Yachts

Mi Sueño

This summer, custom builder Trinity Yachts  launched the 190-foot $54.9 million Mi Sueño, featuring a split-level owner’s suite. Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the custom floor-to-ceiling “cellars” made of wenge wood and bronze that flank the entrance from the aft deck.

Patrick Knowles of Patrick Knowles Designs created this feature as a sort of tasting room, where the floor is highlighted by a marble mosaic inlay. Other touches aboard Mi Sueño include a wheelchair-accessible guest stateroom (one of six) and an elevator that connects all decks. trinityyachts.com. —D.B.

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Sailing Grace

Palmer Johnson calls its new 210-footer a “game-changer,” and judging from a few of the tri-deck yacht’s features, it’s not exaggerating. Read more

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Yacht Watch: W.N. Ragland

Own a piece of rock and roll history—sort of. The 101-foot W.N. Ragland enjoyed more than 35 years in the hands of music legend Neil Young. Read more

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Sarasota Yacht Club Completes New Clubhouse

Sarasota Yacht Club on Florida’s Gulf Coast has completed its new waterfront clubhouse after 15 months of construction. The new 23,500-square-foot facility has panoramic views throughout the building, including the indoor-outdoor dining hall and the formal Neptune Lounge. With seating for more than 550 diners, the club also has the very latest design equipment in its 3,500-square-foot kitchen. Designed to withstand 130-mph winds, the building incorporates numerous environmentally friendly features, including natural skylights, recycled materials, thick insulation, and a highly efficient air-conditioning system. The new resort-style pool features an infinity edge overlooking Sarasota Bay and shallow lounge areas with ample seating, eating areas, and cabanas surrounding it. A nearby Tiki bar assures good service and a fun atmosphere. 941-365-4191, sarasotayachtclub.org.

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Pirates Are A Real Threat To Yachts

Pirates aren’t the stuff of Hollywood movies or childhood fantasy; they’re a real threat to yachts. Here’s how to mitigate your risks. Read more

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National Historic Landmark, Sequoia Yacht

Sequoia, built in 1925, is a National Historic Landmark with plenty of historic memorabilia. Read more

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Water World

Hot tubs, haute cuisine, five-star accommodations, and VIP treatment? It’s time to take another look at yacht charters for your next vacation. By Chris Caswell.

Imagine a quiet tropical morning when you start your day settled in a comfortable chair on the aft deck of a luxurious yacht, anchored off a deserted beach with palm trees shading the flawless white sand. A uniformed crewmember serves warm croissants, freshly squeezed orange juice, and icy champagne, making you wiggle your toes with pleasure on the sun-warmed teak deck. Your only decision is what to do today.

You might choose to stay right where you are, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the shallows where the rainbow-colored tropical fish swim around your facemask. Perhaps a little water skiing, followed by a ride on a Jetski. Or you might suggest that your captain and crew move your yacht to a nearby harbor where, moored to the quay, you can watch the crowds strolling the waterfront as you enjoy a leisurely five-course gourmet dinner in the soft evening air.

“The special charm of a large yacht is that it enables presumably responsible people to combine the milder irresponsibilities of a beachcomber’s existence with all the comforts of a luxury hotel,” said King Edward VIII of England, later the Duke of Windsor and certainly a man who knew his way around luxury yachts.

When you think of the phrase “crewed yacht charter,” however, the first thing that usually comes to mind is a small ocean liner with a swarm of crew and a weekly rate that rivals the budget of a third-world nation.

“I can’t afford that,” you say, adding in justification, “and I wouldn’t want all that fawning attention and stuffy atmosphere, either.” Here’s the zinger: you’re wrong on all counts. The fact is that you can find not one or two, but lots of crewed charters for about what you’d spend at a five-star resort. Don’t believe me? Let’s do some math.

I picked two well-known Florida luxury resorts, one in the Keys and one in Palm Beach. Then I selected dates in mid-January, so there wouldn’t be any holiday price bubble. For a good room with a water view, five nights were about $4,000 for one and $6,000 for another, including all the taxes and surcharges and parking and nickel-and-dime extras. Let’s split the difference and call it $5,000 for five nights in a top oceanfront resort.

