Florida and the Bahamas can be great charter destinations all year round, and several companies are promoting yachts with dates open this summer.

For starters, Fraser recently announced that the 206-foot Rossinavi Utopia IV has joined the fleet with availability this summer in Florida, the Bahamas and New England.

Utopia IV is a 2018 build that most recently was refitted in 2022. This is a U.S.-flagged vessel, which is why it’s advertised for charter in Florida and New England, in addition to the Bahamas. Utopia IV has several notable spaces on board, including a beach club that spans more than 760 square feet, a master stateroom with a private salon, office and balcony, and a dedicated children’s playroom adjacent to the formal dining area. There’s also a glass-bottom pool on the main deck aft.

Accommodations aboard Utopia IV are for 12 guests in six staterooms. The yacht charters with 13 crew.

Also advertising availability in the Bahamas is the 164-foot Westport Second Love, which recently joined the IYC charter fleet.

Second Love is a 2010 build that most recently was refitted this year, accommodating 12 guests in six staterooms, and chartering with a crew of 10. The master stateroom spans the full beam with a private office, while the bridge-deck VIP stateroom has a private balcony for expansive views. Cruising speed is reportedly 15 knots with a top hop of 25 knots, which is plenty fast for cruising from island to island to check out the beach bars, restaurants and live music.

Yet another yacht advertising Bahamas availability is Lady Elaine, a 163-foot Christensen that’s part of the RJC Yachts charter fleet.

Lady Elaine just announced a reduction in the yacht’s lowest weekly base rate, which previously was $225,000 and is now $200,000. This is a 2008 build that most recently was refitted in 2024, and that previously was known as Casino Royale.

Accommodations aboard Lady Elaine are for 12 guests, and the yacht charters with nine crew. The tenders and toys setup is well-suited for the Bahamas, with a 37-foot Intrepid tender powered by triple 300 hp Yamahas, a quartet of personal watercraft, a trio of Seabobs, and an assortment of paddleboards, kayaks, tow toys, snorkeling and fishing gear, and more.

Looking for a smaller yacht to charter in the Bahamas? Hill Robinson says the 113-foot Ocean Alexander A Salt Weapon is also in these islands this summer, accommodating 10 guests in five staterooms. A Salt Weapon charters with a 36-foot Boston Whaler tender for watersports fun.

How to book a charter on board Utopia IV, Second Love, Lady Elaine or A Salt Weapon: contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com, iyc.com, rjcyachts.com or hillrobinson.com

The post Florida and Bahamas Yacht Charter Options appeared first on Yachting.

Several leading yacht-charter companies have announced unusual options for clients who want their vacations to have a bit more adventure to them.

First is RJC Yachts, which is promoting the 157-foot Trinity Miss Christine for bookings in Costa Rica for all of this year. The yacht is set up for world-class sportfishing with the option of a 66-foot Spencer Sportfish Yacht, and is run by Capt. Mike Souther, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who used to chase billfish in competitive sportfishing tournaments worldwide. Aboard Miss Christine, he combines that knowledge and skill with the yacht’s luxury amenities.

Miss Christine is a 2006 launch that was most recently refitted in 2022, with accommodations for 10 guests in five staterooms.

Also in the off-the-beaten-track category, Fraser just welcomed the 180-foot Trinity Purpose to its charter fleet with a home base in Southeast Asia. Purpose is a 2005 build that was most recently refitted in 2023, and that accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms—five of which have king-size berths.

Purpose will be offering itineraries that include cherry blossom season in Japan, whale sharks in Indonesia, and Formula 1 racing in Singapore. According to the team at Fraser, this yacht and crew have an “adventurer’s spirit.”

Fraser also is now managing the 172-foot MIE Big Eagle, which is headed to the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao this winter. It’s unusual for such a large charter yacht to be based so far south in the Caribbean. Big Eagle accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, and is offering itineraries that include scuba diving.

Y.CO is also adding to the adventurous offerings with two of the world’s largest sailing yachts in New Zealand. Bookings are now being accepted aboard the 265-foot Royal Huisman Sea Eagle and the 282-foot Oceanco/Vitters Aquijo.

Sea Eagle is available to charter in New Zealand until May, and offers the thrill of regatta-level racing. Aquijo is ideal for larger groups, with seven staterooms, three outdoor bars, and a beach club with a steam room and sauna. “Both of these beautiful vessels offer such unique and exemplary propositions that charter guests are guaranteed to fall in love with New Zealand,” Fleur Tomlinson of Y.CO Auckland stated in a press release.

