Circumnavigate Brief

circumnavigate Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

Luxury Explorer yacht Big Fish by Aquos Yachts wins 2 more prestigious yachting awards

November 03, 2011

The 45.00m (147′ 7″) luxury explorer yacht BIG FISH has taken home two more top design honors during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2011, moving her into the rare field of history-making yachts. Superyacht Big Fish now has a trophy case with five coveted yacht awards, an unprecedented achievement as the first launch from her builder, Aquos Yachts.

BIG FISH - Main

BIG FISH - Main

BIG FISH - Jacuzzi
BIG FISH - Jacuzzi
BIG FISH - Main Salon
BIG FISH - Main Salon
BIG FISH - Top Deck
BIG FISH - Top Deck

The first new honor bestowed on the charter yacht Big Fish was a Neptune Award for Best Naval Architecture of all 2010-launched motor yachts. The award was presented Tuesday evening, Oct. 25th at the ShowBoats International Design Awards ceremony, held at the glamorous Mar A Lago resort in Palm Beach. The ShowBoats Design Awards is the longest-running awards program in the luxury yacht industry. These awards are judged by a select panel of industry experts and yacht owners based on a list of nominees presented to the judges by the editors of ShowBoats International.

The second award given to the Big Fish yacht was top honors for the Best Full Displacement motor yacht in the 40 to 60 meter size range, at the SuperYacht Awards. Presented at the annual International Superyacht Society gala Oct. 28th at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, the SuperYacht Awards are selected by a panel of industry experts, and then are voted on by the entire membership of the Society.

In both prizes, the charter yacht Big Fish beat out a large number of other worthy contenders launched last year at many of the industry’s premier yacht builders.

In addition to the ShowBoats International and the International Superyacht Society awards, Big Fish has been honored by Boat International with a Judge’s Commendation at their World Superyacht Awards, and by both Yachts International France and by Asia Pacific Yachting magazines as The Most Innovative Yacht launched in the past year.

“We are thrilled by the reception and recognition of Big Fish by the yachting industry,” said Richard Beattie, owner of Big Fish, and chairman of Aquos Yachts, which commissioned the yacht’s construction at McMullen & Wing Shipyard in Auckland, New Zealand. “These honors, voted on by the leading lights of the super yacht industry, underscore the success of the Aquos Yachts vision, to produce rugged, seaworthy yachts that also offer the very highest standards of contemporary design and technological innovation, while at the same time providing the extraordinary comfort, service, safety and security that today’s yacht owners demand from their boats.”

Beattie added, “These awards truly reflect the efforts and talents of the entire Aquos Yachts team. It’s one thing to say you’re going to design and build a world-class luxury expedition yacht, and it’s another thing entirely to deliver on that claim. These awards prove not only that we captured the imagination of the industry with the vision behind Big Fish, but we delivered on that vision by successfully completing the longest, most difficult shakedown cruise in the history of luxury yachting.”

Only 15 months after her launch, motor yacht Big Fish is now on her second trans-Atlantic crossing and nearing 45,000nm on her own bottom. On her maiden voyage she crossed the Pacific Ocean, transited the Panama Canal twice, chartered in Antarctica, and cruised extensively in Tahiti, the Galapagos, the Amazon, northern Sweden and Norway, and the Caribbean. In the process she has booked more than $2.5M in charter income in addition to entertaining Beattie and his guests for another 7 weeks.

Jim Gilbert, Aquos Yachts’ marketing consultant and former editor-in-chief of ShowBoats International, said Big Fish has played a key role in the current economic revival of the yachting industry. “We first began promoting Big Fish and Aquos Yachts at the very bottom of the recession,” Gilbert said. “The fact that Richard Beattie was willing to invest in developing an important emerging market niche – yachts aimed at a younger, less traditional, and tech-savvy generation of owners – helped stimulate the market and spur interest in new ways to enjoy the ocean.

“As a lifelong student of yachting, I have never witnessed a more ambitious and successful inaugural cruise than that of Big Fish. She was a household name before she launched, and now with her extraordinary media coverage and design honors she has become one of the true legends of yachting.”

Yacht Big Fish is in the Canary Islands on her way to the Antigua Charter Show. She has already booked several weeks of charter for the Caribbean holiday season. In the New Year she will return via the Panama Canal to the South Pacific, where she will spend the winter charter season.