You have to eat, but with scrambled eggs at $24, a burger at $19, and a sirloin steak at $59, well, even a diet menu is going to add another $1,000 a week for two people and, hey, you haven’t had a single mai tai ($12.50) or even a Coke ($3). Heaven forbid a bottle of Champagne!

You might want to rent a Jetski ($150/hour) or have someone take you on a snorkeling trip ($150/2 hours). So you’re paying $7,000 for your vacation, and you’re still standing in line for your table at night and hoping to get a decent beach chair during the day. Yipes!

Not long ago, I enjoyed a crewed charter out of Nassau aboard an 80-foot Hatteras motoryacht which chartered for about $18,000 a week, including the captain, mate, and gourmet chef. Two couples were aboard, although the yacht had three staterooms, so we could have had our shares for under $7,000.

Not only did we enjoy what the resorts call “ocean view” accommodations, but our scenery also changed daily as we explored new islands and harbors. We dined without needing a reservation on gourmet cuisine of our choice, and we never had a bad table. Sometimes we gathered in the formal dining area; other times we’d choose to have our meals alfresco on the after deck. We cavorted for hours on Jetskis, snorkeled until waterlogged, sat in the Jacuzzi sipping Champagne at night, and came away feeling truly pampered. Our crew remembered our names, knew our likes and dislikes, and were flexible to our needs. Want to snorkel before breakfast? No problem. Prefer your lobster shelled? Of course. A second slice of key lime pie? Absolutely!

I consider myself a charter expert, but for the purposes of this article, I wanted to see chartering through the eyes of a prospective client. I Googled “crewed charters” and was stunned by the sheer number of listings. I whittled my choices down to just the Bahamas and to yachts priced at $20,000 or less for a week. Even with those constraints, I still had several pages of yachts and very nice ones indeed: Hatteras, Viking, Lazzara, Hargrave, Cheoy Lee, and more. They are found in a wide variety of locations, with many following “the circuit” of Bahamas or the Caribbean in the winter months and the Northeast in summer. Because it’s so convenient to North America, there is also a sizable fleet based in Nassau year-round.

Of course, if your preferences run more toward lighting cigars with flaming hundred dollar bills, well, there are yachts to fit the lifestyle (and budgets) of billionaires. Take Excellence III, a 188-footer that has been called (with good reason) the finest charter yacht in the world. A crew of 14 starts your day with Cristal mimosas, entertains you with endless water toys, provides a five-course gourmet dinner, and finishes your day with Henri IV Dudognon cognac in the spa. Cost? A mere $315,000 a week, plus food, fuel, and all those little things. If you’re slow with the calculator, that’s just $39 each minute.

Still not enough? How about Savarona, an ornately gilded 446-footer built in the ‘30s, with a crew of 48 to serve up to 34 guests. Onboard amenities include a gymnasium, a sauna, and helicopter pad. Depending on the season, she starts at just $455,000 a week.

As a starting point, first-time charterers should take a tip from experienced charterers: always work through a charter broker. A charter broker can help you select the right yacht in the right area, advise you on the best seasons and destinations, and generally match your needs and your budget with the perfect yacht. Like a great waiter, a good charter broker is nearly invisible, making sure that everything goes smoothly and without fuss.

Talk to several charter brokers to find one with whom you feel comfortable. One question that you should ask each broker is “Have you been aboard each yacht and do you know the captain and crew?” Professional charter brokers visit their yachts regularly, both to inspect the condition and to reacquaint themselves with the crew. In that way, they can recommend yachts that will be compatible with the client.

After you’ve made your choice, they will orchestrate the details, and you’ll receive a preferences questionnaire to let the crew know that you hate mussels, love Merlot, or like Amaretto after dinner.

Once you’re aboard, you’re the master of your yacht…within reason. The captain has the final say, of course, but you’ll have some options laid out. If you want to help run the boat, most captains are willing to give you the wheel. On the other hand, you are the guest and as such, you can settle into the salon with a trashy novel and not worry about the details.

