Yacht Buying for Retirement: Things to Consider for a Leisurely Life at Sea

When retirement age nears, mixed thoughts turn to the next exciting phase of life with more than a bit of trepidation. Imagine how many people would swoon at the thought of buying their own yacht and whiling away their twilight years in a series of stunning, luxurious locations. At Simpson Marine, we pride ourselves on facilitating those dreams with our incredible range of vessels to purchase and charter. With such experience and knowledge running deep through our team, it seemed a shame not to capture their thoughts on a post-retirement life at sea and some factors to consider that people may not have stumbled across. 

PREPARING FOR YOUR LEISURE YEARS

As much fun as land-based activities and experiences can be, there is no need for modern retirees with sufficient resources to be restricted to caravans and RVs, the Winnebago or the mobile home. A whole new world of adventure and incredible experiences awaits those brave enough to take the plunge and commit themselves to a new, water-borne lifestyle. Even if you have never been in control of a vessel before, it is relatively simple once you understand the fundamental principles and rules. Age is no barrier to getting involved and seeing what all the fuss is about.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT YACHT

An intimidating concept to individuals with little or no boating experience under their belts, choosing the perfect yacht seems almost insurmountably complicated and stressful. Not to mention wondering how to choose the right marina for your yacht. But it doesn’t have to be, especially when you have companies like Simpson Marine to advise and guide you honestly and effectively. The first thing to do is to sit down and ask yourself some pertinent questions, namely:

• Does the budget stretch to everything in the range?
• Are guests likely to visit often and stay onboard overnight?
• Is sailing a romantic part of the vision, or does powered travel sound more appealing? — While individuals of all ages can competently perform small-craft sailing, it does require a certain degree of strength and dexterity. Larger sailing vessels will almost certainly require extra hands on deck to maneuver and control safely and efficiently. 
• Will fishing be involved? — Some vessels (flybridge) are designed with fishing in mind, and although you can feasibly cast your rod over the side of any craft, those with sea-level platforms and bespoke fishing equipment make life easier and more fun.

SAILING VESSELS

Some other factors and misnomers to consider around the purchase and operation of sailing vessels are as follows:

• Sailing may appear at first glance as a more economical way to get into life on the water, but that is not necessarily true. The sailing equipment, rigging, and other paraphernalia (often called a sailing ‘wardrobe’) can be expensive, representing at least 10% of the overall cost. Not only that, but sails don’t last forever and splitting a mainsail in strong winds can be an expensive incident.
• Most sizeable modern sailing craft come equipped with an engine, which will also use fuel and require professional maintenance.
• As mentioned, larger sailing vessels are impossible to handle alone, so you may be looking at the added expense of hiring a crew.

These factors need not dissuade retirees from opting for the thrill of owning their sailing vessel, far from it. They are just reminders that sailing is complex and larger vessels require experience and physical attributes. Small sailing crafts are perfect if the vessel’s purpose is for you to spend every other weekend tootling around, learning the ropes, and casting a rod over the side with a cold beverage in hand. But, if the aim is to live on board the vessel, size will undoubtedly be an issue. Those large enough to inhabit for long periods are not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced, especially if taken far from shore.

POWERED VESSELS

Generally, most powerboats have outboard engines, sterndrive units, or inboard/shaft-drive engines; most come in petrol or diesel versions.

• Outboard engines — The stereotypical version most people imagine when they think of faster, powered vessels. One or more external engines are mounted to the vessel’s rear with shafts that drop into the water and drive multi-directional propellers. The direction of propulsion is directly related to the angle of the propellers and is the method by which these types of craft are steered and powered. 

• Stern drive — Similar to outboard engines in many ways, stern drives are mounted inboard and send power to an outboard unit that operates similarly. 

• Shaft drive — As the name suggests, shafts deliver power to the propellers, which, in this case, are fixed in place positionally; steering is handled by rudders instead. As with most shaft-driven vehicles, efficiency is high, and maintenance requirements are low. However, if an outboard motor experiences issues, you can detach it and have it worked on elsewhere. If a shaft drive engine fails, your only option will be for the mechanics to come to your vessel and work on it, perhaps even taking it into dry dock.

Almost all smaller crafts are powered by outboard motors. Mid-sized ones are outboard or stern drive, and larger ones (10m+) are shaft drive.

LARGER VESSELS

Coastal cruising is a delightful option for retirees who can afford more substantial yachts. There is never any need to get out of sight of land if that’s not your cup of tea, but the range of locations to visit and sights to see can be vast, depending on the coastline in question. Vessels considered in the industry to be ‘large’ start at 10m and upwards. Of those, there are three basic types, and you can expect them to be dual-engine and diesel-powered:

• Trawler

Typically, ‘displacement’ vessels move the water out of their way by pushing through rather than skimming across the top of it like faster vessels.

• Flybridge 

One for the fishing enthusiasts, flybridge vessels are the goal of aspiring offshore anglers. The view afforded to the captain by a bridge at the top of a ladder or stairway (flying) is crucial in looking for fish movement in the water and reeling in larger catches that don’t submit without a fight. Although flybridges are versatile and not only useful for fishing, there are few genuine reasons to choose one if no rod will ever be cast. 

• Sports cruiser/sedan

With a much more level setup, the bridge, saloon, galley, and any accommodation are usually on the same level in a sports cruiser. Easy to operate, relatively fast, and comfortable, sports cruisers are the dream choice of many imminent retirees.

CONCLUSION

Retirement is the time to treat yourself to the best time possible and truly make the most of the years you have left. For those financially able and brave enough to take the plunge and join the sailing community, most never look back and often wonder why they didn’t get started sooner. After so many years of toiling and raising families, the sense of pure freedom, adventure, and a supportive, social community is a breath of fresh air. And the fresh air itself isn’t bad either. 

Be realistic about your capabilities and ideal requirements when choosing your first yacht. There’s no shame in starting small and working your way up to larger vessels if you decide to commit yourself and spend even more time on the water. Whatever your experience of owning a yacht, it will be transformative. You will be immersing yourself in a whole new world that requires a very different set of disciplines and activities than you might be used to, but once you get into it, there is no getting out again; you will be hooked. Now, you can start contemplating your first destination and how to choose the right marina for your yacht.

CONTACT US

If all this talk of yachting and gadding about on the water has whetted your appetite, why not browse the incredible selection of top-quality yachts and other vessels we offer here at Simpson Marine? Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any comments or questions about our available vessels or yacht management and care services. We are standing by to assist you in any way we can and love nothing more than discussing our favourite topic, life on the water.