Charter

Exploring Croatia on the 48m superyacht Freedom (Pt 2)

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Exploring Croatia on the 48m superyacht Freedom (Pt 2)

August 23, 2022
11:33 pm

In the conclusion of a two-part article, Yacht Style explores Croatia on the 48m Freedom operated by Goolets, which offers the 11-cabin superyacht packed with toys from €100,000 per week.
Words: John Higginson
Photos: Goolets

SUNNY PLAYGROUND

Aft, the jacuzzi is a guest favourite

The sun deck is Freedom’s winning card, an adult’s playground with world-beating views. The raised jacuzzi at the aft end is a firm favourite, especially since being surrounded by sunpads following the refit.

Otherwise, the deck is dominated by a remarkably long U-shaped arrangement of sofas, with space for up to 20 people to sit within reach of one of four coffee tables along the centre line. To port is the staircase from the upper deck, two sun loungers and a hanging chair, while to starboard is another hanging chair and six sun loungers.

Just some of the seating on the sun deck

All the seats and sun loungers have a forward view of a well-stocked bar, which can become a social hub before dinner and even livelier afterwards when the two huge speakers come into play.

There’s more fun up ahead. The air-conditioned gym offers sea views forward and to both sides, and a good range of equipment including a treadmill, exercise bike and rowing machine, as well as free weights and more.

The sun deck has an air-conditioned gym

In front of the gym is the pool, which is about 5m wide and has a forward-facing bench seat inside and a feature ‘tap’ to port. Even with 20 or so guests on this deck alone, there’s enough space and activities for people to have as much or as little company as they want.

The 5m-wide pool is at the forward end

Furthermore, the layout is flexible enough to have a ‘zen’ theme as a health and wellbeing area for yoga, fitness and smoothies, or as a lively entertainment venue for sunbathing, swimming, music and cocktails. In fact, Freedom even has a fifth level, with a large roof deck above accessible by ladder and used to carry the two tenders (4.8m and 6m) and two jetskis, which can be deployed by a crane.

That’s not all. The full menu of water toys includes an electric foil board, motorised surfboard, Seabob, several paddleboards, kayak, wakeboard, waterskis, inflatables and huge waterslide. And thanks to the amazing crew, you’ll find many of these in the water before you even dive off the back of Freedom after anchoring.

ISLAND ATTRACTIONS

Goolets’ wide range of seven-day itineraries for Freedom or their other CA yachts include starting and finishing in Split, and a one-way route from Split to Dubrovnik. This year it even has two-week and three-week charter bookings for groups wanting more of Freedom and Croatia.

Aerial view of the island of Brac

A typical week-long round trip can include the islands of Brac, Vis, Hvar, Korcula and Pelješac, then stop at different parts of Hvar and Brac on the way back to Split or even nearby Trogir, just a half-hour drive away.

A Split-Dubrovnik route could also take in Brac, Hvar and Korcula before continuing to the likes of Mljet and Lopud on the way to Dubrovnik, about 112nm southeast of Split.

The 48m Freedom berths in Bol on Brac

Brac is typically a first stop as it’s just 10nm south of Split and well worth a visit for Zlatni Rat, billed as Croatia’s most famous beach and otherwise known as the Golden Horn or Golden Cape.

Dock in the southern harbour town of Bol and it’s a 15-minute walk along a tree-covered promenade beside some exclusive homes to this iconic beach, a stunning spit of land that offers clear water on both sides and plenty of space for sunbathing, bars and restaurants. Other spots in Brac include the pretty fishing village of Milna in a protected harbour on the west coast.

On Brac, Zlatni Rat is Croatia’s most famous beach

Hvar is just south of Brac and its attractions include the quaint town of Jelsa on the north, but the island is most famous for the port town of Hvar on the west.

One of the most popular destinations for day trips from Split and busy during the summer, Hvar has an historic ‘old town’ and many visitors enjoy a walk up to the 16th-century Spanish Fortress for great views of the city.

Hvar is one of Croatia’s most famous islands

It also has a beautiful waterfront packed with shops, restaurants and bars, while there are beach clubs and swimming spots within walking distance. Just off Hvar town are the Pakleni Islands, a chain of wooded islands where you can enjoy wonderful beaches or anchor in the bays to enjoy watersports in clear, protected waters.

Vis is the small island southwest of Hvar where they shot the 2018 hit Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, with Goolets staff saying Pierce Brosnan enjoyed it so much that he never wanted to leave. Nearby attractions include the Blue Cave to the west and Green Cave to the south.

The Mamma Mia sequel was shot in Vis

Yachts typically berth at the town of Vis in a beautiful, protected bay in the northeast, and there’s an air of ‘time stands still’ in this postcard-perfect coastal town. On our penultimate day, we anchored just off Vis town for a fantastic few hours of swimming and trying to use every water toy on board Freedom.

Yachts can also visit the western port town of Komiza, where the Jastoreza restaurant doubled as the ‘Greek Taverna’ in the Mamma Mia sequel.

Korcula is home to a stunning historic fortified town

Korcula is the island south of Hvar and home to Korcula, a stunning historic fortified town described by Goolets as ‘one of the most breathtakingly beautiful towns imaginable’. Known as the birthplace of Marco Polo, it has themed shops and a museum in his honour, and offers another mesmerising on-land experience.

GOOLETS, THE SUPER HOST

These are just four of the Dalmatian islands and the options are almost endless. Goolets’ existing routes are all proven winners, but the company can tailor an itinerary for each charter, which also includes booking all restaurants and on-land activities, sometimes months in advance.

Freedom is packed with water toys

“In the last couple of years, Goolets has made an extra effort to integrate itself into the local communities and become close with all the service providers on all the islands and cities we visit,” says Ivan Ramljak, Goolets’ Country Manager for Croatia.

“We know the owners of the restaurants and the wineries, even the fishermen, so we go the extra mile to create a special occasion for the client.

Dubrovnik is a nice place to finish a charter

“Sometimes a special meal for 35 people can be a two-month process to prepare the food, the tables and set-up, the music. We must consider the weather to know if it should be indoors or outdoors, or if it’s right season for the seafood. The clients appreciate this care and so do the restaurants.”

For each trip aboard Freedom, Goolets offers guests a private ‘concierge assistant’ who prepares daily suggestions on how to maximise the charter experience based around the structure of each group, whether it be families with young children, teenagers, active seniors, couples only, or mixed groups of all ages, which you’re likely to have in a group of 20 or so.

Freedom guests walk around Vis

It’s an exciting time for Goolets, whose name is a ‘Google’-inspired twist on gulets, the classic wooden Turkish sailing craft, an equivalent of Indonesia’s phinisis.

