The Charter Connection Blog

We told readers how to use an iPhone as a GPS/Chart plotter in our recent newsletter, but have just learned that it’s not just us that think this is a great idea!  Navionics, the people who make these iPhone charts, has won an NMMA Innovation Award at the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show in Orlando. One judge commented that ‘nowhere is the convergence of traditional boat/plotter navigation, water based outdoor activities and various online communities coming together more visibly than with Navionics Mobile for the iPhone’ (quoted from ‘The Cruising Compass’).

The other great news is that Navionics has announced that they will continue to offer these charts, via Apple iTunes, at the original low price, starting at $4.99! The charts are incredibly high quality - we even use them on the Maine Coast! We don’t substitute the iPhone for our main plotter, but we do find it amazingly helpful when off the boat or in the dinghy, and the price cannot be beaten! It could also be an emergency backup if the boat system went down.

There is much more to this application than charts. Navionics Mobile 2.2 can tie in photos of your Caribbean yacht charter, and can upload everything, including your route and special highlights to Facebook etc. Endless possibilities.

Read the original article in our Newsletter (subscribe while you’re there!). For more information, call us at 800 621 7855, email us, or visit the Ed Hamilton & Co site.

Once again Ed Hamilton & Co has been named Conde Nast’s recommended agency for anyone booking a Caribbean yacht charter. This is the 8th consecutive year we have won this award and are naturally very proud to be recognized by such a prestigious travel magazine.

While editor Wendy Perrin openly admits there are advantages to using the internet when booking a simple flight, she feels arranging an unusual vacation where local knowledge can make all the difference, is quite another story. We can think of no vacation that requires local knowledge more than a crewed yacht charter, where matching guests with the right crew largely determines the success of the vacation, or for a bareboat vacation where our candid comments on a yacht’s condition or on a company’s recent track record is so important when choosing a boat. Considering we charge no fee for our services, yet add so much security, we see no reason to blindly book a charter on line, where it is impossible to make these judgments.

We hope this endorsement will encourage you to take a closer look at our company and we look forward to discussing your yacht charter plans in the very near future. Call us at 800 621 7855, email us, or contact us through the Ed Hamilton & Co site and tell us about the type of holiday you have in mind.

The magnificent 111′ ketch, ‘Blue Eyes’, is open from July 26 to August 26th, at the much reduced rate of 48,000 Euros per week, plus expenses. Her regular rate is 65,000 Euros. After September 9th, she is available at just 38,000 Euros, plus expenses. She can accommodate 10 guests in 5 luxurious cabins, so for a per person price from 3,800 Euros per week, guests can enjoy incredible luxury and service on a truly comfortable yacht, while cruising the beautiful Turkish Coast. We particularly liked this boat when we saw her last year. Unlike many Gulet style yachts, she is designed to perform equally well under sail or power. She has all the toys for the active set, such as jet skis, sea bobs and water skis, but she also caters to children and carries a wide range of kid’s toys. Her personable, safety conscious captain, Atalay Akarsu, speaks excellent English and heads a first class crew of 7. We felt Chef Hakan Karaodlu, who has been training in Germany, presented one of the best lunches at the Marmaris show. There is plenty of lounging space on deck, as well as two dining areas. The high gloss varnished woodwork is impressive, particularly in the cabins. It’s a fact that your Mediterranean dollars go further in Turkey and ‘Blue Eyes’ is a shining example.

For more information, call us at 800 621 7855, email us, or visit the Ed Hamilton & Co site.

If sailing a 35′ classic wooden Hinckley around the coast of Maine is your idea of heaven, take a look at Huntress. She is the first Hinckley Pilot - hull #1, lovingly maintained by her owner. Naturally she has far less space below than a modern 35′ sloop, but sailors used to this type of yacht will appreciate and enjoy her. Technically she can sleep 4 guests, but she is far more practical for 2. The captain sleeps forward and guests take the single pilot berths in the salon. There is one head amidships for guests and crew and a galley in the companionway. Based in Robinhood Marina, a few miles from Bath, she is ideally suited to cruising Down East Maine.

We have known her owner/captain, Kevin, since the early 1980’s, when he helped Ed teach at our sailing school, in Robinhood. We can therefore personally confirm that he is a patient, highly qualified, dedicated instructor. A boat surveyor by trade, he has a broad knowledge of a wide range of boats, power and sail, old and new.

You can charter Huntress for the low rate of $450 per day, for two or four guests. Kevin is also happy to teach sailing and can tailor classes to any level of experience.

He is a capable cook and for an additional $30 per person, per day, can offer full provisioning. A week’s charter with all meals for two would therefore cost just $3570 and a four day weekend just $2,040. No, there’s no ice maker or waterskis - just a lovely traditional yacht to bring old memories alive.

For the right guests, she’s the best value around. For more information, call us at 800 621 7855, email us, or visit the Ed Hamilton & Co site.

The owner of Victorian Rose (ex Idyl) has spent the last 8 years rebuilding this beautiful 1963 Burger. He is a cabinet maker and his love of fine craftsmanship and beautiful woodwork shows everywhere. Furthermore, at 63 feet and carrying just 4 guests, she is very affordable.

The lovely traditional master cabin is aft and has a queen size bed. The head is en-suite (the door arrangement is a little tricky). The second cabin is quite a bit smaller but very comfortable, with twin beds and a private head across the passageway.

We liked the way the whole aft deck salon could be opened up in nice weather and the open feel looking forward through the wheelhouse. The exposed galley and a second sitting/dining area are just ahead of the helm, down a couple of steps. For those that like more sun, there is a full flybridge, and flat decks with a settee forward.

This is a great choice for both New England and warmer climates. In cooler weather, guests can enjoy beautiful views in sheltered comfort, yet the whole aft deck can be air conditioned or open to the fresh air.

The crew are well known in the industry. Captain Bob Davidson has run a variety of sailboats and catamarans. Sharon Munroe is an excellent chef. She has taken several Cordon Bleu classes and can cook in a wide variety of styles, including Mexican, Italian, Thai, and Indian. She enjoys creating a dinner from a different culture every night. Before living on a boat for the past 15 years, she owned a hair salon. She and Bob have been together since 1989.

At $13,000 per week, plus expenses, we feel this boat is good value.

We would be happy to tell you more. Email us, call us (800 621 7855) or visit the Ed Hamilton & Co site and tell us about your plans.

Anyone looking for a vacation on a crewed catamaran in the British Virgin Islands this month (July) can take advantage of a spectacular special. The popular Voyage 58, ‘Bliss’ has dropped her rate from $21,000 to $15,000 for any number of people (she carries up to 8 adults, 10 max), including all meals and open bar.

Bliss is a beautiful 8-10 passenger catamaran.  The decks offer lots of space to sunbathe and the cockpit is roomy and well shaded.  The bow features a stairway between the hulls for easy access to the water - particularly convenient for less mobile guests, small children and scuba divers (scuba diving is available).

The salon is spacious and light with neutral colors. An extensive entertainment center includes Bose surround sound, a flat screen TV and a large DVD/video library.  The huge galley and bar are on the same level as the cockpit.

There are 5 staterooms; four have queen size berths and ensuite heads with separate showers.  The fifth cabin is smaller with a combined head/shower.  Each stateroom has a flat screen TV/DVD/gaming system which is interfaced with others for room to room play. ‘Bliss’ also carries a wide range of water toys. We feel she’s one of the best Voyage 58’s in charter.

We would love to tell you more about ‘Bliss’, and the other great boats we offer. You can reach us at 800 621 7855 or email us. You can also tell us about your plans on the Ed Hamilton & Co site.