With 365 cays to choose among, the Exumas chain in the Bahamas offers something for every day of the year. Cruise around the chain’s three major areas—Great Exuma, Little Exuma and the Exuma Cays—to explore its wildlife, sapphire waters, beaches and waterfront dining.

Natural Attractions

Big Major Cay is home to one of the Exumas’ biggest attractions: the world-famous swimming pigs. The 20 or so frequently photographed feral pigs and piglets are the only residents of this uninhabited cay just a short cruise from Staniel Cay. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.

On Allen Cay off Great Exuma, boaters will find a literal mess of its namesake Allen Cays rock iguanas—that’s the term for a group of these scaly creatures. This endangered species can grow up to 4 feet long, but they’re gentle giants.

The 112,000-plus-acre Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, established in 1957, was the first of its kind in the world and remains a model of marine preservation and biodiversity. A visitors center and hiking trails provide a lay of the park’s land, while moorings make it easy to explore the pristine waters and vibrant reefs. They are part of the second-largest coral barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

Thunderball Grotto became a requisite dive and snorkel spot in the Exumas after its appearance in two James Bond films. Located just west of Staniel Cay, this underwater cave system teeming with marine life is best entered at ebb tide.

Breathtaking beaches stretch across the entire island chain. The white-powder crescent of Tropic of Cancer Beach straddles its namesake latitude along the coast of Little Exuma. Secluded Cocoa Plum Beach, known for excellent shelling, is a cruisers’ favorite, far easier to access by water than by road. The beaches of Stocking Island, just across from Georgetown’s harbor on Great Exuma, range from tranquil coves to legendary hangouts.

Refuel and Refresh

Visitors from the world over flock to the landmark Chat ’N’ Chill on Stocking Island. This quintessential beach bar, known for a family-friendly vibe, has it all: a sizable drink menu, a delicious Sunday pig roast, freshly made conch salad, live music, volleyball courts, and a chance to feed and swim with stingrays.

Boaters will find a more upscale atmosphere at the Sea Level restaurant at Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a longtime hub for cruisers. Reservations are required for dinner, which can include such refined fare as duck confit and rack of lamb.

On Little Exuma, the casual beachfront Santanna’s Bar & Grill is a must-stop for freshly prepared seafood, particularly lobster and grouper dishes. Save some cash and appetite for the adjacent Mom’s Bakery, where the delectable desserts include rum cake, cinnamon rolls and banana bread.  

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Nautor Swan, which is best known for building sailing yachts from 28 to 131 feet long, has passed 60 percent of its ownership to Sanlorenzo Group, which also includes the Sanlorenzo superyacht shipyard and the Bluegame range of open and fishing powerboats.

The plan is for Sanlorenzo Group to have 100 percent ownership of Nautor Swan by April 2028, at the end of a four-year transition period.

“I have dedicated 26 years, together with a skilled and professional team, to developing and transforming this already famous and iconic shipyard into an international brand recognized for quality, elegance and reliability, the key elements at Nautor Swan’s core,” Leonardo Ferragamo, Nautor Group president, stated in a press release. “Today, my goal is to propel forwards a brand that is so beloved and respected and ensure its longevity by entrusting it to one of the world’s leading nautical groups, led by Massimo Perotti, one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs in the marine industry.”

Perotti, the CEO of Sanlorenzo Group, added in the same press release: “Signing this agreement represents another milestone for our strategy. … We are talking about a niche brand, ultra-exclusive, whose philosophy is aligned with the one we have in Sanlorenzo.”

Nautor Swan was founded in 1966. The Boatbuilding Technology Centre in Pietarsaari, Finland, is expected to remain the main production site for its yachts, while the partnership with Sanlorenzo Group will allow for more research and development, including the use of new materials and sustainability options in construction and outfitting.

The Sanlorenzo Group’s plans include pursuing such developments along with expanded markets while “always preserving the heritage and the exclusivity of the brand, respecting the competence and experience gained over the years by Nautor Swan. The union of the two brands Sanlorenzo-Nautor Swan—each with its own exclusive and limited offer, dedicated to a proper audience of connoisseurs, not overlapping—will create a unique nautical pole in the world. The best of motor and sailing yachting.”

Ferragamo will remain president of Nautor Swan, with Perotti as CEO and Giovanni Pomati as co-CEO.