The company started 17 years ago by focusing on gulets and chartering them in Turkey and later in Italy, Greece and Croatia, which has now become its leading market.

Sunbathing on the sun deck of Freedom

Goolets still operates many gulets, but has expanded and diversified to include many modern motor yachts in its CA fleet, which now numbers about 20 and ranges in size up to the 52m, 18-cabin Alfa Mario. Business is good overall and this year’s bookings on Goolets yachts in the Med even include a five-week multi-country trip and a nine-week journey through the Greek islands.

However, following its refit, Freedom is the company’s leading light and was quickly booked out for the season, which in Croatia usually runs from April through to October.

Freedom offers multiple ways to relax

Her facilities, cuisine, crew and water toys make Freedom a match for most sub-50m yachts on the charter circuit. And from 2023, she’ll be available to charter from €100,000 per week, so you don’t need the bank account of a rock star, NBA legend or Microsoft founder to afford her.
www.goolets.net

Exploring Croatia on the 48m superyacht Freedom (Pt 1)

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Savouring a Croatian superyacht charter on the 48m Freedom (Part 1)

August 18, 2022
4:09 am

Fresh from a refit, the 48m Freedom operated by Goolets offers two full-beam master suites among 11 guest cabins, a jacuzzi, bar, gym and pool on the sun deck, a cinema, sauna and massage room on the lower deck, and water toys galore – all from €100,000 per week.
Words: John Higginson
Photos: Goolets

Goolets manages charters on 48m Croatia-built Freedom

“Michael Jordan. Magic Johnson. Beyonce and Jay-Z,” our driver says. I feel a bit embarrassed to join the list of people he has picked up from Split Airport and driven to a superyacht. “Also, Rod Stewart and Bill Gates are regular visitors.” Okay, I get it.

Situated across from Italy on the east side of the Adriatic Sea, Croatia emerged as a popular hot spot for superyachts at the start of this century. The country’s remarkably clear water is among its main attractions, but what makes the southerly Dalmatia region different to most Mediterranean destinations is the remarkable network of islands that are close to each other and the mainland.

Croatia is renowned for its clear water

This means short, relaxed voyages of just an hour or two between destinations, so more time to enjoy swimming and watersports or exploring historic coastal cities, towns and villages. Its remarkable geography makes Croatia ideal for everything from day trips to three-week charter bookings when you could stay somewhere different every day.

While many of the world’s most famous superyachts have been visiting Croatia for the past two decades, an alternative superyacht market has also evolved, with locally built yachts in the 50m range offering 18 or so cabins.

Freedom’s new-look sun deck

Due to international maritime regulations, such yachts are restricted to chartering in Croatia and can be booked by the cabin, so are effectively ‘cruise yachts’ compared to the giant cruise ships that also ply this remarkable coastline.

However, a new trend has emerged, with a handful of owners converting these large yachts into 11-cabin versions and offering superyacht-like amenities and service, yet at surprisingly affordable prices.

Captain Ivan Rakuljic and Goolets’ Ivan Ramljak

Freedom, among Goolets’ Central Agency charter fleet, is only the third yacht to make this transition and the best according to Captain Ivan Rakuljic, who owns the 158-footer built in the Radez Shipyard on the island of Korcula and launched in 2019.

“I saw the first yachts to make this transition from 18 to 11 cabins, so having seen that it worked commercially, we were able to do more with our redesign and upgrade, and make the experience on Freedom even more luxurious,” says Rakuljic, who also increased the crew from eight to 12.

Just a few of Freedom’s welcoming crew

Freedom is considered the Goolets flagship – if not quite in length, then certainly in quality, offerings and service. And the company works closely with both the yacht and the charter client to provide a unique experience for one week or more for up to 24 guests, ideal for extended family gatherings or a week-long wedding party and everything in-between.

SETTING OFF FROM SPLIT

Ivan Ramljak, Goolets’ Country Manager for Croatia, says the Slovenia-based company founded in 2005 by Mitja and Alenka Mirtic

differs from other charter operators because of its concierge-style service and emphasis on tailor-made journeys and experiences for its clients.

Two long tables seat over 20 guests for indoor dining

“Goolets is involved in every aspect of the charter experience, from the enquiry, to planning the trip, during the trip and afterwards, and this separates us from the competition,” says Split-based Ramljak, who’s also a licensed tour guide. “We’re always available for the client, which means the crew can focus on service, operations and hospitality.”

Split is a great place to start your visit and you could spend an enjoyable day or two in this historic port before or even after your charter.

Split is a common starting point for Goolets trips

Croatia’s largest coastal city and second-biggest overall behind Zagreb, Split is packed with attractions including the iconic Riva promenade along its waterfront. Packed with cafes, restaurants and popup market stalls, the Riva is the centre of waterfront activity and even hosts public events and parades, such as for local hero Goran Ivanisevic following his Wimbledon victory in 2001.

Behind the Riva in the ‘old town’ is the beautifully preserved Diocletian Palace, which was built for the Roman emperor from about 300AD – or over 1,700 years ago. More like a fortress, this four-section rectangular slice of history measures 215m by 180m and is well worth a guided tour.

A water fountain on ‘the Riva’, Split’s iconic waterfront promenade

West of the harbour is the stunning hillside Marjan Forest Park featuring jogging trails, a botanical garden and great views over the city centre. East of the harbour, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Riva, is Bacvice Beach, a protected sandy beach with clear, shallow water that leads around to waterfront restaurants and bars, as well as several more swimming beaches and Marina Zenta.

FEATURES OF FREEDOM

After boarding Freedom in Split, it’s time to look around the fully air-conditioned yacht and find out how they manage to fit in 11 en-suite guest cabins with TVs, as well as a cinema, massage room, sauna, two bars, a gym, jacuzzi and a pool!

One of two master suites among 11 guest cabins

Instead of being home to the saloon as on standard layouts, the main deck includes six guest cabins comprising one full-width master stateroom aft, a VIP suite in the bow and four convertible double/twin cabins. The lower deck includes a double, twin and two triples featuring a double and single bed.

A separate staircase to the lower deck leads to the massage room, the sauna room with large shower, and the huge movie, media and gaming room, which features two rows of sofa-style seating and is great for an intimate evening or a large gathering. A guitar is included.

The massage room (above) and cinema (below) are on the lower deck

The upper deck houses the second master stateroom, a stunning full-beam suite with a curved bathtub in the corner and enormous walk-in dressing room. Forward is the wheelhouse, the domain of Captain Ivan.

The central staircase leads to a hall at the front of the saloon where there’s a piano to continue the musical theme. The long saloon features sofas and coffee tables along the port side of the room, while the starboard side features two long dining tables lined tip to tip and capable of seating two-dozen guests.

