Florida Yacht Charters

It sounds like the plot of a Jules Verne science fiction novel - three teams of intrepid explorers are locked in a race to reach the deepest depths of the ocean.  Each team is scrambling to build and launch a high-tech submarine capable of withstanding a dangerous journey seven miles straight down to the bottom of the sea.

It's a landscape of pitch blackness and freezing cold temperatures - an abyss where strange, pale-colored sea creatures dart between the rocks.  The dangers are immense - the pressure is so great that a human would be instantly crushed into a small clump of flesh and bone.

But this story isn't science fiction. It's the real-life drama of the race between three teams to reach the sea floor of the Mariana Trench, the most isolated and extreme environment on Earth.

Two of the teams are headed by famous celebrities with deep pockets and an unending quest for adventure.  British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, owner of the 32 meter (111 foot) luxury yacht charter vessel NECKER BELLE is one.  The other is Hollywood filmmaker, James Cameron.  Cameron, the director of Avatar, Titanic and The Abyss has already pumped $10 million into his sub, whose design is a closely guarded secret.

Then there is the underdog - Patrick Lahey.  In a novel or movie, Lahey's character is Everyman - the little guy with the big dream and the courage to take on bigger, more powerful foes.

Lahey is president of tiny Central Florida company Triton Submarines.  The blue-collar diver and his band of submariners are heavy underdogs to their wealthy competitors. But if they can dive their uniquely designed sub to the bottom of the trench before Branson and Cameron do, they'll be heroes. They also hope to persuade the reality television producers of the Deadliest Catch to film the whole race, in which case Everyman Lahey and his team might even get rich.

Lahey's motivation, however, is not money.  His dream is to open the deep sea to thousands of people. Triton plans to take tourists two at a time to the trench, and Lahey hopes to sell the transparent-hulled subs to mega­yacht owners around the world.   Bahama yacht charters motor yacht MINE GAMES is one of the first charter vessels to carry an onboard submarine  as part of the yacht's watertoy inventory.

"We're interested in getting more people to give a sh** about the ocean," Lahey says. "The future of our species depends on it, yet 95 percent of the ocean has never been explored. It really is the last frontier on Earth."

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Unleash the explorer spirit within you!  Contact the SailAway destination experts at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to charter a private yacht in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and beyond.

Known for exceptional achievement in building semi-custom luxury mega yacht charter vessels, Westport Yachts has launched motor yacht LEGACY, the latest new build in the company's flagship Westport 164 series.

The tri-deck 50 meter motor yacht LEGACY can accommodate twelve guests in unsurpassed luxury.

Prized by owners for the artistry of the yacht's contours as for the substance of its construction, the Westport 164 represents a landmark achievement in large yacht design.  Developed using leading-edge three-dimensional modeling and structural software applications also used in the aviation industry, Westport yacht LEGACY has met every objective for speed, ride, maneuverability, integrity, and overall quality.  



The modern exterior is credited to world-renowned designer Donald Starkey and naval architect William Garden.  Their collaboration created a refined hull form for exceptional ocean-going performance, plus an innovative accommodation plan which balances interior and on-deck spaces for maximum enjoyment and versatility.  The yacht's contemporary styling will ensure lasting appeal, and should prove popular with Caribbean yacht charter clientele. 

No word as to when the yacht will be available for charter consideration.  With 15 popular Westport yachts currently available for hire in the South Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, Westport aficionados hope to soon see this magnificent yacht on the charter market.

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To charter a Westport yacht, contact the SailAway yacht vacation specialists at  http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html  today.

While the popularity of Bahama yacht charters has increased in recent years, the availability of reasonably-priced airfare to the island nation has stymied many a potential luxury yacht charter customer.   Flights from South Florida to the Bahamas are often more expensive than coast to coast flights across the United States.

Fortunately a new alternative to traveling to and from the Bahamas has been unveiled.

On December 16th, Balèaria Bahamas Express introduced inaugural high speed ferry service between Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and Freeport (Grand Bahama).

The 74 meter ferry Pinar del Rio cruises at 32 knots and can make the 76 mile crossing in 2.5 hours.

The service runs daily, except on Wednesday, with a convenient schedule that allows passengers from the USA to return on the same day after spending the day on Grand Bahama Island.

Pricing starts at $49.50 per person, one way, with first class seating available for $90 per person each way, plus local taxes.
 
Spanish-based Balèaria specializes in the transportation of people in the Mediterranean. With nearly 1000 employees and 15 ships in operation, the company ferried almost 3 million passengers in 2010.

