America’s Cup World Series AC45 Catamaran: Spectacular Capsize During Media Event

Russell Coutts, the CEO of defending champion Oracle Racing, was racing skipper Jimmy Spithill as part of a media day to publicize the U.S. debut of the new AC45 catamarans. His boat was bearing away during the prestart maneuver when the bows buried in a wave and the cat lifted into the air and flipped over, forcing Grinder Shannon Falcone through the wing sail and into the chilly water along with another crewman.

The AC45 catamarans that raced around San Fransisco Bay debuted earlier this year in New Zealand where two capsized. The high tech, ultra light and extremely fast catamarans were expected to create gripping drama due to the inevitable risks involved in racing the boats.

Although dangerous, promoters of the AC World Series and the Americas Cup could not have orchestrated a more effective promotional stunt. With the video going viral, the AC World Series, in which the AC45s will compete in locations around the globe, and the 2013 America’s Cup, which will be sailed in even faster and more powerful 72-footers, are now more highly anticipated events than ever before.

Here is some helpful information on Regattas and Sailing Events and a Yachting Calendar of upcoming events.

Posted on June 15, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Heesen Yachts 122 ft AURELIA: Sporty Yacht Races to Launch Ahead of Schedule

Heesen Yachts has launched AURELIA, the tenth hull in the 37metre series built by the Dutch shipyard. The unusual interior and exterior design befits an Owner with a passion for sports and racing cars. The exterior paint scheme is inspired by Gulf Racing colors and includes a racing style number 10 decal, a reference to the hull number and the performance capabilities of this luxury yacht.

In fact the whole yacht is inspired by racing cars: the name AURELIA is a tribute to the first ever GT Lancia Aurelia. The theme is integrated into interior spaces where cabins are named after racing car designers and the palette is vibrant. Dobroserdov Design, the firm responsible for the paint scheme, even repeated the 10 decal on the 14 foot Castoldi tender.

Heesen Yachts fully customized AURELIA for the Owner who changed the standard floor plan to create additional space for guests and crew. Notable features include the main salon with dining area and cozy lounge space with L-shaped sofa, two armchairs and an eco friendly fire place fueled by Bio Ethanol. According to interior designer Simon Rowell, of the design firm Bannenberg & Rowell, the contemporary, streamlined, slightly masculine aesthetic was inspired by the Dunhill cigarette lighter.

AURELIA accommodates eight guests in the master suite forward on the main deck and in three double guest suites on the lower deck. Bertone (orange Lamborghini), Pininfarina (red Ferrari), and Zagato (green Aston Martin) are the racecar designers who inspired the décor of the guest cabins. AURELIA also offers superb sunny and shaded exterior social areas for exquisite outdoor living.

AURELIA has a lightweight, aluminum hull and powered by two MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines reaches a thrilling speed of 30 knots. The yacht will be on display at the Cannes Festival de la Plaisance beginning September 6, 2011.

LOA: 122 ft

Beam: 24.6 ft

Draft: 2.2 ft

Fuel: 8000 gal

Water: 2200 gal

Engines: 2 x MTU 16V4000M90, diesel engines

Stabilizers: 2 x Seakeeper Model 21000 Gyro stabilizers

Maximum speed: 30 kts

Range: 1900 Nm

Please visit Superyacht and Luxury Yacht Charter for information and a comprehensive selection of available charter yachts. Click here for a selection of Heesen Charter Yachts.

Posted on June 15, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Leek, Mushroom and Feta Filo Rolls: A Favorite Recipe from the Galley of Charter Catamaran NAUTICAT OF FOWEY

Leek, Mushroom and Feta Filo Rolls

First make your filling.
Wash and finely slice 3 leeks and a handful of Mushrooms.
Gently sauté these in a pan in a little olive oil with a couple of sprigs of Thyme and seasoning to taste.
Mix in 3 – 4 oz of crumbled Feta cheese or you can use goats’ cheese if you prefer and allow mixture to cool while you prepare your filo.
Take one packet of filo and carefully open out the sheets and lay them on a board and cover with some cling wrap to keep them moist.
Melt one stick of butter in the microwave.
Take a sheet of filo and lay it on your work board – brush it carefully with the melted butter. Lay a second sheet on top. Cut the two sheets into three sections to give three oblongs and brush around the four edges of each one. At the top end of each place a small tight bundle of your leek mixture and fold in the top and the two sides all the way down. Roll these up into cigar shape parcels and place onto a baking sheet with the seam underneath.
When all complete – brush the tops with beaten egg and chill down in the fridge of an hour or so. Then cook in a hot oven for about 20 minutes or until the tops have gone golden brown.
Variations – you can make much bigger ones to make as a main veggie dish and you could use any combo of cooked /leftover veg and herbs and cheese – maybe Brie or Mozzarella to make them a little bit gooey – Enjoy!

