Category Archives: Destination Information

Post about great (or not so great) places to charter and see

Block Island Race Week: Opportunity for Serious Competition and a Destination Vacation

Competitors and spectator enthusiasts are gearing up for Storm Trysail Club’s (STC) 24th Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex. The five-day regatta, scheduled for June 20-24, has just announced that it will be hosting the J/109 East Coast Championship along with the previously announced 2011 IRC East Coast Championship and the J/122 National Championship. The regatta will also include the debut of the new J/111 class and some serious racing for a large PHRF fleet. With 119 boats already registered boats and expectations of 30 to 40 more, Block Island Race Week promises a very exciting week of racing.

Along with the anticipation of meeting the tough competition coming out for this year’s Block Island Race Week, crews and spectators have many reasons to participate in the island event this summer. To ensure that Block Island Race Week lives up to its reputation as one of America’s most popular Race Weeks, the

Storm Trysail Club is expertly organizing an action-packed fourth week in June for sailors and their families who converge on the quaint island to enjoy a full week of exemplary views, great company and fierce competition. The traditional around-the-island distance race will also be included, with a Rolex watch awarded to the top IRC boat.

Racing headquarters for the 2011 Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex will be located at The Oar Restaurant, while evening festivities and award ceremonies will be held next door in the event tent. A Rolex watch will be raffled off at the end of the event along with a trip to the Bitter End Yacht Club to benefit the Block Island Rescue Squad, Block Island Maritime Institute and the Block Island Early Learning Center.

Photos by: Rolex / Dan Nerney

Here are some very useful links for New England Yacht Charter, Newport and Cape Cod Sailing Itineraries and Regattas and Sailing Events worldwide.

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Amber Lounge at Monaco Grand Prix to feature Taio Cruz and Black Eyed Peas Official DJ Motiv8

Those of you who know about the Monaco Grand Prix know that the hottest ticket is the Amber Lounge, where drivers, super models, rock stars and celebrities mix until the late hours of the night.  This year will  be no different with this lineup:

FRIDAY – Amber Lounge Charity Fashion Show – 10 Formula One drivers model on the catwalk, international designer Matthew Williamson headlines his new 2011 collection and Taio Cruz performs his smash hit ‘Break Your Heart’ – all in benefit of the Special Olympics under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco

SATURDAY – Pop sensation Taio Cruz performs his No. 1 smash hits alongside an all girl DJ lineup at the legendary F1 Girls Party Night.

SUNDAY – Black Eyed Peas Official DJ Motiv8 will rock the dance floor at the Ultimate Grand Prix After Party that sees F1 drivers, celebrities and VIPs party until dawn!

There are still several amazing yachts that have availability for the Grand Prix – it’s not too late. Contact us if you want tickets to the Amber Lounge or to show up to the event in your own yacht!

Image and some copy courtesy of the Amber Lounge

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Bitter End Yacht Club in North Sound, Virgin Gorda, Unveils their Brand New, State-of-the-Art, Quarterdeck Marina this July

The Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda is an exceedingly popular destination in the British Virgin Islands for both charter and private yachts. To accommodate ever-larger charter catamarans, monohulls and power yachts, top-of-the-line sportfish and private megayachts, BEYC is set to open the full service Quarterdeck Marina this July.commercial inflatable bouncers

The new installation, built from the ground up, will have wider slips, improved decking surfaces, enhanced skirting, upgraded power, and best of all a better dockage layout to accommodate a wider variety of boat sizes and shapes.

The state of the art facility will be able to accommodate yachts up to 235 feet LOA with drafts of 15 feet or

From left: Richard Starkey, CEO/Managing Director of Meridian Construction Company; Marland D'Augiar, Foreman and Supervisor; Sandra Grisham, COO Bitter End Yacht Club; James Meade, Construction Manager at Bitter End; Carine Locher, Quarterdeck Marina Manager; Robert Smith, Director of Engineering; and Mary Jo Ryan, Resort Manager

more. Tender docks are larger, catamaran docks are wider, and electricity is easily accessed.

Richard Starkey of Meridian Construction Company is the General Contractor on the project.  Noted architect Peter Brill penned the designs. Both worked closely with ownership and management to fulfill their goals. According to Starkey, “the project here at Bitter End will fit the needs of the clientele perfectly. It’s such a lovely location, and the new facility will blend in nicely.”

Here is a link to access comprehensive information about the British Virgin Islands.

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Our Charter Experts Onboard Luxury Yacht HERA-C: Retro Elegance in a Modern Context

HERA-C is truly a gentleman’s yacht, reminiscent of a period when well-heeled aristocrats dedicated time to the pleasures of cruising for business and pleasure. HERA-C perfectly recreates this era, yet in a modern context.

HERA-C is an ideal charter yacht for the important events season in the South of France. This luxury yacht is an excellent option for discreet charter clients who require lots of space for business meetings and cocktail parties, without breaking the bank.

Luxury yacht HERA-C is totally refit to accommodate the requirements of today’s charter clientele without sacrifice to Old World elegance. Updated interiors are designed to compliment an abundance of rich mahogany. A soothing pale color palette of golden tones, Tiffany turquoise, deep sea blue and crisp white, contrast pleasantly with glossy wood finishes and spotless fixtures.

