Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon
Liz Howard joined Fraser Yachts as a charter broker in 2002 after more than 15 years in the maritime industry. E-mail Liz.
Sharon Bahmer is an expert at booking charters in the Americas, from Alaska to Brazil. She's also a member of FYBA and CYBA. E-mail Sharon
Nicole Caulfield is licensed, bonded, and a longtime member of FYBA and AYCA. She brings a unique perspective as a broker, having worked aboard yachts for nearly 10 years. Email Nicole
Beverly Parsons has been chartering since 1969. She is a licensed, bonded broker and a founding member of the professional groups AYCA and CYBA International. Contact Beverly.
Michael Sawyer of Infinity Yacht Charters has unique access to charter yachts and crew from Alaska to Mexico. Contact Michael.
Ed Hamilton has worked in every part of the charter industry over the last 37 years and heads one of the largest, most respected charter brokerages.
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
| Blind Date |
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First Impression: Blind DateDate toured: December 2007
As is Blind Date herself. She was built in 1995 by the Lürssen shipyard, and her most recent refit was in 2006-07. During that time, the work included achieving Bureau Veritas classification, having shaft and prop work done, getting a new paint job, having her sun deck, aft deck and dining areas rebuilt, adding radars and a V-Sat communications system, adding space for a seventh crew member, and bringing a Vespa scooter and $15,000 worth of fishing gear for the 33-foot Intrepid tender onboard. The work was done to get Blind Date in top condition for sale, as she is being offered at a price of $17.5 million. That’s something to note if you’re thinking about booking a charter well into the future, since a new owner may decide to take her out of charter altogether. Any reputable charter broker should be able to give you the full scoop on current negotiations.
Worth noting is that the VIP cabin is forward on the main deck, while the master is below along with two other king-bed cabins. That’s an unusual find, and it means that four couples can split the bill on this yacht without anyone having to sleep in “kiddie beds.” Also worth mentioning is that I was impressed with the chef onboard this yacht, Eduardo Garcia, who gave me this extended interview after several reputable charter brokers raved about a luncheon he prepared during the Antigua boat show. Good food and a comfortable boat are usually a great combination, so take a look to learn more about Garcia’s specialties if you think this might be the charter yacht for you. Blind Date is part of the fleet at Peter Insull’s.—Kim Kavin |
“Love is in the air… Everywhere I look around…“
The upside, of course, is that she’s in beutiful shape for charters right now, at a weekly base rate of $98,500 for eight guests. Her typical summer cruising ground is the Hamptons in New York’s Long Island, but her actual destination for the upcoming months was undetermined when I was onboard.