Saga Boy Too

Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina

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

DJ Parker has been a leader in the charter industry since 1980. She is currently president of the American Yacht Charter Association. E-mail DJ

Saga Boy Too

First Impression: Saga Boy Too

Date toured: November 2008

November 2009 update: Capt. Paul tells us that Saga Boy Too is now offering six free rendezvous dives per guest, or a free charter for one child 16 and younger on bookings of four adults or more, for the winter 2009-10 season in the Virgin Islands.

Saga Boy Too is a 57-foot sailing catamaran that was built in 1995 and has been chartering in the Grenadines for more than a decade. The winter 2008-09 season was her first in the British Virgin Islands, where the owner moved the boat in the hope of getting more charter business.
   Capt. Paul Johnson and chef Melissa Murphy—both captains by licensing standards—had been on the boat about six months at the time I met them. Previously, they worked onboard Moorings boats in St. Lucia. She told me that her specialties include Mediterranean and Thai food, with some favorite dishes being herb-rubbed pork tenderloin and Granny’s chocolate mousse. (“It’s all cream, no cognac.”)
   The yacht is promoted as taking as many as eight guests, but the pair told me that three couples with two children is ideal because one of the four guest cabins has bunk-style upper-and-lower berths.
   “We are good with kids, too,” Murphy quickly added. “As long as they’re water safe, they’re welcome. Age isn’t really our determining factor. Some kids can swim at 4, others not until they’re 10.”
   Saga Boy Too feels different from a lot of other sailing catamarans because she has a whitewash interior that creates the ambience of a seaside beach house (see the photograph above). Personally, I liked it.
   The yacht is part of the fleet at CharterPortBVI. Weekly rates range from $12,500 to $16,500 depending on the number of guests aboard. Any reputable charter broker can help you book a vacation or tell you more.—Kim Kavin