As the world celebrates the arrival of 2021, many individuals are looking to organize private, safe vacations to enjoy with their loved ones.

IYC is confident in its ability to continue to offer clients bespoke yacht charters across the globe, all while maintaining social distancing and following CDC guidelines. Despite uncertainty around commercial travel due to COVID-19, a yachting getaway with IYC ensures guests the utmost in privacy and security.

Here are some of the best yachting destinations worldwide. Guests can choose from these destinations and more when booking a trip with IYC.

The Caribbean and the Bahamas

January – March

The Caribbean is the most popular destinations for yachts for the first few months of the year. The warm winter weather is a wonderful escape from the cold conditions found in the upper Northern Hemisphere. The island of St. Barth is an undisputed yachting hotspot for buzzing nightlife, beachside parties, and upscale restaurants. An easy sailing distance from St. Barth is the island of St. Maarten, which offers a blend of Dutch and French culture, beautiful natural scenery, and a gourmet food scene. Embrace the warm winter weather and take advantage of the island’s many beaches, or dive in and spend the day snorkeling at the popular spot of David’s Hole off Les Terres Basses.

For an even more relaxed island experience, the delightful Harbour Island is only accessible by boat and offers a tranquil escape from the real world. It’s known for its beautiful pink beaches, and everyone who lives on the island has a peaceful, laid-back attitude that will make you feel immediately at home.

Caribbean Yachts

One More Toy is a pedigree yacht that recently underwent an extensive refit. Her newly refinished swim platform offers easy access to her impressive suite of water toys and a towed tender. She sleeps 12 guests across six spacious cabins. She is available from $150,000 per week plus expenses.

Fresh from a multi-million-dollar refit, Mia Elise II is a hugely popular charter vessel thanks to her beautiful communal spaces, vast exterior deck, impressive master stateroom, elevator, gym and water toys. She sleeps 12 guests and is available to charter from $430,000 per week, plus expenses.

Alaska

April – June

is a destination that is perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to appreciate the stunning scenery and local wildlife. The best time to visit is during the late spring or early summer. A spring charter in Alaska will offer guests the opportunity to see the beautiful flora and fauna, as well as migrating whales, moose, and bears emerging from hibernation.

Alaska Yachts

Carte Blanche was freshly refitted in 2019. Hosting 12 overnight guests across six cabins, this yacht benefits from an elevator connecting all the decks, and wheelchair friendly access, which ensures easy movement around the vessel. She is available for charter for $200,000 per week, plus expenses

The Mediterranean

June – September

Greece, Croatia, and the south of France promise almost uninterrupted warm days and sunshine from June to September making them perfect for summer travel. The Cote D’Azur boasts the well-established, glamorous yachting hotspots of St. Tropez, Cannes, and Monaco; each town has a distinctive personality and is buzzing with restaurants, boutiques, and beachside bars.

For those seeking a more relaxed sailing charter, the Kornati archipelago is a Croatian paradise of over 140 islands to explore, including the stunning Telašćica National Park. An authentic Greek experience awaits you in the Cyclades, with its traditional white-washed houses that dot the coastline. There are many atmospheres to choose from, such as the lively island of Mykonos, the rugged volcanic hills of Santorini, or the tranquil beaches of Paros.

Mediterranean Yachts

Geco is one of the newest charter yachts in the world, delivered in 2020. With her generous socializing areas, spacious accommodation for 12 guests and huge exterior decks, she is a superb choice for a summer charter. She is priced at $327,000 per week, plus expenses.

Lady Lena is a brand-new vessel delivered in 2020. She sleeps 12 guests and benefits from versatile outdoor spaces for al fresco dining, as well as an eight-person jacuzzi, swimming pool, wellness hub, and plenty of toys to enjoy. She is available to charter from $347,700 per week plus expenses.

Tatiana is a brand-new yacht built to the highest of standards. Her 12 overnight guests will receive unparalleled service from 20 crew members, and she guarantees a charter experience to top all others. Price upon application.

Northeast U.S.

