Words: Alistair MacQueen
When a superyacht is by your side, you can go virtually anywhere, especially in the winter. A floating 5-star hotel that cossets you in virtually every way, with friends or family along for the good times and a crew that cater to your every whim, there’s no end to its charms.
With summer but a distant memory, now is the time to start making plans about where you want to go when you head south, and what you want to sail on.
Some destinations, however, will definitely be off-limits owing to the recent hurricanes which blighted the BVIs and Caribbean. Hemmo Bloemers, a broker at Yachtmastersinformed us that “Antigua, The Exumas & Bahamas are ok and will be up and running this winter, but St Maarten, Anguilla, St Barths, Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, St Kitts & Nevis were all heavily affected.”
Equally Robert Dubsy, CEO of Yachtmasters went one further, telling us that “St Maarten has advised that Simpson Marina will be 50% up and running by November and St Barths have advised that the New Year festivities will still be taking place as usual. Meanwhile St Thomas marina will be fully up and running by the end of November.”
He does add, however, that Antigua is going to be busier this year as most yachts based in St Maarten have relocated there.
Here’s our guide to the places to visit, but, even better, the yachts to visit them on:
Charter: Lady Sara
This 57m superyacht offer luxurious living and sumptuous details throughout. Not only is the dining room and aft lounge impressive, but the opulent sky lounge has more than a touch of St. James’s about it with velvet blue club chairs just vying for your attention.
With an ability to accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 elegant staterooms, Lady Sara is a true socialite; gracious, classy and sleek. And she’s not slow either, with two Caterpillar 3516C HDs giving her a cruising speed of 16 knots.
For the less indolent sailor, there’s a gym below deck and a sundeck gym, plus toys such as a water ski, paddleboards. And the piece de resistance? The driving green and floating golf balls. Because a gentleman must work on his handicap wherever he is in the world.
$300,000 per week + Expenses
Charter: Maltese Falcon
Six years in the making by Viareggio-based Perini Navi (a veritable guarantee of superyacht excellence) this stunning vessel oozes contemporary design and industrial chic throughout. It’s a look that’s complement by a thoroughly up-to-date interior, gym and outdoor cinema. Any of your 12 guests will enjoy sitting at 1 of the 2 main decks bars, and there’s no shortage of places to loaf constructively. The panoply of toys onboard also makes this a superyacht game-changer. With 1 x Superjet Jetski 2 x 3-man Jet Skis, 2 x SeaBobs, snorkelling gear and a jetpack, you’ll be at Antigua before you know it.
$440,000 per week + Expenses
Charter: Silver Fast
With a lustrous beam, cool performance figures and confident seakeeping thanks to a semi displacement hull, it’s no surprise that Silver Fast is so named. If anything, she was also built for relaxing as her multiple areas testify. Picture yourself lying supinely on the main aft deck, or taking a dip in the 8-person jacuzzi pool, while ruminating about where to head next: the beach club gym and spa or the massage room? The owner’s cabin meanwhile is a vision to behold, with a superb view looking forward, and its own deck looking aft ensures a good level of privacy.
€675,000 per week + Expenses
Charter: Party Girl
Built to entertain and impress, Party Girl couldn’t be a more perfect vessel to take you to the Far East. With its breathtaking indoor/outdoor lounge as you enter the interior of the yacht from the main aft desk, a formal dining salon, upper deck salon and main salon, you’ll be able to meander as you see fit and take advantage of the generous beach club below.
Elegantly fitted out in panelled wood with white furnishings, the chairs and sofas located in the multiple social areas are enticingly comfortable although personally, we can’t wait to try the waterslide.
$505,000 per week + Expenses
Charter: Big Fish
There’s an old saying: Go big, or go home. And ok, while Big Fish isn’t exactly huge at 45m, she’s bursting inside with gear. We’ve recommended going to Australia with this superyacht not only because of the 55in television to watch as you cross the seas, or the fully equipped gym so you’ll have a ripped physique to bust on the beach while you’re there.
Or even the 3 x Seedoo jet skis down below. No. In fact it’s the exhaustive amount of fishing and diving gear with which to get angling or explore the reefs with when you head down under. And did we mention the jacuzzi and sundeck’s amazing too?
$275,000 per week + Expenses
Still confused about where to go? Head to our guide about the perfect charter destinations.
To charter any of these superyachts, make sure to visit Yachtmasters.
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