How to make your first year of yacht ownership go smoothly. Commissioning, maintenance rhythms, hurricane prep, and the mistakes most new owners make.

A documented vessel can't also be state titled — one of several closing details that surprise first-time buyers. Here's who does what, and how long it really takes.

The Yacht Buyer's Guide Series by Ward Yacht Sales This is Part 7 of Ward Yacht Sales' blog post series walking buyers through every stage of a yacht purchase, from budgeting to the first year of ownership: How Much Boat Can I Afford? Should I Buy a New or Used Yacht? Buying a Yacht as a Private Owner vs. Business Financing a Yacht Purchase Marine Insurance Negotiating a Great Deal on a Yacht Yacht Survey and Trial Run (this post) Closing on a Yacht Purchase The First Year of

The Yacht Buyer's Guide - How to Negotiate a Great Deal on a Yacht Purchase. A buyer's broker costs you nothing extra but saves you time, money, and helps mitigate risk. Here's why representation matters and how it works.

Should I Buy a New or Used Yacht There's no universally correct answer here — at Ward Yacht Sales, we sell new Lagoon Catamarans and pre-owned sail and power yachts, and we mean it when we say the right choice depends entirely on your priorities.

For the couple or small family looking to go cruising full time, these are the monohull sailboats that the world's most experienced sailors have trusted to carry them practically anywhere.

Discover the Lagoon 47 catamaran — built from 200+ owner insights with a forward cockpit door, Smart Room, and flybridge. Full specs, layouts, and pricing inside.

Finding the right boat is the easy part. What happens next — the inspection, the title search, the survey negotiation, the sea trial, the purchase agreement, the title transfer, the escrow, the documentation — is where real money gets lost, deals fall apart, and in some cases, buyers end up legally liable for problems they never knew existed. Here's why working with a buyer's broker is one of the smartest financial and legal decisions you can make when purchasing a used vess

Thinking about buying a 40–60 ft yacht in Florida? Get the real numbers — slip fees, insurance, maintenance, fuel, and hidden costs most brokers won't walk you through. Updated for 2026.

The Florida yacht market is shifting in 2026. Learn why boat sales have slowed, what’s driving the market reset, and what buyers and sellers should expect.

Buying a boat is exciting — but few topics generate more confusion, misinformation, and costly mistakes than sales tax on a boat. Every year, buyers are surprised to learn that sales or use tax applies when they buy through a dealer, broker, or purchase from a private seller. They think they can simply register the vessel in another state, or they wrongly assume boats are treated differently than the sale of other assets, like cars.

Buying a yacht should be exciting — not disappointing. Unfortunately, many buyers discover that the boat they fell in love with online looks very different in person. This phenomenon, often referred to as being "catfished by a yacht listing," is more common than most people realize.

With Ward  Yacht  Sales by your side Just a sampling of Ward Yacht Sales newest listings. Selling a pre-owned boat or yacht in Florida? If you’re considering listing in Fall 2025, you’re in a fantastic window of opportunity. From the end of peak hurricane risk to renewed buyer enthusiasm at major boat shows, now is a smart time for sellers to list their boat for sale. Here’s why... 1. Fall Season in Florida: The Wind Turns The hurricane threat is easing Although the Atlanti

For many aspiring yacht owners, the idea of owning a luxury catamaran may feel out of reach. But for savvy buyers, there’s a path that not only brings the dream within reach—but also transforms it into a smart financial move. By purchasing a new Lagoon catamaran through an active LLC and placing it into a professionally managed charter program, U.S. buyers can unlock a range of financial, tax, and lifestyle benefits. In this week's post, we're going to explore how it works!