Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
Beverly Parsons has been chartering since 1969. She is a licensed, bonded broker and a founding member of the professional groups AYCA and CYBA International. Contact Beverly.
Nicole Caulfield is licensed, bonded, and a longtime member of FYBA and AYCA. She brings a unique perspective as a broker, having worked aboard yachts for nearly 10 years. Email Nicole
DJ Parker has been a leader in the charter industry since 1980. She is currently president of the American Yacht Charter Association. E-mail DJ
Report from the 2012 MYBA Charter Show in Genoa, Italy
The 2012 MYBA Charter Show took place in Genoa, Italy, from April 30 through May 4. CharterWave editor Kim Kavin was on the docks at all three venues inspecting yachts, interviewing crew, and gathering market intelligence.
“This was the first charter yacht show in a number of years where I have felt cautiously optimistic about the charter industry beginning to bounce back from the global economic recession,” Kim reports. “The vast majority of charter yachts I got onboard already had several weeks of charter booked for the upcoming summer season. That is something I haven’t seen in a very long time, and it was a refreshing bit of news.”
Kim filed live reports daily from the show. Check out Day One, Day Two, Day Three, Day Four, and Day Five on the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog. You also might enjoy reviewing the week’s entries on the CharterWave Twitter feed, where Kim uploaded bits of news as she encountered them on the docks.
Stay tuned during the next few months for our exclusive reviews of exciting new charter yachts at this year’s show, including the 196-foot CRN motoryacht Darlings Danama, the 242-foot Nobiskrug motoryacht Mogambo, and the 164-foot ISA motoryacht Liberty.
LYBRA Takes Shape, Prepares to Welcome New-Member Applicants
Jonathan Beckett, CEO of Burgess (shown in the photograph at right), is the group’s inaugural president. The group’s goal is to represent the largest yacht-sales brokerage houses in the world in terms of legal issues, tax laws, and more.
While yacht charter is not being cited as a primary area of interest for LYBRA, the group is insisting that any companies applying for membership be responsible for managing at least 10 charter yachts of at least 98 feet in length during the past two years.
Other qualifications for applying to LYBRA include having listed for sale at least 10 yachts of at least 130 feet in length during the past two years; having been registered as a central agent for at least two years; and being proposed by two existing members of LYBRA.
Florida’s Broward County to Sue Luxury Yacht Group in Discrimination Case
County commissioners in Broward County, Florida, have voted to sue Luxury Yacht Group in an effort to force the company to pay about $145,000 in fines and attorneys’ fees resulting from a discrimination lawsuit.
Two years ago, the county’s Human Rights Board ruled that Luxury Yacht Group committed racial discrimination in refusing to hire a woman because of her ethnicity and weight. The woman has sued Luxury Yacht Group separately in federal court, and Luxury Yacht Group is currently appealing the Human Rights Board ruling in circuit court.
The incident occurred seven years ago. The county is now attempting to enforce its county board ruling from 2010 while the other legal actions continue through the court system.
It was the largest donation ever garnered in the history of the eco-friendly event.
“It is hoped this new record will set a benchmark for future environmental fundraising efforts,” Burgess stated in a press release. “The non-profit Oceana, which is supported by Burgess in its mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans, will receive 100 percent of the funds raised from the Hemisphere auction.”
Burgess manages Hemisphere for charter at a lowest weekly base rate of $245,000. The photograph at right shows the yacht's main salon.
Hemisphere will make her Mediterranean charter debut this summer, with itineraries available in Croatia as well as other locations.
YCO Management Team Raises $145,000 for Charity
YCO Yacht founding partners Gary Wright and Charlie Birkett, along with director of yacht management Yves Damette, recently completed a Telemark Challenge of Norway.
Their effort raised about $145,000 for the Special Boat Service Association.
The eight-night, 80-kilometer expedition follows in the footsteps of the Heroes of Telemark, who, in 1943, disrupted a nuclear-weapons support facility. The act is considered one of the most successful sabotage efforts during all of World War II, saving thousands upon thousands of lives.
