The new Super Yacht Y3 starts to take shape in Holland!

The hull of the new Super Yacht Y3 designed by Dixon Yacht Design has just arrived in Holland for the next steps in its construction. The team at Dixon are all highly trained, very experienced and loyal to founder Bill, who started the company 27 years ago. Bill’s team have grown and are now one of the world’s leading yacht design studio’s, as well as one of the most revolutionary and forward thinking. Y3 is a luxurious 45m Sailing Yacht, which is set to be launched in 2014.

Technical Specifications of Y3

Design – Dixon Yacht Design
Interior Design – Rhoades Young
Length – 39,57 m
Beam – 9.00 m
Draft 5.9 m – 3.9 m
Displacement – 196 ton
Launch Date – 2014

Y3 has been delivered to Holland Jachtbouw, a quality custom Superyacht builder who build both sailing yachts and motor yachts in the Netherlands. Holland Jachtbouw (HJB) also refit sailing and motor yachts of the highest calibre. The yachting company was established back in 1990 and is located at the heart of the Dutch yacht building industry close to Amsterdam. The team at HJB are dedicated to innovation, quality and cost control. They have a state-of-the-art workshop facility where Y3 will be completed before being sent to Rhoades Young for internal and external design.

Rhoades Young are a leader in interior and exterior super yacht design, whose aim is to “to deliver creative design that is driven by experience and passion to create true luxury yachts which are destined to become classics of the future.” The concept designs show that Y3 will have contemporary features, with light teak decks and soft furnishings. We believe that she will be a very sociable yacht, perfect for entertaining friends and family, whilst sailing some of the most beautiful parts of the world.

If you would like to find our more information on futuristic yacht designs, please watch this space. To find out more on how to charter a luxury yacht and see more Super Yachts, such as Y3, please do enquire via our website or send an email to [email protected]. Watch this space for the latest yacht trends and designs, as well as charter and destination information.

Posted on October 9, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Highlights of the Monaco Yacht Show 2012

The Monaco Yacht Show 2012 showcased 100 of the world’s finest super and mega yachts. The show hosted the glitterati of the yachting world, as well as over 28,000 visitors, who enjoyed some magnificent offerings from San Lorenzo, Benetti and Couach, ranging from 25 to 100m in length. This year, the show definitely did not disappoint with some incredible yachts on show, such as Vladamir Putin’s NIRVANA. This 88.5m Oceanco luxury mega yacht features six decks, swimming pool, helipad, accommodating up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms. What we noticed was a key trend at this years show was the inclusion of the balcony on the newest super yachts. This feature, whether it was off a living area or stateroom, created a great open-plan layout, maximising space and light.

A major trend that was present yet again this year was the emphasis on wellness, with the addition of spas, saunas and workout areas. Luxury yachts are increasingly focused on the needs of their charterers, not solely by pampering but by also offering a holistic approach to the client’s health and relaxation. There is no better place to enjoy a fantastic massage than on the top deck of a super yacht on a luxury charter around the BVI or French Riviera.

Revolver 42 and Boatbookings.com broker Mimi Andain with Andrea.

One of our favourite luxury charter yachts on show was ILLUSION, a beautiful 46m Benetti super yacht. She has 5 beautiful staterooms, accommodating up to 10 guests, making her a great choice for friends and family. One particular feature that we particularly liked was her attention to detail, with regards to her interior design and furnishings. She was immaculate, with the finest touches throughout. After we had taken a tour inside, we were amazed by her beautiful decks, which incorporated a plunge pool with the most amazing mosaic work. We would highly recommend a weekly crewed yacht charter onboard ILLUSION during the summer months along the French and Italian Riviera or over Christmas in the Caribbean.

As well as showcasing the world’s most luxurious super yachts, the Monaco Yacht Show 2012 presented some of the most modern and revolutionary boats that are available. We really liked the REVOLVER 42, a 42 ft Italian designed day charter yacht. She epitomizes speed, power and aero-dynamics. Yet, she possesses all the comforts to enjoy a leisurely day charter in Sardinia. She has a great sunbathing area to the rear and has a panoramic sunroof, optimizing light and space. She is definitely one to watch, boasting speeds of up to 70 knots, producing 1300H horsepower!

