What began in 1972 as an idea for local sailors has now turned into one of the Caribbean’s premier annual racing events.  The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival has developed a reputation for serious competition and serious partying!  This year’s dates run from March 31-April 6 2008 with seven days of fun.  Two great events in one, the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival starts Monday, March 26th with a welcome party at Nannay Cay Marina.  Three days of destination cruising and racing follow, leading up to the main 3-day regatta starting on Friday, March 30th.  Although it is too late this year, wouldn’t you enjoy being a spectator for the regatta or a participant for the onshore festivities next year?  Click to find your perfect BVI Sailing Yacht.

The European-based charter company Ocean Independence recently announced five new additions to its charter fleet–and four of the motoryachts are less than 100 feet long. That makes them potentially “good buys” in the Mediterranean this summer, as some clients from outside of Europe look to downsize from larger charter yachts because of the euro’s strength against the dollar.

Here’s a look at the four “entry-level” newcomers to the fleet:

The 40-knot speedster Hardwork II is 88 feet long and takes six guests at a lowest weekly base rate of 42,000 euros.

The 80-foot Champagne O’Clock (what a great name! see photo below) takes eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of 40,000 euros.

The 75-foot Alexsophie takes eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of 30,000 euros.

The just-shy-of-74-foot Momas takes six guests at a lowest weekly base rate of 24,000 euros.

To learn more about booking any of these yachts in the Ocean Independence fleet, contact any reputable charter broker.

Caribbean charter – aboard the Java   121.1’/ 36.92m  
During the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this past October I had the pleasure to meet with a referral client.  He saw the Java, 121.1/36.9m , 5 strm Broward at the show.  A few weeks after the show he called me to advise that this would be the ideal vessel and crew for his family vacation in the Spring of 2008.  So here we are six months later and the family is aboard the yacht, enjoying everything… especially the food!      

The crew on this yacht is exceptional.  They have to have high energy and organized just to keep up with the owner’s expectations.  I have had the pleasure of chartering this yacht several times over the past four years.  It has been a pleasure to work with the manager and captain of this yacht each time. The current captain was the mate who took over for the old captain who is now sailing his own yacht around the world.  (There is the passion of the sea for many of us in the yachting word… and a topic for another blog.)

I want to thank the owner of the yacht for understanding the needs of the charter brokers.  He keeps his product in top shape. He maintains a happy crew.  This is yacht  is exceptional value - five staterooms with an on deck Jacuzzi in the Caribbean.   They will ship to the Med for the summer and have a full schedule.

Thank you Mr. Owner, yacht manager and excellent crew!  I will have more business for you again soon.