By the time motor Yacht BIG FISH reaches the Canal (for her third transit!) she will have completed more than 45,000nm of cruising on her own bottom, having touched six continents in the process!

Meanwhile, construction on Aquos Hull #2, yacht StarFish, continues to proceed on schedule for a service launch in one year’s time, and delivery in early 2013. Please be on the lookout early next week for a full set of renderings and animation sequence of StarFish.

Luxury yachting awards presented to the charter expedition yacht Big Fish.

Yachts France – Most Innovative Motor Yacht of 2010
Asia Boating Awards – Most Innovative Yacht Design of 2010
World Superyacht Awards – Best Displacement Motor Yacht Under 500grt, Judges’ Special Commendation
ShowBoats International Design Awards – Best Naval Architecture of 2010
International SuperYacht Society – Best Motor Yacht of 2010 (40-65M)

Motor Yacht BIG FISH

Mcmullen & Wing, Gregory C Marshall Naval Architects, Greg Marshall Design
Year:2010   L.O.A.:45.00m (147' 7")  Beam:9.00m (29' 6") 
Max Speed:16 knots  Cruise Speed:10 knots  Engines:Caterpillar 3508B DI-TA 1 
Cabins:5  Charter Guest:10  Crew:10 
More: Motor Yacht BIG FISH

There are more details about Motor Yacht BIG FISH here.

Luxury charter yacht BIG FISH in London

September 09, 2011

The expedition (explorer) superyacht BIG FISH, the 45m (147′ 7″) yacht designed by Greg Marshall Design and launched by McMullen & Wing New Zealand in 2010 has recently visited London en route to the Monaco Yacht Show 2011. Motor Yacht BIG FISH is seen here cruising the Thames River, passing under the raised Tower Bridge.

Powerfully styled, expedition Motor Yacht BIG FISH is a fantastic example of modern blue water stable, functional and comfortable exploration superyacht design and build. She is available for select charters in the South Pacific, Tahiti, Antarctica, Northern Europe and elsewhere

BIG FISH - Main

BIG FISH - Main

BIG FISH - Jacuzzi
BIG FISH - Jacuzzi
BIG FISH - Main Salon
BIG FISH - Main Salon
BIG FISH - Top Deck
BIG FISH - Top Deck

Motor Yacht BIG FISH

Mcmullen & Wing, Gregory C Marshall Naval Architects, Greg Marshall Design
Year:2010   L.O.A.:45.00m (147' 7")  Beam:9.00m (29' 6") 
Max Speed:16 knots  Cruise Speed:10 knots  Engines:Caterpillar 3508B DI-TA 1 
Cabins:5  Charter Guest:10  Crew:10 
More: Motor Yacht BIG FISH

There are more details about Motor Yacht BIG FISH here.

43m Sailing Yacht CLEAR EYES by Pax Navi to Circumnavigate Globe

September 07, 2011

Sailing yacht CLEAR EYES is a 43.13m (141′ 6″) ketch rigged sailing yacht built by Pax Navi in 2010. The sailing yacht Clear Eyes is a modern Gullet style of superyacht featuring interior design by Erkan Ozhan and Erkin Yagci. The yacht Clear Eyes is about to embark on an extraordinary 19-month voyage around the world and is available throughout her cruise for luxury yacht charters. She will start the winter season in the Caribbean before heading west.

43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES by Pax Navi to circumnavigate globe - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES by Pax Navi to circumnavigate globe - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

The 43m Pax Navi sailing yacht Clear Eyes is able to accommodate up to 10 guests in an owner’s stateroom and four large guest staterooms. The yacht features a convertible configuration in which the two guest staterooms in the centre of the yacht are separated by a sliding panel wall that enables cabins to be two separate cabins or one large master stateroom with a private lounge and bedroom, as well as two en-suite bathrooms. This configuration works especially well if there are two families or two couples chartering the yacht who would both like to enjoy a large master suite.

Exterior of 43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

Exterior of 43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

Sailing yacht CLEAR EYES Salon - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

Sailing yacht CLEAR EYES Salon - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES Master Cabin - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES Master Cabin - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

The Ketch Clear Eyes has a 9.0 m / 29.5 ft beam and is very spacious both inside and out with a huge volume. There are brilliant deck areas for al fresco dining, relaxing and sunbathing as well as larger interior spaces for entertaining, socialising and relaxing.

