Sailing Yacht Takapuna under sail

Takapuna has a great aft deck

Sail Takapuna – Book now for a great rate reduction!!!

I had the opportunity to go aboard a new yacht for charter called Takapuna.

There is a great deal proposed to get Takapuna set up for their introduction into chartering. The normal rate for Takapuna is $50,000 plus all expenses (expenses are estimated at 20% of the charter rate).  BUT, book by September 1 (hurry!) and you will get a  reduction of about $10,000 USD!!! That’s right, a 112′ Sailing Charter Yacht that can accommodate 8 guests for $39,900  plus expenses. (Sorry, the Christmas/New Years Holidays are excluded from this offer – it is $60,000 + for those weeks!)…

This sailing charter yacht, built by Valdettaro Shipyards in Italy, has just been through some nice refitting under the present new Owner and Crew. The crew is headed by Marco and Robin, who have come from the Motor Yacht Texas Star, previous to this they were on a catamaran based in the BVI’s. Off they have gone for a tour through France before the start of the 2011-2012 Yacht Charter Season here in the Caribbean. No doubt Robin will come back with lots of great ideas for new French Cuisine!

Dune Preserve - now that's a Boat Bar!

Ann E of Select Yacht with Bankie on Anguilla at The Dune Preserve

Bankie will play a free concert before embarking on his yearly North American tour.
Thanks Bankie for your Dune Preserve, keeping in character with Anguilla’s stunningly beautiful beaches. Oh, and your music is awesome, I think Island Boy is my favorite. I cannot find the concert schedule anywhere, but here is more info on Bankie Banx, one of the Caribbean’s treasured artists, can’t put my finger on it…not Raggae, not Calypso, not Soca, just pure Bankie! Click here for Bankie’s site.

Welcome to The Dune Preserve - Designed by Nature!

The Viceroy ~ Anguilla's wave of the future...?

Tillymint in Croatia $15,500/2 pax; $21,750/6 pax with half board package!

Having just spent a bit of time in Europe looking at charter yachts has put a big sign in front of my eyes – WOW, yacht charter in the Americas is sure a great value! With the exchange rate of USD to Euro putting a 50% surcharge on things, now is a great time for Europeans (and Americans and Canadians etc) to consider a visit to “The Colonies”. Besides the Caribbean there is New England and The Bahamas…all priced in affordable USD!
And, OK, for those who really want to go to Europe this summer, I have a few tricks up my sleeve, look at 115′ M/V Harmony, 88′ M/V Essence, 73′ Catamaran Wonderful, and the beautiful 67′ S/V Tillymint, they are all scattered about the Med and priced in USD!!!!

D. Randy West - winning a race as captain of S/Y Lone Fox based on St Barth's - the weather was great that day!

One of our favorite all time Captains, D. Randy West, is basking in the admiration of fellow yachtsmen for finally having put some of his life adventures in writing. The fact that his choice of subject is the 18 hurricanes he has been in may not be the best thing…for those of us who are trying to sell yacht and sailing charters over this long hot summer. But if you get an opportunity, do try to pick up the book, it is on Amazon as a print or Kindle version. (here is some info from Amazon.)
Well folks, from the sound of the book, hurricanes just follow this guy around. Last known location for D. Randy West is Florida. That makes it look a little safer in St Barth’s, St Maarten, the Virgin Islands, Bahamas…the Caribbean in general. Even seems an all clear now in New England, where Randy managed to draw in a few storms even there over the years!
This is a great fun read. And remember folks, if you want to come to the Caribbean, summer is actually a great time. Insurers will privide insurance against storms etc for a minimal charge, and it is like the old days…anchorages are empty and peaceful, the breezes still blow gently… most of the time!