The myriad of recreational toys offered by private yacht charter vessels continues to grow each year, as more and more yachts continue to battle for the same handful of HNWI for whom yachting is a lifestyle, not a once in a lifetime adventure.
Gone are the days when a yacht only carried a windsurfer and some snorkel gear. Today, the onboard watertoy inventory sheet on most superyachts reads like a wish list from the Hammacher Schlemmer Christmas catalog. Jetlev hover boards, giant waterslides, even mini submarines are now the norm.
While most of the toys have straightforward names that define their intended use (for example, stand up paddleboards, water skis, etc.), some have downright funny names, associated with foods that come to mind when looking at the toys.
Here are our favorite food-inspired charter toys, found on many Virgin Islands yacht charter vessels:
DONUT – There are actually several types of donut watertoys. The most common ones look like giant tire inner tubes, hence the term, “donut.” A totally new “spin” on the water donut is the BBQ Donut, where several people can sit inside a floating donut-shaped vessel, complete with sun awning and bbq grill.
BANANA – This colorful towable toy is pulled along by the charter yacht’s tender. It’s all about a fast, bumpy ride. Bananas aren’t typically “fast food,” but this banana fits the bill! Depending upon the size of the banana, some carry 2 riders, and some six or more. Hang on tight – falling off at high speed can sting a bit when you splash into the water!
HOT DOG – Take a towable banana, paint it red, and add a couple “buns” to the sides and voila, you’ve got a towable hot dog watertoy. The inflatable buns actually perform a purpose – by adding extra stability to the toy. In other words, you don’t fall off as much as you do on the banana…but hey, falling off is part of the fun!
BROWNIES THIRD LUNG – ok, so you don’t really “ride” this one. Work with me, here – it’s a watertoy, and its name sounds like food! This is basically an air compressor situated in a floating donut. (If you’d like, we can refer to it as YET ANOTHER TYPE OF DONUT WATERTOY!) The compressor pumps air into long tubes that tie into a snorkel mask. Swimmers wear the mask and breathe fresh air, allowing them to do very shallow dives, while safely tethered to the floating compressor. It’s a great way for novices to experience the sensation of SCUBA diving while snorkeling in shallow water.
This entry was posted in News Educational Gadgets and tagged watersports toys, watersports, donut, brownie's third lung, hot dog, brownie, banana, yacht charter Florida, barbecue donut, bbq donut, Watertoys, snuba, SCUBA
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The deckhand approaches the charter of guests. He says, “would anyone care to ride the banana?“
Surprisingly, not an eyebrow was raised nor a snicker made by any of the guests at the funny name. These were repeat charterers, and they knew. A”banana” is one of the reasons that they chose to charter this Feadship yacht.
A banana is one of many popular watertoys available on most Caribbean yacht charter vessels. It is a towable toy that is a giant, yellow, floating cylindrical tube, with room for 3 or more fun-loving adventurists.
Charter skippers add more new toys to their onboard inventory every season. Yachts used to only carry a couple of fishing poles, snorkel gear, and a windsurfer. Now, you find waverunners, underwater scooters, and multiple towable toys onboard the typical vessel for hire.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, maven of an international private yacht charter agency, comments.
“When it comes to toys on today’s charter vessels, the rule of thumb is simple – go extreme,” says Sheeder. “We now see yachts carrying high performance waverunners, segway scooters for playing ashore, and even small submarines for exploring reefs.“
The onboard toy inventory of Oceanco motor yacht SEVEN SEAS reads like a Hammacher Schlemmer catalog. The yacht carries multiple watertoys. Just a few, for instance, are 3 tenders, 4 waverunners, windsurfers, paddleboards, kiteboard, kneeboard, wakeboard, snorkel gear, and multiple Aqua Slides.
The 81 meter Feadship motor yacht AIR keeps pace with yacht SEVEN SEAS by including among her toys: 2 Laser sailing dinghies, 4 Kayaks, SCUBA gear (certified divers only), and 4 BladeFish underwater scooters.
Sheeder is grateful her yacht owners continue their pursuit of bigger, faster, more unique toys.
“In the end, it’s the charter customers who benefit from the childlike enthusiasm of yacht owners willing to spend whatever it takes to have the newest toys and techno-gadgets onboard their luxury yachts.“
Are you ready to charter a mega yacht with onboard toys like the banana, Bladefish underwater scooters, segways, and submarines? Contact 1-800 Yacht Charters HERE to book your vacation now!
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Educational and tagged Watertoys, Jana Sheeder, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, banana, Air, Seven Seas, underwater scooter, submarines, bladefish, Feadship, Oceanco
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Rules are inevitable. They are for your safety. Kayaks, skis, towable wakeboards, and bananas are great toys to have on a mega yacht charter. The most requested aquasport equipment is the personal watercraft (PWC). Jetskis and waverunners are fashionable on yachts for hire, particularly the newest yachts available for charter.
Firstly, charter clients can end up frustrated and disappointed if they are not aware of the rules regarding the use of PWC’s in certain cruising grounds. Waverunners not allowed in certain protected bays and coves, some governments require the operator of the PWC to have a license – and please note: an automobile driver’s license is NOT sufficient.
Secondly, before you sign your rental yacht agreement, look for a very standard clause similar to this:
“Use of personal water craft is only permitted subject to the operator having the appropriate license and meeting with local operating regulations. Any liability arising from noncompliance is entirely at the operator’s risk.”
Bottom line, just because your yacht carries waverunners onboard does not mean you can legally use them.
Thirdly, get a license! One way to obtain a PWC license is via one of many online boating safety courses. Courses may vary from state to state and from country to country. Fortunately, many PWC licenses are recognized and accepted in major charter destinations like the Western Med.
For students who prefer hands-on training, there are many accredited boating safety training centers and schools around the world, such as:
Once you obtain your PWC license, be sure to discuss with your crew your desire to use the yacht’s personal watercraft. You might be surprised to find your cruising ground does not permit the use of PWC’s – license or not!
This is especially true in areas with sensitive eco systems. British Virgin Islands yacht charters, for example, are not allowed to use PWC’s anywhere in the island chain.
In conclusion, knowing the rules for operating personal watercraft before your charter will help make your vacation safer and memorable for all the right reasons!
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Educational Gadgets and tagged watersports safety, waverunners, jetskis, towable toys, yacht charter vacation, Personal Watercraft (PWC), yacht charter safety, yacht charter, what are the rules for using watertoys on a yacht, know the rules on a yacht, legality on yacht charter, banana, noncompliance, rules
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