43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES by Pax Navi to circumnavigate globe - Photo Credit Clear Eyes (7)

43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES by Pax Navi to circumnavigate globe - Photo Credit Clear Eyes (7)

The yacht Clear Eyes is available for luxury yacht charters at the rate of 65,000 EUR – 75,000 EUR p/w MYBA in the summer season and 95,000 USD p/w MYBA during the winter season in the Caribbean.

Ketch Clear Eyes will circumnavigate the globe under sail and those lucky enough to join her will experience the fine art of living and fully indulge with great food and company while doing some fine sailing across the Oceans most splendid destinations.

Sailing yacht CLEAR EYES to circumnavigate globe - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

Sailing yacht CLEAR EYES to circumnavigate globe - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

Starting and ending in Bodrum, Turkey, this 19-month voyage will take the yacht to the Canary Islands, Curacao, Aruba, Caribbean, San Blas, Panama, Galapagos, Gambier, Tahiti, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, Darwin, Bali, Mauritius, South Africa, St. Helena, Ascension Island, Cabo Verde and Malta. See beautiful islands, experience vibrant local culture and interact with people from around the world in their own environment.

The Gulet type vessels have been used for carrying cargo of all kinds for centuries and have long proven to be seaworthy. Originating from the Galleon the spacious quarters have survived, and can now very easily compete in Regattas owing to much improved underwater lines and a modern sailing rig. Sailing yacht Clear Eyes is built to the highest standards, classed by the American Bureau of Shipping and flies the well-respected Flag of Malta.

43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES by Pax Navi to set sail on a round the world voyage - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

43m sailing yacht CLEAR EYES by Pax Navi to set sail on a round the world voyage - Photo Credit Clear Eyes

Technical Details of Sailing yacht CLEAR EYES built by Pax Navi

Name of the Yacht: Clear Eyes
Yacht Type: Ketch Rigged Sailing Yacht
Flag: Malta
Hull Material: 1
Length Overall: 43.1 m / 141.4 ft
Beam: 9.0 m / 29.5 ft
Draft: 3.8 m / 12.5 ft
Displacement: 280
Engines: 2 x 670 hp CAT C18
Speed at Maximum Power: 13.5 kt
Speed at operation: 10.5 kt
Range: 3,000 nm @ 10.5 kt
Total Sail Area: 780 m2 / 8,395 ft2
Guest Cabins: 5
Guest Number: 10 / 12
Crew Cabins: 4
Delivery: 18.08.2010
Naval Architect: Erkin Yağcı
Interior Architect: Erkan Özhan
Engineering: Pax Navi Team
CAD: Pax Navi Team

Honda RIB to circumnavigate Australia for prostate cancer awareness campaign

July 19, 2011

The Honda-powered rigid inflatable boat (RIB) measuring 8.6m will be home for two brothers as they spend 10 weeks going ‘over the top’ to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer by circumnavigating the Australian Coast.

Honda RIB to circumnavigate Australia for prostate cancer awareness campaign at Sea Trials - Credit Honda Over The Top Expedition

Honda RIB to circumnavigate Australia for prostate cancer awareness campaign at Sea Trials - Credit Honda Over The Top Expedition

After extensive sea trialling off the West Australian coast, the custom 8.6m Gemini Pro RIB has been refined to a point where both men are confident they will succeed in their Australian-first attempt to travel more than 9500km around Australia’s Coastline in a ‘rubber ducky’.

Honda Over The Top Expedition leader Peter Jenkins said he was looking forward to the event launch in just under two weeks’ time.

“The boat has really been put through its paces in wild seas out to Rottnest Island, calm conditions on the Swan River and everything in between,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Although the boat proved itself to handle rough conditions with ease, maintaining a speed of 23kt in some very poor weather, we’ve had a taste of just how exhausting the expedition will be… it certainly won’t be a holiday!

“All onboard systems are working perfectly and the boat is propped to deliver maximum performance and efficiency.

“With the twin Honda BF225 engines linked in to the Furuno electronics we’re able to accurately monitor our fuel consumption, which is less than two litres per nautical mile at speeds in excess of 23kt… very impressive.”

