The $93.5 million My Lauren luxury yacht awaits owner

As the world recovers slowly form the recession, there is one group who seems to be completely immune to the effects of this economic catastrophe. Banking on this group of elite people are various yacht builders who are trying their best to woo these luxury lovers with their luxurious vessels. more>

Oracle insists Alinghi yacht fails to meet rules

MADRID — America's Cup defender Oracle reaffirmed Monday that the boat which Swiss defending champion Alinghi plans to use in their multihull duel slated for February does not meet the event's nationality rules.
The US team said in a statement that it intends to meet with the Swiss side "as soon as possible in an attempt to remove the question mark hanging over the legality of Alinghi's yacht".
Last week Oracle accused Alinghi of using sails in its boats which were made in the US state of Nevada in contradiction to the rules for the yacht race which specifies that participating vessels must be constructed in the country where the sailing club which they represent is located. more>

Rolex Sydney Hobart 'celebrity boat' arrives in Hobart

Six yachts have now completed the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race including Investec LOYAL, dubbed 'the celebrity boat' which left Sydney Harbour Saturday afternoon with a bunch of sports stars and sailors, and arrived with a tight team of yachties who can all talk the talk and walk the walk - albeit a little wobbly after nearly three days at sea. more>

Alinghi sails may not qualify for America's Cup

An apparent olive branch was folded into a bid today to up the tempo of talks about the dispute over whether America's Cup defender's new yacht, the giant Alinghi catamaran, is legally qualified to compete.
American challenger BMW Oracle said, through the San Francisco yacht club it represents, that it would be prepared "to give the defender reasonable time" to build its sails in Switzerland (plus take other remedial measures). more>

14-year-old given permission to sail around world

The New Zealand-born Dutch girl who wants to sail solo around the world is now being allowed to go, after all.
Laura Dekker, aged 14, was ordered into foster care by a court, after her parents approved her plans. But the decision has now been reversed by another court, which tossed aside pleas from social workers who think she is too young.
Dekker is expected to set off in September, before she turns 15. more>

From A to Z via C: it's plain sailing from here with alphabetical guide

Herald journalist and veteran salt Jim Nixon sets off on his 16th Sydney to Hobart today. Here, he lists his A-Z guide to the bluewater classic. more>

110-Foot Yacht With Folding Airplane

The Aeroyacht 110 was designed by Gregor Tarjan and dreamily includes a 110 foot catamaran yacht with an incorporated Icon A5 exploration airplane. But it’s no longer a dream as he’s commissioned Monegasque-based yachtbuilder Wally (who were responsible for this and this) to build his dream boat. more>

Ikkar Transforming Yacht

Calling all evil (but eco-friendly) movie villains: Julien Anglade’s 150-meter Ikkar yacht concept is not only powered by solar sails but can transform into a larger vessel while at sea. more>

Eco Boats: Leviathan self-sufficient electric yacht runs on solar and wind energy

The Leviathan concept yacht is the work of industrial designer Adam Valmassoi, who believes that the sun and wind have the potential to green your next cruise. The ecofriendly self-sufficient yacht runs on two electric jet pump engines, which are powered by wind turbines and solar panels on board the yacht. more>

2nd Abu Dhabi Yacht Show Moves To Yas Marina

Abu Dhabi - The2nd edition of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show (ADYS), the Middle East’s only annual exhibition devoted to the superyacht and megayacht sectors, is to be staged at the spectacular Yas Marina, which was the glittering backdrop to this year’s inaugural Formula 1™Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. more>

In regular use or sitting idle, yachts need to be maintained

Capt. Paul Stengel is sole crew in charge of M/Y Griff as it sits at the dock in Ft. Lauderdale. Monitoring the 143-foot megayacht is more than a full-time job because a minor failed system can cause major damage. more>

Powell takes part in Asian Sailing Series

Former world 100m record holder, Asafa Powell, the two-time World Championships bronze medalist, went sailing on Saturday. Powell was taken to new Extremes when he stepped on board double-Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson’s catamaran racing in the Extreme Sailing Series Asia in Singapore. more>

Cocaine-yacht gang facing prison

A gang arrested off the Cornish coast as they tried to smuggle cocaine valued at £10m into the UK are facing jail.

