A charter-boat skipper had doubled his fleet in anticipation of an America’s Cup boom.

Captain Steve Smith, owner of Rising Son Cruises, has leased another catamaran from the Caribbean to add capacity for the big event.

Captain Smith said the 65-foot long Filante, which is due to travel from its home port in Antigua to Bermuda next month, was vital to coping with the double demands of the summer tourism high season and the international sailing competition.

He added: “It will be here for the America’s Cup and for a month or two afterwards.

“I already have a 60-foot catamaran and this one is slightly bigger.

“There’s just so much demand we might as well — it’s a good time to do it.”

Captain Smith, whose business is based in Dockyard, said that the leased boat, to be crewed by a locally recruited skipper and two to three others depending on the size of the charter, would be used exclusively for private charters.

He said that the America’s Cup would be the biggest boost to the industry in his 15 years of involvement, four as owner of Rising Son Tours.

“Absolutely — as far as my industry goes, it’s definitely the biggest thing that’s happened in the years I’ve been around.”

Filante’s amenities include paddle boards, kayaks and snorkel gear, as well as a large built-in barbecue.

It will join Rising Son II, which has an 80-passenger capacity.

Rising Son Cruises can be contacted by e-mail on charters@islandtourcenter.com, while its website can be found at http://www.risingsoncruises.com