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New York Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

PlanetSolar at Dennis Conner’s North Cove in NYC

June 18, 2013

Today, June 18, 2013, saw the world’s largest solar boat, Planet Solar, make its first visit to New York City, being hosted by Dennis Conner’s North Cove. PlanetSolar is expected to stay until Wednesday, and then continue on its journey around the North Atlantic.

PlanetSolar at Dennis Conner's North Cove in NYC

PlanetSolar at Dennis Conner's North Cove in NYC

PlanetSolar looks like a space age prop from a Star Wars movie. She was the first vessel to circumnavigate the earth using only solar power. Planet Solar has been turning heads and generating interest every where she has traveled.

The world's largest solar boat - Planet Solar

The world's largest solar boat - Planet Solar

It was a full house at North Cove and Planet Solar gingerly squeezed into slips N1 & N2. On this journey, Planet Solar is studying the Gulf Stream. From Manhattan, she will follow the stream back across the Atlantic Ocean.

Arrival of PlanetSolar in the New York City

June 18, 2013

The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the world’s largest solar boat, continues her U.S. tour, and arrived in the New York City yesterday, on June 17, 2013. As part of the “PlanetSolar DeepWater” scientific expedition performed by the University of Geneva, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, being transformed into a scientific platform, is allowing a team of researchers to take advantage of her exclusive features, in order to conduct a campaign of physical as well as biological measurements along the Gulf Stream.

PlanetSolar in New York

PlanetSolar in New York

The navigation between the states of Florida and New York constitutes the initial phase of this unprecedented data collection on the Gulf Stream, an important regulator of European and North American climates. With the support of the Swiss Consulate General in New York, the solar vessel and her crew, consisting of both sailors and scientists, moored in the North Cove Marina in southern Manhattan around 12.00 noon (local time).

After being forced to remain in Miami for a few days to avoid “Andrea”, the first tropical storm of the season in the Atlantic, the solar catamaran left the coast of Florida on June 8 to begin the scientific expedition studying the Gulf Stream. “Now we are in the thick of the scientific expedition. We have been travelling along the Gulf Stream since we left Miami, so we were already able to take the first measurements. A strong and favorable current enabled us to sail at over 8 knots at times!” explains Gérard d’Aboville, captain of the boat. However, another disturbance forced the ship to move away from the current during the second part of the trip. “A violent depression passed through the northeastern United States. We had to find shelter in Chesapeake Bay to let it pass. To avoid losing time, we traveled up the bay and passed through a canal into Delaware,” said the captain.

The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar has therefore launched the practical stage of her second life, and her arrival in the New York metropolis marks the passage of the first phase of this novel research campaign on one of the most important regulators of European and North American climates. Shortly after the ship’s arrival, Ambassador François Barras, Swiss Consul General in New York, enthusiastically declared, “Switzerland is proud to welcome PlanetSolar to New York. She is a great platform for promoting the spirit of Swiss innovation. The University of Geneva’s DeepWater scientific expedition demonstrates the high quality of research in Switzerland, and the boat raises public awareness about the use of renewable energies. All in all, PlanetSolar is an ideal ambassador!”

Aboard PlanetSolar reaching New York

Aboard PlanetSolar reaching New York

Headed by Professor Beniston, climatologist and director of the Institute of Environmental Sciences at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the onboard research team began taking measurements with advanced instruments in order to study the key parameters of climate regulation, namely aerosols and phytoplankton. This unique campaign requires researchers to “navigate along the Gulf Stream and collect scientific data in the water and in the air in order to improve our understanding of the complex interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, as well as the role these interactions play in climate change,” says Professor Beniston. In parallel, a pedagogical team has developed educational activities and resources designed to make young people aware of climate change and its impact.

