Imagine a boat that blends the advantages of a catamaran with the thrill of a Hovercraft. That’s the Axcell 650 Catamaran Sport Yacht.

Measuring 66’5” with the swim platform, the Axcell 650 is the result of a collaboration between MACS Research and noted megayacht designer J.C. Espinosa. Like all catamarans, the yacht features twin hulls that cut through the water efficiently for a smooth ride. A twist comes in the form of what MACS Research calls HybridAir Technology, which it has patented.

Considering that every state except for Florida has snow on the ground right now, you may be in need of a great escape to somewhere warm. If so, here are five great destinations and equally great charter yachts you can book, courtesy of YCO. Note that many charter yachts quote their rates in euros these days, so the approximate dollar conversion rates are included here for your convenience.

As I’ve written here before on Haute Yachts, runabouts built by Riva, especially their all-mahogany launches, have long been among the most coveted in the world. Recently, Marc Newson’s collaboration with Riva brought more attention to the iconic brand. Now, a well-known auction house is selling the last wooden-hulled Riva, and if you can’t attend in person, you can watch it live on television.

If you’re in the mood for more than just California dreamin’, mark April 14 to 16 on your calendar. That’s when a new luxury lifestyle event called DeLUXE San Diego will be held, showcasing a variety of yachts, among other high-end products, and including several exclusive experiences.

Strand Craft may not have launched a yacht yet, but it garnered worldwide attention in 2010 for its dare-to-be-different approach: designing a 122-foot megayacht to tote a souped-up sportscar. Now that it reportedly has signed at least one contract to build that yacht, the Strand Craft 122, the team has unveiled a new, equally daring design.

Holland-based Mulder Shipyard may be surrounded by several other yacht builders with far larger offerings, but it’s pretty happy with its lineup of yachts to 92 feet. Its clients clearly are, too, as a previous customer requested it build a 72-footer.

There’s something unmistakably romantic about seeing a sailing yacht slip over the horizon. There’s also something romantic about a yacht owner with a famous sailing yacht tapping the same design and build teams to create a new one. Such is the case with Marie, a 180-footer delivered over the summer.

Chartering a yacht is arguably one of the most exclusive vacation experiences around. Unlike a cruise ship, when you book a yacht, the boat is yours and yours alone. In addition, the itinerary is custom tailored to your liking.

The purchase of a multi-million-dollar yacht, especially a custom megayacht, is driven more by emotion than rationale. After all, as even the happiest yacht owner will tell you, no one needs a yacht; rather, the decision is based purely on desire.