Riva is world-renowned for creating luxurious yachts – how does M/Y RACE compare?
Interior
At just under 50 meters, RACE is RIVA’s largest ever built superyacht, and haven’t they have done a marvelous job about it too. From bow to stern, she is every bit luxurious. But wouldn’t you expect that with the Officina Italiana Design, collaborating with Rivas in-house design team?!
The 7-meter tender (yes, seven-meter!) tender sits below in the garage come gym come beach club. Once the tender is launched and at anchor, the area will then transform into a luxurious private beach club area where you can sip on cocktails, swim off the back of the yacht and be at total ease.
A mixture of white, greys, marble and mahogany which feels quite masculine. Bold, strong, and angular lines are a common theme with the design of RACE.
The upper deck continues to be awash of greys and whites, with a natural-light-flooded deck. Imagine sitting on the aft deck around a table, with glorious food and a backdrop to match.
Want to find out more? Or want to charter on something similar to RACE? Get in touch with one of our expert brokers who can provide the most suitable yacht on the market for your bespoke charter!
A quick guide to choosing between Greece or Croatia for your next sailing vacation. Having sailed in both, and living in one I will take you through the noticeable differences between Greece and Croatia.
Overview
Greece or Croatia? Seems to be the most popular question in the charter industry to date. But which one? Which suits me better? What are the differences? Find it all here!
Charter fees
Due to Greece having more yacht stock, Greece comes out top when you want ‘more for your money’. On average, yachts tend to be between 500-1,500 euros more expensive in Croatia than in Greece.
Mooring fees
Having lived, and sailed extensively throughout Greece, I was shocked at the expense of mooring fees even in the off season in Croatia. In fact, in Greece we sometimes went weeks without paying for port fees, we just ate at the restaurants! I’m sure there are places in Croatia, but we didn’t find any.
Food prices
Croatia’s food was extremely well priced, and on this occasion, I would say that Croatia’s food was better priced than Greece. Having said this, Wine tends to be very expensive in Hvar!
Currency exchange
The dollar and the euro are almost equal with 1 euro being the same as 91 cents (28th if February). 1 dollar is the same as 6.82 Kuna (Croatian currency). Something to note is that Croatia will also accept euros. 1 GBP is currently worth 1.17 euros, and 1 GBP is 8.76 kuna.
Weather
During the most popular months of sailing (July and August), Greece on the east side (Cyclades, Sporades, Dodecanese) are to be avoided due to the Meltemi winds – while Croatia is absolutely fine to charter in, although can be crowded.
Air and Sea temperature
Due to geographic location, being closer to the equator Greece is typically a few degrees hotter than Croatia. During high season (July and August) it is not that noticeable. However, for the offseason such as September and October, Croatia can be fairly cold in the evenings as the wind funnels from eastern Europe.
Natural beauty
For the pure fact that Croatia has 7 National parks, all diverse with culture, Croatia wins this round. Although Greece is stunning, with turquoise bays, Croatia is just that bit more untouched. Especially around the Kornati which has nearly 100 unhabituated islands.
Distances
Sailing distances are roughly the same in terms of yacht hopping. If you are starting in Dubrovnic, sailing distances are slightly longer and therefore are better for a group who are really into their sailing. In Greece, especially around the Saronic and Ionian islands, sailing distances are short and around 2 – 3 hours between each island.
Culture
The main differences between the culture are that Croatia has stemmed from a soviet background and only fairly recently became its own country. Whereas Greece has continued to develop since the dawn of day. The architecture, foods and arts are vastly different are really just down to personal taste.
Flights
There are no direct flights to Split from JFK, it involved a stopover in London and can cost up to 900 GBP. For the same time, the price for a return flight from JFK direct is 590 GBP. Flights from the UK to both Split and Athens are extremely regular.
Getting to the ports
Hands down Croatia wins this one. During high season Athens is extremely busy, and the ports being even busier. The mains roads going through Athens can be blocked with traffic (mostly by sailors). Most of the Split ports in Croatia’s are within 15 – 20 minutes.
Still undecided? Speak with one of our yachts brokers today, we know because we go!
Many of our bareboat + skipper clients ask us various, valid, questions about the skipper who will be on board their yacht. Below you will find information on adding a skipper to your charter.
When should I add a skipper to my booking?
There are more charter yachts then skippers! It is therefore imperative that you book a skipper onto the charter as soon as you make the booking.
How do I know if he/she is a licensed skipper?
It is illegal to cruise with paying guests on a charter and therefore a license will have to be provided before the skipper is hired by the yacht owners. The port police have a list of all the guests onboard, and your skipper will be noted down as the skipper of the vessel.
Where will the skipper sleep?
On catamarans, the skipper will normally take the single forepeak cabin leaving you to utilize the guest cabins (normally 4 double cabins). ON Monohulls, they will tend to take a bunk cabin (if there is one) or a cabin that you and your guests are not using. The skipper must have access to a toilet!
What will he/she be like?
Skippers, although hired, are appointed their yacht up to a week in advance, and therefore we cannot make a judgment on the character of the skipper. Boatbookings specifically works with yacht owners who can assure a level of professionalism from their skippers.
Can the skipper cook me lunch and dinner?
Short answer, no. The skipper is there to provide a safe, guided passage from A to B. The skipper will not have time to make lunch or dinner for you. If you are looking for someone to make you lunch and dinner, you can almost always add a hostess on to your booking.
Do I feed the skipper?
Yes. You are liable for making sure that the skipper is fed during the week. When provisioning for the week, please ensure that you also supply the skipper with breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you prefer the skipper to eat off the yacht for breakfast and dinner, you can give them 200/250 euros for the week where they can buy food for themselves. It is suggested on the first night of charter you invite the skipper out for dinner with you so you can speak about your itinerary and bounce some ideas off one another.