The interdisciplinary team of scientists from the University of Geneva will sail along the Gulf Stream, passing through Boston, St. John’s (Canada), and Reykjavik (Iceland), and will disembark in Bergen (Norway) in August. The study of this ocean current will take the ship to the northernmost point of the Atlantic for the first time. The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar’s exclusive features are a major asset for the researchers: given the absence of polluting emissions, the atmospheric measurements won’t be distorted by residues associated with fuel combustion.

The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar and her crew will remain moored in the heart of the Big Apple from June 17—20. With the support of the Swiss Consulate in New York, events dedicated to the public and local authorities will be organized onboard.

High-tech instruments aboard the largest solar boat in the world
In order to collect a continuous series of physical and biological measurements in the water and in the air, the ship is equipped with 6 advanced instruments, including the “Biobox”, an instrument that was specifically developed by the Applied Physics Group at the University of Geneva for the study of aerosols at the interface between the atmosphere and the ocean. It is the only instrument to date capable of determining instantaneously the identity of aerosols using laser technology. It will be used aboard the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar for the first time.

North Atlantic Record smashed by Francis Joyon aboard IDEC yacht by more than 16 hours

June 16, 2013

Francis Joyon aboard his 30m maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC has just smashed the North Atlantic Record, having reached The Lizard at the southern tip of Cornwall in 5 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 10 seconds. It is a time that is 16 hours, 34 minutes and 30 seconds less than the former record, set by Thomas Coville in 2008.

Maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC at full speed © JM Liot / DPPI/ IDEC

Maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC at full speed © JM Liot / DPPI/ IDEC

Over the final stretch, Francis Joyon came very close to beating his own outright distance record over 24 hours (666.2 miles) and this enabled the Breton skipper to make important gains over the second half of the crossing, in spite of sailing some distance away from the Great Circle Route.

North Atlantic Record: Francis Joyon aboard his IDEC yacht to reach The Lizard on Sunday, June 16, 2013

June 14, 2013

Francis Joyon aboard his 30-metre trimaran yacht IDEC confirmed his ETA at the finish, in other words that he is due to cross the legendary line marking the finish of the North Atlantic crossing off The Lizard at the southern tip of Cornwall on Sunday evening. To beat the record set by Thomas Coville on the giant trimaran yacht Sodebo in July 2008, sailing yacht IDEC has to finish before 0400hrs UTC (0600hrs CET) on Monday morning.

Francis Joyon aboard his 30m trimaran yacht IDEC - upview © JM Liot / DPPI/ IDEC

Francis Joyon aboard his 30m trimaran yacht IDEC - upview © JM Liot / DPPI/ IDEC

Without wishing to celebrate too soon, as with 1200 miles to go to the finish, there remains some uncertainty, Joyon seems more motivated than ever given the way the low-pressure area that he has been with since leaving New York, is moving, as it should enable him to succeed in this mammoth task. If he succeeds, he will become the record-holder of the only one of the four major solo sailing records missing from his current list of achievements.

Going all out
“If I manage to remain ahead of the low-pressure area, I should finish off The Lizard on Sunday evening.” The problem is clear but Joyon is not paying attention to the current figures, which show him 130 miles off the record pace of his virtual rival, as he is focusing on what lies ahead with his router, Jean-Yves Bernot. The low is still moving as forecast in the right direction and with the right strength of wind, so it is up to Joyon to make the most of it. The sailing on a knife edge that began just over three days ago in New York will continue right up to the finish with all its dangers, uncertainties and risk-taking. Dangers, as Francis himself explains, “It’s sometimes a bit scary when IDEC takes off on a wave at more than 30 knots. I have to apply the brakes by easing the sheets, then get her going again so as not to lose the inertia…” Francis carries out these manoeuvres over and over again and each time, that means he is doing without any rest. “That’s what makes things tricky on IDEC,” he laughed. “I managed to grab an hour’s rest during the night, but that was all… “

Keeping  a clear head and remaining vigilant
After three days and three nights, Francis Joyon is still managing to keep up this infernal pace and is showing perfect lucidity when choosing his route. On two occasions yesterday, he had to carry out the long (30 minutes) and tricky task of gybing, in order to ensure he remained ahead of the low. He is investing for the long term, which shows just how forward looking you need to be and that means not giving way to the temptation to make short term gains by keeping up the speed. “I have sailed further than you would expect from New York, but now I should be able to maintain high speeds ahead of the system, while at the same time easing northwards,” he explained. This is a strategy that the low-pressure area is not making easy, as it will probably require yet another move to stay on track. “I shall probably have to sail for a while at 90° to the route,” added Francis. “That way, I should get a much better angle to the wind to sail quickly in the right direction.”

