CharterWave eNews

Antigua Charter Yacht Show Prepares for 50th Annual Celebration

From December 4-9, charter brokers and media from around the world will descend on the Caribbean for the 50th Annual Antigua Charter Yacht Show.

CharterWave editor Kim Kavin will be on the docks every day of the show, reporting news as it breaks on the CharterWave Twitter feed as well as a daily wrap-up each night on the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog.

“This year’s show has a number of really interesting yachts scheduled to attend,” Kim says. “I’m especially eager to see the 145-foot Hemisphere, which is just a massive catamaran, as well as the 266-foot Air, which is the largest motoryacht in the show.”

Reviews of the charter yachts on display at Antigua will begin appearing on CharterWave during the month of January. We’ll also be publishing exclusive interviews with chefs, captains, and brokers from the show throughout the beginning of 2012.

Broker Reports: 2011 Virgin Islands Charter Yacht Shows

The 2011 charter yacht shows in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands were held in November, with close to 100 charters yachts available for inspection by reputable brokers.

Kathleen Mullen of Regency Yacht Vacations tells CharterWave in our December “Broker of the Month” interview that the Virgin Islands market appears to have stabilized, with many yachts already having 10 to 18 weeks booked for the upcoming winter season. Discounting is at a minimum, she says, as yachts have made permanent rate adjustments to accommodate the global recession.

Michael Sawyer of Infinity Yacht Charters reported similarly high demand to CharterWave. He saw one yacht already fully booked for 2012 and looking to 2013, as well as another that has 20 weeks on the books for the upcoming winter season.

Both brokers said the Virgin Islands remains a separate market from the broader Caribbean, where there is still a great deal of winter availability—particularly aboard larger megayachts.

MYBA Reports Payment Scam Targeting Charter Show Exhibitors

On November 3, MYBA distributed an e-mail notice about a scam involving the annual Genoa charter yacht show.

“It has come to our attention that some attendees have been targeted by a scam with a letter and form using the MYBA Charter Show details requesting payment to exhibit,” the notice states. “Please be advised that we are investigating this further. Please do not respond to any written request received by mail.”

Anyone with further information, or who has received the false invoice, may contact Francesca Carbone at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Newport Harbor Corporation Acquires Newport Charter Yacht Show

The annual Newport Charter Yacht Show has a new owner.

Newport Harbor Corporation will be promoting the show through its Newport Exhibition Group, which also markets the Newport Boat Show and the Providence Boat Show in Rhode Island. The Exhibition Group is owned by Show Management, which owns Yachts International magazine and the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show.

The dates for the 2012 Newport Charter Yacht Show will be June 18-22.

Yacht Charter Opportunity at 2012 Summer Olympics in London

Edmiston and Company is offering a 17-day charter package at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London aboard the 168-foot Schweers motoryacht Legend.

The company has arranged dockage for the entire event at The Royal Docks. The yacht’s owner is seeking a 17-day base rate of €675,000, plus 20 percent VAT and customary expenses.

The Royal Docks are in the heart of the Olympics action, within easy tender or driving distance to most events. Edmiston created the map at right to show the location where Legend will be berthed, as well as its proximity to various events. (The red square in the center of the page points to the docks, if you're viewing on a smaller screen and can't make it out.)

Any reputable charter broker can tell you more about charter during the 2012 Summer Olympics or help you book Legend at the 17-day package rate including dockage.

Yacht Carbon Offset wins 2011 ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award

Yacht Carbon Offset has been awarded the 2011 International Superyacht Society Fabien Cousteau Blue Award, which was created to celebrate stewardship of marine ecosystems.

“It is a great honor and a major milestone for the company to be recognized in this way,” said Mark Robinson of Yacht Carbon Offset. “We are heartened by the decision of the distinguished judges and Fabien Cousteau for their appreciation of the relevance of carbon offsetting to the ocean stewardship agenda. This is an action available to all yachts. We accept this award acknowledging the leading yacht owners, charterers, captains and professionals that have decided to balance their carbon footprint through Yacht Carbon Offset. It is their action that ultimately supports real ecologically driven projects around the world.”

