 Date toured: December 2005
Touch is an unusual motoryacht. I found her at an industry-only charter yacht show, and she was one of the most memorable out of the several dozen yachts I toured that week.
“He’s so proud of the boat,” the yacht’s captain, David Rutherford, told me in the course of describing the owner’s ten-year quest to build her. The French-Canadian businessman, who owns Louisbourg Construction of Montreal, had always owned smaller boats but wanted a megayacht built from scratch. So he leased some land outside of Montreal, put up a shed, and hired a team to incorporate his every whim and fancy into the design. “It was a backyard job,” Rutherford quips, “like you’d build a Go-Kart.”
Sure, if the Go-Kart is 120 feet long and offering luxury charters around the world.
The thing that makes Touch so memorable is not just the story of how the owner built her, but all of the things that he put into her—like a master suite up high on the boat deck, where the sky lounge would usually be, and the three guest staterooms on the bottom deck all featuring queen-size beds (no twins—perfect for couples splitting the bill and all wanting similar accommodations).
Décor-wise, Touch is decidedly different, too. The owner didn’t like the stainless-steel handles on a few watertight doors, so he had them covered in gold leaf. Where other yachts this size typically have extensive tile mosaics, Touch has lighted glass sculptures. The knobs on the dressers are tiny crystal sculptures unto themselves.
I can’t speak to the level of service the crew provides, though the captain did seem quite personable—and he reported already having repeat clients coming back for additional charters. That’s certainly a good sign, and would make Touch a great yacht to charter if you want to break away from beige décors and the traditional layouts you’ll find on most other yachts her size.
Check with any reputable charter broker for more information. Touch is part of the fleet at The Sacks Group (www.SacksYachts.com) with a weekly base rate of $60,000 for eight guests, or about $9,400 per person with 25-percent expenses included.—Kim Kavin |
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
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.
Liz Howard joined Fraser Yachts as a charter broker in 2002 after more than 15 years in the maritime industry. E-mail Liz.
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.
Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon
Michael Sawyer of Infinity Yacht Charters has unique access to charter yachts and crew from Alaska to Mexico. Contact Michael.
