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>