The award was presented in late October in Fort Lauderdale.

Bob Saxon Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

International Yacht Collection President Bob Saxon recently received a lifetime achievement award from the International Superyacht Society.

“Bob Saxon has served the global yachting industry long and well,” ISS Board member Michael Moore of Moore & Company stated in a press release. “And, in every area of service whether yacht management, as head of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association or his current position as CEO of a large brokerage, management and charter business, he has improved the industry with vision and leadership."

Saxon was the inaugural president of ISS from 1990-93 and recently has served another two-year term as head of the organization. His background in yacht charter includes owning and operating Bob Saxon and Associates before joining Camper and Nicholsons International and later moving to International Yacht Collection.

Congratulations to Saxon on this well-deserved recognition for many years of service in the luxury yachting industry.

Best of the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog

Northrop and Johnson Helps Kids in Distress. Today is Thanksgiving here in the United States. It's a day filled with turkey, football, and family, a time to stop and give thanks for all of the good fortune that life has provided. On days like today, it's also important to remember those who are less fortunate--just as Northrop and Johnson in Fort Lauderdale recently did in working with the Kids in Distress charity… Read More …

Best of the CharterWave Sponsored Blogs

From the Northrop and Johnson Worldwide Yacht Charters sponsored blog on CharterWave: Yacht Charter in the Footsteps of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas, Jolly Old St. Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, and Santa Claus are all names understood worldwide for the warm legendary spirit believed to give love, help, and gifts of all sorts in late December of every year.  Today, the legend of this spirit is a conglomeration of old stories, some of which were born along the southern coastline of Turkey in the area of Kekova, in ancient Myra, a location well worth visiting on a crewed yacht charter today… Read More …

Motoryacht of the Month: 360°

The 155-foot ISA motoryacht 360° is a 2003 build that got a new owner in September 2009. He did a major refit that included new hull paint, the addition of Quantum zero-speed stabilizers, a cabin enlargement, new interior furnishings, a new audiovisual system, new helm electronics, an engine refit, and new marble in the guest cabins.

The result is a yacht that, while once neutral and a bit dated, is now contemporary and downright fashionable.

Learn more about the charter experience aboard 360° in our newly posted First Impression review.

Sailing Yacht of the Month: Regina

The 183-foot sailing yacht Regina aims to combine European standards of style and construction with the traditional onboard charter experience in Turkey. She launched in early 2011 from Pruva Yachting with the looks of a gentleman’s yacht and an experienced crew who know the local waters well.

Our exclusive broker report from a recent fam trip in Turkey discusses the itineraries that are possible aboard Regina, the experience of cruising onboard, and more.

(Did we mention just how big she is for the cruising area? That's Regina in the photograph at right, anchored to the left of a typical-size gulet in Turkey.)

Captain of the Month: Paul Edmonds

Paul Edmonds is one of the captains who rotates duties aboard the 146-foot Feadship motoryacht Harle, which is headed to the London Olympics for summer 2012. He’s been with the yacht since she launched in 2007 and has extensive knowledge of the yacht’s strengths for charter.

“We like families and people who want things like big birthday or anniversary parties,” Edmonds says. “We’re not interested in wild and crazy parties—the owner gives us full authority to throw off anyone who is too drunk, into drugs, or inappropriate towards our crew—but nice people who are having a good time? We love that. We’re set up for it. We’re practiced at it. We can really throw a great party.”

Learn more about the charter experience aboard Harle in our interview with Capt. Paul Edmonds.

Chef of the Month: Gisele Lannamann

After earning a strong reputation for divine cuisine aboard the 75-foot sailing yacht Bahamian Rhapsody and the 64-foot sailing yacht Gadget, chef Gisele Lannamann recently took her cooking skills over to the 67-foot sailing yacht Aurora.

