Rolex Watches U.S.A Extends Support for US Sailing

On the 26th November 2012, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (a great place to charter a yacht!), US Sailing and Rolex Watch USA announced that the prestigious brand of watches would maintain it’s support of the sailing’s national governing body. At the same time as maintaining it’s position of being the US Sailing’s official timepiece and title sponsor of the US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtspeople of the Year Awards, on Monday, Rolex explained it would increase support by becoming a patron of US Sailing’s Afterguard and Medalist programs.

The Afterguard is US Sailing’s highest level donor program, with a mission of leadership, integrity and advancement for the sport of sailing in the United States. Afterguard donations fund restricted projects of mutual interest between donor and the organization as well as unrestricted gifts to support operations. The Medalist Program supports the Olympic Sailing Program whose mission is providing a path to Olympic and Paralympic pre-eminence for the sailors of the United States.

Rolex has long viewed US Sailing’s role as critical to the development of the sport in the U.S.A., and this new era in the relationship not only builds on the partnership that the two organizations have forged over three decades, but also continues the encouragement and promotion of excellence while highlighting the rich traditions of sport.

“We are honored that Rolex is our longest standing partner, supporting US Sailing for over 30 years,” said US Sailing Executive Director Jack Gierhart. “Our friends at Rolex have been, and continue to be, instrumental in the development of sailing in the U.S. While times change and strategies evolve, Rolex’s commitment to the sport and our organization has only strengthened over time. We are grateful for that as we work to promote excellence, integrity, and opportunity in sailing.”

For more of the latest news and gossip please subscribe to our blog. If you’re interested in chartering a yacht, please go to www.boatbookings.com or email us at [email protected] and a Charter Specialist will get back to you shortly.

Posted on November 28, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Top 8 Luxury Travel Gadgets for a Sailing Holiday Part II (From Guest Blogger Fraser Strand)

In Part II of this blog, Fraser discusses the last four items of his Top 8 Luxury Travel Gadgets for a Sailing Holiday. See Part I here.

5. Belkin Rockstar Multi Headphone Splitter

Make sharing your music a fun experience with Belkin’s headphone splitter. Fantastic if you want to listen to music or watch a film with someone using headphones. A highly functional purchase , this gizmo is the perfect solution for sharing music with friends. It is also compact so won’t take up precious packing space and won’t break the bank either. You can connect up to 5 different headphones with this exciting gadget – great if you are lounging on the beach with friends and all want to listen to music together.

6. Bose QC15 Noise-cancelling Headphones

So you’ve got your iPad and your Belkin Headphone splitter, now all you need is a pair of decent headphones. Bose’s QC15 noise-cancelling headphones will reduce any unwanted ambient noise. Not only are these headphones comfortable, cocooning your ear in a little audible heaven, they also have the latest and most sophisticated technology, featuring microphones on the inside and outside of both cups which picks up and cancels out noise over a broad range of frequencies. With an average of 35 hours of battery life as well as being immensely portable these headphones are a must-have travel accessory.

7. The Bear Grylls Ultimate Multi-Tool

This is the latest answer to an Swiss Army Knife courtesy of expedition extraordinaire, Bear Grylls. The multi-tool is a long time coming. With over 70 years of knife and apparatus expertise, this piece is an essential accessory for any intrepid adventure.

The Ultimate Multi-Tool features 12 stainless steel, weather resistant components including: needle nose pliers, fine edge knife, saw, serrated Knife, 3 types of screwdrivers, bottle opener, can opener, scissors, wire cutters and lanyard ring. The makers of the multi-tool have literally thought of all manner of hairy situations and circumstances that you might find yourself in. This device also comes with a high quality, military-grade Nylon Sheath that’s lightweight and mildew resistant to protect it.

8. Handpresso Outdoor Set

Whether you are up a mountainside or sailing on the great ocean you don’t ever have to go without your caffeine fix again thanks to the ingenious handpresso outdoor set. This easily transportable, super light-weight machine makes a rich, velvety smooth and delicious espresso using a patented high pressure extraction system. All you need to get it to work is pump up the handle to 16 bar, add water to the mini reservoir, insert a coffee pod, and hey presto, you’ve got yourself one tasty espresso. This truly brilliant and highly innovative invention makes drinking coffee on the go easier than ever before. It also comes equipped with a chic shoulder bag full of essential items for an impromptu tea party including four unbreakable cups, a thermo-insulated flask and napkins.

Conclusion

If you’re inspired by these travel gadgets and still haven’t booked your spring holiday then why not see the sailing holidays available at Boatbookings.com.

Author Bio

Fraser Strand is an avid technology writer with a passion for traveling and sailing around the world. On his own blog (UK Gadget Review) he writes about luxury watches, premium sailing gear, and innovative technology.

