Free Berths at Karpaz Gate Marine: Gateway to Cypriot Yachting Adventure

Karpaz Gate Marina promises to offer an exciting new Mediterranean destination on the northeastern part of the island of Cypress. Karpaz Gate Marina will be the first luxury yacht marina in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, adding a new dimension of history, culture and adventure to a Greek Isles yacht charter itinerary.

Karpaz Gate Marina is scheduled for completion in May 2011 and will offer berths for 300 yachts, including 16 for superyachts up to 215 ft. Construction has already been completed on double breakwaters that provide a sheltered harbor that is easy to navigate and facilitates mooring. In addition, a drydock facility sprawling over 200,000 square feet and various marina buildings are under construction.

Karpaz Gate Marina plans to be more than a safe and service haven for yachts. The development plans include two world-class resorts with gourmet dining, full service spas, concierge services, a commercial promenade and a casino. As an incentive to yachtsmen, and to celebrate construction progress, the owners of the marina are offering a limited number of trial berths, free of charge, for periods of up to one year.

Northern Cypress is a picturesque island of rugged slopes descending to clear blue Mediterranean waters. Historical tensions between Greek and Turkish populations, which resulted in the partitioning of the island, have also resulted in a fierce dedication to tradition.Tourism is an important source of revenue and the preservation of historical sites, costumes, cuisine and handicrafts make Northern Cypress a unique yachting destination.

Posted on October 4, 2010 by admin — No Comments ↓

SY PROJECT YANKEE J-H3: New Build Racing Yacht for Charter

According to feedback from many of the shipbuilders that attended the Monaco Yacht Show the industry is definitely showing signs of recovery. For the most part sales figures showed increases of as much as 18%, indicating that people believe now is an excellent time to invest in the future.

As an exciting example, last week at the show a contract was signed between Amsterdam syndicate leader Simon Dierdorp and Dutch superyacht builder Holland Jachtbouw (HJB) to build a replica of the 1930 US-built J-Class racing yacht YANKEE.

The original 122’ YANKEE was designed by Frank C. Payne and launched in 1930 to defend the America’s Cup in 1930, 1934 and 1937. The modern 128’ version, YANKEE J-H3, has a goal to star as both a winning racer and an elegant charter yacht. Scheduled for launch in early 2012, YANKEE J-H3 is intended to participate during the UK 2012 Olympics at the J-Class regatta events in June and July of that summer, after which she will be available for charter.

YANKEE J-H3 features all-aluminum design by Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects, with aluminum and teak deck, 170-foot carbon mast, rigging and 3-DL sails with a 10.005 square-foot area. Interiors feature accommodations for a crew of seven with pipe cots for an additional 21 racing crew. For charter purposes, YANKEE J-H3 is being constructed in accordance with Lloyd’s A1 and MCA standards.

Keep checking boatbloggings.com for progress updates on YANKEE J-H3. For current sailing charter availability visit Sailing Vacation Destinations | Sailing Events and Regattas | Our Charter Sailboats and Sailing Yachts at Boatbookings.com

Posted on October 1, 2010 by admin — No Comments ↓

Heesen Yachts 213’ All-Aluminum Concept Megayacht

Heesen Yachts newest concept definitely exudes the wow factor. Heesen has released exciting details of their newest yacht following positive results from recent tank tests. This 213’ megayacht has a lightweight all-aluminum hull and superstructure with “Fast Displacement Hull Form”, that allows her to attain a maximum speed of 27 knots, an astonishing speed for a yacht of this size. But then, this yacht is remarkable in many ways.

The hull form is the result of studies and tank tests carried out over 20 years by the Dutch Naval Architects Van Oossanen and Associates. Their focus was to perfect a hull form designed to reduce hydrodynamic resistance over the entire range of speeds a yacht travels, rather than based on either long range or short, higher speed requirements.

The Heesen 213’ Fast Displacement design boasts some extraordinary exterior features. There is a magnificent split-level beach club aft on the main and lower decks with a 107 square-foot side-balcony on the port side and a voluminous 236 square-foot swim platform. The beach complex includes a sauna, hammam, shower room, day head, full bar and glass-bottom swimming pool that allows sunlight to shine through the water illuminating the bar below. The yacht also is designed with a forward sunbathing area that converts to a touch-and-go heli-deck.