In fact, that’s one of the pleasures I’ve discovered about crewed charters. As the skipper of my own boat, I’m always the one that has to get up in the wee hours when the wind starts howling to make sure the anchor is holding. On a recent crewed charter, I awoke when I heard the wind build and then I remembered: this is a crewed charter. I snuggled back into a comfy bed and let someone else handle it. Nice.

Here’s an inside tip: while the yachts are usually priced by the week, most are available for shorter trips at a lower rate. Something I’ve discovered is that you don’t have to go far or stay long to feel like you’ve “gotten away.” Fly to the islands on Friday and return on Monday after a lazy weekend of sun and saltwater, and it’s as good as spending two weeks. Well, almost. The point is that two or three couples can enjoy a crewed charter and not feel as though they’ve emptied the kids’ college fund.

Here’s something else to consider: a crewed charter is a great locale for a special event. I know three couples that shared a crewed charter to celebrate an important birthday, and the crew got into the spirit with a special cake, streamers, and even party hats. Another charter was for a romantic anniversary getaway, and yet another was a chance for three generations to share time on the water.

Whatever your reason, don’t let the words “crewed charter” keep you away. These are some of the best vacation values around and ones that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Take Your Pick
The following charter brokers have built their reputations of trust over a number of years and with hundreds of satisfied and repeat clients. All belong to recognized industry associations that set the standards for luxury charters.  Each of these companies has access to virtually every top-quality charter yacht in the world, so their brokers can find the perfect yacht for each need.

Camper & Nicholsons International, 954-462-1462, camperandnicholsons.com
Ed Hamilton & Co., 800-621-7855, ed-hamilton.com
Fraser Yachts, 949-673-5252, fraseryachts.com
International Yacht Collection, 954-522-2323, iyc.com
The Marine Group, 954-463-4300, marinegroup.com
Meridian Yacht Charters, 804-438-1100, meridianyachts.com
Neptune Group Yachting, 954-524-7978, ngyi.com
Northrop & Johnson Yacht Charters, 800-868-5913, njcharters.com
Sacks Group, 954-764-7742, sacksyachts.com
Shannon Webster Charters, 386-439-0188, swc-yachtcharters.com

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Schöpfer Yachts

“I had felt there was a niche in there—a lot of yacht designs were just stuck,” Kevin Schöpfer says. “So I thought, ‘How do we break the mold a little?’” Judging from his two concept yachts, Oculus and Infinitas, this architect-turned-yacht designer didn’t just break the mold; he shattered it. Read more

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Hi-Ho, Silver

By Diane M. Byrne

With its custom silver paint job, stainless steel accents, and a top speed of nearly 58 mph, the Silver Bullet 20 is aptly named. Aimed at water enthusiasts who want something out of the ordinary, the 20-footer, built by Chris-Craft, is a limited-edition model; in fact, just 150 units are being made. So what do you get if you join this exclusive club? A pop-up ski pylon, a teak swim platform with stainless steel ladder, a Kenwood stereo/CD player, and a six-month subscription to Sirius satellite radio, for starters. There are adjustable, flip-up bucket seats forward, plus additional seating fully aft, to accommodate you and four guests. A bimini (fabric top, for shade) stores under the back seating, though you can opt for a convertible top instead. And lest you forget you’re aboard a Chris-Craft, there’s plenty of teak underfoot on the cockpit floor and on deck rails, and both the helmsman and front passenger get teak footrests, too. Even without the throttles pushed to their limits, the Silver Bullet 20 has good performance; Chris-Craft says it has a range of 113 miles at the 24-mph cruise speed. $75,668 and $85,000, chriscraft.com.

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The Port Authorities

The best waterfront developments designed with vacations and vessels in mind.
By Diane M. Byrne

If you’re a boater, chances are you live just a short drive, if not a walk, from your slip. In fact, like many of your fellow yachtsmen, you very well may have chosen the marina based on its proximity to your home. Fortunately, developers are creating communities revolving around marinas. The following are some of the best.

Ocean Reef Club. Located on the northern tip of Key Largo, this 2,500-acre private club holds 175 slips and 1,800 properties, evenly divided between homes and condos. One nice touch is the Academy at Ocean Reef, enrolling preschoolers through eighth graders. 35 Ocean Reef Dr., Key Largo, FL, 305-367-2611, oceanreef.com.

