Luxury Crewed Yacht Charters or Bareboat Charters, Which to Choose? (from Guest Blogger Alan Cairns)

If you’re thinking about chartering a luxury yacht there are two options to consider; bareboat or crewed. It’s a choice that makes a big difference to your holiday or trip. While bareboat charters offer you the opportunity to take charge of the vessel, crewed charters offer the opportunity to hire a boat complete with all the necessary skills.

Bareboat Charters

Bareboat Charters are the simplest type of yacht charter, offering just the boat itself. Bareboating offers complete privacy and freedom, as well as the opportunity to captain a boat yourself. With bareboat charters you take full responsibility for all aspects of looking after the boat, including navigation, mooring, sailing, motoring, cooking and cleaning. If you’re not an experienced boater you will need to consider hiring a skipper or finding a friend with experience in sailing or motor boating.

Bareboat charters are often used for corporate events and team building days, as they can require that everybody on board takes responsibility for some element of the upkeep of the boat. Skippers should not only manage and direct the boat’s path, but should also be able to organise and manage the crew successfully, especially on sailing boats.

It’s important that whoever is in charge can delegate responsibilities, which could include hoisting sails, dropping anchor, cooking, cleaning and other general maintenance. The person in charge should communicate these expectations to the rest of the crew, and ensure that they understand what is expected of them.

Skippered Bareboat Charters

When you charter a bareboat you may be given the option of adding a qualified skipper who can take responsibility for navigating the boat. It can still feel like you have your own boat, as you will need to help them to raise the sails and drop the anchor. A skippered bareboat charter is less expensive than a fully crewed yacht, but the skipper can take responsibility for some of the more stressful aspects of boating, including navigating through coral and plotting a course.

Crewed Charters

Crewed charters are boats that come with all necessary crew in one package. The number of crew will depend on the size of the boat. Smaller boats might require simply a skipper and a chef, while bigger boats could require a team of many more including deckhands, stewards, stewardesses and engineers.

You could even consider including scuba diving instructors, special caterers or entertainers in your boat team, to ensure you have a fun-filled and luxurious trip. Crewed charter yachts and motorboats are the easiest way to enjoy a charter boat trip. Roles and responsibilities will be delegated so you can concentrate on relaxing and enjoying the journey.

Alan Cairns writes on a number of subjects including outboard motors and canal boat holidays. Image sourced under creative commons licence courtesy of Jon Olav. Southern Shipwrights Ltd is one of the leading outboard motor dealers in the South East of England. SSL are dealers of Yamaha, Suzuki and Mercury outboard motors as well as SunSport inflatables and 3D Tender RIBS and inflatables.

Posted on October 24, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our favourite worldwide Luxury Yacht Charters – Part II

Following on from Part I of our first ever edition of the Boatbookings.com brokers favourite yachts of the month, Part II aims to complete our October favourite luxury yachts. It is unquestionable that a luxury yacht charter on DAMRAK II or an event charter on NINAH would be beatable, however we believe that JACKIE ONE, TIGER LILY OF LONDON and MISTRAL 55 could also offer you one of the most incredible experiences and holidays of your life.

JACKIE ONE is a luxurious Amercraft 26m motor yacht with 4 staterooms, accommodating up to 8 guests. She has undergone a complete makeover in 2007, which included a Jacuzzi, as well a complete interior refit. She has a great crew, including a very experienced captain who has extensive knowledge of the Amalfi Coast, as well as a chef whose cuisine is second to none. We would highly recommend her for both families and friends for a weeks duration, where guests can soak up the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, as well as the beautiful weather. There is no better place to be than in the Jacuzzi on her Flybridge with a glass of champagne and watching the sunset over Positano.

TIGER LILY OF LONDON is another one of our favourite luxury yachts available in Spain, Ibiza and Majorca. She is a stunning Pershing 90 motor yacht, with 3 cabins and accommodation for 7 guests. She is the perfect luxury day charter yacht or for multiple days around the beautiful islands of Majorca and Ibiza. She has great outdoor space, with plenty of space for guests to sunbathe and soak up the golden rays of the Mediterranean Sun. She is an impressive motor yacht, with speeds of up to 44 knots whilst maintaining great comfort. She has enough water toys for the whole family, including Seadoo’s, scuba gear, snorkelling equipment as well as a fast tender to enjoy the doughnuts, water skis and wakeboards. We would highly recommend a charter on her in June, July or August 2013. Book now to avoid disappoint!