The YCO team felt a personal connection to this history because the majority of security personnel aboard YCO yachts come from Special Forces backgrounds. The Telemark Challenge gave some veterans a chance to share their stories, in addition to pushing the participants to do things they had never before done.
The Special Boat Service is a Special Forces unit of the British Royal Navy. The agency was founded during World War II and today engages in operations that include counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, and disruption of enemy infrastructure.
All participants are already looking forward to their next adventure, according to YCO.
Sailing Catamaran Surprise Catches Manatees on Video
One of the best parts of any charter yacht vacation is interacting with nature. Of course this is great fun while snorkeling and scuba diving, but sometimes guests don’t even have to leave the boat to enjoy a close encounter.
The 48-foot sailing catamaran Surprise is the latest charter yacht to send video of an up-close-and-personal moment—this time with manatees. The following video was shot in the Florida Keys, according to management company Regency Yacht Vacations. How cool:
Best of the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog
Unusual Charter Opportunity in the Baltic Region. Edmiston and Company sends word of some really unusual yacht charter opportunities this summer in the Baltic region. The 168-foot Schweers motoryacht Legend has booked a charter during the London Olympics from August 1-10. Prior to that event, the owner has decided to send Legend north to the Baltic. Charter dates he is making available include the period from June 22 through July 21… Read More …
Best of the CharterWave Sponsored Blogs
Upload your yacht charter photos to win an iPad! From the Boatbookings sponsored blog on CharterWave. It’s that time of year when many of you will no doubt be getting ready for your summer yacht charter. Whether it’s on the tranquil French Riviera or the tropical Caribbean there is one universal feeling which will no doubt sum up all your summer luxury yacht charter experiences: “It just doesn’t get much better than this.” Inspired by this sentiment, Boatbookings.com is sponsoring a contest to find the best yacht charter picture which encapsulates this theme, the winner of which will win a brand new iPad 3GS… Read More…
Motoryacht of the Month: Numptia
The 229-foot motoryacht Numptia put Italy’s Rossi Navi shipyard on the map as a builder who can produce an exquisite charter platform.
Numptia boasts a main-deck jazz club complete with baby grand piano, a full deck of spa and gymnasium services for guests, and an innovative sundeck hot tub with jets both above and below the water.
"She's one of my favorite new launches in the global charter industry," says CharterWave editor Kim Kavin. "I get onboard quite a lot of yachts, and this one even made me stop in my tracks and say, 'Wow.'"
Learn more about this spectacular new charter yacht in our First Impression review of Numptia.
Sailing Yacht of the Month: Barbuda Belle
The 62-foot Lagoon sailing yacht Barbuda Belle has several prime guest staterooms with spectacular opening windows that provide outstanding views. The yacht launched just a year ago and has an experienced charter crew onboard, providing a terrific combination for charter clients.
There are a lot of 62-foot Lagoon sailing catamarans available for charter. What sets Barbuda Belle apart, her captain explains, is her speed. Usually, these yachts are outfitted with 100-horsepower auxiliary engines that allow top speeds around 8 knots. Barbuda Belle instead has a pair of 150-horsepower engines to provide a 10-knot speed if time is of the essence and the wind fails to cooperate during a charter itinerary.
Winston Joyce-Clare has been visiting Tahiti and French Polynesia for more than a decade. He’s now using all of his local connections to provide exclusive charter experiences aboard the 147-foot McMullen and Wing motoryacht Big Fish—which is in the region with availability through August.
"I spent five days aboard Big Fish in French Polynesia, and I can say unequivocally that Capt. Joyce-Clare and his team are top notch," says CharterWave editor Kim Kavin. "Great charter service and experiences always start at the top, and this particular captain runs an outstanding operation."
Learn more about Joyce-Clare and his style of “luxurious adventure” in our newly posted interview.
