Grand Bleu Vintage

Why have we selected her? When he designed Grand Bleu Vintage as a luxury sailing charter yacht Frenchman Phillipe Briande got it just right. Launched in France during 2003 she is a exactly right for the Mediterranean. She features large decks, clean of clutter, and a bright and stylish interior that we just love. Her impressive lateral windows, particularly in the saloon, are well protected by blinds yet allow you to stay completely connected with the entire outside goings on even when you are not on deck.

Why we really rate her? Expertly designed and built with the finest of materials, as evidenced by the almost complete lack of ‘engine noise’ when motoring, she is an utterly refreshing yacht to sail in. She accommodates a maximum of eight charter guests in four modern, stylishly bright cabins, offering a really nice master suite and a choice of 2 further doubles and one twin, each of which has its own ensuite bathrooms. Crew cabins are located aft, leaving the forward part of the yacht for the full use of the guests.

What we love the most: Her large central cockpit has been created especially with outside, on deck living in mind and is the centre point for relaxation, entertainment and activities; definitely the place to be when the sails are up. Twin helm stations allow the crew greater visibility, and they perfectly create a wide central passage down which you can access the transom. When at anchor her fold down aft platform allows easy access for swimmers to the water, water toys and also the tender.

Charter fee: €43,000 - €45,000 per week.
LOA: 29m
Guests: 4 Cabins: 1 x Master, 2 x double, 1 x twin
Crew: 4
Build Yard: CNB

Sojana

Why have we selected her? British built in 2003 to the designs of Farr Yacht Design, Sojana is an uncompromising super sailing yacht that can reach 20 knots in 15 knots of wind. Even with her minimum cruising sails set she flies along at 12 knots.

What we love the most? The fact is that on this magnificent yacht you can have it all: fast exhilarating sailing action and all the comfort of full on cruising luxury. Down below her rich dark mahogany panelling, gold-plated fittings, marble basins and luxurious fabrics suggest an earlier age of grand yachting. Yet everywhere else, she screams of high tech opulence. Her entertainment systems and extraordinary inventory of water sport toys leave guests in no doubt that here they have the very best of the 21st century.

Top of the line audio visual equipment sees plasma TV screens in the saloon and master bedroom and satellite TV programmes are piped to every set. DVD, VCR, Playstation 2, Hi-Fi with surround sound are all there to play with and for those who need to stay in touch with the office there is cellular and satellite communications for phone, fax and email. Tenders and toys include a custom carbon RIB with a stonking great 246 hp diesel engine that can easily pull wakeboards and donuts. There are also windsurfers, SeaDoos inflatable kayaks, snorkelling equipment, fishing gear and two mini-12m Illusion sailing boats.

Why we really rate her: She maybe superfast and a really exciting sail but Sojana is not just about speed. Her sweeping teak-laid decks and spacious cockpit means there is always somewhere for a guest to stretch out in the sun, curl up with a book or just lay back and watch the action.

Charter fee: €53,500 per week.
LOA: 35m
Guests: 4 Cabins: 1 x Master, 1 x double, 2 x twin
Crew: 6
Build Yard: Green Marine

YII

Why have we selected her? This exciting yacht was the debut collaboration between builders Holland Jachtbouw (HJB) and Bill Dixon, one our favourite designers of sailing yachts. John Munford created a modern, warm and spacious interior using pear and wenge woods blended with light white panels and woven leather panels, to create an airy interior that meets the owners brief for a vessel that would be ‘a little bit special’. Her tall rig and high sail area–to-displacement ratio is specifically designed to make the most of light summertime winds in the Mediterranean.

Why we really rate her? Her uncluttered deck space provides fabulous sunbathing space for lounging on padded sun mats, with shade provided by two really large awnings cleverly built into her boom. Her fully automatic bimini and dodger provides shelter in the cockpit from both sun and or spray. The same cockpit reveals a hidden television system. Down below the contemporary interior is a pleasing mixture of wood and contrasting off-white and leather panels. The full beam open plan saloon provides spacious sofa seating to port, formal interior dining to starboard and an office, all in chic minimalist style. The saloon is bathed in an abundance of natural light from the overhead panoramic windows. A stunning leather clad hallway leads forward from the saloon to a large master cabin with twin double beds, large en-suite with power shower and full audio visual facilities. Aft are two spacious twin cabins with en-suite facilities.

What we love the most: Let's be honest if you are looking at sailing yachts you must enjoy the action. This 37-metre high-performance sloop was launched in 2006 weighs in at just 152 tons thanks to her lightweight Alustar hull and Nomex-cored interior. For you, the potential charter guest, this might mean nothing but take it from us, she sails like a witch!