MISTRAL 55 is the final yacht to feature in the October edition of our favourite charter yachts. She is a luxurious Pershing 115, who was recently on show at the Cannes Boat Show 2012. She is a very fast yacht, which can reach speeds of up to 50 knots, thanks to a gas turbine, making it possible to go from Monaco to St Tropez in an hour! She can provide accommodation for up to 10 guests in 4 modern cabins, as well as beautiful decks and living areas. She is a great choice for a day charter to the exclusive Pampelonne Beach and would not look out of place amongst the Super Yachts. Why not try a lunch reservation at Kailargo or La Ramatuelle, fantastic restaurants on offer at the celebrity hotspot, Nioulargo Beach. She is a very popular day charter option for friends or family and will not disappoint.

If you would like to charter any of the yachts on show, please enquire through our website, where your request will be dealt with by one of our experienced brokers. We would be delighted to assist you in organising one of our favourite yachts for you and providing you with an unforgettable experience.

Posted on October 5, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Luxury Yacht manufacturer Princess introduces its new range for 2013!

Prestigious yacht manufacturer Princess is set for an exciting year in 2013 with the launch of a new V48, a 52 Flybridge, 82 and 88 motor yachts to their range. The new V48 is the biggest new development, with the introduction of Volvo’s IPS system, which is set to dramatically increase fuel efficiency, speed and onboard comfort. The IPS system is truly remarkable and boasts impressive performance, which include the following:

• 30% reduced fuel consumption
• 30% less CO2 emissions
• 50% lower perceived noise level
• 40% longer cruising range
• 20% higher top-speed

The model will feature triple sliding cockpit doors and a large electronically retractable panoramic sunroof, leaving guests open to elements and maximising light onboard. She will feature 2 double cabins, both with en suite, as well as a spacious galley and saloon area.

Princess’s new 52 Flybridge model is an excellent replacement for the outgoing 50, having been inspired by the Princess 56, which was recently seen at the Southampton Boat Show. She features the brands trademark pane of glass, which floods light into the master cabin and the yacht below. The new 52 is set to be much more spacious than her predecessor, as well as offering great performance thanks to resin infusion technology, which reduces weight, increasing speed and fuel efficiency. Resin Infusion Technology is a specialized laminating technique, which greatly improves the quality and strength of fibre glass parts, in comparison to normal hand lay up parts. This creates the optimization of a part in terms of strength and durability. She would be a great choice for a luxury day charter yacht, featuring a large U-shape seating forward faced by a two-person sofa, making her a very sociable vessel.

The new Princess 82 motor yacht epitomises sleek lines, spacious interiors and impeccably appointed exteriors. She has extended window lines, which give a sporty and sophisticated feel to the yacht, whilst providing natural light throughout the yacht. Her interior is light, sophisticated and beautifully detailed with an intelligent use of space throughout. The main deck saloon incorporates comfortable furnishings and a formal dining area, which is separated from the wheelhouse and highly, specified galley to ensure guest privacy, particularly important for owners with crew or chartering intentions. She is a great choice for family charters with her 4 beautifully appointed en-suite cabins. The master cabin is modern, yet elegant, with a great mixture of dark wood and soft furnishings.

The Princess designers of the 88 have once again excelled in creating exterior and interior spaces that are generous in size, exceptionally well finished and incredibly flexible whether entertaining or relaxing. For the first time on a Princess of this size, a powered balcony can be specified which folds neatly from the starboard side deck, connecting the saloon with the anchorage through sliding glass doors and the lower deck accommodation is also wonderfully versatile providing owners with the choice of four or five en-suite cabins to suit their needs. The Princess 88 promises to be yet another class leading model from the brand when she launches in 2013.

We have a great range of Princess yachts available from ports all around the Mediterranean. If you would like to charter a Princess yacht from the French / Italian Riviera, Greece, Spain or the Balearics, please enquire via our website or send an email to [email protected]. Watch this space for more press releases and news on industry shows.

Posted on October 4, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Highlights of the Monaco Yacht Show 2012

The Monaco Yacht Show 2012 showcased 100 of the world’s finest super and mega yachts. The show hosted the glitterati of the yachting world, as well as over 28,000 visitors, who enjoyed some magnificent offerings from San Lorenzo, Benetti and Couach, ranging from 25 to 100m in length. This year, the show definitely did not disappoint with some incredible yachts on show, such as Vladamir Putin’s NIRVANA. This 88.5m Oceanco luxury mega yacht features six decks, swimming pool, helipad, accommodating up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms. What we noticed was a key trend at this years show was the inclusion of the balcony on the newest super yachts. This feature, whether it was off a living area or stateroom, created a great open-plan layout, maximising space and light.

