S/Y A

It’s not every day you bump into one of the worlds most famous superyachts in St Tropez, so yes, naturally I had to write a blog about one of the most defining moments in my marine career.

S/Y A with her various balconies and tender on display. Note the oval shaped windows!

Who owns sailing Yacht A?

Andrey Melnichenko. A Russian Billionaire from humble beginnings who’s involved with fertiliser producer EuroChem Group and coal energy company SUEK.

Hire a yacht in the French Riviera!

S/Yacht A with a 80ft yacht motoring past.

How much does SY A cost?

Rumors from 200 Million USD, to a staggering 800 Million USD. It’s hard to find the exact figure, but I think we can all assume it was further towards the 800million mark than the 200mil mark!
What do you expect when a yacht has 8 decks? Furnished to the highest standard, pushing boundaries at every corner. She even has a stone statue on her port side balcony. Creative, playful and fascinating ingenuity.

St Tropez yachts

Measurements

Sail area: 3,747 meters
Tonnage: 12,558
LOA: 134m 468ft (Same as two Boeing 747’s lined up.
Cruising speed: 16 knots
Mast height: From water line, 100 meters, taller than London’s’ famous Big Ben.
The total length of fiber in the sail: 754 miles.

Luxury crewed itinerary – French Riviera

Design

The underwater windows had to be tested at 10 times the working pressure. GLY built a steel tank and bolted on the observation pod windows then moved this assembly to Bodensee on the southern border of Germany and sunk it to the bottom of a 120 meter-deep hole to create the adequate pressures. The nearly foot-thick windows passed the test.

One of my most favorite features is not visible from above the water – it is below. A ‘snug’ in the keel space. An incredible piece of engineering and so incredibly thought out. Germany’s GL Yachtverglasung created the yacht’s glass. They actually produced the longest piece of curved glass ever made: a 1.8-tonne, 15-meter bulwark forward on the bridge deck.


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Elisa’s favorite day charter yachts in Sardinia.

Sardinia is definitely one of the favorite destinations, in the Mediterranean Sea, of our charter broker Elisa. Maybe because she is Italian or maybe simply because it is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

With 1,897km of unspoiled coastline, Sardinia is surrounded by crystalline blue water and unique small islands. The best way to visit this paradise on earth is definitely on top of a boat.

Have a look at Elisa’s favourite day charter yachts based in north Sardinia.

MOTOR YACHT AMAYA

Our broker Elisa fell in love with Amaya as soon as she step on it.

Elisa was invited for a lunch onboard and as a good native Italian she managed to have a typical Italian meal: a starter of swordfish carpaccio, a main course of linguine with calms and some fresh vanilla ice-cream as dessert. Accompanied by the Carasau bread and a top of the range white wine, both typical of the region. Everything was cooked by the professional chef onboard.

The meal was perfect, but the crystalline blue waters and this amazing yacht made it an unforgettable day.

The spacious flybridge is the best location to gather with your family and friends and relax under the Mediterranean sun. With a maximum speed of 30 knots, this amazing yacht will take you cruising around La Maddalena National Park. You will be able to explore unique beaches and islands that can be reached only by boat.

Let yourself be pampered by the wonderful 5 crew members onboard.

MOTOR YACHT RIVA VERTIGO 63

Riva is known as one of the most legendary brands in Italy. The boat boasts great style inside and out, this is down to the attention Riva has given to the tinniest of details. The beauty of her lines gives her a sporty, yet luxurious aesthetic. These are some of the reasons why she is one of our most requested yachts! The great comfort, stability, and luxury of the outdoor(exterior) area make this yacht the perfect boat to cruise around the Emerald Coast.

Reach La Maddalena with the boat and stop in one of the exclusive restaurants on the island. The uncontaminated nature that will surround you, will give you a sense of peace and tranquillity perfect to relax in a nice summery day. Why not adding also a little adrenaline with Water ski, Banana boat, Jet ski, Paddle Boars and many other water toys, all available upon request to make your day unforgettable.

MOTOR YACHT AB 72

This 22m yacht based in Portisco can take you cruising around La Maddalena Archipelago or why not a day trip to Corsica. Thanks to the speed of the boat, you will be able to reach unique destinations in a short time, this is why it’s perfect for a day charter trip around the wonderful coast. The incredible places you will visit will allow you to make unforgettable memories with the rest of the group.

Guests can also enjoy a variety of water toys. Two stand up paddle boards, available upon request, can be used to explore the area in a different and funny way and our snorkeling equipment will allow you to venture the crystalline blue sea. The yacht has also a spacious teak wood swim platform which is a safe place where people usually love to spend their time.

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Voiles de Saint Tropez Regatta

St Tropez

Quite simply, St Tropez is the most glamorous destination on the globe. Although known today for the discovery of Bridgette Bardot, the 1980’s superyachts, and the infamous Villebrequin swim shorts, the quaint fishing village was depicted by the 19th-century artists of Paul Signac which paved the way for its reputation today. St Tropez is surrounded by the Maures mountains, crystal blue waters and 17th-century Provencal-style buildings which line

In the yachting world, St Tropez will always be the most exclusive place to visit due to its inaccessibility from airports and land. Unless you want to spend the entire day in a car on very busy motorways, a boat is the only way to visit St Tropez with style. It is the only place on the French Riviera which lies untouched by commercialism, retaining a southern French charm that cannot be replicated by any other European destination.