Will the skipper teach me how to sail?
Most skippers will share their knowledge of how to sail and are happy to do so. The skippers will not provide a full course on sailing during the week, if you are looking for sailing courses for the week I would recommend doing an RYA course at a centre closest to you.
What language will they speak?
The place where you are chartering, be it Greece or Italy is probably their mother tongue. Having said this, most skippers will have an excellent level of English so you will be able to understand each other. After all, to speak over the VHF it has to be in English so a good level is required for skippers.
Will he/she smoke and drink?
Skippers will not drink and smoke onboard. Skippers will not drink on duty. Most of the skippers tend not to drink at all on charter, bar the odd glass of wine with their meal in the evenings, as they do weekly charters throughout the summer.
Will I have to help the skipper?
The only times when the skipper may require an extra pair of hands is when he is mooring/letting go of a mooring. You will not be asked to maneuver the yacht into a berth! The most you will do is pull, or throw a line (rope). Don’t worry – the skipper will let you know exactly where/when and who to throw it at!
Aerial view of the Pietra Lighthouse at sunset, Ile-Rousse, Red Island Corsica, Corsica, France
Why not discover the glorious La Maddelena and the historic town of Bonifacio in one charter? Start your charter in Sardinia and explore lush green islands, and clear, the Caribbean like water.
le lever du soleil derri?®re les montagnes, dans la baie d’Ajaccio en Corse, France
There are not a lot of charter yachts based in Corsica, so our advice is to start your charter in Sardinia, cruise through La Maddelena to the southern coast of Corsica. The northern tip of Sardinia is roughly 7(ish) nautical miles from Bonifacio, that’s half the distance than sailing between Siros to Mykonos in Greece!
START > SARDINIA < START
There are far more yachts based in Sardinia. There’s more variation, more yacht stock, and newer fleets based in Sardinia. The prices are also more competitive than Corsican based yachts.
But I don’t want to do any open water sailing!
Don’t worry – even though it looks like it’s ‘open water sailing’ Corsica is only 7 NM’s away from Sardinia and on most days you can see the bottom of Corsica – just head north!
Cala Corsara, Maddalena archipelago on Sardinia island, Italy.
Realistically, who doesn’t want to be at anchor in a bay this blue? Take your tender to shore and walk around the rugged coastline – don’t forget to take your kill cord with you! La Maddelena is absolutely full to the brim with anchorages like the one above, the hardest decision is which one do you anchor in?!
What’s so good about Corsica anyway?
Santa Giulia – Corsica
Corsica is one of the Meditteranean’s best-kept secret. The water is turquoise, the sand beaches are white and the scenery is just jaw-dropping. The tall cliffs which fall into the sea is the perfect backdrop for your alfresco dinner. The 9th-century Citadel which stands over the white cliffs of Bonifacio is a sight to remember. Not to mention some of the most incredible anchorages known to man are based on the southern coast of Corsica.
Thinking about chartering? Contact us today to get a bespoke proposal, cost break down, and yachts that suit you and your group!
What could be a better way to spend your next vacation than on your own bareboat motor yacht zipping from island to island? From cruising around the blue waters of the Bahamas to exploring the shores of Corsica, bareboat motor yachts provide the ultimate charter experience. There are no sails to complicate the navigation, sit back, relax and let the engine do the hard work for you whilst you explore some of the finest waters in the world!
Types of motor yachts for charter
Power Catamarans
The power catamaran is a fantastic alternative to a standard sailing catamaran and provides the maximum space available on a boat. Power catamaran’s are also incredibly stable and easy to manoeuvre.
Lagoon 40 power catamaran available in the Bahamas.
Bareboat Motor Yachts
As long as you are in possession of the right licences you are good to go on your own motor yacht. Motor Yachts are glamorous and cruise through the water with ease! Motor Yachts are sleeker and quicker than their power catamaran rival. This charter is perfect for couples or those wanting to test out a bareboat motor yacht before chartering a crewed motor yacht! You can add a skipper and hostess to a bareboat motor yacht charter for a different experience.
The best places for bareboat motor yacht charters
There are fewer motor yachts available for bareboat charters than sailing boats or catamarans across the globe. The best regions to find a bareboat motor yacht charter are below. Over the next few years there are forecast to be a lot more motor yacht charters emerging.
Sardinia
Sardinia offers the opportunity to explore both the shores of the Costa Smerelda and of southern Corsica. Short cruising distances, beautiful anchorages, crystal clear waters and the national park of La Maddalena are the best characteristics of this stunning itinerary!
Croatia
There are an increasing number of motor yachts available for a bareboat charter in Croatia. Choose from cruising from Sibenik around the Kornati National Park to bar hopping from Split around Vis or Hvar. The itinerary in Croatia is perfect for a motor yacht as there is the opportunity to see a different island every day.
The Bahamas
There are two power catamarans available for charter in the Bahamas. These power catamarans are in high demand and are great boats for sailing around the crystal blue waters of the Bahamas and seeing swimming pigs and wild iguanas en route!
Requirements for a motor yacht charter
Chartering a bareboat motor yacht comes with responsibility. Possessing a licence which permits you to drive and operate a boat up to a certain size is mandatory. In Croatia, a VHF licence is also required. For power catamarans in the Caribbean and the Bahamas an updated sailing resume is required to charter. Please follow the below link to see more detailed information towards advice on a bareboat charter: https://www.boatbookings.com/yachting_content/faq.php
Contact the Boatbookings team to begin planning your bareboat motor yacht charter today!
