Boatbookings Onboard 147-Foot Luxury Explorer BIG FISH: The Yacht Without Borders

We’re standing on the world’s first granite decks. They are classically handsome and impervious to Jimmy Choos, non-skid yet sensually smooth, and we are told you can light a fire on them, just like at the beach, and the crew need only hose them down to clean them up. This remarkable decking was just one facet of BIG FISH, the most innovative and distinguished vessel we’ve seen to date.

Boatbookings went onboard for a tour with Jim Gilbert of Aquos Yachts, whose passion for BIG FISH is easily understood. “This is a charter yacht for people who are younger, more active, or people who are young at heart,” says Gilbert. “It’s a boat to go places and do things that are different.

This boat may never see the Med, she’s more at home in Tahiti, Antarctica, or through the Northeast Passage over the top of Russia, where we’re heading this summer. BIG FISH will be the first yacht ever to do that. In between we’re chartering in the Amazon, then we’re heading to the northern islands of Europe and the Land of the Midnight Sun.”

BIG FISH accommodates 10 guests and 10 crew, has a 10,000-mile range and enough storage facilities to be off the dock for four months at a time. It is a yacht built to explore the world with all the luxury of an exquisite boutique hotel, right down to the finest linens.

Everything on BIG FISH is about adaptability and spontaneity. You can have your breakfast on deck, in the galley, upstairs, in the main salon, even on the observation pod, 43 feet above sea level, whatever moves you in the moment, whichever way the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.

The breathtaking owner’s suite features a private half deck with sun pads that can be raised or lowered, or converted to a table. Four guest queens convert to two full-beam VIPs, perfect for families with children, exquisite for adult couples. Even the comfortable chairs are collapsible. Other notable features include stern quarters that unfold down on both sides for lounging and safe water access, an atrium video screen that spans three decks and a garage that transforms to a disco.

“But the story about this boat is really the story about the tender,” says Gilbert. “The owner was a long time charterer of superyachts. After several charters he realized he liked to dive, fish, explore, and ended up spending most of the day on the tender only to return to the yacht with sore knees, painful kidneys, tanks that fell on his feet. He realized that all the fun things he did were on a rib, which was miserable. So he designed this fully tricked-out tender, it weighs three and a half tons, is fully fared, has a 200 mile range, jet drive, seats 12 people plus crew, all the dive tanks you need, outriggers for fishing, and there’s a bathroom onboard. Then he went to Greg Marshall (Greg C. Marshal Naval Architects) and said build me a boat to house this tender.”

BIG FISH is the end product of extraordinary vision and meticulous design. For the adventurous charter client, BIG FISH is simply unsurpassed. We will provide additional descriptions and impressions of BIG FISH, as well as the newest project under construction at McMullen & Wing for Aquos Yachts, STARFISH, in the near future.

Access Boatbookings.com for information on chartering BIG FISH, or to view an extensive selection of the world’s finest charter yachts through this link: Super and Mega Luxury Yacht Charter

Moonen 124 NORTHLANDER Luxury Charter Yacht Wins ISS 2010 Best Power Award at FLIBS

At the 20th Anniversary of the International Superyacht Society (ISS) Awards Gala Moonen Shipyards was awarded the prestigious Best Power trophy for NORTHLANDER, a superb charter yacht that is a tribute to the design and engineering teams of the Dutch yard.

NORTHLANDER made her first Atlantic crossing to participate at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and, according to her captain Peter Davey, “handled the very challenging seas and weather conditions exceptionally well”.

Styled by Rene van der Velden with naval architecture by Stolk Marimecs, NORTHLANDER is a luxury charter yacht that offers guests superior styling, stability and seaworthiness. Interior design by Art-Line is contemporary European and supremely elegant, utilizing a repetition of curvilinear elements to define spaces throughout. The effect is both stately and soothing.

NORTHLANDER accommodates 10 guests in one master, two double and two twin staterooms. Twin MTU 16V 2000 M60 engines propel the yacht to a maximum speed of 14 knots, with a cruising speed of 11 knots. To date she is the largest build to launch from Moonen Shipyards. However, the yard has an even larger yacht in the works scheduled for delivery in 2012, the first Moonen 133, designed to carry a submarine onboard.

Boatbookings.com is an excellent resource for information on luxury charter yachts and destinations worldwide. Here is a link to begin your exploration: Super and Mega Luxury Yacht Charter

Ft Lauderdale Boat Show Recap

The 2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) by all accounts was a grand success. The show is an important indicator of industry trends for the season and overwhelmingly positive feedback came from all factions of the yachting industry.

