How do you top yourself if you’re the creator of a multi-award-winning superyacht? It is easy. Build the same yacht again…only bigger and better.
This yacht follows in the footsteps of the acclaimed 45 meter Aquos Yachts motor yacht BIG FISH. Fifty-meter motor yacht STAR FISH is under construction at McMullen & Wing.
LAUNCH DATE AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Aquos motor yacht STAR FISH projects to launch in April of 2012. She is based on the same hull form as M/Y BIG FISH. The yacht will have six staterooms, specifically for 12 guests. In addition, she accommodates 14 crew. Her Owner’s deck has an optional forward-facing cabin and both fore and aft decks.
UNIQUE DESIGN
STAR FISH has a unique arrangement by Greg C. Marshall Naval Architects. It allows the sky lounge deck to be dedicated solely to the owner’s use. It can also be incorporated in the yacht’s public space scheme during luxury yacht charter outings. The captain’s cabin and wheelhouse are located above. They are on a fourth deck with a dramatic flying bridge and observation pod above it.
Golf on a yacht charter – concept of yacht Star Fish
Fore! At the back of the yacht, builders create a golf green for golfing enthusiasts to practice their drives. Using biodegradable (fish food) golf balls helps the environment.
We first introduced our readers to McMullen & Wing yacht BIG FISH in January 2011, as the vessel set out on an around-the-world odyssey. Along the way, the owner, designer, and builders continued to collect awards and platitudes for the edgy, angular, and dramatic megayacht, specifically created for sea-going adventure.
The SailAway Yacht Charter Group’s Picks for
Best Secret Beaches in the Caribbean
* Lameshur Bay Beach, St. John
* Happy Bay, St. Martin
* Palm Beach, Barbuda
THE STORY
For years, travel agents and yacht charter brokers have promoted the British Virgin Islands as “Nature’s Little Secret.” Unfortunately for luxury sailing charter travelers seeking solace and quiet anchorages, the secret is out. While the BVI and most of the Caribbean remains a fantastic sailing destination, there’s no denying it – it is getting harder and harder to anchor off the shore of a quiet beach.
The good news is that there are still undiscovered beaches in the Caribbean — blissful hideaways where tourism hasn’t yet eclipsed the local culture.
THE STORY CONTINUES
The most experienced Caribbean yacht charter skippers know these secret beaches but are reluctant to disclose their locations. Fortunately, our loyalties are to our charter clients – and we are more than willing to share these hidden gems with our readers!
TOP 3 SECRET BEACHES
First, Lameshur Bay Beach, St. John, USVI
While the bareboat yacht charter crowd is anchored off the Baths in Virgin Gorda, BVI, we like slide across Drake Channel to the US side of the Virgin Islands and go ashore on the secluded southeast coast of St. John, at Lameshur Bay beach. At the end of the cobblestone beach at Lameshur is a more isolated, sandier strip known as Donkey Bight. Snorkelers love this beach, as it leads to Beehive Cove, a warren of caves and tunnels filled with coral and sea sponges and teaming with fish.
Physical fitness buffs can also enjoy a 1.2 mile hike up a trail to the 1,000-foot peak of Bordeaux Mountain, which overlooks the bay below.
SECOND TOP SECRET BEACH
Happy Bay, St. Martin
Located on the French side of St. Martin, Happy Bay is an underpopulated stretch of crème-colored sand. Thick underbrush surrounds the beach and serves as a challenging barrier to most shore-based tourists. The privacy of this beach has made it a popular spot forclothing optionaltourists. Snorkelers marvel at the vast numbers of tropical fish in the crystal waters.
THIRD SECRET BEACH
Palm Beach, Barbuda
While nearby Antigua flaunts bustling beachside hotels, Barbuda offers quiet beaches with pink sands, the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, and only a handful of resorts. Antigua is a great place to begin a superyacht charter (international airport, and excellent megayacht marinas) but do yourself a favor after your board. Cruise over to Barbuda and enjoy the solitude.
The recent Paris boat show gave bareboat yacht charter lovers pause. Presenting the new Lagoon catamaran 39. It is an even more important milestone. In specific, the 30th birthday of Lagoon Catamarans.
