The requirement for cutting-edge watertoys onboard private yacht charter vessels is nothing new. There’s an ongoing battle between charter yacht owners to make sure their yacht has better toys than their competitor; hence the inclusion of jet packs, personal submarines, waterslides, and flying saucer-style waverunners.
Now, a piece of exercise equipment found in nearly every superyacht gym – the stationary exercise bicycle – has crossed over to join the long list of “must-have” watertoys.
Engineered for the water, the Schiller S1 water bike merges modern design, technology, and engineering, to deliver a stationary workout bicycle in an aquatic environment. Why stay cooped-up in a yacht’s gym, riding a stationary bike, when you can do your biking outdoors, on the water?
Fans of television’s, “The Amazing Race” on CBS, saw the Schiller S1 in action in the season premiere, as contestants peddled from Marina del Rey to Burton Chase Park in Los Angeles, California.
Upon first glance, the S1 looks large and bulky, until you realize the pontoons that keep it afloat and provide stability are inflatable. In fact, the unit folds down to 3 cubic feet and only weighs 60 pounds – compact and light enough for any deckhand to carry and place the S1 near the swim platform for the use of the charter guests.
A drive train attached to the pedals connects to a small propeller. The company reports a good rider can achieve a speed of 5 miles per hour.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, believes eco-conscious travelers will appreciate this “green” watertoy. “We’re committed to increasing the eco-friendly yachting options we can offer our clients,” says Sheeder. “So many travelers are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint both at home and while on vacation.” Sheeder continues, “The Schiller S1 waterbike is quiet, sustainable, and human-powered. It’s part of a new generation of watertoys that merge the pleasures of a yachting vacation with the responsibilities of protecting our marine environment.”
Sheeder concludes with a smile, “…and as we saw on the season premiere of The Amazing Race, it’s a lot of fun!”
Enjoy the ultimate green vacation on a fully-crewed Virgin Islands catamaran yacht charter this winter. Catamaran sailboats are roomy, stable, loaded with watertoys, and utilize the clean energy of the wind to cruise through the water. For more information, email info@1800YachtCharters.com, submit an online inquiry form, or call us at +1-800-YACHTCHARTERS (922-4824) or +305-720-7245, 24 hours.
This entry was posted in Gadgets and tagged eco-friendly, Luxury Yacht Gadgets, Gadgets, private yacht charter, Jana Sheeder, Sustainable Products, green yachting, The Amazing Race, television shows, exercise on a yacht
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There’s no denying it – megayacht owners love their toys and gadgets. If it’s new and trendy in 2011, you’ll find it on a luxury yacht charter vessel – everything from Mercedes Benz-styled helicopters to the latest Crestron touchpad-controlled CD/DVD players, and video game consoles.
Deep pockets and a zest for staying ahead of the pack keeps these owners in the hunt for the hottest gadgets on the market. That same quest for the newest gadgets also means the owner’s yachts are the perfect barometer for not only what is new, but also what gadgets are destined to go the way of the dinosaur.
If the purchasing whims of the owners of some of the largest Caribbean yacht charter vessels are any indication, expect to see these three tech gadgets phased out this decade:
Standalone GPS Systems
At sea, megayacht skippers rely on radar and a whole host of maritime equipment to navigate. But when the yachts arrive in a new port of call, the crews use standalone GPS navigation systems to use for shore excursions. “Fewer yachts are carrying portable navigation devices like those sold by TomTom and Garmin,” says Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters and 1-800 Yacht Charters.
“Every crewmember has a mobile phone and many skippers have smartphones provided by yacht owner. These modern phones all feature interactive maps and built-in navigational systems.”
Digital Cameras
Digital cameras are common on yachts. While at seas, crews use the cameras to take photos of mechanical issues, which can be downloaded and emailed to a shore-based engineer for analysis. With the recent unveiling of the Apple iPhone 4S, digital camera makers have much to be worried about. Apple’s newest phone has an impressive 8-megapixel camera that takes in more light than earlier models and records HD video at 1080p. Until recently, such impressive specs were unique to digital cameras. Increasingly, smartphones are taking over the low-end camera market.