June – September

The summer is also an excellent time to charter the Northeast United States, as Maine, the Hamptons, and Newport offer superb cruising conditions and favorable weather from May until September. This charming part of the United States has a strong historical association with sailing and offers some of the best beaches and shorelines in the country. The area also boasts many regattas and yacht events throughout the summer and is world-famous for its delicious seafood. 

Northeast Yachts

Far From It is available for charter for $135,000 per week plus expenses. Her huge interior includes two separate living areas for guests to enjoy, as well as significant exterior deck space to enjoy the best of the New England weather. She accommodates 10 overnight guests and is equipped with nine crew members.

Ocean Club boasts three amazing levels of indoor and outdoor entertaining including an over-sized movie screen on the sun deck for movies under the stars. Accommodating 12 guests, her charter starts from $195,000 per week, plus expenses.

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These featured vessels and destinations are only a fraction of the options offered by IYC. To find out more about the vessels and locations IYC provides, visit iyc.com.

AvA Yachts has announced a construction update on the progress of the yacht they are building for NBA Star Tony Parker.

The ship will include an extended swim platform at the stern, a full beam master bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, a gym on the upper deck, and some interior design styling touches that’ll make this yacht a standout launch of 2021.

The yacht, M/Y Infinity Nine, is hull number two of the Kando110 Series Explorer Yachts designed, styled, and engineered by AvA Yachts’ in-house team.

The 35-meter superyacht is being built by AvA Yachts at their shipyard in the Antalya FreeZone in Turkey. Constructed with a high-grade steel hull and aluminum superstructure, Kando110 is characterised by class-beating volume of 320GT and a range of 6500+ nautical miles.

Featuring four decks and including five double guest cabins and a full beam, the yachts also has a 29-square-meter master suite cabin with full-height windows located at the aft upper deck.

The main deck lounge is a generous 45.4 square meters with a dining area boasting a full beam layout with large windows. Both main deck lounge and master suite are provided with flat, polished stainless steel framed automatic sliding doors.

M/Y Infinity Nine is equipped with Volvo-Penta Commercial Marine Engines, Kohler Marine Generators, a full set of Simrad navigation electronics, Boening monitoring systems, Sleipner bow thruster and fin stabilisers, and a wealth of other top grade equipment, with the ethos of simple, reliable, proven systems designed by Naval Architects who truly understand what a long-range ship actually needs.

The external areas are designed for outdoor relaxation and fun with plenty of deck space. M/Y Infinity Nine has a jacuzzi on its enormous partially-covered flybridge, and has wide exterior seating/sunbathing areas throughout all decks.

The yacht is hand-built by skilled craftsmen and classed with Bureau Veritas Charter notation.

For more information, visit avayachts.com.

The latest in Heesen’s 55-metre Steel class, Solemates is the first to feature an all-new layout to accentuate her impressive interior volume of approximately 760GT.

Six staterooms on three decks accommodate up to 12 guests. The master suite spans 82 square metres and includes a study, a full-width bedroom, separate his-and-hers walk-in wardrobes, and a bathroom with both shower and bathtub. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light and offer spectacular sea views.

A secluded VIP suite can be found up on the bridge deck, while the remaining four guest staterooms are on the lower deck—two of them with rail-mounted beds allowing quick conversion from doubles to singles. A spacious beach club and wellness area in the stern opens onto a fixed swimming platform, offering the guests easy access to the sea. The yacht’s tenders are stowed forward.

Solemates’ owner hired a stylist to personalize the interiors designed by Bannenberg & Rowell, with a bespoke selection of new veneers and fabrics to reflect the taste and lifestyle of the client. The muscular exterior lines of the 55-metre Steel class were penned by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. Solemates’ medium-grey colour scheme highlights the elegance of the profile and gives the yacht her own unique personality.

Each individual deck area offers a different way to enjoy the outdoor life. The sundeck has a Jacuzzi, sun pads, a comfortable conversation area and a bar. Additional lounge chairs face aft. The aft terrace on the bridge deck is dedicated to alfresco dining, while the seating in front of the bridge offers a perfect spot to enjoy the view while underway. The main deck aft makes an ideal reception area, with built-in settees, coffee tables and armchairs.