Having seen some SeaBobs on show at the Monaco Yacht Show 2012, it’s obvious that these fantastic water toys will continue to be popular for the foreseeable future. This is mostly down to the fact that they’re so safe and people of all ages, even young kids, are able to use them. SeaBobs can only be described as a hybrid of a body board, and a jet ski. The only difference being on SeaBobs you can travel underwater, and at quite some speed, some travelling up to 20km/h. Lots of people find them exciting, as it’s a new and innovative way to see sea life, weaving in and out of corals on the sea bed. With a battery life of up to an hour on some models, these water toys make for a great adventurous part of your charter. If you’re interested in chartering a luxury yacht that has these fantastic toys and much more, look no further than ILLUSION.

Watch this space for more industry show reviews and insight into new press releases and futuristic designs. If you would like any more information about any of the yachts included, please do enquire via our website or send an email of enquiry to [email protected]. We would be delighted to assist you with booking the experience of a lifetime on one of our luxury yachts!

Posted on October 1, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

The 2012 Antigua Charter Yacht Show

With many of the world’s biggest and most luxurious chartered yachts heading over to the Caribbean for the winter season, now seems like the appropriate time to write about chartering a yacht from the beautiful island of Antigua. Antigua is one of the most beautiful island getaways in the Caribbean, and a favorite sailing charter destination. It is particularly popular with those who wish to go snorkeling and scuba diving on the coral reefs.

The main Caribbean charter season runs from early November through to June/July, with the high season from around mid-December to March. This is the period in which those wishing to escape the cold temperatures of North America and Europe arrive in huge numbers. A large proportion of the islands revenue is made during this time through tourism.

English Harbour (and the neighbouring port of Falmouth) has gained international recognition as one of the best yachting and sailing destinations in the Caribbean. Situated on the southern coast of the island, these ports are mostly sheltered from the violent storms and hurricanes which can hit the island between July and late October. The area gets its name from the harbour in which the Royal Navy established its base of operations during the eighteenth century. It is also home to the Nelson’s Dockyard cultural heritage site, named after Admiral Nelson (who lived in the Dockyard from 1784 to 1787).

One of the most important upcoming events is the 51st Antigua Charter Yacht Show, which will take place in the first week of December. The yachts on show at this event range in length from 46 feet to 245 feet and are berthed in the three marinas mentioned above. The basic premise of the show is to gather Yachts that have come to the Caribbean for the winter yachting season in order to allow charter agents to view exactly what is on offer. This includes meeting with captains and crews and sampling the delicacies provided by the many talented chefs. Many of the chefs will have the opportunity to participate in the 13th anual “Concours de Chef”. The theme for this years competition is the Healthy Dinner Challenge. Chefs must create a 3-course menu which promotes healthy eating with “great tasting local Caribbean cuisine and simplicity in preparation.”

The success of the island as a charter destination is hardly a surprise. The local yacht workers are known for being extremely and helpful, while there are many small businesses which cater to all yachting requirements. The historical ambiance of the Dockyard and the friendly locals are also crucial factors.

Among the boats on show is the luxury crewed sailing catamaran CROCODILE DADDY, which is designed for long distance cruising with luxury, comfort and speed.

This Lagoon 620 has large windows which allow for an extremely light and spacious modern interior with wenge woodwork and white leather sofas.

CROCODILE DADDY also has a large deck area, which is the perfect place to enjoy fine alfresco dining.

Another boat that will be on show is the Swan 80 SELENE – a world class sailing yacht built by Nautor’s Swan and designed for comfort and performance.

Selene has both won and placed well in regattas around the world. With an open deck layout, top rate galley and luxurious interior, this sailing boat provides the ideal setting for a sunset dinner with an exotic backdrop.

If you would like any additional information on organizing a luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean, please have a look at the link provided or send an email to [email protected]. We would be delighted to assist you in any way possible with your charter search.

Posted on September 26, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Luxury Sailboat and Catamaran Charter in the stunning Seychelles!

The Perfect Romantic Honeymoon destination.

The Seychelles are an archipelago nation, consisting of 155 islands (115 Islands and 40 Islets) located 1500km off Africa in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles are a yachting paradise, with guaranteed weather, some of the worlds finest coral reefs and deserted beaches. Whether you would like to charter a luxury monohull or catamaran, sailing is definitely the way to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the archipelago.

We would recommend starting your charter from Mahé, the largest island and home to Victoria, the main port and capital. Mahé has a 44 mile scenic coastline, which includes many secluded spots, which are perfect for anchoring, as well as over 65 white sandy beaches and coves. It is a beautiful island to discover and will leave charterers feeling lost for words. We would highly recommend a luxury honeymoon charter, due to the pure romance that the Seychelles has to offer. One of our favourite Seychelles monohulls is DEMOISELLES, a CIM 88 Crewed Sailing Yachts. She is a great choice for sailing the Seychelles, with 4 cabins, making her perfect for family charters or entertaining friends, especially with her spacious deck.

