Choosing Downwind and Light Air Headsails

Posted on: by Eric Smith

Concerning downwind and light air sail choices, there are many factors at play and special considerations for cruising catamarans:

  1. How will you be using your boat?
  2. How many additional sails will you have in your inventory to cover the downwind gamut of situations from close reaching to broader reaching and variable wind conditions?
  3. Which choice will you make in reference to sail handling equipment, furlers, snuffers, and deck hardware?

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List Your Current Yacht with Us – We’ll Waive Our Commission

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

No matter how much you love your current yacht, you may be looking at bigger, better, newer models and thinking about starting 2019 with an upgrade. Every year, Jeanneau and Fountaine Pajot roll out new features, like the walk-around decks on the award-winning Jeanneau 490 and the innovative roof design of the Astréa 42. When you’re ready to upgrade and transition to a new yacht, the Atlantic Cruising Yachts team can do so much more than help you find the perfect new yacht. We can list your current yacht for brokerage, get you the best selling price, and we’ll waive our seller’s commission. Here’s how it works:

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Flagship Yacht Ownership with the Crewed Yacht Charter Business Program

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

You have the desire and the budget for a magnificent flagship yacht from Fountaine Pajot, but are still interested in pursuing the most fiscally advantageous approach. The Crewed Yacht Charter Business Program might be for you. It is a unique opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of the luxury yacht lifestyle.

How does it work?

The Crewed Yacht Charter Business Program implements your yacht as a business, making it a tax-deductible business asset. With the potential to offset 80-100% of costs with income and tax advantages, the business model is a financially prudent route to yacht ownership. Atlantic Cruising Yachts has independent, certified financial planners who are experts in Business Yacht Ownership® and can meet with you to determine if your circumstances allow you to benefit. To get an initial understanding of how the business model works, sign up for one of our live Business Yacht Ownership® webinars.

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Join the Best of St. Petersburg, FL

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

When it comes to purchasing the yacht of your dreams there are a multitude of decisions to make. Do you choose power or sail? Compact or large? Is it for personal enjoyment only or will it be placed into charter? For yacht owners who utilize our innovative Business Yacht Ownership® program to significantly reduce the overall costs, placing their new vessel into charter is the nearly the final step of the process. With that in mind, the last question to answer is, where? Many owners select Sailing Florida Charters in St. Petersburg for the location’s year-long sunshine, thriving tourism economy, and experienced yacht maintenance specialists.

Fun in the Sun

Florida is known as the Sunshine State for a reason. With about 361 days of sun per year, their guests have ample opportunity to enjoy chartering on your yacht.¹ Located on the Gulf Coast, St. Petersburg, Sailing Florida Charters is nestled on the Tampa Bay with quick access to the ocean. The location offers easy cruising to a multitude of attractions including the Skyway Bridge, the Dry Tortugas, Fort Jefferson, Marco Island, Key West, and more! It’s a charter destination that packs quite a lot of vacation opportunities for owners and guests alike.

Statistics Don’t Lie

In 2017, Florida saw an all-time record of 116.5 million domestic and international visitors.² This year, there were over 33.2 million visitors in the first three months alone.³ Tourism has an incredible impact on St. Petersburg and the surrounding area’s economy, contributing $9.25 billion in annual spending and nearly 94,000 jobs.4 A thriving tourist economy translates to a profitable charter season for yacht owners. Vacationers are clearly seeking Florida’s year ‘round sunshine and warmth!

Outstanding Service

If the unbeatable experience Florida offers vacationers isn’t enough to convince you that St. Petersburg is the place to put your yacht into charter, then consider how pristine your vessel will be kept. The dock hands and staff at Sailing Florida Charters boast a reputation for their extensive industry knowledge, passion for maintaining yachts, and love of the sea. The staff is able to provide guests with tips for the best local dining and shopping options, in addition to top-notch anchorage points out on the water. Their outstanding customer service and boutique experience offered by Waypoints® will have charter guests planning their next trip before they even return to the docks.

Interested in placing your new Jeanneau or Fountaine Pajot yacht into charter? Learn how you can become a part of the Waypoints® fleet by contacting Atlantic Cruising Yachts.

Experience the Leader 36 and NC 33 at the 2018 United States Powerboat Show

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

Power crafted to impress – be a leader on the Bay with a high-performance and luxurious Jeanneau Inboard Powerboat. Join Atlantic Cruising Yachts on Dock C at the United States Powerboat Show from October 11-14 for the opportunity to experience the incredible Jeanneau Leader 36 and NC 33. 

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5 Tips for Attending the United States Sailboat Show 2018

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

The United States Sailboat Show is a large, exciting event but it can also be overwhelming. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your visit for smooth sailing:

  1. Buy tickets in advance online: Avoid long lines the day-of by procuring your admissions tickets in advance. Children ages 6 and younger are free!
  2. Driving and parking recommendations: For GPS purposes, the location of the show is 1 Dock Street, Annapolis, MD 21401; however, visitors are encouraged to park at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Gate 5) from which a free shuttle will be provided to the show. Stadium parking costs $10. Other parking possibilities exist, but this by far the easiest option.
  3. Local accommodations: As the United States Sailboat Show draws incredibly large crowds it is imperative to make hotel arrangements as soon as possible if you are coming in from out of town. The Annapolis Boat Shows, the host of the event, has compiled a resource for finding local accommodations. If hotels are booked up, you can always try Airbnb or an overnight charter with Cruise Annapolis!
  4. Check the weather: Before packing for traveling to Annapolis, keep an eye on the weather forecast. When it comes to autumn on the Bay you never know if you’ll need a jacket or a t-shirt, and you surely don’t want to pack the wrong wardrobe!
  5. What to leave at home: According to the event host, no pets are allowed and strollers are highly discouraged for safety reasons.