Westshore Yacht Club. Five miles from downtown Tampa, this development features condos, townhouses, and waterfront estates. The 149-slip marina provides owners with a restaurant and poolside tiki bar as well as a spa, fitness center, billiards room, and a ship’s store. In addition, there is 24-hour security, and the marina can accommodate boats from 40 to more than 100 feet. 6001 S. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, FL, 800-924-4005, westshoreyachtclub.wcicommunities.com.

Yacht Haven Grande. With just 12 residences, owners are guranteed views of the 48-slip megayacht marina (for yachts up to 450 feet) that offers abundant in-slip services, including fueling and pump-out, customs, food and liquor provisioning, 24-hour security, and crew facilities. The island’s location also makes it a convenient jumping-off or returning point for more extensive Caribbean cruising. 9100 Port of Sale, St. Thomas, USVI, 340-774-5030. yachthavengrande.com.

Los Sueños Resort and Marina. This 200-slip marina (for 30-footers to 180-footers) is the only government-sanctioned marina in the country. Complimentary pump-out service is provided to all boats, and fueling service is on site, as well. Many of the homes offer views of the marina and sunsets over the water, with all 500 residences benefiting from views of the resort grounds, an 18-hole golf course, and the rainforest. 866-865-9759, lsrm.com.

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Trumpy Yachts 63 Flush Deck Motor Yacht

The Trumpy Yachts 63 marks the revival of the famous Trumpy name—specifically, John Trumpy & Sons, which built 450 all-wood boats throughout much of the 20th century.

Yachting aficionados were drawn to Trumpy’s reputation for building durable, comfortable cruisers with elegant styling and house-like amenities. But a series of events led to the boatyard’s decline, beginning with the death of John Sr. in 1958, a fire, and the death of one of the sons a few years later. By the time fiberglass began to dominate boat building in the late 1960s, the damage was nearly done. John Trumpy & Sons closed its doors in 1974.

Even with that, Trumpys remained much admired. In fact, a few years ago, Jock West, a marine-industry marketing representative, purchased a Trumpy built in 1969 and, with other industry veterans, refurbished it to serve as a floating product showcase and meeting platform at boat shows. “People loved the boat. We heard time and time again that it’s a real shame they don’t build boats like this anymore,” explains Jim Ewing, who was part of the team and is now Trumpy Yachts’ president. “That’s what led to the idea of ‘Let’s explore building a new yacht, a new Trumpy.’”

To pay homage to Trumpy’s roots, West and Ewing contacted Johan Trumpy, John Sr.’s grandson, who also worked at the yard. They additionally tapped the wood-construction expertise of Vicem Yachts, which has a strong reputation for classically styled craft.

The 63 Flush Deck Motor Yacht shares many of the same design and construction elements as the original Trumpys. This includes the boat’s profile and its mahogany-plank construction. Don’t jump to conclusions over the latter, though: Thanks to techniques proven over many decades, special resins make the wood planks in the hull and superstructure resistant to moisture and increase their strength. The construction technique additionally makes the two sections into a unibody configuration.

Also compelling is the fact that the 63 Flush Deck Motor Yacht offers three interior configurations—an unusual flexibility. One layout features two queen staterooms, each with a private toilet and shower. Another offers a queen stateroom and a twin-bed stateroom, each getting private facilities. The final configuration has three staterooms: one queen and two twins, with the twins sharing a bathroom.

Base price: just under $3 million. —Diane M. Byrne

For more information, contact Trumpy Yachts (401) 846-0303. www.trumpyyachts.net.

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Utopia

The Ultimate at Sea.

From her sophisticated style to her sheer square footage, there is nothing small about the Utopia. In fact, the 235-foot motor yacht, a veritable floating palace, is the largest Feadship available for charter. With accommodations for 12 and on-board amenities comparable to those of a world-class hotel, this swanky vessel was clearly designed to host the ultimate escape at sea.