Map of Australia detailing the 9500km coastline the Honda Over The Top campaign will circumnavigate in Honda RIB

Map of Australia detailing the 9500km coastline the Honda Over The Top campaign will circumnavigate in Honda RIB

Leaving from the Sydney International Boat Show on 1 August and finishing nearly two months later in Perth, the Honda Over The Top Expedition has a number of planned stopovers at locations along the east coast and right across the top.

The Expedition aims to raise $200,000 for Cancer Council Australia for research into effective prostate cancer detection and treatment.

Keep an eye out for news of fundraising events in your local area, or donate online at www.overthetop.com.au

GOST Nav-Tracker GPS Tracking System For Family Yacht Circumnavigation

June 14, 2011

To Track Progress of Unique Circumnavigation – Mobile CEO, Family To Embark on Three-Year Voyage Aboard Lagoon 500…

The three-year circumnavigation of the Leonard family – Scott, Mandi, Griffin, Jake and Luke -aboard their Lagoon 500 catamaran Three Little Birds will be tracked by a GOST Nav-Tracker GPS Tracking System.

The three-year circumnavigation of the Leonard family - Scott, Mandi, Griffin, Jake and Luke on Catamaran Three Little Birds

The three-year circumnavigation of the Leonard family - Scott, Mandi, Griffin, Jake and Luke on Catamaran Three Little Birds

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (USA) – The Nav-Tracker GPS tracking system from boat security systems supplier Global Ocean Security Technologies (GOST – formerly Paradox Marine) will be used to monitor the progress of Three Little Birds, a Lagoon 500 catamaran, on a unique three-year circumnavigation.

Boat captain Scott Leonard and his family (wife Mandi, sons Griffin, Jake and Luke) will set sail in July and throughout the voyage, Scott plans to become “The Mobile CEO” – running his multi-million dollar financial services firm while sailing around the world on his 50 foot yacht.

“With so many people interested in following the progress of our trip, having GOST’s Nav-Tracker GPS tracking system on our boat is critical to providing up to date, fully automated location information. Add to that the peace of mind provided with the geofence when we have to leave the boat in remote locations to return home for work,” said Scott Leonard.

The GOST Nav-Tracker GPS Tracking System

The GOST Nav-Tracker GPS Tracking System

GOST Nav-Tracker can be used to track a vessel (or an entire fleet) from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. A boat’s precise voyage and exact location can be viewed on Google Earth and as new reports come in from the Nav-Tracker, they are automatically updated to the site.

GPS NAV TRACKER

GPS NAV TRACKER

“With Nav-Tracker installed aboard Three Little Birds, we have an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the unique vessel tracking and monitoring capabilities of our system around the world,” said GOST President Jay Keenan.

When a Nav-Tracker transmitter is mounted on a vessel vessel and armed, a wireless ‘geo-fence’ with a 500-meter radius is created. If a boat is moved outside of this fence, Nav-Tracker uses Inmarsat based GPS satellite technology to monitor a boat’s location and notify up to ten people by email and/or text message every 2 minutes with the exact latitude/longitude, speed and heading of the vessel.

TÛRANOR PlanetSolar in Brisbane Australia

May 30, 2011

Official ceremony for the PlanetSolar Relay for Hope – Australian young people launch project in Brisbane Australia – Largest solar boat in the world crosses the Pacific – antipodal line and equator crossed: important criteria for circumnavigating the world With their visit to the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar, today, Monday, 175 young people aged between 6 and 25 are launching the «PlanetSolar Relay For Hope», a relay from one landing stage to the next, in which resident young people present their visions and hopes for a solar energy driven world through essays, videos, music, drawing and models. The PlanetSolar Project round-the-world expedition aims to sensitise future decision-makers to the use of sustained energy sources and seeks direct contact to schools, families and students. Discussions with the crew and visits to the ship allow the young people to experience the unusual adventure of the biggest solar boat in the world at first hand and to directly participate in the project with their visions of a solar world.

Planet Solar in Brisbane

Planet Solar in Brisbane

In an official ceremony students from Brisbane schools will join the captain and crew to hand out their banners. The Solar Relay for Hope will continue on from Brisbane around the world, with the TÛRANOR’s global expedition providing the chance for collecting children’s thoughts on solar at each stopover as a symbolic act to capture the vision of the next generation. Young people all over the world can join the project via internet.

