivanoff, senior yacht service manager for Fraser, also spoke about how owners are seeking highly specialized crews who can perform multiple functions across the yacht.

Navigating these new realities is an important part for the industry to future-proof itself in the competitive realm of ultra-luxury products. This is a place where youth may not spring eternal but, at least for now, it reigns supreme.

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Yacht Life: 8 Things You’ll Love About Living on a Yacht

What’s it like living on a yacht.

For many people, a property with an ocean view is the most coveted type of property there is. No matter the season, gazing out into the vast ocean and watching the sunset can be a breathtaking experience.

The Yachting Lifestyle

When you see a luxury yacht moored at your local marina, do you ever find yourself wondering what life on board is like?

Simply put, it does not matter what type of yacht you’re on. Life on a yacht is purely what you make of it.

Here are 8 things you’ll love about life on a yacht:

Time to Relax

Life on a yacht is as calm and quiet as you want it to be, ensuring you have tons of time to relax and escape the stresses of everyday life on land. No matter the size or speed of your boat, you’ll be free from the constant hum of traffic, that annoying barking dog, and your neighbour’s noisy toddler. You’ll escape everything else you didn’t even know was stressing you out.

Privacy & Security

Many yacht owners say one of the things they most appreciate about life on the water is how much privacy they have. When you live on a yacht, you won’t have to deal with things like unexpected guests popping by or keeping the curtains closed and the doors locked at nighttime.

Exploring the World

One of the things most yacht owners love is the freedom to pick up and go whenever the mood strikes. Yachting is the ultimate way to travel and explore the world from port to port to port. You’ll never have to sleep in the same spot twice, and you will finally be able to travel with that friend or relative who fears flying.

Making Memories

Whether you do it for a few days, a few weeks, or you live on your yacht for years at a time, you’ll never forget the feeling of how special your time on the water will be. Life on a yacht makes for great photos, great conversations, and a sense of pride for the owner.

If you’re looking to downsize and declutter, life on a yacht may just be the excuse you were looking for to sell everything off, pack up the rest, and go.

Many Ways to Entertain

Wondering how you’ll spend time aboard your yacht? The possibilities are endless. Today’s luxury yachts offer modern kitchens, multiple bedrooms and living rooms, multiple sun decks, fitness gyms, modern kitchens, huge theatres, high-end sound systems, hot tubs, pools, and much more. You’ll feel like you’re on your own personal cruise ship.

Endless Ocean Views

As we mentioned earlier, ocean views aboard a yacht cannot be beaten. While you’re enjoying all the above, endless ocean views surround you while you’re living life on your yacht.

Ways to Make Life on a Yacht Even Better

• Before buying a yacht, spend a few nights on one to make sure you can handle life at sea.
• If you’re a light sleeper or are prone to getting motion sickness, a larger yacht will rock less during stormy weather.
• Talk with other yacht owners to find out what works for them.
• Research the resale value of your yacht if you plan on selling.
• Bookmark our blog for more tips!

Questions about life on a yacht? Understanding the potentials of life on a motor yacht cannot be explained in one short article. If you would like to learn more about what type of yacht would be right for you, Van Isle Marina is here to help. Please contact one of our Yacht Sales Brokers or call us at 250.656.1138 .

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• What is a Yacht? (History, Types of Yachts, Styles and Sizes) January 15, 2024 - 10:35 am

• Essential Off-Season Haul-Out Services for Your Boat August 10, 2023 - 4:34 pm

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How Thomas Pink's made-to-measure service celebrates individualism in shirt-wearing

London-based shirt-maker Thomas Pink has launched a made-to-measure service. It’s very fitting, says Peter Howarth

To be clear, Thomas Pink does make pink shirts. In some ways these have become a signature for the brand: today it has an ongoing art project called Portraits in Pink in which it sends a pink shirt to a photographer somewhere in the world and asks them to shoot it in any way they see fit. So that’s why, in the label’s flagship Jermyn Street store, you can find images of an American cowboy wearing Pink’s pink shirt, as well as a handsome Neapolitan in one too. 

As yet there is no image staged on a yacht, but it’s surely only a matter of time. The series of photos underscores Thomas Pink’s commitment to individualism in shirt-wearing, and now to facilitate this further the firm has launched its made-to-measure service, inviting customers to become involved in the creative process and fashion their own pieces.

What distinguishes this programme is that, unusually, you can order just one shirt, which means you are able to explore unique creations. The service has been designed by Lizandra Cardoni, a shirt-maker who has conceived special pieces for celebrities including Sam Mendes, Kenneth Branagh, Jamie Foxx and Alex Kapranos. The key at Thomas Pink is that Cardoni has made a tight edit of 20 beautiful fabrics from luxury Swiss shirting mill Alumo to simplify what can be a bewildering process.

