New Americas Cup Catamaran AC45: Pushing the Boundaries

Core Builders of Warkworth, New Zealand, the company responsible for the legendary design that won the 2010 America’s Cup, launched the much anticipated AC45 racing catamaran in Auckland Harbour this week. The sleek and swift AC45 received rave reviews from the international sailing community on hand to participate in the launch.

The AC45 catamaran, a scaled-down version of the boats to race in the next America’s Cup, has been aptly nicknamed the “little sister with attitude”. The high-tech, wing-sailed catamaran is the first of 10 to be constructed by Core Builders in the next six months. The goal is to sail the cutting edge builds in a series of Cup pre-regattas, which have been rebranded the “America’s Cup World Series”, scheduled for June or early July this year.

Oracle skipper James Spithill was at the helm on the maiden voyage, while internationally renowned members of the racing community gathered dockside to witness the event including America’s Cup principal race officer Harold Bennett, Americas’ Cup veteran and sailing TV commentator Peter Lester, and Andy Hindley, of America’s Cup Race Management. According to reports, all were extremely impressed with the speed and agility of the AC45 and forecast a winning future for the Americas Cup.

Sharon Bahmer Elected to CYBA Board and Education Committee

Sharon Bahmer, Director of Caribbean, Bahamas and the Americas for Boatbookings.com, has been elected to the Board of Directors at CYBA (Charter Yacht Brokers Association) this year. She will also be heading the Education Committee, dedicated to improving the skills, training and knowledge of brokers, captains and crew, and to promote professionalism industry-wide in all yacht charter activities.

Congratulations Sharon!

Announcing StunningYachts.com Luxury Yacht Charter Site

StunningYachts luxury yacht charter worldwide

We’re proud to announce our newest sister site – stunningyachts.com – a slick new site dedicated entirely to luxury yacht charter worldwide. On StunningYachts, you will find only the most, well, stunning yachts available, plus luxury destination guides, itineraries, and advice.

StunningYachts.com has a unique and powerful advanced search page, where you can search for just about any combination of criteria available – for instance; yachts in the French Riviera, suitable for events, with six cabins, internet, and advanced AV systems. It’s as simple as ticking the boxes and your selections immediately show up.

We invite you to take a look at StunningYachts.com if you’re interested in the best of luxury charter. And of course, Boatbloggings stories are prominently featured on the home page so you’ll never be far from the news!

Update: 2011 Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami

The Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach is the venue to head to for viewing the largest power yachts during the Miami Beach Boat Show. Located along Miami Beach’s Collins Avenue, the display includes yachts and superyachts from the world’s most extraordinary custom boat builders. The show is free and open to the public.

In addition to the spectacle of superb yachts, the Yacht Equipment Pavilion and Sportfishing Pavilion will showcase the latest in marine gear, electronics and gadgets and host International Game Fish Association seminars. Other highlights include the Aquariva Gucci, a product of the collaboration between Gucci, Riva and Officina Italiana Design, which marks Gucci’s 90th anniversary year in 2011. New to the show layout is Megayacht Row, 20 slips featuring a collection of the biggest boats in the show, boasting the latest technology and design from the world’s premier yacht builders.

More than 500 new and pre-owned vessels valued at more than a billion dollars will sprawl over a mile-long strip of the Indian Creek Waterway along Collins Avenue (S.R. A1A) from 41st to 51st Streets, situated directly across from landmark hotels such as the Fontainebleau, Eden Roc and Miami Beach Resort and Spa. Parking, which fills up early, is available around the show area between 64th and 85th Streets and Collins Avenue. Valet parking will be available from the east side of Collins Avenue in front of the city parking lot on the 4600 block. There are also free shuttle buses linking the Miami International Boat Show sites at the Miami Beach Convention Center and the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center.

BOAT SHOW SCHEDULE:

Thursday, Feb. 17                  10am – 7pm

Friday, Feb. 18                       10am – 7pm

Saturday, Feb. 19                   10am – 7pm

Sunday, Feb. 20                     10am – 7pm

Monday, Feb. 21                    10am – 6pm

The Yacht and Brokerage Show is free to the public. Admission is charged at other show sites.

Boatbookings.com has comprehensive information on many of the builders whose yachts will be featured at the show at  Shipbuilders and Yacht Manufacturers.

Alluring Alaska: Luxury Yachting Destination of Breathtaking Beauty and Awesome Adventure

Alaska has a longer coastline than all the other United States combined, which makes it an unparalleled yachting adventure with endless possible itineraries and ports of call. Captain Josh Kaberon, of the classic Burger 68’ LONGHORN, has lived in Alaska for decades and is intimately familiar with the region. He shared with us his favorite destinations for a weeklong yacht charter embarking from Ketchikan. Here, an overview of his Alaska itinerary reveals some highlights.

Ketchikan is both an air and marine transportation hub for Southeast Alaska, and facilitates international travelers with numerous convenient flights. Ketchikan is located on Revillagigedo Island, 90 miles north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. It is a charming point of embarkation, known as the Salmon Capital of the World and boasting the most standing totem poles on the planet.

Ketchikan is also the gateway to the Misty Fjords National Monument, one of the areas major attractions. The protected area spans over two million wilderness acres of Tongass National Forest and is called “The Yosemite of the North” for its similar geology. Pale granite, 50 to 70 million years old, sculpted by glaciers, forms glacier valleys and natural canals filled with seawater. Here, near vertical walls soar an astonishing 3,000 feet above sea level.

Captain Josh’s itinerary includes time spent hiking around picture postcard Hugh Smith and Ella Lakes, where wild animals are ever-present and trout fishing is renowned. By day four, yacht charter guests have reached the spectacular destinations of Rudyerd Bay and Punchbowl Cove that are notable for dramatic sheer rock walls and breathtaking landscapes. Day five reveals spectacular waterfalls along the lake trail at Manzanita Bay.

The day prior to departure, Josh advocates a soothing soak at Bell Island Hot Springs where yacht charter guests will enjoy first class resort facilities and the opportunity to relax and share their experiences with other travelers over hors d’ oeuvre and cocktails.

Boatbookings.com features numerous exceptional itineraries, normally written by Captains who know the regional waters intimately and are experts at local attractions and intriguing points of interest both above and below the waterline at Yachting Itineraries