New Year’s Resolutions: Goals for Every Boater
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on past adventures and set fresh intentions for the year ahead. For sailing enthusiasts, resolutions can focus on improving skills, enhancing safety, or embracing new challenges on the water. Here are some inspiring New Year’s resolutions for sailors of all levels:
1. Sharpen Your Navigation Skills
In today’s tech-driven world, it’s easy to rely on GPS and chartplotters. This year, challenge yourself to master traditional navigation methods. Brush up on your chart reading, dead reckoning, and celestial navigation to become a more self-reliant sailor.
2. Invest in Safety Gear
Safety should always be a priority. Take stock of your current safety equipment and upgrade or replace anything that’s outdated. Consider adding items like a personal locator beacon (PLB), AIS system, or advanced first aid kit to your inventory.
3. Reduce Your Environmental Footprint
Commit to eco-friendly boating practices. Use biodegradable cleaning products, minimize single-use plastics, and ensure proper waste disposal. If you’re ambitious, explore ways to retrofit your boat with solar panels or energy-efficient systems.
4. Expand Your Sailing Horizons
Set a goal to explore new destinations or tackle a longer passage. Whether it’s an overnight trip to a nearby island or a transoceanic journey, pushing your boundaries will create unforgettable memories.
5. Take a Sailing Course
Education is key to growth. Enroll in a course to enhance your skills—whether it’s advanced anchoring techniques, racing strategies, or storm sailing. There’s always more to learn!
6. Teach or Mentor
Share your passion for sailing by teaching someone new. Offer to mentor a novice sailor, volunteer with a local sailing club, or introduce friends and family to the joys of life on the water.
7. Maintain Your Boat Like a Pro
This year, make a detailed maintenance schedule and stick to it. Regularly inspect your rigging, engine, and hull to prevent small issues from becoming big problems. A well-maintained boat is safer and more enjoyable.
8. Log Every Journey
Keep a detailed log
of your trips. Recording weather conditions, routes, and lessons learned not only builds a personal sailing history but also helps you improve your skills over time.
9. Give Back to the Community
Participate in events like harbor cleanups or fundraisers that support maritime causes. Giving back strengthens the sailing community and ensures the waters remain beautiful for future generations.
10. Sail More Often
The simplest resolution of all: make time to sail more. Whether it’s a quick day sail or an extended cruise, prioritize getting out on the water as often as you can.
Final Thoughts
New Year’s resolutions are a great way to enhance your sailing journey. Choose a few goals that resonate with you, and take steady steps toward achieving them. With dedication and passion, 2025 could be your best year on the water yet. Happy Sailing!
How to Decorate Your Boat for the Holidays: Tips for Festive Fun Afloat
Below: A decorated boat in the St. Augustine Regatta of Lights in St. Augustine, FL
The holidays are a time for joy, celebration, and creativity—so why not bring that festive spirit to your boat? Whether you’re docked or cruising, holiday decorations can transform your vessel into a floating winter wonderland. Here’s how to make your boat the star of the season:
1. Choose a Theme
Pick a cohesive holiday theme to guide your decoration. Whether it’s classic red and green, coastal chic with seashells and silver, or a whimsical candy cane motif, a theme ensures your decor looks polished and festive.
2. Light It Up
LED string lights are a boat owner’s best friend! Opt for waterproof and battery-operated lights to wrap around railings, masts, or even along the hull. Multicolored lights or warm white can set the mood, and solar-powered options are eco-friendly and easy to maintain.
3. Deck the Deck
Garlands, wreaths, and bows are perfect for sprucing up the deck. Use nautical accents like ropes or anchor-shaped ornaments to tie the decor to your boat’s identity. For a standout feature, hang a holiday wreath on the bow.
4. Create a Holiday Focal Point
If space allows, set up a small Christmas tree on the deck or cabin. Secure it with bungee cords to keep it stable. Alternatively, use a tabletop tree or decorate with miniature ornaments in key areas.
5. Personalize Your Decor
Add a personal touch with custom decorations like a nameplate for your boat in festive colors or a banner wishing “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.”
6. Don’t Forget Safety
Ensure all decorations are secure and won’t obstruct navigation lights or safety equipment. Avoid decorations that could pose a fire hazard, and use clips or suction cups instead of nails or adhesives that could damage your boat.
7. Host a Holiday Dock Party
Invite friends and family to admire your festive masterpiece. Add music, holiday treats, and warm beverages for an unforgettable gathering on the water.
Decorating your boat for the holidays is a wonderful way to spread cheer and showcase your holiday spirit. So, gather your supplies, crank up the carols, and let your creativity shine. Happy Holidays from the water!
Hey! Guess what? My new book, Boat Buying Basics, is already for sale on Amazon.
Before you choose a broker, here are some things to consider.
(Originally Published in Practical Sailor)
Responsiveness. How quickly a broker responds to your inquiry is indicative of how they will respond to potential buyers. Give them 24 hours, and move on if they don’t respond or if they make excuses as to why they didn’t respond promptly. Most, if they miss the initial phone call, will call or email you back within minutes.
Marketing. Ask where else the broker will advertise your boat and expect to receive a written list of websites and print publications and social media.
Look at other listings. Ask a potential broker for links to some of their listings. If you don’t like the write-up, think the photos are shoddy, or if there isn’t enough information, move on.
Comps. The average buyer and seller, despite what they might find perusing ads and looking at resources like BUC, do not have access to actual comps. Your broker does. In addition to knowing what is currently on the market, your broker should offer you information on how many similar boats have sold in your region recently, what they were listed at, how long they took to sell, and exactly what they sold for.
Track record. Ask your broker what he/she has sold recently. A good broker will be ready with the answer.
Paperwork, escrow, and protection during the closing process. A broker will have an escrow account and will ask that all deposits be submitted to the account. The broker will have all the forms you need, and some even use programs which simplify the process through e-signing. The broker works with a title/documentation company, and the buyer pays for all expenses associated with closing.
Import duty. If you have purchased a foreign-built boat and plan to sell it in the US to a US citizen (regardless of your citizenship), import duty must be paid. Your yacht broker will help you find a customs broker. Be wary of brokers who suggest ways to get around paying the import duty, such as closing offshore. If you are selling the boat yourself and fail to comply, both you and the buyer are liable for huge fines down the road.
Social Media. If this is something that the broker claims to do, ask where they post, what kinds of accounts they have, and how many followers they have. Posting on a personal Facebook page to 200 of the brokers closest friends is not enough. The post needs to be publicly shared on various forums.
Personality. You and your broker are forming a relationship, and chances are that you are already somewhat emotional about the sale of your boat. Your broker needs to understand this and be open and honest with you. Why work with someone you don’t like?
Melanie Neale is a lifelong cruising sailor, author, and mother. She is the owner of Sunshine Cruising Yachts.
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