Yachting Associations Luxury Yacht & Superyacht News

2012 RORC Caribbean 600 yacht race with start on 20th February

January 27, 2012

With less than one month to go, to the fourth edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s 2012 programme starts with a sensational cast in Antigua. The RORC Caribbean 600 is a truly international affair, with well over 500 competitors from at least 24 different nations taking part. More than 30 beautiful yachts are expected to participate in a high-speed, action-packed yacht race around 11 Caribbean islands.

Setting off from Antigua in the 2011 RORC Caribbean 600 Credit Tim WrightPhotoaction.com

Setting off from Antigua in the 2011 RORC Caribbean 600 Credit: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

There can be few sporting events that can boast such a worldwide appeal with sailors taking part from all over the world including: Antigua, Australia, Austria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Croatia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey and the United States of America.

This astounding diversity of nationalities is matched only by the astonishingarray of yachts and personalities. The largest yacht competing this year is the magnificent sailing yacht Hetairos with a waterline length of 200′. Hetairos superyacht is the world’s largest carbon composite sailing yacht. The 29 crew on board is composed of many Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup and Jules Verne around the world veterans. The luxury yacht Hetairos is among the favourites to take line honours, but there are several other yachts more than capable of finishing in front.

67m Sailing yacht Hetairos - Credit Baltic Yachts

67m Sailing yacht Hetairos - Credit Baltic Yachts

In 2011 American George David skippered Rambler 100 yacht to smash the monohull course record, taking line honours and overall victory. David’s team is back, this time with the Reichel Pugh 90, Rambler yacht and they are unlikely to give up the title without a fight. The Spanish Volvo 70, Gran Jotti will be dwarfed by the super yacht Hetairos, but the former Telefonica Black has a venomous turn of speed and is quite capable of out pacing the entire fleet. On board there is a huge wealth of talent in the form of Spanish America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race sailors. These three are likely to be contenders for line honours, but overall victory under IRC is far more difficult to predict. A hot contender is Niklas Zennstrom’s Judel/Vrolijk 72 Rán yacht, which will be making its debut in the RORC Caribbean 600.

Rán navigator, Steve Hayles is one of the world’s most experienced offshore sailors but this will be the first time he has tackled the intricate course around the central Caribbean, “For me it’s very refreshing to tackle a new race and the Caribbean 600 is a real fascination,” explained Hayles. “It’s unlike any other offshore race in that the average leg is only about 40 miles and for a navigator there is a lot to consider. Normally, a race is all about the weather and strategy but in addition to all that, this race takes you back to the basic problem of navigating around so many rocks and islands. Looking through all the legs, there is a broad mixture of sailing angles; there is a fair bit of reaching, but it is wrong to think that is not a challenge, especially with the speed sensitivity of modern high-performance boats. The course is more like a whole stream of complex coastal races. I have to say that it is a pretty unique race.”

Niklas Zennstrom's JudelVrolijk 72 Rán Credit Jody Sallons DayAntigua Sailing Week

Niklas Zennstrom's JudelVrolijk 72 yacht Rán Credit: Jody Sallons Day/Antigua Sailing Week

A dazzling variety of yachts crewed by some of the world’s finest will be racing this year. However, not all of the competitors are seasoned professionals. One of the smallest yachts competing this year is J/39 Sleeper, which will be raced two-handed by a father and son team. Jonty Layfield and son Jack are both RORC members and hale from Brighton, UK.

Last year with a full crew, Jonty’s won class at Antigua Sailing Week, “Sailing Two-Handed with my son, I don’t expect to be very competitive, we are not going to go flat out but treat the race more like a delivery trip,” admitted Jonty. “I have raced double-handed with my son back in England and I have been sailing with Jack since he was about five years old, we are more like friends than father and son. The great thing about sailing is that you have to get on with it; you can’t have any histrionics. Jack is working in Brazil at the moment and the RORC Caribbean 600 is a great way to spend a few days together.”

