Hot Yachts from the Monaco Yacht Show – LEO FUN

LEO FUN is a 2009 6 cabin Proteskan Turquiose launched 2009 and a big hit at the Monaco Yacht Show this year. LEO FUN is a luxurious 43 Meter Motor Yacht that has been styled and designed by Paolo Caliari. Jean Guy Verges designed the sophisticated and luxurious interior.

She definitely was one of the stars from this year’s Show. What sets this yacht apart is her supreme elegance, but very much a masculine elegance, like a top hotel in Milan.

She is defined by the use of texture more than colour, mostly dressed in chocolate and coffee and fudge and vanilla, with an array of different tones to the materials and finishes creating an overall feeling of total class and quality.

She feels utterly luxurious; every corner is beautifully rounded, every cabinet and fixture making reference to the main theme of geometric patterning in the carpentry and wall coverings. She has a distinctly Italian feel, with sublime style and attention to every aesthetic detail. She is spacious and uncluttered, and is a fabulous addition to the charter market.

LEO FUN also has a cleverly designed exterior, a sleek silhouette with lots of open deck space on every level. She of course offers entertainment systems throughout the yacht, and all the water toys you could wish for.

See all the deatals on Luxury Motor Yacht LEO FUN.

Posted on November 6, 2009 by Tom Virden — No Comments ↓

Boatbookings.com Expert Commentary “ The Unique Beauty of Sardinia

Regina Laqua, one of the newer members to the Boatbookings team, is the local charter representative for Sardinia, Italy. She has lived on this beautiful Mediterranean island for 5 years and is constantly discovering something new and wonderful to share with others about this not-so-secret hideaway of the rich and famous. Here are some of her impressions about yacht charter on the Island of the Emerald Coast.

Q – Sardinia is best known as the holiday-hot-spot for celebrities and the rich. What makes it so special for you?

In a word, beauty. Unique untouched nature, incredible scenery, and pristine waters and beaches are a large part of what makes it a special place to call home. Even though it’s known as a celebrity hot spot, the vast majority of the island is virtually untouched and timeless. I need also to mention the sincere friendliness of the inhabitants.

Q – How does it compare to other European island destinations?

Sardinia is truly unlike any other place in the Mediterranean “ weather, water, wind all in the right places keep every type of yachting enthusiast happily coming back to Sardinia to discover more. The Emerald coast is legendary for exclusive experiences, on land or on board your yacht.

By cruising along the coastline under motor or sail, or by making an excursion inland, away from the glitz and glamour, you will discover that Sardinia remains surprisingly anonymous and you will find enchanting coves and deserted beaches as well as ancient villages forgotten by time.

Q – As you’ve described, Sardinia has been attracting the rich and famous for years. Has the economic crisis impacted the charter business?

Surprisingly no. Many charter seekers have kept their holiday plans intact. The wide variety of options through our partners give Boatbookings.com customers every advantage to enjoy their personal charter experience in this special place.

Also, the fact that the Italian government got rid of the luxury tax they had imposed on private yachts and jets (which was keeping people away), helped increase the numbers of the well-heeled who come here.

Q – What makes Sardinia such a perfect destination for any kind of yacht charter?

Sardinia’s coastline remains uncluttered from high rise hotels and is an extraordinary sailing destination with hundreds of secluded coves, picture-book beaches and dramatic rock formations as well as numerous beautiful natural anchorages.

The excellent infrastructure of Sardinia’s marinas, which have about 30 sea miles between each of them, provides for comfort at any time when cruising coast or exploring the islands.

It doesn’t matter if you are on board a mega yacht or at the helm of a modest sail boat, you will always find a point on the horizon that begs to be discovered.

See our Sardinia Yacht Charter Guide for more complete information.

Q – What are the weather conditions like during a typical season?

Sardinia enjoys long warm summers with predictable winds and ideal conditions for the intermediate to more experienced sailor. The more constant winds along the north-eastern coast means that most sailors favour the Emerald coast.

Two winds ensure the perfect conditions for dynamic sailing: The Chirocco, coming from the South (Sahara) and the Maestrale (Mistral), which blows down from the North. The Maestrale mostly blows along the west coast, and is a very powerful west to northwest wind, while the south to southeast wind prevails on the east coast.

If you take on any sailing foray in Sardinia’s waters you should either be a very competent sailor yourself or take an experienced skipper with you (which of course we can arrange!). It is also very important to familiarize yourself with the area’s nautical literature and navigational requirements.