The food on Freedom is exceptional

The aft deck offers covered alfresco dining, with two long tables either side of the stairs as well as a full-beam sofa aft, a large but quiet lounging area protected from the sun and the action on the deck above.

The food is top class and there’s an emphasis on fresh local produce, with seafood to the fore as well as plenty of local wines such as Kozlovic Malvazija and Kozlovic Mušcat Momjanski. Our meals included the daily catch, glazed scallops, tuna steak, cuttlefish and mango salad, homemade tortellini stuffed with crab meat, and scampi risotto with saffron and sheep cheese.

Upwards of 20 guests can dine alfresco on the covered aft deck

Other dishes included braised veal leg, beef steak, lamb racks and homemade pasta with braised beef tail. A range of cuisines and options such as vegetarian or gluten-free are available, with all menus catered to the charter clients and arranged in advance.

For more on Freedom, its activities and destinations, read PART 2, coming soon …

www.goolets.net

Note: The full original article appears in ‘Charter’ in YACHT STYLE Issue 66.

Sailing superyachts for charter in Polynesia

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Sailing superyachts for charter in Polynesia

August 18, 2022
3:17 am

The 43m Guillemot and 34m Imagine are available for late-summer charters through Camper & Nicholsons.

Guillemot is a Dubois design

The 141ft Vitters sloop Guillemot and the 110ft Imagine by Alloy are both available for late-summer charters in Polynesia through Camper & Nicholsons from €105,000 and US$54,500 per week respectively.

Launched in the Netherlands in 2004, the 43m Guillemot is designed by Dubois Naval Architects, has a striking grey hull and had a complete redesign of her interiors as part of a 2021 refit.

The fold-out swim platform on Guillemot

The soft furnishings were replaced and her new colour scheme is complemented by freshly oiled teak, birchwood and stainless-steel details. The recent refit includes a new cockpit area, updated saloon and refreshed en-suite bathrooms.

The owner’s cabin, split-level and located aft, offers a private study, a separate dressing room and a walk-in closet. With another two doubles and two twins, the yacht can sleep 10 guests.

Guillemot’s saloon

Guillemot is suited for diving and water sports enthusiasts, featuring a dedicated diving and bathing platform as well as a good range of water toys including options for younger guests.

The tender, a Smuggler Strata 650, boasts a large canopy, freshwater shower, ski pole and Bluetooth stereo. Captain Mark Welch heads the crew, which includes a distinguished chef versed in preparing fine vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

Imagine was built by New Zealand’s Alloy Yachts

Imagine is also a Dubois design and was launched by Alloy in New Zealand in 1993, with the 34m fully custom build having a refit in 2018. Imagine is currently on her fourth circumnavigation, has completed numerous Atlantic crossings and competed in many regattas.

Refitted to incorporate the latest technology and lifestyle amenities, Imagine has new generators, rigging, mast and sails, among other equipment designed to ensure a safe sailing experience, also offering a superb selection of water toys.

Imagine’s well-lit saloon

Imagine is ideal for family charters or groups of friends, with a full-beam master cabin with an adjoining ‘kid’s corner’ for two smaller sailors, another double cabin, and one triple cabin consisting of three single berths. All cabins are air-conditioned and feature en-suite shower-rooms.

Decorated in neutral tones with light oak and with luxurious upholstery, Imagine has well-appointed living areas with plenty of natural light. The main saloon is divided into three areas: a cosy lounge with sofas, an interior dining space and the navigation station where the charter plans can be studied alongside the Captain.

Sailing, superyachts, Guillemot, Imagine, charter, Polynesia, Camper & Nicholsons, Alloy, Vitters, New Zealand, Netherlands, Dutch, Mark Welch

Imagine has accommodation for seven adults

On deck, which is finished in a blonde teak, Imagine’s spacious cockpit with twin helm stations has plenty of seating and a lounging area.

To the rear of the helm, alfresco drinks and dining can be enjoyed at the two tables, surrounded by U-shaped cushioned seating. A large awning can be erected in minutes when not sailing to ensure meal times are shaded and comfortable. In the evenings, a cinema screen can be set up on deck for movies under the stars with friends and family. www.camperandnicholsons.com

Kudanil Explorer offers adventure in Indonesia

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Kudanil Explorer offers adventure in Indonesia

January 20, 2022
3:35 am

Kudanil Explorer’s bespoke charters around remote areas of Indonesia have attracted royalty, sports stars, actors and musicians, justifying Remi Epstein’s bold decision to convert a 1978 ocean-going tug into a luxury expedition vessel that’s “built to go anywhere – safely and comfortably”.

Kudanil Explorer in Raja Ampat, West Papua

What’s nicer than waking up next to waterfall? How about waking up to a waterfall when you’re not expecting to. Remi Epstein recalls this while cruising on Kudanil Explorer, the 50m luxury expedition vessel he owns but usually only stays on for important engagements with customers or agents.

The Frenchman was hosting a major surf operator for a mix of recce and promotion in a remote area of Indonesia, the vast archipelago where the eight-cabin Kudanil Explorer has been chartering through Camper & Nicholsons following an extensive three-year conversion completed in 2018.

Surfing in Raja Ampat

“The surf group were great professionals and shot some amazing footage, but on this occasion, we probably stayed a bit too late. It started to rain and the sea became rough,” recalls Epstein, who lives in Singapore.

“It was dark by the time we reached the unmarked narrow channel that led to the lagoon where we planned to spend the night. However, it was well described in the admiralty pilot book, so we decided it was safe to enter using radar bearings.

“In the morning, when we awoke, we discovered we were near a big waterfall. It almost seemed that the notion of time had disappeared.”

Surfing in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara; Photo: Armand Perez

Epstein smiles at the memory, adding that they even found a primitive harpoon at the foot of the waterfall. “This is what this ship has been designed for,” he says proudly. “And I think the operator was also impressed. Today he’s one of our major clients.”

FOR THE LOVE OF INDONESIA

For 35 years, Epstein owned a 48ft Dutch-built steel trawler called Morroch 2 and sailed a total of 65,000nm, first in Europe and then in Southeast Asia, where he recalls first travelling through Indonesian waters as far back as 1976.

Kudanil Explorer in Wayag, Raja Ampat

Currently, he owns a 70ft steel motor yacht called Keinvor, which he had built to his specifications in Singapore and typically cruised for three or four months a year (before Covid), sailing extensively in Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.

He has also used Keinvor to explore potential destinations in Indonesia for Kudanil Explorer, the hardy, 1,000GT ocean-going tug built by the Teraoka Shipyard in Japan and launched in 1978. A ship owner, Epstein provided marine services in offshore oil exploration and production, and bought the 164ft Japanese build from Swire Pacific in 2004.

