Benetti, founded in Viareggio in 1873 and now among the largest of Italian superyacht builders, represents a particular tradition of motor yacht design: Italian exterior elegance, refined interior craftsmanship and the structural capability required for serious ocean voyaging. In Bimini, the westernmost of the Bahamian islands, a Benetti charter connects that tradition with one of the Atlantic’s most distinctive anchorages. The island sits 50 nautical miles from Miami, making it the closest Bahamian port to the American coast, yet it retains the fishing-village character that attracted Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s. Charter-available Benetti yachts in the Bahamas range from 40-metre semi-custom builds to 80-metre steel-hulled flagships, with capacity for eight to eighteen guests and professional crews of comparable scale. Weekly rates run from approximately 120,000 to 600,000 euros before the advance provisioning allowance of 30 per cent, which covers fuel at Bimini Bay Marina, all food and drinks, harbour dues and any applicable sportfishing licences. The Bahamas season runs from December through April. Benetti’s build quality suits the Bahamas well: stabilisation systems standard on most charter-available models make the crossing from Florida comfortable in almost any winter sea state, and generous deck volumes provide appropriate outdoor space for guests spending long hours between the fishing grounds and the anchorage.
