"It was an amazing sight - one in a million!" enthused Captain Charlie Dwyer. "Looking out at eleven of the world's beautiful Superyachts moored directly in front of our new home at 'Kata Rocks' in the spectacular Kata Bay."
Captain Charlie and Gordon Fernandes have been organizing the prestigious annual Rendezvous in Phuket, Thailand for many years. This year Gordon, who heads up Asia Pacific Superyachts Phuket & Myanmar, Charlie, skipper of the beautiful sailing yacht Yanneke Too, along with event sponsors Feadship and Boat International Media, were delighted with the enthusiastic reception to the event's new Kata Rocks home in Phuket, Thailand.
"We both (Kata Rocks and the Rendezvous) cater to the lifestyles of individuals to whom luxury, beauty and tranquility are of paramount importance," said Captain Charlie, "...our guests enjoyed staying in the award-winning Sky Villas which provided fantastic sunset views of their anchored Superyachts in the beautiful Kata Bay." A multi-award winning, oceanfront, sky-villa residence and resort designed with Superyachts in mind, Kata Rocks is a perfect partnership for the Rendezvous.
The December 16-18 event saw ten jaw-dropping gorgeous Superyachts anchored in Kata Bay; including motor yachts M/Y Maid Marian 2, M/Y Moonsand, M/Y Maverick, M/Y Big Fish, a 45+ meter power yacht, and the 50m M/Y Sapphire. These stunning motor yachts are engineering marvels mixed with elegant interiors that are truly exquisite. Six breathtaking sailing yachts joined the motor yachts; the magnificent S/Y Argo and the beautiful S/Y Capricorn came for the first time, as well as the dazzling S/Y Intrigue along with the traditional and luxurious S/Y Schooner Sunshine. Once again the stunning 'gentleman's sailing yacht', the S/YYanneke Too, as well as the very powerful S/Y Shamoun, returned to the Rendezvous event.
Festivities began flowing with opening cocktails on December 16th as speedboats delivered guests to 'Boat Hop' parties aboard some of the participating Superyachts in advance of the following first day sailing event, providing an introduction to some of the vessels attending the Rendezvous.
The next day saw an impressive line-up of Sailing Vessels with the Motor Yachts following close behind for the friendly but competitive race. Captain Charlie reported: "Sailing Day 1 was very close racing with Sunshine and Yanneke Too - with Sunshine winning by 3 boat lengths in a steady 15 knot NW'ly breeze. Intrigue was 3rd closely followed by Shamoun. Day 2 it was Shamoun that won the start in a 15 knot NEasterly. The racing was very close with Sunshine and Yanneke Too exchanging the lead at least 4 times. It was Intrigue that won by a mere 2 boat lengths of Yanneke Too withShamoun finishing 4 boat lengths behind a dying breeze.
The FEADSHIP Challenge model boat building and race event was held on the second evening, again to the delight (and despair) of teams representing the attending boats. Each team was given a 'mystery bag' of unique bits and dabs to build a model boat. The mandate was for each of the team's representative to blow their small vessel down the trough - quaff a brew - and turn around to blow it back to the start. Many neck in neck races ensued with the crowd yelling on their favorites - until Maverick, in a close finish, was declared the winner of the FEADSHIP Challenge race, withIntrigue winning the prize for best design.
Reporting on the famed 'Rendezvous Booty' pirate treasure hunt, Captain Charlie said, "A great time was had by all at the Rendezvous booty. The gun went off and so did the pirates. 9 teams from the 11 Superyachts participated in the infamous Rendezvous Booty. There were several clues that had to be deciphered along with a bit of navigation, running and swimming. Intrigue was the first to find the Rendezvous Booty, and due to a bit of skullduggery, they agreed to share the prize with Yanneke Too! Yo Ho Ho and another bottle of rum, was heard!"
Ending the event on a high note was the exclusive Gala Dinner at Kata Rocks, a mouth-watering cuisine experience as prepared by the Executive Chef of Kata Rocks - Chef Steve Baker. Champagne and wine flowed throughout the event, giving guests opportunities to become more familiar with one another and share each other's enthusiasm for yachting.
Along with the Gala Dinner was the Crew Party, sponsored by Sevenstar Yacht Transport and held at REKATA Beach club on Kata Beach. This was provided as a chance for crews from different participating boats, along with other boats in the area, to come together and get down - enjoying an evening of drinks, DJ's, dancing and fun. With many guests moving from the Gala Dinner to the Crew Party, both events earned high marks and were enthusiastically enjoyed by all.
The consensus from those attending of the new luxury seaside resort property was unanimous in Kata Rocks being a perfect fit with the Rendezvous. The oceanfront iconic resort has been designed to take advantage of the natural slope of the land; providing uninterrupted views and a distinctive and mesmerizing nautical feeling which was appreciated by Superyacht owners, captains and guests.
The 13th Asia Superyacht Rendezvous proved to be an irresistible experience with many vowing to return to next year's event to be held for the 14th year December 16-18, 2014 in Phuket, Thailand. The event is open to vessels 100' and longer with information available at the www.asia-superyachts-rendezvous.com or email charlie@asia-superyacht-rendezvous.com
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