The logo above is part of the new look of Fraser Yachts Worldwide, which has launched a new version of its website complete with a nifty section about chartering.

For starters, the profile pages that describe each yacht are a whole lot better than the ones on Fraser’s previous website. They used to give you one photo, of the yacht’s exterior, and about six lines of information including the weekly rate. Now, on the new site, you get to see a whole gallery of photos from each yacht’s exterior and interior, plus an entire sheet of specifications that can help you compare one yacht’s outfitting and capabilities to the next.

The new site also has an interactive destinations section that lets you zoom in on any cruising grounds to find sample itineraries. Most charter companies publish these kinds of itineraries in printed catalogs, but not online, so this is a great change of pace that makes the information much easier in terms of access.

There’s even an FAQ page in the new site’s charter section. It’s short, but informative, and hopefully Fraser’s team will continue to build on it to make researching charter vacations even easier.

Check out the new site for yourself by clicking here. Nifty stuff, indeed.

The motoryacht in the photo above is the 130-foot Huntress, which was built in 1984 and has been available for charter for a good number of years now. You might think this makes her like any other charter yacht out there, but in fact, Huntress is preparing to do something that few of her competitors ever will: offer charters in the exotic location of Tasmania.

According to yachting company 37 South, which works in partnership with Fraser Yachts Worldwide, Huntress is planning to cruise in Tasmania from mid-January until the end of February (which is summer in that part of the world). It appears the weekly base rate will be $42,000 for six guests.

Tasmania is about 150 miles south of Australia’s southeast “corner,” putting the island at about the same latitude as New Zealand’s South Island. Just shy of 40 percent of Tasmania is natural reserves, one of the reasons it’s known as “The Natural State.” That’s not to say the island is barren; nearly a half-million people call it home. During the time when Huntress is planning to be there, the average daily high temperature is 21 degrees Celsius, or about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

The folks at 37 South tell me that anyone who enjoys scuba diving (they know I’m a big fan) will especially love Tasmania, as it is home to whales, dolphins, seals, giant kelp forests, underwater caves, and historic wrecks. For those who prefer to tour onshore, the city of Hobart is apparently terrific for eating and drinking, and it’s also reportedly close to scenic hikes.

Any reputable charter broker can help you learn more about chartering Huntress in this unusual destination. As limited weeks will be available, I’d suggest that you call now if you’re interested.

Nicholson Yachts says the 75-foot sailing catamaran Matau, shown in the photo above, is looking to fill its charter calendar between September 4 and 28 in Italy, France, and Croatia. The owner is offering a 10-percent discount off the regular rate to entice last-minute bookings, meaning eight guests can be onboard for a lowest weekly base rate of 31,500 euro.

Matau is a good yacht for a group of couples who want to split the weekly bill. Her master cabin has a king-size bed, while the other three guest cabins each have queen-size beds. No “kiddie berths” here.

She’s also a yacht whose crew have earned an outstanding reputation in the charter industry. Capt. Brett and Andrea Clark, both of whom are Australian, most recently ran the popular, 65-foot Virgin Islands sailing catamaran True North before joining Matau (the yachts have the same owner). Their current crew includes Brett’s sister, who is the chief stewardess, and Australian first mate Mathew Philips, who is working toward becoming a dive master.

To get four professional crew onboard a 75-foot yacht is a treat, indeed, one that should ensure service onboard Matau is up to the high standards for which the Clarks were known aboard True North. Contact any reputable charter broker to take advantage of the discount offer for next month in the Mediterranean.