At 100% of the polars
Risk-taking, ongoing danger… Francis Joyon is taking it to the edge. “This record is a tough one, where you have to avoid making mistakes and stay at 100% of the boat’s polars…”

A competitor at heart, while remaining a wise sailor paying attention to the elements and his boat, Francis Joyon is also finding the time to look at what is going on around him and enjoy himself; “I”ve just seen a bit of sunshine. I’m still wearing my foulies, but it feels good to see the sun coming out.”

North Atlantic Record: Francis Joyon aboard his trimaran yacht IDEC to reach halfway point this evening

June 13, 2013

This evening is expected to see Francis Joyon aboard his maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC reach the halfway point of his voyage between New York and The Lizard. While at lunchtime today, based on the mathematics, he was some 100 miles off the pace set by the current record-holder, Thomas Coville, the skipper of IDEC yacht stated he was delighted with the first part of the crossing. He managed to get away from the coast of North America, with all its traps as well as hurdles: fog, all sorts of obstacles, winds that were variable in strength and direction.

Maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC © JM Liot / DPPI/ IDEC

Maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC © JM Liot / DPPI/ IDEC

Sailing yacht IDEC, as if marking the start of the second stage of the transatlantic crossing gybed in the middle of the day. Francis Joyon has to stick with the strongest conditions associated with the low-pressure area with winds in excess of 25 knots. He will therefore gradually be easing his way back up to a more direct route, which will see him clock up the miles more easily towards the tip of SW England, where he will finish late this week. As the hours slip by, the sailor from Locmariaquer in Brittany is sounding more and more upbeat, as he sees the low moving in a clearer direction, allowing him to be in with every chance all the way to the British Isles.

On a knife edge
The high risk sailing where the tension had remained high for Francis Joyon since the start in New York only eased off for a brief moment this lunchtime; just long enough for Francis to turn his wheel and line up his sails on the right-hand side after being on the left, and then, he accelerated away once again, with the speedo regularly indicating 29-30 knots. He had given this gybe a lot of thought after talking things through with his router Jean-Yves Bernot, and this should enable the giant trimaran yacht IDEC to stay in this corridor of wind sweeping from west to east across the Atlantic.

Francis Joyon has moved away from the bearing that saw him heading down towards Spain and Portugal, to move to colder climes, with wetter weather and cloudy skies. It may seem more hostile, but this weather is synonymous with the winds that will take him towards Northern Europe. Over the next couple of hours, the bows of the red trimaran will therefore come around to point towards the coast of Britain and Francis, just as he has been doing since leaving New York, will be taking his giant trimaran on a knife’s edge journey.

“There were a few little incidents during the night,” Francis told us, referring to moments, when two or three hulls dug into the heavy swell, which has developed in the near gales. “I’m living life at the same pace as during my 24-hour record (set last year when he sailed 666.2 nautical miles).  “The difference is that last year, I was able to choose my route for the record, and continue to sail ahead of a low-pressure area on calm seas. Since leaving New York, I have been experiencing a heavy swell, which is sometimes very uneven and that stops the boat from gliding along smoothly.”

The key to this record is in fact down to the ability of the solo sailor to sail close to the edge for as long as possible. There is no time to ease off in this transatlantic sprint, as that would lead to the boat missing out on the favourable air stream.

