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The Classicist: Royal Ascot, Henley, Cowes & the English Summer Season

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Events, Sports, The Classicist

Royal ascot
The English summer season is in full swing with the year's most important and stylish sporting events on the horizon, maintaining the British traditions of horse racing, tennis, rowing, polo and sailing with elegance and ardor. Lord's Test Cricket has passed, but the Royal Ascot races, the Wimbledon tennis championships, Cartier International Polo, the Henley Royal Regatta and the yacht races at Cowes round out a full season's worth of sporting occasions that are as much fun to watch as to participate in. Herewith The Classicist's guide to the best in class (with a tip of the Panama to the London Telegraph); all you need is a pitcher of Pimm's:

Royal Ascot – June 15-19, Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire

Since it was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, the annual Royal Ascot races have become the highlight of the English social season. Ostensibly a five-day sporting event, it's also evolved into something of an immense fashion show, marked by the arrival of the Royal Family in ceremonial horse-drawn carriages every day. It has become the style for ladies to sport increasingly outrageous hats, and lately the traditional rules about "formal day dress" in the coveted Royal Enclosure have been rather loosely interpreted.


Superyacht Style: Loro Piana Launches Regatta Collection

Filed under: Apparel, Yachts & Sailing, Men's Style


Last month we told you about the Superyacht Regatta being staged this week by Loro Piana, the Italian luxury clothing company known for the world's finest cashmere, in the billionaire's haunt of Sardinia featuring some of the world's fastest sailing yachts. Now the brand has launched a complementary collection of nautical-inspired clothing and accessories in tribute to the event. The Regatta collection features a waterproof jacket, swim trunks, baseball cap, beach towel and cashmere blanket, in various colors and embellished with the name Loro Piana spelled out in nautical flags. The Regatta jacket for $1,425 is made using Loro Piana's signature Storm System-treated microfiber and features details such as visible stitching, elbow patches, protective straps, flaps and drawstrings, an external lunette bearing the Loro Piana logo, and comes in a waterproof bag. The Bay Regatta swim trunks for $345 are available in solid colors, stripes and seersucker. The plush Regatta beach towel for $750 features a sailcloth border. And for the ultimate in luxury, the Regatta 100% cashmere blanket with embroidered nautical flags costs $2,050.

[via JustLuxe]

Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta Set for Sardinia

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Events, Sports


On June 8 – 12 Loro Piana, the Italian luxury clothing company known for the world's finest cashmere, will stage its annual Superyacht Regatta in the billionaire's haunt of Sardinia featuring some of the world's fastest sailing yachts. Hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, sponsors include Perini Navi, builder of the famed Maltese Falcon, in partnership with Rolex and Audi. Last year's winner, Royal Huisman's 105-ft. Gliss, will defend her title against several sailing superyachts looking to pluck the prize from her grasp during five intense days of competition. Among the contenders will be Southern Ocean Marine's 105-ft. Liara; Wally's 100-ft. Y3K.; the Ed Dubois-designed, Fitzroy built 148-ft. Salperton IV; Perini Navi's 125-ft. P2; and more yachts measuring 80 feet and up. Apres-sailing there will be an owner's dinner at the yacht club and a beach party at the opulent Hotel Romazzino, part of the Luxury Collection.

[via JamesList]

The Ariete Primo: A Luxury Yacht in a Tugboat's Body

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Ariete Primo Luxury Yacht Tugboat
Luxury yachts come in all shapes and sizes, although 'tugboat' is not usually one of them. The Ariete Primo is an exception to that rule, however, as she looks like an old fashioned tugboat on the outside but sports all the expected amenities and luxury of a yacht on the inside. First launched back in 1967 the Ariete Primo was bought by her current owners in 2004 and it was at that point that she was upgraded to luxury status. Features include a chromo and aromatherapy spa, whirlpool, hamman, gym, and of course gorgeous and roomy living and dining quarters (see the gallery below). The Ariete Primo is available for charter from March - September for €110,000-€120,000. Truly an opportunity to enjoy the open seas in unique, personality-flaunting style.