Chef of the Month: Sarah Ciapparelli
As chef onboard the 62-foot Sunreef sailing catamaran In the Wind, Sarah Ciapparelli uses everything she has learned growing up in her father’s Italian restaurant, cooking in Puerto Rico, and working in the galley aboard charter yachts. Our editor thought she made a delicious salmon entrée with a tangy bourbon sauce that had guests practically licking their plates.
"A lot of people think they have to charter a megayacht to get gourmet cuisine," says CharterWave editor Kim Kavin. "That is absolutely not the case, and chef Ciapparelli is living proof. Some of the best meals I've had have been aboard Sunreef charter yachts, and In the Wind fits that pattern perfectly."
Longtime charter broker Sue Flammia was recently named the U.S. charter representative for YPI Group. Our editor caught up with her on the docks in Genoa, Italy, where Flammia was inspecting yachts and interviewing crew ahead of the summer 2012 charter season.
Flammia said she had noticed a trend on the docks this year that is different from the most recent years since the global recession began.
"This year we are seeing a return to advance bookings," Flammia says. "A number of charter yachts here at the show already have several weeks' worth of charters on their calendars. That is different from recent years with the recession, and it indicates that many of the yachts may in fact book up in full. That could mean less incentive for owners to negotiate with potential clients later this summer."
37 South sends word that the 207-foot expedition motoryacht SuRi will be available this summer in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez at a lowest weekly base rate of $325,000, which includes a 10-percent upcharge for local taxes and fees…
Absolute Yachting says the 140-foot Mondomarine motoryacht Trinity II is available this summer in Greece at a lowest weekly base rate of €69,500 for 12 guests…
All4Yachting says the 50-foot Cranchi motoryacht Christina is available this summer in Greece and Turkey, with primary itineraries in the Ionian and Saronic Gulf islands…
Athens Yachts welcomes the 100-foot Baia motoryacht Mirage to the charter fleet in Greece. She takes eight to 10 guests and cruises at a top speed of a whopping 50 knots… Also new to the fleet are the 133-foot ISA Rodriguez motoryacht Alfa XII and the 130-foot Admiral motoryacht Aqua… Also new to the fleet is the 132-foot Perini Navi sailing yacht Ellen V. She takes eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €75,000… The 130-foot Westport motoryacht Endless Summer and the 120-foot Baglietto motoryacht Obsesion are being offered at a discounted weekly base rate of €77,000 for charters through June 15…
Boatbookings welcomes Mimi Andain as director of luxury charter in the Mediterranean…
Burgess Yachts welcomes Matt Emerson as Director for the Americas. Previously, Emerson was president of Camper and Nicholsons USA… Also new to the team are four new charter managers: Sonia Palfrey, Britta Ax, and Jenny Burgess, all previously of Camper and Nicholsons International; and Charmaine du Plessis, previously of Merle Wood & Associates and International Yacht Collection…
C U Yacht Charters tells us the 72-foot motoryacht Wanderbird is available this summer in New England, beginning in early June. She takes six guests at a lowest weekly base rate of $18,000… The 76-foot Ferretti motoryacht Sioux Empress is based at Albany Marina and Resort in the Bahamas, with access to all on-shore amenities for charter guests…
Camper and Nicholsons International welcomes charter broker Cristabel Nye to the team… Also new is charter yacht manager Carine Zanotti, formerly with YPI Group… New to the charter fleet is the 142-foot Eurocraft motoryacht Baron Trenck. She will take 10 guests this summer in the East and West Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €135,000…
Charterport says the 72-foot sailing yacht Pacific Wave is offering $2,000 off its regular weekly base rate for charters through June 30 in the British Virgin Islands. For two to six guests, the discounted weekly base rates are $12,500 to $14,500. Pacific Wave recently purchased two new sea kayaks for guest use… The 76-foot sailing catamaran Akasha has a new mainsail. There’s still Virgin Islands availability between May and August with a 5-percent discounted weekly base rate available…