The builder celebrated their shipbuilding birthday at the French show. Show dates spanned December 7 to 15.
When Did Lagoon Cats First Appear?
The first Lagoon #catamaran model was delivered in 1987. As a result, more than 3,000 Lagoon catamarans exist around the world.
Lagoon Catamaran for Caribbean Yacht Charter Vacation
DESIGN INNOVATIONS
For three decades, the company has been a leader in design innovation. For example,
1997
Lagoon invents vertical windows for the Lagoon 410 catamaran, adding welcoming light and a feeling of more volume.
2004
No one had ever seen or heard of a flybridge on a sailing catamaran. That is, until Lagoon installed one. Now, a decade later, all Lagoons 45’ and larger are equipped with a flybridge.
2006
The first hybrid-powered cruising catamaran is introduced. Specifically, the Lagoon 420.
2009
Welcome the Lagoon 620. It is the benchmark for crewed catamaran charters. Ask any charter broker their preferred vessels for a Virgin Islands yacht charter vacation. They probably point to Lagoon 620 sail catamaran AVALON. Also, luxury sailing catamaran CROCODILE DADDY.
2013
The new Lagoon 39 and 52 models, featuring innovation by VPLP naval architects, have the masts pushed back aft for comfort, performance, and easy handling.
HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS
Happy 30th birthday, Lagoon! Thank you for all that you’ve done for the catamaran charter industry — here’s to another 30 years.
Today we shine the spotlight on the Abeking & Rasmussen yacht EXCELLENCE V. She is the 5th vessel in an eponymous line of highly successful superyachts.
THE SUPERYACHT EXPERIENCE™
German-built, this 60 meter lady combines elegant design with a sense of space. She stretches far beyond her physical dimensions. Indeed, the interior volumes of motoryacht EXCELLENCE Vare far more common on Mediterranean yacht charter vessels in the 70 to 75 meter range. She is a beautiful yacht who delivers The Superyacht Experience™ by 1-800 Yacht Charters to discerning clients.
HER DESIGN
The owner turns to London based Reymond Langton Design to develop a special design approach. For instance, where space is optimally utilized to meet charter guests’ needs. This approach is most evident within the guest staterooms. The master is located on the upper deck. In addition, more staterooms are situated on the main fore deck. These sleeping quarters offer interesting concepts. For example, large windows, spaciousness, and easy accessibility.
THE YACHT EXTERIOR
The exterior of the yacht embodies the sense of space provided in the interior. Her sleek lines, navy blue hull, and white superstructure portray a classic style with a contemporary feel.
Architecturally, major design amenities include:
Beach club to starboard
Port-side gym and massage room
Onboard Cinema
Aft swimming and dive platform
FLEXIBILITY AND COMFORT
A further example of the yacht’s reverence to flexibility and comfort is the tender launching area, which can be directly accessed from the double suite aft of the master stateroom [perfect for discreet getaways, without disturbing other onboard guests].
INTERIOR STYLE
Overall, her interior style is sophisticated and grand. A central elevator connects all five decks, while a spiral staircase provides access to each interior level. Glossy dark wooden wall panels frame the staircase, and natural stone floors complete the elegant feel.
Throughout the saloon and living spaces, soft upholstery and cushions, and curvy furniture are blended together in colors of grays, light beige and hints of red.
HER WARMTH
The same colors, warmth, and intimate feel of the interior flow outward to the exterior lounge areas. Here L-shaped couches actually face outward, allowing guests to enjoy the sweeping panorama from the uncluttered deck areas.
FAVORITE DECK
A favorite deck area is the privacy deck directly outside the master stateroom. Here, the guests can enjoy impressive views from either the large cockpit or the private Jacuzzi tub. Adjacent lounge pads turn this oasis into a private sun deck for the lead charter guests.
For social gatherings, the yacht offers a wonderfully-appointed sun deck featuring a Jacuzzi tub, wet bar, sun pads, and intimate cockpit area.
WATERSPORTS TOYS
For active charterers, the yacht holds 4 sets of SCUBA gear (for rendezvous diving), waverunners, SUPs (Stand Up Paddleboards), kayaks, SeaBob, a water trampoline, and many other water sports toys.
