OceanYachts.info

Saddam Hussein’s Yacht for Sale

admin — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:41:04 +0000

It has been reported that Saddam Hussein’s yacht Basra Breeze (Ocean Breeze) has been put on the market by the Iraqi government, which was awarded the yacht earlier this year. The Iraqi government is seeking offers in the range of $30 million.

Basra Breeze is a 269-ft. motor yacht, but its interior is outdated, according to the London Times. This means the buyer will have to invest millions more to get the 1981 yacht fully back in shape. Still, the interior is pure luxury:

Saddam Hussein’s Yacht for Sale

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Luxury Yacht Charter in the Mediterranean - Corsica

admin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:32:46 +0000

The French island of Corsica, 110 miles south of the Riviera and just north of Sardinia is an exceptional choice for a luxury yacht charter vacation. With a mountainous, dramatic landscape featuring rivers, gorges, waterfalls, lush valleys, rocky cliffs, vineyards, picturesque towns, 16 ports, and 620 miles of coastline surrounded by clear water in all shades of blue, the surprisingly uncrowded Corsica has it all. The rugged coastline, with more than 200 beaches, is especially alluring to those of us traveling by boat - there are many areas you can’t get to any other way and you may find a beach you can have all to yourself. Because of its geography, rising from sea level to almost 9,000 feet, Corsica’s climate is quite varied. The island is divided into three major ecological zones: the coastline and valleys enjoy a maritime Mediterranean climate (hot summers and mild winters); in the lower mountains, at 2,000 - 6,000 feet, you will find the cooler and wetter mountain Mediterranean climate; and at 6,000 feet and above, the climate is alpine, with snowcapped mountains and even small glaciers at the highest altitudes.

Corsica’s average of 250-300 days of sunshine per year (April - October being the sunniest) is the highest in France, and as a general rule, the northern part of the island is warmer than the south. You can find all types of yachts to charter on Corsica - bareboat, skippered, crewed, catamaran, sailboat, motoryacht and luxury yachts. The island is easy to get to. There are 4 airports - the Campo dell Oro Airport in Ajaccio, Poretta Airport in Bastia, Calvi (in Calvi), and Figari (in Figari) - as well as ferry service from France (Marseille, Toulon and Nice) and Italy (Genoa and Livomo). Of course, if you charter a yacht in France or Italy, you’ll be arriving on your own boat. Corsica is about a day’s sail, or 3-4 hours by motor yacht, from the French Riviera.

Port towns on the island include Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and the capital of Corsica. It is located on the west coast and home to the both the largest airport and harbor on the island. Bastia, on the northeastern coast, is Corsica’s largest. The old town was built around the harbor and it is the most picturesque port on the island. Bastia is also known for its wines. Porto Vecchio on the south coast is the most sophisticated resort on Corsica and sees many Italian tourists in the summer months. It is known for its quaint, Genoese walled old town and its many, beautiful beaches. Calvi (rumored to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus) on the east coast is simply stunning with its beautiful port (lined with bars and restaurants), towering citadel and 4-mile sandy beach where jet skiing, windsurfing, waterskiing and paragliding are popular pastimes. There are also plenty of private little coves if you are looking for something a bit more intimate. Bonifacio, just 7.4 miles north of Sardinia, sits high on a limestone peninsula at the southernmost tip of Corsica, and absolutely has to be approached from the sea in order to fully appreciate its jawdropping setting. There are plenty of sandy beaches, grottoes and caves in this area, and don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Lavezzi islands, which are part of the nature reserve “Bouches de Bonifacio”.

There are of course many, many more ports, towns and villages to explore all over the island, but these will give you a starting point, and hopefully inspiration to start planning your next chartered yacht trip to Corsica.

