San Diego opens its doors for Yachtfest 2008!

YachtfestThe 9th Annual Yachtfest is kick starting the International Boat Show Season in style, showcasing a wide variety of manufacturers such as Picchiotti and Baglietti in an in intimate style. Yachtfest of course is not just any boat show, with some of the most luxurious yachts on display from the 11th-14th September on the docks of Shelter Island Marina. Yachts featured in this show will open the doors for the next steps in super and mega yachts. Also featured at the show is the 3rd Annual “All Decked Out” fashion show.

Other upcoming boatshows are the Cannes boat show and the world famous Monaco Yacht Show

Branson to re-attempt breaking the transatlantic world record

Virgin Money sailing yachtSir Richard Branson is to join the British America's Cup hopefuls TEAMORIGIN on board the maxi yacht 'VIRGIN MONEY' this week in an attempt to break the current transatlantic world record for a monohull sailing yacht, currently standing at 6 days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds.  Joining him in the attempt will be his daughter and son Holly and Sam Branson, Holly will also be taking up the role of medic onboard.

Branson is no stranger to world recording-breaking attempts; already holding two other transatlantic world records, one of speed on board the power boat 'Virgin Atlantic Challenger II' and one of size on the hot air balloon 'Virgin Atlantic Flyer'.  This attempt will start from the Ambrose Lighthouse (just out of New York) and finish at Lizard Point, the most South Westerly point of the UK. TEAMORIGIN was set up in January 2007 and aims to win next year's America's Cup to be held in Valencia, Spain.  Their current training for the event will see them competing in other events such as the iShares Cup Extreme 40 series, which finishes in Amsterdam next week.

Feasting on Waves: Alton Brown does it for real!!

chef de mer catamaranThe popular American TV food commentator and personality Alton Brown is once again hitting the screens of televisions across the nation on the Food Network channel following his success with ‘Feasting on Asphalt’ with his new program ‘Feasting on Waves‘.  In this program Brown goes in search of America’s culinary roots and Caribbean flavors and starts his journey on St Kitts before traveling north west through the Caribbean towards the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands. In true Alton Brown style he ventures to the far flung parts of the islands to find the most authentic specialties of the region, he even travels aboard the custom built Chef de Mer Catamaran to sail between the islands.  This boat is well renowned for its fabulous chef, Tara, and is also available throughout the year to charter yourself and get the ultimate Alton Brown experience!!

Yachts Showing at the 2008 Monaco Yacht Show!

Monaco Boat ShowEvery year in late September one of the most glamourous venues in the world plays host to the world's number 1 showcase for superyachts in the Port Hercules, in Monaco. From the 24th-27th September 2008 the world's leading manufacturers, designers and brokers all in involved in the Superyacht industry will converge on the Port Hercules in Monaco to show off the biggest and the best of new Superyachts up for charter. The Monaco Yacht Show is also an opportunity to allow designers to show off new designs and promote the future of Superyacht design and charter. It is really an awesome event and the leading boat show for the Superyacht industry.

The 50+ Meter Yachts scheduled to be shown are: ALIBELLA (Benetti), AMNESIA (Benetti), ANASTASIA (Oceanco), BAD GIRL (Brooke Yachts), FORTUNATO (Feadship), INDEPENDENCE (Perini Navi), JAMAICA BAY (Schweers), KISMET (Luerssen), KOKOMO (Alloy Yachts), LADY CHRISTINE (Oceanco), LATINOU (Benetti), MARAYA (CRN), MIDLANDIA (Benetti), NIRVANA (Vitters Shipyard), NOURAH OF RIYAD (Yay), O'NEIRO (Golden Yachts), OASIS (Luerssen), RED DRAGON (Alloy Yacht), ROMANCE (CRN), SEA FORCE ONE (AMY), VINYDREA (Proteskan Turquoise), WERE DREAMS (Amels), XANADU (Benetti), and an unnammed yacht from Luerssen.
Please click for a complete list of yachts at the show