The Complete Guide to Yachting for Beginners

Are you wanting to set sail on the beautiful Florida waters?

Tampa Bay and Catalina are the perfect boating locations. With thousands of boaters taking to the waters, buying a yacht is an easy way to connect with other people.

But if you’re a first-time yacht-owner, there are a couple of things you should know. Below, we’ll go over everything you need to do to maximize your enjoyment while on yachts. Keep reading to learn more!

Safety First

When you buy your yacht, you need to familiarize yourself with its safety features before going sailing. Read the owner’s manual to figure out how many people can safely ride on it at once.

Make sure it has enough personal flotation devices (PFDs) for every person on your boat. Find the location of the PFDs and show your passengers how to access them. Each adult passenger should know how to operate the yacht on their own in case they need to in an emergency.

You should also read over the dangers of consuming alcohol while driving a boat. One of the leading causes of boating accidents is drunk driving. If you hit an object on accident, the boat could capsize or become unsafe.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have alcohol on your yacht, though! The person driving the boat should refrain from drinking. The rest of the passengers should remain seated while the boat is in motion to prevent someone from falling overboard.

Know How to Properly Anchor Your Boat

If you’re yachting in Tampa or Catalina, you need to learn how to properly anchor your boat.

First, you want to make sure you have enough room in between yourself and the other vessels. This prevents you from bumping into them at any point in the anchoring process. Once you’ve picked your spot, determine how much chain you’ll need by figuring out the water’s depth. Then, multiply the depth by either 5, 7, or 8.

The resulting numbers are known as the scope. The scope you’ll need will depend on the weather conditions and how long you plan to stay out. If you’re stopping for a short time on a nice day, use the 5:1 ratio. Do you plan on leaving the boat for a bit? Or are experiencing some wind? 7:1 is your best bet. Reserve 8:1 for overnight stays or strong winds.

Once you drop the anchor, the boat will drag for a bit until the anchor settles.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

To get the maximum enjoyment out of your yacht, wear comfortable clothes.

Usually, light colors and fabrics are the best. Light colors refract the sun, keeping you cool. Darker fabrics absorb sun rays easier, warming you up. As such, they might not work well on a bright Florida day.

If you’re hosting parties on yachts, bring food and music!

Ready to Look at Yachts?

If you’re considering buying yachts in Tamba Bay or Catalina, you’ve come to the right place.

Here at Massey Yacht Sales & Services, we sell many types of yachts to people living in Florida. We also list previously owned yachts on our website, so let us know if you have one to sell!

Want to learn more? Contact us today!