Burgess partners with Joro: Also seeking to offer clients new experiences, Burgess has announced a joint venture with Joro, a company that is known for “rare adventures on land and sea.” According to Burgess, the partnership will give clients access to helicopters, submersibles and other ways to gain access to remote locations. “The world can feel rare, and therefore we go further into the adventure, journey deeper into our relationship with the planet, each other and ourselves to discover more,” Henry Comyn, co-founder and managing director of Joro, stated in a press release.

Take the next step: go to rjcyachts.com, fraseryachts.com, y.co or burgessyachts.com

The post Adventurous Yacht Charter Options appeared first on Yachting.

Fraser Yachts, which offers brokerage, charter, new-build services and more, has partnered with the Water Revolution Foundation in a step toward neutralizing the superyacht industry’s ecological footprint.

The partnership will see Fraser adopting the foundation’s Yacht Environmental Transparency Index, or YETI. It’s a method and tool for fleet data collection and environmental performance transparency.

According to Fraser, the system will be used to evaluate an initial batch of 20 yachts from the company’s management fleet. YETI calculates key environmental factors, including propulsion systems, energy usage in hotel functions like lighting and air conditioning, and galley operations, providing a comprehensive environmental profile for each yacht.

“Fraser’s commitment to integrating YETI into their fleet management signals a significant leap forward in our goal to foster a more sustainable yachting industry,” Robert van Tol, executive director of the Water Revolution Foundation, stated in a press release. “With their leadership, Fraser is setting a precedent for assessing the existing fleet transparently and proactively for environmental accountability, paving the way for meaningful improvements across the sector.”

The YETI insights will let Fraser’s team help to guide clients on implementing environmental upgrades, particularly during refit periods.

These recommendations could include the integration of more efficient hotel functions—since these consume at least 50 percent of a yacht’s energy— along with the adoption of energy-saving and recovery technologies, and the use of filters and after-treatment systems.

“Yachting is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and Fraser is at the forefront of that evolution,” Anders Kurtén, CEO of Fraser Yachts, stated in the release. “This partnership allows us to deliver actionable, data-driven solutions that enable our clients to understand and reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing the luxury and performance that defines the yachting experience.”

Fraser plans to use this system to help market yachts as more sustainable, aligning with the growing demand from environmentally aware charterers and buyers. Eco-conscious yachts are in greater demand and tend to command higher resale values, according to the company.

The company also says the insights may help yacht owners with improved finance conditions, favorable insurance policies and potentially lower marina fees.

What comes after this? Fraser says it’s also planning to offer regular updates on fleet sustainability, and to introduce additional environmental upgrading services to its clients. The goal is to inspire broader action within the yachting community, calling on fellow brokers, yacht management companies, charter operators and industry colleagues to embrace sustainable practices as a core pillar of yacht ownership and management.

Take the next step: click over to fraseryachts.com

The post Fraser Yachts’ Eco-Friendly Thinking appeared first on Yachting.

The good people of the South Pacific know a thing or two about interacting with marine animals. Once, when I was on a charter there, a guide instructed us guests and crew to link arms underwater. He then dumped a couple of buckets of chum in front of us and looked out into the deep blue. A shark zoomed in like a missile, and then kept going past him, right at us—until it stopped and turned around, thinking it couldn’t penetrate our human wall. It felt as if it looked me right in the eyes.

When we resurfaced and were back on the boat, I tried to describe the experience, which was hard to do given that I’d lost the ability to speak. Today, with the benefit of hindsight (and having regained use of my senses), I can say it remains one of the most memorable days of my life.

That day also taught me a key lesson about booking a successful charter of this kind: Choose a yacht with knowledgeable crew and guides, preferably ones who know all the details about a region’s best experiences.

That’s why I was so excited to see the announcement from charter management company Fraser about the motoryacht Askari accepting bookings this season in French Polynesia to swim with humpback whales. If you’re going to spend time underwater with a beast that can weigh as much as a loaded tractor-trailer, then you’ll want a crew and guides who know what they’re doing. Askari is a yacht whose team has long fit that description in far-flung destinations. I was aboard in New Zealand about two decades ago after a big refit and still fondly recall the insider’s tour of everything the Bay of Islands offers.

The whales should be arriving in French Polynesia right around the time you read this, and Askari is no doubt already in prime position. Trust me when I say it’s an opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Swimming with Humpbacks

Prime months are August through October for swimming with the humpback whales in French Polynesia, though they sometimes stick around into November. Schools of them come to this part of the world every year to mate and nurse their young. Size-wise, a humpback can be 50 feet long. That’s about half the length of the yacht Askari, which is 108 feet. Regulations protect these whales, including from overzealous swimmers, so be prepared to respect the rules.