Built in 2004 and completely refit in 2006, Utopia will ply the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this winter. On board, guests can savor their surroundings from the sprawling upper and lower sun decks, two of the largest such spaces afloat. They can also get lost in her lavish interiors, including a master suite encased by a crescent-shaped wall of glass and a private gym, where workouts are inspired by the postcard-perfect scenery.

Throughout the yacht, floor-to-ceiling windows, light oak paneling and generous headroom combine to create a venue that is ideal for flawless entertaining. The crew of 17 is on hand to ensure all details are tended to.

Should an appetite for adventure lure Utopia guests from the comfortable confines of their quarters, the yacht comes appointed with myriad toys—kayaks, windsurfers, water skis, wakeboards and stand-up jet skis among them. To sate another kind of appetite, guests need only cue the devoted staff to fire up the on-deck grill for a night of casual outdoor dining.

Utopia is available for charter from about $574,000 per week. For more information, contact Gayle Patterson at cayachts@edmistoncompany.com or by phone at 011.377.93.30.54.44 or visit www.edmistoncompany.com.

By Lindsay Lambert

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Impulsive Indulgence

The Impulsive Group sets two spectacular yachts afloat on the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas.

Yachting enthusiasts can officially kiss the winter blues good-bye with a Mediterranean getaway aboard the 1994 Norship Impulsive. The 120-foot yacht, parented by the New York-based Impulsive Group, accommodates up to eight guests in four staterooms and is serviced by a staff of six, including a Michelin-star chef. An on-board arsenal of accessories—think Waverunners, Sea Doos, jet skis, a Jacuzzi, treadmill, water skis, beach toys, kneeboards and an extensive selection of CDs and DVDs—ensures that no wish or whim is left unfulfilled. Stops at nearby islands are made easy by the 32-foot Intrepid and 13-foot Zodiac.

After dark, guests can mingle in Impulsive’s main salon, designed specifically with entertaining in mind. Its centerpiece is a freeform bar with five uniquely crafted stools. A matching game table and chairs expand the social sanctuary. Guests can cap off a night of good-spirited gaming with dinner prepared by their personal chef and served on the wood-and-goatskin-accented dining room table. For drinks with a different perspective, Impulsive’s aft deck is outfitted with its own teak-finished wet bar, a plasma TV and dining space for eight.

If the crystalline waters of the Caribbean are more your speed, check out Impulsive’s smaller sister vessel, Impulsive Too. Six guests are accommodated aboard the 82-foot 2004 Sunseeker, whose accoutrements include a 13-foot Nautica, a two-seat Sea Doo, a banana boat, tubes and snorkel gear for eight. Onboard amenities include HD flat-screen TVs, karaoke, DVD library and players, DirecTV and iPod docking stations.

Impulsive and Impulsive Too are available for charter through The Sacks Group. Weekly rates for Impulsive start at $85,000; Impulsive Too’s weekly rates start from $52,000. For more information, visit www.sacksyachts.com.

By Lindsay Lambert

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Sailing with Barton and Gray

The best boat on the water is no longer your friend’s boat, thanks to Barton & Gray Mariners Club where membership means never having to worry about overhead. Just sign and sail.

For generations, yachting enthusiasts have bonded over their love of the pastime, the technological marvels of their toys, and their tales of adventure on the seas but not the hefty cost of ownership and the hassle of mere upkeep. Enter Tim Barton and Douglas Gray, who, upon founding Barton & Gray Mariners Club in 2006, set out to provide that same fulfilling experience for non-owners.

While deciding on a concept for their members-only day-boating club, the pair sought to answer a common question: Can people spend time on the water without the headaches and fiduciary overhead of ownership? “To us,” says Gray, “the best type of boating is spending three to five hours on a beautiful yacht in extraordinary waters with friends and family.”

The concept was met with resounding success. Gray notes that, in addition to the clear-cut advantages over ownership, there are less tangible benefits, too. “We are different from ownership in the good ways—it’s cheaper, there are no worries, there’s less time managing, no cleaning,” he says. “But we’re not different in the on-the-water experience. Our members have just as much fun as boat owners.”

