Gemini 105MC Sterndrive

Most commonly yachts feature an inboard engine which exits through a stuffing box to a cutlass bearing and prop. Or they feature an outboard motor attached to the transom. But there are a couple other alternatives including sterndrive (I/O), jet, and pod drives. Let’s survey the type of yacht and qualities of each of these drive types. Continue reading “Drive Types – Inboard, Outboard, Sterndrive, Jet, Pod” »

What is the Future of Sailing Catamarans?

There no doubt to me that catamarans will play a larger part in the future of sailing and especially cruising than they have in the past. Even in racing, the America’s Cup is now catamarans. I see daily once monohull clients switching to catamarans. The numbers back this trend up too. Multihulls have increased from 20% to 30% of sales in Fort Lauderdale. I see this number reaching 50% within 10 years based on what is being manufactured and exhibited at boat shows. The once Beneteau, Bavaria dominated charter fleets are Lagoons and Leopards. Sailors choose catamarans for speed, draft, stability, etcetera characteristics. Which of these characteristics are most important and what will the catamarans of the future look like? In the following post, I outline three key features. Continue reading “Features of the Catamaran of the Future” »

The Scotia 44 at Slip 10B

Strictly Sail Miami at Miamarina, Bayside ran from last Thursday to this Monday. We had incredible weather with a light northeaster keeping temperatures in the 70′s and 80′s. I exhibited aboard the Scotia 44, a Canadian model being built at Snyder’s Shipyard in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia. We had a steady stream of clients very complimentary about her unique old world charm and sexy new age lines. Nationalities spanned the globe from Italy, Spain, China, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and all across North America. Certainly there was a proud plurality of Canadians admiring the fine craftsmanship of their country and romance of Bluenose II. Continue reading “Report on Miami Strictly Sail 2012” »

Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Stuart / Fort Pierce (affectionately known by the spoonerism Port Fierce) are the three areas where I most often interact with yachts. I have been reminded of this fact over the last few weeks as I have been tearing up the road on sales and service among the three cities. It is a two hour drive from Lauderdale to Stuart versus an hour drive to the Miami River area. Without doubt the largest brokerage market of the three is Lauderdale with 1,631 yachts for sale compared to 1103 for Miami and 574 in Stuart. Due to democraphics, geography, and infastructure, the areas vary dramatically in the type of people and yachts you will interact with. Continue reading “Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Stuart” »

During Miami Strictly Sail, February 16th to the 20th, we will be aboard the new Scotia 44, “The HUMMER of the Oceans,” in Slip 12B at Bayside Marina. If you would like to schedule an appointment or receive more information, please inquire via Jordan Yachts. More information is available at www.ScotiaYachts.ca.

Every year, the dominant multiple listing service hosts a get together for brokers in South Florida. The event took place yesterday at the Panorama Ballroom at Pier 66. A couple hundred brokers and friends gathered to listen to the latest in online marketing, FYBA legislative affairs, and the poor European economic outlook. Overall themes were the usefulness of QR codes in print advertising, the growth of social media especially Facebook, and the important of mobile devices such as iPads and Android phones. I shared a table with my collegue Kevin, a Canadian broker named Don, a lovely charter broker named Nicole, and Trevor who owns First Mate Yacht Care and live blogged from the event. Continue reading “YachtWorld U” »

A question came up recently about what new sailboats are currently being built with the continued economic conditions. To gauge this fact rationally, I took a survey of what is available on the brokerage market from 2009 to 2012. I also limited the search to yachts over 40-feet in length. The results are subject to limitations such as a variance for low volume, semi-custom manufacturers such as Hylas. Also the results say something about the length of ownership. Manufacturers with very happy buyers would expect them not to offer their yachts up for sale within 3 years of purchase. Albeit with those limitations, the results covered below do give guidance to which manufacturers are likely selling more yachts despite a down global market. Group Beneteau is the clear winner in volume with its Beneteau, Jeanneau, and Lagoon brands. Nautor Swan slightly edges them in total valuation for a single brand at $30 million vs. $29.5 million in Beneteau inventory. Swan’s number is buoyed by the 90′ Swan, Red Sula asking $11 million. Continue reading “What Sailboats Are Being Built?” »

Celebrating 20 Years of Selling Yachts

This year, 2012, is the 20th year since Jordan Yachts incorporated and started selling yachts in Fort Lauderdale. This waypoint makes me feel proud and gives me pause to think about our impact in the community and more widely abroad. It never gets old to me to speak with someone who remembers Jordan, invariable with high regard from many years ago. I love hear their stories, the names and places oh so familiar. It helps me put meaning to my life and that of my family. Continue reading “20 Year Anniversary” »

The Hunter 50: A Dying Breed?

Offshore mono-hulls demand a market share because of inherent comfort, performance, and durability trade-offs as compared to multi-hulls. But I question sometimes the longterm viability of production mono-hulls for cruising, those vessels under the brandnames Bavaria, Beneteau, Catalina, Hunter, Jeaneau, etcetera which are targeting more towards island hopping and coastal cruising than circumnavigation. Their design trajectory towards ever beamier widths and higher cabintrunks naturally ends in a catamaran design. Why would one purchase a production mono-hull when it seems their goals would be best realised with two hulls? Continue reading “Choosing between a Catamaran and a Production Mono-hull” »