Solemates sports the ultra-efficient ‘fast-displacement hull form’, devised by Dutch hydrodynamicists van Oossanen and further developed by Heesen’s in-house naval architects and engineers. With this low-drag hull and two relatively modest MTU engines of just 1000 kW each, yachts in Heesen’s 55-metre Steel class are among the most efficient of their size in the world.
On her two-day pre-delivery sea trial, Solemates exceeded her contract speed and range.

Solemates is the second Heesen superyacht to be delivered since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

“We adopted drastic measures early on, following Dutch government guidelines, both in our production processes and in the offices,” explains Rick van de Wetering, Heesen’s Chief Operating Officer. “So we managed to introduce the necessary social distancing and were able to carry on our work with as little disruption as possible.”

Solemates will be available for charter in the Eastern Mediterranean via Luxury Yacht Group, who introduced the client to the shipyard and were responsible for project management during construction.

A sister ship, YN 19255 Project Pollux, is currently nearing completion and available for sale, with delivery in Fall this year.

For more info, visit heesenyachts.com.

80′ Sunseeker 2011 – Morningstar

Bid online September 11-15

Originally listed: $2,399,000 
Bidding opens: $1,150,000

Original owner, light use, low hours, excellent condition, berths for ten guests in four staterooms. MORNINGSTAR recent upgrades include new engine, new engine displays, new electronics, new generator, and more. 

Location: North Miami, FL | Broker: Steve Faraldo
sfaraldo@ayssales.com; 561-322-8279

157′ Blount Shipyard 1978 – Pacific Provider

Bid online September 18 – 21

Originally listed: $3,850,000
Selling without reserve

Built in Rhode Island in 1978 by prominent commercial yard Blount Shipyard, PACIFIC PROVIDER served oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and later operated in the Bering Sea as a crab fishing vessel. Most recently, she was renovated in 2016 into an expedition yacht offering adventure charters in Alaska and the Sea of Cortez. Selling to the highest bidder, regardless of price.

Location: San Diego, CA | Broker: Neal Esterly
neal.esterly@fraseryachts.com; 619.823.9034

63′ Deerfoot 1989 – Kailani

Bid online September 18 – 22

Originally listed: $425,000
Selling without reserve

KAILANI is a world-class ocean cruising sailboat. Commissioned by an experienced racing skipper as an ocean cruiser and built of GRP by the respected yard of Salthouse Brothers in Auckland, New Zealand, she draws heavily on Steve Dashew’s proven Deerfoot design. Selling to the highest bidder, regardless of price.

Location: Annapolis, MD | Broker: Forbes Horton
forbes@forbesyachts.com; 410.268.2337

86′ Hatteras 2003/2018 – Wild Child

Accepting offers

Originally listed: $2,850,000
Accepting offers

Contact listing broker, Trevor Carroll, to make an offer on this exceptionally well refit Hatteras in 2018. All offers considered.

Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Broker: Trevor Carroll 
 trevor.carroll@fraseryachts.com; 954.463.0600

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For more information, visit boathouseauctions.com.

Yachting Partners International (YPI), a bespoke luxury yachting company, launched the world’s first eco-friendly day charter as of August 24. The 10-meter Vita X ELECTRIX, built by Vita Yachts, is a fully electric, high performance, luxury powerboat and the first of its kind to be available for day charters.

With seating for seven guests, plus a large sunpad and cabin with berth, ELECTRIX is an ideal day boat to experience the beauty and glamour of the Cote d’Azur with family or a group of friends.

A selection of itineraries have been created by YPI, showcasing the best the Cote d’Azur has to offer. Clientscan plan a day onboard to transport them to a glamorous lunch, enjoy island hopping and secluded beachesor visit a favourite location of their choice. To ensure the charter is as memorable as possible, YPI’s team will ensure the boat is stocked with anything the client requests. The safety of guests onboard ELECTRIX is of paramount importance. Each charter comes with an experienced captain, so guests can simply relax and enjoy the day.

“Adopting an eco-friendly approach to tourism is increasingly high on our clients’ agendas,” says Abdullah Nahar, director at YPI. “Innovative uses of technology are opening up exciting new ways for the yachting community to embrace a more sustainable approach. The Vita X ELECTRIX is an excellent example of this innovation in action and we are delighted to be able to offer this first fully electric day charter to our clients.”

