Rolex Big Boat Series Begins in San Fransisco Harbor

Rebel Yell off Alcatraz, IRC A: Photo Daniel Forster

The Rolex Big Boat Series has once again attracted world-caliber sailors to this West Coast event from all corners of the continent and abroad. Beginning today, four challenging days of racing culminate with the presentation of six specially engraved Rolex timepieces given to winners of the St. Francis Yacht Club’s Perpetual Trophies.

The Rolex Big Boat Series is the second race of the

Crimiinal Mischief IRC A: Photo Daniel Forster

series, followed by the West Coast Shootout (September 24-25) and the Great Pumpkin Regatta (October 29-30), which is considered a San Francisco classic.

The racing action takes place on the San Francisco waterfront that is now home to the America’s Cup.  “This is the first time for all of us sailing in San Francisco,” said Jan Bruening, the bowman aboard his father’s German entrant, Topas, in the Farr 30

Rebel Yell: Photo Daniel Forster

class, which is holding its 2011 World Championship concurrent with the Rolex Big Boat Series. The thing we’ve enjoyed is, really, that every day there are stable winds.”

The largest class, the J/105s have “dialed up their programs” for the Rolex Big Boat Series, said Stuart Johnstone (Newport, R.I.), who is on Arbitrage. “It’s always tough; the top six or so teams are extremely good and all capable of winning a North American championship. In fact, San Francisco teams are typically known to dominate this class’s North American championships.”

Johnstone pointed out that in IRC C, there are four J/125s that are part of the “fast forties” sport boat contingent.  “They are also specially geared up for this regatta, and they corroborated on their ratings (by using same sail selections, etc.) to stay close. There is only one boat (Andy Costello’s Double Trouble) that is local. They are gonna have a ball, since the race committee, I’m sure, will send them on courses that criss-cross all over the place.”

Johnstone said it was anyone’s guess how the new Farr 400 Team Premier will fare with Dee Smith (Annapolis, Md.) at the helm, and there are also two Farr 36s and an ID 35 thrown into the mix.

Here is a helpful link with information about Yacht Charter for Regattas

Secrets of Southern Italy: One-Week Charter On The Magnificent Cilento Coast

The Cilento Coast is a pristine region of spectacular beauty that remains rugged and wild due to its inaccessibility. Soaring rock cliffs descend to white sand beaches concealing tranquil bays of crystal clear water. The coast is dotted with picturesque towns to enjoy local culture, shops, restaurants, hiking trails and renowned historical sites. Along the coast harbors are safe and dockage is very reasonable. This itinerary is courtesy of charter yachts Feeling, Emotion, Passion and Smile, names that perfectly reflect these surroundings.

Day 1: Salerno. Arrive in Salerno for check-in at the marina, just a short walk from the downtown area. Salerno is considered the main urban center close to the Amalfi Coast on the Tyrrhenian Sea. This rich and culturally diverse city includes archeological sites, a medieval sector, and a 19th-century district. There are numerous noteworthy points of interest including churches, museums, palaces and castles.

Day 2: Depart Salerno to Agropoli.

This bustling port town includes a well-preserved old town as well as inviting retail and fine restaurants. The nearby archaeological site of Paestum has temples of Neptune and Ceres and the Basilica, which are adjacent to the National Museum. For cheese connoisseurs the buffalo mozzarella farm is worth a visit. The fine beaches of Trentova Bay contribute to make Agropoli a popular seaside resort.

Day 3: Depart Agropoli to Acciaroli. A leisurely sail takes you to the picturesque bay of Ogliastro. Here a popular hiking trail takes visitors past medieval structures and through pristine forest. It is possible to spend the night or continue to Acciaroli, a town that is a part of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park.  Ernest Hemingway relished his stays here during his visits to Italy.

Day 4: Acciaroli to Capo Palinuro. Spend the night in Marina di Camerota, a quaint, scenic town with many of the alleys and streets of the old fisherman’s village still intact. The beautiful seafront and harbor has complete facilities, seaside activities, fantastic beaches and seabeds to explore. The town is also noted for its paleontological caves with human fossils. One of these caves, located in the Lentiscella zone, is a museum.

Day 5: Marina di Camerota to Infreschi Bay. This is a beautiful natural harbor with crystal clear waters located in the extreme south of the Gulf of Policastro. Rocky cliffs give way to white sands and a dazling sea in hues from turquoise to emerald. The sandy, sloping sea floor is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. On shore, hiking trails wind through gorse, rosemary, carob trees and prickly pears. In the afternoon sail to the picture postcard village of Scario. This is considered by many to be the most charming and authentic village along the Cilento Coast.

Day 6: Scario to Palinuro Cape. An absolute must on the southern side of Palinuro Cape is breathtaking Buondormire Bay. Located between steep cliffs and lush vegetation, this wilderness is accessible only by boat or a long walk that ends with 500 steps leading down to the sea. It is possible to spend the night here or in Palinuro harbor.

Day 7: Palinuro Cape to Salerno. Enjoy breathtaking views while you sail northward with a stop around Punta Licosa for swimming.

Day 8: Disembark in Salerno. Salerno is a vibrant urban center with plenty to see and do. In addition to shops and restaurants, museums and churches, the famous sites of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius are an easy commute.