Q – What kind of Charter Yachts do you have, and where do people normally charter from?

The variety of yachts for charter in Sardinia is amazing – you can get anything from a water ski boat to a Super Yacht, Monohulls, Catamarans, you name it. If you give us enough lead time, we can generally find just about any boat you need (things get a bit more difficult in July and August!).

We have yachts available from 15 ports, all over the island. The ports with the most yachts are Porto Cervo, Portisco and Alghero, but if you have a destination in mind, let us know! Here is our up-to-date list of charter yachts available in Sardinia.

Q – Do you have a favourite story from a charter?

Well it’s not a favourite story because my client wasn’t able to really go on his charter, but it does highlight the love of the sea and the special friendliness of the Sardinians:

A Danish couple – he is an advanced sailor – booked and paid for a weekly bareboat charter at the last minute. Everything was ready and prepared, and the water and wind conditions perfect.

On the day of embarking I received a phonecall: the charterer had broken his arm on his way to the airport to catch the flight to Sardinia. He had cancellation insurance but after our phone call the couple decided to come anyway instead of canceling, just one day later. They felt they would be in “good hands” with us and wanted to sniff the sea breeze. In the end they spent a very happy week onboard their sailboat… at base!… without sailing (but of course enjoying being in a lovely Sardinian port).

One day before disembarking the charter company sent a skipper onboard who took them out for half a day – free of charge. This is Sardinia and how people tick even if it is high season. By the way, the clients want to charter this boat again next year, but hopefully with 2 unbroken arms…

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Tom Virden — 1 Comment ↓

Boatbookings Expert Commentary – the Glories of Greece

Mariona Riera is our Greece Charter Manager, and has spent the past 2 years learning as much as possible about the yachts, crews and charter destinations of the storied Greek Isles. She provides another in our series of “Expert Commentary” on the Greek Isles.

Q – Everyone knows that the Greek Islands are one of the world’s greatest charter areas – can you provide your thoughts about the attractions of Greece?

Greece is one of the best sailing destinations in the world for many reasons. First, there are more than 15.000 km of coastline, and several excellent island groups in two seas – the Cyclades, Sporades, Saronic and Dodecanese Islands in the Aegean, the Ionian Islands in the Ionian Sea, facing Italy and let’s not forget the gorgeous island of Crete.

It is this variety that makes Greece a unique place, and each destination provides a completely different experience.

The Cyclades Islands are the most chartered group of islands and are especially idyllic destination during the months of May, June, early July and late September. The famous destinations of Mykonos and Santorini are in the Cyclades. Due to the Meltemi, a characteristic strong, dry north wind from the Aegean sea, it is better to avoid them in late July and August, as it is the time when the winds are usually stronger.

Q – You’re a big believer in the Ionian Islands, can you tell us more?

The Ionian Islands are characterised by calm, crystal clear waters, beautiful sandy beaches, charming villages and stunning scenic countryside. Each Ionian island has a distinct character and between them they offer everything you could wish for from a sailing holiday. This group of islands, comprised of Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Ithaka, Cephallonia, Zakynthos, and Kythira, are one of the most spectacular sailing spots in the world. Indeed, many of their beaches are only reachable by boat.

They are a great destination for late July and August because the winds are not as strong as in the Cyclades.

The main bases for bareboat charters are Corfu and Lefkas, there is a large fleet of sailing yachts and catamarans based in the Ionian during the months of June, July and August, due to the increasing demand and popularity of this area.

Q – Tell us a bit about bareboat chartering in Greece

Greece has hundreds if not thousands of bareboat charter yachts of all types and sizes – it is a very developed charter area bareboat charters and we can normally find you exactly the boat you want if you give us enough time! We always recommend booking early, because not only will you have great selection, but you may also qualify for early-bird discounts.

Bareboat charter prices usually include VAT (4.5%) in the price, but might exclude end cleaning and the outboard engine. Moorings in Greece are not included, but in most places are for free, but there is also no way to book a berth in advance, it works on œfirst come, first served basis. There might be some small charges in some marinas (10-15 euro), but it is unusual, this does not apply to private marinas, but in any case the most likely scenario is that you will be anchoring in a dreamy location and just going to the marinas to get supplies and visit the beautiful Greek towns.

