“I am the proud owner of a 2012 Sun Odyssey 379, which I purchased at the Miami Boat Show and took delivery at my dock in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, March 5th.The reason the boat was purchased at this time after I walked away from the offered deal at the Boat Show, was due to the persistence and personality of your salesman, Captain Fachtmann. I am not in the habit of writing letters of commendation unless something is outstanding and I thought you should know what a good salesman you have working for your company.
For 40 years I have bought and sold boats and frequently after the sale is made the salesman’s friendly warm personality changes to less warm and friendly. This has not occurred with this salesman and I appreciate it enough to take the time and effort to write you this letter of appreciation. You have a good sincere man in Captain Richard Fachtmann.”
Sincerely,
Richard Brohammer, M.D.
Limted Edition Oceanis 31, 34, & 37
Oceanis – the ultimate expression in the fine art of cruising is now available in an exclusiverun of Limited Edition models created for those seraching for supremacy in cruising comfortand luxury. These made in the USA Oceanis sailboats are equipped with an impressive list
of features including full Simrad® electronics, autopilot, windlass and unequaled Beneteau
seaworthiness; all at an unheard of value. The Limited Edition also offers elegant,
exceptional finishes including a beautiful grey hull with white stripes, Ultrasuede® cushions,
a choice of decor packages and Jenna® solid surface galley counters.
Discover the possibilities! The Limited Edition Oceanis 31, 34 or 37 are available for a short
time with special pricing.
Contact a broker for more info
Featured Broker, Bob Deresz
Bob majored in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan. He held the position of head Counselor and Instructor managing the Sailing and Boating Program and staff at Camp Michigania, the University of Michigan’s Alumni Family Camp facility.In 1974 Bob was licensed by the State of Florida as a Yacht and Ship Salesman with Miami’s most prestigious firm. Bob prospered into the 1980’s assisting many sailors purchasing their yachts, accomplishing their dreams and adventures.
Today, Bob is a Licensed Florida Yacht and Ship broker and holds a United States Coast Guard 100 ton Master’s License with a Sailing Endorsement.
Inspect the battery for damage. Look for fluid on or around it to indicate if it is leaking. Replace any leaky battery. Check for damage and good connections on the terminals, connectors and cables.
Look for corrosion and clean it off with a warm water/baking-soda mixture. Use 1 lb. of baking soda for every gallon of water. Use a post and clamp cleaner to clean the battery terminals and the cable clamps on their insides.
Check the battery’s electrolyte level on a monthly basis. Check it every 2 months if you leave the Boat plugged in with the converter battery charger charging the battery.
Add water by removing the vent caps, checking the electrolyte level and using distilled or another mineral-free water. If the level is below the plates, fill it just until it covers the plates. Add no extra water until the battery is charged, then fill it no higher than 1/8 inch below the fill well.
Test the battery’s state of charge by measuring the voltage with a digital DC voltmeter. A 100-percent state is 12.73 volts for a 12-volt battery and 6.37 for a 6-volt. Seventy percent is 12.37 or 6.19; recharge the battery if it is below this level. Don’t discharge a battery that is below 40 percent (11.96 or 5.98).
Use a three-stage charger if possible that gives the battery a bulk charge, absorption charge and then a float charge. Use a charger whose charge rate is between 10 to 13 percent of your battery’s 20-hour AH capacity.
Recharge the battery immediately after use. Charge it in a well-ventilated area with no sparks or flames around. Check the electrolyte levels before and after you charge the battery.
Disconnect the batteries and store them if you are storing the Boat.
Smart Yacht Ownershipby David Sell
Boats can be expensive to own but there are several things you can do to reduce the expense and time required to maintain a boat. The simplest is to put it in a charter fleet. If you’re buying a new or used boat you’ll immediately save sales tax and get some very substantial tax deductions.Even if you already have a boat, the charter income will offset most if not all of your dockage, insurance, and basic maintenance expenses. You also get to spend more time having fun on your boat because the charter staff will clean and maintain it before and after each use. Rumors that charter use beats up a boat are greatly exaggerated. Good charter companies maintain their fleet because charter clients won’t come back if the boats are not well maintained. Charter boats in well managed fleets are often better maintained than private vessels because they are professionally managed.Not all boats are alike and some charter out for more money and more frequently than others. You should discuss the prospects with each charter company when you interview them. That’s right, you should interview several charter companies and make sure you feel comfortable they will perform for you. Its just like you were hiring an employee because in effect that is what you are doing. A good company will let you sleep better at night, generate some nice income for you, and make your time on the water more enjoyable.
The Florida Keys is not just a destination…it’s a way of life. If you’ve never lived there it may be extremely difficult to explain the “Keys Lifestyle”. There is no place on earth like the Florida Keys. With its beautiful sandy beaches, cool sea breeze and warm Florida sun, the Keys is perhaps the most harmonious medley of entertainment and development on the planet.In the Keys, there is no shortage of activities, yet you can lie and relax all day if you so desire; there is no shortage of employment and still it is the perfect vacation spot; you can run away from it all or you can bring it all with you. This unique, accommodating lifestyle allows a wide array of choices to you, and no matter what you are doing there, it’s always the best place to be.The Florida Keys is truly a great place to sail. Yacht owners and small boat owners frequent the same bars, swap gossip at the same marina stores, and wear real clothes….worn, wrinkled, and sometimes even slightly soiled! When locals raise a cold beer and devour a warm hotdog, you can’t help but wonder what they were before they got “Keys Disease”, a local malady often involving too many margaritas and a marked loss of time management skills!
Water is what makes the Florida Keys what they are. Although you can enjoy the Keys without boating, you wouldn’t want to. If you don’t own your own boat you can charter one. Call Kay West (yes, that’s really her name), at 305-293-0800 for Florida Yacht Group Charter information.