Horizon Yacht Charters, which has long maintained a network of bases in the Caribbean, is expanding into the United States. This May, the company will open its first North American base in Yacht Haven Marina near Annapolis, Maryland, where it will offer boats from the 2011 Bavaria Cruiser line for bareboat and crewed charter.
“We selected Annapolis because it is far and away the sailing capital of the United States,” says Kenny Feld, managing director of Bavaria Yachts USA. “It has the best and broadest cruising waters of the country, which is a perfect place to showcase the new range of Bavarias.”
In addition to running a full charter operation, Horizon’s new base will also serve as the North American headquarters for Bavaria Yachts, the first time these boats have been available to U.S. dealers. Ideally, charter-boat owners will keep their boats in Annapolis during the summer, then have them delivered to a Caribbean Horizon base when the weather turns cold. “That way, our charter-boat owners can sail with Horizon 365 days a year,” says Feld.
According to Feld, the majority of HYC customers are American, and many have been pushing the company to make this move for years. “HYC is a leader in service, immaculate boat maintenance and customer experience in the Caribbean, so moving to the United States is a natural extension.”
At first, Horizon will offer three 2011 Bavaria models for charter—the Cruiser 32, 36 and 45—and the fleet will grow from there. The base will be available for charter starting June 15, but is taking reservations now.
For more, visit horizonyachtcharters.com.
