First Impression: Victoria

Date toured: November 2008

The 48-foot Swan sailing yacht Victoria is what is known in the Caribbean as a “honeymoon charter yacht.” That’s because she takes just two guests at a time, with a husband-and-wife team of owner-operators on hand to cater to the happy couple’s every need and desire.

                Victoria is a 1975 build that looks at least 20 years newer, in great part thanks to the hard work of her owner-operators, both of whom worked as quality-control supervisors for Chrysler before buying their dream yacht and moving to the land of sun and sand. Their never-failing maintenance won Victoria the title of “Best Maintained Swan” at the builder’s annual rendezvous in February 2008, an honor that makes Victoria a classic not just in age, but also in style.

                The boat went into charter for the first time in 2007, and the couple performed six charters between then and the time when I got aboard a year later. At least one of those clients has already booked again for 2009, at the all-inclusive weekly rate of $6,900.

                Also worth noting is that Martha Cabada, one half of Victoria’s owner-operator team, took home the “best in show” prize for cooking at the annual Tortola charter show in November 2008. It was the first time that she entered, and she was up against yachts whose chefs have far larger and better outfitted galleys. You can learn more about what she cooked in our exclusive interview with her.

                Victoria is part of the fleet at CharterPortBVI. She charters throughout the Virgin Islands and the greater Caribbean. Any reputable charter broker can tell you more.—Kim Kavin