Take the next step: fraser.com

The post Swim with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia appeared first on Yachting.

Fraser says 124-foot Heesen Unexpected is coming off a successful Mediterranean charter season, with dates still available for bookings this winter in the Caribbean.

Unexpected is a 2001 build that most recently was refitted in 2021. The Fraser team says the yacht “presents like new” and carries an “armada of watertoys” for hours of fun at anchor.

Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms, and the yacht charters with seven crew.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Unexpected in the Caribbean? It’s about $105,000.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

The post This ‘Armada of Watertoys’ Is Caribbean-Bound appeared first on Yachting.

Fraser sales broker J.D. Crawford had a challenge on his hands. It was autumn 2022 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and American clients who’d never owned a yacht were laying out an extensive list of requirements for whatever boat they might buy.

“It became evident that a fresh approach was necessary,” says Crawford, who set up meetings with multiple shipyards that could produce what the clients envisioned.

Almost a year later, this past August, Crawford helped the clients sign with Tankoa Yachts in Italy. Their 183-foot, fully custom yacht—the T560 Apache—is scheduled to be completed in late 2026.

Article At-A-Glance

• Alberto Mancini is the designer of the T560 Apache.
• The 183-foot T560 Apache is based on the nearly 250-foot T760 Apache.
• The owner’s deck is packed with private features.
• Tankoa’s goal is to include amenities from 1,000-plus-gross-ton vessels.

Designed by Alberto Mancini

Alberto Mancini is an Italian yacht designer who got his start working with well-known industry leaders such as Officina Italiana Design, Ken Freivokh, Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard. In 2006, Mancini went out on his own with Team for Design. He’s been working steadily ever since.

The nearly 250-foot T760 Apache that Mancini unveiled at the 2021 Monaco Yacht Show served as the inspiration for the recent sale of the 183-foot Tankoa T560 Apache.

Impressive Owner’s Deck

The Tankoa T560 Apache will not have an owner’s stateroom but instead will have an owner’s deck on an upper level. The sleeping area will be forward, providing panoramic views of the scenery all around the yacht. From here, the owners will have access to a private terrace that spans more than 900 square feet with an 18-foot pool as well as an outdoor lounge with a fire pit at its center.

Substantial Guest and Crew Spaces

Guest accommodations will be in five staterooms that are all located forward on the main deck—an unusual layout aboard a yacht in this size range. Generally speaking, this location affords guests larger windows for better views while eliminating the need to traverse stairs several times a day to reach the yacht’s lower level. On this yacht, the VIP stateroom will span the full beam.

Crew quarters will be on the lower deck of the Tankoa T560 Apache and will include a dedicated gymnasium for the crew to exercise. (The owner and guests have their own wellness center and gymnasium in separate areas on board.)

Beach Club Bonanza

As with just about all superyachts being built nowadays, the Tankoa T560 Apache will have a substantial beach club where guests can relax. According to Fraser’s team, the beach club will include drop-down side balconies that broaden the recreational space to nearly 1,000 square feet, all of it with unbeatable views and access to the water.

Swimming On Board or Off

The beauty of having a beach club on a yacht is that guests can relax at water level, dipping in and out of a quiet, scenic bay for a refreshing swim or some fun on the water toys. Aboard the Tankoa T560 Apache, the beach club will also have a 13-foot glass pool for guests who prefer to cool off on board. Smoked glass in the transom will connect the inner portion of the beach club to the yacht’s exterior, while stairs to the main deck aft will lead to an upper terrace.

Where are the Tenders?

To make room for that beach club aft, designer Alberto Mancini drew a tender garage forward on the main deck, beneath the owner’s stateroom private terrace. This garage can hold and launch a 23-foot tender, along with a rescue boat and watertoys, freeing up the after portion of the yacht so it can be reserved exclusively for guest use.

What Else is Tankoa Yachts Doing?

The shipyard, which is on Italy’s western coast in Genoa, also recently sold Hull No. 1 of the TX450 Explorer Yacht. It’s a Giorgio Cassetta design with a length of 147 feet and, unusually, all guest staterooms located on the main deck. Delivery on the TX450 Explorer Yacht is expected in spring 2025.