As well as the selection of fabrics, there is a choice of block (the cut), cuffs, collar and mother-of-pearl buttons, and shirts can be made in a single colour or stripe, or as a Winchester style. This last, named for 19th-century American businessman Oliver Fisher Winchester, is where a white collar and cuff is combined with a bold or striped body and sleeves. It’s come to be seen as something of a 1980s throwback and is having a moment right now. 

There are some “rules” that apply to a Winchester, though, says Cardoni: “You wouldn’t offer this on a navy blue shirt.” Monogramming is also available, and a script or block design can be placed at the waist, on the right or left cuff, or on the shirt front. 

Thomas Pink was launched in 1984 and its shirts were distinguished by pink tabs on either side of their gussets, a style badge that one of the founders claimed he had seen men comparing by pulling their shirts out of their trousers. The tabs remain today, but of course shirts – and how we wear them – have evolved along with the rest of the male wardrobe. Today you don’t need to team it with a tie or even a jacket, but donning a beautifully tailored shirt is definitely a statement that you appreciate style and quality.

And quality is the thing at Thomas Pink. Even on ready-to-wear styles the collars have “floating” interlining (rather than glued) so they are soft and don’t lose their shape; 18 stitches per inch means better strength and straighter seams; textiles from top mills in Europe ensure comfortable, hard-wearing and beautiful materials; and displaced side seams are a technical detail that helps with fit and movement of the arms. There are also stretch fabrics that are well-suited to a more active lifestyle. Like that which you might lead on a yacht. thomaspink.com

First published in the March 2024 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

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A look at the most expensive superyachts at the Palm Beach yacht show and their insane features, from basketball courts on deck to ice baths and saunas

The Palm Beach International Boat Show kicks off later this week.

Eight megayachts are expected to be on display for would-be buyers and charter customers.

These are the show's biggest yachts — and how many millions of dollars they are going for.

The Palm Beach International Boat Show — the yacht world's flashiest event stateside — is returning this year with over 800 boats for both deep-pocked potential owners and window shoppers to peruse.

While it's impossible to know what exactly will be on display until the show begins on Thursday, it's expected that eight megayachts — generally defined as ships over 60 meters long — will be docked at the show and at nearby marinas like the Rybovich Marina in the ritzy Florida town.

Some of these are for sale at eye-popping prices, but others are available to if in case you fancy living like a billionaire for a week or two this summer (and if you have six figures to spare on a vacation).

These are the eight biggest yachts that will be at the Palm Beach International Boat Show and nearby marinas, in size order.

Nero: 90.1 meters

Price: From $497,000 a week (charter) Standout features: Pizza ovens, beauty salon, massage room, resistance pool

Reportedly owned by Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien, Nero is modeled after J.P. Morgan's 1930s ship , and was built in 2007 and updated in 2021.

She now boasts a gym on her sundeck with multiple cardio machines and a beauty salon, and has an on-board beautician for manicure, pedicure, hair, and massage needs. There's also an upgraded movie theater, two new pizza ovens, and both a pool and a jacuzzi.

For those who want to go overboard, she has more than a dozen toys, including a waterslide, Jet Ski, and flyboard.

Victorious: 85 meters

Price: From $876,600 a week in the summer and $950,000 a week in the winter Standout features: Hammam (Turkish bath), wine cellar, wood-burning fireplace, children's playroom

Victorious brings a party vibe to the yacht show. With a beach club on board, a wine cellar, a cigar clubroom , multiple bars, and a lounge with a piano, the vessel is made for entertaining. Plus, there's a playroom and movie theater to entertain the kids.

For tamer charter clients, Victorious has a suite of wellness features such as a gym, massage room, beauty salon and hammam, or Turkish bath — perhaps a custom request of her owner, Turkish businessman Vural Ak.

She also boasts a treasure trove of water toys, including Jet Skis, jetsurfs, inflatable kayaks, and scuba equipment.

Casino Royale: 72 meters

Price: TBD Special Features: Infinity pool, helipad, private jacuzzi

Purchased and refitted by car dealer magnate John Staluppi last year, Casino Royale is the latest of his James Bond-inspired yachts (he's also owned an Octopussy and a Skyfall, among others).

Casino Royale has a helipad that turns into a dancefloor, an infinity pool, and a wellness center with a gym and sauna. The owner's cabin has its own deck, which features a private bar and jacuzzi.

However, the boat's price isn't listed, and while she's not necessarily officially for sale, that might change depending on who's prepared to buy, Mr. Bond.

Talisman C: 70.6 meters

Price: $60 million (or from $567,000 a week to charter) Special features: Massage and beauty room, private library

Likely the largest yacht for sale (not just charter) at the show, the Talisman C is a 2011 six-bedroom boat. The owner's cabin comes with an en suite bathroom, dressing room, private library, and crystal chandeliers.