Their 35ft yacht Ronin was en-route from the Caribbean with 91kg of cocaine on board when it was stopped by a Royal Navy ship in September 2008. more>

Boat And Yacht Insurance Policies: Protect Your Boat Against The Elements

There has been a lot of press coverage recently about extreme weather conditions that have affected many people here in the UK. Rainfall has caused major floods and for those that want to set sail this winter, it is now more crucial than ever to ensure you have boat, dinghy or yacht insurance to protect your prized possession. more>

Yacht widow feared for her life

The widow of a businessman who was murdered by three Burmese pirates off the coast of Thailand has relived the moments the trio boarded their yacht. more>

Sailing around the world for a cause

If you could sail around the world and share those experiences with others, how would you do it?

Three twentysomethings -- Alan Stewart, 24; Adam Domanski, 26; and Trevor Dreyfus, 26 -- have the answer. It begins with a BlackBerry, a website and a blog, a satellite phone and a HAM radio. (And Twitter.) more>

EU NAVFOR Guidance - Don't Sail In The Dangerzone

On December 7th 2009, EU NAVFOR Netherlands warship HNLMS Evertsen detected a sailing vessel in the Gulf of Aden. The region is considered a hotbed for piracy and is considered too dangerous for lone yachtsmen. more>

New association Young Professionals In Yachting launches in South Florida

Young Professionals in Yachting (YPY), a non-profit organization, has been formed to help young professionals succeed in the yachting business. more>

Azimut Magellano in Malta on maiden voyage

Azimut Yachts' Magellano 74 arrives in Malta on Wednesday as part of her maiden voyage circumnavigating the western Mediterranean. more>

MYBA Superyacht Brokers Seminar

* Provide the students with basic information useful to a Superyacht Broker;
* Provide an opportunity to discuss with other course attendees common issues/experiences;
* Enable attendees to expand their network of contacts.
more>

Sail the oceans using iPhone apps

When award-winning tech entrepreneur and Santa Cruz sailor Philippe Kahn sails a grueling ocean race, his navigation bag holds something unexpected: an iPhone. more>

Freed sailors apologize to families after Iran ordeal

The British sailors freed after a week in Iranian custody apologized to their families Friday as they were reunited for the first time since their detention on November 25. more>

British yachtsmen arrive in Dubai after being freed

The five British yachtsmen held in Iran for the past week have arrived in Dubai after being released early on Wednesday morning. watch the video>

Sailing and the dangers of the deep blue sea

Five British yachtsmen held for a week in Iran after their boat drifted off course, have been released. Escaping to the open seas is no guarantee of leaving the world's troubles behind. more>

Super tanker and its $20m cargo seized by gang of Somali pirates

Somali pirates seized an oil tanker on its way from Saudi Arabia to the US in the latest in a series of attacks hundreds of miles off the coast of Africa. more>

Iran Seized a Yacht and Its 5-Member British Crew Last Week

A sleek 60-foot sailing yacht and its five-member British crew en route to a race were seized by Iran last week after the vessel accidentally crossed into Iranian waters, British and racing officials said Monday. The episode could further strain the volatile relations between Iran and Western nations. more>

Norstar staying busy with yacht, boat building

Norstar Yachts builds 30-foot and 36-foot luxury power boats as well as 40-foot, 44-foot and 46-foot sailing yachts. Each boat is tailored to its owner's specific needs, said Steve Nordtvedt, who works in sales and marketing. more>

Kidnap couple's yacht back in UK

A yacht belonging to a British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates has been returned to the UK onboard the Royal Navy ship that witnessed their ordeal. more>

Oasis of the Seas: Cruising on a sailing city

Sixteen decks, 24 dining options, seven themed neighborhoods and a rooftop zip line. An ice-skating rink, handcrafted carousel and the first Broadway production to be staged at sea. more>

Tactical sailing resumes in Dubai

DUBAI // With light winds returning to the Dubai coastline, the Artemis and No Way Back yachts head into today’s second round of fleet races locked in a two-way fight for top billing, after both crews snared 11 points in four Sea Dubai RC44 Gold Cup regattas yesterday. more>

French navy seizes 968 kg cocaine on sailing boat

PARIS (Reuters) - The French navy has intercepted a sailing boat carrying 968 kg of cocaine worth some 40 million euros ($59.7 million) en route to the Netherlands Antilles from Venezuela, the French government said on Friday. more>

Northrop and Johnson Worldwide Yacht Charters launches new website

Northrop and Johnson Worldwide Yacht Charters just launched a new web site all about crewed yacht charters. The new website of the Newport, R.I. based charter firm features information on destinations from all over the world; from the Caribbean to New Zealand, the Mediterranean to the Pacific and much more. more>

Sydney Hobart race could whet appetite for luxury yacht charter

While most Australians will still be thinking of working off the pounds gained at Christmas dinner, hundreds of adventurous sailors will be boarding 112 yachts in Sydney on Boxing Day. more>

Two men and a yacht, and a mystery

THEY were alone in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, drifting in calm waters, when Andrew Witton vanished.