The company is also working on establishing service from South Florida to Bimini in 2012.

To book your ferry ticket from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama online, visit the Balearic Bahamas Express' reservation website at https://www.ferryexpress.com/wps/portal/comercial/home_us_en?estrecho=3&resetPortlet=true

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Springtime is the best time to plan a yachting vacation in the pristine waters of the Bahamas.  Contact  the SailAway destination specialists at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html  for a list of spring specials on both luxury sailing charter vessels and motoryachts.

The owner of the 130' Westport motor yacht MARY ALICE II has announced a special rate for Bahama yacht charters this winter!

Now through April 30, book a regular 7-night charter for $100,000 per week ($120,000 per week for 2011 year-end holidays) on motor yacht MARY ALICE II and receive an additional 3 nights for free!

In addition to the special rate of 10 nights for price of 7, the owner will waive all delivery fees to move the yacht from its home port in South Florida to the Bahamas - a savings of approximately $4000.

The yacht has also secured hard-to-come-by dockage at the famous Atlantis resort and marina in Nassau (Paradise Island), for the year-end holidays!!

The immaculately-kept 130' Westport yacht MARY ALICE II boasts brand new interior soft goods and AV equipment.  She accommodates 10/12 guests in 5 staterooms and will allow 2 more children to sleep on air mattresses in sky lounge.

Her ondeck Master suite has opening windows for fresh air, and blackout blinds for total privacy. Four guest cabins are located belowdeck and feature King beds, two of which can convert to twins.

Other amenities include a skylounge with satellite TV and an 8-person hydrotherapy hot tub.  Active guest will enjoy two waverunners, kayaks, underwater Seabobs, and a high performance 34' Regulator-brand towed tender.

Captain Kelly Esser and his crew of 5 look forward to treating their guests to the time of their lives in the Bahamas or Florida!

CLICK here to view a high-def video of the yacht and her amenities!

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For further information about chartering in the Bahamas, contact the SailAway destination specialists at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html

Rick Hendrick, owner of NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports and the 164' Trinity motor yacht WHEELS, escaped with only a broken rib and broken clavicle (collarbone) when his small plane lost its brakes and crash landed at Key West International Airport late Monday.  Hendrick's wife, Linda, suffered minor cuts and bruises.

The plane is registered to Jimmie Johnson Racing Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., and co-owned by Hendrick Motorsports and Johnson, the five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion

The Hendricks were the only two passengers on the Gulfstream 150 jet.  Co-pilots, James Klepper and Jay Luckwaldt, also escaped without serious injuries in the Monday night crash. All four were taken to Lower Keys Medical Center shortly after the 7:45 p.m. incident, where they were evaluated, treated, and released. All flew home to North Carolina on Tuesday morning.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Klepper announced he had “no brakes,” and when he attempted to brake, he also had no pressure. The jet skidded off the 4,800-foot runway and came to rest about three feet from an airport perimeter fence.

Hendrick, the patriarch of  one of NASCAR's most successful race teams, is also well known in the megayacht community.  His Trinity yacht charter vessel, motor yacht WHEELS is available for hire in the Florida Keys and throughout the Bahamas.  The 164'  (50 meter) yacht offers accommodation for up to ten guests in six suites comprising one owner cabin, two VIP cabins, two double cabins, and one twin cabin. 

Recently, the yacht was in the boating news when Hendricks added a 24-meter (80') superyacht sportfish tender to the megayacht's already impressive inventory of watertoys.

After Monday's crash, the runway was closed for about an hour but reopened when authorities determined the wreckage did not impact the landing area. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

“It was a real big scare, very frightening to hear," Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. told reporters in Las Vegas while attending an automotive trade show. "I’m very glad that he and everybody appears to be okay.”

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For a selection of  luxury yachts available for hire in the Bahamas visit SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants Bahamas at http://www.1800sailaway.com/bahamas.html

Earlier this week, the 686-foot (209 meter) Yacht Express, the flagship of Dockwise Yacht Transport’s (DYT) fleet of semi-submersible ships, pulled into Ft. Lauderdale.  Onboard was a record breaking cargo of boats and luxury yacht charter vessels valued collectively at $270,341,000.   The gray and orange-colored super ship took a berth at Port Everglades and began an hours-long de-ballasting process that allowed sea water to flood its dock bay.  By early evening,  19 state-of-the-art luxury yachts safely motored out the back and into the waters of South Florida.

