First Impression: TJ Esperanza    

Date toured: May 2009

TJ Esperanza is a 1999 Amels motoryacht that originally was known as Louise, then for many years was popular on the charter market as Thunder Gulch. Her previous owner changed the name to TJ Esperanza, and the current owner kept that name when he took possession in July 2008.
    Capt. Otto Linzel, who is Dutch, brought his 18 years of yachting experience to the boat when he was hired as a relief captain during an Atlantic crossing for the current owner. “The job has turned out to last two years,” he told me with a smile.
    I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon aboard for a luncheon prepared by chef Ollie Luscombe, a British native who studied at a Michelin-starred restaurant and did an apprenticeship with a master chef of Great Britain before joining the yachting scene. Each of his four courses was better than the next: pan-seared scallop, chicken lemon thyme terrine, roasted sea bass with tomato fondue, and pineapple mousse with white chocolate sorbet. That last dish is especially worth noting because Luscombe specializes in homemade sorbets and ice creams—a decadent treat during any charter yacht vacation.
    Here’s a vidcast interview with Luscombe, if you want to learn more about his cooking:
    

    TJ Esperanza herself remains in good condition as she enters her second decade on the water, in part thanks to a refit that was completed in 2008. The yacht takes up to 11 guests with 13 crew. Of the crew I met during my luncheon aboard, all were well trained and seemed capable of performing silver service if that’s the type of ambience you would like on charter.
    For a more leisurely charter aboard an elegant motoryacht, Capt. Linzel tells me that parents and children alike are welcome.
    “Family charters are good for us,” he said. “We did four charters last year, and three of those were with families. The owners were happy with that. They’re not keen on chartering to the party-style, Hollywood gang.”
    The yacht is in the Mediterranean this summer at a lowest weekly base rate of €210,000. Plans for a winter destination were still up in the air as of this writing. Any reputable charter broker can give you more information, or you can contact management company Camper & Nicholsons International directly.—Kim Kavin