Brisbane has been selected to officially launch the Solar Relay for Hope because of the massive natural disasters at the beginning of 2011. On the conclusion of the voyage, all works that were created and provided to the Solar Relay for Hope will be given to politicians and representatives from the United Nations to signify the children of the world’s vision for a solar planet.

“With our expedition around the world, we want to demonstrate that the change for renewable energies is already taking place,” Cordula Ströher, initiator of the PlanetSolar Relay for Hope, explains. “We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and passion the youth of Brisbane has displayed in sharing our vision for a solar world.”

“It is initiatives like the PlanetSolar Relay for Hope that ensure the next generation grow up environmentally conscious and understand the importance of striving for a solar world”, says Raphaël Domjan, project founder of PlanetSolar.
Despite the most challenging of weather conditions up to now, the MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar continues on its round-the-world expedition and, with Brisbane, has now reached the Austrian continent.

The last part of the Pacific crossing was marked by high sea swell, squalls and extremely difficult conditions, which the biggest boat in the world passed with flying colours, however.

The TÛRANOR PlanetSolar has made its goal the circumnavigation of the world while meeting the most stringent criteria – the so-called English conditions. To this end, the following criteria need to be met: starting point and destination of the expedition are identical, all lines of longitude will be crossed, the equator will be crossed twice and the antipodal line will be negotiated. The antipodal line circumscribes the exact point on the opposite half of the earth and is determined by continuing the line starting at the starting point through the geocentre to the other side of the globe. On its journey from New Caledonia to Australia the MS TÛRANOR has already twice met the required criteria, by passing the antipodal point
and crossing the equator.

In addition, the solar boat has already achieved two records: the fastest Atlantic crossing in a solar boat and the longest stretch ever travelled in a solar-driven vehicle.

On 27 September 2010, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar set out from Monaca to circumnavigate the world using the power of the sun alone. The mission of the biggest solar boat in the world, which also sails under the Swiss flag, is to show that technologies in the renewable energy sector are already very reliable today and can be used very effectively for solar mobility at sea. The PlanetSolar Project was founded by the Swiss Raphaël Domjan and is based in Yverdon-les-Bains (Canton of Waadt). Today, it has already rendered technological progress possible, in the manufacture of composite materials and the storage of solar energy, for instance.

Planet Solar Brisbane Australia

Planet Solar Brisbane Australia

PlanetSolar falls back on technical data from Metéo France for circumnavigating the world. In addition, a special routing technology has been developed for the project. For its 31-metre length and 15-metre width, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar has a 537m2 solar generator. The latter uses photovoltaic cells manufactured the Californian company SunPower, which – in contrast to conventional photovoltaic cells – are approx. 50 percent more efficient. Within the scope of sponsoring agreements, the Swiss watch company Candino as well as the energy management company Immosolar are the main partners of PlanetSolar. The project is also supported by many other companies and institutions.

Expedition Motor Yacht Big Fish to attend Monaco Yacht Show 2011

May 05, 2011

Luxury expedition yacht Big Fish has logged more than 28,000nm since her launch last July, including visits to Tahiti, the Galapagos, the Antarctic and Amazon. Her next stops include Sweden, Baltic, London, St. Petersburg, the Arctic Circle. The superyacht BIG FISH will also visit the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show this September cancelling her plans to navigate the Northeast Passage

Expedition Motor Yacht Big Fish to attend Monaco Yacht Show 2011

Expedition Motor Yacht Big Fish to attend Monaco Yacht Show 2011

By the time motor yacht Big Fish picks up her first summer charter this June in Sweden, she will have logged more than 35,000nm, the equivalent of 1.5 times the distance around the world at the Equator. All this in 10 months since her delivery last July in Auckland, New Zealand.

The yacht is currently in Miami enjoying her first haul-out and bottom painting since leaving Auckland. On May 2 she will depart Jones Boat Yard on the Miami River and move to Fort Lauderdale for refit and warranty work. M/Y Big Fish will be open for viewing by press and brokers May 21-23 at the Sails Marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Motor Yacht Big Fish cancels plans to Navigate the Northeast Passage

Motor Yacht Big Fish cancels plans to Navigate the Northeast Passage

“It’s just amazing,” says the yacht’s skipper, Capt. Winston Joyce Clarke. “Except for a minor nick in a propeller, which we probably got from a submerged log in the mouth of the Amazon, the bottom of Big Fish is in perfect condition. This, despite being in the ice for four weeks and logging more than 28,000 nautical miles!”