Exterior styling by Frank Laupman, Omega Architects, takes the 213’ Heesen to a thrilling, futuristic new level. The streamlined low profile, like a high-speed bullet train, has an imposing forward thrust. Integrating the hull with the main deck eliminates the aft overhang creating a smooth and seamless integration with the freestanding superstructure.

This extraordinary yacht is likely to set a new bar for style, design and energy and environmental efficiency in the superyacht industry. We will be keeping a keen eye on her progress.

LOA: 213’

Beam: 37’

Draft: 10’

Maximum speed: 27 knots

Engines: 2 x MTU 20V4000M93L

Stabilizers: 5 x Seakeeper gyroscopes

Cruising speed: 24 knots

Range: 4,500 Nm at 14 knots

Crew: 13

See our Heesen Luxury Charter Yachts

Posted on September 29, 2010 by admin — 1 Comment ↓

Boatbookings Onboard Palmer Johnson 87′ Flybridge CLARITY

Recently Boatbookings was delighted to have the opportunity to visit luxury motoryacht CLARITY, an elegant 87ft Palmer Johnson available for charter in the Bahamas and Caribbean. CLARITY is an equally superb yacht for a family charter or a romantic adventure, featuring a magnificent master stateroom and three spacious guest cabins. With a 24-foot beam, CLARITY has extraordinary interior volume without sacrifice to generous exterior spaces including walk around side decks.

Captain Warren Thompson and Mate/Engineer Gary Hallas, consummate gentlemen helping the ladies board gracefully due to the unusual height of the top starboard step, greeted us. Entering the main salon we were immediately impressed by the spacious interior, augmented by the surround of windows. The space is open, airy, unobstructed by partitions accept the handsome columns and cabinet that suggest a separate formal dining area.

The master suite onboard CLARITY is both stylish and functional, featuring a delightful sweep of panoramic windows and elegant his and her facilities reached a couple of steps down. The flybridge has it all, Jacuzzi, bar, an unusual array of three helm chairs and comfortable built-in settee at the elegantly polished table with exotic burl inlay.

The aromas issuing forth from the galley made it impossible for us not to sample the gourmet delicacies prepared by Amy Thompson, the Chef/Stew onboard CLARITY. We can attest to her culinary talent.

Boatbookings is pleased to offer CLARITY as part of our expansive selection of charter yachts. Please see Our Charter Yachts for comprehensive listings or visit our Caribbean Yacht Charter Guide and Florida, Bahamas Yacht Charter Guides for destination information.

Posted on September 28, 2010 by admin — No Comments ↓

Custom 90’ Sailing Yacht BEQUIA: Classic Aesthetic in a Modern Context

BEQUIA, recently launched from Brooklin Boat Yard, is a custom world-class sailing yacht with graceful sheerline, lengthy overhangs and the classic aesthetic of the 76’ W-Class day-racing sloops. While her ambience recaptures a bygone era, her engineering and seaworthiness are state-of-the-art.

BEQUIA is designed by Robert Stephens and Paul Waring and represents the largest project to date for the design firm and the yard. BEQUIA is far more of a design achievement than immediately meets the eye. Perhaps the most difficult task in a build based on a classic hull is the integration of modern systems and amenities. In addition to these, BEQUIA features fully automated sail-handling with a hydraulic system running 27 different functions such as sail furling, winches and anchor deployment.

On deck, the elegant teak charthouse has a twofold purpose, containing chart table, electronics displays, autopilot controls and sufficient headroom for the crew to stand watch in comfort, it doubles as an elevated saloon where owners and guests can luxuriate surrounded by sweeping panoramic views.

Onboard BEQUIA interiors are warm and welcoming, featuring an effective contrast of different woods to suggest a definition of spaces. The soothing creamy color palette of joinery and upholstery hints at retro but is essentially timeless. The luxury sailing yacht features a roomy double stateroom forward, a spacious owner’s suite aft and a crew cabin.

BEQUIA, with all the charm of a traditional sailing yacht, is a thoroughly modern build. Constructed of cold-molded wood-epoxy, the yacht is extremely strong, lightweight and low maintenance. Designed to go the distance, BEQUIA is a transoceanic build that will transport owners, guests and crew in safety and with superb style.

Although BEQUIA is not available for charter, Boatbookings.com has an extensive listing of exquisite sailing yachts. See our guide to Chartering a Crewed Luxury Sailing Yacht including a full listing.

Posted on September 27, 2010 by admin — No Comments ↓