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Why Buy an Offshore Yacht? “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor…Explore. Dream. Discover. ” Sarah Frances Brown If you’ve always dreamed of exploring the world and discovering the joys of life on the water, the right motor yacht is one of the best ways to make your dreams come true. And whether you dream of spending your retirement years exploring the world at large, taking an extended sabbatical to cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage or the Caribbean, or just getting away for the occasional weekend or short vacation, you can’t go wrong by choosing an Offshore Yacht to fulfill your dreams. We can think of lots of reasons to choose an Offshore. But then, we’re biased. We’ve been the exclusive North American distributors of Offshores for over twenty years, and we’ve managed the contracting, construction, and commissioning of well over 100 of them since 1996. Here are some of the best reasons to own an Offshore Yacht, backed up by testimonials gathered from decades of happy Offshore owners. Built for comfort, stability, and seaworthiness Over the last 50 years, Offshore Yachts have been designed and built to exacting standards of comfort, stability, and seaworthiness, with a focus on impeccable detail at every stage of the construction process. Whether you’re looking at a 54 Pilothouse, a Voyager 90, or any size between, all Offshore Yachts feature a relatively wide, finely veed and deep forefooted semi-displacement hull and a flared bow with precisely radiused spray chines. That means your William Crealock designed Offshore hull slices through the waves like a destroyer and produces an exceptionally dry ride with no pounding or slapping. A low profile, low center of gravity, and fixed weights at the center of buoyancy create a smooth, sea-kindly ride in virtually any sea condition and a stable, easy rest at anchor. Covered, walk around decks with high bulwarks and handrails provide safety and security for line handling in any weather. Internal lines drain the water from the boat deck to the waterline and eliminate runoff from the lower decks, making them safer in rough seas. And every internal area of the boat has two exits to enhance safety. When you choose an Offshore Yacht, you’re choosing one of the safest, most seaworthy of vessels that promise “the softest ride on the water.” Semi-customized for the way you want to cruise Each Offshore model features a standard layout as well as a long list of quality standard equipment and an allowance for interior design. But if you’d prefer different engines, generators, inverters, stabilizers, stern- and bow thrusters, or any other mechanical enhancements, we’ll work with you to build them into your Offshore. The same goes for navigation equipment and electronics: if you’d like to build in redundancy of chart plotters, depth sounders, radar receivers, helm stations, display screens, AIS systems, or any other aid, we’ll make it happen. On deck, we’ll help you design the space you need to stow and launch your tender, dinghy, jet skis, kayaks, or other water toys and sports equipment. We can help make your Offshore a fishing “machine,” by working in equipment storage, cleaning stations, bait wells, fighting chairs, or anything else you might need. And if your needs include a different stateroom configuration to accommodate family, guests, or crew, we can help you design the perfect solution. If you entertain frequently and need enhanced professional galley and bar equipment like a second oven or range, a wine cellar, additional on-deck cooking or serving stations, or a crew lounge and galley, just name it. We’re committed to delivering you the Offshore Yacht that perfectly expresses the way you want to cruise. Check out how some of our happy Offshore customers are exploring the world. Endless possibilities for exploration Where have you dreamed of going on your yacht? Do you want to cruise the Caribbean, transit the Panama Canal, cruise the Inside Passage to Alaska? Or do you dream of circumnavigating the British Isles, gunkholing in the Mediterranean, or venturing out to the countless islands in the Pacific? Or is poking around the Bahamas or California Channel Islands more your style? Your properly equipped Offshore offers an incredible range of possibilities, given its heavy, solid construction, emphasis on safety and seaworthiness, and ruthless attention to detail at every level in the design and construction process. Quality, integrity, service We treat our customers with honesty, integrity, and professionalism from their very first contact with us. Throughout the contracting, design, building, delivery, and commissioning of your new Offshore to the preparation, listing, and sale of your yacht when it’s time to upgrade, we value and treat our customers