If you are looking for a destination with the X Factor, Praslin may be the island for you. Charterers will find stylish boutique hotels, the finest restaurants offering the freshest fish, mountain peeks and crystal clear waters. Therefore, Praslin has something to offer for everyone, especially as it is the halfway house between the hustle and bustle of Mahé and the tranquility and sleepiness of La Digue. I would strongly recommend Praslin as a family and child friendly destination, as the opportunities to spend time in the water are endless. The snorkeling and scuba diving is second to none, as well as offering great bird and wildlife.

We would recommend a Luxury Catamaran Charter onboard a Lagoon 450, with great accommodation for up to 10 guests. She is a bareboat charter yacht, allowing the experienced sailor endless opportunities to explore the Seychelles.

The Perfect way to sail around the Seychelles on a Lagoon 450!

If you are looking for that picture postcard destination of pure white sandy beaches, mountainous backdrops and jade green waters, La Digue is the destination for you. Despite its beauty, it has surprisingly remained undeveloped and has remained humble to its heritage, despite the recent construction of a Casino. La Digue has a very laidback vibe to it, making her a great choice for a stopover on your yacht charter from Praslin and/or Mahé.

If you would like any additional information on organizing a luxury yacht charter in the Seychelles, please do contact us via the yachts included or send an email to [email protected]. We would be delighted to assist you with your charter search.

Posted on September 26, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Boatbookings.com Luxury Yacht Charter onboard REHAB, Sunseeker Predator 68

Luxury Yacht Charter VIBE, a Sunseeker Predator 68.

September is a great month in the South of France. It is much quieter than July and August, as well as offering the same great weather as the high season summer months, making it the perfect time to charter a luxury yacht. Here at Boatbloggings.com, we recently experienced our very own day charter onboard REHAB.

She is a stunning Sunseeker Predator 68 with 2 crew, Michael and Emma. This combination has proved a real success, having had 37 days of charter this summer. Michael is an experienced Irish captain, who is very professional and insightful on the local area. Emma is the chief stewardess and fantastic at her job, making guests feel comfortable onboard as well as being very attentive to the needs of the charterers.

We started the day from Port Vauban, Antibes and were greeted with a lovely selection of breakfast pastries from a local patisserie. Once everyone had embarked, Emma delivered a safety demonstration, highlighting that safety onboard is paramount. I was very impressed by the teamwork between Captain and Stewardess, shown by the implementation of a new itinerary by 9 am, due to bad weather in Saint-Tropez.

The natural beauty of the French Riviera

We departed Antibes and went for a swim between the Lerins Islands, where the water can only be comparable to that of the Caribbean. It was truly breathtaking, as there were very few yachts in the water and it felt as if we had the place to ourselves. Once everyone had been in the water, we headed towards Cannes and the view of the Croisette from the water is spectacular. Michael then turned the yacht around and we started to head towards Beaulieu sur Mer and St Jean Cap Ferrat, where we would be dining at Paloma Beach. REHAB was the perfect companion for our day charter. She was sleek, spacious, elegant and most importantly comfortable. Once we had passed the airport, the views of the Riviera were picture postcard material.

We arrived in St Jean Cap Ferrat for our lunch reservation at Paloma Beach, a restaurant specialising in local seafood and Provencal cuisine. Guests enjoyed appetisers; a Seafood Trio of prawn, crab and salmon, along with a delicious Fritto Misto. Main courses of Steak Tartare, Sole Meunière and Grilled Sea Bream were enjoyed by all, along with a very nice House Rosé. The seaside setting of Paloma Beach, with view s along the Cap and the Riviera were the secret ingredients for what was a great lunch.

We all boarded REHAB and began our return to Antibes. She, in my opinion, is the perfect day charter yacht, due to her spacious bow and aft lounging areas. There were at least 6 of us who laid comfortably on her bow, soaking up the last rays of the day. Captain Michael took us to some of the most beautiful and secluded bays of Villefranche on our return and it was his knowledge, as well as Emma’s service, which provided us with a unique experience on the water. We returned to Antibes to see the sun set over Fort Carre, which was a fitting conclusion to what only can be described as the perfect day.

If you would like additional information on how to charter this yacht or any others on our website, please do enquire via the yachts page or send us an email at [email protected]. We would be delighted to assist you with organising the experience of a lifetime.

Posted on September 24, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