He was sailing his beloved yacht, the Kaileia, from Tahiti to the Galapagos Islands. The nearest landfall was Pitcairn Island, 600 kilometres away. The long-distance radio was out of action. His mate, Simon Golding, was the only other person on board. more>

America's Cup venue spat heading back to court

SAN DIEGO—With just more than two months to go before the America's Cup is scheduled to start, American challenger BMW Oracle Racing will wrap up sea trials at the end of this week and prepare to ship its monster trimaran overseas. more>

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start to set harbour alight

The start of this year’s 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will take centre stage in late December when the anticipated fleet of 112, led by the most exciting line up of maxis ever seen in Australia, promises to set Sydney Harbour alight on Boxing Day. more>

Azzurra Sail Away

SMOOTH SAILING: Olympic sailing champion Francesco Bruni steered his Azzurra team to a 2-0 victory against New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton Trophy on Sunday, marking the first Italian victory against the Kiwis since 1992. more>

Extreme Sailing Series Asia: Masirah steals lead in inaugural event

Day four of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia and it was all change at the top of the leaderboard as Masirah, one of two teams from the Sultanate of Oman, dominated the fleet. more>

Yachts damaged in Clipper crash

A Hull-based yacht is being inspected to see if it can continue in a round-the-world race after it was involved in a collision. more>

Italian Sailing Team Wins Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice

France - Team Azzurra prevailed in two out of two final races today against Emirates Team New Zealand at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice, winning the match race regatta. It wasn't all smooth sailing for the Azzurra team on the final day of racing at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice, however. As the boat approached the windward mark in the last race, crew member Pietro Mantovani slipped off the foredeck while preparing the spinnaker for the final spinnaker hoist. Luckily, grinder Piero Romeroaft is calm under pressure, and miraculously plucked Mantovani out of the water before the speedy America's Cup boat was able to sweep past him. It was a magnificent recovery, and proved just how well tuned the Azzurra team has become. more>

Kidnappers demand $7M for yacht couple

LONDON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The Somali kidnappers of a British yachting couple say they want $7 million for their release, the BBC reported Saturday. more>

Ruling on America’s Cup

A New York court backed the staging of the next America’s Cup in the Spanish port of Valencia in February, but doubt remains over the site for the duel between the defender Alinghi and the United States challenger Oracle. more>

46-metre Soroya luxury yacht to debut at 2010 Monaco Yacht show

The 2010 Monaco yacht show maybe yet far away. But one yacht preparing to make its debut at the event is the 46-metre Soroya more>

Jessica Watson crosses the equator on solo sailing adventure

A MONTH after setting sail from Sydney, teenage adventurer Jessica Watson has crossed the equator. more>

Countdown to 2009 World Yacht Racing Forum

Global leaders of the yacht racing industry to unite in Monaco, 9-10 December...The conference will start on December 8 with a welcome reception at the prestigious Yacht Club Monaco, the event's host yacht club, where participants will have the opportunity to meet and network. more>

Monster sail takes wing in America's Cup storm-force controversy

The new America’s Cup yacht from BMW Oracle is a monster. The BOR 90 is the most radical boat in the history of the 158-year-old regatta, resembling a floating skyscraper more than a traditional racing yacht as she towers nearly 200 feet high. more>

Cornered pirates threaten to ‘punish’ kidnapped British couple

SOMALI pirates stepped up their threats yesterday against a British couple kidnapped on their yacht 16 days ago, saying they would be “punished” unless the commanders of a German warship allowed seven fellow pirates go free. more>

British sailors set for Transat

Six Britons are set to leave Le Havre on Sunday in the two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre yacht race to Costa Rica. more>

Jessica Watson reaches 2,000-mile mark of solo global sailing voyage

Australian teen sailor Jessica Watson, 19 days into her planned voyage around the world, has reached the 2,000-mile mark as she sails to the north toward the equator. more>

America’s Cup 12 Metre yachts world championships slide show

While America’s Cup 33 hopefuls were fighting it out in court, and their new high-tech multihulls were pushing the limits of design on the water, seventeen of the 12 Metre yachts that once raced for the Cup held their 10th Anniversary World Regatta off Newport, RI, the last week of September, 2009. It was the 50th Anniversary of the Victory of Columbia, the first 12 Metre to race for the Cup. more>