Charter fee: €60,000 per week
LOA: 37m
Guests: 3 Cabins: 1 x double, 2 x twin
Crew: 4
Build Yard: Holland Jachtbouw

Moonbird

Why have we selected her? One of a pair of exciting sister ships, Moonbird was built as Midnight and launched with her twin sister from the Fitroy Shipyard in New Zealand to designs by racing yacht design supremo Ed Dubois. Under her new ownership she was given a new black hull and superstructure and as a result really looks wonderful. If a yacht can be said to be sexy then this one is a real vixen.

Why we really rate her? It was not just the exterior of the yacht that received attention during the refit. 2008 was the year this yacht got a great interior makeover and now features stylish new upholstery and soft furnishings. We love the deck layout including two expansive cushioned seating areas, one on the aft deck and the other forward of the Jacuzzi spa, which also includes the additional benefit of a luxurious sun pad. She has an excellent capacity for both formal and informal entertaining. The bar in the pilothouse is finished in a sumptuous blue leather, and the comfortable and incredibly stylish lower saloon and dining room features beautifully polished mahogany timber, exquisite European fabrics, French upholstery and customised carpets to go with it all.

What we love the most: Her generous sleeping accommodation that can take eight guests if two of them are small children, but we would suggest she is a boat for grown ups and recommend her to share among three couples in three cabins, including a full-width master cabin with marble en-suite shower room.

Charter fee: €70,000 per week
LOA: 37 m
Guests: 3 Cabins: 1 x double, 2 x twin 2 x Pullman
Crew: 6
Build Yard: Fitzroy Yachts New Zealand

Georgia

Why have we selected her? We know for whom this yacht was originally built and if we were to tell you the name of his current sailing yacht, you would sit back and say, “Wow now there’s a man who really knows what he wants from a sailing yacht.” When she was built she was the largest sloop in the world, but everything on deck was simplified for the ease of sailing with the minimal amount of crew.

Why we really rate her? This ultimate in family cruising sailboats is a supreme charter yacht. Her space and sumptuous furnishings rival those of the finest motor yachts of her size. Her interior, finished to the intricate designs from the American team at Glade Johnson, features lavishly inlaid and moulded cherry woods throughout. Her interior is not only welcoming and lavish but it is eminently practical at the same time with multiple seating, bar and dining options, spacious cabins, exercise cabin and state-of-the-art entertainment systems throughout. Her aft sundeck, with al fresco dining and extendable swim platform, is perfect for relaxing while at anchor, while the large Jacuzzi aft of the twin steering station on the bridge deck is the epitome of a tub with a view.

What we love the most: The wonderfully secure feeling you have when you are on board. This yacht positively exudes a feeling of being on a really secure yacht. It is as if she has wrapped her arms around you and made you feel wonderfully safe.

Charter fee: €160,000 per week
LOA: 48.5 m
Guests: 5 Cabins: 1 x Master, 2 x double, 2 x twin
Crew: 8
Build Yard: Alloy Yachts New Zealand

Perseus

Why have we selected her? This magnificent and luxurious 50-metre yacht, is the third to have been built in series of Perini Navi motor sailing yachts. As such, she is the ultimate option for those who have always wanted to try chartering a sailing yacht, but have been slightly worried about leaving their motor yacht cravings behind them.

Why we really rate her? She offers four lavishing luxurious cabins all with en-suites, where two cabins feature pullman berths allowing 10 guests to make this an ideal boat for two families to share, or an extended family to enjoy to the full. Her outstanding on deck spaces include a sumptuous and somewhat typical aft cockpit with a protected lounging and dining area. Above that, a large and comfortable fly-bridge deck includes substantial sun bathing spaces and a Jacuzzi to guarantee fun in the sun. Below decks her generously sized dining room and main salon is surrounded by wide windows, and her guest sleeping accommodations are amidships, where motion is least and volume greatest.

What we love the most: It just has to be the full beam owner’s suite. A spacious double bedroom with its king size bed to port, spacious hanging lockers and open access to its very own sitting room to starboard that can convert to become a children's cabin, or even an additional guest stateroom, by using the sofa bed settee. Both areas have their own large plasma TV screens that disappear behind electrically operated cherry wood panels. The sound system is truly impressive and the entertainment facilities each cabin offers might persuade you not to go on deck at all.