Provisioning is easy in the Greek Islands, there are plenty of supermarkets and small shops, but bear in mind that supermarkets close on Sundays, you may find some small shops open for some hours in the morning, and surely a bakery and kiosks (œperipteros) where you can find anything from water, to yogurt, chips, cookies, and a variety of supplies to get you by till Monday.

In high season, the rule for bareboats is embarkation/disembarkation Saturday, this is almost unbreakable, and very few suppliers will accept other dates due to the high demand.

Q – How about Crewed Charters?

When it comes to crewed charters, every year the yachts seem to get bigger, more luxurious, and more comfortable. I’ve met the crew on most of the yachts, and therefore feel very comfortable recommending the boats that I do – I match them to your needs and they will truly take care of you with professionalism and go the extra mile! We have a great selection of crewed catamarans, motor yachts, sailboats, gulets, and of course amazing Super Yachts.

The majority of our crewed charter yachts are based in Athens, therefore relocation fees apply when requested in the Ionian, also you have to take into consideration the Corinth Canal fees, which vary depending on the size of the yacht, number of passengers and other criteria.

Q – What other recommendations do you have for charterers?

Most of our charterers in Greece are extremely happy with the charter, as long as the clients listen to the captain and follow his advice when it comes to the weather conditions and itineraries. This is a region where winds can be very strong, so clients need to very flexible and able to change their mind as to their initial destination.

Having said that, all destinations within Greece are breathtaking, so no matter when you go we’re sure you’ll be extremely happy with your charter ! Be sure to see our Greece Yacht Charter Guide.

Posted on September 14, 2009 by Tom Virden — No Comments ↓

Boatbookings.com Expert Commentary – Why the BVI is so popular

Sharon Bahmer has run the Caribbean/North American Charter Business for nearly 4 years at Boatbookings.com, and has managed literally hundreds of charters in the BVI. She takes great pride in placing guests onboard her favorite catamarans in one of the world’s most excellent charter destinations. Here are her thoughts about the BVI and expectations for this year:

Q – What makes the BVI such a special charter area?

I like this question because essentially the BVI is just a perfect environment for sailing, and yachting of all kinds. The seas are generally calm because the many islands shelter the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The wind is predictable – almost always from the East at 10 – 12 knots. The sun shines nearly every day. Each island is an easy sail away offering a new adventure with something for everyone – a great hidden beach, the Baths to crawl through, a perfect beach bar, sea turtles coming right up to your boat, amazing snorkeling, shipwrecks, pirate lore… As I said it offers everything!

The BVI is such a special charter destination because the yachting and charter infrastructure has evolved to the point where you now have more yachts/boat types to offer guests, many options for provisioning, excellent marinas, so you can spend a lot more time enjoying being on your boat, and less hassling about getting everything the way you want it.

I prefer recommending the BVI, and crewed catamarans options to my guests, because I know they’ll come back happy! I have many testimonials from ecstatic guests even some who are now repeats, making my job more fun! See our BVI Catamarans for charter.

Q – Who do you see chartering in the BVI, and what do they normally charter?

We’re seeing more and more families, or groups of families, because there is so much for the kids to do, and I think families like the thought of a “green” holiday on the water instead of being cooped up in a resort. So much more freedom for the kids – it’s more special for them. Generally we recommend that families charter a catamaran, because cats are so “family friendly” – big salon, complete kitchen, private cabins, great deck area, less seasickness, etc. And unless you really know the islands, we always recommend a crewed cat or a bareboat with skipper – it takes all of the hassles out of the day and allows the whole family to relax. Even with a skipper, people can do plenty of sailing! More on Chartering with Children.

Another type of charter guests are couples. Honeymoons and Anniversaries are often celebrated in the BVI on these beautiful catamarans. Crews know how to spoil you and make you never want to return home and back to reality.

Q – Provisioning, What are your thoughts?

One recommendation about provisioning, if you’re on a bareboat. I wouldn’t recommend trying to order all the food online – there’s a good chance you’ll get things you didn’t want or produce that is not quite fresh. Most of the provisioning companies will pick you up and take you back to your boat for no charge – you won’t need to rely on a taxi service, waiting on you to find that right spice for your chicken dish.

Q – What recommendations do you have for charterers in the BVI?