This is a guest post by Cattie, who writes about luxury yacht charter and how to choose the right one for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cattie_Coyle

Luxury Yacht Charter in the Mediterranean - Corsica

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All About Chartering a Super Yacht

admin — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:57:38 +0000

Super Yachts, generally defined as luxury yachts over 80 feet in length, are the equivalent of floating private five star hotels, with no expense spared. Today’s Super Yachts offer high speed Internet connections, Plasma Screen TVs with satellite video on demand, superb chefs that cook to your exact specifications, all the water “toys” such as jet skis, water skiing, scuba gear and wind surfers. Their interiors are often created by name designers, and offer rooms for every need - offices, kids rooms (with Nanny’s quarters, of course), glorious master suites, separate decks for sunning, hot tubbing, and dining, and lavishly appointed salons and dining rooms. Crew members often outnumber guests and offer unending hospitality. Some Super Yachts even have their own beauticians, masseuses and SCUBA diving instructors.

All this luxury usually floats in one of the world’s paradises, be it the Caribbean Islands, the French or Italian Riviera, Sardinia, Greece, Spain or lesser known but equally enchanting areas of Asia, Australia, South America or Africa. It is common for a Super Yacht to spend the summer in Mediterranean hot spots and then cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean for the winter, to hop between St Barts, St Lucia, St Martin, Martinique and/or the Grenadines.

All of this luxury can also be yours. The Super Yacht charter market is growing fast, with more and more gorgeous yachts being launched every year. You don’t have to be named Onassis or Armani to be on their boats! And the costs need not be only for the super rich. If you divide the price of a Super Yacht by two or three couples, often the prices work out the equivalent to what you would spend at a Five Star Resort.

Chartering a Super Yacht

Many people are a bit intimidated about chartering a Super Yacht - there are lots of terms and customs that they don’t understand. But there is no need to be! Chartering a Super Yacht is really no different than booking a luxury hotel, in fact it’s easier because your broker will do the work for you (for no charge)! Here are some tips about chartering a Super Yacht:

Plan your holiday or event.

The most important thing you can do for us is to give your broker as much firm detail as possible for what you are looking for. The “W”s come to mind:

Who will be going (how many cabins required, children, etc.)

Where do you want to charter (where will you be flying into, sites you want to see),

What type of yacht do you want - Motor, Sail, Classic, Modern

What is your general budget;

Why are you chartering - Holiday, Event, Family Gathering, Business Meeting.

The more of the above questions you can answer, the better the broker will be able to find you the perfect boat.

Book Early.

The best Yachts are booked 6 months or more in advance. If you want a summer holiday charter in the Mediterranean you should start thinking about it in November and try to book by the end of January. If you’re looking for a winter holiday in the Caribbean it’s best to plan it during the summer.

Look at Several Alternatives and Ask Questions.

This is the fun part! First, familiarize yourself with the types of yachts available by surfing some of the more popular yacht charter web sites. You’ll soon spot the types of yachts that appeal to you (sailing vs motor, classic vs chic, etc.) and the costs that are associated with these choices. Then look for a broker who you like working with (you should get GREAT service from an online broker, or switch to someone else). The broker will normally provide you with online brochures of 4-5 yachts that meet your criteria. This is the time to dream, ask questions, and make sure you are getting the yacht you desire. Your broker can often visit the yacht and speak with the crew, and help you plan your itinerary or assure that the crew understands your specific needs. No question is too small - you are making a substantial purchase so make sure you get exactly what you want!

The Crew makes the Charter.

Even if you find the perfect yacht, it’s the crew that makes for the most spectacular charters. Some crews are traditional and formal, some more relaxed and fun loving. Your charter broker will be able to provide you with a crew profile, and in many cases will have already met them in person and can tell you if the crew is a good fit for your needs.

Charter costs.

The general charter fee you pay rents you the boat and the services of the crew for your stated charter period. Unless stated otherwise, Food, drink, and fuel will be extra. There will normally be mooring fees and possibly fees for scuba, water toys and communications. To facilitate this process and build trust, the industry has developed the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) system. The Charter Operator estimates the expenses that will be incurred, depending on your itinerary (usually 20% to 30% of the charter fee) which is paid by you up front. This provides a bank account for the Captain, who makes expenditures on your behalf and keeps accurate records. At the end of the charter, they will refund you the difference, or ask you to pay more to cover any shortfall.

Tipping is not obligatory, but common practice on Super Yachts - normally 5% - 20% of the charter price on a sliding scale depending on how great you thought the crew was.

Normally, you will be asked to pay 1/2 of the charter fee upon signature, and 1/2 approximately 30 days before the charter. For obvious reasons, the charter will not begin until all payments are made.