Close duels are expected right through the fleet, none more so than in the Class 40s where a hard fought and close encounter is expected. Tradewind sailing provides perfect conditions for Class 40s, with long reaches and downwind legs, these pocket rockets are capable of surfing at speeds of up to 25 knots. Peter Harding’s 40 Degrees yacht has Hannah Jenner as skipper, the only female to skipper the Clipper Round the World Race.

Hannah Jenner on Peter Harding's 40 Degrees in the 2011 Transat Jacque Vabre Credit Alexis Courcoux

Hannah Jenner on Peter Harding's 40 Degrees yacht in the 2011 Transat Jacque Vabre Credit: Alexis Courcoux

Hannah was in fine form last year, gaining a podium position in the Class 40 Transat Jacques Vabre, “Antigua is a beautiful place to start the season with some winter sunshine and I have heard that Antigua Yacht Club provides a great party!” smiled Hannah. ” The race course has plenty of activity with sail changes and the competition should be really close. Making the right tactical decisions will also be very important if we are to be the fastest Class 40 around the track. I am really looking forward to the race.”

RORC Chief Executive Eddie Warden Owen believes that the RORC Caribbean 600 is especially attractive to larger yachts, however the ethos of the club maintains equal status to every participant.  “A wide spectrum of yachts and competitors has decided that this is an event that is not to be missed. The club is delighted that people from all over the world want to take part. There is a mixture of world class sailors and corinthian enthusiasts, but they all have one thing in common, a passion for offshore racing.”

“This average length of yacht for this year’s entry is over 70′. When the Royal Ocean Racing Club started this race in 2009, we felt it would appeal to larger yachts and that has proved to be the case. This year we have a significant number of Racing Maxis, Super Yachts and Spirit of Tradition yachts. However, every yacht competing in the RORC Caribbean 600 is governed by the same set of rules. All of the competitors receive a warm welcome from the Antigua Yacht Club, regardless of their finish time or place. Since 1925, The Royal Ocean Racing Club has promoted offshore racing for all and in many ways the RORC Caribbean 600 typifies that cause.”

2012 Marina Conference to be sponsored once again by Walcon

January 27, 2012

Walcon Marine will once again be sponsoring the 2012 Marina Conference organised by the British Marine Federation. The annual event is a possibility for delegates from companies working in the construction, management and operation of marinas from all over the country and overseas to meet for two days and update and share their knowledge via a series of seminars, workshops and networking events. Non-members are also very welcome. In 2011 the event was visited by 135 delegates from seven countries including the Netherlands, Germany and Portugal.

Walcon Marine - the leading designer, manufacturer and installer of marinas and harbour facilities

Walcon Marine - the leading designer, manufacturer and installer of marinas and harbour facilities

This year the topics being covered will include branding, customer retention strategies, legislative updates and business improvements, and there will be a boat tour of Chichester Harbour and its various marinas. The after dinner speaker will be the inspirational Olly Rofix, who last year sailed single-handed around Britain with the objective of recruiting 40 donors to aid leukaemia sufferers, of which he was one himself.

“We look forward to welcoming friends old and new to the 2012 Walcon-sponsored Marina Conference,” said Clive Kemp, Walcon Marine‘s Commercial Director. “This annual gathering is the leading event in the marina industry’s calendar and packs a lot into two days. It presents a great opportunity for the delegates to be updated on the latest changes and developments in our industry, and the dinner is always enjoyed by all.”

The conference will be held from the 25th to 26th April at Hayling Island, near Portsmouth.

76th Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race

January 25, 2012

Six records were broken and six skippers won their weight in Extra Old Mount Gay Rum when the Barbados Cruising Club successfully presented the 2012 Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race on Saturday 21st January 2012. Ideal conditions out on the water saw the round Barbados records tumble.

The Reichel Pugh Maxi 78’ Idea Yacht Credit Bim Media Group - Bim.bb

The Reichel Pugh Maxi 78’ Idea Yacht - Credit: Bim Media Group - Bim.bb.