Remi Epstein, owner of Kudanil Explorer

However, in 2015, he decided to semi-retire and sold all the ships he had except for Kudanil Explorer, as he looked to fulfil his dream of converting her into a luxury charter yacht operating in Indonesia.

“When I bought her, I always thought she could be the ideal platform for a true ‘go-anywhere’ expedition yacht. I always had that project in the back of my mind and finally decided it was time to undertake it,” says Epstein, who had regularly cruised between Singapore and Papua province in the far east of the Indonesian archipelago for two decades.

The 50m charter yacht was originally an ocean-going tug

Designed and built for hard work, not pleasure, Kudanil Explorer was not the most obvious vessel for converting into a luxury charter yacht, yet Epstein’s vision was clear.

Aware he was taking an unusual route into the high-end charter industry, he says his commitment was reinforced when he was able to hire his nephew Thibaud Epstein to lead the charter expeditions.

The 1,000GT 164-footer is equipped to explore remote areas

“Thibaud had been working with me for several years and I knew he could take over. Having a family member in this key position allowed me to take risks I might not have otherwise.”

Other key personnel staying on for the new journey including Captain Wayan, an experienced skipper whose early career included time in the Netherlands with Weissmuller Salvage, one of the world’s biggest salvage companies.

There are multiple outdoor and indoor guest areas, and toys

Having known Wayan since 1992, Epstein hired him in 1998 when he founded his company and has now worked with him for well over two decades. “I have complete trust in his judgment with respect to operating safely.”

CONVERSION EXTRAORDINAIRE

For the technical aspect of the conversion, which involved cutting the superstructure and rebuilding the accommodation, Epstein hired two Asia-based stalwarts he’d previously worked with – British naval architect Simon Jupe and French project manager Bertrand d’Alencon.

Alix Thomsen

For the interior and overall decor, Epstein’s search eventually led him to select young French designer Alix Thomsen, a former fashion designer who moved successfully into interiors, with a portfolio featuring well-known boutique hotels in Paris and the homes of A-List celebrities.

“I asked her to develop a style that fuses a Parisian boutique hotel and an Indonesian home, bearing in mind it was for a ship which had an industrial past,” he says. “She visited me in my home in Brittany to present a preliminary idea. It surprised me, but I thought it was spot on and we went from there.”

Library on the main deck

As is so often the case in yachting, the conversion project proved to be more complex, lengthy and costly than expected. Much of this was because of Epstein’s desire for the yacht to be approved by its original classification society, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Converting a 1978 tug to a commercial expedition yacht complying to 2017 safety regulations required submitting 185 drawings, which were subject to more than 80 comments and clarifications.

The spa is near the saloon on the main deck

Finally, after three years, Kudanil Explorer was finally ready for her new life – and the only ABS classified yacht in Indonesia.

FOUR DECKS, EIGHT CABINS

The conversion was remarkable. The ship’s hardy hull and functional superstructure bely a truly elegant boat onboard, where she offers a remarkable 11,000sqft (1,000sqm) of guest areas.

The large saloon and bar

On the main deck, the saloon includes multiple dining areas and a bar, with the use of wood, bamboo, rattan, plants and flowers providing a stylish tropical vibe. To starboard is the spa, while forward of the saloon is an elegant library lounge and a wine cellar by the stairs.

The upper deck features arguably the yacht’s defining feature – eight almost identical guest cabins, each spanning 330sqft with a sea-facing king-sized bed and a spacious balcony with daybed.

Each of the eight upper-deck guest cabins has a balcony

It’s a unique offering in the archipelago where the yacht is typically chartered by one booking party such as a family or families, an agent or a special expedition group like the surf operator.

“Having a lot of experience of yachting, I had seen that in many yachts, some guests had pretty nice cabins and others much less so,” Epstein says. “I felt it would be better for everyone to enjoy the best possible accommodation and I believe it has been a plus for our guests.”

Al fresco dining on the top deck

The top deck has the key outdoor areas for guests. The covered skylounge restaurant and bar is beautifully designed, with the use of natural materials linking it nicely to the open aft sun deck, which is dressed in sofas, sun loungers, parasols and plants – and will soon feature new furniture as part of an upgrade.

The aft sun deck

Forward, on top of the wheelhouse, is a beautiful, wooden-floored jacuzzi deck, a secluded area with lounging space.

“We generally pride ourselves on space, comfort and unrivalled safety,” Epstein says. “Guests love the mix of the ship’s reassuring sturdiness, the large social areas and the warmth of our crew.”

The jacuzzi deck is the highest guest area

ACTIVITIES AND EXPLORATION

Royal families, NBA basketball players, Indonesian tycoons, Silicon valley entrepreneurs, and famous actors and musicians have been among guests of Kudanil Explorer since she started chartering, typically with a 21-strong crew. Prior to charter activity winding down early last year due to Covid,

Kudanil Explorer had hosted about 40 expeditions, almost all featuring bespoke itineraries reflecting guests’ preferred activities and guidance by the yacht’s management team. Trips are planned in detail, with discussions starting long before the trip does.

Kudanil Explorer is built to explore

“Expeditions have involved surfing trips, diving, flyfishing, fishing, photography and cultural expeditions – or a combination of some or all of these! The real attraction is Indonesia, with its 17,508 islands, which is spectacular for all these activities. It’s the ultimate playground,” Epstein says.

“However, if an opportunity arises and is economically viable, we welcome long-range expeditions in faraway places. The yacht has been built to go anywhere, safely and comfortably, and this is where she really stands out. In the future, we’re considering venturing further, such as Papua New Guinea, to keep off the beaten track and do what she does best: explore new territories.”

Diving is a popular activity

With Thibaud in charge of most charter expeditions, Epstein is only aboard Kudanil Explorer for special occasions and he’s happy to share lasting memories of another recent trip.

Just ahead of the onset of Covid, he squeezed in a cruise with his extended family to relocate Kudanil Explorer from Raja Ampat to Ambon in the Spice Islands, prior to the ship’s annual dry dock in Makassar. The journey provided a fond reminder of just why he chose to risk converting a 40-year-old Safety Standby Vessel into a luxury charter yacht.

Guests enjoy exploring Indonesia

“Many of the family had come from France, others from Thailand and Singapore. It was really unique, cruising at leisure, with amazing diving, exploring and hiking,” he recalls. “We all remember that trip, the time we had together and agree there cannot be a better way to organise a family reunion. Everyone is waiting for the next opportunity.”

http://www.camperandnicholsons.com

Charter in Asia 2021: Camper & Nicholsons
Camper & Nicholsons highlights some of its top superyachts for charter in Asia, as published in Yacht Style’s annual feature in Issue 60.