The 10 metre Vita X ELECTRIX is the most powerful electric powerboat on the market today, featuring Vita Power’s industry-leading powertrain system. Its ground-breaking V-590 propulsion system allows for a cruising speed of 25 knots and a top speed of over 35 knots. The Vita X’s electric engine combines 235kWh of compact liquid cooled Lithium battery storage with a 400bhp continuous / 580bhp peak electric twin water jet drive. It is setting a new standard for electric boats in the industry.

The daily rate is €1,875 including a captain. To find out more about a day charter on Vita X ELECTRIX, please visit: ypiyachts.com.

How, in less than two weeks, in total luxury but with a sensible budget, is it possible to take in so many of the finest sights and sites that Turkey’s Turquoise and Aegean coasts have to offer without spending great chunks out of every day at sea?

With a firm plan of 1200 miles (2000 km) in 12 days, a team from Bering Yachts of Antalya set out on exactly that mission on July 28 from Kemer, a seaside resort close to Bering’s yard in Antalya, in the yard’s own Coastal Series Bering 70.

The cruise itinerary reads like a roll call of Turkey’s finest places to visit, including Kekova, Fethiye, Bodrum, Kuşadası, the Ancient Greek city of Ephesus, Izmir, Ayvalik, and Çeşme.

, says of the cruise “We wanted to demonstrate that a fast planing yacht is not necessary to cover serious distances in a limited time cruise and that it can be done a whole lot more comfortably and cost-effectively,” said Alexey Mikhailov, President and Chairman of Bering Yachts. “All our major sea miles were covered overnight—in perfect comfort may I add with less than 50 decibels of sound, no vibration, and the gyro stabiliser and seakeeper active stabilisation system keeping her rock steady all the time.”

“The two crew running the boat at night catching up on their sleep during the daytime,” he added, “whilst myself and the office team had our full daytime hours for visiting sites, undertaking a plethora of historical tours, eating fine local cuisine, all whilst working and continuing to monitor and manage the yachts in build in the Bering yard. It really was the most amazing 12 days.”

The craft was the Bering 70, a modern, stylish steel-hulled yacht launched by Bering Yachts in 2019. Characterised by crisp, clear lines, panoramic windows, full walkaround side decks, and an abundance of open deck space including a huge 35 square meter flybridge with a second helm, barbecue, two fridges, a sink, and plenty of lounging space.

Functionality wise, a shallow draft and a narrow beam for extensive cruising in coastal waters gives the 70 a range of over 2500 nautical miles and staggeringly efficient fuel economy averaging 16 litres per hour at 8 knots.

What made such extensive exploration possible was the addition of the 28-foot Hysucat hydrofoil rigid inflatable catamaran. Towed behind the Bering 70 on the overnight hauls, by day, the Hysucat enabled fast and comfortable transport to bays, archeological sites, marina restaurants, and shopping paradises all along Turkey’s Western coastline. Known for exceptional ride and stability and keeping passengers dry, the team travelled from the mother ship in style, at speed, with the confidence and exhilaration that a 40-50 knot Hysucat ride brings. The Hysucat range is manufactured by a Bering Yachts subsidiary company.

Bering Yachts has documented the cruise through a series of videos now being broadcast on the company’s Instagram and YouTube channels and a day-by-day diary of the sites and activities can be seen on the company’s blog at beringyachts.com/ocean-going-yachts-cruising-stories/.

Bering 70 Brief Specification

LOA : 21.44m 
Beam : 5.57m
Max Draft : 1.24m
Construction : Steel/Aluminium
Propulsion : 2 x Cummins QSB – 6.7 305hp
Max Range : 2,500+ nm
Fuel capacity : 4,780 litres
Max speed : 13 knots
Cruising speed : 10 knots
Economical speed : 7/8 knots
Accommodation : 7 berths in 3 cabins
Crew : 2
Price : €1.9m

Luxury yacht charters are among the most exclusive and desirable vacations in the world, but they aren’t only for billionaires and celebrities. In fact, with people increasingly seeking safe and secure luxuryvacation options, more and more travelers are entering the yacht charter market.