NAUTICA OF FOWEY is a stylish and seaworthy Leopard 47, perfect for three couples and available for charter in the Caribbean Sea. Please visit these links for further destination information and to view a comprehensive selection of stunning Charter Yachts.

Posted on June 8, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Officials Promote New World Destination: Forum to Boost Yacht Tourism in Colombia

Colombia shares maritime borders with Venezuela, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, so it is no wonder that government officials are enthusiastic about integrating the country’s coast into existing Caribbean maritime routes. Recent efforts have created much excitement, particularly among cruising and racing sailors, who feel the development of a marine infrastructure, is long overdue.

According to Colombia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and

Tourism, “the country aims to develop its nautical tourism industry to bring more tourists to its Caribbean coast.” A joint forum between public and private entities in the fields was held in the popular tourist destination of Santa Marta last Friday with the aim of including the Colombian coast in maritime routes between the Caribbean islands, Central and South America.

Screen shot 2011-06-07 at 3.25.43 PM — Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina

Although not mentioned during the forum by the Ministry, one of the most alluring yachting and diving destinations in Colombia is the Sea Flower Marine Protected Area in the Archipelago of San Andres and Providence. The site encompasses numerous islands and about 10% of the Caribbean Sea, amounting to a vast marine area of 120,000 sq mi. In 2000 it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to ensure that the large biodiversity of the ecosystem is well preserved and conserved. The region, located approximately 470 miles from the Colombian main land and about 140 miles east of Nicaragua, is a paradise of picturesque beaches, coral reefs, pristine cays, lush greenery and towering native trees.

Here are some useful links to our Guide to the Caribbean Sea and comprehensive information on Luxury Yacht Charter.

Posted on June 7, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our Charter Experts On Board CRESENT 120 IMPETUOUS: Appealing, Sophisticated, and Family Friendly

Everyone who visited IMPETUOUS on the day we were there was truly impressed by this custom 120’ Crescent yacht, built in 2004, and her delightful crew. IMPETUOUS is a superbly maintained yacht that warmly welcomes guests of all ages and is ideally equipped for charter families and friends.

Captain Jim Lynn explained that IMPETUOUS is constantly being upgraded by a conscientious owner and it shows. The furniture is newly upholstered, newly varnished tables glisten and fresh wallpaper adds a contemporary flair. The AC is fully upgraded and there is iPod accessibility throughout the yacht with interfaces (within cellular range) for wireless Internet accessibility.

The gracious main salon is designed in golden tones with plush furnishings that beckon relaxation. We proceed past the formal dining area to reach the spacious eat in galley equipped with both counter stools and generous banquette seating. This is a great place for the kids to help make the pizza or gathering together for a late night snack.

Marvelous aromas are in the realm of Paul Stevens, Chef extraordinaire, who is endowed with gourmet cooking talents and a keen sense of humor. He busily prepares a selection of delicacies that include delectable dates wrapped in bacon stuffed with goat cheese.

A handsome spiral banister of braided leather leads to the staterooms on the lower deck. The stately master features ample built in storage, a huge shower and aromatic walk-in cedar closet. The guest staterooms are luxurious and the forward V-berth is placed comparatively low for comfortable access. Cedar closets fragrance the rooms and ensuite facilities are lovely and Impetuous-Twin spacious. This very kid friendly yacht also has an adorable twin stateroom to delight any child.

IMETUOUS has a pocket exercise room with a story. Here the wall features a meticulously hand painted photo reproduction of the Owner in his race car. Captain Jim Lynn explains, “he was one of the first Americans to race with the Porsche racing team back in the 1950s. Shortly after the picture was taken he drove into the wall doing 170mph and miraculously walked away from it. He won a lot of huge races across Europe, he placed second in Le Mans, he was first in Sebring, he won the Mille Miglia in Italy, and he won the Nuremburg Ring in Germany.

About fifteen years ago he went around and found all of his old (race) cars, had them completely restored, and maintains them in one of his garages. He is also doing vintage races, two years ago at the Porsche race reunion. We took the yacht up there and it was quite amazing. He won first place best in show, racing the same car that he raced back in the day.”

His story left little mystery as to the name IMPETUOUS, and indeed there is an infectious aura of spontaneity and excitement on board this superb yacht, which is presently available for charter in New England.

Please use these links for insights and information on New England Yacht Charter and Chartering a Luxury Yacht.

Posted on June 3, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