A charter on the Cilento Coast offers an exceptional opportunity to explore the culture, history and natural wonders of a unique and awe-inspiring region. This charter itinerary is available for bareboat and crewed charter and may be modified for a one-way charter from Salerno to Tropea, 85 miles from Marina di Camerota, without delivery charge.

Here is a link to comprehensive information on Yacht Charter in Italy and destination highlights on the Amalfi Coast.

Kingship`s Newest Luxury Yacht Design ESSENCE: Details Revealed at the Monaco Yacht Show

Kingship in collaboration with designer Horacio Bozzo of Axis Group Yacht Design is set to lure buyers in the luxury yacht market with M/Y Essence. Innovative architecture features a superstructure that more closely resembles a chic Palm Springs estate than a conventional yacht. Sprawling deck spaces provide nearly as much outdoor as indoor living space. She is the first yacht of her size to have a completely private Owner’s deck and a 180-degree forward-facing panoramic view.

The full-beam owner’s suite is located on the dedicated upper deck of the 42.5m superyacht and allows owners to enjoy complete privacy on the independent terrace with shaded seating and a totally exclusive sunbathing area, aft al-fresco dining veranda and magnificent views from a huge sliding roof while lying in bed.

Innovative solutions include a split main deck layout where the bridge is located. The bridge is also connected to the galley and crew quarter directly, which allows the crew to deliver quality services to owners and guests. On the foredeck, the tender and its launching systems are housed underneath the huge sun lounges.

ESSENCE has a full displacement hull powered by twin Caterpillar C32 engines with a cruising speed of 15 knots and trans-pacific range. The luxury yacht accommodates owners, eight guests and eight crewmembers. ESSENCE will be built in compliance with the RINA Green Plus notation and MCA to facilitate potential charter.

Here is a helpful link for comprehensive information about Luxury Superyacht Charter worldwide.

 

DynaWing AC72 America’s Cup Challenger: The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Carbon Free Ride

Well in advance of  the 34th America’s Cup starting gun, Sauter Carbon Offset Design is racing to challenge the competition with the DynaWing AC72, which they hope will prove to be faster and more stable than the Oracle AC72 22 meter Racing Cat.

The DynaWing AC72 has a Schooner rig featuring a hybrid Wingmast and mainsail designed to deliver a versatile range of power options from a full array of sails to a gradual reduction of all sails culminating in Wingmast reefing. Despite the edgy profile, the DynaWing adheres to the ruling design parameters of the AC72 length, beam and a total sail area that includes a maximum of two wing segments.

Designers estimate the DynaWing AC72 will perform equivalently to the Oracle AC72 in light winds, but will be safer and swifter when pushing hard in the strong winds that make ideal racing conditions for spectators.

Richard Sauter head of design commented, “The DynaWing AC72 Schooner truly reflects the sailing legacy that laid the foundation the America’s Cup is built upon. Employing the DynaWing Schooner rig the existing AC72 is transformed into a viable ocean going design that has significant relevance to yachting and the world at large as she points to the fact that hi-performance sailing vessels are the ultimate Eco-friendly Carbon Free ride”

DynaWing AC72 Specifications:

Length: 22m
Beam: 14m
Draft:4.4m
Mast Height: 32m
Displacement: 5,700 –5,900kg
Sail area:2 Wingmasts 260 sqm total
Gennaker: 320 sqm+
Main & Gennaker: 580 sqm+

For charter at the 34th Americas Cup Challenge and other racing events please visit: Charter a Racing or Spectator Yacht

For eco-friendly charter options please follow this link to Green Chartering for Low Carbon Emissions

Impressive Competition Among Perini Navi Superyachts Today in Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Today the fourth edition of the Perini Navi Cup begins. Porto Cervo, Sardinia provides the spectacular backdrop for this event in which eighteen Perini Navi sailing yachts will compete. The event is only open to yachts built by the renowned Viareggio shipyard and is organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The regatta is both a race and a rendezvous for owners in the “Perini family”. Racing courses of up to 40 miles are set against the breathtaking scenery of the La Maddalena archipelago.

Fidelis
The fleet of superyachts includes the new
Salute
56-metre ketch FIDELIS, designed in collaboration with Ron Holland. Other sailing legends assembled in Porto Cervo are SALUTE, with the tallest aluminum mast in the world, and the MALTESE FALCON, the largest Perini Navi sailing yacht in the world and winner of the last two editions of the Perini Navi Cup.
Maltese Falcon

Owners, guests and crews will be kept busy after racing on Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September with a complete social program that includes a Pommery champagne reception, a cocktail competition between participating yachts, the Rolex gala dinner and the Quadrivio regatta party at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Clubhouse.

Following the Perini Navi Cup the YCCS sporting calendar continues in Porto Cervo with the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (5-10 September), the Veteran Big Boat Rally (12-15 September) and the Audi TP52 World Championship (2-8 October). The YCCS will then organize the Transatlantic Superyacht Regatta departing from Tenerife in the Canaries on 21st November and arriving at the Club’s new winter base in Virgin Gorda in December.

Click here for Live Tracking

Please follow this link for comprehensive information about Crewed Luxury Charter Sailing Yachts

Here is a useful link to learn about charter options for Races, Regattas and Sailing Events