 First Impression: Grand Cru III
Date toured: May 2009
Capt. Nick Maccrossan told me that two keywords—headroom and simplicity—were the driving factors behind construction of the 118-foot motoryacht Grand Cru III. Based on the tour I took when the yacht was just 12 days old, I’d say that Maccrossan and the yacht’s owner accomplished their mission.
In terms of headroom, Grand Cru III offers perhaps more than I have seen aboard any other yacht (and I tour about 100 charter yachts each year). While I don’t walk around these boats with a tape measure, the 2.3 meters (about 7½ feet) of headroom that Grand Cru III boasts in every guest area, on all decks, certainly left me thinking that my 6-foot-2 husband would choose this yacht above most others in terms of interior comfort. I happened to bump into longtime charter broker DJ Parker of Neptune Group Yachting during my tour, and she told me that on first impression, she was considering Grand Cru III for a client who plays in the NBA.
“I feel dwarfed,” she said with a hint of amazement, “but this would be great for him.”
“That’s what we intended,” Maccrossan replied with a smile. “All the stairways are wide, too. Basketball players will fit.”
Maccrossan’s second keyword, simplicity, is reflected in the yacht’s mission statement: to be a world traveler. The owner has owned five other yachts, all of which were offered for charter, and he wanted Grand Cru III to be built in a way that was smart instead of ornate, with a decor that makes sense instead of making headlines. The woodwork onboard includes American cherry paneling matched to ash floors. Honeycomb onyx is a nice complement to these textures, providing a simultaneous ambiance of elegance and comfort.
 That’s not to say the owner of Grand Cru III has no interest in fineries. The yacht’s furnishings are from Milan, the wine cellar can store 1,000 bottles, and the aft deck on the main level can be enclosed and heated with infrared lamps for cool-weather cruising.
“The owner wants to see new places, and the boat is built to travel,” Maccrossan says. “We’re not aiming for Antarctica, but we definitely want to get past Sardinia.” Viareggio, Italy-based Benetti Sail Division (a custom yard that, interestingly enough, does not build sailboats) helped with that mission statement by giving Grand Cru III a range of 5,000 nautical miles. She burns less than 116 liters of fuel per hour at her cruising speed of 9.4 knots. Also worth noting is that the yacht is outfitted with Rodriguez zero-speed stabilizers, which should add to guest comfort in almost all cruising areas and weather conditions.
Currently, the owner plans to keep Grand Cru III in the Mediterranean for the summer 2009 season, after which she will go to the Caribbean for the winter 2009-10 season. Beyond that, some possible itineraries include Alaska, the South Pacific, and Croatia and the Eastern Mediterranean—locations that will be chosen in part based on levels of charter inquiries, Maccrossan says. He is a NAUI-trained scuba instructor, which means diving will be available from the yacht (a real treat if she ends up somewhere like Fiji or Vanuatu).
In terms of accommodations, Grand Cru III has a king-bed master that is truly a suite, with a private sitting room and a dark-emerald-marble bathroom. That suite is on the bottom deck along with three other guest cabins. One has a queen-size bed, and the other two have twin-size beds that are large enough to be comfortable for adults.
There’s plenty of room for guests to sit in the pilothouse or on the sundeck, whose wooden-exterior hot tub features a bar and small waterfall. There’s a dining area on this deck in addition to the outdoor and indoor tables on the main deck. Or, you can take the 17-foot, Dutch-built, custom tender out for a spin and enjoy a little lunch from its cooking plate. The tender also has an enclosure that is retractable, with near-standing room even when it’s overhead.
Edmiston & Company manages Grand Cru III for charter. The lowest weekly base rate for eight guests with five crew is €80,000. Any reputable charter broker can tell you more or help you book a week onboard.—Kim Kavin
|
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.
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
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
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.
Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