Churchill Yacht Partners says the 121-foot Crescent motoryacht Olga is once again available for charter following a full engineroom refit. If you book before June 1 for the Bahamas this summer, the weekly base rate drops to $59,000 for eight guests with five crew… The 67-foot Discovery sailing yacht More Magic is offering a special deal during the America’s Cup trials this summer in Newport, Rhode Island. See the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog for full details…
CSO Yachts tells us the 68-foot VZ Yachts motoryacht Kama and the 101-foot Leopard motoryacht Aleon are available for the Cannes Film Festival with berths secured in Port Canto. The weekly base rate for Kama is €25,000, and for Aleon it’s €9,150 per day… The 98-foot Couach motoryacht Mayama is available in Sicily with no delivery fees beginning July 28… New to the fleet is the 86-foot Dominator motoryacht Naseem, a 2009 build taking eight guests this summer in Croatia at a lowest weekly base rate of €45,000… The 170-foot motoryacht Victory is available starting August 2 in Corsica or Malta…
Edmiston and Company welcomes the 242-foot research vessel Pegaso to the charter fleet. She will be available this summer in the Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €580,000… Also new to the fleet is the 139-foot CMN motoryacht Paramour. She is expected to complete a €4-million refit in June and will be available starting this July in the Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €135,000 for 10 guests… Also new to the fleet is the 165-foot Feadship motoryacht Déjà Vu, available in the West Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €225,000… The 139-foot Mondomarine motoryacht Kimberly II is available in Croatia after July 14. Her lowest weekly base rate is €150,000 for 12 guests… The owner of the 145-foot Intermarine motoryacht Balaju will consider any reasonable, last-minute requests for Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival charters… The 207-foot Feadship motoryacht Lady Britt is available in and around Portofino and Venice, Italy, during July and August… New to the charter team in Monaco is Eugenia Fomicheva, who has five years of experience in retail charter and management… The 127-foot Feadship motoryacht Kathleen Anne is available in Croatia through the end of July… The 235-foot Feadship motoryacht Utopia is available in Croatia with no delivery fees starting in early August… The 120-foot Couach motoryacht Sheleila is available for charter at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from November 2-4… The 111-foot Leopard motoryacht Anita has dropped her weekly base rates for the summer. See the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog for full details…
Fraser Yachts Worldwide welcomes the 183-foot Benetti motoryacht Ulysses to the charter fleet. Built in 2009, she will take 12 guests this summer in the West Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €322,000… The 115-foot Christensen motoryacht Ocean Pearl is offering nine days for the price of seven in Alaska this summer as long as you book before May 15. The weekly base rate is $75,000 for eight to 10 guests…
Infinity Yacht Charters says the 92-foot motoryacht Alaskan Story has availability June 9-17 in Alaska. The lowest weekly base rate is $22,100 for eight or nine guests in four cabins… The 115-foot expedition motoryacht Surfbird has availability May 25 through June 1 and June 19-25 in Alaska… New to the fleet is the 70-foot motoryacht Midnight Sun, taking six guests at an inclusive weekly base rate of $25,650 in Alaska…
International Yacht Collection welcomes charter broker Katya Jaimes to the Fort Lauderdale office. She is a Russian native who previously worked with Northrop and Johnson…
Luxury Charter Group tells us the 51-foot sailing catamaran Ombre Blu has limited availability remaining this summer on the Amalfi Coast as well as in Sardinia and Sicily…
