The Charter Connection Blog

‘Sayang’, a popular Jeanneau 54, is offering 8 days for the price of 7 through the month of July. Paul and Ratna also offer a ‘Romantic Getaway for Two’ special! We have had 22 successful charters on this boat. Flexible layout for up to six but particularly suitable for four. Excellent boat and crew.

‘Viking Dream’ was voted best multihull up to 50′ at the last two consecutive Tortola broker shows (2010 and 2009), which is almost unheard of! They are offering $1000 off for selected fall dates. Recommended.

‘NSS Pattam’, the 84′ classic DeFever motor yacht, is offering a $500 per person discount on fully crewed charters and $350 per person discount on B&B charters taking place in June or July.

Voyage is taking 20% off their fleet of bareboat sail cats and 15% off crewed sailing charters through July. Ask us for specifics.

We’ll find you the best value. Call us at 800 621 7855, email us at info@ed-hamilton.com, visit the Ed Hamilton & Co website, or let us suggest some boats and crews suitable for your group!

Have you ever wondered where the crewed yacht chefs buy their organic produce in Tortola? Aragorn Dick-Read is better known as a sculptor and supporter of the local arts (he created those fireball sculptures in Trellis Bay), but he and his wife also own a local produce business. Revitalizing old terraced farmland on the more fertile north side of Tortola, they created ‘Good Moon Farm’ and have built up a network of local farmers to supply Mega Yachts and crewed charter chefs with quality organic produce. In addition to crewed yachts, they supply several restaurants, villa rentals and bareboaters willing to pay a little extra for produce that has never been sprayed and hasn’t arrived on a ship.

The apple often doesn’t fall far from the tree and in this case, Aragorn is following a family tradition. His father, Robert Dick-Read, was one of the pioneers in the early development of present day Tortola. Some of his schemes, such as a rental car business, were ahead of their time (his VW Beetles were killed by the terrible roads of the late 60s), but his big break was the Ample Hamper, which supplied provisions to the new evolving charter industry. He was the founder and first owner, and his flamboyant enthusiasm behind the counter played a big part in its success. For those who remember him, he is doing well at 80 and is still scheming!

If you’re considering a charter, we have been in this industry since it started! Call us (800 621 7855), email info@ed-hamilton.com, or visit the Ed Hamilton & Co website. If you tell us more about your requirements , we can suggest some suitable boats and crews!

We wish Aragorn well, not only in this venture, but also with his sculpture and his efforts to keep Caribbean art and old traditions alive.

‘Analisa’ is offering a snowbird special. $1,000 off a 7 night 4 pax charter, $750 off for 3 and $500 off a 2 pax, taking place before June 2011. This 60′ Hatteras motor yacht is already economically priced at $3,375 per person for 4, per week, including all meals, open ship’s bar, water toys, cruising taxes, unlimited generator and free fuel up to 20 hours (more than adequate for a 7 day charter).

The special applies for 7 night charters, but they also will charter for shorter periods without adding the customary surcharge to the prorated weekly rate. They offer half board rates for those wishing to eat several meals ashore, but with the price of local restaurants, the inclusive rate is generally the better value. She’s best for 4, but families of 6 can be accommodated, with two children in the salon, sharing a head with the crew.

Peter Scully and Ruth Pinnell have cruised on Analisa for 10years, but put her through an extensive refit before chartering her, so everything is new and in great shape. Meet them both in their excellent promotional video.

Her comfortable master cabin features a queen berth and a second guest cabin has two singles which can be converted to a sideways queen. The 15′ tender has a 60hp engine which can pull a variety of water toys, including adult and child water skis, a tube and a wake board. There are also two double kayaks, underwater cameras (video and still), floating mats and fishing gear. She can start charters in the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands.

We specialize in finding you the best value regardless of price range. Call us at 800 621 7855, email us at info@ed-hamilton.com, take a look at the Ed Hamilton & Co website, or tell us about your plans and we will suggest some boats and crews we feel would be suitable for your group!

Here’s an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day! Brett and Ronnie are offering $5,000 off the listed rate for 7 night bookings on Akasha, between March 3 and 16. This is one of the few slots available in this popular boat’s calendar and they are keen to fill it. Akasha offers wonderful luxury for up to 10 guests, in 4 queen suites and a lovely master suite with a king. Brett and Ronnie are true professionals and run a first class ship.

If the cold is getting to you and you’re in the market for a big cat this winter, it doesn’t get better than this. For $4,300 per person, a party of 10 can charter this huge 76′ cat for a week, including all ‘5star’ meals, reasonable bar and some scuba diving for certified divers.

Whether you’re going for the best money can buy or looking for great value, at Ed Hamilton & Co we’ll find you the perfect yacht. Use our online form to tell us about your party so we can start suggesting some boats. You can also call us at 800 621 7855 or email us at info@ed-hamilton.com

For most people, it’s 3 to 4 months before the boat goes back in the water. Here in Maine we’re told we are having an easier winter than states further south. We’re certainly more comfortable coping with snow, but in reality, most of us are already ready for winter to end.