With more than 100 days of use between charters and owner visits, Big Fish yacht was ready for some regular refit and maintenance work. “We are really pleased with the performance of the boat,” he said. “Not once since we took delivery have we missed a charter or owner date, or been delayed in any way by mechanical problems.”

In addition to its stellar mechanical performance, Capt. Clarke said the boat proved its fuel-efficiency, as well. On its run north to S. Florida from its last stop in Barbados, Capt. Clarke said the boat sipped fuel at the rate of 35 gallons an hour running 9.5 knots in typical beam trade-winds.

Big Fish’s charter listing agent, Allan Jouning of 37 South in Auckland, NZ, said he is very pleased with the overwhelming success achieved by the boat in the charter market. “From the start we anticipated there would be a strong demand, despite the weak existing charter market, for a boat that could offer both true luxury AND adventure cruising in remote destinations. Not only have we exceeded our optimistic annual projections in just her first nine months, but every single one of our past guests is requesting new dates for the coming year. I know of no yacht – and certainly no brand-new yacht – that has booked more weeks or grossed more revenue in the past several years.”

One significant departure from her previous cruising plans is the decision to forego attempting the first yacht crossing of the NorthEast Passage this coming August and September. The decision was not taken lightly, according to Richard Beattie, the yacht’s owner and chairman of its builder, Aquos Yachts. It was made, he said, strictly for strategic and commercial reasons.

Expedition Motor Yacht Big Fish

The most important factor in the decision, Beattie said, was the conflict between attempting the historic passage and attending the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show. “We simply couldn’t do both,” he said, and in the end we had to bow to the commercial imperative of giving potential Aquos Yachts clients in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and elsewhere the opportunity to visit BIG FISH. “During the Fort Lauderdale show we had more than 1,500 visitors aboard Big Fish,” Beattie said. “It was an overwhelming success and helped put the boat, and Aquos Yachts, on the map. But half the yacht market has yet to experience what we are trying to achieve with our next-generation yachting concept and in the end we owed it to ourselves to take advantage of showcasing our ‘go-anywhere in barefoot luxury’ philosophy to those who have not experienced it first-hand.”

Superyacht Big Fish will, however, voyage into the Arctic Circle later this summer – likely taking the rarely-traversed Canal north from St. Petersburg through the beluga whale-filled White Sea – to complete in spirit, at least, the intentions of the original itinerary.

Personal Statement from Richard Beattie:

We did not take the decision to forego the Northeast Passage lightly. It was made after much discussion among the Aquos Yachts team, which now includes YCO, our new central listing agent for Big Fish. Ironically, what finally made me comfortable with this decision was the realization that we have completely proven what we initially set out to do nine months ago, when we left Auckland Harbor for Big Fish’s first stop in Tahiti. We have drawn major accolades from the world yachting press, drawn rave reviews from more than 1500 visitors aboard the boat during the Fort Lauderdale boat show, cruised to some of the most remote areas in the world, including a month in Antarctica, and cruised more than the entire circumference of the planet at its widest point, the Equator, without a single delaying system failure. As Big Fish’s owner — which makes me her harshest critic as well as her most ardent supporter – I can honestly say she has nothing left to prove. I have spent almost two months aboard since she was launched and I can unabashedly testify to her comfort, seaworthiness, mechanical integrity, luxuriousness and her capacity to offer to me the kind of yachting experiences I had always dreamed of having and sharing with my family and friends.

But as a successful businessman I realize that the only way to any commercial success is developing the market for my products and services. Had we taken the Northeast Passage, for which we were on the verge of receiving full permitting (at considerable expense), we would have ended up halfway around the world from a major portion of the yachting market who had never stepped aboard Big Fish.

With another Aquos Yacht (50M, six-stateroom Star Fish) less than 18 months from delivery, our team – with my full support – came to the proper strategic conclusion that the best interest of Big Fish and Aquos Yachts, could only be served by bringing the yacht to Monaco this coming September. Along with the rest of my team, I am deeply and personally disappointed at missing the opportunity to do what no luxury yacht has ever done before. For those of you who have supported our program and encouraged our attempt to make yachting history, my team and I offer you our deepest apologies for this change of direction, and our sincere hopes that you can appreciate the importance of the rationale behind our ultimate decision.

