Chartering at Antigua Sailing Week?

Alaistair Abrehart brings news of a new option

Racing yachtsmen now have another charter option for Antigua Sailing Week with the opening of a new base in Antigua. Horizon Yacht charters, which has a fleet of over 50 yachts within the Caribbean, opened a new base in Jolly Harbour Marina on November 1st.

Horizon's Antigua fleet will comprise mostly the German-built, race-winning Bavaria yachts for which Horizon are the authorized dealers. More race-oriented than many charter yachts, Horizon's Bavaria 36 placed second in class in this year's BVI Spring Regatta and the Bavaria 37 placed first in 2001. "We have already had a lot of fun and success with the smaller Bavaria's in the BVI Spring Regatta, beating considerably larger yachts both on corrected time and on the water," said Andrew Thompson, who co-founded Horizon with Sylvia Driver.

Building on its established reputation for quality charters and good value for money, the Antigua base will compliment Horizon's fleets in the British Virgin Islands and in the Grenadines, offering the same impeccable service and meticulously maintained yachts.

Sylvia and Andrew believe Antigua is the perfect location for their third charter base. "Antigua and Barbuda provide such an historically rich and beautiful cruising ground but the area has been poorly represented by the bareboat charter industry; it's time we offered sailors a choice," said Andrew. "Our aim at Horizon Yacht Charters is to provide first class service on immaculate yachts and with our extensive Caribbean experience, we look forward to replicating this in Antigua."

"Our charter guests are really excited about this new destination. We have had a particularly enthusiastic response to Antigua Sailing Week charters, and our one-way Antigua-St Martin charters are also proving popular," said Sylvia.

George Clarke, a highly experienced veteran of the Antiguan sailing world, is director of Horizon in Antigua and has worked closely with Sylvia and Andrew over the past 18 months. "Jolly Harbour Marina is perfectly situated for a charter operation," said George. "It's only 20 minutes from the airport, provides comprehensive shoreside facilities, and - being on the leeward side of the island - it has calmer waters and easy proximity to some of the best anchorages Antigua has to offer". Jolly Harbour Marina is also one of the stopover destinations for Antigua Sailing Week.