Barton & Gray’s fleet of classic Hinckley Picnic Boats can be sailed off of Nantucket, Newport, Greenwich, Naples, Palm Beach, and Jupiter. Gray takes particular pride in his boats, all of which are custom and hand-made in Southwest Harbor, Maine. “All other Hinckley Picnic Boats in the world are privately owned. It is very special to be aboard one,” Gray says. “Imagine a jet fighter, retooled for leisure, decorated by Nate Berkus, and filled with shrimp and Bloody Marys.” Get the picture?

Gray notes that more than 80 percent of the club’s members have never owned or operated a boat of any size. “We are opening the waters to people who were not fortunate enough to be born into a family of boaters, or took the time to dedicate themselves to boat handling,” Gray says. “Members can swim, eat, sleep, converse or do nothing at all, rather than clean, write checks, sand, varnish, or navigate. After all, that’s the dream of yachting, is it not?”

Sounds like a perfectly sweet dream to us. —Lindsay Lambert

For more information and to browse Barton & Gray’s Outing Portfolio, call 617-728-3555 or visit www.bartonandgray.com.

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Afforable Yacht Ownership with Monocle Fractional Yachts

The Fractional Yacht Ownership Concept

Monocle brings together groups of individuals who appreciate the joy and enviable lifestyle of yacht ownership without any of the headaches, responsibilities or the prohibitive expenses inherent with yacht ownership. The fractional owners become shareholders in the LLC that owns their particular yacht. As a Monocle Fractional owner you have the unique opportunity to exchange your weeks on other yachts in the program throughout the world.

As the pioneer of the Fractional Yacht Ownership Program eight years ago, Monocle has created a program that makes yacht ownership fun, enjoyable and affordable . Unlike yacht manufacturers whose main interest is selling their product, Monocle represents all the major yacht manufacturers around the world. If you are presently associated with a yacht broker seeking a particular yacht, ask them to show you the list of available yachts and to explain all the benefits of our fractional program to you. This is yacht ownership at its best.

Monocle’s management team, with its 75 years of yacht management experience, will professionally and meticulously manage your yacht eliminating, the unpleasant responsibilities of individual yacht ownership, assuring appreciating value. With a focus on expenses the yacht’s annual operating expenses are kept to an absolute minimum as a result of Monocle’s Fleet Purchasing power. Integrity and comfortability are so important and that is why each yacht is owned by a separate entity that maintains its own bank account distributing monthly operating statements along with certified statements annually. Monocle’s fractional owners take advantage of the Owners Communication Center for scheduling, questions, Boatique purchases, and other information about their yacht.

Purchasing a yacht at a fraction of the cost saving you millions, sharing in the annual operating expenses and being removed from any of the management responsibilities are just three compelling reasons for choosing the Monocle Fractional Program.

Monocle Fractional Yacht Ownership Program

The Monocle Fractional Yacht Ownership Program is the smart choice for the successful individual. Now you can experience the total joy of yacht ownership while minimizing your investment and eliminating the hassles of managing a major asset that lies idle most of the year. The Monocle system combines an owner-focused program of hassle-free management with the market power of a major purchaser. They negotiate lower prices on brand-new pedigree yachts (usually 20% below market price) and pass the savings on to you. This will typically mean a savings of millions of dollars for each owner.

Ownership is its own reward. Each owner may enjoy the equity benefits of an investment, direct income from charters, and the tax advantages of depreciating a major asset. At the same time, the liabilities and costs of maintenance are shared across a small group of owners. But most important, each time you come aboard, whether for business or pleasure, this is your yacht, with all the pride and privileges of individual ownership, serviced by a team of professionals – at sea and ashore – who are dedicated to your enjoyment.

All the yachts in the Monocle program are brand new or brilliantly reconditioned, fully furnished pedigree yachts, plus …

• The latest electronics and satellite reception for television, Internet and voice communications.
• Wave runners, tenders, snorkel equipment, china and linens.
• A fully screened crew with excellent backgrounds, professional skills and compatibility with the owners.

For more information and options please visit: http://www.monocleyachts.com/index.shtml

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Boats on Display

From South Florida to Southern California, boating enthusiasts have recently enjoyed the first glimpse of the newest yachts at sea. Read more

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