A major trend that was present yet again this year was the emphasis on wellness, with the addition of spas, saunas and workout areas. Luxury yachts are increasingly focused on the needs of their charterers, not solely by pampering but by also offering a holistic approach to the client’s health and relaxation. There is no better place to enjoy a fantastic massage than on the top deck of a super yacht on a luxury charter around the BVI or French Riviera.

Revolver 42 and Boatbookings.com broker Mimi Andain with Andrea.

One of our favourite luxury charter yachts on show was ILLUSION, a beautiful 46m Benetti super yacht. She has 5 beautiful staterooms, accommodating up to 10 guests, making her a great choice for friends and family. One particular feature that we particularly liked was her attention to detail, with regards to her interior design and furnishings. She was immaculate, with the finest touches throughout. After we had taken a tour inside, we were amazed by her beautiful decks, which incorporated a plunge pool with the most amazing mosaic work. We would highly recommend a weekly crewed yacht charter onboard ILLUSION during the summer months along the French and Italian Riviera or over Christmas in the Caribbean.

As well as showcasing the world’s most luxurious super yachts, the Monaco Yacht Show 2012 presented some of the most modern and revolutionary boats that are available. We really liked the REVOLVER 42, a 42 ft Italian designed day charter yacht. She epitomizes speed, power and aero-dynamics. Yet, she possesses all the comforts to enjoy a leisurely day charter in Sardinia. She has a great sunbathing area to the rear and has a panoramic sunroof, optimizing light and space. She is definitely one to watch, boasting speeds of up to 70 knots, producing 1300H horsepower!

Having seen some SeaBobs on show at the Monaco Yacht Show 2012, it’s obvious that these fantastic water toys will continue to be popular for the foreseeable future. This is mostly down to the fact that they’re so safe and people of all ages, even young kids, are able to use them. SeaBobs can only be described as a hybrid of a body board, and a jet ski. The only difference being on SeaBobs you can travel underwater, and at quite some speed, some travelling up to 20km/h. Lots of people find them exciting, as it’s a new and innovative way to see sea life, weaving in and out of corals on the sea bed. With a battery life of up to an hour on some models, these water toys make for a great adventurous part of your charter. If you’re interested in chartering a luxury yacht that has these fantastic toys and much more, look no further than ILLUSION.

Watch this space for more industry show reviews and insight into new press releases and futuristic designs. If you would like any more information about any of the yachts included, please do enquire via our website or send an email of enquiry to [email protected]. We would be delighted to assist you with booking the experience of a lifetime on one of our luxury yachts!

Posted on October 1, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Van Dutch 40, ROYAL I oozes elegance, performance and comfort on the French Riviera

The iconic Van Dutch 40 motor yacht is the product of the world famous Dutch design house, Vanguard. Van Dutch’s are striking avant garde creations, incorporating modern design and advanced technology. Vanguard’s aims were quite simple: to “create a lightweight yacht with longevity and economical practicality.” The V-Shaped engine configuration creates a sharpened aft to maximise balance and the Van Dutch’s centre of gravity, optimizing speed whilst reducing fuel consumption. We must pay tribute to Frank Mulder for the design of the Van Dutch, whose underwater design has made spray and slamming a thing of the past.

Reaching speeds of up to 40 knots, the Van Dutch 40 provides excellent performance and cornering. The Yanmar engine reduces engine noise and vibrations, which creates a smooth and silent ride. She also incorporates an autopilot and navigation system, making her a very simple luxury yacht to skipper.

Below deck, the Van Dutch is once again unique. There is a hydraulic table for 8 which can transform into a bed. Guests will find the latest televisions, sound systems and kitchen equipment. There is also a fully functional W/C with a hot and cold water supply. The deck is covered in a teak composite, which makes maintenance very simple. The Van Dutch 40’s cockpit is a modular solarium that extends into a great lounging area.

There are two other models in the Van Dutch portfolio: the 30ft and the 55ft. They both incorporate the exquisite design features of the 40, as well as performance and comfort. We can offer the Van Dutch 40 from a range of prestigious ports on the Riviera, including Monaco, Antibes, Golfe Juan, Cannes and St Tropez. One of our favourite Van Dutch motor yachts is ROYAL I, berthed in Monaco. She is a very popular luxury day charter motor yacht, which charters for €2,250 / Day. If you would like to charter her, please enquire online or send an email to: [email protected] where one of our brokers will assist you.

Posted on September 7, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