The race attracted 28 entries from around the world with one yacht arriving just the day before the event having sailed from Italy directly to Barbados. That effort was rewarded as the crew collected their skipper’s weight in Mount Gay Rum.

The Reichel Pugh Maxi 78’ Idea yacht is skippered by Tony McBride, who attended last year’s event and had vowed to return with something bigger to break the Absolute Monohull Record and he easily achieved that goal, breaking the previous record, held by Ron Joyce and Destination Fox Harb’r by 17 minutes, in a time of 5 hours 3 minutes 34 seconds.

Sailing yacht Idea - Credit Bim Media Group - Bim.bb.

Sailing yacht Idea - Credit: Bim Media Group - Bim.bb.

Silver Bullet, Roberts 30’ yacht Supercat, skippered by Barbados Cruising Club member Bryn Palmer, took 16 minutes off the existing Absolute Multihull Record in a time of 4 hours 24 minutes 27 seconds.

Rappajam with captain Ralph “Brugga” Johnson established a new class record for yachts 60 foot and under, while sister yacht Bruggadung, captained by Paul Johnson set a new class record for yachts under 35 foot.

New records were also set in both the single handed and double handed classes with Immigrant, skippered by David Staples and crewed by Dr John Duckhouse setting a new record for a double handed yacht. Five yachts started the race double handed, and all beat the previous double handed record.

Roberts 30’ yacht Supercat - Credit Bim Media Group - Bim.bb.

Roberts 30’ yacht Supercat - Credit: Bim Media Group - Bim.bb.

Two double handers, Matador and Deliverance were ‘live aboard’ yachts recently arrived in Barbados after their Atlantic Crossing. Captain Peter Hoad also established a new record for a single-handed yacht on his J24, Jabulani in a time of 9 hours 49 minutes 58 seconds.

Trading Brigantine Tres Hombres was the last yacht to finish, safely returning a group of children from the Barbados “Kids At Sea” youth sailing programme back to Carlisle Bay shortly before 10 pm at night.

This was the first year that use was made of the inner basin of the Careenage as a place to moor the yachts and also it was a first for the setting up of a yacht regatta village.

The yacht regatta village is a new concept to Barbados and sets up well for the world class event which Barbados will be hosting in December when yachts will arrive for the finish of the Classic Transat 2012.

Sailing yacht Supercat - Credit Bim Media Group - Bim.bb.

Sailing yacht Supercat - Credit: Bim Media Group - Bim.bb.

This event has so far attracted 33 entries and with seven months to go before the start, the organizers expect a further 12 yachts bringing the total to 45.

The Barbados Cruising Club wishes to thank the event sponsors, Mount Gay Rum, The Barbados Tourism Authority, LIMEtv, The Loomba Foundation, The Beach House, Miele, Indigo Island, Port Louis Marina and Diamonds International.

The Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race will return on January 21st 2013.

175th Anniversary Yacht Racing Festival hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club

January 25, 2012

A part of this Summer’s line-up of 175th Anniversary events being hosted and run by the Royal Southern Yacht Club is the Club’s 175th Anniversary Open Regatta, supported by Mount Gay Rum, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Gaastra and Swarovski Optik.

175th Anniversary Yacht Racing Festival hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club

175th Anniversary Yacht Racing Festival hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club

This 16-day racing festival commences with registration on Friday, May 25th, the Titanic themed Crew Ball on Saturday, 26th  and, with an occasional reserve day built in, works its way through to the overall prizegiving on Sunday, June 10th.

The Royal Southern 175th Anniversary Regatta, incorporating both its regular May and June Summer Series Regattas, comprises 16 days of activity ashore and afloat, encompassing all classes of day boats, keelboats and ocean racing boats that regularly support the Club and even introduces some spectator-friendly model boat racing.

This Regatta is also the ideal platform for the Club to showcase its expertise in running major sailing events. Beneteau, Contessa, Farr, Impala, J-Boats, Laser SB3s, Sigmas, Quarter Tonners, Mini Tonners, Six Metres, Sportsboats, Foxers, XODs, IRC classes, Club classes and more  are all embraced in the amazing racing schedule.

