Horizon Yacht Sales - Frequently Asked Questions

We are an owner-operated company that started in Tortola, BVI in 1998.  Currently we are the largest ‘independent’ Yacht Sales, Charter and Management Company in the Caribbean, with a fleet of more than 100 yachts in charter or in private management.

Our mission in 1998 was to “offer immaculate yachts, exemplary customer service and outstanding value for money” and we still live by that today.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

We have two idyllic bases in the Caribbean with our head office based at Nanny Cay Marina and Resort in Tortola, the heart of the British Virgin Islands.  The Resort boasts many facilities including restaurants, pool, beach and water sports centre, as well as a range of yacht services and a chandlery. Andrew Thompson and Sylvia Driver opened this base in 1998 and have over 50 years of marine experience between them.

In 2014, we opened a new base in St Vincent making the beautiful cruising grounds of the Grenadines accessible. The base is located at Blue Lagoon Marina on the southern tip of St Vincent and close to the airport, hotels and shopping.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

When you buy a yacht with us our Horizon Yacht Sales staff will assist you throughout the purchase process, helping you select the ideal yacht to give you the ultimate yacht ownership experience.

There are five simple steps:

1. Choose the boat that’s right for you: Our sales team will discuss the advantages of different models, layouts, sizes, mono-hull or catamaran, and help you specify your boat to your own wishes.
2. Sign the contract: When you have decided, you sign a Purchase and Sale Agreement.
3. Pay a deposit: In order to secure the build slot at the yard you need to pay a deposit. This is 20% of the purchase price.
4. Pay the balance: When the boat is completed and ready to leave the yard you pay the balance.
5. Step aboard: We will commission and deliver your yacht to your chosen Horizon base in the Caribbean ready for you to step aboard.

Horizon takes care of it all. Comprehensive specification, commissioning, transatlantic delivery logistics, insurance, vessel registration and coding where needed.  This is the same for private purchase or for placement in our highly regarded Charter Fleets.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

We offer tax free factory-direct pricing assuring you of competitively priced yachts and short delivery times. With many yachts pre ordered delivery times can be much shorter than you might anticipate.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

Purchase prices will vary dependent upon your exact requirements but will include: comprehensive specifications, full charter inventory, safety equipment, quality linens and towels, plus semi-rigid inflatable dinghy and outboard. The price covers commissioning of the vessel, insurance and delivery to our charter bases.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

If you buy through Horizon, run your yacht as a business, and place your yacht in charter in the Caribbean, you may be able to qualify for tax advantages.

We offer management programmes that can enable US Tax payers to gain significant tax advantages.  Just ask for more details and we will be happy to put you in touch with independent advisors, who can tell you more about how this can work to your benefit.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

We work with reputable lenders, enabling you to finance up to 80% of the cost of your yacht if needed. Just let us know and we can put you in touch.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

If you place your new yacht into one of our charter fleets you automatically become a Member of the Horizon Yacht Owners’ Club. This entitles you to complimentary boat show tickets where Horizon has a booth; free cruising permits; complimentary Horizon crew T-Shirts for your first charter; champagne on ice awaiting each arrival to your yacht and free snorkeling gear.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to “Try before you buy”.  You can charter the model of yacht you want to buy, if we have it in our fleet. Or simply charter another yacht to explore the Caribbean.  If you subsequently decide to purchase a new yacht from us within the following three months, we will deduct up to a week’s charter fee from the purchase price.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

We offer yachts from 33 -77 feet and deal direct with the factory for world class brands including catamarans from Nautitech, Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot, and mono-hulls from Jeanneau and Bavaria.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

Our charter management programs are flexible to accommodate the owner’s specific requirements wherever possible. Factors influencing your choice of programs will include personal cruising wishes, financial planning, and your degree of involvement etc. Programs fit into two broad categories. The Max Income Management program, and the Guaranteed Income program.

Max Income Management Program 

The Max Income Management program is an income-sharing program and usually runs for 5 years. You are credited for the full net charter income after booking commissions.  Horizon bills a 20% management fee, costs of parts, services, dockage etc. Your “income” is the difference between the revenue and the costs. Owner usage can be unlimited, but owner usage directly affects your income. This program is a partnership and you can choose to be actively or passively involved. US owners have successfully operated their yachts when actively involved and have benefitted from significant tax advantages.

Guaranteed Income Program

Owners of select yacht models are eligible for our 3-year Guaranteed Income program. You’ll receive a monthly, pre-determined payment. We take care of all of the day-to-day maintenance, dockage and insurance costs. With the ‘Guaranteed’ program, you may use your yacht for up to 12 weeks per year – 2 weeks in high/mid-season and 2 weeks in mid/low season, or 6 weeks in low/mid-low season, plus up to a further six weeks of sailing, when you book your yacht within seven days of your charter start.

For more information and details on our Management Programmes please talk with our Sales experts and they can help you select what is right for you.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

Horizon Yacht Charters

You can learn more about our yacht charter fleets and how they relate to our charter management programs by visiting Horizon Yacht Charters. Contact us today for more information.

Our World Wide Sailing Program offers Horizon charter yacht owners sailing on a comparable yacht in other exotic destinations. We have teamed up with select charter companies in fabulous sailing destinations around the world to enhance your yacht ownership experience. Global destinations include Australia, Canada (British Columbia), Greece, Croatia, and others.  Global points are awarded on an annual basis and the amount used is determined by season and location. The World Wide Sailing Program is available in conjunction with either the Guaranteed or Max Income Management Program.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

We only sell yachts into our own Charter Fleets, so you are guaranteed continuity of service through the complete buying process to the charter of your yacht. We offer the highest level of yacht management service in the industry today and we endeavour to return your yacht to you in the best possible condition, excepting normal wear and tear, at the end of its charter contract.  Full maintenance records are sent to you on a monthly basis, presented on easy to understand invoices.

As part of our service we arrange for full insurance of the yacht, dinghy and outboard, all licence fees and import duties are filed and maintained by us, all maintenance is either performed by us or by specialized contractors, where needed.

Before every charter, your boat will undergo rigorous maintenance checks, which involve full mechanical, electrical and gas equipment checks, rigging checks, which cover standing and running rigging, sails and canvas and finally the Shipwright check which involves a full check of all cabinetry, internal and external latches, locks and teak. Your yacht and dinghy will be cleaned immaculately inside and out and an inventory check will be carried out. After all that, there is a final walkthrough to check that everything is shipshape.

We also undertake “deeper maintenance” in our quarterly, bi-annual and annual checks and haul and anti-foul the boats every year. Please just ask if you would like to see more detail.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

Each month, our accounting department will produce a statement for your yacht. Your financial statement is also a comprehensive record of what work has been performed on your yacht as well as what charter activity your yacht has had during that month.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

We pride ourselves in our fast response to clients and owner enquiries. In addition the Management team and Directors are always available to discuss owners’ questions.

Each base book the yachts in their fleet so that the clients are assisted by reservations staff intimately familiar with each yacht. This means potential charterers will get accurate and relevant information.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

Several options are open to you at the completion of your yacht’s Charter Program:

1. You may choose a Private Management Program where we look after your yacht for you and maintain her to the same high standards, but she will be for your exclusive use.

2. You may, like some of our owners, plan the end of your Charter Program to coincide with either retirement or a sabbatical so that you can go on an extended cruise around the islands.

3. Should you wish to sell your yacht, we are experienced yacht brokers and will ensure you receive the best service and price for your yacht.

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.

Contact Robin Hodges. He is our Yacht Sales Manager and will be very happy to talk with you and start the process. Email [email protected]

To learn more contact our Yacht Sales Manager by email.