Charter in Asia 2021 – Hong Kong: NextWave Yachting

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia 2021: Hong Kong – NextWave Yachting

August 2, 2021
10:00 pm

NextWave Charters is focused on fun-filled days with large groups and lots of water toys, one of the company’s many areas of expertise.

NextWave operates charters and events on its custom-built 65ft NextWave Island (on right)

Part of NextWave Yachting, NextWave Charters offers a diverse listing of boats in terms of price and style from wooden Chinese junks to houseboats, sailing boats and motor yachts including the company’s purpose-built NextWave Island, a 65ft ‘luxury event boat’ unique in Hong Kong.

In June, the company staged a popular private party on NextWave Island, where models wearing Sankini bikinis were the stars of a day-long event that also showed off the boat’s toys including an enormous inflatable Aquaglide slide that runs down from the top deck.

NextWave Island features a huge Aquaglide slide

Built for large-scale events, the boat can cater to up to 40 guests under ‘normal’ circumstances. Its rectangular, three-deck layout provides enormous social areas, with both the main deck and flybridge open to the elements, with outdoor blinds are available for the main deck.

The main deck includes a bar and outdoor rinse shower, the flybridge features a DJ area and dance floor, while there’s a speaker system fitted throughout the boat.

NextWave partnered with Sankini for a major summer event

However, NextWave Island can be arranged in a multitude of setups due to the vast floor space, open layout and the modular furniture on board. This means it can host anything from children’s and adult birthday parties to wedding after-parties, company events and product launches.

The towering Aquaglide slide, a trampoline, inflatables and noodles are among the boat’s standard toys. However, there are options for a lot more as NextWave is the leading water toys company in Hong Kong, where it’s the dealer for a huge number of brands including Seabob, Lift eFoil, JetSurf, Aquaglide, Yachtbeach, Belassi, JetXTender, Oxoon and Scubajet.

NextWave is a leading supplier of water toys including inflatable pools

“We’re creating new experiences and services for the charter market, especially with NextWave Island,” says Frankie Chau, Managing Director of NextWave.

“Combining water sports and chartering is really popular in other countries and we want to carry that into Hong Kong. We will keep having exciting new events and creative ways on NextWave Island to let people enjoy our services.”
www.nextwavecharters.com

NextWave flying Sunseeker flag in Hong Kong
NextWave was already one of Hong Kong’s largest yachting companies, but its recent appointment as the city’s Sunseeker dealer has raised the profile of a dealer now developing a ‘Seek More’ showroom in Repulse Bay and bringing a special Manhattan 68 to the city.

Charter in Asia 2021 – Hong Kong: Asiamarine

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia 2021: Hong Kong - Asiamarine

August 2, 2021
9:34 pm

Asiamarine’s charter offerings in Hong Kong include a Sunseeker Predator 74, Galeon 500, the city’s largest charter sailing yacht and much more.

Sunseeker Predator 74

Asiamarine has a diverse CA charter fleet headed by Hong Kong’s largest active sailing boat and a Sunseeker Predator 74, while the company offers a range of water toys for rent on top of those provided by each boat.

Furthermore, the company’s charter crew have undergone hospitality training to provide the level of service expected by increasingly demanding guests, reveals Laura Verbrugge, Charter Broker for Asiamarine.

Sunseeker Predator 74

“Clients are expecting top-quality services as part of a shift to more qualitative charters, less party groups. People like spending quality time on board with family and close friends,” Verbrugge says.

“At the same time, there’s more demand for larger yachts with more cabins so more people can stay overnight. Before the pandemic, about two out of five bookings were for overnight and now it’s three out of five. There’s also a growing interest in special attractions such as an overnight charter with a guest chef onboard or extra watersports such as wakesurfing and eFoil.”

Sunseeker Predator 74

The Sunseeker Predator 74 is a 2019 build with an excellent crew including a former Cathay Pacific business class flight attendant. The yacht can have 15 guests for a day charter and six people staying overnight in three cabins – a master, VIP and twin.

The open layout includes a large sunpad aft, a covered alfresco dining area, and an interior with a saloon, twin helm seats plus a raised corner sofa that all benefit from the opening sunroof. The foredeck has a C-shaped couch as well as a large sunpad. A tender is included in the rates, which include HK$100,000 for eight hours and HK$140,000 for a 24-hour overnight stay.

Lady Lorraine

Asiamarine also offers Lady Lorraine, the largest active sailing boat in the city. The 100ft Turkish-built, steel-hulled ketch can have up to 35 guests for a day charter and eight overnight in two doubles and two twins.

She’s a fun boat and ideal for entertainment, with a barbecue on board as well as a huge range of toys including a tender, inflatables, trampoline, kayak, floating mat and fishing lines. Rates range from HK$65,000 for eight hours to HK$180,000 for three days and two nights.

Numarine 62

Asiamarine’s mid-sized motor yachts include a Numarine 62 featuring an outdoor cinema and a Galeon 500 with a three-sided beach club.

The Numarine 62 has roomy outdoor areas in the aft cockpit, foredeck and flybridge, and comes with an 8ft tender. She can have 15 guests for an eight-hour day charter at H$58,000 and four guests in two cabins for a 24-hour charter at HK$98,000.

Galeon 500 Fly

The innovative, three-cabin Galeon 500 is a water lover’s delight, featuring drop-down sides that create a 19ft-wide beach club and a waterside bar to port, while a rotating cockpit sofa allows guests to choose their view. Also equipped with a tender, she can host 15 guests for an eight-hour day charter at HK$50,000, departing from Sai Kung.

Also only departing from Sai Kung is a Leopard 48 that offers all the space and outdoor advantages of a sailing catamaran. Billy offers alfresco dining in the aft cockpit and indoor dining in the saloon, three cabins and a tender. An eight-hour day charter at HK$35,000 allows for up to 18 guests.
www.asiamarine.com

Asiamarine launches Tige dealership
Asiamarine is bringing two new models to Hong Kong following its appointment as an official Tige Boats dealer.

Charter in Asia 2021 – Hong Kong: Simpson Yacht Charter

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia 2021 – Hong Kong: Simpson Yacht Charter

August 2, 2021
8:56 pm

Simpson Yacht Charter’s CA fleet in Hong Kong includes a special Sanlorenzo SX76, as revealed in the Hong Kong chapter of Issue 60’s Charter in Asia 2021 feature.

A Sanlorenzo SX76 in Hong Kong, but not the silver-hulled unit in the Simpson Yacht Charter’s CA fleet

Simpson Yacht Charter has shaken up the charter scene in Hong Kong with the addition to its CA listings of an SX76, which has become the first-ever Sanlorenzo SX yacht for charter in the city.

