Saturday 7 March 2015

The ultimate list of reasons to buy a hot tub

According to a survey by Lloyds Insurance in 2013, 10 per cent of the country now has a hot tub and they are cropping up for sale all over the country too! That figure of 10% of the population is the equivalent of over two million households in the UK alone! And whilst no doubt some people may dispute this figure, there is no doubting the real desirability of these relaxing and entertaining spas.

Those looking at hot tubs for sale may feel they need to justify their rationale for making a purchase. That being so, here is the ultimate list of reasons to buy a hot tub on sale in the UK.

Improve sleep

The National Sleep Foundation has found that soaking in hot water before going to bed can ease the transition into deeper sleep. A 90-minute session hot tub session before bed raises your body temperature and will lead to a better night’s sleep.

Relieve stress

There aren’t many better ways to relieve stress than soaking in a warm and inviting hot tub. Sit back and relax without a care in the world as jets of air and water stimulate your nerve endings, improving your overall mood.

Ease sore muscles

After a vigorous exercise routine or physical workout, your muscles are bound to be hurting. But by applying some heat to the area, any tension will soon be loosened and pain should disappear quickly. This is good news for people that suffer from sore backs and painful necks too.

Help with injuries

If you’ve had an injury of some sort, blood flow increases to the affected area and causes swelling. Unfortunately, this can be quite painful and uncomfortable. But with a hot tub, warm water dilates the blood vessels and helps with sore injuries.

Alleviate chronic pain

Chronic neck and back pain is not only incredibly debilitating, but also very difficult to treat. Thankfully, hot tubs equipped with powerful nozzles and jets can provide a therapeutic massage to these sensitive pressure points and alleviate chronic pain.

Improve relationships

Spending some time in a hot tub with your loved one can be extremely romantic and improve the relationship between the two of you. Create a bit of mood lighting, set up some candles and fill the space with pleasant aromas for the ultimate romantic gesture.

Entertaining guests

Whether it is a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion, hot tubs are great for entertaining family and friends. This can be a curse as well as a blessing though, because they’ll never want to leave!

Quality time with the family

Mobile devices and other forms of technology are an ever-present distraction for children and teenagers these days. But setting some time aside and enjoying a hot tub session together is a great way to reconnect as a family.

Future investment

If you decide to sell your home in the future, a hot tub can notably increase the value of the property. And if you don’t want to leave it behind, you can always take the hot tub with you.

So, if you’re browsing hot tubs for sale but aren’t sure whether you can justify a purchase, this list of the most attractive and, we think, most agreeable reasons should help you to make the right decision.

Like anything in life, at the end of the day making the decision to buy a spa or hot tub really comes down to your lifestyle and how the overall benefits can fit into that. We think that for the combination of overall health benefits that they can bring into your family’s life and the associated fun and games that are naturally provided too, nothing else really comes close to owning one!


There is much more information regarding the benefits and ins and outs of looking for hot tubs for sale over at the HotSpringWorld site including their fascinating insights on the blog.

Friday 26 September 2014

Selling Your Yacht? Sell the Dream…

Selling any kind of boat, from a small motorboat to a mega million dollar super yacht, is simple – you just need to find that one person who WANTS what you’re selling. When you find someone who wants a yacht or boat like yours, the sale will make itself, you wont need to convince them they need your yacht, you wont need to sell the benefits of owning a boat – They Want it.



So how do yacht brokers sell boats? Simple, they sit there waiting for buyers to come to them and tell them what they want. They show them what they have that matches this want, and they make the sale. Easy….?



Yacht brokers do a great job and frankly earn their commission, they spend a lot of money on advertising, employ photographers to take amazing photos of the yachts, pay models to pose on the yachts in exotic locations. Why, because they want to show the potential buyer something they WANT, they want the dream, they want to picture themselves in the photo, at the location, at the helm of the yacht with gin and tonic in hand.

So how does this help you sell your boat and maybe save some money?

It helps us to understand the psychology, and to use this to sell your yacht.

Private Boat sellers make a few common mistakes

1.         Don’t list Too much information

They write a long list of everything on the boat, they give it’s history, tell us when the engine was last serviced, about the few cracks around the forward hatch, but don’t worry – they don’t leak! This is not helping you sell your boat. This is the kind of information you can tell the buyer in person, when he’s standing on your boat, dreaming about owning your boat. With classified yacht adverts, your paying for work count. Sell the Dream.

2.         Don’t use Poor Photos

You need to show the buyer the Boat or Yacht for sale is what they WANT.
Take some great photos, lots and choose the best. Take photos of the interior, but move all the bags and clutter up on deck, get it out of the way, make the yacht look bright and spacious.

Now put your advert in front of people who WANT what your selling. There’s lots of ways to do this, and we suggest not one method but several.

Start by advertising on websites like BoatYardSales.com where currently the basic classified boat sales listing is free. But remember, you need to show people the boat or yacht your selling is what they WANT. Remember, the more photos you add, the more they will see something they want. …Sell The Dream.


Friday 27 June 2014

Buying a Second Hand Boat – Here’s what to Look out for


No matter whether you’re buying a new or a used boat there are probably a few things that you need to consider before doing so. From the purchase, to maintenance, to life with a boat – there are a number of things that need to be considered beforehand. So, let’s take a closer examination.