To date the Royal Southern is anticipating that 33 classes and over 500 sailors will participate in what will be the largest gathering of competitive yacht racing ever run under its burgee.

50th Cowes-Deauville Race

The 175 Anniversary Regatta programme also includes the 50th running of the Cowes-Deauville Race, June 1st-2nd, organised in conjunction with the Royal London Yacht Club, Deauville Yacht Club, the Junior Offshore Group and, for the first time, the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

With VIP guests and sailors from both sides of the Channel participating and with some J80 in-shore team racing also taking place in the Solent and in the Baie de Seine, the 50th Cowes-Deauville promises to deliver a vintage year in both quantity and quality of competing yachts.

Red Caps at the Southern

The Royal Southern is delighted to announce that Mount Gay Rum, ‘the rum that invented rum’, has awarded the 175 Anniversary Regatta Red Cap status and will be supporting various events during this Anniversary year as a Corporate Partner.  The Anniversary Regatta will be rounded off in style with a fabulous Mount Gay Rum Red Cap Party on Saturday, 9th June. Mount Gay Rum will also host pre-event cocktail receptions for the 50th Cowes-Deauville Race and the Biscay 2012 Offshore Race in September, supplying Mount Gay Rum Eclipse and Mount Gay Rum Extra Old to wet the palate.

Alvin Saal, Brand Manager for Mount Gay Rum, is delighted with the brand’s association with the Royal Southern’s 175th Anniversary in 2012, commenting: “We are very happy to be involved in the Royal Southern’s Anniversary events and to enjoy such a great opportunity to extend our international yachting events support and celebrate with the UK sailing community in this way.”

Mount Gay Rum joins the Royal Southern’s growing family of 175th Anniversary corporate partners including Piper-Heidsieck champagne, Gaastra yachting wear, and Swarovski Optik.

4th La Belle Classe Business Symposium

January 23, 2012

Over 50 professionals from across the luxury yachting supply chain (owners, shipyards, brokers, designers, captains, yacht finance specialists, maritime experts and lawyers) were present at the dinner-debate on the economic situation in the yachting industry taking place at the Yacht Club de Monaco, which was chaired by YCM Secretary General Bernard d’Alessandri.

Yacht Club de Monaco

Yacht Club de Monaco

Sponsored by Only Yacht, the fourth edition of this symposium attracted key figures in Monaco, notably H.E. Marco Piccinini, Minister of Finance and the Economy, Paul Masseron, Minister of the Interior, Jean-François Robillon, President of the Conseil National, Jean-Louis Bissuel, Maritime Affaires Director, Jean-François Tourret, Director of the Port of Saint-Tropez, as well as GianBattista Borea d’Olmo and Daniel Realini, respectively Managing Director and Operations Director of Monaco’s harbour authority (SEPM – Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco).

After short speeches by David Legrand of Fraser Yachts and Olivier Blanchet from BNP Paribas, who outlined the current situation and gave their macro-economic vision for the sector, delegates exchanged opinions throughout the dinner in an open and constructive manner.

Following an inconsistent year in 2011, where the market seemed to pick up before faltering again, reflecting the impact of instability in the global economy, all the professionals attending confirmed a lack of visibility for 2012.

Showing a certain degree of pragmatism, all agreed the current crisis was an opportunity for consolidation (one estimates 50% over-capacity). The sector must continue to restructure and raise its game by offering a fully integrated approach from shipyard to end user.

The brokers are one example, Laurent Perignon, Chief Operating Officer at Camper & Nicholsons Int. observes the significant dichotomy between larger companies running businesses under heavy charges and overheads and the independents. If the crisis continues, we may witness a double phenomenon of concentration on one side and fragmentation on the other.

Change is required in the face of new international maritime regulations and taxes, not to mention the competition emerging from China (the Ferretti Group buyout) and even from Turkey. According to Olivier Blanchet, this sector is at a crossroads with those of goods, hotels and properties in the luxury industry, yachting needs to study those business models and do more to exploit them.