Possibilities are endless onboard Abeking & Rasmussen superyacht, EXCELLENCE V. Charterers will simply be amazed by the space, elegant design, and the variety of options for fun and relaxation.
She’s not scheduled to splash down until 2018, but that’s not keeping eager Greek yacht charter clients from placing deposits for vacations next summer on this new 40 meter yacht.
The Sunseeker 131 motor yacht AQUA LIBRA 131 is still in her build shed in Dorset, but the buzz surrounding the opportunity to secure a brand new yacht to explore the Greek islands has prospective customers stepping forward to secure prime dates.
“Two reservations have already been secured for summer 2018,” says a smiling Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters. “One client has secured 4 nights in late June and another grabbed the first 14 days of July. It’s always so great to see dates locked down a full year in advance.”
THE REASON
While it is true that affluent travelers are not inclined to secure private luxury yacht charter vacations so far in advance, they will pony up early when they see a unique opportunity. Motor yacht AQUA LIBRA 131 presents such a scenario.
For years, Greece has remained one of the most popular summer cruising destinations – dozens of islands can be visited, and the number of historical points of interest dated to the beginning of civilization are in the hundreds. Oh yeah – the warm weather in the summer is spectacular!
But for all the destination’s allure, the yachts that offered charters in Greece were often considered inferior in overall comfort and quality to those yachts HNWI’s could charter in France and Monaco, along the Côte d’Azur.
GREEK YACHTS
Greek yacht operators, in a testament to their seafaring heritage, often offered wooden ships, called motorsailers (or “gulets” as they are known in neighboring Turkey) to the charter market. As charming as these traditional vessels are, they simply lack the sophistication of ultra-modern superyachts. Whereas you are hard-pressed to find a motorsailer with an open-air Jacuzzi-style tub on the deck, it is nearly impossible to find a superyacht that doesn’t have at least one hot tub on deck – as well as other luxury amenities like onboard cinemas, spas, beauty salons, and helipads.
Yacht owners in Greece, and indeed the Greek people themselves, are a wonderful and proud lot – and they should be! They live in the cradle of civilization, and so much of our modern technical gains in math and the sciences can be traced back to the Hellenic culture. It is understandable to see why they have held to their traditional ways – and their traditional yachts.
WE GIVE CLIENTS WHAT THEY WANT AND DESERVE
Still, HNWI’s want what they want – and for the well-heeled, a superyacht filled with modern amenities is the preferred mode of transport during an ultraluxury holiday.
THE YACHT
That leads us to Sunseeker motoryacht AQUA LIBRA 131, now accepting charter reservations a full year before her build is completed. The British-built tri-deck Sunseeker 131 epitomizes everything that HNWI’s seek in their superyacht experience: accommodations in sublime surroundings, immense scale, and a layout that lends to relaxing and socializing with friends and special guests.
SUNSEEKER COMMENTS
Here’s how Sunseeker describes their own 131 model:
“Expertly finished using ultra-modern materials and techniques, the 131 Yacht is one of the finest examples of modern day superyacht building. The main deck features a lounge, separate dining area and full galley, while on the upper deck you’ll find the sky lounge, cocktail bar and access to the skydeck; where comfort and lavishness reach new levels. As impressive out in open water as it is in the harbour, this icon of design is unlike any other.”
ACCOMMODATIONS
Guest accommodations are available for up to 10 passengers in 5 staterooms:
Master cabin – situated on the main deck, with king size bed, private dressing room, and his and hers bathrooms
Two VIP cabins – each with queen sized beds
Two twin cabins – convertible to double cabins with king size bed. One cabin also features a Pullman berth.
As you would expect, all staterooms offer ensuite facilities.
ENTERTAINMENT
For indoor entertainment , the yacht offers a Sonos AV System, with video on demand, as well as Apple TVs, and full satellite services. Of course, the yacht offers Wi-Fi on all decks.
WHAT MAKES GREECE A CHARTER DESTINATION?
