Horizon Yacht Charters

Did you know that every time you book a week’s charter with Horizon Yacht Charters, you automatically receive 7 nights and 8 days worth of sailing?  If you compare this to some of the other charter companies, where a weekly rate only gives you 6 nights and 7 days sailing, you’ll realise that just one of the many benefits of chartering with Horizon includes getting a whole extra day out on the water!

Don’t forget that after you have checked in with our friendly front desk, we always aim to board you by midday, ensuring maximum sailing time for you and your friends or family.  And on your return, we don’t expect to disembark your yacht  until midday, allowing plenty of time for a leisurely sail back to base from your last night’s anchorage.

Horizon gives you more – another reason why you’re in the right company!

To book your 7 night/8 day charter with us contact info@horizonyachtcharters.com

Horizon Yacht Charters in Antigua welcomes Alexandra Dreams; a new Hanse 430 monohull.  This stylish yacht will arrive in time for our new season charters commencing January 15 2013.  She will be based in Jolly Harbour Marina on the west coast of Antigua.

The stylish Hanse 430 Alexandra Dreams

This yacht sleeps up to 8 guests in 3 double cabins and 2 single berths.  This, combined with two bathrooms, offers excellent accommodation for groups of sailing friends and family, or if you prefer a crewed option, why not take a skipper and cook and let the crew take all the responsiblity.  You just sit back, and enjoy the Caribbean!

She has a fully battened mainsail which we know is popular with many of our repeat guests.

Be one of the first to book our Hanse 430 by emailing our Horizon Antigua base directly:  info@antiguahorizon.com, or you can call toll free +1 866 439 1089.  Telephone:  +1 (268) 562 4725.

The highly anticipated Vision Series from Bavaria has finally hit the US shores and will proudly be on display at this year’s Annapolis Sail Boat Show, taking place later this week (October 4-8).

The latest from Farr for Bavaria is the new design for the Vision Series. The Vision 46, is an owners layout with 2 double cabins and 2 heads and showers. Other layouts are available. An asymmetric cockpit layout allows the port side to be a generous sun lounger at anchor, and in keeping with what you would expect from Farr, and what we have witnessed already in the Cruiser range, the new Vision 46 promises to be a capable shorthanded passage maker with a good turn of speed and close winded.  For the full spec, please click here.

Recently nominated by SAIL magazine in their prestigious annual ‘Best Boat’s competition, The Vision 46 is a worthy contender and a hot favourite to take home the coveted prize.

Already available to charter for day sails, weekends or week long charters on the Chesapeake, we are also taking bookings for the Vision 46 from our BVI base.  Available from November 1, 2012, early charter bookings are looking strong and we anticipate a busy season ahead.  Check out our rates here for further information and to book!

And if you are attending the Annapolis Boat Show and would like to book an appointment to meet with our Sales Team, to discuss purchasing a yacht for either private use or to put into our charter fleet,  please email info@horizonyachtcharters.com and we will ensure to schedule in some time for you.

Horizon Antigua - navigating your course

If you have been toying with the idea of getting your ASA Sailing Certification, here’s a last minute offer that might just convince you that now is the time to hone those sailing skills or do something that has always been on your bucket list – a learn to sail course in the Caribbean.

And what better place to learn to sail than with the Horizon Yacht Charters sailing school in Antigua. Year-round sunshine, steady trade winds (around 10 – 15% in the summer months) and some inspiring ASA Sailing Instructors who will entertain you with their tales of sailing adventures around the Caribbean.

Unspoilt anchorages on your doorstep in Antigua.

Antigua & Barbuda offers a non-tidal cruising area offering a myriad of coves and bays – just waiting for you to practice your anchoring skills without everyone watching! An active sailing vacation with plenty of time for R&R – how good does that sound?!

Learning to sail in Antigua is fun for all.

From our sailing school here in Antigua, we offer ASA 101, 103 and 104.  You can read more about the three ASA graduated courses right here. We offer these courses aboard our Bavaria 40 yachts or our Bavaria 42.  These yachts offer 2 double cabins for Learn to Sail students.  Take a look at what you might experience when you arrive at our base in Jolly Harbour; restaurants, bars, art shops, large supermarket and swimming pool.

Horizon Antigua is based in Jolly Harbour Marina

From this great location, you can island hop to our sister island of Barbuda (this is just a 4 – 5 hour sail from Antigua), or for those with more sailing experience already under their belt,  sail south to the French island of Guadeloupe (42 nautical miles from Antigua).  This will also give you exposure to the ‘clearing out’ process with Customs department – great learning if you want to cruise the Caribbean more extensively in the future.  Read more about our sample itineraries right here.

Island hop on your sailing course to Barbuda

We are offering an ASA Learn to Sail package for courses taking place during July 2012 and October 2012.

Complimentary ASA Course Materials and ASA Log Book delivered direct to your door for ASA 101 up to ASA 104.
Complimentary ASA Exams.
15% off the charter fee based on a minimum of 7 nights sailing course.
Celebration rum cocktails for your Group when you’ve achieved your ASA Certification!

