Luxury Crewed Yacht Charters or Bareboat Charters, Which to Choose? (from Guest Blogger Alan Cairns)

If you’re thinking about chartering a luxury yacht there are two options to consider; bareboat or crewed. It’s a choice that makes a big difference to your holiday or trip. While bareboat charters offer you the opportunity to take charge of the vessel, crewed charters offer the opportunity to hire a boat complete with all the necessary skills.

Bareboat Charters

Bareboat Charters are the simplest type of yacht charter, offering just the boat itself. Bareboating offers complete privacy and freedom, as well as the opportunity to captain a boat yourself. With bareboat charters you take full responsibility for all aspects of looking after the boat, including navigation, mooring, sailing, motoring, cooking and cleaning. If you’re not an experienced boater you will need to consider hiring a skipper or finding a friend with experience in sailing or motor boating.

Bareboat charters are often used for corporate events and team building days, as they can require that everybody on board takes responsibility for some element of the upkeep of the boat. Skippers should not only manage and direct the boat’s path, but should also be able to organise and manage the crew successfully, especially on sailing boats.

It’s important that whoever is in charge can delegate responsibilities, which could include hoisting sails, dropping anchor, cooking, cleaning and other general maintenance. The person in charge should communicate these expectations to the rest of the crew, and ensure that they understand what is expected of them.

Skippered Bareboat Charters

When you charter a bareboat you may be given the option of adding a qualified skipper who can take responsibility for navigating the boat. It can still feel like you have your own boat, as you will need to help them to raise the sails and drop the anchor.  A skippered bareboat charter is less expensive than a fully crewed yacht, but the skipper can take responsibility for some of the more stressful aspects of boating, including navigating through coral and plotting a course.

Crewed Charters

Crewed charters are boats that come with all necessary crew in one package. The number of crew will depend on the size of the boat. Smaller boats might require simply a skipper and a chef, while bigger boats could require a team of many more including deckhands, stewards, stewardesses and engineers.

You could even consider including scuba diving instructors, special caterers or entertainers in your boat team, to ensure you have a fun-filled and luxurious trip. Crewed charter yachts and motorboats are the easiest way to enjoy a charter boat trip. Roles and responsibilities will be delegated so you can concentrate on relaxing and enjoying the journey.

Alan Cairns writes on a number of subjects including outboard motors and canal boat holidays. Image sourced under creative commons licence courtesy of Jon Olav. Southern Shipwrights Ltd is one of the leading outboard motor dealers in the South East of England. SSL are dealers of Yamaha, Suzuki and Mercury outboard motors as well as SunSport inflatables and 3D Tender RIBS and inflatables.

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The Top 3 Luxury Yachting Watches (from Guest Blogger Fraser Strand)

In my opinion there aren’t many experiences more pleasurable than sailing on the open sea. So whilst engaging in one of the most luxurious pursuits, it only follows that you should treat yourself to  an equally luxurious set of gear to accompany you, the most intimate of which is a good sturdy watch. The following timepieces combine the height of men’s luxury with the rugged durability needed to face the oceans deep:

1.    AUDEMARS PIGUET – The Royal Oak Collection

In 1914 HMS Royal Oak was launched as part of a Revenge-Class Battleship which was famously characterised by its octagonal cannon holes. This luxury sailing watch from Audemars Piguet acts as a tribute to the great ship by featuring an eight-sided rose gold bezel mirroring the distinctive and commanding nature of the Royal Oak’s weaponry. In my view, this is one of the most regal watches in the world with a unique historical relevance that gives it aura of commanding dominance.

 

 

2.    CARTIER – Calibre de Cartier

It’s no secret that Cartier watches are one of the most luxurious watch brands in the world, however it’s less well-known that they make a lavish range of men’s watches that are ideal for the open seas. Made with glareproof sapphire-crystal glass, the Calibre has a large lens set in a robust stainless steel case that is water resistant to 30 metres. In fact, Cartier have perfected the essential mechanical movements by employing the Swiss-made Calibre 1904-PS MC automatic machinery to exact a level of nautical precision second to none.

 

3.    JAEGER-LECOULTRE – Duometre

Not only does the Duometre have a stunningly unique and nautical design safe down to 3 meters, but its two independent power reserves provide an almost indefatigable reliability for up to 50 hours at sea. As with all their watches, Jaeger-LeCoultre guarantee over 1,000 hours of control tests which makes the Duometre one of the most reliable Swiss-made timepieces available.

 

Conclusion – Which is best?

Personally, when it comes to a yachting watch I think it has to be the perfect synthesis between reliability and luxury. Whilst no one does luxury better than Cartier, the Audemars Piaget Royal Oak has a robust yet distinctive style which I think gives it the edge as a true captain’s watch. If all this talk of luxury yachting has whet your appetite then check out some amazing charters at Boatbookings.com.

Fraser Strand is an avid technology writer with a passion for traveling and sailing around the world. On his own blog UK Gadget Review he writes about luxury watches, premium sailing gear, and innovative technology.