Many spectacular charter yachts were on display. Some ofBoatbookings favorites included the edgy and awesome BIGFISH, a 164-foot expedition yacht with destinations in Antarctica, Tahiti and the Northeast Passage, the exceedingly popular and playful168-foot Oceanco LAZY Z, the breathtaking Delta 154-foot MR. TERRIBLE, and two recent TRINITY launches, the 190-foot MI SUENO and the 164-foot MIA ELISE. Please check back for details about our experience and impressions touring these and other magnificent yachts.

Dealers and distributors reported a substantial increase in refit projects underscored by a reinvigoration of owner enthusiasm for upgrades. On the docks there were many reports of new yacht sales from numerous boat builders including; Ferretti, Marquis, Tiara, Viking and Westport, to name just a few.

Boatbookings scoured the vendor booths to report on cutting edge devices, services, toys, and gadgets that promise to enhance both the bareboat andcrewed yacht charter experience. Also on display were several new properties with facilities for luxury charter yachts in the Bahamas, Caribbean, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, as well as pertinent information for charter cruises to Antarctica from Last Border logistics, details to follow.


Luxury Charter Yachts BLIND DATE and JEMS Receive Gold Neptune Awards for Yacht Design

Heesen Yachts is the proud recipient of two Gold Neptune trophies awarded October 26 at the 2010 ShowBoats Design Awards ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida. BLIND DATE was awarded the trophy for the acclaimed expanding burl elm dining table designed by Keech Green.

Although the ingenious geometrical design has inspired many versions since the 19th century patent was awarded to Robert Jupe, the Keech Green interpretation is simply stunning. The judges were impressed by the intricate artistry, hand craftsmanship, and ingenious engineering that allow the table to expand to seat 12 by turning the top through 90 degrees. BLIND DATE accommodates 10 guests in five cabins and is currently available for charter in the Caribbean.

Heesen 4400 JEMS received an award for Exterior Recreational Area that is cleverly designed by Eric Benque with space-saving furniture pieces including switchable table tops that raise or lower, seating that converts from bar stools to dining chairs, sun pad cushions that convert into multiple seating and lounging arrangements, and a sophisticated entertainment system that includes a retractable outdoor movie screen.

This luxury superyacht features ultra modern interiors and can accommodate 10 guests in 3 doubles with a VIP that converts to two twins. Swift, voluminous and stylish inside and out, JEMS, is a perfect charter yacht for families and friends.

Boatbookings has extensive information on superyacht charters and destinations throughout the world. Use this link to explore the possibilities:  Super and Mega Luxury Yacht Charter

Boatbookings Onboard 4MAL: An Elegant and Entertaining Luxury Yacht Adventure

4MAL is an excellent charter yacht for friends and families that require elegant surroundings, a casual atmosphere, and a serious dose of fun. This deluxe 87-foot Johnson yacht is the perfect antidote for overstressed executives and everyone else that needs a vacation that combines pampering, partying and play.

4MAL features exquisite contemporary décor in a soothing color palette of earth tones that compliments an abundance of high gloss wood paneling and furniture. A delightful expanse of windows flood common areas with daylight and offer magnificent vistas.

On 4MAL the main deck salon and formal dining arrangement is warm and inviting. Unobstructed by partitions, the area has excellent circulation as well as panoramic views. The unusually large galley is also an enticing place to gather. This room is a popular option from casual meals to midnight snacks enjoyed at the expansive U-shaped seating beneath an arc of forward facing windows.

Ensuite accommodations on luxury yacht 4MAL include a king master stateroom, VIP queen stateroom, a guest suite with double bed and a guest suite with twin beds. Plenty of built-in storage and first class amenities make these plush staterooms as practical as they are elegant.

From banquettes to barstools, 4MAL has an expansive flybridge with plenty of seating for the entire group. Additional seating on the aft deck provides a pleasant alternative for dining al fresco. Head to the swim platform to take a dip, launch an inflatable. or embark on a snorkeling adventure.

Should guests require anything, from pointers on the best reefs to tips on local entertainment, Captain Chris Edenfield, a native Floridian, has nearly inexhaustible insights and abilities. Besides his extensive experience as a charter captain navigating the waters of the Bahamas, Caribbean, South Florida, Maine and Mexico, and being an avid fisherman, surfer and diver,  with a degree in criminology, he claims to juggle, fire breathe, perform card and magic tricks, play the guitar and enthusiastically lead a sing-along. (He has an especially humorous pub song repertoire.)

4MAL offers guests all that is desirable on a charter yacht, elegant surroundings, seaworthiness and stability, and an accomplished crew that caters to the needs and desires of every charter guest. 4MAL frequents numerous destinations in

Florida and the Bahamas, from the well known to the virtually unknown, and is a superb venue for a truly personalized and rewarding yacht charter experience.

Boatbookings.com is an excellent online resource for charter yachts and destinations in Florida and the Bahamas. Follow these links 4MAL,  Florida and Bahamas Yacht Charter and begin your adventure!