Regatta Expert Meg Toppa: Momentum Accelerates as Bay Area Plans for Americas Cup 2013

Inquiries are coming in fast and furious for spectator charter yachts for the 2013 America’s Cup. Our regatta expert, Meg Toppa, was on a mission during her recent visit to the Bay area to learn up to the minute information about the event for charter clientele.

Meg visited the welcoming and unpretentious Golden Gate Yacht Club, where she met with General Manager Bob Mulhern. His enthusiasm for the event is infectious, especially in terms of involving area youth and reaching out to the general public. However, with a commencement date fairly far in the future, organization still seems to be sketchy, the website remains unfinished, and central offices are not open yet.

None the less, this is a great opportunity for the region, with tremendous potential to see high performance racing at its finest. The locals are really trying to leverage the fact that the Cup is here and accessible to all, not just the famous competitors, already so intimately familiar with the scene, but also the younger generation of up and coming racers, eager to participate.

The West Coast setting is dramatic and inspirational, on this huge bay it is easy to imagine the new generation of multihulls racing at top speed over challenging seas against the backdrop of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge.

The actual America’s Cup, on display at the recent Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show in Oakland, California, attracted a sizeable crowd. Meg said, “growing up in Newport, Rhode Island, famous for America’s Cup racing, I never actually got to see the trophy. So it was truly thrilling to see the great big, brilliantly shiny Cup, roped off in heavy velvet, and very heavily guarded by state of the art security forces.”

Keep checking back for updates on the latest race and regatta information. For information to date here are some useful links for Upcoming Yachting Events, Regattas and Boat Show Dates Worldwide and Regattas and Sailing Events.

To contact Meg please email: [email protected]

Posted on April 22, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Aegean Summer Aboard 114′ PROTEUS and 101′ IRIS: Superb Luxury Charter Yachts For Exploring the Incomparable Greek Islands

Iris Running — IRIS 101' Ferretti Custom Line

The Greek Islands of the Eastern Mediterranean beckon luxury yacht charter clients with nearly unlimited options

Proteus Aereal — PROTEUS 114 C.T.M Falcon

for first class adventure this summer. Each island has a unique splendor and every port a distinct charm. Two superb Italian yachts still have limited summer availability in the region, 101’ IRIS Ferretti Custom Line and 104’ PROTEUS C.T.M. Falcon. The distinguished crews on both luxury yachts are natives of the Aegean; eager to reveal everything that is marvelous in these renowned ports of call.

Of all the island groups the Cyclades, a short journey southeast of Athens, are the most popular. These islands are topographically diverse, populated with archetypal Greek towns, congested with appealing restaurants and shops, scattered with amazing archeological sites and famous for their beaches. Whether your yacht of choice is the seaworthy PROTEUS, slicing smoothly through the sea between these destinations, or the stylish IRIS, with spacious social areas ideal for entertaining in port, your experience aboard will be unforgettable.

PROTEUS offers twelve guests incomparable luxury in six elegantly appointed, ensuite staterooms. This voluminous trideck design was launched in 2004 and is meticulously maintained. Guests will be thoroughly pampered by her crew of six, dedicated to the requirements of each individual guest. IRIS is an excellent family yacht accommodating up to 12 guests and featuring two twin staterooms with extra Pullman berths that are always a delight for children. The upper deck is superb for sunning and spectacular panoramic views. IRIS is an elegant, stately vessel, yet with a relaxing, ambiance.

Whichever yacht you are fortunate enough to charter, the Captain and crew can assist with planning your itinerary, which can be the most difficult part of your charter given the myriad of spectacular destinations available. Paros is the new Mykonos for the Greeks, very lively and chic, but not as touristic as Mykonos, which has long been famous for its beaches and nightlife. Santorini is spectacularly beautiful and features extraordinary archeological sites. Naxos has amazing white sand beaches and Antiparos is a very exclusive and expensive hidden gem where Tom Hanks and his wife of Greek origin, Rita Wilson, own a home.

Charter super yacht PROTEUS or luxury yacht IRIS this summer in the incomparably beautiful, mythical and magical Aegean Sea, and there is little doubt these ships and these islands will lure you back over and over again.

Here is a helpful link for comprehensive information on Vacation Yacht Charters in Greece.

Posted on April 20, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

72′ Custom Ketch Rigged Luxury Sailing Yacht AYACANORA: A Real Dream Yacht

AYACANORA exudes romance inside and out. Her namesake, the beautiful and willful heroine of the Charles Kingsley classic Westward Ho! perfectly captures her ambiance. This classic sailing yacht is ideal for a honeymoon or anniversary getaway or two couples that enjoy sharing a remarkable experience.