Don’t plan on staying indoors too long, because Greece is all about the scenery and the warm Aegean sea. To enjoy the ocean, this new yacht will have a complete inventory of watersports equipment, including:
There are many other Sunseeker models currently in charter in the Mediterranean. While builders with classical style yachts such as Lurssen and Benetti tend to attract older charterers, Sunseeker yacht charters appeal to young entrepreneurs and their families. There’s a modern, contemporary “Vibe” onboard a Sunseeker. No shot at Lurssen and the classic models – Sunseeker simply offers a different feel, and for a different charter client.
OTHER SUNSEEKER MODELS AVAILABLE
Additional Sunseeker vessels currently available include:
As the new AQUA LIBRA 131 Sunseeker continues to attract attention – and bookings, it is likely that more and more owners of new-build yachts will forgo the traditional Western Med ports of France and Monaco, and position for the summer in the Eastern Med in Greece – Opa!!!
Even the little Kallikantzari hobgoblins will crawl out from the underground when this beautiful, new yacht is delivered to Greece next summer — like a Christmas gift during the summertime!
“My husband and I are thinking about taking the family on a boating vacation. We plan to go to the Florida Keys late Spring/early Summer. I’m assuming it’s more affordable to rent a boat and run it ourselves. Do you agree?”
Pam K, Coral Gables, FL
ANSWER
What a great idea, Pam! Since you live in South Florida, a Florida yacht charter vacation in early summer is a great way to explore your “backyard.” As you know, most tourists have left the area by this time. Fewer crowds equates to quiet anchorages!
As a general rule, it IS more affordable to “DIY” (Do It Yourself) and drive your own bareboat. (A bareboat is a boat that you rent without a hired crew). Affordability, however, is not the only important concern.
THREE FACTORS
Deciding if a Florida Keys #bareboat yacht charter or a crewed Florida yacht charter is your best bet depends upon three primary factors. First, Capability. Second, Responsibility. and Third, Budget.
CAPABILITY
When you rent a car, you are required to have a driver’s license. No license is required to rent a bareboat, however, you ARE required to demonstrate experience and competency. You initially submit a cruising qualifications resume. Finally, you made be deemed incapable of operating a bareboat, yourself. If so, you are required to retain a professional crew to operate your rental boat.
RESPONSIBILITY
You are qualified to rent a boat without crew. Next you must decide if you want the responsibility of operating your own yacht. When you rent a bareboat, you do it all. For instance, safe navigation and reading maps, cooking, and cleaning. Some people love the hands-on experience. Of course, this is not for everybody. Some prefer to sit back, relax, and leave all chores and responsibilities to someone else. If this better describes you and your family, then a crewed yacht is the way to go. On a yacht charter with crew, they are fully-responsible for the operation of the yacht. In addition, cleaning/maintaining the yacht and preparing the meals for the guests are their duties.
BUDGET
Like most vacations, your desired budget will often dictate which option is best for you. IF you are capable and enjoy the responsibility of operating a boat on your own, a bareboat #yachtcharter will give you the best bang for your dollar. If you want and can afford more than a “bare bones” vacation, try this. It is one where you are served and #pampered the entire time. A a private luxury crewed yacht charter is the way to go for you.
PRICING – BAREBOAT VS. CREWED YACHT
A 47 foot bareboat power catamaran in #Miami, suitable for 8 passengers, can be rented in the late spring, early summer for under $10,000 per week. In addition, you need to factor in the local tax (about 7%) and mandatory damage insurance (estimated at $50 per day). Of course, don’t forget to consider the cost of food and beverages for your family for the week (or for however long you charter your bareboat).
A similar-sized crewed yacht, such as a 51 foot power catamaran, will cost approximately $21,000 per week, but this rate includes your meals, beverages, and a professional crew of 2. The only “unknown” expenditure is an optional gratuity for your crew.
Here’s the good news! Whichever type of chartering is right for you – with or without crew — there is surely a boat out there within your budget and in line with your qualifications, capabilities, and desires. Let’s go #boating!!!
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PLAN AND PACK Yikes! What to pack? In just over three weeks, you leave on a week-long Bahama yacht charter vacation. You choose a sleek, performance, basic sailing yacht with crew. Your menu provided to your yacht through your charter broker, and your crew is ready to welcome you aboard. Seriously, what do you pack? […] read more
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