Charter News
NEWS and NOTES on SAILING-VACATION OPPORTUNITIES
CALLING ALL REEF LOVERS
Simpson Yacht Charter offers two crewed Lagoon 620 sailing catamarans in the stunning and remote Anambas Islands situated between Malaysia and Borneo for summer season, from July to October 2020.
Refit in 2019, Jyohana, with a crew of three, accommodates guests in three doubles with Pullman berths. Also refit in 2019, Primetime accommodates eight guests in four double cabins. Its crew of five includes an onboard divemaster.
The archipelago boasts pristine waters, warm breezes, and excellent snorkeling and diving. Anambas itineraries start with clients boarding the boat in Singapore. Customs clearance takes place at the nearby island of Batam, followed by an overnight sail. The yachts are also available in other Southeast Asian destinations, including Thailand, in other seasons. For details, contact Simpson Yacht Charter (simpsonyachtcharter.com).
CHARTERS FOR WOMEN, BY WOMEN
Founded by Capt. Holly Scott, Mahalo Sailing, which offers custom charters, has openings for the rest of its 2020 flotilla lineup. Two crewed 50-foot canal boats will explore the River Shannon in Ireland from July 15-29. From September 12-26, two crewed 52-foot sailboats will cruise the Dalmatia Coast of Croatia. A charter in Tahiti is planned for November 2020.
“We really fill a need for women-only trips,” Scott says. “The vibe on board is more relaxed, and encourages women to learn and participate more. I taught sailing and cruising courses for years, and these trips are not structured as classes. I encourage our guests to tell me what they’d like to learn or practice, but there are no structured lessons or exams.”
For details, consult the website (mahalosailing.com).
CANAL OPTIONS IN EUROPE
Expansion of canal-boat chartering options in 10 European countries is the result of a partnership between Dream Yacht Charter and Les Canalous.
A fleet of 400 boats, including premium and electric and solar-powered boats, is available from 40 bases across France, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, England, Poland and Russia. For details, consult the website (dreamyachtcharter.com).
FAST TRACK TO SAILING
Offshore Sailing School offers Fast Track to Sailing, a new six-day/seven-night experiential course. Successful completion grants new and returning sailors a bachelor of sailing certificate.
Taught on the school’s award-winning Colgate 26 sailboats, this comprehensive course covers basic sailing, coastal navigation and advanced daysailing/cruising skills in 44 hours over six days.
Except for 1½ days of in-depth classroom navigation education involving charts and electronic equipment, participants in this immersive program are in on-water training sessions all other days—starting with a classroom lecture each morning and six hours of hands-on instruction, with a lunch seminar ashore. Students stay ashore each night at South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island, Florida. For details, see the website (offshoresailing.com).