Whither Thou Goest?
I am a long time reader. I think I even had one or two Letters to the Editor published in Southern Boating. Also, I see your well-kept boat every summer in the Exumas. I especially enjoy and usually agree with your editorials. Case in point, your March editorial. My boat always comes back from the yard a mess, thus I always wonder about the quality of the work. Skip, where did you get your boat hauled?
Tom Mark
via e-mail
Ed. Note: Thanks, Tom. We’ve heard grumbling and that’s why our annual Haul-out Guide gives readers information they can use to manage the process. I believe its up to each owner to make the yard aware of his or her expectations from the beginning. I don’t play favorites since many fine yards advertise with us and I’ve had many good experiences.
Foreign Flag Option
While visiting Florida last week I picked up a copy of the February issue and read with interest the article "Offshore Registration - Is flying a foreign flag your answer?" by Michael Karcher, Esq. While Mr. Karcher addresses a number of important issues he may not be aware of an offshore registration programme that packages and simplifies the procedures for U.S. or European buyers who may be interested to use the vessels in the Mediterranean, anywhere within the E.U. or in the U.S.
The program developed in concert with Eric C. Elull & Company, Gibraltar's leading admiralty law firm, provides in advance the inclusive costs for yachts up to 24m. The program includes, all legal fees, company formation for foreign ownership of the yacht, the tonnage measurement certificate for flagging in Gibraltar, VAT tax-paid status for use in the European Union, guidance, assistance and the examinations to achieve compliance for the yacht to be Coded as a commercial vessel under the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency which allows the vessel to carry up to 12 passengers or to be used privately by the owner, and insurance. For those who wish to ship their yachts to the Mediterranean, the program includes a formula for the owner to calculate the inclusive shipping costs from Ft. Lauderdale to Gibraltar with Seven Star Yacht Transport, which also includes insurance.
Capt. E.S. Geary
Casares (Malaga) Spain
About Pacific Mariner
Has the crew at Southern Boating ever sea trialed a Pacific Mariner 65 motoryacht? I’m curious to know how this boat handles in rough seas. I have been out to Oregon to operate the boat but the day we went out on the open water it was flat calm. If you have any info on this yacht, I would certainly appreciate it.
Fred Holtgren
Aboard Foxy Lady
Ed. Note: While there isn’t an active owner’s club for this model, there are occasional owner rendezvous in the San Juans. We referred you to Marketing Director Scott Flick in Washington state for owner contacts. Interestingly, after building 60 of the 65s, Pacific Mariner is retiring the line to concentrate on its 85-footers.
What About Flexiteek?
As sales director, I was disappointed to see almost no mention of Flexiteek in [Haul-out Guide]. Flexiteek is the world leader in synthetic marine decking with factories located in three countries and a worldwide distribution network; I would think our comments and observations would have merit in your story and should have been reported as well.
I have found several blatant comments in favor of both PlasDeck and TecDeck that are not true and are unfounded such as PlasDeck having the “highest UV protection” and TecDeck being the “originator” of synthetic marine decking. Let me state that Flexiteek is the only synthetic marine decking that has U.S., Canada and worldwide patents.
Ray Hamilton
Sales Director, Flexiteek Americas
Ed. Note: Ray, point taken. We consider Flexiteek an excellent and well-known product. No slight was intended with this look at new synthetic decking products. Check out flexiteek.com