My main recommendation is to always tell your charter broker exactly what you’re looking for (and what you want to avoid). Taking time to communicate with us greatly assists us in finding the right boat for you. Ask your charter broker if they have personally viewed the boats and met the crews, ask us for itineraries, favorite restaurants and bars – we’ve researched as many as possible 😉

Q – What’s your favorite story about a BVI Charter?

Well there was this group of 5 skippered Catamarans for a tandem charter with a total of 12 adults and 15 kids. After a year of emails, phone calls, boat changes, price changes, flight schedule changes and after the adults had decided to cut some of their time onboard short because they feared the kids would be bored being on a boat for too long. The satisfaction came when I received the testimonials and photographs from the group, including the kids saying ˜When can we do it again?’

Sharon has helped author many of our British Virgin Islands Pages – if you want more information, please click on one of the following: 7 Day BVI Sailing Itinerary, BVI Yacht Charter Guide, BVI Attractions and things to do, BVI Yacht Charter Slide Show, our BVI charter yachts listing.

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Tom Virden — No Comments ↓

Boatbookings.com Expert Commentary – Mauritius and the Indian Ocean

Our charter consultants know so much about the area, we decided to do an ongoing series of expert advice about key things to know, what to do, and trends in the regions. We start with an interview with Peter Piper, the original Charter Consultant at Boatbookings.com, who has relocated to Mauritius (someone has to do it) to cover the Indian Ocean. Here are his comments:

Peter, tell me what you’re seeing in the Indian Ocean Charter Scene right now.

Despite the global recession, we’re seeing great growth in our Indian Ocean business since we opened our office about a year ago. The market in general is growing about 10% per year. People are coming here because the weather is normally great, there’s amazing diving and snorkeling, and it’s new, interesting and exotic. You can find anything you want in the Indian Ocean.

What are the main destinations?

Right now we’re seeing the most demand for the Maldives and Mauritius. The Maldives are a fantastic destination for people who really want to relax, or for a honeymoon or romantic cruise. Mauritius, having a culture that has evolved from African, European and Asian traders, offers a bit of everything, from great sailing, to exotic food, to nightlife. I personally think that Mauritius offers it all, but I’m a bit biased because I live here!

What type of yachts do you normally charter?

The most common charter is a crewed catamaran. It’s relaxing, has plenty of space, rests close to the water, and it really is perfect for these islands. It is important to note, that because of the coral, there are no bareboats allowed here. But the skipper gives you a much better understanding of the area and is normally happy for you to sail the boat if you want!

Mauritius Super Yacht There are a few great new motor yachts starting to appear in the Indian Ocean. We have two beautiful new Azimuts in the Maldives, and will soon have a unique superyacht called Ocean Solace (pictured) that is arriving in Mauritius.

Regarding Mauritius, what type of itinerary do you recommend?

Most charters we do circle the island, and definitely visit the two groups of islands to the north and east of Mauritius. There is fantastic diving between the islands in the north – Coin de Mire, Flat Island and Gabriel Island. Ile aux Cerfs, to the east, is also a beautiful island, perfect for a relaxing day. Then after you’ve had plenty of diving, relaxing and solitude, you can always visit the main port cities such as Grand Baie or Port Louis for great restaurants, entertainment, and even casinos if that’s what you’re looking for.

What do people do in the Maldives?

Snorkelling in the Maldives Like everywhere in the Indian Ocean, diving, snorkelling, and just plain relaxing are the major activities there. Plus of course island hopping. That’s why we recommend it for a honeymoon – you couldn’t imagine a better place for a relaxed honeymoon in a romantic island setting, with your view changing every day. We have a number of boats that specialise in pampering you during a first, second or third honeymoon! See our Honeymoon Yacht Charter Guide for more information.
When is the best time to charter in these areas?

The nicest time of year in Mauritius is from May to December. The Maldives are best from November to April, so you have a great destination in the Indian Ocean year round!

But aren’t these waters dangerous because of Pirates?

We have never had a problem! I get lots of calls asking if it’s safe, and point out that the pirate activity is 3000 nautical miles to the north. Mauritius and the Maldives are very relaxed places. Pirates want tankers that can pay million dollar ransoms, not pleasure boats.

If you would like to know more about these areas, you can contact Peter at [email protected] or call him at +230 919 4848 or skype him at peterjpiper. Please also read our Mauritius Yacht Charter Guide and our Maldives Yacht Charter Guide for additional background on these two paradises.

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Tom Virden — No Comments ↓