When the models agree
The suspense is still high during this attempt and each hour and each mile need to be dealt with efficiently. “I got very close to the centre of the low, within 50 miles of it,” explained Francis quickly. “I therefore gybed to get closer to the edge of the low-pressure system, where the winds are stronger.”

Joyon is being kept busy looking at his strategy options, which he discusses with Jean-Yves Bernot, while at the same time has to make sure there is nothing wrong with the boat, and ensure that he is getting the full potential out of IDEC yacht in the given wind strength and direction. We heard nothing at all about how the man himself is feeling. His voice of course, remains as calm as ever.

He is always very careful in his choice of words and as usual, he remains measured in the way he expresses himself, whether things are going well or badly. We did however notice a slight hint of pleasure, when he told us that the low was moving in the right direction. “When we left New York, we were far from certain about the route this low would be taking. Half of the weather models showed it heading off towards Ireland. Today, it would appear that all the models agree that it is going in the right direction for us…”

After a bright spell with temperatures climbing to 20 degrees, this afternoon Francis Joyon plunged back into rain, dull weather and the wind that the big, red trimaran needs to fill its appetite.

Francis Joyon aboard his maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC sets off on the North Atlantic Record

June 11, 2013

This morning, Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at 09:15:20 hrs UTC (11:15:20hrs CET), saw Francis Joyon start his attempt to break the outright solo sailing record. In order to beat the current record of 5 days, 19 hours, 30 minutes and 40 seconds held since July 2008 by Thomas Coville on his trimaran yacht Sodebo, Francis Joyon aboard his maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC will have to cross the latitude of The Lizard by 0445hrs UTC (0645hrs CET) on Monday 17th June.

Francis Joyon aboard his maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC

Francis Joyon aboard his maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC © Vincent Curutchet / DPPI / IDEC

Living up to the legend…
The final 24 hours in New York were very stressful for the Breton sailor from Locmariaquer, as everything was a bit of a rush. He had to find a RIB to help him out of Gateway Marina, finish stowing supplies aboard, work on the final weather details… and once again, as we have come to expect, Francis Joyon in his usual style, took care of everything himself, while benefiting whenever possible from any kind offers of help from other seafarers on the pontoons. Once out of the bay off New York, the “big red bird”, IDEC was free to fly in the open waters of the Atlantic. The SW’ly wind was blowing as forecast off Ambrose Light, and in spite of a heavy swell, Francis Joyon was able to speed off from the outset at record pace with the speedo stuck above 23 knots.

“The swell was hitting us as we left Ambrose Light,” Francis Joyon explained at lunchtime today. He was happy to be alone again at sea and relieved to have made it out of the Hudson and away from the shoreline without hitch, in spite of a few anxious moments. His final hours in the Big Apple were rather rushed. “I didn’t have time to take care of all the supplies. I asked a guy on the pontoon to help me. He was Russian; he gave me some food from home. So it looks like it’s going to be Russian food this week…”

Trimaran yacht IDEC leaving NYC

Trimaran yacht IDEC leaving NYC © Vincent Curutchet / DPPI / IDEC

It was during the night that Francis got his boat away alone and removed the propeller, in order to head for the precise location, where we used to see the famous Ambrose Light. One last look around, the autopilot was switched on and the genoa trimmed… and Francis Joyon told the official from the World Speed Sailing Record Council, who was in New York, to start the clock for the big red trimaran. At 09:15:20 UTC (1115hrs CET), IDEC was off on her latest battle with the Atlantic.

A 50-50 chance
“The weather opportunity isn’t brilliant, but we will have to make do with that…” Sounding light-hearted, once the decision had been taken in close collaboration with Jean-Yves Bernot, his accomplice on many a maritime adventure, Francis Joyon only wanted to look ahead to the next few hours. “I know that I should be getting some good conditions for the first two-thirds of the course, and according to the latest weather models there is some doubt about the finish, if we follow the route taken by the low-pressure area,” explained Francis.