Internationally renowned shipyards well placed
High profile shipyards with a strong international reputation and which are building the big yachts (over 70m) appear to be weathering the crisis better.

All the banks present admitted that they rely on the brand and reputation of the yard, as well as their client’s ability to pay and the rarity value – degree of customization, designer’s hallmarks and a shipyard’s reputation being important factors in the resale value.

“Europe, which boasts real expertise, is still leader of the customized sector with a recovery noted in the US market for +70m ”, observed yacht designer Espen Oeino. Burger Boat on the other hand reports a drop in demand for the under 40m units. In this sector, shipyards specializing in restoration and maintenance are the most optimistic, as for example ITM which claims to have already achieved its targets for the first quarter of 2012.

It’s not by chance that Pendennis is consolidating its position in its core refit business, and hopes to benefit from this year’s London Olympics to reinforce their image as an English shipyard.

Prices falling in second-hand market
Brokers report that prices have fallen by 30 to 40% compared to 2008 (before the crisis). 2011 was marked by a sharp drop in assets on the European market, while the US experienced a significant recovery.

Focus on emerging markets
According to maritime lawyer Tony Allen, of London based legal firm Hill Dickinson, the Russians are back in the market in a big way but this time the clients are younger. “The real change in this sector is in the profile of the
“third generation” of Russian owners, they are much younger with a drop in the average age of 10 to 12 years. They are looking more for new designs and a modern approach, rather than the traditional maritime culture” he says.

Words supported by the Maritime Expert Eric Ogden who explained that the challenge lies firmly in the hands of innovating designers such as Espen Oeino and Martin Francis, both of whom spoke at this dinner-debate, to keep reinvigorating this specialist and rarefied segment of the market.

Many are setting their sights on China with good reason. “Ninety percent of wealthy Chinese clients don’t need financing. However given the lack of a yachting culture, it’s all about branding. A yacht is a sign of social success”, observes Amy Milner from Kingship China.

Bertrand Vogèle from YPI agreed, “Branding is important in Asia, Lürssen and Azimut’s success bear witness to that. We are also working on a project for an 85m with Oceanco”. However, others, more skeptical, believe the Chinese
market is not yet mature enough or indeed ready, preferring to opt for South America, notably Brazil a destination where the clientele is more turned to the sea and sun.

And finally, all the professionals agreed that, “buying a yacht is above all a purchase made from the heart, an investment in the pleasure of being the owner of a boat”. which puts owners at the very heart of the business, and centre of attention. This is why the label “La Belle Classe” was created, to accompany them every step of the way in what for some is a whole new experience.

It is also an opportunity to remember that the yachting industry, which employs over 3,000 crew members in the Provence Côte d’Azur region, has a significant impact on the area’s economy, particularly the Principality which hosts many of the key players in the sector, positioning Monaco as the Capital of Yachting.

Melbourne Summer Boat Show 2012: Visitors given chance to win two catamaran yacht Seawind 1160 holidays

January 19, 2012

The well-known Melbourne Summer Boat Show, held in February 3–5, 2012 at the Docklands seems to be a massive family event with some very special new exhibitors and features now confirmed.

Melbourne Summer Boat Show

Melbourne Summer Boat Show

This year, the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) along with Australia‘s largest manufacturer of cruising catamarans – Seawind – are very pleased to present a special talk by the Margetts family whose intrepid adventure around Australia on the sailing yacht Seawind has been making waves since her departure last May. The Margetts family including mum, dad, their two children, family dog and a few select crew, departed Brisbane for the trip of a lifetime, and have been circumnavigating Australia onboard their ex charter cruising catamaran yacht Seawind 1160. They will be sailing through Melbourne in February 2012 after having sailed around the Top End of Australia and more recently, crossing the Great Australian Bite in the Southern Ocean.

Luxury catamaran yacht Seawind 1160

Luxury catamaran yacht Seawind 1160

The Margett’s first presentation will be at the Melbourne Summer Boat Show on Saturday, 4th February as part of the many family festivities on offer.

