Yacht Charters GONE WILD

After Antarctica, her float plan calls for stops in Patagonia, the Amazon, the Caribbean, northern Europe, the Northeast Passage, the North Pacific and South Pacific. She’ll probably make her way down to Antarctica again at the same time next year.
Not only are her destinations unusual, so too is her build. While most charter vessels are great-white megayachts, Big Fish, which charters for $195,000 per week, is a departure from those traditional designs. She has more and larger windows than other yachts her size, environmentally friendly outdoor decks made from flexible granite rather than teak, a 35-foot-tall video wall in the main foyer (see our article in the Jan/Feb 2011 issue) and a tender designed for serious exploring with a 200-mile range and sophisticated electronics.
Said Henry, “This boat isn’t equipped like the others. It’s a good choice for those who don’t want the same thing as everybody else.” www.fraseryachts.com.
ADVENTURE CLOSE TO HOME
You don’t always have to travel far from civilization for a big adventure. To emphasize that point, charter broker Ann Landry of Northrop and Johnson puts a number of her clients on the 122-foot Shogun for a cruise of the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. “It’s a true wilderness destination, and for many charterers, it’s close to their own backyard,” she said.
Five of the eight islands in the chain are part of the Channel Islands National Park. Santa Catalina is the only island with a real town (Avalon) and amenities (theater, dining and jeeps for rent) but even so, this laid-back village can still feel like the wild west, particularly for those more accustomed to tying up in places like Newport.
The big draw here is nature, and specifically the interesting scenery and creatures found underwater. Scuba diving in the kelp forests is one of the most exciting sports here and an unusual thrill for even the most experienced divers, particularly those accustomed to swimming with lead belts in tropical waters. Because the kelp grows to heights of more than 120 feet, divers feel as if they’re moving through a lush forest of trees. In addition, giant kelp helps support the rare aquatic ecosystem, which means divers get the opportunity to see and enjoy up to 800 species of marine life, including sea lions. Although water temperatures are very cool at an average between 50 and 60 degrees, visibility can be sensational, ranging from 40 to 100 feet.
While there are smaller boats operating out of San Diego, Shogun is the only luxury motor yacht of its kind chartering in these waters, where it’s been for 10 years. Built in 1993, the boat was refurbished in 2005 and can accommodate up to eight guests in four staterooms, each with a king-size berth. “The captain, Mike Finnegan, is very sports-oriented and is an avid fisherman,” said Landry. “But he’s also a consummate professional who offers premium service to his guests.” Shogun charters for $69,000 per week. www.northropandjohnson.com.
MEGA MACHINE
Here’s a charter yacht for the person who finds big thrills in extravagant toys. Suri is a 165-foot expedition boat by Halter Marine with a 38-foot beam and enough deck space to cradle an incredible selection of machines engineered solely for the fun and amusement of its passengers.