AYACANORA, a 72 foot custom ketch rigged luxury sailing yacht, originally launched at Littlehampton Sussex, England in 1981. About three years earlier, Tony Moore had started a small business in the workshop next door. He recalls “a man and an Alsation were building a boat, a big boat, he was an interesting and clever chap, and I talked to him now and then, really wondering if he would ever realize his dream. I guess about three or four years later, the dream came true.” Archival photos, courtesy of Tony Moore, show the builder, his companion Alsation, and a crowd of well wishers on hand for the launch. It is quite unusual that, despite changes of ownership, AYACANORA retains both her original majesty and her name.

Lovely interiors aboard AYACANORA invoke the traditional elegance of the English country cottage. The formal dining area features expansive banquette seating at the stylish, high gloss, mahogany table. Two beautifully decorated queen sized, ensuite cabins accommodate four guests. The unusually spacious master, located aft, includes a charming built in settee, as does the renovated forward cabin.

Whether guests chose to relax and laze in a hammock or opt for the thrill of ocean sports, AYACANORA offers many options. Sportfishing enthusiasts can take advantage of the Rybovich Tuna Fighting Chair and water skiers can get their adrenaline pumping when pulled by the 14 ft. AB dinghy, with 40HP motor.

AYANCORA is a available for charter clients wishing to explore the wonders of the Caribbean Virgin Islands. For additional options, please use this link to view a comprehensive list of superb Crewed Luxury Sailing Charter Yachts.

Posted on April 19, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Dockwise Yacht Transport and Floating Life: A Match Made in Heaven

Some unions are meant to be, and when Floating Life, an international yacht management and service company, was introduced to Dockwise Yacht Transport a year and a half ago, it seemed a match made in heaven. Floating Life bears responsibility for some of the world’s most prestigious yachts and demands the highest degree of professional competence from those involved with the coordination of countless technical, administrative and logistical details. In the case of transporting Floating Life’s three 131- foot Norman Foster-designed luxury superyachts back and forth between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, Floating Life entrusted Dockwise Yacht Transport.

MY Ocean Emerald, MY Ocean Pearl and MY Ocean Sapphire are the basis of Floating Life’s unique fractional ownership program, by which 24 families have owner access to the yachts for a specified number of days per year. With fractional ownership, these families are able to reserve their cruise dates, are assured safety and first class service, and significantly reduce cruising costs.

The yachts will be berthed in Greece, Sardinia and the south of France this summer. Toward that end, both Ocean Emerald and Ocean Pearl completed a voyage in March from Martinique to Toulon aboard Dockwise Yacht Transport’s Super Servant 4.

Dockwise owns a total of four yacht carriers, including the 686-foot (209 meter) super ship Yacht Express, and operates on a regular schedule to deliver yachts around the world. The ships, looking something like giant moving marinas when they come to town, use their unique loading method to allow yachts of any size to be safely floated on and off as cargo. The carriers submerge themselves by pumping nine million gallons of water into their ballast tanks; the vessels are floated into place one-by-one, then sea-fastened before the ship pumps dry to prepare for boat transport. Once the ship reaches its final destination, the process is reversed so the yachts can safely disembark with captains, owners and/or crews aboard to take them by their own power to new adventures. Dockwise Yacht Transport also orchestrates lift-on/lift-off arrangements with third-party carriers for clients wanting a more flexible shipping schedule or to explore destinations where the float-on/float-off ships are not scheduled to go.

Posted on April 6, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

New Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda Welcomes Superyachts

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Marina (YCCS Marina) was recently inaugurated in North Sound, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. This magnificent property was designed as a facility for megayachts, their owners and charter guests, and provides a very private and exclusive destination for high profile clientele.

Location is a critical consideration for superyachts that have unique requirements of size, and suitability. Facilities have been extremely limited, particularly in the British Virgin Islands where no facilities existed on Virgin Gorda prior to the construction of YCCS. The world-class marina is protected from prevailing winds, ocean swells and surges, and offers 38 slips for yachts up to 328 feet in length with a maximum 30-foot draft in a naturally deep location.

The YCCS Virgin Gorda draws the international sailing and yachting community to enjoy top-level international sailing events such as the Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous that took place last month. Amenities at YCCS VG include the full service marina, several docks, provisioning services and shops. YCCS is scheduled to be fully operational by December.

To assist you in planning your luxury yacht charter vacation please view our Virgin Islands Luxury Yacht Charter Itinerary, which includes highlights of Virgin Gorda.

Posted on April 5, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