Posted on November 15, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Top 8 Luxury Travel Gadgets for a Sailing Holiday Part I (From Guest Blogger Fraser Strand)

Whether you’re touring around the BVI on a Catamaran, or to the Bahamas on a luxury super-yacht, make sure you’re prepared with these 8 must-have gadgets. Whether functionality is your main criteria or you just fancy the latest quirky gizmo, we give you the lowdown on next year’s top ten exciting gadgets:

1. Pebble portable charger

If you are embarking on an intrepid voyage or you think you might be away from a power socket for several days then the Pebble Portable Charger is the ideal travel accessory. Retailing at only £39.99, this heavily anticipated gadget has enough power to charge your phone 4 times over. This serious and essential bit of kit can charge anything from an iPhone, iPod to any other USB-friendly gizmo. What’s also great is that it is compact, highly functional and will even tell you how much charge you are on.

2. Breitling Transocean Chronograph

Wherever you are in the world, don’t lose track of time. Breitling’s stunning Transocean Chronograph Unitime 18-carat Rose Gold Chronograph watch is an indispensable travel gadget. This luxury Swiss watch made by watchmaking supremo Breitling reinstates their reputation as a leading luxury Swiss watch brand. This timepiece is a harmonious marriage of spectacular engineering, exquisite design with the finest materials.

The most exciting feature of this watch is its ability to show the time in all 24 time zones at the same time, an innovative and highly practical characteristic. Made from Rose Gold this watch oozes luxury and sophistication. It is also made with 56 jewels, has a minimum power reserve of 70 hours and glare-proof scratch resistant sapphire crystal as well as being water resistant to 100 metres-perfect if you are going sailing or scuba diving. The Unitime has a stunning brown crocodile leather strap with a rose gold pin & buckle.

3. Apple iPad

An iPad. I know it might be a cliched option but there is a reason why Apple remain at the forefront in terms of technology as their extensive portfolio of gadgets and gizmos are not only exciting and practical but also affordable. The key features of the iPad are the truly wondrous, crystal clear display, the processor, the cameras and the wireless connection. All these features work together to create a magnificent experience for the user and with 10 hours battery life, this will give you ample quality time with your Apple gadget. Discover a world capable of so much more than you ever imagined. With so many exciting features built-in, watch a movie, read your favourite newspaper, magazine or even a best-seller, send messages or check your emails – the options are endless and with over 275,000 apps to choose from, there is something for everyone.

If the iPad is too big for your liking then the iPad mini has all the same features of its counterpart but is more compact, fitting into the palm of your hand.

4. Izzi Orbit

Transform your iPhone with an Izzi Orbit. This state of the art camera accessory is the latest and greatest way to jazz up your iPhone. It features 3 lenses: the Fish Eye, Wide Angle and Telephoto options to enable you to create an extensive and diverse portfolio of images. These skillfully crafted lenses will revamp your iPhone in no time allowing you to take high quality, wide, super zoomed photos, quirky angles and dramatic perspectives. The newest addition to iPhone photography and a must-have travel accessory, invest in an Izzi Orbit to ensure you capture the greatest moments of your holiday.

Author Bio

Posted on November 15, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

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 ↓

Luxury Charter Yacht Gadgets, including an Amphibious Quadbike!

Keeping with our recent theme of James Bond style gossip, our latest blog covers all of the best luxury yachting gadgets to have. Not only is this to coincide with the upcoming release of Skyfall but with Christmas coming soon, we thought this would be a great chance to start having a think about those all important presents.

Amphibious Quadbike

Just imagine – your yacht docks somewhere, and you hop on a jetski to land. When you get to land, you don’t get off the jetski, but it turns into a quadbike, with which you can go exploring. We’re completely in awe by this new gadget, made by Gibbs Sports Amphibians, and is called Quadski.

Top iPhone Yachting Apps:

Yachting Weather

Yacthing Weather is a great app for Captains, sailors, or anyone interested in the weather on the waters. It’s a great application that we’ve been using for some months now, and each update just gets better and better. It gives you all the information you would need to plan your charter, from temperature, wind direction and speed, wave height, wave length, wave period, storm risk, precipitation risk, humidity, pressure. It’s a great weather app in general, not only useful for those on the water.

Available for free, we highly recommend trying the app out!

Compass Eye – Marine Navigation and Bearings

Compass Eye is another great iPhone app, available at £2.99, that works with real-time camera and map views, bearing markers and an 8x zoom. Compass Eye is a fun way to make sure of your bearing. As most compass apps rely on a horizontal bearing and work only on that angle, but Compass Eye works on any angle or with any orientation, with the use of the camera.

Posted on October 30, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