Shaitan of Tortola is excellent value

How Do I Choose for my next Yacht Charter?

Ever wonder why charter rates on vessels seem to vary so much even if they appear to be the same size?

Here are some points to consider when looking to charter:

• SIZE – A posted length of a yacht is important but not always the most telling factor to true size. Recent developments have resulted in a larger beam in some of the newer design for both sail and power.  Older boats tend to be narrower, though not always the case. Even if you look at the beam of a boat that is posted, note if it carries the width of the beam aft or if it flares in the middle. Does it have “walkaround” decks or is the cabin  the width of the vessel? How much is interior or on deck space? A “trideck” motor yacht with an enclosed sky lounge gives different interior space than one with a sundeck only. Note that in power yachts, some of the newer designs with planing hulls have less interior space, the sleek effect looks great, the speed is great but the cabins will be smaller than some of the “good ole gals” posting the same length.

Now you get the picture…this is just one factor…How about …

• AGE OF THE VESSEL  – pretty obvious, but keep in mind that an older vessel may have undergone extensive refitting and tweaking and essentially have all the same amenities and services as a new yacht, sometimes even more and better!
• CHARTER HISTORY – let’s face it, experience counts for a lot. A very caring owner that is serious about having his yacht charter and do it well will provide the best toys, crews, availability, and creature comforts, as well as a high level of maintenance and compliance to all safety regulations.
• MAINTAINENCE – Hard to discern from a boat’s brochure…a very good reason to use a professional yacht charter broker. A good broker will visit as many yachts as possible at boat shows, the difference in what is visible is pretty staggering; not all yachts look the same as when the brochure was photographed! A keen nose is crucial. I know a very good lady broker who, upon walking onto a yacht, asks to see the engine room. If it is not impeccable she walks off … Further to that, knowing the Captain, engineer, owner etc can put one’s mind to rest.


It's great to meet the crew on board

AKKA sits at anchor - Gustavia St Barth's

Akka;s attention to details - shining varnish and stainless, clean fresh lines

Spike - a great mate/hostess - smiling as we zoom past St Maarten's North shore

It was a fabulous week end on AKKA, I got to join a few VI charter yacht brokers who came to St Maarten for a round trip sail to St. Barth’s. Waking up Sunday morning at Bay Colombier to cooling breezes, surrounded by perfectly varnished and painted panels, my favorite husband, and a cup of delicious hazelnut coffee was a nice little slice of Heaven…

Captain John Westmoreland and mate Gudran Greve (aka Spike due to a bad haircut years ago) were the perfect hosts. AKKA is not your ordinary vessel. The “Spronk Catamarans” are a bit of a cult thing among sailors in the know not only in the Caribbean but worldwide. AKKA was built in England in the early nineties and is one of the younger Spronks, she was designed to be light and fast. She is not your typical charter yacht. Perfect for sporting types, AKKA is adventure. The cabins are very comfortable and super clean and she has been lovingly tweaked to provide all necessary amenities with attention to detail and function. The TLC that has gone into this yacht (literally) blows you away.

But it’s when you get underway that you see the final piece to the equation, the carbon fiber sails, daggerboards for performance, the skill and confidence of the crew… Marigot to St Barths in 3 hours, 15 knots of wind and we were doing 12! Captain John was ever attentive to the boat; Spike went about her deck duties like a gazelle, even stopping to produce a tasty pasta primavera lunch along the way. We could help as little or as much with the sailing as we wanted (we wanted – I loved having the helm and helping with the sails!).
AKKA is now taking bookings for the 2011-2012 Caribbean season -see more AKKA- she is a fantastic boat for active families, sportive couples, adventure sailors, and anyone who wants to a classy alternative to “out of the mold” charters…the size for value is exceptional. Call us to get more info!

Film crews after a moving target - Sailing Yacht Piggybank

Hold still, don't move - photoshoot!

I wonder why they named that yacht Piggybank ??

I often comment about St Maarten being such an international island. Here are some shots from a recent photoshoot done on Motor Yacht Caribbean Dreamin, Sailing Yacht Piggybank, and support Day Chater boat Garfield 2. It makes me think of a Jimmy Buffet song…models from Brazil, yacht crew from USA, South Africa, Sint Maarten, Sweden. Produced by a German lady living on Barbados…for Hong Kong TV no less! That made for an interesting day!

Howard Eckel – from Trinidad married to a nice Britich lady we all know – was there to snap a few shots. Thanks Howie! By the way, Howard was just selected by The New York Photo Gallery for “The Focus Project”  in the top ten finalists for Nature Photographs!  See Howards pics

Never a dull moment here in the Caribbean, remember, there are lots of reasons to charter, it makes for great photography! See you on the high seas…