The Atlantic Cruising Yachts team will be exhibiting the North American debut of the Astrea 42 and Annapolis debut of the Ipanema 58 at our booth on Dock F1. Stop by to see these incredible Fountaine Pajot yachts and to participate in live Business Yacht Ownership® program seminars. Learn how it is possible to offset 80-100% of new yacht costs.

North American Debut of the Astréa 42 and the Annapolis Debut of the Ipanema 58: 2018 United States Sailboat Show

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

It’s that time of year again! The 2018 United States Sailboat Show kicks off on October 4 and runs through October 8 in our hometown of Annapolis, Maryland. Internationally recognized as the world’s “largest and most prestigious sailboat show,” the United States Sailboat Show features an extensive array of exhibitors, vendors, and educational events.¹ The Atlantic Cruising Yachts team is gearing up for the show where we will be exhibiting the North American debut of the Astréa 42 and the Annapolis debut of the Ipanema 58.

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Things to Do While Attending the Cannes Yachting Festival

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

The Cannes Yachting Festival kicks off on September 11, 2018, with the all-new Fountaine Pajot 67. The Atlantic Cruising Yachts team is on site, and CEO Chris Bent offers his advice on the best restaurants and boutique hotels in the region.

From the desk of CEO Chris Bent:

I have been fortunate to travel and vacation in this area quite a bit, both for business and pleasure. I consider myself a bit of a foodie and enjoy fine boutique hotels and restaurants. Here are some of my favorites in the region:

Cannes

La Palme d’Or is probably the best restaurant with a Michelin 2-star rating. It’s located at the Hyatt, which also has Zplage – one of the best beach clubs in Cannes with a great beach restaurant. Make sure to call for reservations.

There are a lot of great places for shopping all around the area of the marina. Cannes is great for the glitz and the boat shows, but St-Tropez and Antibes areas, are really fantastic and still among the top travel destinations in the world.

Antibes

Antibes (pronounced An-teeb), and the old town located near the port, are about a 15-minute drive from Cannes. This breathtaking location has an old-world charm and smaller medieval streets lined with great cafes, restaurants, and shops. The beach is lovely, and the scenery around the port and the old fortress are worth seeing.

There is a great Italian restaurant called Le Michelangelo which is frequented by movie stars. It is located on the main pedestrian street through the old town near the port, with inside and garden seating. I highly recommend a visit there.

St. Tropez

Being so close to St. Tropez, I would opt for a day trip or even an overnight there. This is the very best place in the world to hang out on a yacht or enjoy the quaint, picturesque town of St. Tropez with its beautiful harbor, very nice shops, and great restaurants.

The surrounding area is the Rosé wine capital of the universe. This is the dry Rose that is a must on hot sunny days by the water. Worth visiting one or two for tastings, Chateau Minuty is a fantastic vineyard close to St Tropez.

About 20 minutes outside of town, on the coast in the beach town of Gigaro Plage, is a lovely boutique hotel on the beach called La Pinède Plage. They have a fantastic beachside restaurant, and the hotel is associated with the Château de Valmer (part of the luxury Relais & Chateaux group) located within walking distance up the hill, which has its own fantastic restaurant, La Palmeraie in the garden featuring authentic Provence cuisine.

If you’re able to visit this beautiful part of the world during the Cannes Yachting Festival, my team will look forward to seeing you at the Fountaine Pajot display.

Join the Best of the Bahamas: Abaco

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

You’ve purchased your dream Jeanneau or Fountaine Pajot yacht. The Business Yacht Ownership® program helped you discover the most cost-effective route to yacht ownership and you’ve decided to place your brand new vessel into charter. For many owners, the clear blue waters surrounding The Abaco Islands are an excellent choice.

Tourist Hotspot

Irrefutably breathtaking, sensationally luxurious, and highly visited, The Abacos are an idyllic location for your yacht to call home. Stretching 130 miles, The Abacos are a group of islands dotted with bays and coves. Specifically located at the Great Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbor, Cruise Abaco is the premier charter experience in the Bahamas for guests seeking a vacation balanced between relaxation and exploration. Guests choose to charter in The Abacos for its picturesque sunrises and sunsets, other-worldly scuba and snorkeling experiences, and island culture. According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, over 90% of visitors to the Bahamas recommend it to friends and family¹. As a yacht owner seeking to offset the cost of your vessel, placing it into charter at a location that attracts tourism without having to try, and has a lengthy charter season, is a no-brainer.

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Inside the Buyer’s Journey: Phil Hammar (Jeanneau Owner)

Posted on: by Atlantic Cruising

Every buyer’s journey to yacht ownership is unique. Phil Hammar and his family’s journey began in 2007. At the time, they were not quite sure what type, brand, or features to explore. Their son was 18-months-old at the time, so the safety of a vessel was of the utmost importance. After looking into various brands, such as Beneteau and Catalina, they selected to purchase a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i for its highly secure deck and its unquestionable craftsmanship. They christened their vessel Blue Cloud and enjoyed many day sailing trips throughout the Chesapeake Bay.

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