 First Impression: Slipstream
Date toured: December 2009
Slipstream is one of two 196-foot motoryachts that left the CMN shipyard in France and entered the global charter market in 2009. The other is Cloud 9, which launched shortly after Slipstream. Their interior and on-deck layouts are immensely similar, while their décors differ. The odds are that if you are shopping for a charter in this price and size range, both yacht brochures will end up in your view.
To my eye, Slipstream is far more contemporary in terms of décor. On the outside, she has a black hull and silver superstructure, as opposed to Cloud 9’s traditional navy blue hull and white superstructure. On the inside, Cloud 9’s interior is easily described as more neutral in tone, while Slipstream is unabashedly bold—with red leather wall accents, sharp black contrasts, and even a set of totem poles in the main entry foyer. One décor is not necessarily better than the other, but one might appeal to you personally more than the other.
Another thing that sets Slipstream apart from her sistership is an added feature in the main-deck master suite. Both yachts have masters that include observation lounges looking out over the bow, but on Slipstream, there is a door from that observation lounge that goes out to a private, on-deck seating area for use by the primary charter client. Aboard Cloud 9, this area of the yacht’s foredeck is reserved primarily for crew use.
 During my tour, I was pleased to walk into Slipstream’s galley and see one of my favorite charter yacht chefs, Geoffrey Fisher, hard at work. You might remember him from this interview that I did in 2006, on the day after he took first prize in the prestigious chef’s competition at the annual Antigua charter yacht show. Back then, he was aboard the 115-foot motoryacht Wheels. At the 2009 show, because of Slipstream’s size, Fisher had to compete in the category for yachts 150 feet and larger. He tied for third place, which is also impressive and shows his continuing dedication to creating the best possible food for charter guests to enjoy.
Slipstream, like Cloud 9, takes 12 guests with 15 crew. At the time of this writing, both yachts were available for charter in the Caribbean. The weekly base rate for Slipstream was $392,000, some $40,000 higher than the advertised base rate for Cloud 9.
Burgess Yachts is the management company, and any reputable charter broker can help you book a week onboard.—Kim Kavin
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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
Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon
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
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