 

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57m Luxury Charter Yacht, DIAMOND A available in the Caribbean at a spectacular price!

DIAMOND A, the 57 meter luxury yacht, is available for charter this winter in the Caribbean for a reduced price of $225,000, (normally $360,000). This Abeking & Rasmussen Super Yacht accommodates up to 12 guests in 8 staterooms, as well as offering great entertaining space and water toys. She is very family friendly and sports a modern, light and airy interior, as you can see below.

For complete details and additional images, see DIAMOND A  on the site.

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Seven Luxury Sunseeker Charter Yachts in the Last Four Bond Movies!

When you think of James Bond, you think of a suave, sophisticated man, yet at the same time, the Bond movies are synonymous with action and endless streams of luxurious gadgets. The gadgets don’t just stop at Bond’s watch, or his car, they roam to the seas, in the shape of the Sunseeker.

Sunseeker is one of the world’s most prestigious luxury yacht manufacturers, and in keeping with the Bond theme, directors have placed seven Sunseeker yachts in four of the last Bond movies. In The World is not Enough (1999), a Sunseeker Superhawk 34 made it’s appearance, speeding down the River Thames in London as a pre-title scene. Following this, in Pierce Brosnan’s last movie, Die Another Day (2002), a larger Sunseeker Superhawk 48 sailed onto our screens, when Halle Berry climbed on board.

In the new era of Daniel Craig playing the role of Bond, Sunseekers have become even more frequent. In Casino Royale (2006), two Sunseekers were used. The focus of these was the Predator 108, with cameo roles from both the XS 2000 and the Sportsfish 37. Following this, in the last Bond movie to date, before the release of Skyfall, in Quantam of Solace(2008), a further three Sunseekers were utilized. A Superhawk 43, a smaller Sovereign 17, and a 37m M4.

Whilst we all wait on the release of the newest Bond movie, which has anJeel-II initial release date of the 22nd October 2012, we can’t help but look at all the gossip we know. In Skyfall, REGINA, a Pruva 56m sailboat, will be used. Her large sails and contemporary yet elegant interior would make for a fantastic charter, especially for those who are Bond lovers.

For those who are interested in chartering a fantastic Sunseeker, look no further than JEEL II, a Sunseeker 80, available for charter on the French Riviera. Her bright interior and large deck space are fantastic, complete with ample amounts of sunbathing area, enough for all passengers on board to enjoy the surroundings from the most luxurious of yachts.

If you’re interested in chartering a yacht, please go to boatbookings.com or email us at [email protected].

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Luxury Event Yacht Charter for MIPIM 2013

big_powdermonkey-1-12834-mainMIPIM 2013 will take place between 12-15th March and will bring together all of the key players in the global property market. The Palais des Festival Cannes at the heart of the Croisette is the perfect venue for this prestigious annual event. The show provides unrivalled access to world leaders, including the greatest number of development projects and sources of capital worldwide. This year, it is estimated that there will be around 200 exhibitors from 70 countries.

We believe that the best way to enjoy large corporate events such as MIPIM in complete luxury is to charter a luxury motor yacht with a berth at the Vieux Port de Cannes. Traditionally, a key element of the show revolves around the many Super Yachts docked directly adjacent to the Palais des Festivals in the Old Port of Cannes, providing hospitality suites for entertaining and deal closing. Located right next to the Palais des Festival, the old port provides great proximity to all events, whilst giving guests more space and better service than in a hotel. Do you want to hold important business meetings or evening cocktail parties in style? If so, chartering a luxury motor yacht is definitely for you.

POWDERMONKEY is one of our favourite yachts for charter on the French Riviera. This Falcon 100 provides great accommodation for up to 10 guests in 5 luxurious cabins. Each cabin has an en-suite, making her an idea choice for large events such as MIPIM 2013. She has a great saloon for welcoming guests, as well as a Flybridge to enjoy cocktails, whilst watching the sunset over Le Suquet.

ANTISAN is another of our favourite yachts for large events, especially because of her Italian crew that never disappoint. This Alalunga 110ft luxury motor yacht provides comfortable accommodation for 10 guests in 5 cabins. She is the perfect yacht for entertaining, thanks to her open-plan saloon, decking and lounging areas. Her crew have great experience at offering great service for events for up to 70 guests, as well as having one of the best chefs around. She has a great BOSE sound system and a Jacuzzi, making this yacht a great choice for your MIPIM 2013.big_antisan-alalu-640462861

Boatbookings.com specialises in providing boats of all kinds for MIPIM, from SuperYachts to Event Yachts to Excursions. We will recommend yachts that are best for these type of events, secure the berth, and work with you every step of the way to assure the success of your charter.

If you would like to find out more about MIPIM 2013, including how to charter a luxury yacht and applying for a berth, please contact us via our website or send an email to [email protected]. If you would like to view our MIPIM page in Russian, please do so via the link. We would be delighted to help you arrange your charter for this event, as well as personal holidays anywhere in the world.

 

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