Other Useful Information.

One you’ve booked, you will normally be asked to fill out a passenger list (with people’s likes and dislikes, allergies, and any special needs), desired itinerary form and provisioning requests. Please fill these out and return as soon as you can - they’re critical to your overall satisfaction.

Super Yachts normally use a MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) contract that is designed to standardise charter terms and protect both the Charterer and Owner. It has standard protections and escalation clauses in case there are problems. Your broker can send you one prior to making decisions if you want to familiarise yourself with the terms.

You should also know that, once booked, you have signed a legally binding contract. You are obligated by law to pay the entire charter amount regardless of whether you actually board the yacht. In exceptional cases, you may be able to cancel, but monies will be refunded only if the yacht can be chartered to another client. Because of this, many clients purchase insurance against cancellation.

Yacht Types

Motor yachts are generally categorised by Length (30, 40, 50 meter), number of cabins, manufacturer (Benetti, Feadship, Sunseeker, Dubois, Rodriguez) and propulsion type (sail vs. motor). A S/Y is a Sailing Yacht, a M/Y is a motor yacht. Each manufacturer has its own style, from a Rodriguez sleek Mangusta to the classic looks of a Benetti.

Charter Locations

You can charter a Super Yacht on virtually any sea. The standard cruising areas for these Yachts tend to be the Western Mediteranean, normally starting from one of the famous French Riviera ports such as Cannes, Antibes, St Tropez or Monaco. Corsica and Sardinia are hugely popular cruising areas, as is the lovely Italian Riviera. Naples/Amalfi Coast, Capri and the beautiful island of Sicily are also popular if you want an Italian flavor. To the West, you have the Spanish destinations including Barcelona, the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza and the Costa del Sol. Crusing the Greek Islands provides a the famous mixture of beauty, history, culture, food and tranquility, and Croatia is the up-and-coming hot Mediterranean destination with its hundreds of beautiful and secluded islands.

A SuperYacht holiday in the Caribbean or Bahamas is also legendary. Hot spots these days are St Barth’s, Anguilla, St Martin, and Barbados. We’re also seeing many more exotic locations - Alaska Wildlife Adventures, Patagonia, the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos, even Antartica. Your broker can arrange an itinerary for any of the above destinations, on a yacht that is specially selected for your needs.

If you’d like to learn more about Super Yacht Charter, feel free to contact the friendly yacht charter agents at Boatbookings.com or any broker of your choice.

This is a guest post by Tom Virden, who is a 25 year veteran of computer and internet companies including Apple, Netscape and lastminute.com. He is currently founder and Managing Director of Boatbookings.com, a leading online charter company.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Virden

All About Chartering a Super Yacht

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Mad Summer Superyacht Trial

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:38:19 +0000

The Mad Summer superyacht started sea trials in the Baltic Sea a few weeks ago in August 2008. Mad Summer is a 79m yacht built by Lürssen. It will be delivered to its owners late this year, and it will also be available for charter. Charter prices are not known as of today.

Lürssen is going to deliver a total of 5 superyachts in 2008. Inter alia: Martha Ann (70m), Bounty Hunter (60m), Bermuda (77m) and, of course, Mad Summer (79m). Lürssen is also planning to deliver a 150m yacht this year.

Mad Summer Superyacht Trial

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For Sale: Starfire Charter Yacht

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:10:18 +0000

The Starfire luxury charter yacht, which is currently owned by billionaire investor Carl Icahn, has been put up for sale. The 178-ft. yacht, which was originally built by Benetti in 1998, has undergone two refits in 2002 and 2004. Today, the high-end motor yacht has an extravagant Art Deco interior with a bar, dining room, 6 cabins and bathrooms with a jacuzzi bath tub.

The Starfire yacht chartered for $196,000 to $250,000 per week. Now it can be yours forever: Yacht broker Northrop & Johnson is selling it for $37.5 million.

More photos after the fold.

