Transatlantic Race 2011: Catch the Live Panel Discussion Broadcast April 26 at 5:50 PM EST

In late June and early July anyone fortunate to be quayside in Newport R.I. can witness the awesome spectacle of 32 ocean-going yachts set sail in the Transatlantic Race 2011, which charts 2,975 nautical mile course from Newport to Lizard Point, South Cornwall (UK). The Royal Yacht Squadron, New York Yacht Club, Royal Ocean Racing Club and Storm Trysail Club organize the event.

The fleet includes sleek traditional designs, such as the 94’ William Fife-designed Sumurun, and sophisticated super yachts, such as the 289’ custom Perini Navi clipper sailing yacht Maltese Falcon. The Atlantic Ocean crossing can potentially challenge these renowned racers and their teams with fierce storms, testing seas and even icebergs.

Robert Towbin, owner/captain of Sumurun, who won two previous transatlantic races, is currently preparing his classic yacht, which was built in 1914, to endure this first challenge of the 2011 sailing season. “If you have an older boat, a race of this complexity takes a lot out of it, so we are putting a lot of work into it to get it up to date,” said Towbin.

Three separate starts will “stagger” yachts of different sizes and ability so that they will arrive in England in proximity to each other. The larger boats hope to finish the race in 8 to 12 days, while the smaller boats estimate 18 to 22 days to finish.

MalteseFalcon_Roddy Grimes Graeme — Maltese Falcon

The final race group of legendary competitors includes the VOR 70 crewed by PUMA Ocean Racing Team, the Newport-based second-place finisher in the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race and entrant in the next edition as well; Rambler 100, George David’s maxi rocket ship that has been tearing up race courses since the beginning of the year, including breaking the record for the RORC Caribbean 600 and taking line honors at the Pineapple Cup-Montego Bay Race; and ICAP Leopard, which holds the current record from Ambrose Light to Lizard Point for monohulls using powered sailing systems.

A TR2011 Panel Discussion is scheduled for tomorrow, April 26, at 5:30 PM EST. Topics will focus on the history of transatlantic racing, the challenge and appeal of transoceanic racing, as well as the upcoming TR2011 and its entries. Panelists include George David, owner/skipper of Rambler 100; Chris Gartner, captain of Maltese Falcon; Larry Huntington, owner/captain of Snow Lion; Bob Towbin, owner/captain of Sumurun; Rives Potts, Rear Commodore of NYYC and owner/captain of Carina; and sailing historian and author John Rousmaniere.

Here are some useful links to Charter a Yacht for a Regatta or Sailing Event and a calendar of Upcoming Yachting Events, Regattas and Boat Show Dates Worldwide.

Posted on April 25, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

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 ↓

72′ Custom Ketch Rigged Luxury Sailing Yacht AYACANORA: A Real Dream Yacht

AYACANORA exudes romance inside and out. Her namesake, the beautiful and willful heroine of the Charles Kingsley classic Westward Ho! perfectly captures her ambiance. This classic sailing yacht is ideal for a honeymoon or anniversary getaway or two couples that enjoy sharing a remarkable experience.

AYACANORA, a 72 foot custom ketch rigged luxury sailing yacht, originally launched at Littlehampton Sussex, England in 1981. About three years earlier, Tony Moore had started a small business in the workshop next door. He recalls “a man and an Alsation were building a boat, a big boat, he was an interesting and clever chap, and I talked to him now and then, really wondering if he would ever realize his dream. I guess about three or four years later, the dream came true.” Archival photos, courtesy of Tony Moore, show the builder, his companion Alsation, and a crowd of well wishers on hand for the launch. It is quite unusual that, despite changes of ownership, AYACANORA retains both her original majesty and her name.

Lovely interiors aboard AYACANORA invoke the traditional elegance of the English country cottage. The formal dining area features expansive banquette seating at the stylish, high gloss, mahogany table. Two beautifully decorated queen sized, ensuite cabins accommodate four guests. The unusually spacious master, located aft, includes a charming built in settee, as does the renovated forward cabin.

Whether guests chose to relax and laze in a hammock or opt for the thrill of ocean sports, AYACANORA offers many options. Sportfishing enthusiasts can take advantage of the Rybovich Tuna Fighting Chair and water skiers can get their adrenaline pumping when pulled by the 14 ft. AB dinghy, with 40HP motor.

AYANCORA is a available for charter clients wishing to explore the wonders of the Caribbean Virgin Islands. For additional options, please use this link to view a comprehensive list of superb Crewed Luxury Sailing Charter Yachts.

Posted on April 19, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Azimut-Benetti Launches Arm Chair Luxury Shopping Site at Preloved-Yachts.com

The Azimut-Benetti Group has plunged into the used yacht market with their new website called Preloved-yachts.com, which features yachts from the Azimut-Benetti dealer network.

The site allows potential buyers to narrow their search by location, length, price and age of the vessel they are seeking. Presently all of the yachts listed are in Italy, but this prestigious Italian company states that their ultimate goal is to create a global resource for clients worldwide.

Working with major established brokerage firms, Azimut-Benetti will provide expert support to dispense all necessary information, offer tours and open-water sea trials, as well as yacht management services for their clients.

Explore Charter an Azimut and Benetti Luxury Yacht Charters, which feature over 50 luxury yachts for charter worldwide, and discover the unmatched elegance of these Italian brands.

Posted on April 18, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our Experts Experience a Caribbean Charter Aboard Stunning Luxury Yacht CHE

Our charter destinations are St. Maarten and St Barths, both renowned for fabulous nightlife, beaches, shopping and cuisine. Although these islands are considered top charter destinations in the Caribbean, when you’re chartering CHE, a stunning 114-foot Sunreef catamaran, staying on board and simply relaxing can be as alluring as going ashore.

Step on board CHE and a wave of calm washes over you. CHE is very spa-like. It has bamboo walls and floors that create a tranquil feeling of relaxation. The wife of the owner created a space that reflects her lifestyle of meditation, macrobiotic diet and overall balance. An aura of peace permeates throughout the yacht, enveloping guests with a sense of well-being.

In contrast to the pervasive sense of tranquility at anchor, the rush of exhilaration you feel as soon as CHE gets underway is thrilling. It is quite spectacular to be on board and feel this yacht surging over the waves, the voluminous capacity of the sails propelling her with seemingly extraordinary speed over the water.

For those of us prone to seasickness, the topmost feature is that this yacht is such a huge platform of stability on the ocean, which enhances the joy of the experience. Despite rough seas with some huge swells in a wind blowing at 20-25 knots the yacht handled the surf remarkably well.

In all fairness, it was also the Captain’s ability to deal with the seas and approach the ocean with this particular yacht. His acumen surpassed any other professionally navigated catamaran we have ever been on. In fact, one of the most outstanding aspects of the entire charter was the crew. They worked flawlessly together as a team and are so synchronized that everything really happens seamlessly.

One example, the evening the Captain and two crewmembers sprang into action to save a 40-foot Beneteau that was dragging anchor. They managed to fend off CHE, jump into the dinghy and, although we were quite far out, tow the Beneteau back into the anchorage and secure it. The guests onboard CHE were peacefully unaware of any activity, as the entire rescue was accomplished without panic, without flap, without noise, without commotion, without drama.

Luxury Yacht CHE is currently available for charter in the Caribbean with an exiting Mediterranean itinerary scheduled for the summer.

Posted on March 15, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