She and her husband, longtime Capt. Ken Lannamann, will be offering Aurora for charter during summer 2012 in New England at a lowest weekly base rate of $12,000 to $12,500 for two to four guests. Aurora is a 1988 build from designer Ron Holland, who is a longtime favorite of sailing aficionados thanks to the hull performance that his boats typically achieve.

Learn more about Lannamann’s fantastic cooking bio in our exclusive interview.

Fleet and Management Company News

Absolute Yachting tells us the 85-foot Royal Denship motoryacht Amnesia will be available near Athens, Greece, during summer 2012. She takes eight to 10 guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €38,000…

Blue Latitude Yachting welcomes four yachts to the Caribbean charter fleet. The 62-foot Lagoon sailing catamaran Barbuda Belle takes 10 guests; the 62-foot Lagoon sailing catamaran Firefly takes six guests; the 72-foot VPLP sailing catamaran Maita’ï takes eight guests; and the 106-foot CNB sailing yacht Victoria D takes 10 guests…

Burgess Yachts welcomes the 142-foot Royal Denship motoryacht Waterlily to the charter fleet. She will take 12 guests during summer 2012 in the Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €147,000… Also new to the fleet is the 142-foot Royal Denship motoryacht Caneli. She will take as many as 11 guests during summer 2012 in the Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €147,000… The 240-foot Hanseatic Marine motoryacht Silver Zwei has been rechristened Dragonfly, and the 224-foot Amels motoryacht Lady Anne PB has been rechristened Lady S…

C U Yacht Charters tells us the 130-foot Westport motoryacht Mary Alice II is offering 10 days for the price of seven, no delivery fees in the Bahamas, and confirmed dockage at Atlantis Resort and Casino for the upcoming holidays. The 10-day holiday base rate is $120,000 for 10 to 12 guests…

Camper and Nicholsons International welcomes two yachts to the charter fleet. The 140-foot Vitters sailing yacht Koo will take eight guests in the Caribbean at a lowest weekly base rate of $100,000, while the 136-foot Cantieri Navali Niccolini motoryacht Il Cigno takes 10 guests year-round in the Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €82,000…

CharterPortBVI fleet yacht Pacific Wave, a 72-foot sailing yacht, has taken delivery of a new 15-foot Caribe Deluxe tender for scuba and water sports… The 46-foot sailing catamaran Viking Dream is offering a $1,500 discount on week-long charters between December 3 and 14, and between January 4 and 14, in the Virgin Islands…

Churchill Yacht Partners says the 100-foot Inace motoryacht Unforgettable is available for a New Year’s charter beginning December 28 in the Virgin Islands. The weekly base rate is $48,000… There is also New Year’s charter availability aboard the 130-foot Westport motoryacht Arioso at a lowest weekly base rate of $98,000. Arioso can pick up in either St. Thomas or Sint Maarten… The 67-foot Discovery sailing yacht More Magic is available in the Caribbean for Christmas at a lowest weekly base rate of $22,500…

CSO Yachts sends word that the 196-foot Benetti motoryacht Lyana is keen to book a charter for Christmas and New Year’s. The lowest weekly base rate in the Caribbean is $360,000…

Edmiston and Company tells us the 157-foot Royal Huisman sailing yacht Hyperion has dropped her lowest weekly base rate in the Caribbean by 30 percent. The new weekly base rate is $90,000 for six guests, and availability begins December 16… The 118-foot CBI Navi sailing yacht Metsuyan IV has a new weekly base rate of $95,000 in the Caribbean for 10 guests… The 90-foot Nautor’s Swan sailing yacht Nefertiti is available December 23 through January 2 from Sint Maarten to Antigua. The weekly base rate is $50,000, but the owner is open to offers for that specific itinerary… Thanks to a change in the owner’s plans, the 127-foot Hakvoort motoryacht Snowbird will be available this winter in the Caribbean. She takes 10 guests at a lowest weekly base rate of $150,000…