Tankoa has 8 More Yachts in Build

Also in build right now at Tankoa Yachts are two S501s, two T450s, two T55 Sportiva hulls, a T580 Custom and the Tankoa Vitruvius 52, which is designed by Philippe Briand with batteries developed in conjunction with Siemens. Tankoa’s second hybrid superyacht, the 164-foot Kinda designed by Francesco Paszkowski, was delivered in 2022.

For Fans of Explorer Yachts

Last year, Tankoa unveiled a concept for the T500 Tethys Explorer Superyacht. It’s a 164-foot “SUV of the seven seas” intended for long-range voyages. Exteriors and interiors are by the Italian firm Hot Lab, which incorporated two convertible lower-deck spaces that can be outfitted as staterooms, a gym, an owner’s office or for other uses. Renderings of the T500 Tethys Explorer Superyacht also show a helipad aft.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Tankoa Yachts been in business?

Since 2007. The company was created with help from former members of the management team at the Baglietto shipyard.

What does the word Tankoa mean?

It comes from the Genoese word for scorpion, “tancua.” A friend of the company owner, who was also a major shareholder, was a Scorpio.

Why does Tankoa call itself a boutique shipyard?

The idea is that it’s not mass-producing dozens and dozens of vessels each year. Instead, it delivers four or five annually.

Does Tankoa allow owners to customize their yachts?

Yes, up to and including fully custom builds.

Is it true that Tankoa’s clients are getting younger?

Yes. The yard’s team says some clients are in their 40s, and many are buying a yacht for the first time, even in the larger size ranges.

The post First-Time Yacht Owners Order a 183-Foot Tankoa appeared first on Yachting.

Fraser has just welcomed the 187-foot Sanlorenzo Virtuosity to the charter fleet. This is a brand-new, 2023 build that will make its charter debut this winter in the Caribbean.

Virtuosity is one of Sanlorenzo’s 57Steel models with design by Zuccon International Project. The owner’s stateroom is on the upper deck with a private terrace and a hot tub. There are accommodations for another 10 guests in addition to the master, with several of the guest staterooms able to convert from twin- to double-berth setups.

Onboard amenities include a glass-bottom, heated swimming pool with jets; a beach club and gymnasium with foldout doors to port and starboard; a hammam and a sauna; a bridge-deck DJ booth near the bar and lounging area; and a custom-made inflatable platform as one of the watertoys.

After the yacht’s debut season this winter in the Caribbean, it’s expected to charter in the Mediterranean during summer 2024.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Virtuosity this winter in the Caribbean? It’s about $426,500.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

The post This Brand-New Sanlorenzo Is Open for Charter appeared first on Yachting.

Fraser says the 115-foot Benetti Heaven Can Wait is accepting inquiries for remaining open summer charter dates in the Bahamas.

Heaven Can Wait is a 2006 build that most recently was refitted in 2020. The yacht bases in Nassau, with no delivery fees on itineraries that are round-trip from that home port.

Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms, including a main-deck master. The yacht charters with seven crew.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Heaven Can Wait? It’s $85,000 per week.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

The post Summer Dates Available in the Bahamas appeared first on Yachting.

The 131-foot Sunseeker Acacia has joined the Fraser charter fleet, with year-round availability in the Bahamas.

Acacia is a 2012 build that most recently was refitted in 2022. The yacht accommodates 10 guests in five staterooms that can be arranged for a group of friends or a multigenerational family.

Guest amenities on the sundeck include workout space, a hot tub, lounge areas and dining. For guests who prefer to have fun out on the water, Acacia carries what Fraser calls a “massive selection of toys,” including an inflatable beach-club platform and toy dock.

The lowest weekly base rate to charter Acacia is $140,000.

What is Acacia’s cruising speed? It’s 14 knots, with a top hop of 23 knots.

Take the next step: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

The post Ready for Bahamas Bookings: ‘Acacia’ appeared first on Yachting.

Polestar, which, at 229 feet long, is the largest-ever Rossinavi build, is now part of the Fraser charter fleet.

The 2021 launch accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms. Plans are to offer charters this summer in France and Italy, with the owner considering other locations on request.

For winter 2023-24, Polestar is expected to be available for bookings in the Indian Ocean.

“Polestar showcases the perfect balance of elegance and performance,” charter manager Alexia Eude stated in a press release. “She boasts an impressive range, making her ideal for long-range cruising adventures. Guests can expect top-notch service and expertise while on board this magnificent yacht.”

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Polestar? It’s about $785,000.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

The post Fraser Welcomes ‘Polestar’ to the Charter Fleet appeared first on Yachting.