Neptune Group Yachting says the 103-foot Johnson motoryacht Diamond Girl is being offered at a special weekly base rate of $42,000 through September 30 in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. The regular weekly base rate is $47,000… The 102-foot Palmer Johnson motoryacht Banyan has dropped her lowest weekly base rate 33 percent. See the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog for full details… The 75-foot Hatteras motoryacht Temptation is offering eight days for the price of seven in the Bahamas. The weekly base rate is $19,500 for six guests…
Nicholson Yachts congratulates the 73-foot sailing yacht Jambalaya on winning two prizes at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Jambalaya’s first-place nods were in the Concours d’Elegance and Traditional Class C Race… A number of charter yachts have late-season availability in the Caribbean and are considering all reasonable offers through June. They include eight monohull sailing yachts from 54 to 80 feet long, three catamarans from 46 to 62 feet long, and one 90-foot expedition motoryacht… New to the fleet is the 70-foot Hylas sailing yacht Archangel. She is a 2011 German Frers design that will take six guests this summer in New England at a lowest weekly base rate of $19,500… The 70-foot Norlin/Sweden Yachts sailing yacht Mira has completed winter maintenance and is available this summer in Turkey…
Northrop and Johnson welcomes the 188-foot Abeking & Rasmussen motoryacht Dream to the fleet. Previously known as Excellence III, Dream will take 12 guests with 13 crew this summer in the Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of €340,000…The 164-foot Feadship motoryacht Inevitable has availability this summer in Croatia at a lowest weekly base rate of $175,000… Book the 154-foot Delta motoryacht Mr. Terrible before May 15 and the lowest weekly base rate for 10 to 12 guests drops from $198,000 to $175,000 in the Bahamas… The 114-foot Hargrave motoryacht Sea Legend is currently available for charter in the Dominican Republic… The 154-foot Admiral motoryacht Ohana, the 120-foot Crescent motoryacht Impetuous, and the 160-foot Delta motoryacht Newvida are available this summer in New England… New to the retail charter team in Fort Lauderdale are brokers Scott Carlson, formerly of the motoryacht Harle, and Solenn de Braux, formerly of Fraser Yachts Worldwide and Burgess Yachts… Also new to the company is Renato Cagiati, chief financial officer. He previously was CFO of YPI Group…
Ocean Independence sends word of a massive rate reduction aboard the 230-foot Benetti motoryacht Reverie. The lowest weekly base rate has dropped from €550,000 to €350,000 for charters through June 15 in the Mediterranean… The 78-foot Nordhavn motoryacht Beyond Capricorn is available for charter in Tahiti. She takes eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of $35,000, which includes use of the brand-new standup paddleboards… The 133-foot Arsenal motoryacht Polycarpus has dropped her lowest weekly base rate from €65,000 to €55,000 for 12 guests this summer in the Mediterranean… The 146-foot Astilleros de Mallorca motoryacht Berzinc has just been repainted and completed mechanical upgrades. She will be available for charter in Croatia during May, June, August, and September… The 130-foot Mangusta motoryacht African Cat has dropped her lowest weekly base rate from €150,000 to €129,500 this summer in the Mediterranean… The 157-foot CRN motoryacht Kanaloa has dropped her weekly base rate from €130,000 to €100,000 for charters during May in the West Mediterranean… The 70-foot Leopard motoryacht Ellery will be based in Sardinia this summer… Kudos to the 141-foot Holland Jachtbouw sailing yacht This Is Us, which finished first overall in the 2012 St. Barth’s Bucket regatta… New to the charter fleet is the 120-foot Palmer Johnson motoryacht Natalia, with a lowest weekly base rate of €88,000 this summer in the Mediterranean… Also new to the fleet is the 86-foot Dalla Pieta motoryacht Melange, taking as many as nine guests this summer in Croatia at a lowest weekly base rate of €32,000… Also new to the fleet is the 203-foot Amels motoryacht Sarah, taking 12 guests in nine staterooms at a lowest weekly base rate of €325,000… Also new to the fleet is the 85-foot Ferretti motoryacht Malvasia, taking 10 guests in the Balearic Isles at a lowest weekly base rate of €49,000…
