87 versus 105

Written by Marta Capdevila ( Photos : Ed Holt. Avangarde yachts.Translation: Endeavour Services.Issue Nº 52

Charter

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Asian luxury on the Mediterranean

Avantgarde Yachts, based at Club de Mar in Palma, is the official broker of Johnson Yachts in Europe. The Taiwanese shipyard’s two largest yachts are available for charter this summer in the Mediterranean. 

 Johnson Yachts, drawing on its twenty years of experience in the nautical industry, earmarked Avantgarde Yachts as its official European broker. Avantgarde’s current range features three yachts, the 77, the 87 and the 105, with skylounge (granting extra protection and an additional salon with fantastic views, thanks to the closed upper deck) or with flybridge (hard-top or bimini). All were launched from the Johnson Yachts shipyard in Taiwan and bear the hallmark of the famous English designer Bill Dixon, who styled each yacht with an exceptionally generous beam, which besides offering spacious interiors enhances stability and safety when cruising. Avantgarde Yachts offers each and every client a tailor-made route, be it coasting the south of the Iberian peninsula, sailing along the French and Italian Riviera, dropping anchor in coves around Sardinia or exploring the North African coastline.

 Spacious and comfortable design

With an LOA of 26.54 metres and a beam of 7.2 metres, the Johnson 87 available for charter boasts four staterooms, with separate crew quarters sleeping four. The flybridge features a wet bar and dinette with table and sofa, both protected by the hard top. The open-air aft section of the fly is an inviting sunspot complete with sunbeds and space to store the tender while underway. Stairs lead to the cockpit, which provides another dining area for eight guests. The cockpit acts as the central point of the yacht. From here you can access the swim platform, the flybridge, the spacious forward sunpad or the interior of the yacht through a huge glass sliding door.

In this model geared towards charters, the owner opted for an airy open-plan design. This is clearly apparent in the salon, which is furnished with three sofas and a bar strategically located near to the cockpit to serve guests both inside and outside. The cream-coloured upholstery and marble countertops blend harmoniously with the elaborate woodwork, stunningly carved by expert Taiwanese craftsmen. The master stateroom, forward of the main deck, is a sumptuous suite with incredible 180º views and a private head with hydromassage shower, two washbasins and spacious cabinets. Three double guest staterooms, all with air conditioning, satellite TV and ensuite head with separate shower, are situated on the lower deck. Water toys include a jet ski, water skis, wakeboard and banana. A week’s charter, including insurance and three crewmembers, costs 39,000 euros in low season and 49,000 euros in high season.

Maximum space and performance

With her wide beam and generous superstructure, the 32-metre Johnson 105 boasts five double ensuite staterooms and separate four-berth crew quarters. On this flybridge version, the outer helm station features two portside seats and guests can also lounge on a U-shaped sofa or dine at a 12-person dining table. Both this zone and the wet bar are shaded by the hard-top. The aft barbeque and jacuzzi flank an ample space for sun loungers, also featuring a Besenzoni davit for the tender and water toys. From the cockpit, which houses another seating area and a wooden table perfect for al fresco dining, a huge glass door opens into the salon. Two staircases lead down to a spacious swim platform with dive ladder.

Warm cherry wood furniture and floors dominate the spacious and comfortable salon. The main-deck master stateroom offers panoramic 180º views from its king-size bed, and has two large wardrobes, a jetstream shower and his & hers ensuite bathrooms. On the lower deck, guests can choose between two VIP staterooms – one port and one starboard – or twin cabins, one of which includes a third pullman bed. All guest rooms have an ensuite head, except for the aft VIP stateroom, which boasts his & hers bathrooms separated by the bed. The price for a one-week charter in low season is 59,000 euros, rising to 69,000 euros in high season. <<