Choosing Downwind and Light Air Headsails

Posted on: December 10, 2018December 10, 2018 by Eric Smith

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

How will you be using your boat?
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?
Which choice will you make in reference to sail handling equipment, furlers, snuffers, and deck hardware?

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

Posted on: November 26, 2018December 4, 2018 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:

Flagship Yacht Ownership with the Crewed Yacht Charter Business Program

Posted on: November 9, 2018December 4, 2018 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.

5 Tips for Attending the United States Sailboat Show 2018

Posted on: September 20, 2018December 4, 2018 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:

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!
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.
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!
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!
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: September 13, 2018December 4, 2018 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.

Things to Do While Attending the Cannes Yachting Festival

Posted on: September 10, 2018September 10, 2018 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: August 31, 2018December 4, 2018 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.

Exclusive Updates from the Desk of CEO Christian Bent

Posted on: August 3, 2018August 3, 2018 by Christian Bent

I have just returned from another fantastic trip to Europe for the international dealer meetings of Jeanneau and Fountaine Pajot. Both offered a look at some exciting new products, important developments on production and outlook for 2019 and 2020, and exciting awards for the Atlantic Cruising Yachts team.

Jeanneau International Dealer Meeting: Port Bourgenay, France.

Our East Coast of Florida Regional Manager, Josef Buxton, and I joined approximately 300 other dealer representatives in Port Bourgenay, located in the Vendee region of France. The location is the perfect backdrop for idyllic summer cruising.

Follow the Ipanema 58’s Journey with Atlantic Cruising Yachts

Posted on: July 17, 2018July 18, 2018 by Atlantic Cruising

The Flagship model of Fountaine Pajot’s sailing catamaran line, the Ipanema 58 will arrive this summer at our docks. We will be documenting every step of the Ipanema 58’s journey from France to Annapolis and beyond. From the commissioning to our exclusive viewing event, we invite you to be the first to receive updates of its journey by following us on Facebook and Instagram, and by signing up for our newsletters.

Elegant, spacious, and powerful are just a few of the ways this exquisite vessel can be described in terms of design and performance. The Ipanema 58 is aptly named after the distinguished Ipanema beach of Brazil as it is sensationally equipped for adventure and luxury-seekers alike. With a length of 58.3 feet, this vessel is both large in size and in style.

The Astréa 42: Debuting in America at Atlantic Cruising Yachts

Posted on: June 28, 2018June 28, 2018 by Atlantic Cruising

This September, the Astréa 42 will make its North American debut at Atlantic Cruising Yachts headquarters in Annapolis, MD.

Since the Astréa 42 was revealed at the La Grande Motte International Boat Show in April 2018, Fountaine Pajot has released intricate renderings and a 360-degree tour of the sailing catamaran. You can experience the tour and explore the vessel’s dimensions here. As of May 2018, she received her first award: the Best Multihull of the Year juried by French magazines Le Monde de Multicoque and Voile Magazine.