Email us and we can check our yacht availability:  info@antiguahorizon.com

Alternatively, give us a call Contact us and we can talk through your options.

Despite temperatures beginning to rise, chartering in the Caribbean in the summer months can be equally as enjoyable as the winter; empty anchorages, quiet beaches, untouched snorkelling spots and even better…unbeatable deals from us!

Our bases across the Caribbean have come up with their best deals…so take your pick. Or, if you’d rather stay a little bit closer to home, then the Chesapeake Bay is the place for you.

British Virgin Islands (BVI):

• Charter 7 nights on one of our smaller monohulls, throughout the months of May to October, 2012 and save! Any 31′-33′ yacht, can be yours for only $1,500 and all 35-37′ yachts* are available for only $1,999. Perfect for couples and families.
• Enjoy 10 nights for the price of 7, on any of our last remaining monohull yachts up to 54ft, from May 1st to October 31st, 2012. Or if time is an issue, enjoy 10% off a 7 night charter.

Please contact Christalen or Courtney on info@horizonyachtcharters.com or call 1 (284) 494 8787 or toll free 877 494 8787  to book.

Grenada:

• Enjoy 10 nights for the price of 7 on all yachts, throughout the months of May & June. Or, if time is an issue, charter with us for 7 nights and receive a 15% discount.

Please contact Jacqui at info@horizongrenada.com or call 1(473) 439 1000 or toll free 866 463 7245 to book.

Antigua:

• Enjoy 10 nights for the price of 7 on all yachts, throughout the months of May & June. Or, if time is an issue, charter with us for 7 nights and receive a 15% discount.

Please contact Jackie at info@antiguahorizon.com or call 1 (268) 562 4725 or toll free 866 439 1089 to book.

St Maarten:

• Break in the new main sail on our Bavaria 40 (3C/2H) and save! Charter her for 7 nights/8 days for only $1995
• Enjoy our Lagoon 410 (4C/3H) for 7 nights/8 days for only $2995 – perfect for families!

Please contact Carlijn at info@horizonsxm.com or call 1 (721) 544 3329 or toll free 866 978 6062 to book.

Annapolis, MD:

• Enjoy 15% off any of our Farr Yacht designed Bavaria yachts this season. Repeat Horizon Yacht Charter guests only. Valid until May 31, 2012

Please contact Karen at annapolis@horizonyachtcharters.com or call 1 (410) 990 0269 or toll free 855 222 1120 to book.

We often hear people say “I wish I could stay for longer” and “a week is just not long enough”. Well, here’s our answer to your wishes!

For the month of May 2012, we are offering 10 nights for the price of 7 on all new charters booked before the end of April 2012.

This last minute offer is for both bareboat sailing charters and crewed charters; so if you want to relax and let someone else take the helm while you enjoy the stunning scenery, that’s fine by us.

Remember that you can also Learn to Sail or improve your sailing skills with us here in Antigua. Read more about that here. Antigua & Barbuda boast some of best beaches in the Caribbean; soft, fine sand that feels like powder between your toes.  It’s also a perfect destination for our Learn to Sail courses as you can experience a range of sailing conditions.

Sailing off the west coast of Antigua

We have the end of Antigua Sailing Week at the beginning of May, so if you want to combine your sailing trip with some Regatta parties, what better place to do it.  Antigua offers such a contrast in terms of sailing opportunities; choose to join in with the parties or find your own secluded anchorage; it’s really up to you.

Morris Bay, Antigua

We have a fleet of monohull and Catamarans to choose from, ranging in size from 40 – 50 feet – something to suit every sailor and crew.  You can click right here to view the entire fleet based in Antigua.

Enjoy your Easter everybody and maybe we’ll see you in Antigua very soon!

info@antiguahorizon.com

Following the success of the Caribbean 1500 back in October last year, we are excited to be able to announce that we  are offering you the chance to sail with us again in this year’s Atlantic Cup Rally.

Departing from Nanny Cay Marina in the British Virgin Islands, sailing to Bermuda, then onto a choice of East coast harbours, we have space available for crew members to join in the fun.

A diverse mix, The Atlantic Cup fleet consists of around 20-30 boats, that includes returning Caribbean 1500 Rally participants and boats heading off to the East Coast to enjoy summer sailing in the States.

As sponsors of World Cruising Club, we will be sailing our own 2011 Bavaria 36 from our head office in Nanny Cay, back up to our stateside base in Annapolis, to coincide with the start of the summer charter season on the Chesapeake.

We will also have an additional three yachts from our BVI charter fleet sailing north. Fantastic Bill and Eva Fraser-Harris, owners of ‘Namaste’, a 2008 Jeanneau 54, are just one of our many owners who make the annual migration south every November in the Caribbean 1500 Rally, where their yacht is left to earn high-season revenue when they are not enjoying some Caribbean cruising themselves.  “Horizon Yacht Charters has become our model as to how this lifestyle can be managed both personally and professionally. Horizon provides the absentee owner with the assurance and follow through that their boat is in good hands.” comments Bill.