like family. When your Offshore is delivered, one of our commissioning captains will familiarize you with every single system onboard, working with you until you’re comfortable and confident to cast off the lines and follow your dreams. And should any problem or issue arise, the crew at Offshore West, Inc., and Offshore Yachts stand ready to help resolve them cheerfully, willingly, and quickly to get you on your way. Exceptional resale value Our customers love their Offshores. Carefully designed to unique customer specifications, Offshore Yachts are exceedingly safe and reliable, built to withstand the harshest of conditions and ride like a dream. Based on their exceptional quality and reputation, Offshore Yachts represent tremendous liquidity. That means that as an owner, you’ll have a built-in exit strategy and, therefore, a lower overall ownership investment. And  that’s why so many of our customers do business with us over and over again throughout their yachting lifetimes. Many of them are second- and third-time Offshore owners, satisfied that no other yacht comes close in terms of detail, quality, and value. You’re never alone. We’re here to help you choose and customize your own unique Offshore Yacht whenever you’re ready. For more 20 years, we’ve supervised the commissioning, construction, and delivery of more than 80% of all Offshore Yachts sold, more than any other brokerage worldwide. That gives us unparalleled knowledge, experience, and insight into Offshore Yachts. When you join the Offshore West family, you’re engaging with a committed partner to guide you through every step of your yacht ownership journey – from design and planning to delivery and commissioning. Every member of our crew is proud to be at your service. Contact Offshore West, Inc. at our Newport Beach, California head office, or, at our East Coast office in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We’ll look forward to meeting and working with you.

The Olson Yacht Group Guide to Preparing Your Boat for Sale You love your current yacht. You couldn’t be happier with her. But then, there you were, strolling the docks at the boat show, pulling into a marina, or sitting at anchor with a few other yachts, and suddenly you saw her — your next “perfect yacht.” It was love at first sight. And you can’t get her out of your mind. Now there’s nothing else to do but list and sell your current yacht. If you’ve never sold a boat or listed with a brokerage before, it might seem easy – just turn over the keys, sit back, and wait for the broker to run a few ads and find the right buyer, and – Poof! – you’re that much closer to owning that new dream yacht. It can sometimes be that easy – but it isn’t always. You see, your yacht is as unique as you are – and it requires an experienced, knowledgeable, and focused team to price it, market it, and position it perfectly in front of the right buyer. But you, as the owner, will need to do a few things to get her ready to list, show, and sell successfully. Here is our guide to preparing your yacht for sale. Understand what drives a buying decision. According to Professor Emeritus Gerald Zaltman of Harvard Business School, 95 percent of any buying decision relies on hundreds lightning-fast mini-decisions we make subconsciously, based on input we get from our senses. In other words, every decision to buy is emotional, based on how we “feel.” Once we “feel good” about making that buying decision, we justify it with logic and reason. That means you’re going to have to work on how your boat looks, sounds, smells, and feels when a potential buyer steps aboard, to create the kind of sensory input that helps actively imagine your boat as theirs. In other words, you need to work to create and manage the sensory and emotional impressions that make a buyer feel good about buying it. And in yacht sales just like in life, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So, let’s look at how to make your boat create the best first impression possible. Create an action plan. It’s always a good idea to create a master plan to help you avoid overwhelm as you consider everything that needs to be done to make your boat ready to list, show, and sell. Using a worksheet, spreadsheet, clipboard, or master file, create a page for every single area of your boat: mechanical, electronic, electrical, plumbing, galley, staterooms, heads, decks, cockpit, lazarette, engine spaces, flybridge, pilothouse, engine room, bilges, and so on. Then, walk through your boat deck by deck – starting forward and working aft – and with your list in hand make notes of anything that needs to be cleaned, repaired, replaced, or upgraded. Once you have a master “to do” list, prioritize each item on your list as follows: A – Must-do: Items essential for operational, security, or safety reasons. B – Nice to do: Items that