To celebrate the launch of the 100th Seawind 1160 yacht – the vessel the Margetts have been using for the entirety of their trip – Seawind have teamed up with Whitsunday Escape and Multihull Central to give away two holidays in the Whitsundays as the “Ultimate Test Sail” with the first prize winner being announced at the Melbourne Summer Boat Show on Sunday, 5th February. The prize includes a spot as a crew member onboard a Seawind 1160 at the legendary Seawind Whitsunday Rally in June 2012 for an entire week of sailing.

Sailing yacht Seawind 1160 - Saloon

Sailing yacht Seawind 1160 - Saloon

The prize also includes:
•Accommodation in one of two queen sized cabins onboard Whitsunday Escape’s Seawind 1160 “Lady L” (suitable for a single or couple) during the Seawind Whitsunday Rally (16-23 June, 2012).
•FREE regatta entry fees including up to six social races around the Whitsundays stopping at a new island each night.
•VIP Entry to up to five parties and functions at different locations around the Whitsundays.
•Coaching by Multihull Central expert skipper – so one can be on the helm and become a better cat sailor!

Cardiff to host UK Extreme Sailing Series™

January 18, 2012

The UK round of the award-winning Extreme Sailing Series™, now in its sixth year, will be hosted by Cardiff, the capital of Wales in August 24-27, 2012. In a three-year deal, Cardiff won the bid to host the UK event of this global sailing circuit that is only one of four events with ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Special Event status, positioning the city alongside the other seven premium international sporting venues hosting an Extreme Sailing Series Act in 2012. The host venue agreement with Cardiff City is backed by a Welsh Government grant for 2012-2014.

Extreme Sailing Series 2011

Extreme Sailing Series 2011

The Extreme 40 catamaran yachts, raced by many of the world’s best sailors, will race on Cardiff Bay over four days with the event open to the public between the 25-27 August as the Extreme 40 fleet race in the circuit’s action packed ‘stadium’ format.

Executive chairman of the organising company behind the series, Mark Turner of OC ThirdPole, said: “The circuit continues to represent perfectly the developments in the world at large, with its balance of east and west, different cultures and languages and variety of conditions.”

“Year on year the commercial value to the host cities of securing this event for the host venues has steadily increased, and this is reflected in 2012 developments. A pro-active and innovative host venue is critical to the success of the event, and we are very excited in this respect by the partnership with Cardiff and the Welsh Government.”

Cardiff Council’s Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure Cllr, Nigel Howells commented: “It’s great news that Cardiff has secured the Extreme Sailing series for the next three years, as a council we will do all that we can to support the event.

“Cardiff has proved time and time again that it can play host to a variety of world class sporting events. From top class football and rugby to newer events like Extreme Sailing. Since the opening of Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) in 2010 more and more watersport events are coming to Cardiff, which is helping to attract a new audience to Cardiff and Wales.”

The 2012 Extreme Sailing Series will be staged at 8 different international venues across three continents, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators.  Alongside other significant media exposure, once again a dedicated TV series will be produced and broadcast on up to 40 channels around the world, including CNBC, Bloomberg, Channel 4 (UK), Sky (UK), Al Jazeera, Fox (Latin America, Australia Middle East), ESPN, Sport+ (France), RAI (Italy).

As entering the final countdown to the first Act in Oman, the 2012 team line-up will be revealed this coming weekend at the Dusseldorf Boat Show.

2012 Calendar & Host Venues:
Act 1 : Muscat, Oman 28th February-2nd March
Act 2 : Qingdao, China 17th-20th April
Act 3 : Istanbul, Turkey 7th-10th June
Act 4 : Porto, Portugal 5th-8th July
Act 5:  Cardiff, UK 24th-27th August
Act 6 : Trapani, Italy 13th-16th September
Act 7 : Nice, France 18th-21st October
Act 8 : Brazil 29th November-2nd December

Due to official Chinese naval activities in the port of Qingdao, Act 2 will now be staged between 17th-20th April instead of the 19th-22nd April.