Sunreef Brings Power Yacht to U.S. for the First Time

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

70 Sunreef Power Sea Bass Yacht
The 70 Sunreef Power SEA BASS yacht came to Miami last week for the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show, which marks the first time Sunreef Yachts has brought a power yacht to U.S. waters. The yacht features all the usual amenities like spacious interiors and lots of deck space plus a jet ski crane, handy hydraulic diving board, and all remote-controlled lighting systems for putting on an impressive light show while viewing from afar (say, the beach).

Now that the Miami show is over (it ended February 15th) the 70 Sunreef Power SEA BASS is headed to the Bahamas and is available for charter.

Via JustLuxe

The Alysia Mega Yacht is For Sale

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing


The impressive 280ft Alysia mega yacht is for sale and if you're in the market it might be worth a look as it claims to have more features than any other yacht available today. Built in 2005 by Alpha Marine and Lally Poulias, the yacht has room for 36 guests and offers 18 staterooms and 18 bedroom suites, including the Master suite that has its own jacuzzi, private study, panoramic window view, and private deck. Other amenities offered on the yacht include a movie theater, temperature-controlled wine cellar, saloon with Grand Piano, hair and beauty salon, gym, dedicated spa deck with Jacuzzi, children's play room, business center, helicopter pad, and a sprawling sun deck that is reached via lift that takes you 21 meters above the sea.

And all that's just a taste. The Alysia is priced at €85,000,000 and will be available for viewing at the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show at the end of this month at the Yas Marina.

The Classicist: Veuve Clicquot Clicks with Riva Yachts

Filed under: Spirits, Yachts & Sailing, The Classicist


Renowned French champagne house Veuve Clicquot has teamed up with luxury Italian motoryacht maker Riva to produce an amazing new Grande Dame Cruise Collection of coolers and accessories for discerning yachtsmen. It's nothing short of a match made in style heaven of two very chic European marques. The top offering from the collaboration is an $80,000 made-to-order cruising trunk that resembles a small boat in itself and harks back to the golden age of traveling in style which we reminisced about recently. For something done on such a grand scale it's rather refined, a luxurious design without resorting to odious "bling" to attract those with more money than sense.

The trunk comes packed with four bottles (1988) and two magnums (1998) of Clicquot's coveted La Grande Dame champagne, six Riedel crystal champagne flutes and elegant table settings for six people. A smaller limited edition Cruiser Bag comes with a single bottle of Grande Dame and two flutes for more intimate occasions, and a matching ice bucket is crafted with marine flair to spare. All pieces feature the same lacquer work, mahogany inlay, chrome detailing and leather trim found on Riva's beautiful boats.

Riva, which dates from the 1800s, is an icon of the Italian Riviera's Dolce Vita style. The company first captured the attention of movie stars and the international jet set in the '50s. Its classic wooden craft, which inspired the Cruise Collection, have been owned by the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, Aristotle Onassis and Prince Ranier of Monaco. Their yachts, including more modern designs, can be seen at the chic European seaside resorts where the bon ton gather, and they have their own line of elegant nautical-inspired clothing as well.

Recreational Hybrid Yacht Launches in California

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing


A sleek new hybrid yacht was debuted recently in San Francisco -- it's the Chris-Craft Frauscher Hybrid boat and it's a small, sleek yacht that's powered by both a 256hp diesel engine and 4 12-volt car batteries. The boat can reach speeds of up to 40mph and its exceptionally quiet engine can troll at 10mph on electric power alone for over an hour before the diesel engine needs to kick in to recharge the batteries.

The hybrid features a leather, teak, and mahogany interior and a fiberglass exterior. Available in a few different lengths the Frauscher Hybrids sell for $115,000 - $200,000.

Carbon Footprint Got You Down? Share a Yacht!

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services, Yachts & Sailing

Yacht owners often are too busy to use their boats for more than a few weeks each year. Another thing to consider, certainly, is the cost of ownership. Yikes. That's the theory behind Luxury Yacht Partners of N.Y. Purchase fractional ownership, rent a yacht for a day or sell part or all of your yacht.

