MARCH 2011

Dear Charterer,

As has been the case for many years, the last week of January and into February our phones start ringing off the hook. Prior to this most of you are enjoying Australia's long summer break, and catching up with family and friends, making plans and sounding out the crew.

I get the feeling that this timing is similar around the globe as our operators are currently swamped with requests. June, July and September are already heavily booked in the Mediterranean and we are having availability problems especially in the larger boats.

If Europeans have financial issues then it is hard to see, as our operators like us, are recording the best pre booking sales in years. I believe the reason for this is that boating holidays are becoming less niche and more mainstream. Our operators are calling the industry 'touristic', and by that they mean it used to be for yachties only, but now nearly anyone can and are taking to the water.
The future challenge is probably to avoid the crowds, and seek some less travelled waters.

On a personal note I have recently purchased a one man Sabre sailing dinghy which I have started racing at our local club. The average age of Sabre sailors is 55 and we even have an 80 year old sailing and he is fast! Big boats are great fun for holidays but there is nothing like skating along on a screaming reach so close to the water - hoping my back holds up!

CREWED ISSUES

France (since 01 January) now charge VAT at 20% on all charters in French waters, although this does not affect the bareboat industry as taxes were always included. Crewed yachts have for many years been exempt from these taxes. The Eu are also putting pressure on Italy and all Eu countries to conform. Given this, the new tax has increased the cost of the crewed charters by approx 20% which has the industry in disarray for 2011. Several Super Yachts are heading to the Eastern Mediterranean to avoid these fees. On the other side of the Atlantic the lives of Super Yacht Captains have also become more complex. Since 9/11 Homeland Security have become more vigilant, when returning through customs was a rubber stamp affair.

Given these vessels are often larger and faster than a US destroyer, the authorities are devoting considerable resources to security and surveillance which can involve considerable time and cost to charterers. Having said this, Super Yacht builds continue at a rapid pace.

Over 4000 now afloat (approx 1000 available for charter) and crewed by a large contingent of Australian and New Zealanders. Our niece India has recently completed a Super Yacht training course in Sydney and is set to arrive in Antibes the crewed charter capital in April. We will get a report from her on life aboard a Super Yacht.

FEATURED YACHT - ROBERTSON CAINE & CATANA

Robertson Caine after a small foray into China has now returned to manufacture all models in South Africa.

The latest model the 444 offers a non-conventional main deck with a forward cockpit accessible from the main saloon. Covered with a hard top this is almost the fifth area for a couple to find some space aboard -forward cockpit, aft cockpit, main saloon, on the trampolines or the helm. The 444 denotes 44' 4 cabins and 4 heads so this vessel is ideal for 4 couples. Of course in a certain size parameter everything is a compromise, so the main saloon and aft cockpit size are impacted on. This vessel is available new in 2011 Turkey, Croatia and Greece.

Also new for 2011 is the Catana 50 which is a true sailor's catamaran, composite constructed and lighter then its contemporaries this is the only centerboard catamaran I know available for charter. With a draft of 4' boards up and close to 10' boards down. A sensible cabin configuration allows the choice of two single berths or one double convertible in the aft cabins. Available in Tahiti and the Caribbean but coming to a number of bases in late 2011 the Catana 50 is the alternative bareboat catamaran experience.

DREAM YACHT CHARTER AQUIRE VERNICOS YACHTS - GREECE/TURKEY
 
Dream Yacht Charter have recently purchased Greece's second largest charter operator - Vernicos, who operate a fleet of 180 vessels (mostly Beneteau's) in Greece and Turkey. Dream purchased Queensland Yacht Charters and Air Mer Loisirs in New Caledonia last year and are now offering bareboat and crewed charters in Australia (Whitsundays), New Caledonia (Noumea), Tahiti (Raiatea), Malaysia (Langkawi & Tioman), Thailand (Phuket), Seychelles (Praslin), British Virgin Islands (Tortola), Martinique, Guadeloupe, Cuba, Madagascar, Greece (Athens, Kos, Skiathos, Paros, Levkas & Corfu), Corsica (Maccinagio), France (Toucan), Croatia (Sibenik), Sicily (Palermo) and Turkey (Marmaris & Bodrum).