For Sale: Starfire Charter Yacht

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Catamarans

admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:30:36 +0000

Catamarans, both sail and power typically have the same layouts, and these layouts are much different to the more traditional monohull yachts. Catamarans are constructed with two hulls connected by a rectangular deck area. The hulls, or pontoons, are large enough to hold full size cabins and bathrooms. The deck area in between is big enough to house a large master cabin, saloon and galley. The catamaran will be as well built and tastefully finishedas any monohull yacht.

A catamaran has many benefits and is a good choice for your first yacht charter. A catamaran has more space available than a similar length monohull, is more stable and steady when at sea and needs less water to sail in. Because of the two hulls each with cabins and the large deck area with the master cabin a catamaran can carry more people or have more space available for the same amount of people as a monohull. The space between the hulls in front of the deck area normally has a net stretch across it which alows you to lay or sit on offering even more space. You may have seen pictures or film clips of high performance racing catamarans with only one pontoon in the water and heeled over but that won’t happen on the catamaran you will charter. They are very stable with both pontoons remaining in the water, this makes it easier to move around and relax.

In many locations that you might sail during your yacht charter vacation, such as the Bahamas, some places are out of reach as there isn’t enough depth of water for a monohull yacht to safely float. But with a catamaran you only typically need a quarter of the depth of water so many more shallow anchorages, harbours and cays are available.

f you have never considered chartering a yacht before or may be your wife is unsure and needs persuading then a catamaran is an ideal choice to find your ’sealegs’. Pricewise a sailing catamaran will work out cheaper than a motor yacht and will have a lot more space. They are also ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling because of easy access to the water.

Catamarans with out sails are known as powercats and have all the same attributes as sailiong catamarans mentioned earlier. As their popularity increases so does the number of available boats for charter. People who charter yacts are not intrepid ocean sailors but are people who want as much space available for the best price and, in most cases, a safe and stable yacht. That is why they are becoming so much more popular.

One point to bare in mind however is that catamarans have a greater beam, are wider, than monohulls which makes them unpopular in some marinas or small harbours. You are quite likely to spend more nights at anchor rather than alongside. That is not problem in itself as you can easily get ashore in the catamaran’s tender or jolly boat. My friend spends four months each summer cruising in his monohull and the yacht never touches a jetty in all that time. All water, fuel and food is transported out in the yacht tender and it is easy to go ashore to dine and socialise as necessary.

Yes catamarans are good value and enjoyable and many are available up to 70-80 feet. Catamarans are also available as larger luxury and megayachts.

This is a guest post by Bruce Walls, who is an author and webmaster. Read more at YachtCharterReview.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Walls

Catamarans

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Boat Covers - Why They Are An Essential Boat Accessory

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:42:39 +0000

Boat covers play a very significant role in the protection of your boat. Purchasing a boat is a heavy investment, and it is also a very valuable asset if you like to spend a lot of time on the water. Therefore, your boat requires complete safety from dust, grime, dirt and airborne particles.

A boat cover is an essential accessory for all boats, and it has many uses. It keeps your boat clean and dirt free, and also keeps away dampness and mold. A boat cover saves your boat from the ultra-violet rays from the sun. These rays can be very destructive and harmful for color of your boat. Ultra-violet rays from the sun can be the biggest cause of cracking and weakness of rubber on many parts of your boat.

A compatible fitting boat cover can save your boat from animals, especially nesting mammals, squirrels and rodents, which are constantly searching for a place to hide. A good boat cover can be very helpful and saves precious time and money. A boat cover also saves your boat from scratches and other marks, and can perform as a great restraint to theft.

There is a wide variety of boat covers available in the market. Boat covers can be bought in one of two ways, custom cover and universal style. Both have advantages for the safety of your boat.

A custom cover comes with different styles, length, width and beam that give an outer shell to your boat. The merits of this cover are straightforward, as it fits tightly and covers the complete area of your boat. Typically, custom-fit boat covers are preferred over other covers. They can be a little more costly compared to universal covers, but will be the best selection of your choice.

As a rule, a boat cover comes with its warranty period. If a company doesn’t offer a warranty, then it shows that the cover is not of good quality. The fabrics used for boat covers are polyester, poly-cotton blend or polyester-canvas. All of these work well. Polyester is the most popular material as it doesn’t stretch or shrink. On the other hand, poly-cotton blend is a mixture of two materials, but cotton-canvas blend is not very good as it can break down. Boat covers come in many different colors - the choice of color depends on you. Just keep in mind that black covers can become the cause of damage of electronic components.

