Category Archives: Yachting news

Yachting Industry News

Feadship Superyacht Future Concept BREATHE at Monaco Yacht Show

In a recent press release Feadship tantalized the yachting industry with their announcement to unveil the virtual futuristic concept yacht BREATHE at the Monaco Show. Feadship describes BREATHE as a radical yacht that integrates the models, systems and processes in nature to achieve the next generation in forward-thinking design.

Shipbuilders are continually striving to build more environmentally friendly yachts and Feadship implies a quantum leap in this direction with BREATHE. Feadship apparently intends to keep all details under wraps until the Monaco Yacht Show, which runs from September 22-25, where this bio-inspired concept yacht is certain to attract much attention. Visit the Feadship stand at GT3 on the central T-jetty to catch a glimpse of the virtual future of yachting. For information on Boatbookings environmentally friendly charters please see Green Chartering – Low Carbon Emissions Charter

Posted on by

Necker Island Family Fun: Luxury Yacht Charter with Luxury Stay

Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island is an entire island with superlative facilities generally hired privately or by an individual group. Family Fun Weeks offers a rare opportunity for families to book rooms individually and share the island with others. This stunning 74-acre island with all-inclusive resort facilities offers a great opportunity to have some fun with the kids and awaken your inner child. Necker Island is a fabulous way to extend your yacht charter vacation with an island stay of three, four or seven nights.

Kids will delight in boat races around the island, grand slam tennis tournaments, beach Olympics with egg and spoon races, or somersault competitions from the aqua trampoline into the sea. In the evenings, little kids are whisked away for their own evening adventures, complete with Pirate of the Caribbean treasure hunts, where the big kids can pillage their own chest of buried treasure during a beach BBQ feast.

The impeccable staff of 60 pampers guests with everything from exotic cocktails and extraordinary meals to relaxing massages. Whether your sport of choice is windsurfing, kite surfing, snorkeling or fishing an expert team of instructors are always on hand to help perfect skills at any level.

Necker Island is an exclusive venue with limited reservations. Contact the yacht charter professionals at Boatbookings.com now to make reservations for an incomparable sail and stay Caribbean vacation. Please see also our Yacht Charter BVI Guide for further information about the BVI and our BVI Attractions Guide for additional great things to do while in the BVI!

Photo Credits: Virgin Limited Edition

Posted on by

New for the Yacht: Thermal Night Vision Cameras


FLIR thermal cameras are fast becoming ubiquitous in the marine industry, providing images for a variety of applications from footage on the TV series ‘Deadliest Catch’ to human scanners onboard cruise ships designed to detect disease.

The T300 and T400 Series thermal navigation cameras, which will be available as of today, allow boaters to navigate safely and confidently, seeing obstructions, buoys, and other vessels in total darkness or foul weather conditions.

The cameras can be fully integrated into the navigation system at the helm for easy access to imagery alongside the chartplotter, fishfinder, and radar navigation displays. The optional remote joystick control unit allows captains to navigate with thermal imagery from the main helm, or a remote navigation station.

The T300 Series thermal navigation cameras offer a single thermal imaging sensor while the T400 Series (pictured above) features both a thermal imaging camera, and a high-performance lowlight video camera. The marine-grade enclosure provides 360°pan and 90° tilt capability for complete coverage from horizon to horizon.

Posted on by

Kingship to Reveal New Projects at Monaco Yacht Show

Superyacht builder Kingship is set to reveal details about cutting-edge new designs at the Monaco Yacht Show. The Hong Kong shipyard is working with Donald Starkey and Azure Naval Architects in the design and development of a 156-foot megayacht. The profile reflects a striking yet subtle juxtaposition of classic and futuristic lines. While plumb bow hull design is a recent trend, it actually originated in classic commuter yacht design.

The plumb bow, circular port lights on the forward main deck and sweeping sheer line are reminiscent of the Golden Age of yachting. These elements integrated with a very futuristic dynamism of exterior styling succeed in producing what Kingship terms a œmodern gentleman’s yacht.

The general arrangement features six suites, spacious lounges and plentiful deck spaces for entertaining including a partially shaded sun deck with a bar/dining area and sizeable Jacuzzi on the forward sunning area.

Kingship also raises the bar on efficient long-range explorers, an increasingly popular alternative to the classic white yacht. The HT116’Explorer reaches a maximum speed of 13 knots with a 7,000Nm range. Two additional models in the series, a 148-footer and an 87-footer, are new versions that vary little other than in size. All three incorporate a novel stabilization system at anchor based on two non-retractable fins.

Posted on by

10 Top Tips To Get The Best From Your Crewed Yacht Charter Experience – and Enjoy Yourself More!

We have just launched a page on Boatbookings.com designed to help the charterer understand how to work better with the crew so that everyone is comfortable and the charter goes more smoothly.  A synopsis is included below -for full text see Tips To Get The Best From Your Crewed Charter Experience.

1. Make your desires clear before the charter

This generally involves filling out your preference sheets and telling your broker exactly what you want (and don't want) on your charter.

2. Talk to the Captain at the beginning, and regularly throughout the trip

Captains have excellent local knowledge as well as a good sense for itineraries that appeal to different types of clients.  Talk to him regularly, and don't let issues fester – discuss them early!

3. Treat the crew with respect

Yacht Charter Crews are not servants, and should not be treated as such. A bit of courtesy goes a long way!

4. Be flexible on your itinerary

If your captain recommends against a destination, it's probably because he has assessed the risks and believes it is a bad idea. A bit of flexibility on your part can reduce the tension significantly.

5. Remember you're on a boat

Safety has to come first on a yacht – please don't ask the crew to shade the rules.

6. Treat your broker as a partner

Good yacht brokers provide you with free advice based on their experience and knowledge of yachts and crews.  If you establish a trusting relationship with the broker you will find that the process is enjoyable and you may learn about new yachts or destinations that you hadn't heard about.

7. Don't try to do too much on your charter

One of the greatest joys of being on a yacht is relaxing – you don't have to hit three destinations every day like you are on a tour. Plan a day or two of slack in the itinerary, be flexible, and don't hesitate to stay an extra day in a location if you're enjoying it.

8. Don't put the crew or captain in a difficult position

The most stressful position to be in for a captain and crew is when there is a conflict between what you want to do and their judgment of safety or regulations. Please listen to them and understand their reasoning.

9. Babysitting is your responsibility, not the crew's

Most crews love taking care of kids, but it is not their responsibility to be babysitters. They will often offer to help, but bottom line the children are your responsibility.

10. Relax and enjoy!

You are on holiday and have paid for a helpful crew. Let them make some decisions for you, and enjoy the ride!

Send us yours!

We'd love your suggestions as well, please comment on this blog post or add them on our Boatbookings.com facebook page.

Posted on by