The largest of the vessels to off-load was Trinity motor yacht MI SUENO.  The 190’ (57.91 meter) megayacht had loaded on to Yacht Express in Genoa, Italy on October 6. She had just returned from the Monaco Yacht Show and was delivered to South Florida to enter the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Captain Glynn Smith explained the reason the 190'  Trinity yacht charter vessel is delivered via  transport ship:  “The reason that Mi Sueno is shipped must be credited to the yacht’s owner who really knows how to look after his crew and boat.  The crew needs time off after such a busy Mediterranean yacht charter season, and shipping...gives us that option."  

Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters, further explains how wear and tear on a yacht during the Atlantic crossing is avoided by using a transport ship.  "A typical Atlantic crossing can add 400 to 500 hours on a yacht's engines and generators, not to mention unforeseen incidents that might occur in the middle of the ocean.”

Several of the other yachts on Yacht Express have shipped with DYT multiple times, including the 163’ (49.70 meter) motor yacht CASINO ROYALE, the 160’ (48.78 meter) ODESSA (four times each), the 161’ (49.09 meter) ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM (seven times), and the 132 foot (40.24 meter) motor yacht MISS ROSE.

DYT had a second transport arrive from the Mediterranean this week. The ship Super Servant 4, arrived in Ft. Lauderdale on Friday from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, fully loaded with 24 yachts totaling $190,000,000 in value. Some of the sailboats were offloaded, bound for St. Thomas, USVI, in time for the Caribbean charter season.

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For more information about megayachts transported to destinations around the world, contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html .

The owner of a 116'  Bahamas yacht charters motoryacht wants to encourage you to experience true serenity this Thanksgiving, and is offering an incentive sweeter than pumpkin pie. 

Lazzara motor yacht SERENITY is offering a choice of TWO fall specials to coincide with the Thanksgiving holidays:

●  Book a 7-day luxury yacht charter vacation beginning November 28th or 29th, and get 1 DAY FREE (a savings of  over 15%)

or...

●  Book a 3-day vacation beginning November 28th or 29th and pay $22,000 (save $7,000) 
 

But wait...there's more!

Like most yachts offering charters in the Bahamas, motoryacht SERENITY is based in South Florida. The round-trip fuel cost for yachts to be "delivered" to the Bahamas for a charter averages between $3000 and $5000. 

Book a Thanksgiving charter on Lazzara 116 yacht Serenity and the owner will WAIVE the delivery fee!

SERENITY is the newest and largest yacht built by Lazzara to date.  She features an open flybridge arrangement with an integrated hard top offering plenty of shade, tables for dining al fresco, and a large Jacuzzi for plenty of relaxation. Her interior is comprised of a light pecan finish, comfortable modern furniture and there is a beautiful wood floor throughout the salon.

The 116'  yacht accommodates up to ten guests in a five stateroom layout and has the option to convert one of her staterooms from a queen to twin arrangement. The open and inviting galley features a skylight allowing warm natural light to shine on the large settee.

The other custom feature of this yacht is her chair lift that assists guests with difficulties in getting from the main salon deck to the stateroom level.

All of these assets, combined with a friendly, outgoing and adventurous charter crew, make SERENITY the perfect choice for a Thanksgiving yachting holiday.

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To take advantage of this offer, the charter contract must be signed by November 10, 2011.  Please contact the SailAway reservation specialists at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html for further details.

With the tight economy forcing American boaters to reconsider expensive trips abroad, the appeal of Florida yacht charters has increased dramatically in the past two years.  Perhaps not on par with a Virgin Islands yacht charter, there are still plenty of points of interest while cruising along the South Florida coast, especially for charterers who also enjoy scuba diving.  

While the Florida Keys may be known for their fishing and scuba diving locations, both Broward and Miami-Dade counties have some of the best spots to scuba dive in the nation. From natural reefs to sunken ships, it's amazing what can be found off the shores of Miami and Fort Lauderdale.   Many of the reefs and wrecks can be found in 60 to 80 feet of water, making South Florida a great choice for both novice and advanced divers.

Here are some of our top picks:

Tugboat Jay Scutti (off Ft. Lauderdale)
Sunk in Sept. 1986, this 95 foot tug was seized by the government in a drug smuggling operation. It was bought at auction by a man who renamed it the "Jay Scutti," after his son. The wreck lies in 70 feet of water and is centered between a 45 foot wreck named "Moonshot" and another named "Pride," a 95 foot sailboat.  All three wrecks are tethered together by a cable. Divers can usually explore two of the wrecks in one dive. Lots of fish inhabit the Jay Scutti, and it's possible to enter the wreck through various openings.

