Today the fourth edition of the Perini Navi Cup begins. Porto Cervo, Sardinia provides the spectacular backdrop for this event in which eighteen Perini Navi sailing yachts will compete. The event is only open to yachts built by the renowned Viareggio shipyard and is organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The regatta is both a race and a rendezvous for owners in the “Perini family”. Racing courses of up to 40 miles are set against the breathtaking scenery of the La Maddalena archipelago.
FidelisThe fleet of superyachts includes the new Salute56-metre ketch FIDELIS, designed in collaboration with Ron Holland. Other sailing legends assembled in Porto Cervo are SALUTE, with the tallest aluminum mast in the world, and the MALTESE FALCON, the largest Perini Navi sailing yacht in the world and winner of the last two editions of the Perini Navi Cup. Maltese Falcon
Owners, guests and crews will be kept busy after racing on Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September with a complete social program that includes a Pommery champagne reception, a cocktail competition between participating yachts, the Rolex gala dinner and the Quadrivio regatta party at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Clubhouse.
Following the Perini Navi Cup the YCCS sporting calendar continues in Porto Cervo with the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (5-10 September), the Veteran Big Boat Rally (12-15 September) and the Audi TP52 World Championship (2-8 October). The YCCS will then organize the Transatlantic Superyacht Regatta departing from Tenerife in the Canaries on 21st November and arriving at the Club’s new winter base in Virgin Gorda in December.
Last Saturday Azimut Benetti revealed the newest offerings from the company headed by Paolo Vitelli in a world premier staged against the magnificent backdrop of Venice, Italy. The sporty Azimut 45 and Atlantis 44 were moored in front of the Hotel Excelsior Lido, the grand finale of an 18th century Venice themed evening: masks, costumes, Venetian Republic Heralds and the Rondò Veneziano Chamber Orchestra paved the way for the triumphant appearance of the new arrivals.
Certainly the most innovative element of the Azimut 45 is convertibility. The entire yacht has several areas designed with flexible, modular arrangements that allow a transformation of the space according to the requirement, or whim, of the moment. Designers Stefano Righini e Carlo Galeazzi collaborated with the shipyard to create a yacht that is roomy, comfortable and adjustable. For instance, the cockpit can be converted from a relaxation area into a dining area and interior spaces can be configured in different layouts to better accommodate different uses and allow maximum livability even in tight quarters.
The Atlantis 44’ was selected by Volvo Penta for the exclusive debut of their very powerful D6 400 Z-drive diesel engine. The innovative and conceptually revolutionary engine boasts a faster sprint and a top speed exceeding 36 knots. The engine is also designed to maintain cruising speeds at lower RPMs, enabling a significant reduction in fuel consumption. In addition, this lightweight and compact engine has noticeably reduced noise and vibration levels for greater passenger comfort.
Use this link to reach information and worldwide locations of Azimut Charter Yachts.
Circumnavigating Sicily is an experience of a lifetime. The captain and crew of YUK, a Hallberg-Rassy 62 foot sailing yacht, invite guests for an intimate journey into this land of extraordinary art and culture, fantastic landscapes and renowned cuisine. Sail 500 miles around Sicily while sampling the finest local food and wine both on shore and on board your luxury charter yacht. Explore the most interesting places on the coast and islands while sailing upon the crystal waters of three seas: the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Mediterranean.
Day 1: Depart from the capital city of Palermo to San Vito Lo Capo, a small town nestled between spectacular mountains, famous for the international Cous Cous Fest and dotted with charming seaside restaurants. Enjoy a classic dinner of fish couscous San Vito washed down by a fine local wine.
Day 2: Sail from San Vito to the historic town of Erice located 750 meters above sea level. There are two castles and impressive ancient ruins worth visiting. Savor luncheon al fresco at anchor before navigating to Favignana, popular for diving and snorkeling. Dive into the ocean in the afternoon then prepare to explore the town and anchor for the night.
Day 3: Favignana is famous for bluefin tuna caught using ancient Arab techniques, and caves of calcarenite rock. Visit the tuna factory, do a bit of shopping and play in the sparkling sea. In the afternoon depart for Marsala, a short distance of 10 miles. Drop anchor in Marsala Lagoon and visit the windmills of Mozia Aperitif. Visit the old town at sunset for spectacular views and explore the ancient market of Marsala.
Day 4: The cruise from Marsala to Porto Empedocle passes 66 miles of spectacular coastline. There are several port towns and lovely beaches that are perfect for shore excursions. Moor in Porto Empedocle that lies on the coast of the Strait of Sicily and is steeped in culture and history.
Day 5: This morning visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. The Greek pre-socratic philosopher Empedocles
was a citzen of this ancient Greek colony. Sail to Cala dei Turchi with its sweeping sandy beach and towering cliffs in a picturesque cove, the place of ancient Arab pirate landings in Sicily. The surrounding sea is incredibly transparent and offers superb grotto diving. Cocktails and dinner on board the yacht and a night transfer to reach Marina di Ragusa.