There’s a wide variety of luxury yachts priced under $75,000 per week that cruise in a range of destinations around the world. With most luxury yachts featuring multiple staterooms and accommodating between six and 12 guests, they are well-suited for groups of friends or families. Splitting the cost of the charter between families, couples, or individuals can create an attainable ultra-luxury holiday.

At this more achievable price point, you and your family or friends can enjoy the glamour of the Mediterranean, dive into the beautiful blue Bahamian sea, cruise the striking coastlines of New England and immerse yourself in the unique cultures of Southeast Asia during the charter trip of a lifetime.

Keep in mind, in addition to the weekly charter rate, guests are responsible for expenses including food and beverage aboard the yacht, dockage, and fuel, which typically run between 25 and 30 percent of the yacht’s base fee. Other expenses include taxes and gratuity. 

Below is a sampling of the many luxury charter yacht options that you didn’t know you could afford.

BODACIOUS | 105’ (32.2m) | 10 guests
Low-season rate: $70,000/week plus expenses
Catch cool coastal breezes as you cruise New England’s stunning cliffs aboard this Sanlorenzo motor yacht. Guests often gravitate to the yacht’s flybridge where they can sunbathe on the sunpads, soak in the Jacuzzi and lounge comfortably while enjoying sunset cocktails. The yacht features five staterooms and runs with five crew members.

AVELINE | 103’ (31.5m) | 8 guests
Low-season rate: $63,000/week plus expenses
AVELINE is ideal for those wishing to enjoy privacy and luxury on the water. From resplendent alfresco spaces to a relaxing and comfortable interior, she is prime for cruising Southeast Asia. AVELINE welcomes eight guests in four staterooms and runs with five crew members.

PHOENIX | 118’ (36.2m) | 9 guests
Low-season rate: €55,000/week plus expenses
Ideally suited for friends or families, PHOENIX is comfortable, stylish, and welcoming. She features modern interior spaces, excellent outdoor living areas and a fully-stocked toy chest with everything from a sea pool to a waterslide. Four staterooms welcome up to nine guests. PHOENIX has four staterooms and is run by a professional crew of nine.

ALLURES | 100’ (30.5m) | 8 guests
Low-season rate: €50,000/week plus expenses
If you haven’t quite got sea legs, a catamaran offers an extremely stable and smooth cruising experience and personifies the relaxation of on-water living. Her impressive volume, stylish spaces, and generous decks are perfect for socializing. ALLURES has four staterooms and runs with a crew of five.

VESPUCCI | 100’ (30.5m) | 10 guests
Low-season rate: €40,000/week plus expenses
A relaxed, classic luxury yacht with modern upgrades, styling and amenities, VESPUCCI is truly remarkable. Originally built in 1978, a 2018 refit restored her to her former glory, adding facilities and accompaniments that are sure to charm anyone who steps aboard. VESPUCCI offers four staterooms and is run by a crew of five.

ICARUS | 88’ (27m) | 6 guests
Low-season rate: €35,000/week plus expenses
A sleek and modern sailing yacht designed to warrant full comfort and luxurious living spaces while cruising, ICARUS provides charterers with a true connection to the sea. She is fully outfitted with all the amenities needed to enjoy total luxury and high-performance sailing. ICARUS features three spectacular staterooms and is helmed by three crewmembers.

For more information and to book, visit northropandjohnson.com.

Multi-discipline firm 212box has designed the interiors of the second hull of Monte Carlo Yachts‘ exciting launch of their new McY 105 model.

The 106 foot motor yacht Serendipity was built by Monte Carlo Yachts in Italy at their Monfalcone shipyard. It was delivered to its owner in 2016. 

Working together with yacht designers at Nuvolari & Lenard and Monte Carlo Yachts, 212box reconfigured the layout and interiors of the yacht. The boat is a five bedroom residence for a client in Hong Kong.