International Yacht Collection welcomes the 196-foot Abeking and Rasmussen motoryacht Excellence V to the charter fleet. She will become available for charter in June 2012 in the Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €595,000 for 12 guests in seven cabins… Also new to the fleet is the 124-foot Trinity motoryacht Wheels. She is based in Fort Lauderdale with a lowest weekly base rate of $50,000 for 10 guests… The 188-foot Abeking and Rasmussen motoryacht Excellence III is based in Sint Maarten this winter at a lowest weekly base rate of $455,000 for 10 guests…

Luxury Charter Group says the82-foot Alia sailing yacht Aiyana has new availability dates in the Caribbean. She is open for bookings until December 17 in the British Virgin Islands; January 18 through March 3 in Antigua and Sint Maarten; and mid-March through April 6 in the British Virgin Islands. The lowest weekly base rate is $35,000 for six guests…

MarineMax says the 116-foot Azimut motoryacht Vivere is open for a Christmas or New Year’s charter out of Florida or the Bahamas. The lowest weekly base rate is $75,000 for 10 guests…

Neptune Group Yachting tells us the 106-foot Lazzara motoryacht Secret Spot is available for a Christmas charter in the Bahamas with confirmed dockage at Atlantis Resort and Casino. The holiday weekly base rate is $52,000 for eight guests…

Nicholson Yachts welcomes three yachts to the charter fleet. The 62-foot Lagoon sailing catamaran Lady Bou Bou will be available this winter in the Caribbean at weekly base rates from $24,500 to $28,500 for two to six guests… The 76-foot K&M Yachtbuilders sailing yacht Aurelius also will be available in the Caribbean at weekly base rates from $23,500 to $27,500 for two to six guests… The 46-foot Bahia sailing catamaran Imagination will be available in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at weekly base rates from $9,000 to $11,400 for two to six guests. Imagination’s crew includes a scuba-diving instructor… The 62-foot sailing yacht Makayabella is available for the Bequia Blues Festival. See the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog for full details…

Northrop and Johnson tells us the 120-foot Crescent motoryacht Impetuous is available in the Bahamas for Christmas and New Year’s. There are no delivery fees for a round-trip itinerary out of Nassau. The lowest weekly base rate is $60,000 for eight or nine guests… New to the charter fleet is the 114-foot Hargrave motoryacht Sea Legend, taking eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of $49,500 in the Caribbean… The 164-foot Feadship motoryacht Inevitable is being offered through December 15 in the Grenadines at a lowest weekly base rate of $175,000. After that, the weekly base rate is $190,000… The 160-foot Delta motoryacht Newvida is available for Christmas or New Year’s in the Bahamas or Caribbean. The lowest weekly base rate is $190,000 for 12 guests… The 122-foot Flagship motoryacht Shogun is available this winter in Mexico. She takes eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of $69,000…

Ocean Independence announces the launch of the 91-foot motoryacht Smiling T from the Jade Yachts shipyard in Taiwan. She will be available for charter in the Mediterranean during summer 2012… The 97-foot CIM sailing yacht Taronga is available in Thailand this winter at a reduced weekly base rate of €26,850… The 138-foot Saba sailing yacht Perla Del Mar has returned to charter. She will be in the East Mediterranean for summer 2012 at a lowest weekly base rate of €60,000… The 152-foot Feadship motoryacht Jana is available in the Maldives through April. She takes 10 or 12 guests… New to the fleet is the 86-foot Sunseeker motoryacht Firecracker. The lowest weekly base rate will be €43,000 during summer 2012 in the South of France… Also new to the fleet is the 118-foot Mengi-Yay Cizgi sailing yacht Merlin, taking eight guests in the Mediterranean during summer 2012 at a lowest weekly base rate of €38,500… Also new to the fleet is the 160-foot Anastaaiades motoryacht Asteria, a 12-guest exploration design that will be available in Thailand during January 2012, Northern Australia in August 2012, and Chile and Antarctica during winter 2012-13. The lowest weekly base rate is $165,000… Also new to the fleet is the 90-foot Pershing motoryacht Peter K, taking eight guests in the West Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €45,000… The 98-foot Pendennis sailing yacht Nostromo has reduced her weekly base rate to €35,000 for summer 2012 in the East Mediterranean…