Fractional ownership yachts are a Sunseeker 61' Predator 2003, 25% share, $335,000; or a Burger 81' 1972, 25% share, $195,000, with an optional Robinson R-44 helicopter, 25% share, $45,000. Depending on whether your yacht will stay in the Northeast or be relocated to Florida during the winter, you get 30 - 70 cruising days each year.

All the operational expenses are shared by the up to 4 shareholders, and of course you pay for your own consumables. Operational expenses include docking fees, maintenance, crew payroll, insurance, repairs and a management fee.

Sounds good, and economical, but hold on -- not thrilled about others using "your" yacht? That's why you pay a management fee: A concierge service will ready the yacht for your time at sea, such as stocking your preferred beverage or having available your special sheets. Summer's coming, so buy that share, and get out the sunblock!

Luxury Lands in Ft. Lauderdale

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing


The name Ft. Lauderdale may be inexorably linked with the phrase "Spring Break," but that could be about to change now that the dingy Marina Marriot is getting a $60 million glamour injection. Full renovations on the newly-christened Ft. Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club will be completed next month. The interiors are refreshing, stylish and modern, not to mention well-insulated from the frat boy set.

Meanwhile, a branch of Manhattan restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow's chic China Grill has already started serving guests lucky enough to snag one of the soft-opening suites. This is Chodorow's first outdoor waterside space; he'll also run the hotel's in-room dining operation. The restaurant overlooks the 33-slip inlet marina for yachting and diving enthusiasts, and a beautifully-redesigned pool area with cabanas and an outdoor fire pit. Check out the Photo Gallery for a preview.

Newport Club Will Be New England's Largest Marina

Filed under: Estates, Yachts & Sailing

Plans have been announced for New England's largest marina, The Newport Club in Rhode Island. The Newport Club covers 44.5 acres of waterfront property on Aquidneck Island, plus 100 acres out into the cove itself. There will be 1,500 marina slips with retail shops, restaurants, waterfront residences, and marine-related support facilities. The slips will range up to 500 feet in hopes of drawing more megayacht traffic to the area. The Newport Club will feature resort style residences ranging from $395,000 to $2,000,000 and there are plans to build brand-name luxury hotels to create a popular yachting destination.

The Most Expensive Megayachts

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing


If having a yacht of your own doesn't work for you then chartering one is the next best thing (or maybe it's better? None of the hassles of ownership!) there are lots of choices out there. What amenities are important to you? Where do you want to go? The options are endless, and if money is no object then the luxuries can be too. Ever had the chance to experience any of these megayachts? They're some of the most expensive out there available for charter, and I think they all sound awesome:

First Choice Fractional Yachts

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing


Another entry into the booming fractional yacht market is First Choice Yachting, a new division of First Choice Marine, the company that owns The Moorings and NauticBlue. First Choice is a fractional motor yacht outfit that divides each yacht into 10 units of 10% and offering owners the opportunity to purchase one or multiple units in the program. Each unit gives the owner four weeks of cruising time aboard the yacht every year, complete with a qualified crew that includes a professional captain and gourmet chef. The first yacht in the program is the Squadron 74 by Fairline which has four double guest cabins, crew quarters aft, home theater system, fly bridge bar, satellite phone, and water toys. The yacht will be based in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Shares start at $430,000.

BYM News Launches Downloadable Magazine for Yacht Lovers

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

If you are bored today and looking for a little reading, BYM News, one of the major sources for yachting news has added a new downloadable magazine to its website. The first issue is a 68-page PDF that covers some of the key stories of 2006 in the boating world. Highlights include an interesting story on alternative fuels, pieces on Mirabella V & Maltese Falcon, the world's largest sloop and the world's largest clipper and a round-up of some of the important megayacht launches for the year. The magazine is the first of monthly planned magazines from BYM News.

Best Places To Take Your Yacht

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Chartering a yacht is a great way to vacation. It's like a motorhome that doesn't offend our design sensiblities and happens to have a crew to cater to your every whim. But the often overlooked benefit of chartering a yacht is the ability to explore locations that are far from the "hot lists" and hubs of tourism that direct most travel today. Certainly, there is no substitute for mooring your Feadship at Port Hercule for the Monaco Gran Prix, but yachts give their owners and charter clients the ability to explore the world on a far more exclusive and exciting level.

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