Serendipity‘s interior configuration has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to eight guests overnight in four cabins. The residence comprises a master suite, one VIP stateroom, two twin cabins, and two pullman beds. It’s also capable of carrying up to five crew members onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Details

Square Footage – 105.84 ft/32.26m

Fabrics: Coraggio, Loro Piana, No.9 Thompson, Pratesi, Jim Thompson, Hermes, St. Geneve, Knoll Luxe, Great Plains, Casamance, Mokum, Great Outdoors, Extex 

Furniture: Flexform, Troscan, Billiani, Carl Hansen, Blackman Cruz, Zimmer Rohde, Holly Hunt, Ethimo, Dedon, Paola Lenti, Sutherland 

Carpets: Mitchell Denburg 

Objects & Artwork: Laurent Hours, Arte & Cuoio, James DeMartis, Doug Johnston, M. Crow, 212box Products LLC, Oggetti, Solomon & Wu, Lea Nordstroem, Studio T&vD, Cocobolo, Serena & Lily 

Lighting: Urban Electric Co, Promemoria 

For photographer Cory Silken, yachting races and tropical trips are all just part of the job. Silken works as a yachting and luxury lifestyle photographer, and his job has taken him to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and beyond.

“Working with some of the largest yachts in the world, I’ve had the opportunity to do projects where the budget isn’t a limitation,” says photographer Cory Silken. “I’ve gotten to do some extraordinary things.”

Silken was fascinated with the beauty of the natural world at a young age. “When I was younger, I was into all sorts of outdoor adventures: hiking, camp, biking, rafting. I was always in such gorgeous places and I wanted to share them with my family. So I started bringing along a camera,” he says.

It started out as just a pastime. He began taking photography classes in high school, and then in college when he could. He attended Boston University for economics, with a concentration in environmental studies. “I went at photography with the attitude that it was a fun hobby, but not a profession,” says Silken. “As I was finishing school, I was already selling some photography. So I figured I’d go for it.”

That’s just what he did. Traveling around the world working on both commercial and fine art projects, he’s photographed for clients such as the International Yacht Restoration School, Panerai, and Bacardi. He’s also been operating his own gallery in Newport, Rhode Island, since 2012.

“I’ve been sailing all my life, and that’s where the interest in photographing boats came from,” said Silken. Though he grew up in the Boston area, he spent summers sailing in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. His family bought a classic wooden Herreshoff S Class sailboat fifteen years ago, called Firefly, which Silken credits with helping to nudge his career toward boat photography.

“Firefly makes a good model,” said Silken.

He and his father enjoy racing the 28-foot boat, and recently wrote a coffee table book together called Setting Sail in America: The Remarkable Story of Herreshoff S Class Sailboats, marking the 100^th anniversary of the S Class design, which Silken calls “one of the highlights” of his career. His father, Alan, is the Vice Commodore of the Narragansett Bay Herreshoff S Class fleet.

Operating so often at sea, his work has found Silken in some trying situations. “Once I was on a motorboat that caught fire and sank. Once I was on a boat where one of the fuel tanks was leaking fuel,” he said. “There have been times where I was on a boat plucking someone else out of the water.”

And Silken shows no signs of slowing down. Some of his upcoming projects include documenting the restoration of classic wooden boats, photographing racing teams, and even exploring filmmaking. For now, he’ll continue doing what he loves: fine art photography, commercial projects, and, of course, sailing.

For more information, visit corysilken.com.

Based in Newport, Rhode Island, Vanquish Boats has always been known for the way it combines time-tested classic New England yacht designs with advanced engineering and modern materials. And there’s a very good reason for that: The Vanquish team is not only made up of lifelong boaters with thousands of hours of experience, but also craftsmen that have the art of boatbuilding in their blood—literally, passed down from generation to generation. 

And one of the best examples of their classic American powerboats is the Vanquish 26 Center Console. It’s touted for its performance, efficiency, stability, and comfort in the outboard day-boat market. But at 26-feet long, it’s big enough to include an enclosed head, seating for 10 adults, and plenty of fore and aft storage. And in a nod to the classic day boats of the past, the U-shaped seating is sheltered by a retractable dodger.  Meanwhile, the T-top provides plenty of protection from the sun for the helmsman, and the sturdy, T-top frame provides ample places to hold on.

For more information visit, vanquishboats.com

Photograph by Billy Black