In conclusion, a boat cover is an important accessory for any boat. It not only provides protection from the elements, but also helps to maintain the quality of your boat, thus saving time and money.

This is a guest post by Susan Fielding. For more detailed information on boat covers and boating accessories visit Boat Covers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Fielding

Boat Covers - Why They Are An Essential Boat Accessory

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Sailing Holidays in Greece

admin — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:45:15 +0000

Sailing in Greece offers visitors the chance to discover the hidden splendor of Greece & the Greek Islands. Experience the luxury of sailing in the warm turquoise waters of Greece and explore hidden coves on remote Greek islands.

Drop anchor in a secluded bay and sunbath on untouched sandy beaches that can only be reached by boat. Picture yourself diving off your yacht into crystal clear waters of the Aegean or enjoying your afternoon meal on deck, then relax and have a cool drink in the midday heat listening to the waves gently splashing against the keel.

Many people have the misconception that chartering a yacht in Greece may be well over their budget but in reality the total cost (depending on the type of yacht you charter) may end up about the same if not less.

Take in to consideration the total costs for hotel accommodation, ferry, airline tickets, car rental, dining out etc… If your thinking taking the whole family along on vacation then a yacht charter is definitely worth it.

Another good reason to charter a yacht in Greece is if you plan on doing some Greek island hopping, then you can visit more islands at your own pace. You don’t have to worry about not finding a hotel, missing your ferry or flight. You control where you want and when you want.

What type of yacht should I charter?
The type of yacht you choose depends on what you want, a motor yacht offers more space, privacy, luxury & comfort as well as all the extra goodies such as jet skis, scuba & fishing gear, chef, and hostess and will get you where you want to go fast.

A sailing yacht on the other hand brings to mind the true meaning of sailing in Greece. This is an ideal choice for the adventurous type who wants to enjoy the full pleasures of sailing. Although they are slower and more economical to charter they are limited in space, and fewer amenities.

A good yacht charter company can help you plan your sailing holiday in Greece, choose your own custom itinerary and select the right type of yacht for your sailing vacation in Greece.
So leave your troubles behind and prepare yourself for carefree sailing holidays in Greece.

This guest post has been brought to you by:

Visit http://www.alphayachting.com/ for more details on chartering a yacht in Greece:

Alpha Yachting Greece

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manos_Komninos

Sailing Holidays in Greece

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BMW’s Zeydon Z60 Luxury Sailing Yacht

admin — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:32:25 +0000

BMW Group’s DesignWorks will be launching its new Zeydon Z60 luxury sailing yacht at the Geneva Boat Show this week. The boat, which has been designed with Belgian boat maker Zeydon, is an elegant sailing yacht that shall not only have a sporty design inspired by some of BMW’s vehicles but also offer a minimalist luxurious interior amongst a bunch of other high-end features.

The Zeydon Z60 is a 60-ft. offshore yacht that combines the effectiveness of sports cruisers with some of the comfort of bigger luxury yachts.

BMW and Zeydon plan to build up to 10 Z60 yachts per year. Production is set to begin this fall.

BMW’s Zeydon Z60 Luxury Sailing Yacht

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Roman Abramovich Loses $20 Billion. Sells Megayacht?

admin — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:14:13 +0000

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has lost a staggering $20 billion due to the tumbling stock market in Russia. That leaves him with a “meager” net worth of $3 billion. All in all, Russian oligarchs have lost a total of more than $230 billion in six months!

Therefore, Abramovich might decide to sell his soon-to-be completed $355 million Eclipse megayacht if the stock market doesn’t recover in the foreseeable future. The impressive yacht is 555 ft. in length and it has been designed to be the largest yacht in the world - it will be 25 feet longer than Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s 530-ft. Platinum. Rumor even has it that the Eclipse will be equipped with a missile defense system!

Abramovich’s new superyacht is still being built at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, where OceanYachts.info happens to be located. So, if we’re lucky, we might be able to get more details for you soon.

Roman Abramovich Loses $20 Billion. Sells Megayacht?

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