The Judges Decide: 2011 BVI Charter Yacht Show Best in Show Awards

Waving to MOTU from the ferry

The Charter Yacht Society of the BVI hosted the 30th Annual BVI Charter Yacht Show, November 8-11.  There were many wonderful events organized for attendees that culminated with a gala Farewell Dinner for all charter brokers and yacht crews at the Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina.  Highlighting the event was the Best in Show awards ceremony,

Disembarking at Scrub Island

which took place following cocktails and a sumptuous buffet dinner.

This beautiful, sunny evening saw several yachts set sail over to Scrub Island, while other attendees were transported by complimentary ferry from the dock in Roadtown, Tortola. Scrub Island is located about three miles offshore from the Tortola airport. The development opened in 2010 and offers rental and residential vacation properties with docking and resort facilities on site including two restaurants, retail shops and a first class spa.

This year Sol petroleum, providers of fuel for the majority of marinas in the BVI,

provided some of the prizes for winners in five different categories. Prizes included two round trip tickets from Beef Island, Tortola to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The panel of judges, comprised of anonymous charter brokers, viewed seventy participating yachts and met their crews in order to submit their votes in each category.  After the votes were tallied the winners were:

 

AVALON Paul & Melissa

Best in Show

First Place: AVALON

Second Place: AKASHA

 

 

Best Multihull Over 51 Feet

CATSY Jim & Amanda (center) FELICIA Chris & Julie (right)

First Place: CATSY

Second Place: FELICIA

 

 

Best Multihull 50 Feet and Under

First Place: NUTMEG

Second Place: DREAMING ON

 

NUTMEG Chef Ginette, CYS Exec. Dir. Janet Oliver, Captain Chris

Best Monohull

First Place: TAKAPUNA

Second Place: BLUE PASSION

 

Best Motor Yacht

First Place: FREEDOM

Second Place: OBSESSION

The Charter Yacht Show is the largest of its kind in the Virgin Islands and is an important annual event that provides an opportunity for charter industry professionals to develop a personal knowledge of yachts and relationship with

TAKAPUNA Crew

crews.  BVI yacht charters contribute more than $35 million dollars in revenue annually from the many

charter guests who enjoy this exquisite cruising region.

Follow these links for information about BVI yacht charter:

Tortola Yacht Charter and Beach Guide

BVI Sailing Itineraries

BVI Yacht Charter

Awards Dinner at Tortola`s Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina: New Options for Yachtsmen at Upscale Marina

Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina, located on a 230-acre private island east of Tortola a couple of miles from Tortola Airport, hosted the Tortola Charter Boat Show Awards Dinner for yacht crews and brokers. The buffet was laden with excellent food and despite the crowd of about 200 guests there was more than enough for seconds and thirds.

The property opened for business in mid-2010 with resort accommodations and residences for purchase. Due to the BVIs strict development controls, and despite what became years of controversy, this private island resort is the first to open in the BVI in more than 15 years.

Private Dining Room

The Scrub Island staff kindly took those interested on a tour of the property, which offers a new, upscale destination for yachtsmen and vacationers. The marina boasts dockage for five megayachts with an LOA of up to 170 feet and 53 deep-water slips available for short or long term docking.

On site, the Marina Village shops include the Scrub Island Boutique, the well-equipped Dive BVI shop and the Gourmet Market & Café, with offerings that include a tempting deli counter and fine wine selections. The most opulent crew bathrooms we’ve seen to date are in this area, decorated in marble they house multiple sinks and huge glass showers.

Charter guests will enjoy stretching their sea legs on a bit of shore leave at the multi-level pool, the lovely terrace restaurant with great sea views, the spa with an impressive menu of treatments, or perhaps a work out in the fitness center or hike on a nature trail.

Accommodations are available in one bedroom or two bedroom suites handsomely decorated with an island flare, with impressive full kitchen, large living room and lovely balcony. These condominium apartments are also for sale starting at $1.5 million. Contact the resort for details.

For comprehensive information on the BVI access the following links:

Tortola Yacht Charter and Beach Guide

BVI Sailing Itineraries

BVI Yacht Charter

 

Heesen`s 164ft. Superyacht YN 16750: Swift, Efficient, All-Aluminum, Transoceanic Explorer

YN 16750 is a swift, lightweight all-aluminum explorer yacht under construction at the Heesen shipyard and scheduled for delivery in 2015.
The revolutionary Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDFH) developed by famous Dutch naval architects Van Oossanen and Associates allows significant improvements in fuel efficiency.

Thanks to the FDHF’s low resistance characteristics, YN 16750 can reach a maximum speed of 18.5 knots powered by two 1.000kW MTUs. Hence an ocean-crossing range is achieved with minimal fuel capacity; only 45.000 liters are required to comfortably transit the Atlantic, leaving plenty of reserve.

Perry van Oossanen, naval architect at VOA, comments: “Modest propeller tunnels have been defined allowing for 1.5m diameter propellers. The hull will be fitted with Quantum XT zero-speed fins, and bilge keels, allowing for a maximum reduction in roll angle when at anchor. The design of the hull, the appendages and the propulsion arrangement have been focused on obtaining the best fuel efficiency possible, without sacrificing performance and comfort when running in waves.” Carrying less fuel also means that the yacht is lighter which further improves efficiency.

Exterior styling and general arrangement has been entrusted to Frank Laupman from Omega Architects & AB Studios. They describe the elegant lines emphasized by contrasting bands of wraparound glass as “complex simplicity” the parallelism of line is in fact an illusion.

