August 31st 2012. By Neil Rabinowitz.


Alaska Yacht Charter: Senses Into the Wild

Megayachts are the ultimate exploration platform when outfitted with the right toys and operated by a competent crew. A bonus is when the owner has the ambition for voyaging to the most remote and rewarding outposts of the planet, like the owner of Senses.

by Neil Rabinowitz

Senses bow on

Senses is known as the "Hummer" of the Seven Seas. She explores from Indonesia to the Amazon with an arsenal of on-deck toys: 2 windsurfers, 4 warp-speed jet skis, 4 sea kayaks, 2 sailing dinghies, a pedal powered cat, a HobieCat, a 28' Herreshoff sloop, a 16' RIB, a 26' Grady White, a 42' Nelson Pilot Boat, a 24' Halmatic RIB capable of 40 knots, and an Augusta Helicopter.

Alaska glacier

Alaskan glacier Endicott Arm in Alaska's Southeast region is a longer run from Juneau than the more visited Tracy Arm and offers access to the notorious inlet of Ford's Terror. Only reached by float plane, helicopter, or boat, it is a destination rimmed by steeped granite walls and towering waterfalls. It is also a great place to watch seals, orcas, salmon, mountain goats, grizzles and moose.

Alaska Senses from overhead

Alaska Senses from overhead Senses, designed by Martin Francis and Jacque Setton, is a 194 foot steel explorer that is no timid cruiser. Built by Claus Kusch at SBN and Schweers Shipyards in Germany, the boat often travels more than 25,000 miles a year.

Alaska Senses bow on with seals

Senses bow on with seals Senses noses gently through a parade of blue icebergs populated with seals, an area John Muir described as "surpassing Yosemite." The seals hope to avoid hungry Orcas on the prowl.

 

Alaska Senses bridge

Alaska Senses bridge A row of observation windows form panoramic vantage points above the wheelhouse. Senses has a range of 6,500 miles, offering the chance for true exploration and discovery.

 

Alaska paddlers

Alaska glacier and kayakers Accessibility to intimate waterways is sometimes limited by a megayacht's inability to approach the most remote anchorages. Senses has an on-deck flotilla of small boats, providing owner and guests with close encounters.

Senses deck toys include helicopter

Senses deck toys helicopter and small boat Launching the 42' Nelson down its own railway allows the versatile pilot boat to be conveniently boarded in place and deployed in almost any weather.

ice formation and tender

Alaska ice formation and boat The Nelson, designed for the British Navy, slips past icebergs with the operator and guest driving from topside, savoring the sunshine and cabin top view.

 

Senses with glacier

Senses in front of Alaskan glacier Among the turbulence of calving glaciers, icebergs and rocks, Senses threads the narrow glacial inlets and uses its helicopter for a bird's eye view of the route.

 

Senses and fishing

Alaskan fishing with Senses A passionate fly fisherman, the owner of Senses seeks out the most remote and exhilarating fishing spots around the globe. Then Senses and the helicopter team up to bring him right to the fish.

Editor’s Note: Photographer Neil Rabinowitz recently cruised to remote areas of Alaska on the steel exploration motoryacht Senses. For more information about chartering in Alaska, visit our Alaska destination page. If you’d like to see more photo essays on YachtWorldCharters.com, please let us know by commenting on our Facebook page.

Read more:

Destination Alaska: Cruising into Ketchikan

San Juan Islands to Alaska: 3 Tips for Crewed Charters

Find a yacht to charter in Alaska

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