First Impression: Charisma

Date toured: May 2007

The 153-foot Charisma may share a name with several other charter yachts on the world’s waters today, but to my knowledge, she’s the only Charisma built by the venerable Feadship yard in Holland—and she’s the only one that truly takes my breath away thanks to a massive interior refit that left her with a classic elegance that really does turn heads.

Built in 1985, Charisma has been through several owners. The one who bought her in the late 1990s spent more than two years gutting her and restoring her to grandeur before selling her. The current owner took possession in May 2006 and brought all new crew with him, as well as a Yamaha piano, a hot tub on the sundeck, and new carpeting throughout the yacht. Also new for 2006 were LCD televisions and upgraded audiovisual equipment, with WiFi now available onboard. The owner’s plan, according to the crew, is to add zero-speed stabilizers this fall to keep Charisma’s features on par with those of newer builds.

Charisma takes 12 guests with 11 crew, a nearly one-to-one ratio that should mean outstanding service for you while you’re onboard. She carries a slew of water toys to keep you busy, as well, including two tenders, two Wave Runners, water skis, wakeboards, kayaks, snorkeling gear, and ten sets of fishing equipment. If you prefer to get your exercise onboard, there is a treadmill as well as an exercise bike.

The yacht is scheduled to be in the Caribbean this winter and then back in the Western Mediterranean for the summer of 2008. The new owner apparently loves his new boat quite a bit and plans to spend a good deal of time onboard, which means you may have to jostle for available charter weeks. Any reputable charter broker can help you in that department.

Charisma is part of the fleet at Yachting Partners International. Her lowest weekly base rate is $180,000, or just shy of $19,000 per person with typical 25-percent expenses factored in.—Kim Kavin