Captain Peter Vasquez and his 118-foot motoryacht ISLAND TIME are regulars on the Bahama yacht charters circuit. Vasquez points out the appeal of one device that can perform multiple tasks.
“Camera functions are being taken over by smartphones,” says Vasquez.
“There’s little incentive to carry around a camera when I already have a phone in my pocket that takes quality pictures.”
Video Game Consoles
From the largest yachts like Steven Spielberg owned 282′ motor yacht SEVEN SEAS, to the newest yachts like 2011 motor yacht NUMPTIA, popular video game systems such as the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation® and Microsoft Xbox are installed in many of the staterooms for the use of onboard guests.
In the near future analysts predict consumers will forgo game consoles and instead buy smart televisions with a gaming system built into it, or tablets with gaming apps and options “We’ve already witnessed the emergence of an iPad controlled boat app on motor yacht HUNTRESS,” says Sheeder.
“The captain hands each guest their own iPad when they board. These tablets offer control of all shipboard entertainment systems. Yacht owners tell us they plan on shifting from video gaming consoles to more comprehensive systems with other entertainment options such as movies.”
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What other electronic gadget do you think will be obsolete in the near future? DVD players? E-readers? Contact us at 1-800 Yacht Charters at https://www.1800yachtcharters.com/book-now-contact-us/, and let us know what you think and we’ll share your predictions with our readers.
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter News Gadgets and tagged Gadgets, Huntress, luxury yacht charter, helicopters, tablets, digital cameras
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Like it or not, information in “Real time” is a way of life. Whether it’s the latest Tweet by Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, the tumbling Euro in the continuing global debt crisis, or the 12th hour NBA lockout negotiations – we need our information now, as it happens, streaming live to our smart phones and laptops.
Staying connected is a way of life, even when we travel for pleasure. The mega yacht charter industry, frequently viewed as pathfinders in embracing technology and gadgets, clearly understands the need to be wired. Industry insiders report nearly 98% of all megayachts for hire feature onboard WiFi service for use of their guests.
But is WiFi all you need to stay in touch with the real world during a charter holiday? According to Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, WiFi is only one part of the answer. “Clients often ask if the yacht they are considering for their vacation has WiFi,” says Sheeder. “What they really should be asking is, ‘Does the yacht have VSAT?‘“
Many yachts with WiFi capability can only access the Internet when they are in close proximity to a WiFi server. Many marinas have WiFi servers; but what happens when the yacht sets off for a remote cove for a day of swimming and snorkeling? Unless the yacht has VSAT, the onboard WiFi capabilities are rendered useless.
VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) is simply a satellite system. The superyacht has a dome and antenna onboard that connects from just about anywhere at sea to a satellite in space. “Having VSAT onboard means the client can be anchored off the coast of a remote island during a Caribbean yacht charter, flip open their laptop, and use WiFi to connect to the Internet,” explains Sheeder.
When booking your next yachting holiday, be sure to ask for a specific breakdown of the yacht’s WiFi systems.
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For information about megayacht vacations in exotic ports of call, contact the 1-800 Yacht Charters destination experts HERE.
This entry was posted in News Frequently Asked Questions Educational and tagged sailing yacht charters, motoryacht charter, Celebrities, Gadgets
Posted onTrends for 2014:
Here’s to another wonderful year ahead! Thank you for making a difference with 1-800 Yacht Charters!
This entry was posted in Good Times and tagged 1-800 Yacht Charters, eco-friendly, Gadgets, Jana Sheeder, Make A Difference, Sustainable Products, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, give back
Posted onAfter some shipyard time in Georgia, the popular and highly successful charter yacht TAIL LIGHTS headed to the Bahamas in charter ready and Bristol condition. The 116ft Azimut yacht TAIL LIGHTS looked amazing and had lots of new toys and goods onboard to start her first charter in Nassau on November 21st.