The his and her's bathrooms are nothing short of stunning. A dressing area with extensive hanging lockers separates the two bathrooms. Her bath is to port, finished in rose marble, with its own Jacuzzi tub and shower, WC and bidet. His bath to starboard, is finished in "Verde Guatemala" marble and features a large Turkish steam shower, toilet and vanity. Oh yes please!

Charter fee: $150,000 - $165,000 (USD) per week
LOA: 50 m
Guests: 4 Cabins: 1 x Master, 2 x double, 1 x twin
Crew: 9
Build Yard: Perini Navi Italy

Mondango

Why have we selected her? Much research went into creating the harmony and comfort of this super sailing yacht and the result is simply breathtaking. Mondango is the stunning new Dubois 52m ketch from Alloy Yachts and is brand new to the charter market. This beautiful high performance sailing yacht has been meticulously designed and built by dedicated owners who have been involved in every aspect of her development. Her modern and fresh interior, from the boards of the talented Reymond Langton duo, offers luxury accommodation for 10 guests. She will undoubtedly be one of the stars of 2009.

The interior in light oak panelling with a trim of dark brown leather creates a modern fresh look. The saloon furniture is a combination of Macassar wood, soft fabric and leather, with the flooring cut in a unique radial design with a wool and silk carpet for the utmost of comfort.

Hidden behind artwork inspired by a Japanese Suo design, a garment for Kyogen performances circa 1700, is the TV. The middle panel, with its bronze, zinc and copper coatings, retracts to reveal a 65 inch screen. Two of the three papier-mâché panels made by London artist Andrea Maflin slide to the centre to allow a clear aft-to-bow view if desired.

An imposing Inuit sculpture in white Arctic marble compliments the free floating balustrade structure leading down to the guest areas. Another Inuit sculpture in Serpentine stone by Niviaqsi and a unique glass blown and metal piece named the Tear Drop Vessel by Australian artist Brian Hirst can also be found in the Master stateroom.

Why we really rate her? Captain Marc Chaverot has been at sea for 22 years and in all that time has only spent 10 months working on motor yachts. If you ever wanted an experienced Captain to go sailing with then it is probably best to chose this one. Of his yacht he is unquestionably proud and declares, “This is not a motor sailer, she is a very fast proper sailing yacht. She has all the comfort of a motor yacht but the excitement factor is pure sailing yacht. I have had speeds of 17 knots under sail on this yacht and regularly average daily speeds of 13 knots on passage."

What we love the most: Can we mention that the owner's ensuite furnishings include a carved one piece vanity in rare pink onyx with a hammered stainless steel sink and an electric and fully automatic Japanese-style-toilet that combines both the bidet and toilet functions?

Charter fee: From €185,000 per week.
LOA: 52m
Guests: 10 Cabins: 1x Master, 2 x double, 2 x twin
Crew: 10
Build Yard: Alloy 2008

Felicita West

Why have we selected her? Michael Writes: Quite simply she is the most exciting of all the sailing yachts I have ever handled. Maybe it's her size, or maybe it was just on the day that I had her helm the wind was singing my song, but this enormous yacht just flew across the water. Poor Frances could not join me on that occasion, she was stuck ashore taking photographs of super yacht chefs trying to impress finicky judges at a charter yacht show and I got to have all the fun. On board I got to eat lunch and drink the excellent Domaine Ott the yacht crew served, while back on shore Frances could only take pictures of the judges while they tasted the offerings.

Why we really rate her? She is probably the yacht that best offers the ultimate sailing experience coupled with outstanding comfort. At 64m, her long waterline produces a dynamic hull speed and at the same time her massively wide beam brings both large internal volumes and side decks so wide two people can walk side by side. The fly bridge is so large that 12 guests can sit, eat and talk in the sun or in the shade and never get in each other’s way. We do however think that because of the size of optional pullman beds the yacht is better suited to 10 rather than the stated capacity of 12 guests.

Her English Country House style pervades throughout the yacht offering an intimate, timeless elegance that is matched with a state-of-the-art efficiency. One of the largest and fastest aluminium sailing yachts there is, she was built in 2003 to the designs of naval architect Ron Holland. The Italian duo at Nuvolari Lenard masterminded her interior.

What we love the most: Dining on deck in the shaded, sunken aft cockpit where the crew magically transform the scene from an informal breakfast through buffet lunch to a sumptuous dinner. We also enjoyed the large swim platform that descends from the main deck making for easy access into the water or onto the tenders.

Charter fee: €190,000 - €210,000 per week.
LOA: 64 m
Guests: 5 Cabins: 1 x Master, 2 x double, 2 x twin
Crew:11
Build Yard: Perini Navi Italy