Boatbookings Hosts Central Charter Agent Appreciation Event

n Wednesday, July 28, Boatbookings.com hosted their Second Annual Food and Wine Paring at Hugh’s Catering in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event is a “thank you” for all the hard work and extra efforts the Central agents go to to assure our clients have flawless charters on the agents' yachts.

Sharon Bahmer, the Caribbean andUSACharter Director, flawlessly organized the event. Regional Central Charter Agents in attendance were delighted to have the opportunity to meet Tom Virden, Boatbookings Founder and Managing Director based in Cannes, France, and Sean Fawcett, Boatbookings Vice President based in Boston.

The appreciation event featured Sommelier Francis V. Sullivan, who made an informative presentation with each pairing to reveal the complexities and nuances of the wines being served. Chef Hugh and his staff of experts welcomed those interested to watch the on-site preparation of the five-star, five-course menu. Chef Hugh took timely advantage of the local lobster mini hunting season, diving himself for the lobster that provided a delicious first course of Lobster Fra Diavlo.

The evening culminated in a grueling contest that tested the wine palate of guests with yet more tastings. Winners happily accepted bottles of wine that were awarded as prizes. Everyone

agreed the event was a superb success!

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Turkey’s Çesme Marina: New Alluring Destination for Luxury Yachts

Located just eight miles from the Greek Island of Chios at the western tip of Turkey’s Izmir Peninsula on the shores of the Aegean, Çesme Marina is fast becoming a priority destination for international yachtsmen. A yacht charter bound for destinations on the Aegean Sea offers an experience of spectacular beauty as well as inspiring cultural and historical significance. Plus, onsite customs and immigration offices at Çesme Marina facilitate smooth sailing between Turkey and the Greek Islands.

Çesme Marina, located in a naturally protected harbor, can moor 350 yachts with a 200’ LOA. Marine facilities include a full-service boatyard with 80-ton travel lift and ships store. The marina also features a boutique hotel and yacht club, and an enticing selection of restaurants and retail outlets. Incorporating architectural elements that reflect Turkish civilization within an upscale context gives the marina an overall ambiance of exotic luxury that is aesthetically delightful.

Highlights of the area include some very beautiful, white sand beaches and nearby Çesme Hot Springs. The calm shallow waters of the beaches are ideal for families and the hot springs are said to cure just about anything that ails you.

For more information on chartering in Turkey – please see our Turkey yacht charter guide.

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154’ Heesen Project YN 15747: Imaginative Design for a Luxury Yacht

The newest project from Heesen Yachts, in build for Mr. And Mrs. Heesen, is a steel-hull, full-displacement yacht designed for transoceanic adventure. The general arrangement and interior design of the yacht present an exciting departure from the norm. While guest suites occupy their traditional position on the lower deck, the Owner’s suite is secluded on the upper deck for privacy and tranquility, especially important when cruising with younger members of the extended family. To the delight of the children, forward on the main deck is a dedicated media and games room with panoramic views.

The design firm of Bannenberg & Rowell employs an imaginative combination of styles that result in strikingly modern interiors. The company is known for merging various styles and materials for an eclectic effect that while ultra contemporary is practical and inviting. Influenced by 20th Century industrial Dutch design and optical geometrics, interior spaces impart an urban futuristic flair that is a clean departure from traditional yacht interiors. Boatbloggings will continue to track the progress of this yacht, scheduled for delivery in spring of 2012, which promises to be well worth watching!

LOA: 154’

Beam: 29’

Draft: 9.3’

Maximum speed: 15.5 knots

Range at 12 knots: 4,000 Nm

Engines: 2x MTU 8V 4000 M70 diesel

Exterior Design: Omega Architects

Interior Design: Bannenberg & Rowell

Photo Credit: Heesen Yachts

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Sunreef Yachts 114′ CHE: The Biggest Sloop Catamaran to Prowl the Seas

Sunreef Yachts announces the launch of their largest custom-built superyacht catamaran, the Sunreef 114 CHE, the third largest catamaran in the world. Although details have not yet been made public the sloop-rigged catamaran promises to be an extremely popular option for chartering in the Caribbean this winter. An open architecture floor plan allows for unobstructed central social areas plus three staterooms and two crew cabins nestled comfortably within the hulls. CHE benefits from expansive and beautifully appointed exterior space ideal for sun worship, dining al fresco, or having fun on one of two trampolines. CHE will be completed at the Sunreef docks in Gdansk, Poland, within the next couple of months.

Sunreef 102' Double Deck IPHARRA, the second largest build launched from the yard last April, has successfully completed sea trials, achieved systems certification by Bureau Veritas and has set sail. Most notably, her double deck flybridge brings this yacht to a whole new level, comfortably furnished for dining, relaxation, or taking a turn at the helm. IPHARRA can currently be spotted in the Eastern Mediterranean prior to making her way to the Caribbean for the winter charter season.

Click here for more about Sunreef Luxury Catamaran Charters.

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Oceanco Yacht's Project Y708: Slated for World's Top 100 in 2012

Oceanco continues to push the envelope with futuristic superyacht designs distinguished by never-before-seen features and environmentally conscious engineering. Designed by Russian prodigy Igor Lobanov, Oceanco's 280 ft Project Y708 is no exception.

The ultramodern profile is intended to impart a sense of motion, even when the yacht is at rest, an illusion attributed to the aesthetic continuity of the elegantly angular, beveled superstructure. Exterior spaces include a magnificent 20' x 12' infinity pool that converts to a helipad, a feature first introduced in 2007 on Oceanco's award-winning 267' Alpha Nero, currently available for charter through Boatbookings.com.

Among many spectacular architectural features on Y708 are private guest balconies on each deck and owner’s compartments that incorporate two private decks with whirlpool and sunbathing area, bedroom suite, salon and study. Sweeping aft decks that include a beach club with guest sea terrace further expand voluminous interior spaces characteristic of Oceanco's Y-series.

In the last decade Oceanco has launched several distinguished yachts acclaimed for both innovative architectural design and cutting edge technology. At the Asia Boating Awards this May, Oceanco's fourth in the Y-series 280' Vibrant Curiosity was awarded Best Custom-Built Yacht. Among her many notable features is a three story sweeping vertical expanse of glass amidships.

Oceanco Yachts in the Y-series earn a place among the world's top 100 superyachts, including charter yachts 262' Amevi (Y701), 267' Alfa Nero (Y702) and 245' Anastasia (Y703), each designed to accommodate 12 guests. Please contact Boatbookings.com for charter information on these spectacular superyachts, and continue to check boatbloggings.com for updates on Project Y708, scheduled for delivery in 2012.

Specifications:

LOA: 280 ft

Beam: 49 ft

Draft Full Load: 13 ft

Fuel: 73,968 Gal. Engines: 2 x MTU 20V 4000

Stabilizers: Rolls-Royce retractable zero-speed stabilization

Please see Oceanco yachts for charter.

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