Hammerhead Reef (off Ft. Lauderdale)
Located just south of Port Everglades and running to the Dania Pier, this two and a half mile reef is famous for its sharks, rays, and large grouper.  The front portion of the reef is in 60 feet of water, while the back side plunges to 80 feet.  In some spots, the reef rises to nearly 20 feet. Tons of marine life call this reef home and make it a great spot for reef diving.

Miami Beach Wreck Trek (off Miami Beach)
It's pretty impressive how artificial reefs have been created by linking multiple wrecks together via a guide cable. The Miami Beach Wreck Trek is a shallow dive, about 50 to 60 feet of water.  It begins with a pair of army tanks on the southern end. As they swim north, divers encounter several tons of limestone boulders and more wrecks like the "Rio Miami," a 105 foot tug which sits upright in about 65 feet of water.

Also off the Miami Beach coast is a trio of sunken tug boats. The "Belzona Ona," lies in 85 feet of water.  About 75 feet away is the second tug, "Belzona Two," in 60 feet of water. The deepest of the trio, "Belzona Three," is a 100 foot tug at a depth of 85 feet.

Not far away is the "Belcher Barge #27," a 195 foot steel barge that was sunk in 1985. The barge flipped on its way to the bottom, but experienced divers can penetrate it and swim the ship's entire length.

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Please comment to let us know about your experiences diving these awesome Florida dive sites!

In addition to cruising in south Florida, Bahama yacht charters are great options for closer-to-home getaways.  Contact our local charter guides for more details in Miami, the Florida Keys and nearby Bimini, Bahamas.
 

Yesterday, a potential (and first-time) Virgin island yacht charter customer asked, "Where do we fly, to catch the boat?"  As we answer a dozen times a week, we replied, "St. Thomas."

For many years, St. Thomas has been the gateway to the Caribbean, and the embarkation port for thousands of Caribbean yacht charter odysseys.  With a major international airport and a large, protected bay in the capital city, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas is a boater's paradise.

St Thomas is one of three main islands that comprise the United States Virgin Islands (USVI).  The other two islands are St John and St Croix. 

Located in the area of the Caribbean known as the West Indies, St Thomas is 1100 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, USA, and just 35 miles to the east of the island of Puerto Rico. 

Average flight time from Miami to St Thomas is 2 hours and 50 minutes, and from San Juan, Puerto Rico to St Thomas is 30 minutes.

Once onboard a luxury sailing charter vessel in St Thomas, the sailing time to the nearby British Virgin Islands is approximately 2 hours.  Motoryachts can make the trip in less than 1 hour.
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Click HERE for a selection of the newest yachts available for a St Thomas yacht charter vacation.

How do you take your cocktails - straight...or on the rocks?

Unfortunately, for the owner of motor yacht Cocktails, a Miami-based mega yacht charter vessel, it was the "rocks" that left his multi-million dollar baby a bit tipsy.

On Friday, the 85-foot yacht, Cocktails, ran aground near Nobska Beach in Woods Hole, Mass, after hitting a rock about 100 yards offshore.  According to the Coast Guard, the skipper grounded the vessel to prevent it from sinking.

No luxury yacht charter guests were onboard at the time of the incident - just the skipper and one crewmember. 

No fuel was spilled, and after dewatering the yacht, tugs towed the vessel to Fairhaven for repairs.  In New England for the summer, it is expected Cocktails will be fixed in time to return to Miami for the winter Florida yacht charter season.

There were no reports of any injuries...except to the skipper's pride...

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Coming to South Florida this winter?  Spend a few days exploring the Florida Keys or the nearby islands of the Bahamas from the comfort of a yacht.  Contact our destination experts HERE today!

Horse racing.  For centuries it has been known as, "The Sport of Kings."  An obsession, bordering on an addiction, of both royalty and aristocracy to breed horses to excel in speed and endurance.

Today, modern day royal families and billionaire capitalists keep alive the grand tradition of owning and racing horses.  Some horse owners also own luxury yachts, and a few have chosen to name their yachts in honor of their prized steeds.