“The route won’t exactly be the Great Circle route, as I shall be sailing a little further south. But on the other hand that means I shall be avoiding the worst fogs around the Great Banks…” Fog, which has already engulfed IDEC in her first few miles of racing, forcing Francis Joyon to keep a close eye on the radar and over the bow of the boat. “I have just sailed between two whales. That was nice. They left me enough room to get through without having to manoeuvre…”

Trimaran yacht IDEC - upview

Trimaran yacht IDEC - upview © Vincent Curutchet / DPPI / IDEC

A 30-knot SW’ly wind is forecast ahead of the maxi-trimaran IDEC, with seas that are going to become increasingly tricky; Francis Joyon is facing a mammoth task and that is without taking into account the lack of sleep after a tiring voyage and a more or less sleepless night in New York. “It’s when I’m at sea that I get my rest,” Francis reassured us…

North Atlantic Record: Francis Joyon aboard his maxi trimaran yacht IDEC at the starting line tonight

June 10, 2013

Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 11, will see the French sailor, Francis Joyon, set off to tackle the solo Atlantic crossing aboard his maxi trimaran yacht IDEC. He is expected to cross the official starting line at the foot of Ambrose Light off New York between 0000hrs and 0600hrs GMT (0200hrs – 0800hrs CET).

North Atlantic Record

North Atlantic Record: New York - The Lizard

He will be facing the Atlantic alone all the way to the Lizard at the southernmost tip of Cornwall and is hoping to complete the voyage in less than 5 days, 19 hours, 30 minutes and 40 seconds in order to have his name added to the registers of the World Speed Sailing Record Council in place of the current holder, Thomas Coville. Francis Joyon would achieve two success in one, if he does this. He will be regaining  a title that was his until 2008, and above all will become the only man to hold the four most important solo sailing records, the Round the World Record, the 24-hour distance record, the Columbus Route record and the North Atlantic record.

A decent weather opportunity
“The weather opportunity tonight is looking decent,” according to Jean-Yves Bernot, the leading light in ocean racing navigation, who continues to assists Francis Joyon is his major sailing challenges. To put it simply, the conditions are looking favourable, if not ideal, but are decent enough to allow him to make this attempt. Back in France, the two men had been watching a low-pressure area develop over the continent of North America, offering the strength and trajectory that suits this record, which over the years has become increasingly difficult to beat. During the weekend, Francis Joyon was more and more certain of the situation and decided to climb aboard a plane yesterday to head for New York, where he will get back with his giant trimaran IDEC, currently moored in Gateway Marina in Brooklyn, New York.

A possible start at between midnight and six (GMT)
The hulls will be cleaned, the final supplies stowed aboard, and as usual, everything will be done all by himself. Joyon will run through the final details about the weather situation tonight with Jean-Yves Bernot, before setting off on the perilous journey to the starting line and the former site of the legendary Ambrose Light at the entrance to the bay off New York. The light itself was removed in 2008 after a series of collisions, and has now been replaced by a set of lit buoys.

If he sets off between midnight and six (GMT), he will be able to make the most of the daylight to cover the tricky miles sailing his boat up out of the river. The low that is passing over Labrador should allow him to sail along in steady thirty-knot winds blowing from the east-south-east on seas that should be easy to deal with for at least the first two-thirds of the course.

As is often the case in these record attempts, it is the final phase, as they approach the British Isles, which are the most uncertain. The winds are likely to strengthen towards the end of the week, making it more complicated for the solo sailor. However, with the low moving along fairly high up to the north, it should allow sailing yacht IDEC to stay close to the direct route, and therefore get the best trajectory towards the Channel approaches, and sail along efficiently towards the Lizard.

New York – The Lizard, 2880 theoretical nautical miles (or 5334 km).