OceanStyle says the 78-foot Numarine motoryacht Bionda has an open calendar for bookings this winter in the Bahamas. The lowest weekly base rate is $29,000 for eight or nine guests…The 75-foot Viking motoryacht Ares is in a Seattle shipyard having new teak decks installed…

Peter Kehoe and Associates says the 157-foot Christensen motoryacht Top Five is available for Christmas and New Year’s in the Bahamas or Caribbean at a holiday weekly base rate of $190,000 for 12 guests… New to the fleet is the 192-foot motoryacht Islander, taking 10 to 12 guests in the Caribbean at a lowest weekly base rate of $195,000…

Regency Yacht Vacations says the 54-foot Jenneau sailing yacht Sayang is available for a Christmas charter ending on December 26 in Tortola. The inclusive weekly rates range from $10,500 to $12,500 for two to six guests… New to the fleet is the 50-foot Beneteau sailing yacht Zephyrus. She takes six guests at an introductory weekly base rate of $5,000 if you book before April 30 and charter anytime in 2012. Cruising areas will be the Florida Keys, Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands… The 65-foot sailing catamaran Legacy is available in Belize beginning December 31. She is offering eight days for the price of seven for a New Year’s charter… The 57-foot sailing catamaran Aldebaran is offering an inclusive holiday weekly rate of $21,000 for six guests in the British Virgin Islands… The 112-foot sailing yacht Takapuna is available for the holidays in the Virgin Islands at weekly base rates from $55,000 to $62,000 for two to eight guests… The 120-foot motoryacht Freedom is available for a New Year’s charter beginning December 28 in St. Thomas. The weekly inclusive rate is $70,950 for as many as nine guests…

Select Yachts has two yachts offering child-friendly charter deals. The 60-foot sailing yacht Blue Passion is allowing children 5 and younger to sail for free, while the 60-foot sailing catamaran Nexus is allowing as many as four children 10 or younger to sail for free… The 55-foot sailing catamaran Rocketeer is offering free massages and morning yoga in the Caribbean. Weekly base rates range from $9,750 to $12,000 for two to six guests… New to the fleet is the 59-foot Swan sailing yacht Adios, taking two to seven guests in the Caribbean at weekly base rates from $12,000 to $14,500…

Shannon Webster Charters tells us that a client who booked the 100-foot Hargrave motoryacht Da Bubba in the Virgin Islands has endured a medical emergency and will not be able to cruise just before Christmas. A replacement booking is being sought for the dates December 17-24…

Sunreef Yachts Charter congratulates the 62-foot Sunreef sailing catamaran In the Wind on being featured in the January/February issue of Multihull World magazine. She is available this winter in the Caribbean at a lowest weekly base rate of $24,000 for eight guests…

YPI Group welcomes the 203-foot Holland Jachtbouw sailing yacht Athos to the charter fleet. She is the world’s largest privately owned two-masted schooner and is being made available for charter in the Caribbean for the first time. The lowest weekly base rate is €180,000 for 10 guests.

New First Impression Reviews Now Live on CharterWave

360°, 155-foot ISA motoryacht
Calaf, 123-foot Heesen motoryacht

New Crew Interviews Now Live on CharterWave

Paul Edmonds, captain, 146-foot Feadship motoryacht Harle

New Broker Interviews Now Live on CharterWave

Kathleen Mullen of Regency Yacht Vacations, on the 2011 Virgin Islands charter shows
Michael Sawyer of Infinity Yacht Charters, on the 2011 Virgin Islands charter shows

New “10 Best” Lists Now Live on CharterWave

10 Best Reasons to Charter a Yacht for Christmas
10 Best Charter Yacht Hot Tubs
10 Best Charter Yachts Available for Christmas and New Year’s
10 Best Charter Yachts with Standup Paddleboards