The Wally 118 is a 118-ft yacht that’s been called the Darth Vader of luxury motor yachts.  The yacht features a truly unique black glass housing and three Vericor TF50 gas turbines that generate a total of 17,000 horsepower and drive a Rolls-Royce Kamewa water jet, two steerable outboard and a non-steering booster on the centerline.  The Wally 118 is capable of a maximum speed of 60 knots (70 mph).

Monaco-based Wally used lightweight carbon fiber in the construction of the Wally and had it wind-tunnel tested by Ferrari.  See the Wally 118 on the water in this YouTube video.

The 27^th Palm Beach International Boat Show will take place March 22 through March 25, featuring hundreds of boats on display along scenic Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, Florida. Boats range from inflatables to super-yachts and everything in between. Based on the interest shown at the recent Miami International Boat Show, organizers of the Palm Beach event are expecting impressive sales results.

The addition of 40 in-water slips will allow the show to feature more mega-yachts as well as more smaller boats than in years past in the expanded land display area.  The Palm Beach International Boat Show is one of the top ten boat shows in the nation and will feature more than $350 million in vessels and marine accessories. This year, the TrawlerPort show-within-show will highlight long-range cruisers known as Trawlers.

Portland Harbour, a venue for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events, is preparing for an influx of superyachts this summer.  Several deep water berths and anchorages are being prepared for visitors to the event.   Due to height restrictions on the Thames Rivers, many of the larger superyachts will not be able to cruise on the Thames to London.  After berthing at Portland, helicopter service will be provided to transfer yacht owners and passengers from Dorset to London. 

Portland offers some of the best of the UK’s natural sailing waters and facilities.  The area has previously hosted numerous international sailing events.

For more details, visit CharterWorld.com and the official London 2012 Olympic website.

The six entries in the Volvo Ocean Race are scheduled to set sail from Sanya in the Chinese province of Hainan this Sunday on Leg 4 of the around-the-world race. However, rough seas may force the start to be postponed since cyclone-strength winds in the South China Sea are creating waves described as mountain-like. Race insiders say the delay could cost race organizers at least $500,000, but no one wants to take any chances. The 2008/09 race faced similar conditions and lost three boats during a storm.

In the meantime, Telefonica won the in-port race in Sanya and continues to dominate the race. Read more on the official Volvo Ocean Race website.

Located midway between Puerto Rico and Venezuela,  Dominica is often referred to by experienced sailors as the Caribbean’s Nature Island.  This picturesque island is home to pristine beaches as well as volcanic peaks covered by lush green vegetation.  Rock climbers and hikers share the forest with tree monkeys and parrots, while the coastal region is a paradise for scuba divers and snorkelers.  Whale and dolphin watching is another attraction for yachters who visit the idyllic waters of Dominica. 

One of the best ways to enjoy the natural wonders of Dominica is on a charter yacht.  Whether you’re an experience skipper who can pilot a yacht on your own or a novice who requires a charter that includes a skipper or crew, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from.

Find out more about the charter yacht experience on Dominica on the Charter World website.  For a virtual tour of the island, check out this YouTube video.

Sunreef Yachts, one of the leading builders of luxury power and sail catamarans, has just announced a new design for an ultra-modern, high performance sailing catamaran.  The Sunreef 75 Ultimate is the successor to the firm’s Sunreef 80 Ultimate, reflecting feedback from clientele and the latest innovations in yacht design.  Twin carbon fibre hulls feature a reversed bow for high performance and will be covered with uncut teak.  Breathtaking views will be available through glass panels that make up the forward section of the superstructure.

Read more about the Sunreef 75 Ultimate on the official Sunreef website.  If power catamaran are more to your liking, check out this post on the Sunreef 70 power catamaran.

L’Hydroptere is multihull hydrofoil sailboat that was built for speed.  Designed by French yachtsman Alain Thebault, this “flying boat” broke the outright world speed record for a sailing boat in 2009, sustaining a speed of 51.36 knots for 500m.  Thebault and his team are now working on a new version of the Hydroptere that will serve as a prototype for a future Maxi  Hydroptere that can circle the globe in 40 days.

Find out more about L’Hydroptere on the official website and watch exciting footage of its record-breaking voyage in this You Tube video.

UK yacht builder Yacht Island Design offers wealthy buyers custom-built luxury boats with fantasy design.  The company’s first design was a 155m yacht that recreated the streets of Monaco, including replicas of the royal palace, the Hotel de Paris and the Monaco race circuit.  It was followed by the Tropical Island Paradise 90m yacht, which features a waterfall, palm trees and a personal volcano.  Beneath the on-deck pool, a recreational area includes a small pier with jet skis, kayaks and cabanas.

Yacht Island Design hopes to expand its market to the Arab world, where yachts are becoming an increasingly popular investment.  Find out more about this creative yacht company on the official Yacht Island Design website.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, plans to build a marina for mega-yachts have been scuttled following a compromise agreement between the city of San Francisco and the America’s Cup organizers.  The original plan would have blocked one of the only remaining open views of the bay from the city’s Embarcadero.  Instead, America’s Cup officials agreed to develop pier 54 in nearby Mission Bay.

All is not clear sailing yet.   Neighborhood and environmental groups are still appealing the event’s environmental report, saying that not enough study went into the impact of traffic jams and damage to plant life.  The regatta is scheduled to begin in July of 2013, but the outcome of the appeal could cause delays in construction of the America’s Cup Village.

Read the full story on the SFGate website and following the events in San Francisco on the America’s Cup website.

The Old Greenwich Yacht Club provides residents of Greenwich, Connecticut with the opportunity to enjoy boating on Long Island Sound, regardless of boat ownership.  Established in 1943, OGYC offers a full program of sporting, educational and social events.  The club facilitates member’s interest in power boating, cruising, racing, regattas, fishing and kayaking.  Overnight cruises on the sound are organized from May to September.   

OGYC also sponsors the Greenwich Community Sailing program (GCS), providing kayak and sailboat rentals as well as instruction for children and adults.  Courses are available for every level from beginner to advanced.

Find out more about the Old Greenwich Yacht Club on the official OGYC website.