And it’s not just any SX76 but the model’s first-ever unit, the silver-hulled version that was presented for the model’s world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2018 before it was delivered to Hong Kong the following year.

The SX76 is designed to carry a lot of water toys

Part of the Italian builder’s iconic crossover range, the SX76 features an enormous aft deck that can store multiple tenders and toys, then become a large waterside beach club once the platform is cleared.

Based in Aberdeen, the yacht can accommodate 12 guests during the day and is well equipped for watersports with a jet RIB tender, a jetski, two Seabobs, two foilboards and four paddleboards.

The Sanlorenzo SX76 s equipped for fun

The flybridge has a covered dining area and an aft lounging zone with three sun loungers, while the foredeck offers another outdoor area with seating and fixed sunpads. The yacht includes a zero-speed stabiliser for comfort at anchor.

Piero Lissoni, Sanlorenzo’s Art Director, created a special-edition interior including a lower deck with a master cabin, VIP cabin and a saloon with sofas that can be converted to two single beds. Charter rates start from HK$108,000 (US$14,040) per day plus expenses.

WIDE RANGE

In Hong Kong, Simpson Yacht Charter offers over 40 yachts for charter including motor yachts, superyachts and sailing yachts and catamarans.

Stock photo of a Lagoon 42 sailing cat

Its CA listings include a Lagoon 42, which can carry 15 guests during the day and has all the features that make the brand’s sailing catamarans so popular in Thailand and other parts of Asia.

Also based in Aberdeen, the 2019 build can accommodate six guests overnight in its three en-suite cabins, which comprise a master suite that occupies the starboard hull and two doubles. Eight-hour day charters start from HK$25,000 and 24-hour overnight charters are from HK$48,000.

Interior of a Lagoon 42

Meanwhile, an Open 40 catamaran has joined the fleet and is available from Monday to Friday for three-hour harbour cruises each evening, either 6-9pm or 7-10pm, starting from Causeway Bay or Central. The special package for up to 15 guests costs HK$12,800 and includes full Mediterranean catering plus a limited amount of drinks.

Reanna Wang, Manager of Simpson Yacht Charter, says: “In Hong Kong, the charter market has been very active since the beginning of the pandemic. With people not able to travel as they did before, they’re spending more time on the water than before. The demand spreads throughout the entire range of charter products and packages: half-day, sunset cruises, day charters, weekend, long weekends and longer holidays.”
www.simpsonyachtcharter.com

Charter in Asia 2021 – Thailand: Simpson Yacht Charter
Simpson Yacht Charter’s Thailand offerings include a fleet of Lagoon sailing catamarans while its CA motor yachts range from a Beneteau Flyer 8.8 to a Sanlorenzo SL104.

Charter in Asia 2021 – Thailand: Asia Marine

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia 2021 – Thailand: Asia Marine

July 28, 2021
9:39 pm

One of Thailand’s best-known yachting companies, Asia Marine is a specialist in charter and its CA listings include motor yachts, sailing boats and catamarans.

Phuket-based Pillars Spirit is an Azimut 55e

Founded in Phuket in 1989 and based at Yacht Haven, Asia Marine is a charter specialist in Thailand and offers sailing monohulls, sailing catamarans and motor yachts, as well as superyachts in its role as Fraser’s representative (see Superyacht section).

Asia Marine’s CA charter yachts include the popular Azimut 55e, Pillars Spirit. The yacht can take 12 guests for day trips and six overnight in three cabins including a master with en-suite bathroom. She has a large saloon with a lounge and a circular dining table by the helm.

Pillars Spirit offers a two-level main-deck interior

The flybridge has a cosy dining area and wet bar offering great views, the foredeck offers space for sunbathing, while toys include a dinghy tender, inflatables, snorkelling gear and fishing rods.

Until October, the company is offering special ‘Phuket Re-opens’ promotional offers including THB90,000 (US$2,800) for a half-day charter and THB119,000 (US$3,700) for day charters up to 12 guests.

Lola 2 is a Fountaine Pajot Saona 47

Asia Marine’s CA charter fleet also includes Lola 2, a Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 sailing cat available as a bareboat charter or crewed day trips and overnight charters. She can accommodate 10 guests overnight in four double cabins and a twin with bunks, and a further two in a drop-down bed in the saloon.

The yacht offers sunbathing and lounging areas on the foredeck and the flybridge, which has a sofa and two sunpads next to the helm. Lola 2 is equipped with a dinghy tender, kayak and snorkelling equipment.

Lola 2 offers a comfortable interior

A special promotional rate for a crewed day charter starting from THB38,000 (US$1,200) is available through the end of October.
www.asia-marine.net

Asia Marine Motivated by Yachting in Amazing Thailand
A driving force behind Thailand Charter Week, Asia Marine CEO Vincent Tabuteau has been a pioneer of Phuket’s yachting industry since 1983.

Charter in Asia 2021 – Thailand: Simpson Yacht Charter

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia 2021 – Thailand: Simpson Yacht Charter

July 28, 2021
8:46 pm

Simpson Yacht Charter’s Thailand offerings include a fleet of Lagoon sailing catamarans while its CA motor yachts range from a Beneteau Flyer 8.8 to a Sanlorenzo SL104.

The Lagoon 40 (K-35), Beneteau Flyer 8.8 (Nauti One) and Lagoon 42 (Cloud Dancer)

Thailand – and Phuket in particular – remains Asia’s best-known holiday and yacht charter destination. With a Phuket base at Ao Po Grand Marina, Simpson Yacht Charter is among companies able to offer a wide range of yachts and itineraries, ranging from a sunset trip on a Beneteau Flyer to bareboat and crewed charters on a fleet of Lagoon sailing cats to superyacht charters including on the Sanlorenzo SL104 Indigo.

The company’s summer promotions for its Beneteau Flyer 8.8, Nauti One, include a 4hr sunset trip around Phang Nga Bay or Koh Yai Noi for THB15,000 (about US$470) or an 8hr trip around the Phi Phi Islands at THB18,000 (US$560).

The popular Lagoon 52 Blue Moon

However, Simpson Yacht Charter’s Thailand business is best known for its CA fleet of lagoon sailing catamarans. Bareboat charters on a Lagoon 40 (K-35) and Lagoon 42 (Cloud Dancer), both with four cabins, start from THB20,000 (US$620) per night during the summer. Available until September, this special ‘Green Season’ rate includes water toys like kayaks, paddleboards, fishing gear and snorkelling equipment.

Crewed charters are also available on both boats as well as the popular Lagoon 52 Blue Moon, which has five en-suite cabins, a 13ft Highfield tender, two inflatable kayaks, a paddleboard and 10 sets of snorkelling gear.

