Regatta Expert Meg Toppa: Momentum Accelerates as Bay Area Plans for Americas Cup 2013

Inquiries are coming in fast and furious for spectator charter yachts for the 2013 America’s Cup. Our regatta expert, Meg Toppa, was on a mission during her recent visit to the Bay area to learn up to the minute information about the event for charter clientele.

Meg visited the welcoming and unpretentious Golden Gate Yacht Club, where she met with General Manager Bob Mulhern. His enthusiasm for the event is infectious, especially in terms of involving area youth and reaching out to the general public. However, with a commencement date fairly far in the future, organization still seems to be sketchy, the website remains unfinished, and central offices are not open yet.

None the less, this is a great opportunity for the region, with tremendous potential to see high performance racing at its finest. The locals are really trying to leverage the fact that the Cup is here and accessible to all, not just the famous competitors, already so intimately familiar with the scene, but also the younger generation of up and coming racers, eager to participate.

The West Coast setting is dramatic and inspirational, on this huge bay it is easy to imagine the new generation of multihulls racing at top speed over challenging seas against the backdrop of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge.

The actual America’s Cup, on display at the recent Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show in Oakland, California, attracted a sizeable crowd. Meg said, “growing up in Newport, Rhode Island, famous for America’s Cup racing, I never actually got to see the trophy. So it was truly thrilling to see the great big, brilliantly shiny Cup, roped off in heavy velvet, and very heavily guarded by state of the art security forces.”

Keep checking back for updates on the latest race and regatta information. For information to date here are some useful links for Upcoming Yachting Events, Regattas and Boat Show Dates Worldwide and Regattas and Sailing Events.

To contact Meg please email: [email protected]

Posted on April 22, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our Luxury Charter Experts Onboard the Amazing Axcell 650 Power Catamaran Sport Yacht: Luxury, Speed, Efficiency and Fun!

The Axcell 650 is described as combining the best attributes of a power cat with the thrill of a Hovercraft. Although we were not fortunate enough to sea trial the yacht, spending time on board with owner and developer of her patented technology, Bruce Barsumian, was quite revealing.

Barsumian, founder and president of MACS

Research, is the owner of a myriad of intriguing patents, primarily for the counter surveillance industry. Axcell’s proprietary HybridAir’ Technology is his first nautical invention. “This is his brainchild of sixteen years’” his son told us, “Dad started with a sixteen footer mounted with a blower that you would use to circulate air in a factory. It went so well that he went from there to end up with this, 65 feet long and 21 feet wide.”

The Axcell is engineered to utilize a Hovercraft lift fan to pump air pressure into twin air-cushioned cavities to provide lift and lubrication to the hulls. A significant reduction in friction allows the hull to transition smoothly from displacement mode to high performance planing. The system allows for a comfortable ride, high speed, outstanding fuel efficiency, and excellent handling and performance. “Our goal from the outset was to design the ultimate 65’ cruising yacht that combines the best in engineering, design, performance, styling and comfort,” stated Barsumian.”

“It’s an air-lifted hull. What we’re doing is talking 6% of the power off the main engines, which are C18s, through a hydraulic pump that powers the blowers that lift half the weight off the boat. So they’re lifting 30K lbs. of the boat that weighs around 60K lbs. So we have less friction in the water to make us more efficient. At a fast cruise of 36 knots we burn 90 gallons, and at a slow cruise of 26 knots we burn 45 gallons of diesel per hour. By using the airlift technology it enables us to burn less diesel and obtain speeds up to 40 knots.”

The AXCELL 650 features Euro-style cruiser lines created by award-winning mega yacht designer J.C. Espinosa, who successfully gives the vessel a volume that belies its 65-foot LOA, and an elegance on a par with the finest motor yachts in the range.

The expansive open salon and formal dining and lounging areas are roomy enough for sizeable social gatherings. The trendy interior features engineered zebrawood with a fine polyester finish, stunning onyx countertops, plush leathers and rich fabrics and textiles.

Everything on the boat is based on efficiency. We were particularly impressed with the portside galley that houses full size appliances. Designed as a kitchen to cook in, the galley includes a convection oven, trash compactor, dishwasher, and roomy fridge.

Accommodations are for six guests in three ensuite staterooms. The pilothouse offers 360-degree panoramic views through port, starboard and aft drop windows for an airy, open feel. A delightfully sprawling sunroof feels like a convertible top. Other notable features include a fully garaged 16’ R.I.B. tender, twin 1150 Caterpillar turbo diesels and distinctive custom signature exterior gills that are stylish and functional.