Day 6: Ragusa is listed with seven other cities in the Val di Noto as a UNESCO
RagusaWorld Heritage Site. The city is a thrill for history, art and architecture enthusiasts, with origins that can be traced back to the 2nd millennium B.C. From the noteworthy collections of the Hyblean Archaeological Museum to fabulous Baroque and Rococo architecture, Ragusa is an extraordinary destination.
Day 7: Depart Ragusa for Siracusa via Portopalo di Capo Passero, due to its location a crossroads of civilization and culture for seafarers that have challenged the Mediterranean Sea. Continue to Syracuse for a romantic dinner at a harbor restaurant in Ortigia.
Day 8: Syracuse, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an amazing repository of Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and is mentioned in the Bible because the Apostle Paul spent time here. There are also wonderful museums, shops and restaurants offering far more to do than can be done in a day.
Day 9: Navigate to Taormina
where the yacht will moor in the picturesque Bay of Giardini Naxos, a popular seaside resort. The village of Taormina is perched on a cliff overlooking the warm waters of the Ionian Sea. Visit the ancient Greek theatre, remarkable for its state of preservation and location. Stroll among buildings and churches centuries old, lively bars, fine restaurants and antique shops, all of which contribute to Taormina’s allure. Taormina is approximately a forty-five minute drive away from Europe’s largest active volcano, Mount Etna.
Day 10: Depart for Messina, the third largest city on Sicily. Founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC, Messina is characterized by landmarks, museums, restaurants, shops, beautiful fountains and splendid squares at every turn.
Day 11: Embark upon the 35 mile passage
through the Straits of Messina to Capo di Milazzo, a thin peninsula that extends into the Tyrrhenian Sea. This is the site where several civilizations have settled beginning in the Neolithic age, and the site of Ulysses shipwreck and fated meeting with Polyphemus. The port of Milazzo is a departure point for ferries to the Aeolian Islands and Naples.
Day 12: The Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea and a very popular tourist destination. Here the weather will help decide which islands to visit and what adventures to pursue. Visit the fascinating pumice quarry and plan for an excursion to Capofaro Malvasia Resort, situated under the lighthouse from which it takes its name, on Salina, the Aeolian Island with the greenest and most luxuriant vegetation. The Regaleali Estate is renowned for Tasca d’Almerita award winning wines and a restaurant offering typical Sicilian dishes prepared with estate grown produce.
Day 13: Depart the Aeolian Islands for the 55 mile journey to Cefalu. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board while docked in the Bay of Cefalu. The town is one of the major tourist attractions in the region with a young atmosphere and lively nightlife. The villages are attractive for artistic, cultural and historic reasons. Dinner can be enjoyed at a local restaurant on the sea.
Day 14: Time to return to Palermo and bid your captain and crew farewell. If possible plan to spend at least a day here in Sicily’s cultural, economic and tourist capital. Visitors delight in the extraordinary restaurants, splendid Romanesque and Gothic architecture, palaces, museums and theatres and fine shopping.
Some unions are meant to be, and when Floating Life, an international yacht management and service company, was introduced to Dockwise Yacht Transport a year and a half ago, it seemed a match made in heaven. Floating Life bears responsibility for some of the world’s most prestigious yachts and demands the highest degree of professional competence from those involved with the coordination of countless technical, administrative and logistical details. In the case of transporting Floating Life’s three 131- foot Norman Foster-designed luxury superyachts back and forth between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, Floating Life entrusted Dockwise Yacht Transport.
MY Ocean Emerald, MY Ocean Pearl and MY Ocean Sapphire are the basis of Floating Life’s unique fractional ownership program, by which 24 families have owner access to the yachts for a specified number of days per year. With fractional ownership, these families are able to reserve their cruise dates, are assured safety and first class service, and significantly reduce cruising costs.
The yachts will be berthed in Greece, Sardinia and the south of France this summer. Toward that end, both Ocean Emerald and Ocean Pearl completed a voyage in March from Martinique to Toulon aboard Dockwise Yacht Transport’s Super Servant 4.
Dockwise owns a total of four yacht carriers, including the 686-foot (209 meter) super ship Yacht Express, and operates on a regular schedule to deliver yachts around the world. The ships, looking something like giant moving marinas when they come to town, use their unique loading method to allow yachts of any size to be safely floated on and off as cargo. The carriers submerge themselves by pumping nine million gallons of water into their ballast tanks; the vessels are floated into place one-by-one, then sea-fastened before the ship pumps dry to prepare for boat transport. Once the ship reaches its final destination, the process is reversed so the yachts can safely disembark with captains, owners and/or crews aboard to take them by their own power to new adventures. Dockwise Yacht Transport also orchestrates lift-on/lift-off arrangements with third-party carriers for clients wanting a more flexible shipping schedule or to explore destinations where the float-on/float-off ships are not scheduled to go.
Today the fourth edition of the Perini Navi Cup begins. Porto Cervo, Sardinia provides the spectacular backdrop for this event in which eighteen Perini Navi sailing yachts will compete. The event is only open to yachts built by the renowned Viareggio shipyard and is organized by the 
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The regatta is both a race and a rendezvous for owners in the “Perini family”. Racing courses of up to 40 miles are set against the breathtaking scenery of the La Maddalena archipelago. 
