RSD Marine, Rainsford Saunders Design, currently has a 558 ft/ 170 Metre yacht design project on their table. You can fit a good sized Swann width ways and still have room. Perhaps you would like to have your ten best friends over for a jaccuzi. What about a game of golf…Okay, that is simulated, but the way things are going…Read on and post comments. Is this the largest on the drawing board?

“In 2004 RSD was appointed by a corporate syndicate to design a groundbreaking leisure yacht. At 170 metres long with a beam of nearly 24m and a height of 30m, this yacht is currently the world’s largest private superyacht commission.

You can do it! DJ Norman Cook aka ‘Fat Boy Slim’ and his wife, the TV presenter Zoe Ball have a yacht in Sardinia that you can charter. ‘Barracuda’ is a beautifully restored 100 feet motor boat with 4 crew located in Portisco. The yacht has four guest cabins with bathrooms. Also to be found aboard is a cool sound system with 7,000 songs. The cost is £20,000 to charter for seven days and £10,000 for a weekend. The contact is Mr and Mrs Smith….aah, so that’s where they went after the movie..

Below is the latest article regarding yachtsmen’s visa requirements in St. Lucia. I have had silimilar complaints from Antigua. Other articles in the local regional and sailing papers highlight other Caribbean nations. The concensus is that local governments are not cognisant of the benefit derived from the yachting sectors on their economies and that they are making immigration and customs much more difficult than they should be. The general feeling is that the countries that provide the best policies and promote yachting will win while other nations ignoring the economic factor do so at their peril. Your comments are welcome.

This Volvo Sailing Podcast features a fascinating interview with Paul Cayard, who reflects upon his career to date, reveals his thoughts on the new-look Volvo Ocean Race, and discusses what he hopes to achieve with the establishment of the World Sailing League.Listen to the Volvo Sailing Podcast.

USA Today reports that Star Clippers is to build the largest sailing ship ever. It will be 518 feet long and weigh 7,400 tons. This is 48% larger than Royal Clipper which is currently the world’s largest fully rigged sailing ship. This barque will carry 296 passengers and 140 crew. The rig will rise 217 ft from the waterline and their will be 5 masts with 37 sails. The beam is to be 61 feet allowing for an open sun deck of 8,000 sq. ft. Passengers will have 3 pools to choose from. One of the pools will have a glass bottom, allowing light to filter down into the piano lounge and dining room. The aft pool, meanwhile, will feature a swim tube that extends down into the dive/sports bar and into the library.