YachtForums.Com - View Single Post

nilo · 02-21-2008, 01:26 AM

I have owned an Azimut and 2 Ferretti boats, the last one being a Ferretti 68. My contribution to you would be as follows:

1. Will I be able (with training) to navigate the 68ft yacht by myself?
I have been boating over 15 years and I would still think that you would need crew on a boat of this size, or some very experienced help.

2. Should I buy new or slightly used?
You should buy 2nd hand to avoid loss of value in your 1st buy, unless you have a very good background of chartering several boats in the past or during the process. Short term; daily; charters may not give you the essence to decide what is good for you. You have to live on the boats for a while. New boat looses nearly 20% 1st year. When you are sure what kind of a boat you want, you can go and order a new boat to your liking.

3. What are the approximate maintenance (Docking/Port Fees, Fuel, Insurance, etc.) costs for the type of yachts in question?
Although everyone indicates 10% of the new sales value, this will very much depend on your fuel consumption, your location and fees for the berth and your crew expenditures.

4. Is there anything I should be aware of about Azimut and Ferretti boats?
Ferretti used to be better in quality and I believe still is when compared to Azimut. I do agree with one of the previous comments that they are overpriced. I also suggest you look for alternative makes as well. There are several other brands which may be as good in quality and cost less.

5. Should I go for a bigger boat, like 78ft?
Depends very much on what you want, but I have certain size brackets of my own consideration and I have moved up within these brackets, always targeting the smallest in size within the same bracket.

40-50 feet 2 cabin layout
50-65 feet 3 cabin layout
65-80 feet 4 cabin layout

So, 68 feet will more or less provide the same facilities as a 78 footer, of course with some more space. They will all have 3 dining areas (salon, aft deck and flybridge), berths for 8 (I think 8 is too many even on a 90 feet boat for long periods), 2 sun bathing areas (foredeck and fly), similar range (approximately 300 miles for planing boats), crew quarters.

6. What else should I consider before deciding to buying a boat?

You should consider what you want to do;
- are you going to spend a lot of time on the boat,
- how many people will be onboard most of the time,
- what distances you want to cover and at which speed (a planing boat is good for short distances, but when you travel long distances it is like a car, everybody somehow has to sit, moving around is not very handy),
- how long are you planning to keep the boat (a common brand may be easier to sell),
- what kind of fuel consumption you are able to pay for (a planing boat is not good below planing speed - say minimum 17-18 knots for the 68's you're considering. You will be burning around 200-240 liters per hour at that speed).

02-21-2008, 01:26 AM	#6
nilo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Istanbul Posts: 499	I have owned an Azimut and 2 Ferretti boats, the last one being a Ferretti 68. My contribution to you would be as follows: 1. Will I be able (with training) to navigate the 68ft yacht by myself? I have been boating over 15 years and I would still think that you would need crew on a boat of this size, or some very experienced help. 2. Should I buy new or slightly used? You should buy 2nd hand to avoid loss of value in your 1st buy, unless you have a very good background of chartering several boats in the past or during the process. Short term; daily; charters may not give you the essence to decide what is good for you. You have to live on the boats for a while. New boat looses nearly 20% 1st year. When you are sure what kind of a boat you want, you can go and order a new boat to your liking. 3. What are the approximate maintenance (Docking/Port Fees, Fuel, Insurance, etc.) costs for the type of yachts in question? Although everyone indicates 10% of the new sales value, this will very much depend on your fuel consumption, your location and fees for the berth and your crew expenditures. 4. Is there anything I should be aware of about Azimut and Ferretti boats? Ferretti used to be better in quality and I believe still is when compared to Azimut. I do agree with one of the previous comments that they are overpriced. I also suggest you look for alternative makes as well. There are several other brands which may be as good in quality and cost less. 5. Should I go for a bigger boat, like 78ft? Depends very much on what you want, but I have certain size brackets of my own consideration and I have moved up within these brackets, always targeting the smallest in size within the same bracket. 40-50 feet 2 cabin layout 50-65 feet 3 cabin layout 65-80 feet 4 cabin layout So, 68 feet will more or less provide the same facilities as a 78 footer, of course with some more space. They will all have 3 dining areas (salon, aft deck and flybridge), berths for 8 (I think 8 is too many even on a 90 feet boat for long periods), 2 sun bathing areas (foredeck and fly), similar range (approximately 300 miles for planing boats), crew quarters. 6. What else should I consider before deciding to buying a boat? You should consider what you want to do; - are you going to spend a lot of time on the boat, - how many people will be onboard most of the time, - what distances you want to cover and at which speed (a planing boat is good for short distances, but when you travel long distances it is like a car, everybody somehow has to sit, moving around is not very handy), - how long are you planning to keep the boat (a common brand may be easier to sell), - what kind of fuel consumption you are able to pay for (a planing boat is not good below planing speed - say minimum 17-18 knots for the 68's you're considering. You will be burning around 200-240 liters per hour at that speed).