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 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 ↓

Dockwise Yacht Transport and Floating Life: A Match Made in Heaven

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.

Posted on April 6, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

New Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda Welcomes Superyachts

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Marina (YCCS Marina) was recently inaugurated in North Sound, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. This magnificent property was designed as a facility for megayachts, their owners and charter guests, and provides a very private and exclusive destination for high profile clientele.

Location is a critical consideration for superyachts that have unique requirements of size, and suitability. Facilities have been extremely limited, particularly in the British Virgin Islands where no facilities existed on Virgin Gorda prior to the construction of YCCS. The world-class marina is protected from prevailing winds, ocean swells and surges, and offers 38 slips for yachts up to 328 feet in length with a maximum 30-foot draft in a naturally deep location.

The YCCS Virgin Gorda draws the international sailing and yachting community to enjoy top-level international sailing events such as the Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous that took place last month. Amenities at YCCS VG include the full service marina, several docks, provisioning services and shops. YCCS is scheduled to be fully operational by December.

To assist you in planning your luxury yacht charter vacation please view our Virgin Islands Luxury Yacht Charter Itinerary, which includes highlights of Virgin Gorda.

Posted on April 5, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