The regatta

The Voiles de Saint Tropez regatta takes place at the end of September. The regatta sees more than 300 yachts and almost 4000 sailors annually gathering in the town to race. The regatta comprises of very varied fleets with the Rolex Trophy being the most prestigious draw towards the regatta. The prize is presented to the winning crew in a memorable prize giving ceremony on the final day of the regatta.

The 2018 Voiles de St Tropez regatta saw the celebration of the dragon fleet, build by Scottish builder and designer, William Fife. Many other one-off yachts will be racing in this regatta. Expect to see any size, any modification and any performance in this regatta. It is the European regatta for everyone. The regatta is international and welcomes sailors from all across the globe.

A regatta yacht charter is the best way to enjoy a sailing yacht without the responsibility of using your own boat in the regatta. This gives you the perfect opportunity to get your team involved in one of the most competitive regattas alongside visiting the French Riviera. Whether you’re a seasoned yacht racer or if this is a bucket list idea contact Boatbookings to find out more about the regatta and to get to know the best boats that would suit your group!

To be a part of the Voiles de St Tropez, get in contact with Boatbookings to plan your next regatta yacht charter. Broker Alice, regularly attends the St Tropez regatta and looks forward to meeting you in St Tropez in 2019. You can either find her on the water or admiring art in the Provencal streets!

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Five Days in the Komodo National Park

Travelling across the world really broadens the mind, especially when you explore a truly majestic destination like Indonesia. Offering unrivalled scenery, world class diving and ultimate tranquility, there is no better way to spend your holidays than on an Indonesia yacht charter. Get ready to embrace everything that this part of the world has to offer!

Private Beaches, Everywhere!

Your landscapes will change every day, and even throughout the day as the tides come and go. Spend the morning snorkelling with Manta Rays in Karang Makassar and then relax on your own private beach. Your service orientated crew will find the perfect beach set up for you to relax and dip your toes in the cerulean waters.

Diving with Turtles and Sharks

Diving on the Phinisi LAMIMA is offered for all levels, whether you’re a complete beginner or extremely advanced. Jump on the tender with Wawan and Ali and you will discover magical coral formations and everything that lives in between. You can expect to see everything from white fin reef sharks to blue spotted rays and turtles. Your mind will be blown!


Spa Treatments and Honeymoons

If you prefer to take your holidays a little slower, wake up to sunrise yoga on the sundeck, followed by breakfast and a trip to the LAMIMA spa. Koko specialises in a full array of massage and beauty treatments. When in Indonesia, sample the Balinese massage to the sound of traditional Gamelan music and the ripples of the water below. Whether you’re seeking a family vacation or Indonesia honeymoon yacht charter, this destination will not disappoint.

When you think you’ve seen everything, think again. Your crew will go the extra mile and set up the ultimate final evening for your guests to experience. How does a private beach BBQ sound? Yes, all is possible onboard LAMIMA. Contact your Boatbookings Broker to plan the trip of a lifetime.

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Americas Cup

Your majesty, there is no second.

the response given by the royal correspondence to Queen Victoria when she asked “Who came second?”

Charter a yacht to watch the 2021 Americas Cup unfold in New Zealand!

Auckland

Origins

On the 20th August 1851, sahiling history was made and The Americas Cup was born.  A group of New York businessmen set sail, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to compete in the Hundred Guinea Cup on the British Isle of Wight. In an old schooner, the New York businessmen claimed victory of the Hundred Guinea Cup and subsequently renamed this as the notorious ‘Americas Cup’.

San Francisco, California, USA – August 21, 2013: 5th race between New Zealand & Luna Rossa for Louis Vuitton Cup in San Francisco Bay

When the race began, Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert were sat watching the race unfold. The emergence of an American yacht was seen as a race between the New and Old western world and attracted nationwide attraction.

The Needles, United Kingdom.

America comes to England

The American schooner made its way around some of the toughest sailing conditions in the world. The Needles on the Isle of Wight is incredibly tidal and often profits from very strong winds. This race was not just a standard yacht race, it was a test which would define the beginning of the new Western age.

Americas Cup

The Americas Cup, stayed in the hands of American sailors the following 100 years and 24 Americas Cup races before it was eventually taken in 1983 by the Australian racing team.

Naples, Campania, Italy – April 06, 2012: The Team Oracle during workouts America’s Cup World Series AC45

“Your majesty, there is no second”

When Queen Victoria asked who was in second place her royal correspondence replied ‘ Your majesty, there is no second’, defining yacht racing history and making the Americas Cup no longer just a sailing competition. This is a fierce and forceful worldwide competition that can make or break international relations. Known as a ‘perpetual challenge cup for competition between nations’ it is not a regatta to be missed out on.

Americas Cup 2021 – Save the date!

The 36th Americas Cup event held in 2021 taking place in New Zealand. Teams are already practicing on the shores of Auckland, (New Zealand) to show their presence and determination to win the legendary trophy. The boats are sleeker, the teams are faster and the crowds will be larger than ever. The stakes are high for the 2021 world cup. The US sailing team have already confirmed their commitment to the cup, making the regatta come into play from an early stage. The 35th Americas Cup, presented by Louis Vuitton in Bermuda saw both precision and performance however New Zealand is set to offer more than this!

Karaka Beach, Auckland, New Zealand

Dates are from the 6th to the 21st March 2021 and boats are already booking up to watch the spectacle!

Charter a yacht to watch the action, follow the race and be a part of the action for the day! Get in touch with our regatta expert, Alice, for more information!

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