The cozy and inviting interior décor will be based on the color contrast between swamp oak paneling and dark joinery details. Ten guests can be accommodated in five cabins. 61 square meters are dedicated to the master suite, traditionally located forward on the main deck. The four guest cabins (two VIP and two twins) are positioned on the lower deck.

Guests will enjoy 237 square meters of outdoor living space. The main and rescue tenders are placed on the fore deck under way, while the toys are stored in the forward garage. This configuration allows the aft part of the yacht to be used as a large beach club equipped with sauna and hammam.

The design of YN 16750 proves that high speed cruising can be achieved without sacrificing either luxury or efficiency.

Follow this link to view Heesen Yachts for Charter worlwide.

Please visit Super Yacht and Luxury Yacht Charter to explore the possibilities of a superb yachting vacation.

10 Day Dive Itinerary through the Turquoise Waters of Belize on 156′ Luxury ISA Trideck AXIOMA

Day 1: Belize City to Rendezvous Cay

After embarkation in Belize City, cruise east to Rendezvous Cay for lunch. A blue fish camp and coconut palms greet guests at Rendezvous Cay.  Take pleasure in a purely relaxing afternoon on board with time to play on the yacht’s exciting array of toys.  This evening a beach barbecue dinner sets the pace for your luxurious Caribbean charter.

Day 2: Turneffe Atoll (Southern End – Big Cay Bokel)

Sail to Turneffe Atoll, the largest of Belize’s three atolls that spreads over 30 miles north to south. The islands consist of hundreds of mangrove cays rimming both the east and west side of a shallow reef-fringed bank. The southern part of Turneffe is well known for fishing and diving. For many, the Elbow is the most exciting dive (for advanced divers only). Often hampered by strong currents, it is these same currents that make it so spectacular. Large predatory sharks, big groupers, eagle rays and sea turtles are often seen. Spend the day diving and fishing and savor gourmet lunch and dinner on board.

Day 3 & 4: Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Lighthouse Reef Atoll is a must see. It’s exceptionally clear water of aquamarine blue is adorned with numerous jewel-like beads of reef. The beaches are beautiful and miles of virgin coral reefs offer great snorkeling and scuba diving.  In the morning board the tender to the world-renowned Blue Hole for the first dive. After lunch cruise to Half Moon Cay, a nature reserve where 4,000 red footed booby birds have made their home. Take the well marked trail to the observation platform for spectacular views.

Day 5: Glovers Reef Atoll

In the morning cruise to Glovers Reef Atoll, the southernmost atoll that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Glovers Reef Atoll is a circular stretch of coral islands surrounding a shallow lagoon that closely resembles a South Pacific atoll. A few minutes away are more than 600 coral pinnacles and patch coral heads reaching toward the surface. Sheer walls beginning at 25 feet plummet vertically in a dramatic 2,700-foot drop.

Day 6: Queens Cay and Laughing Bird

Queens Cay is a pristine island with gleaming white beaches and fabulous turquoise waters.  Anchor in about 20 feet of water surrounded by coral reefs, an excellent spot that is home to more than 80 species of fish. Dive along sheer walls, grottos, and canyons, with wall dives that start at 35 feet then drop off plunging into an abyss of 3,000 feet. Enjoy a noontime cruise to Laughing Bird and lunch ashore. This spectacular snorkeling location is also known as a corridor for migrating whale sharks.

Day 7 & 8: Sapodilla Cay

Sapodilla Cay, the southernmost Cay on the Belize Cay barrier reef, is an ideal spot for a daytime anchorage. Head north from Sapodilla Cay to reach Nicholas Cay and an exploration of the renowned gap locally known as “the Aquarium”.  Spend the afternoon enjoying numerous water sports and games. In the evening the chef prepares a sumptuous beach barbecue.

Day 9: Monkey River and Placencia

Drop anchor at the mouth of Monkey River. An expert guide will escort guests on a tour to explore the amazing and abundant flora and fauna onshore. Later, depart for a serene anchorage off the quaint town of Placencia. Have lunch at the five star Francis Ford Copolla Resort’s Turtle Inn Restaurant.  Spend the afternoon exploring the unique shops, bars and sites of Placencia. In the evening dine at the French Connection restaurant, voted best cuisine in Belize. To enjoy an evening of local culture, Garifuna dancers and drummers may be hired to perform on board or guests may view a performance at one of the local resorts.

Day 10: Middle Ground Range and Belize City

Enjoy a delightful morning swim with the dolphins at Middle Ground Range. Cruise north to Belize City for disembarkation. Time for a few final photos and a fond farewell to your Captain and crew.

Please follow these informative links for further information on chartering AXIOMA and details on Superyacht Yacht and Luxury Yacht Charter.

WIDER 150: This New Build is Bold, Beautiful and Eco-Friendly

WIDER 150 is a yacht with a captivating profile and extraordinary proportions. The aim, according to the manufacturer, is to capture the aesthetic of the elegant vessels of the early twentieth century in a thoroughly modern context characterized by clean lines and taut, smooth surfaces. In addition, WIDER 150 is designed to be as environmentally friendly as available technology allows.

The yacht design has been calculated to dissolve the barrier between indoor and outdoor space. Access to deck spaces through virtually full beam exits and the oversize array of windows keep interiors light and airy. The position of the master suite on the upper deck allows the owner to enjoy a beautiful private terrace as well as privileged access to the flying bridge. The sundeck, accessed by means of a convenient internal stairway, offers a magnificent panoramic area for outdoor living.

WIDER 150 features diesel and electric power options that allow for maximum speeds of up to 20 knots, an ecological speed of 11 knots, and a range as great as 7100nm.

For comprehensive information about charter vessels worldwide please visit Superyacht and Luxury Yacht Charter