Lagoons offer light, luxurious accommodation

Simpson Yacht Charter is offering special four-day, three-night crewed packages to the Similan Islands. Located about 65nm northwest of Phuket, the Similans comprise 11 islands in the 140sqkm Mu Koh Similan National Park. The islands are surrounded by crystal-clear shallow waters that harbour colourful marine life, exciting rock formations and spectacular coral reefs.

Four-day packages start from THB260,000 (US$8,100) for the Lagoon 42 Cloud Dancer and THB300,000 (US$9,300) for the Lagoon 52 Blue Moon, with departure and drop-off from the west coast of Phuket

GULF OF THAILAND

Simpson Yacht Charter has a new addition to its charter options in Pattaya following the arrival of Ruen, the first Lagoon 46 in the Gulf of Thailand. Based at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Ruen has a three-cabin layout including an enormous master suite that occupies the starboard hull, so can accommodate six guests and two crew for overnight stays.

The Lagoon 46 Ruen is a new addition to the SYC fleet

The east side of the Gulf of Thailand offers plenty of areas to explore including Ko Samae San, an island south of Pattaya and Jomtien. Haad Tien beach on the east of the island and Luk Lom in the north both offer nice swimming and even diving. Luk Lom is arguably the island’s nicest beach, with a stunning viewpoint overlooking the sea.

Ko Samet is further east, past Rayong, and is renowned for famous for its white-sand beaches, exotic coral and crystal-clear waters, as well as lively nightlife.

Ruen offers a stunning master suite

Further along the coast is Ko Chang, the biggest island on the eastern seaboard, and there are plenty of nearby islands also worth a visit. These include Ko Mak, Ko Kood (Ko Kut) and Ko Laoya, all with stunning shallow-water reefs, while Trat province offers plenty of on-land attractions.

Ruen’s toys include a dinghy, kayak, paddleboard and eight seats of snorkelling gear, with weekly charter rates starting from US$13,100 plus expenses.
www.simpsonyachtcharter.com

Sanlorenzo yachts for charter
The Simpson Yacht Charter fleet has been boosted by two Sanlorenzo yachts – the first-ever SX76 in Hong Kong and an SL104 in Phuket

Charter in Asia 2021: Northrop & Johnson

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia 2021: Northrop & Johnson

July 21, 2021
12:25 pm

Northrop & Johnson highlights several superyachts for charter in Asia, from Thailand to Indonesia and the Philippines.

The 34m Xanadu of London

Northrop & Johnson offers an interesting selection of CA charter listings including Xanadu of London, a 34m Moonen motor yacht based in Phuket that completed a multi-million-dollar, two-year refit in January.

Toys and tenders include 15ft and 11ft RIBs, a three-person Yamaha FX Cruiser jet-ski, two underwater scooters, two paddleboards, an inflatable dock with netted pool, towables and snorkelling equipment.

Xanadu of London charters from US$75,000 per week

As well as a big swim platform with wide steps leading up to a semi-circular cockpit, outdoor areas include a flybridge with covered sunpads, dining table and a wet bar with barbecue.

Surprisingly, the high-gloss cherry interior features the dining room aft and saloon forward. The main deck master suite has a huge skylight, king-size bed, lavish bathroom with gold-plated fixtures, and an office with a sofa bed where a child could sleep. The lower deck has three en-suite guest cabins as well as a sauna with a separate shower. Xanadu of London charters from US$75,000 per week.

Xanadu of London is packed with toys

Lies Sol, who heads Northrop & Johnson Asia-Pacific’s charter business from Phuket, says: “Xanadu of London is today in better-than-new condition and is exceptionally well-suited for a family charter, with lots of water toys on board. Also, because she has zero-speed stabilisers, she’s very stable, which will especially appeal to first-time charterers.”

MAXXX

Also based in Phuket, Maxxx is a 26.3m Sunseeker that provides a fast way around the islands, with a cruising speed of 23 knots and a top speed of 30 knots. Based in Yacht Haven, she was refitted in 2018 and fun features include a jacuzzi on the flybridge while toys include a 16ft tender, 300hp SeaDoo jet-ski with sound system, two-person kayak, paddleboard and towable toys.

Maxxx is a 26m Sunseeker

Four en-suite guest cabins on the lower deck comprise two similar-sized master suites and two twins, one of which is convertible. Summer rates start from US$45,000 per week.

“Maxxx is the best choice for guests who want to discover the many attractions of southern Thailand but don’t want to be underway for too long,” Sol says. “She’s a fantastic, fun yacht and can island-hop without wasting precious holiday time.”

Maxx is equipped with a jacuzzi and jetski

From November through May, Xanadu of London and Maxxx will be available for charters to/from Langkawi in Malaysia.

LONESTAR

Meanwhile, Lonestar presents an alternative vibe, with the 26m French-built sailing catamaran offering vast social areas, six guest cabins and an astonishing array of water toys including comprehensive diving and fishing gear.

Lonestar is an 85ft sailing cat

Currently awaiting the opportunity to charter in Indonesia’s Anambas Islands northeast of Singapore, where she can pick up guests, she’s scheduled to move base to Phuket later in the year. As an 85ft cat with a 39ft beam, Lonestar has remarkable outdoor deck space, with biminis providing shade. The aft cockpit offers alfresco dining, while the large saloon has a lounge, dining and a bar.

The hulls can accommodate 16 guests in four doubles – each with an extra bed for a child – and two twins midships. Guests can pick up sailing skills as Captain Luc Heymans has over 15 years of ocean racing under his belt. The VPLP-designed Lonestar easily reaches 10-15 knots in the right conditions.

Lonestar’s enormous saloon includes a bar

Toys include an 18ft tender, four paddleboards, four one-person kayaks, a wakeboard, waterskis, towables, and even a Laser sailing dinghy. All-inclusive weekly rates start from €43,000 (about US$51,000).

“Lonestar is one of the few yachts in Southeast Asia offering such a huge platform to families and large groups of friends, with space for everyone,” Sol says. “There are toys for all ages, while divers and fishing enthusiasts will love the scuba diving and top-quality fishing and trolling gear on board.”

DOUBLEYOU

Northrop & Johnson’s charter fleet has recently been boosted by Doubleyou, the 27m Cheoy Lee named Continental Drifter II when owned by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

Doubleyou is a 27m Cheoy Lee

After several years cruising around Southeast Asia, she emerged from a refit last year and is based in Subic Bay in the Philippines, where she can make the most of her 4,300nm range.

Eight guests can stay in two full beam suites and two twin cabins, with the option of an extra bed in the sky lounge. Tenders include a 15ft Boston Whaler, 13ft Zodiac and 10ft crew tender, while toys include wakeboards and waterskis, plus gear for diving, deep-sea fishing and snorkelling.