will enhance the emotional appeal of the boat. C – Want to do: Items that are not necessarily important to the overall look and feel of your boat. As you prioritize, jot down who will be responsible for each item on your list: yourself, your crew, a hired contractor, or other professional, and set a due date for the completion. Make sure everything works. The “A” priority for any needed work on your boat is to make sure that everything starts the first time and works as it should. From zippers and snaps on canvas to generators and bow thrusters, everything on your boat has to work right to make a buyer feel good. Remember, that broken zipper you’ve been putting up with, a tender outboard you have to pull more than once or twice to start, or a weird crackle in the stereo speaker are all creating emotional “mini-decisions” in your potential buyer’s mind. While it’s usually done at the final stages of the sales process, consider a survey before  you list your boat, especially if it’s been awhile since your last survey. That way you can identify and fix potential “deal breakers” before they rear their ugly heads as potential buyers walk through the boat, and avoid surprises when they’re close to a deal. Not only does every piece of mechanical, electric, and electronic equipment need to work, your mooring lines, ground tackle, davits, windlasses, winches, dinghies, outboards, and any equipment or tools included in the sale need to be checked to make sure they function as planned. Clean, wax, polish, and shine everything like a jewel. If your boat needs any cosmetic repairs, make them. Fill and match dings in the gelcoat, repair any cracks in the caulking, and remove any stains on the non-skid. A fresh coat or two of varnish on brightwork and gleaming stainless, brass or bronze makes the boat a standout at the dock – especially when details like hatch hinges, anchor housing, boarding ladders, and tank caps are included. New mooring lines, welcome mats, fenders, fasteners, or other exterior accessories will also enhance your boat’s dock appeal, as will sparkling clean windows, port lights, and portholes. And every window, port light, or porthole should be sparkling clean. Don’t forget to pay attention to the hidden spaces like bilges, engine room spaces, and tool storage areas, making sure to clear away clutter, clean, and even paint them if necessary. Create a warm, inviting interior. The minute potential buyers step inside your boat, they’ll begin to actively imagine what it might “feel like” to make your boat theirs. Staging your boat for a showing requires you to pay attention to how your boat looks, sounds, smells, and feels, so you can make it easy for those potential buyers to feel at home. Not only do you need to clean, dust, and wipe down all the interior surfaces, including the bulkheads and headliner, you’ll want to clean and polish the oven, stove, sink, refrigerator, freezer, and other appliances so they gleam. Get the carpet, upholstery, and any drapes or curtains professionally cleaned, and consider a fresh coat of white paint for any cupboard interiors. To enhance the feeling of light, space, and roominess, open the curtains or shades, and remove any non-essential items from cabinets or cupboards. Use potpourri, cinnamon, lemon peel, or fresh baked goods to make your boat smell fresh and inviting, and consider playing soft music like classical guitar or traditional jazz to create a calm, inviting mood. Work with a qualified, professional broker. Listing your yacht for sale needn’t be a complicated, overwhelming task. At Olson Yacht Group, we’re here to help you navigate a successful sale and make the process easy for you and the buyer alike. We stay current with the yacht market, aware of local, national, and international trends. We’ll take advantage of advertising opportunities online, in industry publications, and at boat shows and special events to position your yacht in front of the right buyers at the right time in the right place. For over 20 years, we’ve supervised the construction, delivery, and commissioning of more than 80% of all Offshore Yachts sold, more than any other brokerage worldwide. That gives us unparalleled knowledge, experience, and insight into what makes a yacht sell. Many of our customers are second- and third-time buyers through Olson Yacht Group. That customer loyalty is a testament to the level of attention and service we offer as well as to the value we place on creating rewarding, long-term relationships with our customers. When you join the Offshore family, you’ll have a committed partner to guide you through every step of your yacht ownership journey – from planning and designing to purchase and sale. We welcome the chance to work with you. Call our West Coast Office at 949-673-5401 or our East Coast Office at 954-922-2662 to start the conversation.