Buying Tips

When buying a boat there are a number of things that need to be considered. Boats can be subjected to all sorts of problems and it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for problems. Fibreglass cracks are a big problem if they are over 2 inches or so. This is often the sign of a boat that’s been in a collision. Gel coat patches are also worth looking out for, as these are also a sign of problems.

Flexing or cracking, as well as moisture in fibreglass can cause problems too and indicate rot or break down of fibreglass. Loose seats inside are also a sign of problems as can mildew – as this often is a sign the boat hasn’t been cared for. In addition, this can be a signifier there are problems underneath the boat and in the wooden part of the boat. This is because of the quick spreading of mould spores.

Electronics

Electronics can be low cost problems to fix, however they can also cost more extensive amounts of money too. Burned out bulbs or seized bilge pumps can be sorted with a trip to your chandler, however if multiple devices are fried, this is often a bad sign. Check to see if it’s a case of faulty wiring, or if there are problems with the engine or wiring insulation – the former are more serious problems.

Belts

Belts need to be changed after around 80-100 hours of boating time and if the alternator or the power steering belts tend to be worn, or cracked they need to be changed. Changing damaged belts isn’t a problem; however it does signify lax care and attention towards the boat and should certainly be noted. Stainless Direct have a whole host of marine and chandlery gear for anyone needing to make repairs to their boat.

The Engine

The boat engine should run smoothly and if there is a lot of smoke, noise or vibrations then it could be a problem in the engine – serious or not! Often issues are easily fixed and are down to a boat not being used for a while, old fuel, old oil or the need of a tune up. However, these could also be larger problems such as low compression amongst the cylinders, or other more major issues. These issues cost a lot more to fix.

Oil

The oil is a big teller for the engine and it’s a good idea to test it between your fingertips. If it feels gritty then this could signify metal wear and tear and would suggest notable problems with the engine. Milky oil is also a bad sign and shows water is getting into the engine. Bent prop shafts should also be looked at carefully as they’re a sign of problems too, particularly with gears. Also look out for cracked engine blocks.
These tips should help you when looking to purchase a new boat and prevent any major problems.


Wednesday 26 February 2014

A yacht with class

It seems like everybody has to have their own yacht these days. We have all seen it on photos and a few lucky ones in real life too. I’m talking about the infamous mega-yacht ‘Eclipse’, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. It is an impressive and almost surreal sight and supposedly the biggest and most expensive yacht in the world right now!


The sea surely seems to be full of yachts, some a little bigger than others but all more or less looking the same. However, a few people always manage to stand out and one of them is American actor Johnny Depp, who owns an amazing vintage-looking 156 foot yacht. The boat immediately takes you back a hundred years and makes you think of European royalty, or even a mini-Titanic. However, the fact is that this masterpiece was built in Turkey in 2001, inspired by the classic gentleman’s yachts of the 1930’s.

It’s really not surprising that the eccentric star from the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ tetralogy chose this yacht to sail him and his family to and from his private island in the Bahamas. Peeking inside the yacht makes you realize that Depp never really left his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. The interior is lavishly styled Art Deco but at the same time fully equipped with all modern day necessities, like an audio system, satellite tv, PlayStation, wifi, and quite a list of watersports entertainment for people that want a bit more action than just working on their tan. You can check it all out right here.

If you’re dreaming of spending your vacation on a yacht like this, we have some good news for you! When Johnny Depp is busy shooting his next movie elsewhere, he rents out his yacht to make a little cash on the side. You do, however, have to hit a goldmine, discover oil, or win the lottery to afford the weekly rate of up to €122,500 per week during high season! But don’t despair: the jackpot in the American Powerball lottery starts at $40 million and is always on the rise! Want to take a chance at winning the jackpot? Buy your Powerball lottery tickets online here!

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Aqua Elite Charters Miami - All-inclusive Yacht Charter

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  • Pick and drop on South Beach
  • Wine & beer
  • Guided tour with captain
  • VIP service and stewarding
  • Appetizers and soft drinks
  • Aqua Elite gift bag
Our unforgettable charters provide tours to Star Island, Palm Island, Hibiscus Island, and much more. By joining the AEE free membership program you will receive a 10% lifetime discount on any of our services.

Reserve now and use promo code MIAMIELITE and receive a $200 discount in any of our yacht rentals.

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Aqua Elite Charters - An all-inclusive yacht charter company in Miami

Friday 3 January 2014

Best crewing sites

With a plethora of crewing sites available, it's tricky to find the right site for your sailing needs. Many have poor design and can cost a fortune. Here's a run down of my favourite crewing sites:

Yacht Crew Direct - This has to be my favourite, great design and very easy to use with boats and crew all over the world. One of the features I like best is that you can search by location which makes it much easier to pin down only the boats that are near me.

Crew Seekers - The Crew Seekers design is better than most crew agencies but still lacks a bit and can be tricky to use at first. There are lots of posts and is updated every day.

Find a Crew - Find a Crew has a lot of features but I actually find that I don't use most of them. There are good crewing positions available and the search works well once you've entered all your details. The main thing is to get yourself out there. Find a Crew and Yacht Crew Direct allow you to add a profile.