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Practical guidance on yacht management, new build projects, refit planning, regulatory compliance and the marine industry from the Foreland Marine team.
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J Class Yacht Management: What Makes It Different
Managing a J Class yacht is unlike any other vessel in the superyacht fleet. From rig loads that rival America's Cup boats to heritage obligations and a racing calendar that spans the Atlantic, here is what owners and captains need to know.
Performance Sailing Yacht Refit: Rig, Keel, and Appendage Programmes
A guide to refit programmes for performance sailing yachts, covering rig replacement, keel and appendage upgrades, structural modifications, and how to manage a project that balances competitive performance with cruising comfort.
Sailing vs Motor Yacht Management: The Key Differences Owners Should Understand
The operational, financial, and regulatory differences between managing a sailing superyacht and a motor yacht. From crew requirements and maintenance cycles to insurance and running costs.
Sailing Yacht Rig Maintenance: A Complete Inspection and Replacement Guide
Everything owners and captains need to know about rig maintenance on a performance sailing yacht, from annual inspections and standing rigging life cycles to full carbon rig replacement programmes.
Preparing Your Sailing Yacht for Racing Season: A Captain's Checklist
A practical guide to getting a performance sailing superyacht ready for racing. Covers sail inventory, crew preparation, safety equipment, race documentation, bottom preparation, and systems checks.
Sailing Yacht Keel and Appendage Inspection: What Owners Need to Know
A guide to keel and appendage maintenance on sailing superyachts. Covers lead keel inspection, keel bolt checks, rudder maintenance, lifting keel systems, and when to consider hydrodynamic modifications.
Hydraulic Systems on Sailing Yachts: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Upgrades
A technical guide to hydraulic systems on performance sailing superyachts. Covers deck hydraulics, keel rams, furling systems, winch drives, and PLC control integration.
Choosing a Management Company for Your Sailing Yacht: Why Specialism Matters
Not all yacht management companies understand sailing yachts. This guide explains why sailing yacht owners should look for a manager with genuine rig, racing, and sailing systems expertise.
Understanding Yacht Management Costs: The 10% Rule and What It Really Means
A practical breakdown of the 10% rule for yacht running costs, what actually drives the annual operating budget for a superyacht, and how a good management company should help you control spending.
Weather Routing for Offshore Racing: What Navigators Need to Know
A technical guide to weather routing for offshore yacht racing, covering polars, high-resolution models, the role of a weather router, and how to work effectively with your navigator during a race.
Choosing a Shipyard for Your Yacht Refit: A Practical Guide
How to evaluate refit shipyards, what to expect from the tendering process, common pitfalls to avoid, and the role of an owner's representative in yard selection and relationship management.
A Guide to ISM Compliance for Yachts Under 500GT
What the ISM Code requires, why yachts under 500GT increasingly need to comply, how to build a practical safety management system, and how to maintain compliance year-round.
What is a Yacht Owner's Representative and Why Independence Matters
A comprehensive guide to the role of a yacht owner's representative, why independence from shipyards and brokers is essential, when to appoint one, and what accreditations to look for. Covers SYBAss and YORR qualifications.
Why Independent Yacht Management Matters
Not all yacht management companies operate the same way. We explain what independent yacht management means, why conflicts of interest are common in the industry, and what owners should look for when choosing a management partner.
Carbon Composite Construction: What Owners Need to Know
Carbon composite is the material of choice for performance sailing yachts, but the construction process demands rigorous engineering and oversight. We cover prepreg vs infusion, quality control, cost-weight tradeoffs, and why independent technical representation matters during a composite build.
Refit for Performance: Upgrading an Ageing Racing Programme
When a racing yacht's results start to plateau, a well-planned performance refit can transform competitiveness. We cover appendage upgrades, rig and sail programmes, systems weight reduction, and managing a refit to a competition deadline.
Owner's Representation During Yard Selection: Getting It Right from Day One
Yard selection is the single most consequential decision in a new build project. We explain what criteria matter, how an owner's representative evaluates yards independently, red flags to watch for, and how the wrong choice can derail a project before it begins.
The Role of an Owner's Representative in a New Build Project
What does an owner's representative actually do during a new build superyacht project? We break down the responsibilities, from contract negotiation and yard selection through to sea trials and delivery, and explain why independent representation protects your investment.
A Practical Guide to ISM Compliance for Yacht Owners
ISM Code compliance is a legal requirement for commercially operated yachts over 500 GT, but the process can be opaque and overwhelming. This guide covers Document of Compliance, Safety Management Systems, designated persons ashore, and how to prepare for flag state audits.
Refit Project Management: What to Expect from Planning to Sea Trials
A well-managed refit protects your budget, your timeline and your vessel. We walk through the key phases of a superyacht refit: scope definition, yard tendering, contract negotiation, project oversight, quality assurance and sea trials.
Flag State Registration: How to Choose the Right Flag for Your Yacht
A practical guide to flag state registration for superyacht owners. Covers the major flag states, their regulatory requirements, tax implications, and how your choice of flag affects insurance, crew, and operations.
How Much Does a Superyacht Refit Cost? A Realistic Breakdown
What yacht owners should actually budget for a refit, from routine maintenance periods to full structural rebuilds. Real cost ranges by project scope and yacht size, and how to avoid the budget overruns that plague most refit projects.
Superyacht Crew Salaries 2026: What to Budget by Position and Yacht Size
A comprehensive guide to superyacht crew salaries in 2026, covering captains, officers, engineers, deckhands, stewardesses, and chefs. Salary ranges by yacht size, experience level, and what else to budget beyond base pay.
How to Choose an Independent Yacht Management Company
Not all yacht management companies are equal. Learn what to look for when selecting an independent management partner, from technical capability and flag state expertise to transparency, reporting and alignment with your interests as an owner.
Understanding MCA Large Yacht Code Requirements
The MCA Large Yacht Code (LY3) sets the safety, construction and operational standards for commercially operated yachts of 24 metres and above registered under the Red Ensign. We outline the key requirements, recent amendments and what owners and captains need to know.
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