It is evident that the Axcell 650 is a luxury sport catamaran that incorporates cutting-edge marine technology for cost-efficient fuel operation. Moreover, the yacht features stunning and functional interiors. As a relative newcomer to the market, we predict that the Axcell 650 will quickly become a powerful industry contender.

Specifications
LOA: 66.5 ft.
Beam: 20.8 ft.
Fuel: 650 Gal.
Waste Capacity: 55 Gal.
Cruise Speed: 36 kts.
Maximum Speed: 40 kts
Propulsion: Twin Caterpillar C-18 1150 HP ZF 500A Transmissions
Generator: 15KW Westerbeke with Sound Shield

Photos courtesy Axcell Yachts

Explore the world of Luxury Crewed Catamaran Charter and Bareboat Catamaran Charter and cruise to the most popular destinations in style and comfort.

Posted on April 14, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

We Will Power the Whole World: Florida’s Clean Energy and Ocean Energy Technology

Admittedly the concept of powering the whole world seems far fetched. Yet researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering are making that claim.

The relatively new field of ocean engineering is a multidisciplinary field dedicated to developing new technologies to explore and harness the ocean’s resources. Ocean engineers design, build, operate and maintain ships, offshore structures, submarines, sailboats, tankers, tugboats, yachts, oil rigs, underwater robots, and acoustic sonar.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are adopting existing green energy applications, such as hydrogen, wind and thermal renewable energy resources, and converting the engineering principles to harvest the power of the ocean. Ocean engineers are designing ocean turbines, that operate much like wind turbines, to produce electricity that is transmitted to shore. Ocean thermal energy is a resource that can be produced by driving warm surface water to colder ocean depths. Underwater electricity can be generated to produce hydrogen that will be pumped to waiting tankers at the surface for transport to shore.

Will Florida power the world? Unlikely. But global dissemination of green ocean engineering research promotes a greener world armed with alternatives.

Our companies and the yachting industry strongly encourage conservation of environmental resources by promoting Green Chartering for Low Carbon Emissions.

Posted on April 12, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

America’s Cup and ACWS: Introducing Exhilarating New Events and Technologies

Fifteen yacht clubs from 12 countries have committed to field teams to compete in the next America’s Cup, scheduled in San Francisco in 2013. Launching the event are pre-Cup races called the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS), which start this summer in Europe and the US. The America’s Cup now features two new high-tech catamaran designs representing the next generation in sailing technology, as well as onboard cameras for the ultimate in armchair participation.

The ACWS will start in Cascais, Portugal in August, followed by a race in Plymouth, England in September. A third regatta in San Diego will take place between mid-October and early December. Two more events will take place in 2012 before the Louis Vuitton Series, which selects a “Challenger” among the competing teams to face off against the America’s Cup “Defender” Oracle Racing in the 2013 America’s Cup.

Competing on the ACWS circuit will be the AC45 catamaran, a smaller version of the AC72. Both new designs are expected to reach speeds two to three times faster than previous IACC class monohulls. In fact, the tremendous speed and power, particularly of the larger AC72, introduces an entirely new and spine tingling element of danger to the competitions, as well as showcasing extraordinary breakthroughs in sailing technology.

Please follow this link to view a wide range of charter yachts available for the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco

Please see our Yachting Events Calendar and our Regattas and Sailing Events page for schedules and available charter race and spectator yachts.

Posted on April 1, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Meg Toppa Reports from St. Barths Bucket Regatta

It is an absolutely spectacular sailing event here in beautiful St. Barths. I was able to sail on Meteor, a valiant 167 ft. Royal Huisman and watched as the crew practiced tacks and gybes, raised the spinnaker and practiced fleet-handed maneuvers. Schools of flying fish and a daring humpback whale were playing in the surf, while overhead, a fleet of planes from the Texas Flying Legends Museum (owned by the owner of ketch Marie, also sailing in the bucket) dazzled crowds.

Celebrity sightings: David Letterman and Jimmy Buffet. Jimmy is a friend of the owner of Meteor and will be sailing with the team. He came on board and warmly shared a toast with us! He seems to know several of these yacht owners and has no lack of invitations to sail!

Meteor won the regatta 3 years ago, she was fresh from the factory. Last year they didn’t do so well so this year they’re ready to redeem themselves. They have as their tactician, a veteran of four America’s Cups and three Volvo ‘s (formerly the Whitbread). For up to the minute events please visit St. Barths Bucket Regatta.

For information on races and regattas worldwide please see our overview on Regattas and Sailing Events and the Yachting Events Calendar.

Posted on March 27, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