| From the Editor: Charter Yacht Shows
During the first two weeks in November I will be walking the docks in both Tortola and St. Thomas touring close to 100 charter yachts and profiling crew to prepare for the upcoming Caribbean season. Now is a great time to get in touch and share your wish list items for that perfect vacation.
As a highlight to this year’s St. Thomas show, the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands will be in attendance addressing the group at Yacht Haven Grande. Spearheaded by local Senator Louis Hill, Governor John deJongh is attempting to get a special waiver to eliminate the US Coast Guard’s six passenger restriction on most charter yachts in U.S. Virgin Island waters. We applaud their efforts.
As always, the Tortola show has been overbooked for months and the Village Cay marina in Roadtown will be packed with new yachts and refit classics.
There is always a flurry of booking activity after the charter yacht shows so now is the best time to make plans before the premier yachts calendars fill up. For those of you who are interested in Mega Yacht Charters give us a call as well. December brings the Antigua and St. Martin shows dedicated to yachts over 100 feet.
Featured Yacht - Swish
Swish has always been a favorite yacht amongst charter experts because of her attention to detail and owner commitment. The 50 foot catamaran based in the Virgin Islands is best suited for 2-3 couples but can accommodate 7 with a fourth stateroom dedicated to one guest. Unlike many yachts where chartering is a thoughtful second consideration, Swish has been outfitted with luxury charters in mind.
The boat is perfectly maintained with consistent investment to maintain the highest standards in her class. In 2006, new appliances were added to upgrade her galley. This season the focus has been on refitting all of the yacht’s soft goods from upholstery to linens and towels. While acting as crew for several seasons, the yacht’s owners learned from the best teachers (charter guests) how to properly outfit and run the yacht. An on board water maker, ice maker, and high-speed Wi-Fi eliminate the need for unnecessary stops. A powerful 15 foot tender upgraded in ‘05 can comfortably transport 6 guests at once. She even has a 36 bottle wine cooler to keep and present your favorite vintage.
Water toys abound including the under-rated compliment of floating sun mats and two hammocks, plus the addition of an underwater scooter.
To compliment her sound system the yacht has Sirius satellite radio. Uniquely her salon table can be removed and replaced with a cushions to allow guests to lounge perfectly while taking in a DVD on her 26 inch plasma TV.
Enough about the yacht, we all know that the crew makes the charter great. Euros and Emily are a wonderful couple from the UK. They have many unique talents including dive instruction, musical talent, (Euros plays the cornet), and incredible culinary skills. What I like best is their natural ability to make you feel at ease in their presence.
Click on the link to read more about this gem of a charter yacht or call us to check availability.
Think Swish when thinking of your next Caribbean charter, her value is in the details.
For more information on Swish click here Swish
Featured Yacht - Gigi
Step into the mega yacht world aboard Gigi a 97 foot Hargrave designed specifically for charter. With four luxurious staterooms – 1 King, 1 Qeen, and two that can convert from twin beds to Queens, she can accommodate couples and families alike.
Tastefully decorated with vibrant colors and a spacious sky lounge Gigi charters in the Bahamas and Florida for the winter season and can be found in New England during the summer. Offered at $37,500 plus all expenses per week.
For more information on Gigi click here Gigi
Barometer - Abracadabra Magic on Antigua
Just up the road from Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, Antigua you’ll find Abracadabra. “Abra” as she is commonly refer to by the yachting set is a large indoor/outdoor space with a tropical garden and the largest dance floor in Antigua.
During season, this is the place to be with monthly costume parties with themes like “Pirates of the Antilles”, “Heaven and Hell,” and the “Ultimate Xmas party”. What may surprise many who have only popped in to dance after a Shirley Heights Jump Up or for a late night party during Sailing Week is that the food is terrific.
The Mediterranean Café is open for breakfast and lunch with dinner served from 7 until 11. The Roast Suckling Pig and Grilled Caribbean Lobster are my favorites. On weekends and special events the kitchen stays open past midnight for late night bites – a rarity on many Caribbean islands.
For busy times it makes sense to call ahead for a reservation. Come for dinner and beat the crowd to the dance floor.
For more information on Yacht Haven Grande click here Abracadabra
Fine Upstanding Member of the Charter Community
The Spotted Eagle Ray
Found in tropical waters in the Atlantic, Pacific and even the Red Sea the spotted eagle ray is one of our favorite creatures to encounter on a dive or snorkel. Also, known as the leopard ray, this beautiful animal grows to have a wingspan of up to 8 feet and can reach 15 feet from the tip of its nose to the end of its long tail. A dark grey or black body freckled with bluish white or sometimes green spots makes her easy to identify.
On rare occasion while on charter you can actually witness an eagle ray leap completely out of the water to avoid prey. We have had particularly good luck encountering spotted eagle ray on diamond reef in Tortola but they are not an uncommon find throughout the Caribbean.
Ask your captain or dive instructor to help you locate one of these magnificient creatures. They are usually drawn to yachts with underwater lights.
Events Calendar
A yacht charter is an amazing experience by itself that gets even better when there is a special event to tie it to. Feel free to call anytime to discuss what’s going on in and around the islands.
Ongoing – Every Full Moon Eve - Full Moon Parties at Bomba Shack in Apple Bay and Trellis Bay both on Tortola, BVI
For more information click here Lunar Calendar
December 2007
December 30-31 Foxy’s Old Years Party – Jost Van Dyke
For more information click here Foxy's Bar
March 2008
March 6-9 Heineken Regatta – St. Maarten
For more information click here Heineken Regatta
March 17-23, 2008 PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open – Rio Grande, PR
For more information click here PGA Tour
March 27-30 Bankie Banx Moonsplash Music Festival - Anguilla
For more information click here Moonsplash
March 28-30 Rolex Cup Regatta – St. Thomas, USVI
For more information click here Rolex Regatta
March TBA St. Barth’s Bucket – St. Barth’s
For more information click here Bucket
April 2008
March 31- April 6 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival – Tortola, BVI
For more information click here BVI Regatta
April 14-20 The Heritage Classic Golf Tournament – Hilton Head, SC For more information click here The Heritage
April 17-22 Antigua Classic Sailing Regatta - Antigua
For more information click here Antigua
May 2008
April 27 – May 3 Rolex Antigua Sailing Week – Antigua
For more information click here Sailing Week
May 14 - 25 Cannes film festival – Cannes, France
For more information click here Cannes
May 22 - 25 Grand Prix of Monaco – Monte Carlo, Monaco
For more information click here Grand Prix
May TBA - BVI Music Festival – Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
For more information click here BVI Music Fest
May TBA Foxy’s 34nd Annual Wooden Boat Regatta – Jost Van Dyke, BVI
For more information click here Wooden Regatta
June 2008
June 20 Newport Bermuda Race - Newport R.I.
For more information click here Newport Bermuda
July 2008
July 2-4 St. John Carnival and Fireworks – St. John, USVI
June 29 – July 6 Highland Spring Hi-Ho Windsurfing Championship – BVI This entire event is coordinated on charter yachts. Contact us at 800 556-0431 for details.
July 20-22, 2008 Newport Bucket - Newport, R.I.
For more information click here Bucket
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