Our Year on Paramour Desolation Sound Introduction Our year traveling on Paramour is now over, with the boat back in her regular berth at Grand Marina in Alameda. This blog tells the story of our travels over almost 13 months, from August 31, 2018 until late September, 2019. Over that time Paramour covered about 6,000 miles, with roughly 4 thousand miles on her own bottom and 2 thousand more on a yacht transport ship. We have traveled in 3 different countries, and stopped in over 50 different ports and anchorages (many more than once). We have hosted 22 different guests onboard for overnights (several guests more than once). We went through almost 5 thousand gallons of diesel, took hundreds of photos, and piled up an innumerable amount of fabulous memories. In the following posts I will try to share some of our experiences with you. Our travels can be divided into three segments (plus one other topic). To view other segments, either click the link below after the segment you want, or go to Blog Posts at the top of this page: IntroductionSouthern California  Baja Coast nbsp; Northwest  addition, I’d like to share our experience shipping Paramour from Mexico to Canada 

5 Reasons to Upsize Your Yacht In the iconic 1975 blockbuster Jaws, Roy Scheider’s character is stunned by the appearance and size of the killer shark he and his partner have been hunting as it circles the small fishing boat where he stands chumming on the aft deck. Cigarette clenched firmly between his teeth, he squints, turns to Richard Dreyfuss, and utters a line familiar to boaters all over the world: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” You might not be hunting sharks. You might not be even looking to buy a new boat. You might be perfectly satisfied with your current boat, yet you find yourself browsing brokerage sites for hours every week, just to “see what might be available.” But with major boat shows just a few short months away, it’s a line you’ll probably repeat to yourself over and over as you wander the docks in Cannes, Seattle, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Dubai, Newport Beach, or another boat show near you. Somewhere down the dock, you fall head over heels in love with that bigger version of the yacht you own. You just can’t get that line from Jaws out of your head.  “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Here are some good reasons to reassure yourself that upsizing to a bigger boat is the right thing to do. You need more room. The way you use your yacht determines how much room you really need. Do you enjoy extended offshore cruising for weeks or months at a time? Are you a devoted weekend cruiser? Do you navigate, operate, and maneuver the yacht yourself, or do you have a crew? Do you enjoy sports activities like kayaking, fishing, or diving? Are you more the “relaxing on deck” type? Is it just the two of you? Do you frequently cruise with family or guests? Perhaps you’re finding the family growing, with kids and grandkids clamoring to share the experience of being out on the water with you, and inviting themselves to spend two weeks in the Bahamas? How’s that two- or three-stateroom layout working for you? Or you want to have enough space for your friends to enjoy the privacy of their own onboard suite, without having to share a cramped head or crowded companionways. Maybe you entertain frequently, and need to be able to host comfortable, elegant dinners for 12 people comfortably, or take large groups of people out for the day. Or you plan to hire a crew or expand your current crew to include a chef, a steward, or an engineer or deckhand, as well as a professional captain. Maybe you need more room to accommodate tenders, jet skis, kayaks, dive gear, or other sports equipment and all its related paraphernalia. If the way you currently use your boat makes you feel cramped, crowded, or limited, it makes sense to consider upsizing. You want more modern equipment and upgraded amenities. Sometimes, refitting, rewiring, or redecorating an older boat isn’t worth the time, cost, or inconvenience. Upsizing your yacht means you can incorporate more advanced mechanical and technical equipment like bow or stern thrusters, advanced stabilizers, additional camera-equipped helm stations, the latest high-tech navigational equipment, extra tenders, and other “must-haves” to enhance your long-range cruising plans. And then there are more luxurious amenities, like his-and-hers heads, walk-in closets, Jacuzzis, on-deck or fly bridge wet bars and additional dining and lounging options, dedicated office space, home theaters fed by satellite receivers, and professional galley equipment, even wine cellars, available to give your yacht the feel of a five-star resort. You want a more stable, sea kindly experience. Upgrading to a larger, heavier yacht can provide a much more stable and comfortable ride, especially if your cruising plans typically take you offshore for weeks or months at a time. Longer, deeper, and wider yachts are by nature more stable, and with added stabilizer options like high-tech gyroscope-driven equipment, your larger yacht will have significantly less roll, pitch, and yaw, making a long passage or a windy anchorage a much more pleasant experience for you and your guests. You want more cruising options. With a larger yacht, you’ll have more tank space for fuel, water, and waste, allowing you to go further afield and stay out longer, with fewer stops in between ports. If you’ve been  putting off that extended cruise to the Bahamas or Alaska’s Inside Passage because you’re worried your current yacht doesn’t have the range, a larger yacht offers you almost unlimited destination options. You might even consider a bigger adventure like crossing the Atlantic, heading off into the Mediterranean, or circumnavigating South America to your cruising bucket list. You want to take advantage of tax savings. You’ll need to talk with your accountant or attorney