Wight Vodka RS Elite Nationals at Royal Yacht Squadron

January 18, 2012

It is not only 12 Metres, 8 Metres and Super Yachts that have attractive events planned at the Royal Yacht Squadron in this British Olympic Year. The RS Elite National Championships will round up this year’s prominent RYS summer programme when the Class descends on the home of yachting, from 30th August to 2nd September, to race for their major annual title.

Wight Vodka

If a championship hosted in the hallowed Yacht Squadron Castle with the fleet berthed on its very own doorstep were not enough to whet the appetite, then headline sponsorship from premium brand Wight Vodka certainly completes the sensory picture. One-design RS Elites always deliver adrenalin-pumping races at their championships, so add to that the picture of Wight Vodka cocktails on the pristine RYS lawn before the big Class Dinner in the Castle and one has an idea of what this yacht regatta is all about!

No wonder, then, that a record RS Elite fleet looks certain to take to the Solent for this championship, including a strong contingent from Ireland who have already committed to the trip, guaranteeing some of the strongest contenders for the title as well as a lively atmosphere ashore.

Top Elite sailors, including defending 2011 champions the Brown family and 2010 victor Crauford McKeon, will also be out to lift the trophy. As the RYS Yachting Secretary Chris Mason (himself no stranger to top level sailboat racing) says, “The Royal Yacht Squadron is delighted to be hosting the Wight Vodka RS Elite National Championships. The regatta will come at the end of a very busy season for us, and will be a fitting finish to what is going to be a spectacular year at the RYS and in the UK. The Solent will provide varied and exciting racing; throw in tide, weather and a large fleet of competitive one design boats, and whoever comes out on top will be a worthy National Champion. With strong fleets of RS Elites on the South Coast we hope that this regatta on the Isle of Wight will spark a continued development of the Cowes fleet. Personally, I’m really looking forward to watching high class fleet racing from the Royal Yacht Squadron“.

RS is thought to be the world’s fastest growing sailboat brand and the 24’ RS Elite keelboat is the flagship of the company’s range, with fleets in Belfast, Edinburgh, Lymington, Burnham, Hayling Island and even a holiday charter fleet at Nonsuch Bay, Antigua (stand by for news of the first Elite Class regatta there in early 2013!).

The RS Elite Class Association is delighted to have secured sponsorship from the increasingly popular Wight Vodka brand during these tough economic times. Its Island ethos, prominent nautical slogan (“Tack and Gybe Responsibly”), admirable bottle design, and premium quality perfectly complement what is bound to be an exhilarating four days of close quarter RS Elite racing off the impressive Royal Yacht Squadron battlements.

Ritu Manocha, joint owner of 50 Degrees North yacht (so named after the Isle of Wight latitude, and the company behind Wight Vodka), is understandably enthusiastic about their commitment to British sailing and island life.

“I’m very proud to be working so closely with RS Sailing and the Royal Yacht Squadron to support the RS Elite Nationals. Being an Olympic year, Wight Vodka is involved in many great events, but we’re certainly looking forward to the end of August and to participating in a fantastic four days of highly competitive RS racing coupled with many fabulous social events!“

51m Feadship Super Yacht Double Haven´s CAT Tender Visits Sipadan Island

January 13, 2012

History was made in Sabah, Borneo as the 51m Feadship motor yacht Double Haven´s CAT tender entered the protected island of Sipadan. The historic visit was announced by the general manager of Asia Pacific Superyachts Borneo, Alvin Teh, who organised the trip after obtaining permission from the local authorities for the Double Haven superyacht’s custom build CAT tender to go into Sipadan Island. It was the first time any foreign flag vessel owner was given special diving permits for dive activities in the history of Sabah, Malaysia.