A recent charter guest took the time to share her thoughts about her family’s superyacht experience onboard Azimut yacht TAIL LIGHTS. What lends credence to her comments is the fact she has chartered three times prior. In her own words,
“We just got off the boat this morning. This was my fourth trip on a (luxury yacht) charter vessel and found it to be at least equal to but in many ways better than the previous trips I had taken. Captain Steve Kemp was awesome. He was extremely organized and looked after every detail of the trip. When we needed to adjust he was quick to respond and very accommodating. The crew was fantastic and also very accommodating. The girls were all Johnny-on-the-spot with food, drinks, and any other need we had. The staterooms were always looked after and kept pristine during our trip. Very pleasant personalities and fun to talk to. Jeff made sure the boat and tender were operating perfectly and was also very accommodating when we wanted to tour the engine room. The boat itself was appointed very nicely and it was obvious that she had been upgraded recently. It looked brand new. I would highly recommend (yacht) Tail Lights and its crew, particularly Steve the captain. I certainly would look into chartering her again.”
Built in 2011, the yacht underwent an extensive $1.5M refit in 2016. Here’s a list of the improvements made:
The yacht accommodates up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms — 8 beds – 2 doubles, 2 twins, and 1 convertible configured as 2 Pullmen, 1 King, 2 Queens, 1 Double, and 4 Singles.
Watertoys include:
Rates for TAIL LIGHTS are from $75,000 per week, plus all running expenses and any applicable taxes.
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This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Good Times Testimonials Special Offers Yacht of the Week and tagged 1-800 Yacht Charters, yacht charter Bahamas, Bahamas, motoryacht charter, Gadgets, Bahamas yacht charter, Refit, Nassau, Azimut, Tail Lights, Westminster, Bote, Yamaha, Stoppani paint
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Anyone who reads our blog on a regular basis knows we love our gadgets. Let’s face it, going on a Virgin Islands yacht charter is loads of fun, but getting there can be tedious. Waiting for flights, standing at the luggage carrousel, taking long taxi rides, etc. can be long and boring. Having a cool new gadget on hand is a great way to kill some time – and have some fun.
The world’s largest trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, the IFA just wrapped up in Berlin. Here are our three favorite new gadgets for 2012 from the show:
1. Samsung Galaxy Note
If you’ve been waiting for a smartphone with a big screen, this is your phone! The Samsung Galaxy Note offers a 5.3 inch display, the largest screen size available among smartphones. This means less scrolling and screen transitions. Imagine viewing web pages, news apps, and e-books with minimal scrolling or zooming – how cool is that? The device also utilizes “pen-input technology,” and comes with an S Pen that allows users to draw and send handwritten images and notes via text message, email, and instant messaging.
2. LG Smartscan Mouse
As luxury yacht charter brokers, we’re constantly scanning client documents – from bareboat charter contracts to food and beverage preference sheets. Scanning saves our clients’ time and allows us to share their information with yacht crews around the globe. The latest mouse from LG has a built-in scanner, which the company says will “open a new era for scanners.” Simply click the Smart Scan button on the left side of the mouse, then swipe it over the material to be scanned.
The scanned image can then be saved in a variety of file types, or dragged and dropped into a document or application. LG’s Optical Character Recognition technology converts scanned text into a Microsoft Word document that can then be edited as required. The 2-in-1 device can scan page sizes up to A3, which is larger than most conventional portable scanners.
3. Sony Cyber-shot DSC TX55 – The World’s Slimmest Digital Camera
Imagine going on a Croatia yacht charter and not having a camera with you. Who will believe you when you say you saw a whale swimming by an island with a Medieval castle? Most digital cameras are small, but bulky and heavy in your pocket. Not the Cybershot TX55. Just 12.2mm slim, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC TX55 is the world’s thinnest camera. It can capture 16.2 megapixel still images as well as full HD video.
The camera’s back panel has an 8.3cm/3.3 inch touch-screen for showing off photos and movie clips. It also features 3D shooting options. By pressing the shutter button once, the camera will grab a pair of frames in fast succession, estimating depth to create a 3D still image. This is a MUST for a bareboat yacht charter in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, also!
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Do you have a favorite new gadget that you can’t live without? Tell us about it HERE, and we’ll share it with our readers.
This entry was posted in Good Times News Educational and tagged James Bond, Gadgets
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John Staluppi, the luxury yacht charter world’s archetypical yacht owner is at it again. Driven by imagination and pride, Staluppi has taken possession of his 16th megayacht.
Launched on Saturday 26th November 2011 at the state-of-the-art Benetti shipyard in Livorno, Italy the 60 meter Benetti FB253 is the boat’s official identification, but like so many of his earlier yachts, the vessel has been christened to honor another James Bond classic novel and film – motor yacht DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER.