Solo North Atlantic records
1987: Bruno Peyron, Explorer catamaran, in 11 days, 11 hours 46 minutes and 36 seconds
1990: Florence Arthaud, Pierre 1er trimaran, in 9 days, 21 hours and 42 minutes
1992: Bruno Peyron, Explorer catamaran, in 9 days, 19 hours and 22 minutes
1994: Laurent Bourgnon, Primagaz trimaran, in 7 days, 2 hours, 34 minutes and 42 seconds
2005: Francis Joyon, IDEC 1 trimaran, in 6 days, 4 hours, 1 minute and 37 seconds
2008: Thomas Coville, Sodebo trimaran, in 5 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds

The three major solo records already held by Francis Joyon aboard superyacht IDEC
2008: Solo Round the World record in 57 days, 13 hours 34 minutes and 06 seconds
2012: Distance sailed in 24h: 666 miles at an average speed of 27.75 knots
2013: Columbus Route Cadiz-San Salvador: 8 days 16 h 07 minutes and 05 seconds.

Wally 130 Yacht ANGEL’S SHARE (ex Dream) at Dennis Conner’s North Cove

June 06, 2013

With an outdoor patio like no other, the Wally 130 yacht Angel’s Share (ex Dream) has taken a berth on the north wall of Dennis Conner’s North Cove, positioned in the popular US yacht charter destination – New York. The furniture of sailing yacht Angels Share is set on deck and the Statue of Liberty is visible in the distance. This could be one of the ultimate NYC experiences.

Wally 130 superyacht Angels Share (ex Dream) at Dennis Conners North Cove in NYC

Wally 130 superyacht Angel's Share (ex Dream) at Dennis Conners North Cove in NYC

Superyacht Angel’s Share is a beautiful Wally yacht, launched in 2009. She epitomizes sleek European design. At 130 feet in length, she is impressive and sets a high bar for an incredible 2013 yachting season in Manhattan.

Angels Share Yacht - aft view

Angels Share Yacht - aft view

First Million Dollar Sportfish Challenge launched by IGY Marinas

May 23, 2013

IGY Marinas is proud to launch its first Million Dollar Sportfish Challenge. The IGFA all-tackle world record catch contest will be held at the selected IGY superyacht marinas and will take place from May to December 2013, with registered anglers competing to win a million-dollar prize.

igy.fishing.challenge.logo

IGY Marinas is inviting anglers from all over the world to participate in the challenge and fish the designated waters for the ultimate IGFA all-tackle record breaker. “IGY Marinas is home to a number of top nationwide sportfishing tournaments, and sees this contest as an opportunity to give back to the anglers that we have been fortunate to host for so many years,” says Bert Fowles, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for IGY Marinas.

Destinations chosen for the sportfish challenge include IGY owned superyacht marinas as well as its marinas under management agreements. The following IGY destinations are participating marinas in the Million Dollar Sportfish Challenge:

· American Yacht Harbor – St. Thomas, USVI

· Montauk Yacht Club – New York, NY

· Blue Haven Marina – Turks & Caicos

· La Amada Marina – Cancun, Mexico

· Marina Cabo San Lucas – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

· Rodney Bay Marina – St. Lucia, WI

Luxury sailing yacht LEOPARD 3 at Dennis Conner’s North Cove in NYC

May 14, 2013

The spring migration of spectacular yachts is well underway. Last week, luxury sailing yacht Leopard 3 visited Dennis Conner’s North Cove. At nearly 100 feet in length, charter yacht Leopard 3 was constructed to break sailing records around the Atlantic.

Luxury charter yacht Leopard 3 at Dennis Conners North Cove in NYC

Luxury charter yacht Leopard 3 at Dennis Conners North Cove in NYC

Superyacht Leopard 3 has visited North Cove several times before and been on stand by to test the Trans-Atlantic record. Today, she has been converted into a super high performance charter yacht and used for trips as well as corporate events. While in New York City, she did several days of sailing in the harbor with an ICAP spinnaker.

Superyacht Leopard 3 under sail

Superyacht Leopard 3 under sail

Then on Saturday, charter yacht Leopard 3 headed off across the Atlantic for her summer cruising grounds on the Solent in England.

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