Sipadan Island in the beautiful yacht charter location - Malaysia

Sipadan Island in the beautiful yacht charter location - Malaysia

The internationally famous island of Sipadan lies five degrees north of the equator in the Sulawesi Sea (Celebes Sea). Lying 35km south of Semporna on Sabah’s mainland, it is thickly forested and surrounded by sandy beaches, formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano rising 600m from the seabed.  Sipadan Island was established as a bird sanctuary in 1933 and in 2004, the Government of Malaysia decreed all onsite dive resort operators move their operations out by 31 December 2004. The number of divers allowed to dive has also been limited in an effort to preserve the island’s pristine state and the luxury yacht Double Haven was the first foreign country flagged vessel to have their tender enter with a special diving permit.

Turtle Diving in the Sipadan Island

Turtle Diving in the Sipadan Island

The island is in the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world and within this richest of ecosystems in the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, are 3000+ species of fish and hundreds of species of coral. Green and hawksbill turtles are abundant, gathering to mate and nest. Sipadan is well known for its unusually large numbers of green and hawksbill turtles gathering to mate and nest. It’s possible for a diver to see more than 20 turtles on each dive and also view a unique discovery, a ‘Turtle Tomb’, an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain skeletal remains of turtles – turtles that became disoriented and drowned.

Motor Yacht Double Haven - Image credit to Feadship

Motor Yacht Double Haven - Image credit to Feadship

Schooling barracuda and big-eye trevally often gather in the thousands, forming spectacular formations. Other possible sightings are pelagic species such as mantas, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks.  Garden eels, leaf scorpion fish, mantis shrimps, fire gobies, and various pipefish are amongst the diversity and abundance of marine life that can be found, all earning Sipidan Island its reputation of being ‘one of the ten best dive locations in the world’.

The Inaugural Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show, June 7-10, 2012

January 13, 2012

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced today the launch of the Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show – the Midwest’s largest boating and sales event – held in June 7-12, 2012 at the new 31st Street Harbor, Chicago’s newest state-of-the-art marina opening in May.

The Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show - Bird´s View

The Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show - Bird´s View

“As the first major event held at 31st Street Harbor, we’re thrilled to provide Chicagoans and visitors an opportunity to discover boating along Chicago’s magnificent lakefront,” said Ben Wold, executive vice president for NMMA. “With 1,000 slips and top-notch amenities, the city’s latest premier marine facility is an ideal in-water boat show venue with ample room to grow into a favorite annual tradition for boaters and a summer sales haven for the region’s dealers and manufacturers.”

The 2012 Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show will feature dozens of dealers and manufacturers showcasing approximately 150 power and sailboats for sale, more than 100 accessory, technology and travel booths, and entertaining and educational in-water and on-land attractions, including complimentary boating courses at a Discover Boating Demo Dock.

NMMA also produces the Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show and the Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Chicago. With the addition of the Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show, NMMA owns and produces a total of 18 consumer boat and sportshows throughout the U.S.

Chicago’s newest state-of-the-art marina open in May, 2011

The 31st Street Harbor - Chicago’s newest state-of-the-art marina

Boating is Big Business in Chicago

Chicago is a hub for the recreational boating industry, providing easy access to waterways and inland lakes throughout the Midwest. More than 5,000 boats dock annually in nine marinas across the city’s lakefront. With the addition of the 31st Street Harbor, Chicago boaters will find an additional 1,000 slips, making it easier to access Lake Michigan from downtown. The Chicago Harbors generate more than $30 million in annual revenue for the Chicago Park District and provide hundreds of jobs for local residents in hospitality, marina maintenance, boating instruction, boat repair, and more.

The annual tradition of boat and sportshows in Chicago generates significant local and state revenue, as hundreds of dealers and manufacturers throughout the Midwest come to town and sell thousands of new boats and marine accessories. Companies that exhibit at boat shows typically generate between 35-50 percent of their annual sales at the events. There were an estimated $245 million in new boat and accessory sales in the State of Illinois in 2010 and 374,000 registered boats as of 2009. Recreational boating has an estimated $1.54 billion annual economic impact in Illinois, employing nearly 10,000 Americans at approximately 705 boating businesses across the State.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 46 47   Older Yacht News »