about the details, but upsizing to a larger yacht might make good business sense and allow you to write off some of the cost of your new or pre-owned yacht. Within the federal tax reform legislation passed in 2018 is Section 179, which details how you can deduct up to 100% of the cost of a new (or used) yacht if you meet certain conditions. First, you must purchase your yacht as a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company. And second, you must use your yacht for a legitimate rental or charter business. If you’re looking to upsize to a larger pre-owned yacht, you can even take advantage of Section 179 to make and write off any upgrades or improvements, including upgrading electronics, adding stabilizers, or even refinishing or replacing the teak deck, as long as you make those upgrades during the same calendar year you buy your yacht. If you structure the purchase correctly, you might be able to generate a legitimately deductible loss from your flow-through charter business, and use it to offset your regular taxable income, provided you take the loss the same year you buy the boat. Again, you will definitely want to speak with your accountant and or your attorney to work out the details that suit your situation. Our Offshore West team can help. Regardless of your particular reasons, when you reach the conclusion that “you’re gonna need a bigger boat,” we’d be delighted to help you find it. For over three decades, we’ve served as the exclusive North American distributors  for Offshore Yachts, and supervised the construction and commissioning over 100 new Offshores during those years. Whether you choose the beloved 54 Pilothouse, the new 64 Pilothouse, or the exciting new Voyager 90, we’ll work with you to select, customize, build, and commission a new Offshore Yacht that fits your lifestyle and perfectly meets your needs. And we have an inventory of pre-owned and lovingly maintained Offshore Yachts available in our brokerage. Many of our clients are on their second or third Offshore, and they keep coming back to us for the quality, service, and integrity they experience doing business with us. Check here for our current brokerage listings. We would be delighted to hear from you. Contact our team at one of the boat shows, drop in at our Newport Beach head office, or give us a call. We look forward to meeting you!

Offshore Owners Meet Up-Pacific Northwest By: John Hackstadt New relationships and fantastic memories were forged over three days in Desolation Sound. The “Meet Up” was a great success. 6 Offshore Yachts met at Toba Wilderness and then cruised to Prideaux Haven. Our itinerary started with gathering at Toba Wilderness, a stunning marina at the entrance to Toba Inlet. Toba Wilderness isn’t a typical marina. It boasts high quality docks,  fresh water to fill your tanks, power and a gathering pavilion. There is no store, restaurant or boutique shop. It was wonderful. It is run by an intriguing couple who have built it up over the last 15 years from rickety docks to the first class facility it is today. They are the only staff and were wonderful hosts. Our time together will be remembered for being one of the rainiest days ever! About 4-5 inches of rain fell on our full day. That didn’t stop us from having a blast. A few of us tackled the rewarding hike to the nearby waterfall that supplies the fresh water for the docks. As the rain continued into the evening the planned “Northern L’attitudes Luau” began. The hand crafted Pavilion (all peg construction) was the perfect Polynesian party place. The Mai Tais flowed, the food was delicious and we were dry and comfortable. It was potluck style. Everyone contributed to our feast. There was clear consensus that Bob and Kim from Kama Hele’s homemade macaroni and cheese was the unexpected “hit” on such a rainy day. It was Bob’s Mom’s secret recipe. Under the pavilion there are some comfortable couches with a couple of fire pits. We gathered there after dinner and talked and laughed until late. The next day it was as if someone turned off a faucet. The rain stopped! We had an easy 12 mile cruise from Toba to Prideaux Haven. Before leaving we said goodbye to Mike and Joanne from Iola na Mara. They had commitments a little farther north. Underway, the previous day’s rain gifted us with a glorious display of waterfalls, some dropping directly into the water. It may be called Desolation Sound, but on August 2-3 Prideaux Haven was far from desolate. It is a Canadian holiday weekend and for the last 9 years it has been the venue for a unique concert. Robin Landry has been performing with a band on the back of a yacht in the middle of this gorgeous anchorage. Robin and her husband Tom are new to the Offshore Family recently taking delivery of Midnight Sun. When we heard about this event, our itinerary was chosen because we wanted to be at this concert. It was so cool.  There were over a 1000 people rafted up in dinghies, paddle boards, for an unforgettable 2 hour performance. (Thank you Robin for leading the raucous crowd in singing Happy Birthday for my daughter Emily. That was an unforgettable way to turn 14) Prideaux Haven is a collection of bays and coves that combine to make a cruising destination. The water is warm! Yes warm. We enjoyed swimming and jumping off the boats. We were able to raft with Tradition and Tonic in Laura Cove. Brian and Steve on Tonic went in first and got a good anchor set and stern tie. Steve and Janette (and Peaches the dog) on Flying Colours began in Laura Cove as well. Randy and Char hosted a happy hour on Tradition. Flying Colours ended moving to Prideaux for a better hold on the anchoring. As we each went our separate ways, I received reports of the new friends meeting up on later days in different anchorages. It was a privilege for our family to spend time with some genuine, interesting and fun people in one of the most beautiful places on this planet. Can’t wait for the next one.

