The Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival in London

With the world of charter closely focused on the modern sailing yacht it is easy to forget the ships of years gone by still sailing our high seas. This weekend saw the arrival of the largest fleet of Tall Ships to visit London in a quarter of a century, throwing the Thames back in time as around 50 tall ships, barges and traditional vessels decorated its waters.

The Polish training vessel Dar Mlodziezy

With their towering sails billowing in the wind, the ships set sail from Falmouth racing to the Isle of Wight before heading up the River Thames for the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta.

Selection of traditional coastal types

Ships from around the world came to take part in this event including the Shtandart, a modern replica of a Russian navy flagship built for Peter the Great in 1703.

Shtandart Russian Frigate

Also on show was Tenacious, the largest wooden tall ship of her kind which is operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust and Telca who is almost 100 years old. The ships are moored at four sites along the Thames – Woolwich, Maritime Greenwich, Greenwich Peninsula and Canary Wharf and while based in the capital, they can be viewed from the land as well as on board.

Eye of the Wind

The festival will end on Tuesday with a grand parade of sail down the river as the ships head back to the open sea for their onward voyages.

Has this made you want to sail the seas? With the upcoming Voiles de St Tropez and Cannes Royal Regatta you can try sailing at speed and get some hands on experience of racing! Contact Boatbookings to organise your own sailing charter today.

Catamaran Yacht Design: From The America’s Cup to the 2014 Cannes Boat Show

The humble catamaran was originally designed by the natives of Polynesia and Micronesia. Their raft-like structure was stable enough to withstand the heavy waves of the South Pacific, which meant that they could successfully sustain their community. In the second half of the 19th Century, the American naval architect Nathanael Herreshoff took inspiration from the natives’ designs to create the twin-hulled sailing vessel that we are all so familiar with today. Herreshoff revolutionized yacht design, producing a succession of unbeatable America’s Cup yachts between 1893 and 1920.

Catamarans have come a long way since the 19th century, but their fundamental design remains the same. Fountaine Pajot catamarans are synonymous with innovation, technology and luxury. Nevertheless, the founding fathers have never forgotten their passion for sailing, or their desire to produce the very best sailing catamarans possible. The 2015 Saba 50 is no different, illustrated by the superb layout which creates a natural flow aboard the yacht. Lines of communication are clear from the front to the back, ensuring direct contact from the cockpit, the helm station, and the lounge deck. The ingenious layout makes everyone feel at ease, providing an heir of conviviality between all charter guests and crew.

Saloon FP Catamaran

The Saba 50 offers magnificent living spaces, which fold out onto the majestic decks. Interior architect, Isabelle Racoupeau, incorporates natural materials with light fixtures and fittings to create a comfortable ambiance. Her deck spaces combine trampolines with al fresco dining and sunbathing spaces galore, perfect for the contemporary catamaran charter guest. The brand new catamaran series is available in either a 6 cabin layout or our favored maestro version, with 3 grand guest cabins and a spacious master owners suite.

FP Cabins

The brand new series of Fountaine Pajot catamarans are available at a boat show near you! The next available date to view this fantastic new series is at the 2014 Cannes Boat Show, held between the 9th and 14th of September. We will be at the show to view all of the best catamarans, sailboats, and motor yachts available for charter. Watch this space for up-to-date yachting news, show updates, and yacht charter exclusives.

Celebrities and their Charters – Who’s on What this Summer!

Cannes, Monaco, St Tropez, Porto Cervo and Capri – the hottest yachting destinations in the world. The summer sees the rich and famous descend on the most exclusive towns in the Mediterranean, embarking on the finest of the world’s super yachts and taking dream vacations with family and friends. We’ve spotted the most talked about celebs on the planet on some pretty incredible yachts, and bring you our favourites in the West Mediterranean this season…

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Sylvester Stallone onboard TE MANU. Seen in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat partying and enjoying some relaxation with his family onboard the luxury 49 metre motor yacht. The 1998 super yacht has been maintained and re-fitted meticulously to maintain her traditional style. Stallone and family enjoyed her extensive array of water toys including her Yamaha Waverunner and tender with 70hp engine with which they enjoyed some serious water-skiing.

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Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden onboard LADY BRITT. An iconic boat in terms of both style and reputation, LADY BRITT is a colossal yacht from the Feadship yard. Her elegant interior mirrors huge outdoor spaces and expansive sunbathing areas, Cameron has obviously been keeping healthy onboard with the beautiful panoramic gym leading into a fully equipped spa and large jacuzzi. Cameron and Benji left the boat looking happy and heading off with a healthy summer glow.

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Whether you’re looking to see the hotspots of the French Riviera this summer, or wanting to join the likes of Elle Macpherson and Lindsay Lohan in the beautiful waters of Italy we can match your needs with the perfect luxury motor yacht. Contact us today for expert charter advice.

HIGHLANDER – The Forbes Family Superyacht enters the Charter Market!

HIGHLANDER, built in 1986 for Malcolm Forbes, the editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine boasts entertaining celebrity guests such as Ronald Regan, Baroness Thatcher, Liz Taylor and Sir Paul McCartney. Previously based on the East Coast of the US, offering famous “money tours” with her money-green hull, HIGHLANDER is now available for charter on the French Riviera.

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Recently acquired by American financier Roberto di Guardiola, who has extensively re-fitted the yacht in a hugely sympathetic manner, she now feels like a yacht of the modern day but still boasts the prowess and tour de force of those who have walked her beautiful teak decks. Following Malcolm’s death in the 1990s, his son Scott recalled entertaining the late Baroness Thatcher and her husband Denis when he was seeking Republican Presidential candidate nomination in 2000.

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Admittedly it’s easy to see why heritage alone may tempt you into chartering HIGHLANDER but with a new offering of 162-feet of living space, a classic tender, expansive sundecks, gym facilities and an outstanding design including her freshly painted dark and dominating hull she sells herself even without reeling off her impressive CV of guests.

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For more information on this stunning super yacht like no other contact us today.