Wait—doesn’t Nautor Swan build motoryachts too? Yes. The brand is best known for its sailing yachts, with close to 20 models stretched across Yacht, Maxi and ClubSwan lines, but there is also a Nautor Swan Motor Yacht Division. Its offerings include the Swan Shadow, Swan OverShadow and Swan Arrow. Overall, Nautor Swan has built more than 2,350 yachts in the past five decades.

Take the next step: learn more at nautorswan.com

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“The Sirena Yachts 68 is an immensely practical semi-displacement cruiser,” Yachting previously wrote. “The hull is based on the Sirena 64, which debuted in 2017, and is an evolution that goes far beyond the extra few feet of length that have been added toward the stern.”

Allied Marine currently has a 2023 Sirena 68 called My Lady Y listed for just shy of $3 million. The Florida-based flybridge motoryacht features an optional four-stateroom layout and comfortable amenities inside and out. 

“The My Lady Y stands as the epitome of upgraded elegance in the market,” Allied Marine says. “Distinguished by its sleek design and unique ax bow shape, it outshines other boats in the 60- to 70-foot range.”

The foredeck offers two different lounge areas, the U-shaped settee and fixed table aft and the sun pad forward. If the sun is too harsh, there is a sun shade that can cover the entire space. 

The cockpit is fully covered by the flybridge overhang so owners and their guests can enjoy a shaded alfresco dining experience at the fixed table and transom bench seat aft. Pull up a few chairs to fit as many as eight. 

The flybridge has two distinct sections, the forward portion that is covered by the hardtop and the aft, open-air section that has a two-stool bar as the divider amidships. Seating on the flybridge includes two U-shaped settees, one forward to port and one abaft the upper helm to starboard. 

Sirena offers two different interior arrangements for the 68, with the variation being if the interior dining is forward to port, abaft the lower helm station, or to starboard and adjacent to the galley aft. My Lady Y has the aft dining configuration, making it a very entertainment-friendly motoryacht. 

After a fun day on the water, owners and their guests can head belowdecks to enjoy one of four staterooms. Amidships, the full-beam master stateroom has a centerline berth, a desk space to port that sits beneath a hullside window that stretches nearly the length of the room, walk-in closet stowage and an en suite head. The forepeak VIP has a centerline berth, a desk area that sits beneath the built-in flat-screen TV and an en suite head. The optional starboard guest cabin has the bunk berth layout while the port guest cabin has side-by-side convertible single berths. 

“The goal of the Sirena 68 hull design was to offer efficiency at speeds ranging from long-range cruising to planning,” Sirena Yachts says. “A slippery hull with minimal appendage drag gave the range numbers we were looking for, while optional power choices increase the top end.”

Twin low-hour (289) 1,000 hp Volvo D-13 diesels give My Lady Y a 26-knot top hop and a fast cruise of 16 knots. Cruising at 16 knots will give the 68-footer a range of 400 nautical miles. Slowing to 8.5 knots increases the maximum range to 1,150 nm. 

Some other notable features on board My Lady Y include: 

• Seakeeper gyrstabilizer
• Humphrey stabilizers
• Bow and stern thrusters
• Garmin Diamond package
• Washer and dryer combo

Where is My Lady Y located? The yacht is currently lying in Aventura, Florida.  

Take the next step: contact the listing agent, William Blackwell, 561-789-8617, William.BlackwellJr@AlliedMarine.com 

Quick Specifications

• Length Overall: 65’4”
• Maximum Beam: 19’4”
• Fuel Capacity: 1,387 gal.
• Draft: 4’3”

The post For Sale: Sirena 68 appeared first on Yachting.

Here’s something you don’t see on the charter market all too often: larger motoryachts offering all-inclusive rates in the British Virgin Islands and Bahamas.

Typically, larger motoryachts are listed for charter with weekly base rates. Those base rates cover the boat and crew, but not expenses such as fuel, food, drinks and gratuity. The idea is that different clients want to do different things on charter, so the variable costs are adjustable.

By contrast, smaller crewed boats that stick to generally fixed itineraries and can better predict the associated costs—in particular, catamarans in the Virgin Islands—are offered with inclusive rates.

That’s what makes the news so interesting about the 135-foot Horizon Stay Salty and the 120-foot Sovereign Real Summertime. Denison Yachting says these larger yachts are now offering all-inclusive charter packages in the British Virgin Islands and Bahamas.

“This is an exciting initiative to simplify and encourage new charter clients to try one of the most epic travel experiences imaginable,” Ben Farnborough, Denison’s chief operating officer, stated in a press release. “Often we’re made aware that there’s a perception outside of the yachting industry that chartering a yacht is inherently complex. Our goal here is to change that. These all-inclusive Denison charter options are straightforward and seamless.”