Based on the shipyard’s famed naval architecture and engineering, the elegant external line of the new Benetti FB253 M/Y (Motoryacht) DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER is characterized by compact forms and dynamic slender lines. This balanced combination of traditional design elements and modern innovative stylistic solutions has become the benchmark of Benetti’s distinguishing mark throughout the world.
Long a fan of the James Bond 007 saga, Staluppi’s earlier creations included the aptly named motor yacht OCTOPUSSY, motoryacht MOONRAKER, motor yacht THUNDERBALL, M/Y THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, and the popular Bahama yacht charters mega yacht CASINO ROYALE, a fixture at the posh Atlantis Resort and Marina on Paradise Island.
Although M/Y CASINO ROYALE and his latest effort M/Y DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER were built for true luxury at sea, Staluppi’s earlier James Bond boat creations were built with a singular focus – SPEED. Setting records as some of the fastest superyachts in the world, it was the 43.5 meter motor yacht OCTOPUSSY which broke the 50-knot speed barrier 20 years ago and brought the name of New York-born John Staluppi to the attention of yacht aficionados.
With a background that is now well-known, the self-made millionaire left school when he was 16 and worked as a mechanic in Brooklyn before going on to develop one of the most successful car dealerships in North America — a business that enabled him to indulge his passion for racing fast boats, and then later for building megayachts.
While many charter yacht owners prefer to remain anonymous, Staluppi’s vision and passion bring fervor and excitement to a very conservative industry. After all, there aren’t many yachts aboard which guests are greeted by frosted-glass panels delicately etched with the silhouettes of Bond girls!
The customized, whimsical James Bond boat themes are a refreshing breath of fresh air in an industry of white, cookie-cutter production boats. Let’s hope Staluppi doesn’t run out of 007 movie titles, or his passion, any time soon.
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Live the adventure – come explore an exotic destination on a James Bond boat.
Contact us HERE to make life-changing plans!
This entry was posted in News Yacht of the Week and tagged James Bond, benetti yacht charter, motoryacht charter, Celebrities, Gadgets, Bahamas yacht charter, fast superyacht, 1800yachtcharters, 007, Thunderball, Staluppi
Posted onThe sales market for waverunners and jetskis – also known as personal water craft (PWC) – has been on the decline for several years, in part due to the fact PWC have become so gigantic, powerful, expensive and fuel hungry.
While the price issue is of lesser concern to the owners of charter yachts, the size and fuel consumption issues do factor into the decision of whether or not a megayacht will carry one or more of these toys onboard for the use of the charter guests.
Now, a smaller, lighter, and far more fuel efficient model has been introduced, and it might have an impact on smaller megayachts, particularly in the 80 to 100 foot range.
The Sea-Doo “Spark” is approximately half the price, half the weight and half the power of a regular midrange PWC, and burns nearly ten times less fuel than other waverunners.
Storage space is a major concern on yachts in the 80 to 100 foot range. The aft garage on a mid-size megayacht is rather tight – yet carrying an assortment of watertoys is important as many charterers clamor for water-based activities during their time onboard. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine a Florida yacht charter vacation, in the warm, pristine Florida Keys, without spending time in the ocean, snorkeling, wakeboarding, and riding along on a waverunner. The Spark is smaller and lighter than other PWC, and it is easier to get in and out of a cramped yacht’s toy garage.
Many vessels forgo carrying a large PWC, not just because of the size but also because the typical PWC guzzles LOTS of fuel, requiring the storage of large amounts of gasoline to operate the waverunners. This is both problematic and, for yacht owners and crews concerned about sustainability, an ecological issue.
The Spark is the most fuel efficient PWC on the market, burning just 7.3 liters (1.9 gallons) of fuel per hour on the 60-horsepower model, or 9 liters (2.4 gallons) per hour on the “High Output” model. Compare this to a 250-horsepower Sea-Doo RXT-X model, which swallows 76 liters (20 gallons) per hour, and the Yamaha FX Cruiser requiring 80 liters (21 gallons) per hour. Carrying a Spark on a charter yacht would require less gasoline to be stored, and leave a far smaller carbon footprint on the environment.