Horizon Yacht Charters is also offering crew members a 10% discount on charters in the BVI, prior to the start of their sail north.

The Atlantic Cup will depart from Nanny Cay, Tortola, BVI, on Thursday, May 3^rd, 2012 (weather permitting) with rally activities starting ashore from Monday, April 30, 2012. Costs for a berth start at $1,495 per person for a single cabin occupancy, rising to $2,495 per couple in a double occupancy cabin. Prices include a qualified Captain, all food and fees.  This is a great way to gain offshore experience and sea miles under the guidance of a professional skipper.

Interested? Then please contact Kate on marketing@horizonyachtcharters.com or call 284-494-8787

Isn’t it odd that the minute the weather warms up in Europe and parts of the USA, our enquiry levels increase!  It’s as if people have woken up out of their winter blues and think “I know, I’ll go sailing in the Caribbean!”.

So, why June sailing in Antigua?

Well, for a start, the weather is normally great – consistent breeze of around 15 knots, slightly hotter than our traditional ’high season’ weather (ie the ocean has heated up nicely for those extra long swims to work off the jam doughnuts so vital on any sailing trip) and just a smattering of showers somewhere on the island to cool you down and remind you that you left your hatches open!

The larger yachts depart the Caribbean at the end of April.  They have trips to make either up to the States or across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean for their summer season.   It’s never that busy here in Antigua but in June, you could be the only yacht at an anchorage – how brilliant is that.  I took this picture some time ago when we sailed up to Barbuda – now that’s a private beach if ever you saw one!  Just you, your crew, your boat and miles and miles of stunning beach.  Truly heaven in paradise.

June sailing in Antigua also offers great value for money.  You are outside of high season so the pricing drops nicely.  For example, you could take our Bavaria 40 for 7 nights/8 days for just US$3,295.  Share that with your crew and you could be paying just US$78 per person, per day.  Combine this with catching your own fish for supper and you are one happy sailor!

You are also outside of school vacation time.  Not great for sailing teachers, mind you, but you can sail in July so all is not lost.

Here in Antigua, the island is still active in June in terms of tours and restaurants open (and typically you don’ t need to make reservations in June).

People often ask us if we go “home” when the Season is over.  We always tell them that is our home and no, the season never ends here in Antigua.  It’s always the perfect time to enjoy great sailing.

It’s certainly one of my favourite times here on Antigua.  Check out our fleet list here.

Hope to see you in June!

So many of our charter guests are talking about buying their own boat to keep here in the Caribbean; we’ve seen a great increase since the start of our latest sailing season.  And why not?  Antigua offers year round sailing, consistent trade winds, a tropical climate and you don’t have the expense and hassle of having to put your boat on the hard at the end of the season and then counting the days until launch.  It almost seems like the winter is just the waiting time until you can get sailing again – we know about this, we used to live in the UK!

But yacht ownership is a big investment, so it pays to think long and hard about what kind of boat would suit your sailing ambitions – not just this year, but also for the next few years.  Where do you want to sail, who do you want to sail with and what kind of return do you want to achieve?  It certainly pays to be fussy – it’s a big ticket item. Sometimes we are talking to people for a year or so before they are ready to commit to yacht purchase.

We hear that people in Europe and the UK are having to decide on the size of their boat based on the rising cost of the mooring fees.  We’ve met people who would love to go for a 45′ monohull but find themselves compromising with a smaller yacht as the mooring fees are so expensive.  It’s certainly not cost-free here in Antigua but when you have a yacht in a Yacht Ownership Programme, you are offsetting all of those costs so you have the freedom to choose the boat that is exactly right for you.

You also have to consider the sailors who will be chartering your yacht.  What is going to make them excited to book your yacht?  That’s where we are able to advise on most popular cabin configuration and cockpit layouts etc.  You also need to think about resale value down the line; many of our owners start off with a certain size of yacht and then upgrade to another size 5 years later.  You need to think carefully about what is going to sell and hold its value.  Just some of the many things to consider and where our experience can add so much value to your thought process.

What makes our yacht owners unique is that they get to work with us to determine what is going to make their boat a perfect yacht for them – with Bavaria yachts, for example, our yacht sales specialists are directly in contact with the factory in Germany.  From the color of the saloon cushions, to the size of the engine – the specification is personally tailored.

Our yacht owners also tend to want to sail their own boat when they come to the Caribbean; we understand that.  Our owners get to know their yacht’s sailing characteristics and feel comfortable and confident in the performance; in all kinds of sailing conditions.  From our charter base in Antigua, you can explore so many cruising areas that you could be in St Martin on one trip and Dominica the next; it’s the ideal start point to visit many Caribbean islands in the Leewards.

So the next time you have that dream of owning your own yacht, be fussy – it certainly pays.