Here's a look back at three extraordinary equine athletes and their namesake luxury yachts:

THUNDER GULCH
Thoroughbred Thunder Gulch left the starting gate at 25-1 odds in 1995 and went on to win the Kentucky Derby. Born in 1992, the champion American racehorse was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey, Gary Stevens, and trained by legendary horseman D. Wayne Lukas.  Thunder Gulch would go on to win the 1995 Belmont Stakes, the Florida Derby, and several more prestigious races.

Motor yacht Thunder Gulch was "born" in 1999.  The 164' Mediterranean yacht charter vessel features accommodations for 10 guests in 5 staterooms.  Recently sold and renamed TJ ESPERANZA, the ex Thunder Gulch is available for charter at a weekly rate of $250,000 plus running expenses.

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HURRICANE RUN
Irish speedster Hurricane Run, launched an illustrious career with wins at the 2005 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere, and the Irish Derby, and would go on to be named the European Horse Of The Year at the 2005 Cartier Racing Awards.

Motor yacht Hurricane Run was launched in late January 2009.  Built at the famed Feadship Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw yard in the Netherlands, the 53.50 meter Mediterranean yacht charter megayacht offers accommodations for up to 12 guests in six cabins.  Rental rates start at $315,000 per week, plus expenses.

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MI SUENO
In 2009, leading US juvenile filly Mi Sueno saw her promising career cut short by a condylar fracture of her off-fore cannonbone.  Winner of the Grade 1 Darley Debutante at Del Mar, she was retired as a broodmare by trainer Eric Guillot.  The daughter of Pulpit, she also won the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar before beating Grade 1 winner Blind Luck in the Debutante.

Launched in 2010, at an impressive 190 ft, motoryacht Mi Sueno is a standout in every respect.  Her amenities include WiFi and Kaleidescape central movie/music server throughout. She’s also equipped with a 2-person, wheelchair-accessible elevator.

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When it comes to the ultimate vacation, stop horsing around and rent a private yacht with professional crew, watertoys, and every amenity imaginable.  Contact our destination specialists HERE today.

It's funny how superstitions and "tales of the unknown" tend to quietly creep into our lives and psyches.

You are going along just fine, oblivious to things that others consider eerie or supernatural.  Suddenly, somebody (or something) plants a seed in your mind, and whammo - you are throwing salt over your shoulder for good luck, or giving a wide berth to the neighbors' black cat sitting in your driveway!

Case in Point - planning a Bahama yacht charter vacation, or as I now refer to it: chartering a yacht in the Devil's Triangle.  Queue the creepy music and fog...

I was recently assisting a client in organizing a Lurssen yacht charter on motoryacht SOLEMATES. The gentleman wanted to take his family for a week-long adventure in the Bahamas.  We were chatting on the phone when I heard his teenage son in the background say, "Dude, I'm not down with a week in the Devil's Triangle...boats go there and people get abducted by aliens and disappear forever!"

The boys' father said,  "Jason, you're watching too much cable TV.  A little less Ghost Hunters and a little more studying wouldn't hurt."  

I remember chuckling to myself, but when I hung up the phone, I began to wonder... is there any credence to this kid's apprehension???

The Devil's Triangle is also known as the Bermuda Triangle, an area of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and a point between Miami and Melbourne, Florida, in which numerous watercraft and aircraft are said to have mysteriously disappeared.

The most famous disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle are the ship USS Cyclops lost in March, 1918 and a U.S. Navy aircraft squadron, Flight 19 [video], said to have vanished in a green fog in December, 1945.

Scores of books have been written about the mystery of the triangle, and dozens of websites offer conjecture on who or what is responsible.  Theories abound - from the occult to extraterrestrials. 

Some sites offer a detailed list of planes, ships, and yachts that have vanished.  It does make you wonder - how could so many boats and planes simply disappear? 

Of course, many other books and websites detail how scientists and researchers have debunked the mysteries over the years.  It seems simple explanations, like tropical storms and pilot error, are the probable culprits for the disappearances. 

With science on their side, the U.S. Navy and the yachting industry pay little heed to the myths and legends. Lloyd's of London, for example, the world's leading market for specialized insurance, does not charge higher premiums for luxury mega yacht charter vessels transiting this heavily traveled area.

Still, I can't get the silly notion of aliens in the Bahamas out of my head.  Not Cuban rafters, but little green aliens with antennas on their heads and ray guns in their hands. 

I'm with Jason, dude - I'm not "down" with the Devil's Triangle.

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Avoid the Bermuda triangle and spend a week in paradise on a Virgin Islands yacht charter.  Contact our mythbusters, aka charter agents, HERE for more details.