 First Impression: Koi
Date toured: December 2011
I first got to know the 115-foot McMullen and Wing motoryacht Koi when she was still called Surprise. I ventured all the way to Fiji back in 2004 to spend a week onboard the 2001 build—and I absolutely loved her. She had a bright, light interior décor that was a perfect match for the South Pacific lifestyle. She also had an all-Fijian and Samoan crew who knew the ins and outs of chartering in that part of the world.
When I stepped onboard the same yacht for this review, I never would have recognized her. Not only has the name changed, but also the entire décor and charter program. Koi still has all the great spaces and features that made her so wonderful for charter, but she’s been refit with a dark, sleek, contemporary interior. She also now has zero-speed stabilizers and is staffed with an international crew led by longtime charter Capt. Paul Deeth.
“The current owners just took over last week,” Deeth told me as we sat on the aft deck in early December 2011. “It was the previous owners who did the refit. They stripped the wood to bare, made it look like mahogany, and brought in all new furnishings. They kept her in the South Pacific, too. But now, this is her first time in the Caribbean, and summer 2012 will be her first season in the Mediterranean.”
Deeth will be available to perform charters on request, alternating duties at the helm with Capt. Jason Truman, who serves as first officer when Deeth is onboard. The new owners have never had a yacht before, so they are new to chartering and working their program out with Deeth’s experienced help.
Koi will continue to take eight or nine guests in four cabins. The master has a king-size bed, two of the cabins have queen-size beds, and one cabin has twin beds plus a bunk-style Pullman berth. I slept in that Pullman when I was onboard in Fiji, and quite honestly I was just fine. It’s big enough for a young adult or teenager who doesn’t mind climbing up every night and sharing a bathroom with two other guests.
The lowest weekly base rate to charter Koi in the Caribbean has been set at $72,500. Fraser Yachts Worldwide is the management company, and any reputable charter broker can 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.
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
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
Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon
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