HERA-C is a veteran at MIPIM, MIPTV, and Cannes, featuring seven distinct meeting areas that can be configured to suit any guest requirement, even in inclement weather. In fact, we visited the yacht during a downpour and can attest to the level of comfort despite the rain. The spacious main deck opens to a well-protected aft deck creating an extensive social space. HERA-C has hosted cocktail affairs of up to 50 guests and dining is available for up to 40 guests with seating for 24 on the upper level and 16 in the main dining area.

HERA-C is a tranquil, comfortable and steady yacht; with a knowledgeable British Captain whose experience navigating the Mediterranean Sea dates back to the launch of this Dutch built, steel hull, displacement yacht. He is very relaxed and delighted to oblige charter clients at any time and most willingly books his time accordingly.

We found the crew to be extremely solicitous and utterly charming, although additional staff will be required for any large-scale social event. The crew is easygoing and particularly skilled with children. On our visit the Chef, who hails from Malta, treated us to a delicate fish with asparagus and a mixed zesty aubergine puree with tasty sun-dried tomato layers. We also indulged in a lovely Piper Heidsick and an excellent white wine pared perfectly with the fish.

HERA-C is a yacht that assures a relaxed yet dignified atmosphere to guests in attendance at the prestigious events scheduled in the South of France. This stylish and seaworthy vessel is still available but, given her previous charter history, is likely to book quickly.

Brochure for HERA-C

2012 MIPIM Charter Yachts in Cannes

MIPTV featuring MILIA Yacht Charter Opportunities

HERA-C is truly a gentleman’s yacht, reminiscent of a period when well-heeled aristocrats dedicated time to the pleasures of cruising for business and pleasure. HERA-C perfectly recreates this era, yet in a modern context.

HERA-C is an ideal charter yacht for the important events season in the South of France. This luxury yacht is an excellent option for discreet charter clients who require lots of space for business meetings and cocktail parties, without breaking the bank.

Luxury yacht HERA-C is totally refit to accommodate the requirements of today’s charter clientele without sacrifice to Old World elegance. Updated interiors are designed to compliment an abundance of rich mahogany. A soothing pale color palette of golden tones, Tiffany turquoise, deep sea blue and crisp white, contrast pleasantly with glossy wood finishes and spotless fixtures.

 

HERA-C is a veteran at MIPIM, MIPTV, and Cannes, featuring seven distinct meeting areas that can be configured to suit any guest requirement, even in inclement weather. In fact, we visited the yacht during a downpour and can attest to the level of comfort despite the rain. The spacious main deck opens to a well-protected aft deck creating an extensive social space. HERA-C has hosted cocktail affairs of up to 50 guests and dining is available for up to 40 guests with seating for 24 on the upper level and 16 in the main dining area.

HERA-C is a tranquil, comfortable and steady yacht; with a knowledgeable British Captain whose experience navigating the Mediterranean Sea dates back to the launch of this Dutch built, steel hull, displacement yacht. He is very relaxed and delighted to oblige charter clients at any time and most willingly books his time accordingly.

We found the crew to be extremely solicitous and utterly charming, although additional staff will be required for any large-scale social event. The crew is easygoing and particularly skilled with children. On our visit the Chef, who hails from Malta, treated us to a delicate fish with asparagus and a mixed zesty aubergine puree with tasty sun-dried tomato layers. We also indulged in a lovely Piper Heidsick and an excellent white wine pared perfectly with the fish.

HERA-C is a yacht that assures a relaxed yet dignified atmosphere to guests in attendance at the prestigious events scheduled in the South of France. This stylish and seaworthy vessel is still available but, given her previous charter history, is likely to book quickly.

Brochure for HERA-C

2012 MIPIM Charter Yachts in Cannes

MIPTV featuring MILIA Yacht Charter Opportunities

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Beyond Outstanding Dives: Sea Saba, Alluring Caribbean REEF Field Station

 

REEF, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research and conservation, would like divers to know about their field station, Sea Saba, a top-notch dive operator located on a small Caribbean island devoid of beaches, but abundant in spectacular dive sites! The island of Saba, located southwest of St. Barths, is known for its unspoiled natural beauty and lack of development, the island has fewer than 2,000 residents. Dive shop owners, Lynn and John, have made scuba diving, travel, and photography their life for well over two decades.

Working with the REEF program, Sea Saba continues to improve the knowledge base of their dive instructors. Dive staff members are all qualified as REEF Level 3 surveyors. “It’s a win/win/win. We’re making a concerted effort to ensure a great dive experience is had by all our visitors but also by our staff. If we can engage each guide to be more aware and knowledgeable and share this information with our diving guests, dive guides avoid burnout. The enthusiasm is contagious.” says Lynn.

Sea Saba understands and shares REEF’s mission to educate, enlist, and engage divers in marine conservation efforts. In Lynn’s words, “Fish identification skills are a stepping stone in understanding our underwater environment. By sharing knowledge, we not only create better surface interval conversations, we can hope each diver is also an advocate to use what power he/she has to protect this realm: the coral, the fish, the reef, the ocean…our planet.”

Sea Saba hosted the first REEF Field Survey of the year in March and participants confirmed over 150 species sightings during the week, including rare finds such as yellowcheek basslets, punk blennies, and a hammerhead shark. Divers, led by excellent divemasters and staff of Sea Saba, many of whom are active surveyors throughout the Saba Marine Park surrounding this petite island, were thrilled with the natural beauty of Saba, the perfect setting for diving and hiking adventure.

REEF has fascinating dive programs throughout the world that allow divers to learn and participate in marine conservation.

Here is a helpful link for further information on Caribbean Yacht Charter

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