The two yachts are being offered with inclusive rates based on fixed itineraries and menus, without the standard preference sheets that charter clients typically fill out so the crew can provision whatever guests request to have on board. Denison’s team instead worked with the yacht owners and crew to determine defined dates, docking prices, fuel costs, cocktail lists and menus.

The idea is similar to the way that Denison worked with Magellan Jets to offer a coordinated package for jet travel from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Nassau, Bahamas, at a fee of $48,000 for 12 passengers.

Stay Salty is a 2010 build that most recently was refitted this year. The yacht accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, including an upper-deck master. Tenders for watersports fun include a 34-foot Jupiter.

Real Summertime is a 2000 build that most recently was refitted in 2022. Accommodations on this yacht are for as many as 12 guests in five staterooms, including a main-deck master. Onboard amenities include an outdoor cinema, and tenders include a 37-foot Boston Whaler Outrage.

Is there any wiggle room in the all-inclusive plans? Yes, for an extra fee. Denison Yachting says the inclusive rate is intended to appeal to people who want to avoid the planning process, but that guests who want bespoke elements in their all-inclusive charter can work with Denison’s team to accommodate those requests at an additional cost.

Where to learn more: contact a charter broker at www.denisonyachting.com

The post Luxury Yacht Charters: Inclusive Options Await appeared first on Yachting.

Espiritu is a 2018 Riviera 54 Belize Daybridge currently listed with Galati Yacht Sales for $1.249 million. The 54-foot flybridge cruiser has a three-stateroom layout and a number of entertainment amenities, inside and out. 

“This 2018 Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge commands attention with its unique retro styling, it was designed and built with the sophisticated yachtsman in mind,” says Galati Yacht Sales. “If you are looking for a yacht that is unique, classic, rugged and pleasing to the eye that will stand the test of time, look no further than the Riviera Belize series.”

“Espiritu is a fine example of a 54 [Daybridge]. It has been very well maintained, gently run and all services have been done on a regular schedule, including engines, generator, bottom cleaning, and detailing. This is a fantastic, uncommon opportunity to get into a very distinctive boat without the wait.”

The main deck layout for the Belize 54 maximizes every inch of space with the salon and galley sharing the space amidships. Riviera avoids this space feeling cramped by building the aft door to open along with the window over the bar that separates the galley from the cockpit, in turn creating one larger, open-air alfresco space. The main deck interior features solid teak flooring throughout. The lounge seating is an L-shaped settee and fixed table to starboard, which doubles as the interior dining. 

Serving and entertaining guests is made easy with Espiritu’s main deck galley aft layout. The 54-footer’s galley has an array of meal-prep appliances which include a stainless-steel sink, a Miele three-burner cooktop, a Miele combo microwave and convection oven, a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher, and two Vitrifrigo pull-out refrigerator and freezer drawers. 

The cockpit is shaded thanks to the awning above and there’s room for six to enjoy alfresco dining at the transom bench seat and fixed table, just pull up a few loose chairs. 

Exterior entertainment continues on both the foredeck and the flybridge which have a two-person sun pad and an L-shaped settee respectively. 

All three staterooms on Espiritu reside belowdecks. The amidships master stateroom has an en suite head and a queen berth. The forepeak VIP has a double berth and an en suite head while the final guest cabin has over-under berths. 

Twin 600 hp Volvo Penta D8-IPS800 diesels power Espiritu to a reported 33-knot top hop and a 25-knot cruise speed. The engines currently have 1,220 hours on them. 

Some other notable features on board Espiritu include: 

• Garmin electronics package
• Cockpit docking station
• 2015 Brig Falcon 300 w/ Honda 20 hp outboard
• Onan EQD single-phase Generator
• Hydraulic swim platform
• Washer and dryer
• Starlink

Where is Espiritu located? The yacht is currently lying in Anna Maria, Florida.  

Take the next step: contact the listing agents Christopher Carrere, (813) 503-8398, or Parker Blalock (863)529-0633. 

Quick Specifications

• Length Overall: 54’
• Maximum Beam: 16’6”
• Fuel Capacity: 793 gallons
• Draft: 4’5”

The post For Sale: Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge appeared first on Yachting.

There are center-consoles, and then there are center-consoles built to serve as superyacht tenders. That’s the goal of the Halo 470 from Ocean 1 Yachts: to impress the biggest of the big boys. The builder calls the Halo 470 a super console.