“Samba” Offshore Owners: Jim & Carol have been on many great adventures with their Offshore 54′ Pilothouse over the last 4 years…and have a terrific BLOG website (kind of like an interactive log book) that is worth checking out!!!! On their blog website, Jim & Carol, they frequently create new BLOG posts and share lots of great photos and stories of all the wonderful places they visit, people they meet, fishing, etc…all during their “Great Adventure” aboard “Samba.” Click on link:  “Samba”: A dance of love that moves around the outside of the dance floor.

Chris & Elizabeth Foster, owners of “Embajador” Offshore 80′ Voyager have created a BLOG website for their boat. If you’d like to follow the fun adventures of “Embajador” Offshore 80′ Voyager… click on their BLOG website here: www.embajadoradventure.com Setting out on February 25, 2019, Embajador (“Ambassador” in Spanish) is the official yacht of the Black River Caviar team. Black River Caviar is sustainably produced from black Sturgeon in Urugauy and is one of the worlds finest. The company was the first in the southern hemisphere and offers four distinct selections of Russian Oscietra caviar.  Learn more at www.blackrivercaviar.com

Our East Coast Offshore Rendezvous 2018 was a great success.  A great time was had by all and the Ocean Reef Club located in Key Largo, Florida set the stage for a fantastic rendezvous.  The recipe for a fantastic rendezvous is a beautiful destination, perfect weather, fabulous food, impeccable service and of course our wonderful Offshore Owners!!!!! This was our first opportunity to gather our East Coast Offshore Owner’s together for a Rendezvous. Based on all the fun, the new friendships forged, the continuous laughter, the shared stories, and more = You would have thought we were all old friends.  This Rendezvous was another wonderful Offshore event and validated once again that our Offshore Owner’s are truly a great group of people. Our Welcome Reception was on “The Point” …a stunning one-of-a-kind location!!! The next day, after our  Breakfast Meeting, we had a “Boat Open House” and a chance for our Offshore Owner’s to show-off their beautiful boats, their boat configurations, personalized touches and share stories. …a fun coincidence…Two of our Offshore Owner’s unbeknownst to each other have the same boat name “Just Us” and to their surprise the dock master put them next to each other. Many of our Offshore Owner’s did not miss an opportunity to wrangle our Service Manager – Rojo and pick his brain for his 30+ years Offshore experience and problem solving on Offshore Yachts. The Table is set for our final evening at Ocean Reef Club!! The Rendezvous continues to build new friendships, share more stories and lots more laughter.  Simply a terrific evening!!! Here is a collections of a some photos taken in and around the Ocean Reef Club. Thank you to all our Offshore Owner’s who attended this year’s East Coast Offshore Rendezvous.  We are certainly looking forward to the 2019 Rendezvous and seeing you all again!!!  And we hope that many more of our East Coast Offshore Owner’s that were not able to come this year will be able to join us in 2019 too!!!