The fleet includes all major marque's - Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Catana, Beneteau, Jeanneau and Harmony. The larger vessels are usually all very well equipped with air-con and generators, some even with washing machines.

CHARTERER PROFILE - HELEN GILBERT
 
Helen Gilbert has been a prolific charterer over many years - moving to the United Kingdom as a university researcher 3 years ago has not slowed her down. Helen seems to have an Aussie crew that accompany her when she returns to Australia and a UK crew who frequent the Mediterranean. Helen and crew have sailed most of the Mediterranean including Corsica/Sardinia last season and this July booked to sail in Tonga.

Email and Facebook are great communication tools that have enabled our crews to keep in touch, and we appreciate how tough it can sometimes be to organise a crew and get committed.

Natural organisers like Helen deserve a medal for organising people to meet at all corners of the globe, we know how hard it can be to pin people down sometimes. We look forward to organising many more charters for Helen and crew.

REGATE DE NEW CALEDONIA

Join Pacific Sailing School on their annual pilgrimage to New Caledonia in October 2011.

Pacific Sailing School operator Terry Wise, has been taking groups to New Caledonia for over 20 years and rates it his favourite cruising ground.

One of the only complaints Terry has received is that too many fish were caught, which slowed down the sailing. Terry calls New Caledonia the New Caribbean and he has sailed every major cruising area in the world. 'People just do not know how good this place is and at just over two hours flight from Sydney, the easiest international sailing experience'.

For further information contact Terry at Pacific Sailing School www.pacificsailingschool.com.au

CORSICA/SARDINIA
 
After chartering in Greece, Turkey and Croatia clients often look for alternatives in the Western Mediterranean. One of my favorites that I rate highly are the twin islands of Corsica and Sardinia. The spectacular coastal scenery of these Mediterranean Islands attracts discerning sailors from the world over. Horatio Nelson urged the British Government to annex Sardinia because of its abundance of natural harbours.

The people of Sardinia see themselves as Sards first and Italians second. Their isolation from the humdrum of Europe gives them an air as if they were from another age.

On the Costa Smeralda the Aga Khan has headed a development consortium which has built Porto Cervo into the premier Mediterranean playground for the rich and famous. Sailing into Alghero, on the West coast, you discover a town founded by the Arabs and settled by the Spanish! Further north the quiet village of Capo Caccia will enchant you with its dramatic cliffs and fascinating caves.

True to the ideal of these Islands being the melting pot of the Mediterranean, the cuisine of Sardinia is a cosmopolitan mix of French, Italian, Spanish and Greek! From saffron to pasta, fish soup to goats' milk feta, there are enough flavours and textures to entice any palate.

Sardinia, with its breathtaking coastline indented with white sandy coves, deserted bays and lively villages, provides a glorious setting for a relaxing and enjoyable cruise.

Corsica, to the north, is crowned with majestic mountain peaks that fall away into ravines and valleys, with pine forests.

Corsica came under French rule in 1769, the same year in which its most famous son was born - Napoleon Bonaparte. The many streets, restaurants and cafes named after the 'Little Emperor' are testament to his influence and popularity.

Bonifacio has a fjord-like harbour dominated by the military fortresses of the French Foreign Legion, and it is one of Corsica's best known towns and renowned as one of the most beautiful harbours. Porto Vecchio caters directly to the yachting fraternity, and with the expansion of its "pleasure port", it has one of the prettiest villages and bays in Corsica.

There are no entry or exit formalities between Corsica and Sardinia and they are only miles apart. A range of monohulls 36-53' (Hanse 531) and Catamarans are available up to the Lagoon 440. The French/Italian mix in one cruising ground is indeed unique!

Good chartering!
Brook Felsenthal
and the Charter World Team