The trend toward ever larger yachts is not abating. Newcastle Shipyards announced the launch of its largest build to date, the 5500 Series 180 foot superyacht HARBOUR ISLAND.
Yacht Spotters along the east coast of Florida may catch a glimpse of the unmistakable HARBOUR ISLAND as she makes the journey from St Augustine, where she is undergoing dock tests and sea trials, to Rybovich Superyacht Marina and Refit in Palm Beach.
Notable features on HARBOUR ISLAND include a custom layout with two king master suites and a VIP king guest suite below. Additional amenities include an infinity pool on a split-level sundeck, raised veranda on the main aft deck and a built-in seating area aft of the alfresco dining on the skylounge aft deck.
HARBOUR ISLAND will make her world debut at the Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 27-31.
The Sea of Cortez is a yachtsmen`s paradise of sheltered coves, secluded beaches and teeming marine life. Charter one of three outstanding yachts from La Paz, Mexico, and bask in luxurious surroundings with world-class service and five star cuisine while exploring a region unlike any other on earth.
Everywhere in Baja the landscape is exotic, from the drama of the desert to the remote islands in the Sea of Cortez. Estimated at five million years old, the Sea of Cortez is the youngest sea in the world. Here, 37 exquisite islands produced by volcanic eruptions afford sandy beaches and sheltered anchorages of breathtaking beauty. Biologically, the Sea of Cortez is the richest body of water on earth, with more than 900 varieties of fish and more than 2000 species of marine invertebrates.
98’ MARAZUL, is an excellent charter option for first time Baja fisherman in the Sea of Cortez. Sport fishermen can brace themselves in the yacht`s fighting chair and prepare to make their wildest fishing dreams come true. The area hosts many world-class sportfishing championships and is an international destination for the amateur enthusiast and professional competitor alike.
Off the coast of La Paz, the Island of Espirito Santu is an unparalleled charter destination. Charter SOGNO to discover the island environs, home to more than 271 species of fish, 98 species of birds and 31 species of marine mammals, some unique to the islands. SOGNO features an extended swim platform, perfect for launching explorations above or below the water line.
Baja beckons active explorers and offers bird watching, hiking, surfing, kayaking, diving and snorkeling in an environment like no other. When it`s time to relax, sip a designer cocktail and recount the adventures of the day, there is no better spot than high up on the flybridge of PANACHE, a perfect yacht for whale and porpoise watching by day, or al fresco dining beneath millions of stars by night.
Baja California Sur truly offers something for everyone, including shore excursions to charming cultural centers with vibrant nightlife. This magnificent region insures a phenomenal charter experience for families, groups of friends, or as a remote and romantic destination.
Sailing a charter yacht in the British Virgin Islands is a lot of fun for a family, a real adventure that everyone can participate in. But savvy repeat charter clients know that at some point during the cruise it’s time to let the kids get off the yacht and enjoy a dedicated beach day.
The Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC), on the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, is beautiful, remote and protected, 12 miles from Tortola and an excellent choice, welcoming charter yachts and offering great activities for both the kids and the adults.
BEYC has a watersports fleet of over 100 boats, small keelboats, kid`s training boats, kayaks, and Stand Up Paddle boards. Kids might enjoy Optimist or 420 sailing dinghies, while parents might take a Laser for a workout, and everyone can enjoy the Hobies.
Expand your knowledge by taking a course at BEYC. For non-sailors the Bitter End offers a Sailing 101 (half-day course) ideal for the novice who wants to learn the basics. For experienced sailors there is a Racing 201 Course that can prepare sailors for competition in the Sunday Regatta and Tuesday afternoon `Beer Can Racing.`
For the parents in need of quiet time away from the kids, BEYC has a very highly rated spa that offers a variety of treatments, as well as yoga and meditation sessions.
Nominations are now invited for the 2011 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards, the most prestigious award of recognition in the sport of sailing. Since the first Awards presentation in 1994, the nominees and winners have always included the highest achievers from all disciplines of the sport.
The accomplishments of the sailors nominated each year are an inspiration – from windsurfers and dinghy sailors to offshore specialists, a nominee’s achievements may be an exceptional series of regatta wins, a record breaking passage or a triumph against the odds.
Nominations may be made by anyone and the only criterion is `outstanding achievement in the sport of sailing` during the qualifying period of 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2011. Nominations should be sent to ISAF by 12:00 (UTC) on Wednesday 7 September 2011 using the Official Nomination Form, available at www.sailing.org/36404.php
A shortlist of nominations will be drawn up by ISAF from all those received by the deadline and those making the cut will go on to become the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2011 Nominees. The 137 ISAF Member National Authorities will then vote for one male and one female nomination who they believe should win the Award.
The winners will be announced at the Awards dinner on Tuesday 8 November in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the host city for the ISAF Annual Conference. The winners will be presented with the unique marble and silver trophy depicting the globe, crowned with five silver spinnakers representing the continents, together with a personalized Rolex timepiece.
A present trend towards miniaturization makes Ben Lau’s emergency flotation device as appealing as it is functional. Lau’s invention, a finalist for a James Dyson Award, was designed to protect rock fisherman. The sport is categorized as one of the ten most dangerous on the planet. Lau was inspired to protect Australia’s rock fishing enthusiasts, who have the highest fatality rate in the world.
Yachtsmen know that space is always at a premium on board, so anything to reduce the volume of stowable equipment is likely to be highly marketable. The simple yet ingenious flotation device consists of a U-shape tube, compacted to the size of a soup can, instantly inflated by two CO2 bulbs at the tug of a ring. Applications for this invention would seem to reach far beyond the rock fisherman who inspired the mechanism.
The James Dyson Awards for young inventors encourage the next generation of design engineers to compete against innovaters from 18 countries for a grand prize of £10,000 to the student, or student team, and £10,000 for their university department. Visit www.jamesdysonaward.org for application information.
The trend toward ever larger yachts is not abating. Newcastle Shipyards announced the launch of its largest build to date, the 5500 Series 180 foot superyacht HARBOUR ISLAND.
