Watersports on a Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter in the BVI

Whether you wish to try your hand at water-skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, knee boarding, windsurfing or Seabobs (among other sports), there are always boats on offer that meet all the necessary water sport requirements. Chartering a crewed yacht with a variety of sea toys is a fantastic way to ensure a family vacation with plenty of excitement and adventure. Below you will find brief descriptions of just some of the fantastic water sport opportunities on offer.

Scuba Diving / Snorkeling

The beautiful waters of the Caribbean are the perfect place for exploration and discovery. Dive down to sites that include the wreckages of Spanish galleons and British warships, or snorkel through the stunning coral reefs that are home to a host of tropical fish and other rare species of marine life.

Many crewed yachts offer diving instructors on board who will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable scuba-diving experience. Rendezvous diving means that you are joined by a professional diving company who bring their own boat and diving equipment. These companies offer only the most experienced diving staff who have unrivalled knowledge of all the best local dive sites.

As the only coral reef island in the Virgin Islands, Anegada is an extremely popular charter destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Other popular diving and snorkeling destinations include the Maldives, Seychelles and the Great Barrier Reef.

Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and Kneeboarding

The easiest and quickest way to learn how to ski is by starting on a kneeboard. Kneeling on the board gives you a much lower centre of gravity than conventional waterskiing, which makes it easier to balance and keep control when you are being towed at speeds of around 30-50km/h.

In contrast, water skiing not only requires exceptional upper and lower body strength but also extremely good balance. Many boats offer both adult and children’s waterskis. Children often find learning to waterski easier than adults due to their lower centre of gravity.

Wakeboarding was originally developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing. Wakeboards are usually made of foam or honeycomb, which is mixed with resin and coated with fibreglass.

Given the obvious dangers of falling into the water at speed, a third person is required as a spotter for the person in the water. The spotter’s job is to ensure that all necessary safety measures are taken.

Interesting fact: The most skiers towed behind one boat is 145. This world record was set by the Horsehead Water Ski Club in Strahan, Tasmania, in January 2012.

Personal Water Craft / Water scooter

Personal Water Craft (PWCs) are often referred to by their more well-known brand names such as Jet Ski, WaveRunner and SeaDoo. These vehicles are normally designed for one or two people, although three- and four-man models do exist.

PWCs are popular because they are small, very fast and easy to manoeuvre. They are also an extremely fun way to explore the ocean and are safer around swimmers because they do not have external propellers.

Riders should probably try their best not to fall off though, as there is a risk of similar injuries to those that can be picked up on waterskis.

With accommodation for 6 guests in 2 cabins, the Jongert 27m crewed sailing yacht ICARUS is ideal for sailing charters around Europe and the Virgin Islands. ICARUS offers a variety of exciting water toys including snorkelling equipment, waterskis, tube, towing ring, wake board and fishing gear, while rendezvous diving is also an option.

If you would like some advice and help in planning a trip to the BVI, please have a look at our BVI Catamaran Charter Guide or send us an email to [email protected], where one of our Brokers would be delighted to assist you.

Posted on November 14, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Chartering a Crewed Catamaran in Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

The smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands, Jost Van Dyke is found roughly 5 miles northwest of Tortola. The island covers just 4 square miles and is home to just under 300 inhabitants. However, it is thought that government population figure could be too high; some citizens who actually live in St. Thomas may have been included in the last census.

Jost Van Dyke has been a popular destination for those seeking adventure for more than 400 years. A Dutch settler/pirate (the man after whom the island is named) settled and used the island as a base in the 17th century, but it did not become really popular with tourists until recently. The island only got electricity in 1991 and proper roads were introduced a few years later. There are no banks, and many businesses shut down completely in September and October.

Jost van Dyke is home to many fantastic beaches. White Bay, which is protected by a huge reef that extends out from the beach, is the perfect point for snorkeling and scuba-diving. The bay is also fantastic for dolphin and whale watching. From mid-January until the end of March, the humpback whale passes through the waters just off Jost Van Dyke as part of its annual migration patterns.

The most frequented point on the island is Great Harbour, which is one of the busiest ports in the BVI. Great Harbour is lined with many small bars and beach restaurants, of which Foxy’s Tiki Bar is undoubtedly the most famous.

Philicianno Callwood (a.k.a “Foxy”), is known for strumming his guitar and singing humorous songs every afternoon, and ensuring that everyone has a great time if they arrive at his establishment. Foxy’s is also well known for hosting fantastic parties late into the night on Halloween and New Year’s Eve (known on the island as “Old Year’s Night”).

The Soggy Dollar Bar, which is found in White Bay, is another very famous beach bar and the birthplace of the Painkiller. The Painkiller is a rum cocktail that contains a blend of Pusser’s Rum mixed with 4 parts pineapple juice, 1 part cream of coconut and 1 part orange juice, served over the rocks with a generous amount of fresh nutmeg.

One of our most popular yacht charters in the BVI is the Privilege 615 Catamaran JERI. This fantastic crewed catamaran offers accommodation for up to 8 guests in an exquisite Owners Suite and 3 luxurious Guest Cabins.

