New “Gold Anchor” Rating System Pushes Marinas to a Higher Standard March 31, 2010
The Marina Industries Association launched its International Gold Anchor rating system in Australia in 2009. The three-to-five gold anchor rating system is designed to suit the Asia Pacific region to provide boat owners and marina users with a simple way to determine which marinas best fit their needs. The rating serves as a quick and easy reference similar to the hotel association's star rating system. Marinas currently utilizing the new rating system are assessed on different elements relevant to consumers such as marina design, condition, services offered,... Read More
Jump Onboard with Atlantic at the Palm Beach International Boat Show March 25, 2010
The 25th annual Palm Beach International Boat show kicks off today in downtown West Palm Beach on the newly revamped West Palm Beach waterfront. The $30 million waterfront, a 12.5-acre site with a large, open green, an events pavilion and native vegetation, was unveiled last month. The Palm Beach International Boat Show is one of the top boat shows in the country. The 2010 Palm Beach International Boat show features 20% more exhibitors than the previous year and more than 500 boats in the show from 8-foot... Read More
Yacht Racers Deterred by Skipper’s Injury March 16, 2010
On the final leg of a yachting race to San Francisco, California from Qingdao, China, skipper Piers Dudin of second place vessel The Hull & Humber was injured, causing The Hull & Humber to break from the race. Dudin's vessel was 400 miles east of Japan, nearing the final stretch of a 35,000 mile circumnavigational race when the incident occurred. This journey began in September 2009 from the Humber estuary, and was nearing its close when the skipper broke the shin of his right leg during rough... Read More
Yacht Show in Dubai Featured Hundreds of Yachts and Superyachts March 10, 2010
This week, Dubai is hosting the International Boat Show, and it kicked off with a great start. Merchants were selling everything from shark repellent to boat houses and police boats. More than 400 small vessels and over 25 superyachts are on display at the Dubai International Marine club. The Silver Zwei, a superyacht, traveled from Australa in just eleven days. One of the major attractions of the week's events, this vessel reaches a top speed of 27 knots and is 73m long. This particular show is a favorite... Read More
Energy Efficient Super Yacht Debuts in Germany for World Tour March 2, 2010
Greener and more energy-efficient trends are popping up in designs in the superyacht world, and new, earth-friendly prototypes are surfacing. Alastair Callender's Soliloquy features a vessel inspired by Masdar City's zero emissions, and comes with an adjustable superstructure to provide it with rigid sails. Another "green" vessel cunstructed in northern Germany at Kiel's Knierim Yacht Club is PlanetSolar. A 30m by 15m catamaran yacht, this vessel features a sleek design that allows it to carve through water smoothly and thus increases its speed and decreases stress on... Read More
Long Beach Yacht Club Hosts Southern California Yachting Association’s 81st Midwinter Regatta February 24, 2010
Out of over 30 yacht clubs on the West coast, Long Beach Yacht Club hosted the Southern California Yachting Association's 81st Midwinter Regatta. A longstanding tradition kicking off the Southern California racing season, the Midwinter Regatta began in 1928 and has since developed into the United States' largest regatta event, with over 600 vessels and 80 classes registering, including cruisers, Performance Handicap Racing Fleet, dinghies, multihull, canoes and model sailboats. Both days of the regatta, crews faced steady winds at 15-20 knots, creating choppy seas to challenge the sailors.... Read More
America’s Cup Trophy Returns to United States Shores February 18, 2010
In America's territory for the first time since 1995, the oldest trophy in international sports is en route from Valencia, Spain to San Francisco, California after The BMW Oracle won the America's Cup yacht races. Celebrations will occur at the Golden Gate Yacht Club, welcoming members and their guests to meet and greet the crew of the BMW Oracle. The cup will be on display for public viewing at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The trimarin conquered the race against defending Swiss... Read More
America’s Cup Yacht Race off to a Delayed Start February 10, 2010
The America's Cup Yacht races are off to a delayed beginning from Valencia, Spain, due to rough seas and poor weather conditions. This competition is part of a best-of-three series with competitors on Swiss and American yachts. Weather postponements have been made twice, and Alinghi 5, the defending champion, will be challenged by USA-17 starting on Friday, weather permitting. On Wednesday, the waves were higher than three feet, high enough for the director of the race to call for a postponement. Regardless of the rough waters and weather,... Read More