| I have to say that it's not easy to find mega and | | | | Northern Europe and the Mediterranean). She can |
| super yachts to charter in the UK. That's because | | | | sleep 8 (all cabins have en-suite bathrooms) and |
| there aren't any. According to one mega yacht | | | | comes with a crew of 4. There are 20 LCD screens |
| charter broker I spoke with, "the guests and owners | | | | inside and out which show radar, charts and wind |
| prefer to be in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean". | | | | speed, as well as movies and TV (should you grow |
| There are many charter companies in the UK, but | | | | tired of watching your surroundings). Some |
| the mega yachts they offer cruise the waters | | | | suggested itineraries are a Classic Malt Cruise in |
| elsewhere. Odd, when the British Isles have so much | | | | Scotland, or Round the Island, an annual event in |
| to offer - almost 8,000 miles of coastline, a hugely | | | | Cowes on the Isle of Wight (the 2009 event is on |
| varied landscape, an abundance of wildlife, and tons | | | | June 20th). |
| of coastal towns, villages, and cities to explore. | | | | For those who prefer powerboats, the sleek |
| After doing a lot of research, I did however manage | | | | Predator 72, out of Southampton, is a lovely choice. |
| to find a few yachts, which, while not mega or | | | | It has a beautiful, modern, light and airy interior with |
| super, are gorgeous and luxurious and will keep you | | | | comfy chairs, teak floors, air conditioning, central |
| cruising the waters around the UK in comfort. | | | | heat, flatscreen TVs, surround sound, a galley with |
| The classic 95-foot sailing yacht Halycon, a Bermudan | | | | granite countertops, a full size refrigerator/freezer, a |
| Ketch built in 1929, comes with a crew of 4 (including | | | | dishwasher, and a large open cockpit with sunbeds, |
| a gourmet chef) and sleeps up to 8 guests. Also | | | | dining table, wet bar and a hydraulically operated roof. |
| known as "The Orient Express Of The Seas", | | | | It can sleep 6 guests (in 3 cabins) and comes with a |
| Halycon has teak inside and out, central heat, | | | | crew of 2. |
| freezers and refrigerators, flat screen TVs, Bose | | | | The Tethys, a 114-foot motor yacht also out of |
| surround sound, Internet access, wakeboard, water | | | | Southampton, sleeps 10 in 5 cabins with flat screen |
| skis, snorkeling equipment, and a saloon with a wood | | | | TVs, DVDs and en-suite bathrooms, and comes with |
| burning stove to warm you up after spending an | | | | a crew of 4. This Guy Couach yacht, built 2006, is |
| afternoon on deck or in the water. Halycon is | | | | bright and modern, and amenities include surround |
| available for charter in England, Wales, Ireland and | | | | sound throughout, and a Jacuzzi and bar on the |
| Scotland (as well as Norway and France). | | | | spacious fly bridge. |
| The not-so-aptly named Bare Necessities is an | | | | If you have your heart set on chartering a 200+ |
| 82-foot sailing yacht available for charter from | | | | feet yacht, you'll have to "settle" for the |
| several ports in southern England (Southampton, | | | | Mediterranean, Caribbean or the Pacific, but if you |
| Cowes, and Brighton to name a few) as well as | | | | want to explore the waters around the UK, why not |
| further west and in Scotland, (and anywhere in | | | | give one of the vessels above a try? |