If you would like some advice and help in planning a trip to the BVI, please have a look at our BVI yacht charter guide or send us an email to [email protected], where one of our Brokers would be delighted to assist you.

Posted on November 12, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Environmentally Friendly Luxury Yacht Charter on “Island E Motion”

With global warming and the production of greenhouse gases both attracting huge media attention, Swiss company MCM and Future Island of Australia have joined together to create “Island E Motion” – a truly unique, environmentally friendly luxury motor yacht which is said to encompass “sustainable luxury at its best”.

Designed by Swiss duo Milena Cvijanovich and Dennis Muller, Island E Motion is based on the idea of creating a sustainable luxury lifestyle by “harnessing the power of the wind, the sun and the waves.” It has an ecological footprint that is up to 60% lower than that of more traditional yachts.

Built as part of the ‘Floating Island’ series, the yacht is made from recycled materials and is powered through the use of alternative energies. This includes a combination of thermal and electronic solar panels and the use of both wind and wave energy. The yacht also uses an advanced propeller technology with liquefied natural gas, a recycled water circuit filter for collecting rainwater and a specially-designed desalination system. Bubbles generated by forcing air underneath the vessel reduce friction, meaning that it requires lower amonts of energy to propel her forward.

Cvijanovich and Muller have managed to create an environmentally friendly yacht without compromising on luxury and design. Guests can enjoy a truly luxurious experience within in a natural environment that includes permaculture vegetation such as grass and palm trees, and sandy beaches.

Island E Motion features a large dining room for twenty-four guests, several lounge areas, spas, a gymnasium, massage room, home cinema, library, and indoor/outdoor bars. The larger model, which offers private helipads and a swimming pool, is perfect for hosting big events such as fashion shows and art exhibitions.

A percentage of the profits made by Island E Motion will be donated to the Global Life on Water (GLOW) foundation – a side project that is looking into the construction of floating hospitals.

Other recent environmentally friendly yacht designs include the E-Max Ultra Green Pure Care Carrier by Sauter Carbon Offsets Design and Project Atlas, a joint collaboration between H2 Yachts and Laurent Gilles Superyacht Designs.

For more information on chartering a luxury yacht, please have a look at our website or send an email to [email protected].

Posted on November 12, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

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.

Posted on October 24, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our favourite worldwide Luxury Yacht Charters – Part II

Following on from Part I of our first ever edition of the Boatbookings.com brokers favourite yachts of the month, Part II aims to complete our October favourite luxury yachts. It is unquestionable that a luxury yacht charter on DAMRAK II or an event charter on NINAH would be beatable, however we believe that JACKIE ONE, TIGER LILY OF LONDON and MISTRAL 55 could also offer you one of the most incredible experiences and holidays of your life.

JACKIE ONE is a luxurious Amercraft 26m motor yacht with 4 staterooms, accommodating up to 8 guests. She has undergone a complete makeover in 2007, which included a Jacuzzi, as well a complete interior refit. She has a great crew, including a very experienced captain who has extensive knowledge of the Amalfi Coast, as well as a chef whose cuisine is second to none. We would highly recommend her for both families and friends for a weeks duration, where guests can soak up the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, as well as the beautiful weather. There is no better place to be than in the Jacuzzi on her Flybridge with a glass of champagne and watching the sunset over Positano.

TIGER LILY OF LONDON is another one of our favourite luxury yachts available in Spain, Ibiza and Majorca. She is a stunning Pershing 90 motor yacht, with 3 cabins and accommodation for 7 guests. She is the perfect luxury day charter yacht or for multiple days around the beautiful islands of Majorca and Ibiza. She has great outdoor space, with plenty of space for guests to sunbathe and soak up the golden rays of the Mediterranean Sun. She is an impressive motor yacht, with speeds of up to 44 knots whilst maintaining great comfort. She has enough water toys for the whole family, including Seadoo’s, scuba gear, snorkelling equipment as well as a fast tender to enjoy the doughnuts, water skis and wakeboards. We would highly recommend a charter on her in June, July or August 2013. Book now to avoid disappoint!

MISTRAL 55 is the final yacht to feature in the October edition of our favourite charter yachts. She is a luxurious Pershing 115, who was recently on show at the Cannes Boat Show 2012. She is a very fast yacht, which can reach speeds of up to 50 knots, thanks to a gas turbine, making it possible to go from Monaco to St Tropez in an hour! She can provide accommodation for up to 10 guests in 4 modern cabins, as well as beautiful decks and living areas. She is a great choice for a day charter to the exclusive Pampelonne Beach and would not look out of place amongst the Super Yachts. Why not try a lunch reservation at Kailargo or La Ramatuelle, fantastic restaurants on offer at the celebrity hotspot, Nioulargo Beach. She is a very popular day charter option for friends or family and will not disappoint.

If you would like to charter any of the yachts on show, please enquire through our website, where your request will be dealt with by one of our experienced brokers. We would be delighted to assist you in organising one of our favourite yachts for you and providing you with an unforgettable experience.

Posted on October 5, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