Book a Caribbean yacht charter in late February or March, and when you return, the weather will be improving and splashing the boat will be a tolerable few weeks away!

Additionally the best weather in the Caribbean is traditionally in later March and April, when the trade winds have settled and are blowing steadily, but in truth the differences are small. January and February are also great times to charter, with the added bonus of getting away from the worst weather up north.

Pick up the phone before the next Nor’easter arrives. The brokers at Ed Hamilton & Co. can have you on a plane before you know it. Tell us about your group and let us suggest some great bareboat charter companies or private crewed yachts. You can call us at 800 621 7855 or email us at info@ed-hamilton.com.

Here’s a way of having an inexpensive romantic Valentine charter and renew your vows at the same time! Tim and Angela are offering a special for charters over Valentine’s Day on their lovely 46′ yacht ‘Spirit’.

In addition to all meals and open bar, they are including free champagne throughout the week (let it flow), engraved gifts, a DVD of your happy adventures above and below the water, and champagne beach picnics! On Valentines Day itself, you can join the traditional group wedding vow renewal ceremony, held just before sunset at beautiful Trunk Bay, St. John. A tropical fruit platter and (of course) champagne, will be served after the ceremony, on the beach. Also included is a tandem ride rendezvous parasail with a bird’s eye view of St. John, St Thomas and the western British Virgin Islands.
All this for a total of $5900 for two, for the week, plus gratuity. Preferred pick up is the US Virgin Islands for this special.

Feeling romantic? Ed Hamilton & Co can provide the perfect setting for any honeymoon yacht charter or celebration, so tell us your plans and call us at 800 621 7855 or send us an email at info@ed-hamilton.com.

P.S. See if you can guess the name of the beach in the photograph (hint it was taken a few years ago)! The answer is on our company FaceBook page.

There are relatively few yachts that can accommodate a large party (30 guests) in such luxury, so if you want to treat your company executives, extended family or special group to a holiday of a lifetime, consider RM Elegant. Your guests will sleep well in 15 comfortable cabins, including two luxury suites, but the main attraction is the service they will receive and the sheer size, comfort and diversity of this 237′ ship.

The enormous sun deck runs almost the full length. Enjoy the view from a deckchair or the jacuzzi, or host a party, all without another uninvited guest in sight! Guests can dine in a variety of spaces, from casual to formal. Those that feel the need can utilize the state of the art business center, while others can spend their time being pampered in her excellent spa. For the active, she has every water toy you could imagine!

RM Elegant is currently in the Caribbean, on her way to her winter home in St. Martin, but this is a yacht that can go virtually anywhere, so ask us if you have a special request. In the summer she heads back to the Mediterranean, to her base in the French Riviera. Take a look at her brochure and dream!

So much luxury for just 30 special guests is obviously not inexpensive, but if you’re looking for a business or group treat, this is top end! At Ed Hamilton & Co we specialize in finding those perfect solutions, so tell us about your plans and call us at 800 621 7855 or email us at info@ed-hamilton.com.

Christmas is only 9 days away, but we are still getting last minute requests for the holidays. Almost more surprising is that we are finding suitable boats and booking them! The savvy shoppers are booking for NEXT year, where they can get what they want before the regulars rebook for 2011/12, but if you’re looking for a last minute get away, here are some suggestions for this year. Prices are holiday rates for one week and include all meals and open bar unless stated.

Open from Dec 27 - Jan 11, Tachyon has to be a deal in the Grenadines. Jacque is joining Eric for this charter, so this week she is fully crewed for up to 6 guests, for $11,900 (reduced from $14,900).

Magpie ($8,700/2, $10,300/4)and Sudiki ($9,400/2, $12,000/4) are two other options in the Grenadines, open for both holidays.

In the British and US Virgin Islands, the popular Sandcastle ($13,420/2, $14,420/4) is open for Christmas, up to Dec 27, and Reaction ($20,000 up to 8 ), with their fun crew, is open to Dec 28.

Honiara ($8,470 up to 4) and Crystal Clear ($8,950/2, $10,950/4) are open for both holidays and Amaryllis ($9,350/2, $10,450/4, $12,100/6) is open for New Year from the 30th.

123Relax ($5,445/2, $7,150/4, $8,778/6, plus bar in Leewards) is an inexpensive option in St. Martin but she needs to finish on the 1st.

Thinking of a different New Year in the uncrowded islands of Belize? Be pampered on the exciting Gunboat 66, Gazelle ($23,100 up to 4, $25,300/6), open from the 30th.

Check into flights first, but if you can get there, we can have you celebrating in the sunshine this holiday! Email us now at Ed Hamilton & Co.