Yes, there is a trade off in top-end speed, but many charterers have little-to-no experience on a PWC, and high speed can be quite dangerous. In fact, operating a large PWC often requires a special license. Consider the typical language used on most charter agreements between clients and the owners of the yacht for hire. There is often a clause that states:
“The use of any personal watercraft (waverunners) is at the operator’s sole risk and is only permitted subject to the operator having the applicable license, if required, and meeting local regulations.
Any liability arising from noncompliance regarding the use of personal watercraft is entirely at the operator’s risk.”
For most charterers, the speed of the Spark should not be an issue, as the Spark can easily hit 80 kilometers per hour (around 50 mph)!
It’s too early to tell how the charter industry will react to the Spark, and whether owners of mid-size megayachts will choose this new PWC for their toy garages. At approximately half the price and half the weight, the Spark delivers 90% of the speed (and fun) of a more expensive PWC. Hopefully that will be enough to “spark” an interest in eco-friendly yacht owners…
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WHAT do you think? Will the Spark catch on with megayacht owners and crews? Share your comments with us, and we’ll send you a complimentary eco-friendly tote bag, courtesy of 1-800 Yacht Charters.
This entry was posted in News and tagged eco-friendly, Luxury Yacht Gadgets, Personal Watercraft (PWC), motoryacht charter, Gadgets, Watertoys, Sea-Doo
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You have a dilemma – you’ve nearly drained the bank account to pay for your family’s Caribbean yacht charter Christmas vacation, but you still want to get the kids some affordable (and cool) presents. No worries, Mate! We may live in challenging economic times, but here are three great gadgets that cost $100 dollars or less:
OnLive Player
While most luxury sailing charter vessels in the islands have game consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, innovative on-demand gamers will love OnLive Player, the latest technology in cloud gaming. Some latency issues means that Cloud video gaming is not at its peak quite yet, but give the $99.99 OnLive service and its accompanying player a chance to lead you into the future. The games are all top-tier titles, and the service allows members to take their games from the company’s servers to their television sets and includes a controller. Charterers can plug into their yacht’s onboard VSAT TV’s and drift off into the Cloud…
Powermat
Anyone who has seen that frantic look on the kids’ faces as they search for a cord before their phone gives up that last gasp of battery life can benefit from the Powermat, a charger that works with a receiver placed on the back of your phone. The ads are a bit temperamental – you have to put your phone in just the right spot to get the juice flowing – but it’s very convenient once you get the knack. Mats start at just $30. A particularly good deal is the 2X mat with a Powercube, which lets you set down a device to charge and has a built-in cord that you can change to fit just almost any device.
Sony Headphones
Come on, Mom and Dad – everyone knows that the standard white earbuds that come with Apple’s products are soooo lame! Your just not cool without a pair of black earbuds, and Sony is the must-have brand. A great noise-canceling pair, the Sony MDRNC13, zaps outside noise for just $70. Most of Sony’s headphones do a decent job of cutting out the background noise — even the cheaper models designed for the iPod or iPhone, such as the $30 XB earbuds, which also have built-in volume controls.
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Rent private yacht – Get away from the cold and spend a week or more in the sunny Caribbean on your own private sailboat or motoryacht. Contact the 1-800 Yacht Charters team BY CLICKING HERE for great winter and spring deals.
This entry was posted in News and tagged Gadgets
Posted onBlog followers requested a photo of the 4th top yacht charter travel gadget, as there was no photo included in the blog! Thanks for asking. Your wish is 1-800 Yacht Charters’ command!
When you rent your private yacht, don’t forget travel gadget number four…
Polaroid GL20 camera sunglasses – in January, Polaroid and Lady Gaga (as Haus of Gaga) teamed up to introduce a new pair of sunglasses with a built-in camera. The glasses conceal a 5-megapixel camera to capture still images at 10 or 60 second intervals, or manually using a button on one arm of the glasses. The camera can also be used to capture video.
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What is the fifth yacht charter “must have” travel gadget that you suggest bringing when you rent your private yacht? Submit it HERE, and we’ll share it with your fellow yachtsmen and women!
This entry was posted in News Educational and tagged Gadgets
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