Sailing yacht Brindabella to circumnavigate Australia

April 12, 2011

Whitsunday blue water sailor Ian Thomson set a lonely record when he sailed alone around Australia last year. His challenge under the Save Our Seas banner gained international media recognition during and after the marathon voyage. He will be chasing further fame next month as an important crew member when Australia’s most famous offshore racing maxi yacht Brindabella now owned by Jim Cooney sets a course to circum-navigate Australia in under 37 days.

Sailing yacht Brindabella - Photo Credit Mainsheet Media

Sailing yacht Brindabella - Photo Credit Mainsheet Media

Sailing yacht Brindabella designed by Scott Jutson and launched in 1993 for original owner George Snow is a super fast conventional deep keel yacht and only needs similar wind conditions which Ian Thomson experienced during his successful solo voyage in 2010 to eclipse the present record of 37 days 1 Hour 23 minutes 7 seconds set by David Pescud’s Sailors with Disabilities crew in 2003.

The super sloop named after the Brindabella Range near Canberra has broken and still holds the records in the Audi Sydney to Gold Coast, Sydney to Noumea and Sydney to Mooloolaba races.

Original owner George Snow navigator Lindsay May and Geoff Cropley along with a crew of high profile blue water racing yachtsmen also have the distinction of averaging 14.03 knots the fastest ever recorded for a conventional ballast yacht in the 65 year history of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.

Owner Jim Cooney will be challenging previously uncharted waters when he and Ian Thomson set sail in the 2011 Qantas-Link Brisbane to Gladstone race on Good Friday April 22.

S/Y Brindabella, while setting line honours records in other Australian blue water classics will line up against dual line honours winner the Peter Harburg owned and Mark Bradford skippered Black Jack and Bruce Absolon’s Hamilton Island Yacht Club sloop Spirit of the Maid and the 2010 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week ‘Gun Boat’ in a big boat shoot out for the line honours trophy.

Size and sail power suggests the Peter Millard skippered Lahana which broke the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel race record in 2010 heads the pre-race favouritism along with smaller maxi-chaser Black Jack while Brindabella, Spirit of The Maid and the Marcus Blackmore skippered Hooligan have the speed potential, crew endurance and skill to set the pace at the head of the fleet.

This annual coastal classic will serve as a full scale evaluation trial for the 17 member crew Brindabella crew before they set sail from Sydney in May for the anticlockwise passage around Australia’s coast in the bid to add another record entry in the log book.

It will be a physically demanding challenge for owner Jim Cooney, Ian Thomson and the Brindabella crew but at least they have the proven yacht and if any yacht can do it then Brindabella can.

Motor yacht Egret becomes seventh Nordhavn to circumnavigate globe

February 14, 2011

A 2001 Nordhavn 46 called Egret last week became the seventh Nordhavn to circumnavigate the globe, and the first small production power boat to pass below the five Great Southern Ocean Capes.

Motor yacht Egret becomes seventh Nordhavn to circumnavigate globe

Motor yacht Egret becomes seventh Nordhavn to circumnavigate globe

Owned and operated by Scott and Mary Flanders, yacht Egret arrived at the Canary Islands late in the evening on Thursday, February 10, 2011 – four years and five months after departing Gran Canaria bound for great adventure. And what an adventure it has been. To say that the Flanders did and saw things that one only dreams of – or is hardly even capable of dreaming of – is an understatement. During their time away, the couple doubled around Cape Horn, wintered in the canals of Chile, explored Easter Island, took part in a rescue mission while staying in the remote island of Tonga, experienced the Outback, visited South Africa and now they’re back in the Mediterranean and already thinking about their next few years of cruising.

Of course, Europe isn’t where their great voyage started. The couple, who hail from Fort Lauderdale, took delivery of their N46 a decade ago as newbies to the whole long range cruising lifestyle. They went up the US East coast to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. and back down again before taking part in the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally in 2004. The route from Fort Lauderdale to the Med by way of Bermuda and the Azores was the perfect course for the eager adventurers. Cruising in company with PAE staffers and other Nordhavns gave them the confidence to conquer the world.