Amenities include a gym, a beauty room, oversized jacuzzi, and a fully equipped bar. Her crew of 19 includes a trained masseuse, and the toy room comes equipped with a wakeboard, eFoil , and WaveRunners.

Joy: 70 meters

Price: From $650,000 a week Special features: Disco club, basketball court, onboard fitness instructor

Superyacht Joy testifies to the fact that owners want as many on-board experiences as they can get.

There's an expansive suite of fitness features, including a basketball court (don't shoot that hoop too hard!), a personal trainer on staff, boxing equipment, and a handful of machines. For post-workout winddowns, there's a spa with a steam room and onboard masseuse. And for entertainment, there's both an outdoor and indoor cinema, and a disco club.

Triumph: 65.4 meters

Price: From $707,600 a week in the summer and $650,000 a week in the winter Special features: Sauna, helipad, banana boat

This 2021 superyacht is named after Triumph motorcycles — a reported favorite of her rumored owner, British businessman Chris Dawson — and even has one on display as an art piece in the upper deck's lounge. The primary suite is 1,400 square feet and has its own study , and there's a sauna, an indoor-outdoor gym, a helipad, and a massage room spread among her six decks.

She boasts an "armada of water toys," including two kinds of Jet Skis, electric water bikes, and a banana boat.

Seanna: 64.5 meters

Price: $54,000,000 (or from $462,000 a week to charter) Special features: marble foyer, movie room, sundeck pool

The recently refurbished Seanna is available for sale and charter.

Her indoor-outdoor gym is on sea level so that passengers can take a dip after a session with the onboard personal trainer. There's also a sundeck pool, a helipad, a two-room massage facility, and, for the more cerebral guests, a library with an electric fireplace.

There are a number of toys on board, including a popular water trampoline and two WaveRunners.

Come Together: 60 meters

Price: $65,000,000 Special Features: DJ and videographer on board, ice bath, sauna

Next-to-new yacht Come Together is looking for a new owner after doing charters during the 2023 season.

The Beatles' influence is evident beyond the yacht's name, with guitars dotting the sky lounge and a crewmember who doubles as a DJ. There's also an outdoor cinema and bar for entertainment and an ice bath and sauna for the day after the party. The owner's suite has a private study and lounge, and each guest cabin has its own ensuite.

The sale includes a number of toys, like Jet Skis, kayaks, and Seabobs.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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• The 118-meter superyacht Launchpad made her maiden voyage last week.
• The yacht world is speculating that her owner is Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
• Here's what we know about the luxury vessel.

In the world of superyachts , privacy is the most valuable asset. It can be next to impossible to discern the details of a superyacht transaction — and that's particularly true if the vessel in question is worth nine figures.

Yet some in the boat blogging world are speculating that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is the new owner of Launchpad, a megayacht currently moored in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after she made her maiden voyage from Gibraltar to St Maarten last week. Launchpad clocks in at 118 meters long, about nine meters shorter than Jeff Bezos' superyacht Koru .

The transaction could not be confirmed, with yacht world insiders declining to share what they know and representatives for Zuckerberg not responding to a request for comment from Business Insider. In the past, reports about Zuckerberg owning superyacht Ulysses have proven false.

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"It is Feadship's standard policy to never divulge any information about our yachts with reference to ownership, costs, or delivery, etc," Feadship, the ship's builder, wrote to BI. "Whether it is an 18-meter Feadship from the 1960s or a 118-meter Feadship from the 21st century, we do not share private information."

But Zuckerberg's name has been connected to Launchpad for a few months now, beginning in December when reports swirled that he visited Feadship's shipyard in the Netherlands.

Then, earlier in March, yachting bloggers like eSysman SuperYachts and Autoevolution started speculating that he officially snagged the boat, originally built for a sanctioned Russian businessman, at a $300 million price tag. (While that's a seemingly huge amount, it's still less than 0.2% of Zuckerberg's $177 billion net worth.)

Another clue that might point to US ownership is that the yacht bears the flag of the Marshall Islands, a US territory and commonplace for American buyers to register their ships, according to public marine tracking.

If Zuckerberg were to have bought Launchpad, he would join a cohort of superyacht-owning tech billionaires . Along with Bezos, the likes of Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison and Google cofounders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have purchased impressive boats with even more impressive amenities.

SuperYacht Times , an industry publication and intelligence platform, has some of the best images of the yacht. Photos show a swimming pool on her main deck and a large helipad.

While less is known of the interior, a vessel of her size can likely sleep dozens of guests and crew and may have amenities like an expansive gym where Zuckerberg could practice his jiu-jitsu or a spa with a massage area. We suspect there's also space for plenty of toys — which could include his viral hydrofoil foil .

Do you have any details about Launchpad or any other superyachts? Email reporter Madeline Berg at [email protected].

Watch: Walmart heiress' superyacht vandalized by activists in Ibiza

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