Oceanstyle sends word that the 78-foot Alfamarine motoryacht Von Filth is available in Corsica and Sardinia this June… The 100-foot Falcon motoryacht Powdermonkey is giving 20-percent off the regular weekly base rate of €45,000 for charters booked by the end of May in the South of France… New to the fleet is the 70-foot Sunseeker motoryacht Seferino, which will be based in Bodrum, Turkey, this summer. She takes eight or nine guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €24,500…
Peter Kehoe and Associates says the 92-foot Cheoy Lee motoryacht Yoly has availability this summer in the Bahamas. She takes eight guests at a lowest weekly base rate of $26,000, which includes use of a 24-foot towed tender… The 80-foot Hatteras motoryacht Sea Vista has availability this summer in Florida and the Bahamas. The weekly base rate is $18,000 for six to eight guests… New to the charter fleet is the 65-foot Viking motoryacht Deep Promocean, taking six guests in the Bahamas at a lowest weekly base rate of $19,500…
Regency Yacht Vacations tells us that the 44-foot sailing catamaran Catalyst has just one more week of availability for 2012 in the Virgin Islands. It’s July 8-15… The 59-foot Beneteau sailing yacht Blue Passion (new to the fleet) is giving nine days for the price of seven, or 10-percent off any seven-day charter, as long as your cruising dates are before September 30 in the British Virgin Islands… Also new to the fleet is the 58-foot Ballotta sailing catamaran Ocean Jedi, taking six guests in three king-bed staterooms at a lowest weekly base rate of $18,000 in the Virgin Islands… The 46-foot Jeanneau sailing yacht Fidelity is offering discounted rates for charters during the 2012-13 winter charter season in the Virgin Islands for any bookings confirmed before November 1…
Sunreef Yachts Charter welcomes the 100-foot sailing catamaran Allures to the charter fleet. The 2006 build will be available in the West Mediterranean this summer at a lowest weekly base rate of €55,000 for eight guests… The 70-foot Sunreef sailing catamaran Seazen II has a new crew. Husband-and-wife team Capt. Richard Smit and chef Adele Smit are natives of South Africa who have won awards at the charter yacht shows in the British Virgin Islands in years past…
Sunseeker Charters has added three new motoryachts to the fleet. They are the 108-foot La Gioconda in the South of France, the 92-foot Jax of Ibiza in the Balearic Isles, and the 52-foot Love in Helsinki, Finland…
Yachtstore has had a client cancel a charter aboard the classic 104-foot Feadship motoryacht Heavenly Daze. All offers are now being considered to re-book the yacht from September 17-24 in the Bay of Naples, Italy….
Yachtzoo welcomes the 134-foot CBI Navi motoryacht Sophie Blue to the charter fleet. The 1998 build was refit in 2007. She will have a lowest weekly base rate of €75,000 in the Mediterranean this summer…
YPI Group welcomes the 91-foot Sunseeker motoryacht Phantom to the charter fleet. The 2012 build is available at a lowest weekly base rate of €52,000.
New First Impression Reviews Now Live on CharterWave
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
Beverly Parsons has been chartering since 1969. She is a licensed, bonded broker and a founding member of the professional groups AYCA and CYBA International. Contact Beverly.
Nicole Caulfield is licensed, bonded, and a longtime member of FYBA and AYCA. She brings a unique perspective as a broker, having worked aboard yachts for nearly 10 years. Email Nicole
Report from the 2012 MYBA Charter Show in Genoa, Italy
LYBRA Takes Shape, Prepares to Welcome New-Member Applicants
Florida’s Broward County to Sue Luxury Yacht Group in Discrimination Case
Charter aboard Hemisphere Raises $150,000 for Charity
YCO Management Team Raises $145,000 for Charity
Best of the CharterWave Daily Editor’s Blog
Best of the CharterWave Sponsored Blogs
Motoryacht of the Month: Numptia
Sailing Yacht of the Month: Barbuda Belle
Captain of the Month: Winston Joyce-Clare
Chef of the Month: Sarah Ciapparelli
Broker of the Month: Sue Flammia
Regency Yacht Vacations