Though few people have ever circumnavigated – let alone in a production power boat (To our knowledge, Egret marks the 10th production power boat to accomplish the task; seven of the 10 being Nordhavns.) – the significance of a circumnavigation is not what excites Scott Flanders most. “Years from now when we look back at our boating years, Egret’s circumnavigation will be a small part. No doubt a special part, but just a part.

“Our proudest achievement was passing below the five Great Southern Ocean Capes, the first for a small power boat.”

The five Great Southern Ocean Capes consist of the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn, the South East Cape of Tasmania and South West Cape at the southern tip of Stewart Island/Rakiura. A circumnavigation via the great capes is considered to be a noteworthy achievement.

In fact, the circumnavigation actually was unplanned as of a couple of weeks ago. After leaving South Africa, Egret was on a course west for South America, the Panama Canal and Fort Lauderdale. But a change of heart toward enduring several long passages required in the previously plotted out course to South Florida, and eventually, Scandinavia, prompted the couple to alter course and head north for the Med.

It was 1,596 days between departing and returning to Gran Canaria. Since taking delivery of the boat 10 years ago, the Flanders have amassed nearly 10,000 engine hours.

When the crew pulled into the harbor at the Reception Dock in Las Palmas last Thursday evening, Scott reported, “there was no wind and no motion for the first time since Richards Bay, South Africa. The reception dock stretches away from the fuel dock so we took the liberty to tie in exactly the same place as we did before leaving in September, 2006.” The photo above shows Egret nearly four-and-a-half years ago, nearly identical to how she appears today.

Thousands have followed the Flanders on their adventures these past four-plus years via their very popular blog “The Voyage of Egret” hosted on the Nordhavn website. At the heart of the blog is a usually bi-weekly log report, but it also features photos of the couples’ travels and a forum section where readers can ask questions of the Flanders. It averages about 4,500 hits per week.

Scott and Mary Flanders will be celebrated at a Nordhavn owners gathering taking place at our display (Ramp 17, Slip 314) at the MaimiYacht and Brokerage Show, Friday, February 18 from 5:30-7:30 pm. We invite all editors to join us. Scott and Mary will be on hand to answer questions to anyone wishing to attend.

TÛRANOR PLANETSOLAR IS THE FIRST SOLAR BOAT TO PASS THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL

January 15, 2011

To the Pacific with the power of the sun – MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar first solar boat to pass
through the Panama Canal – Onward journey to the Galapagos Islands planned MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar is the first solar boat to have passed through the Panama Canal on its circumnavigation of the world. The solar catamaran docked in the harbour of Panama City yesterday in the afternoon, having passed through the over 80 km long waterway which links the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean.

TÛRANOR PLANETSOLAR

After its Christmas break the world’s largest solar boat left Carthagena in Colombia last Saturday and set course for the town of Colon, the “gateway” to the Panama Canal on the Atlantic side.
“At this point we were travelling in convoy with a lot of other ships and had to maintain quite a fast speed,” is how Captain Patrick Marchesseau describes the journey through the busy waterway. “But with batteries fully charged, the TÛRANOR was able to fulfill this task easily.”

The arrival in Panama City marks the beginning of the next major stage on the round-the-world voyage by the world’s first solar boat: the crossing of the Pacific Ocean. A next stopover is planned on the Galapagos Islands, famous for their unique natural fauna. The environmentally-friendly solar boat is expected to arrive there on Monday, 24th January 2011. The founder of the project, Raphaël Domjan, explains: “We are looking forward to our visit because the animals are particularly trusting when they encounter our solar-powered boat.”

The high-technology experiment completed first stage of its voyage across the Atlantic, with stopovers in Las Palmas, St. Martin, Miami, Cancún and Carthagena, to the complete satisfaction of the project team. An update about the revised route will be made available by the end of next week.

A technological feat of German-Swiss cooperation, the catamaran, measuring close to 102 feet in length and 50 feet in width, is on a pioneering circumnavigation around the globe entirely without the use of traditional fuels. It is powered exclusively by solar energy. The project PlanetSolar, based on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland and initiated by the Swiss Raphaël Domjan, seeks to test the boundaries of solar technologies and inspire people across the world with its ambitious voyage, attempting the first circumnavigation of the seas exclusively with solar power. Sailing under Swiss flag, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar is literally carrying the message of the potential of solar energy around the world.

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