Doubleyou features striking artwork

“Doubleyou is a perfect family holiday yacht with a relaxed, beach-house atmosphere, tasteful furnishings and striking artwork,” Sol says. “She can cruise beautiful, unexplored regions for long periods without refuelling.”

http://www.northropandjohnson.com

Lee Marine: Smooth Operators
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Charter in Asia 2021: Camper & Nicholsons

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia 2021: Camper & Nicholsons

July 19, 2021
11:23 pm

Camper & Nicholsons highlights some of its top superyachts for charter in Asia, as published in Yacht Style’s annual feature in Issue 60.

Kudanil Explorer is among C&N’s charter CAs in Indonesia

Camper & Nicholsons has its Asia headquarters in Hong Kong, but the company’s central agency (CA) charter listings include a wide variety of superyachts across the region including the remarkable 50m Kudanil Explorer. Based in Indonesia, this heavy-duty ocean vessel built in Japan in 1978 underwent conversion into a charter yacht in 2018 – and what a remarkable conversion it was.

Kudanil Explorer’s upper-deck dining

Offering about 11,000sqft of living space, it’s the only charter yacht in Indonesia to offer a private balcony for each of its guest cabins. The eight roomy en-suite cabins each have a king-size bed and a balcony complete with a spacious daybed and coffee table set-up.

The yacht even has two dining areas or ‘restaurants’, while other facilities include a library, spa room, Jacuzzi and an armada of tenders and toys including diving equipment.

Each cabin has its own balcony

“Kudanil Explorer has a boutique cruise ship feel and is ideal for cruising the calm waters of Indonesia,” says New Zealand-born Tracey Scaife, a Charter Marketing Manager for C&N.

With up to 21 crew, Kudanil Explorer is based in the Komodo region in the summer and Raja Ampat in the winter, available for an all-inclusive weekly rate of US$115,500.

LAMIMA

The 65.2m Lamima, the world’s largest wooden sailing yacht, has a similar sailing calendar and is available from US$154,000 per week.

Lamima is the world’s biggest charter phinisi

The biggest of all the charter phinisis that cruise the Indonesian archipelago, she was custom built in Sulawesi in 2012 and accommodates 14 guests in seven en-suite cabins.

Lamima features huge interior and exterior social spaces, a PADI dive centre, two large tenders, jet skis, paddleboards and kayaks. Her 20-strong crew have expert local knowledge and include a tour guide, two Indonesian chefs, PADI-certified dive instructors, two Balinese masseurs/spa therapists and a yoga instructor.

Lamima’s top deck can be used in many ways

Gayle Patterson, Charter Marketing Manager, says: “Custom designed and hand built to highlight Indonesia’s marine diversity, Lamima combines traditional Indonesian hospitality with the modern superyacht experience.”

OCEAN EMERALD

In Thailand, Camper & Nicholsons’ charter yachts include the 41.3m Ocean Emerald, currently based in Phuket. The Lord Norman Foster-designed motor yacht has benefited from a 2019 refit and can welcome up to 10 guests in five cabins or there’s the option of combining two lower-deck rooms into a second master.

Ocean Emerald is one of Asia’s most distinct superyachts

“Ocean Emerald’s versatile layout makes her perfect for relaxed family charters or high-energy party charters,” says Nicole Terry, C&N Charter Marketing Manager.

“She plans to be based in Phuket until March 2022 but as and when the sea borders allow, she will also consider charters in Malaysia as well as further destinations like the Maldives and Philippines on a case-by-case basis.”

Spa tub on Ocean Emerald’s sun deck

Ocean Emerald is available at a standard weekly rate from €95,000 (about US$113,000) or, until the end of October, a special 10-day rate of €109,000 (about US$130,000), which represents a 20 per cent discount.

For more details on the yacht, see Issue 60’s Islands & Coasts feature, which will appear online soon.
www.camperandnicholsons.com

Gordon Hui joins C&N in HK
Camper & Nicholsons has appointed Gordon Hui Yip-wang to its sales team in Hong Kong.

Charter in Asia 2021: Fraser

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia 2021: Fraser

July 19, 2021
8:44 pm

Fraser’s Thailand office flags up two distinct superyachts for charter from Phuket, both benefiting from extensive refits.

Camara C has completed a four-year refit

Fraser’s charter CAs based in Phuket include the 32m Camara C, a steel-hulled classic built by Yarrow & Co in Scotland in 1961 and a recent arrival in Thailand.

After chartering for over 30 years in the Mediterranean, the 105ft motor yacht recently completed a four-year refit and now features modern amenities, an inflatable swim platform and plenty of toys.

Outdoor lounge on the upper deck

Camara C accommodates 12 guests in six cabins including a full-beam master suite forward on the main deck. On the lower deck, the five all-white en-suite cabins include a double and twin forward, while aft of the engine room are two doubles plus a VIP twin with queen-sized beds in the stern. There’s also accommodation for six crew.

The main deck has a cosy alfresco dining aft and a large saloon with sofas on three sides, while the flybridge has plenty of clear deck space, a large lounging area aft and a covered dining table midships.

The large, light saloon on Camara C

As well as a tender, toys include diving, fishing and snorkelling equipment, two kayaks and a paddleboard. Summer weekly charter rates start from €44,500 (about US$53,000) plus APA.

DEMAREST

Fraser also represents the 32.2m Demarest, the former Aquarius S designed by Stefano Righini and built in Italy by Falcon in 2002.

Demarest has also had a recent refit

The 105-footer emerged from a refit in 2019 and started chartering in Phuket, with musician John Legend and model Chrissy Teigen among the first guests.

Popular features include a large jacuzzi – non-standard for this model – and covered dining area on the flybridge, while there’s also alfresco dining in the covered aft cockpit on the main deck. The interior has a saloon with seating on all four sides and a formal dining area beside a huge TV on the forward bulwark.

Alfresco dining on Demarest

There’s accommodation for 10 guests in five cabins, as well as for five crew, while toys include a tender, jet-ski, wakeboard, waterskis, donut and two paddleboards. Summer weekly rates start from €50,000 (about US$59,000) plus APA.

“Just as Camara C is the quintessential gentleman’s yacht, Demarest is a modern superyacht designed to delight,” said Phuket-based Benjamin Tabuteau of Fraser.

John Legend has been among Demarest’s charter guests in Phuket

“Fraser is confident luxury superyacht charters will resume as travel restrictions ease and international clients start visiting Thailand and Southeast Asia again.”
www.fraseryachts.com

Record superyacht sales in first quarter
In its bimonthly contribution to Yacht Style, Fraser says the global market’s record-breaking superyacht sales show how the real rewards of yachting have been highlighted during the pandemic.

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