Ocean 1 Yachts, formed in 2016, is the brainchild of nearly 30-year Capt. Dean Maggio. He saw that discerning owners and charter guests expected a high level of comfort and safety on board their tenders. Maggio set out to create an improved platform, especially after a fellow captain relayed his displeasure with the current market offerings. “He was frustrated with what was out there,” Maggio says.

Maggio didn’t use just his own sailing knowledge and big-boat experience. He also collaborated with others, including another superyacht captain, to understand what vessel he could—and should—create. Not seeing a RIB design as the answer, Maggio stepped into the world of center-consoles that could serve as luxe tenders as well as stand-alone boats.

The Halo 470 is the result. It’s a boat that, first and foremost, has a great deal of flexibility. For instance, it can come with an open transom, which is great for fishing, kiteboarding, launching water toys or retrieving swimmers. It also can be ordered with a closed transom, making it better suited for ship-to-shore transports.

Styling is also notable, thanks to the high freeboard forward and the unbroken, graceful sheerline that flows aft. And this boat is very functional. Boarding is easy, courtesy of side gates and a large platform aft. There is plush seating from bow to stern.

Maggio says Ocean 1 is a semicustom builder that creates stable platforms while managing costs. He builds his boats in Sarasota, Florida, with resin-infused E-glass and Corecell foam hulls. Carbon-composite hull options are available.

The Halo 470 adds to these construction elements with a single-pane windshield and side corner windows made of polycarbonate, which is durable and lighter than fiberglass. The helm has three well-protected 16-inch Garmin multifunction displays. (Two 22-inch displays are an option.) Most every electrical function on the boat can be controlled by the touchscreens. There’s an overhead console for additional electronics and displays, keeping them within view without cluttering the dash.

Three pedestal-mounted, high-back helm seats with armrests and bolsters should keep the skipper and guests in comfortable control. A two-tiered footrest allows for people of all heights to find a good fit underway. Grab rails ring the boat, and the hardtop framing is beefy as well as powder-coated.

Guest seating at the open bow includes a U-shaped settee with a backrest coaming and a high-low table. Drop-in backrests convert these seats to forward-facing loungers.

Amidships, under the hardtop and protected from the sun, is a U-shaped settee with a removable center cushion for walk-through access. Sunshades that connect to carbon-fiber poles are available.

Aft is a center station with access to a livewell, cutting board and sink. Tackle drawers should keep the lures and tools in close reach, although anglers can fish from anywhere on board because there are full walk-around decks and doors to haul in the catch.

Nestled under the foredeck is a cabin accessible via a door next to the helm. For overnights, there’s a dinette table that drops to create a V-berth, along with a sink and a microwave. There is also an enclosed head.

Power on the Halo 470 that I got aboard was a trio of Yanmar inboard diesels staggered in the engine room, with the center engine lower than the outboard ones. This setup not only facilitates easier maintenance, but also lowers the center outdrive deeper in the water.

The ride is nothing short of exhilarating. Maggio showed off the boat’s maneuverability at speed and its ability to slice through waves and wakes. The hull design keeps the ride dry with minimal bow rise when hitting the sticks. A joystick controller and bow thruster allow this boat to go anywhere, especially in tight quarters.

Additional features and options include a generator, Seakeeper 2 or 5, air conditioning, dive-tank racks, an underbow anchor and windlass, a stainless-steel towing eye, teak decking, lighting choices and rod holders. Owners can also match the boat’s colors to their superyacht.

The Ocean 1 Yachts Halo 470 might have been designed by superyacht captains, but you don’t have to be one to enjoy the high-end fun.  

Pep in the Step

Powered by triple 370 hp Yanmar 8LV diesels, the Halo 470 produced 40 knots with the throttles on the pins, tracking true thanks to the 22-degree transom deadrise, 14-foot beam, and twin-stepped, advanced-composite hull construction. Power options include 600 hp Mercury Verado V-12 outboards, up to 2,400 total horsepower, which can reportedly produce speeds of about 60 knots.

Focus on Function

A cool feature aboard the Halo 470 is the installation of several multifunction displays by molding them into the midsection of the hardtop. This setup offers a quick glance at the fish finder or radar. 

Covering Up

The integrated hardtop not only protects guests from the elements, but it is also oversize to cover the helm and midship seating. Up top, there’s plenty of room for mounting carbon-fiber outriggers, a radar array, solar panels, cameras, antennas, light bars and pretty much anything else an owner might want.

Take the next step: ocean1yachts.com       

The post Halo 470 Reviewed appeared first on Yachting.