 First Impression: Ashlana
Date toured: June 2009
The day I stepped aboard Ashlana was about as rainy and dark as they get in Newport, Rhode Island. Summer had not yet arrived, and the general pall cast a shadow over the harbor that made it feel like a chore to climb aboard and inspect charter yachts. The smaller ones, especially, felt really gloomy inside from a lack of natural light.
Then came Ashlana. My mood brightened tremendously.
This 53-foot Little Harbor sailing yacht was originally built in 1992 as the personal boat of Ted Hood, a legendary designer in marine circles. The current owners are her fourth, having purchased her in 2006. They also might be the ideal owners for this particular yacht, given all the upkeep required for the extensive amount of cherry and teak woodwork inside. Capt. Tom Hampson, you see, previously was a custom furniture builder and fine woodworker. His longtime dedication to the craft explains why Ashlana, at nearly two decades old, looks nearly brand-new inside.
“They really don’t make ’em like this anymore,” chef Christie MacConnell told me. And she’s right.
Ashlana takes two or four guests. There are three cabins, two in the forward part of the yacht and one aft. The forward cabins have a queen bed that tapers at one end (see photo at right) and a set of bunk-style upper-lower berths, and those two cabins share a bathroom. The aft cabin has two full-size beds with its own bathroom. Hampson and MacConnell will take any one of the three cabins you wish, depending on the makeup of your charter party.
The yacht offered a creative pricing structure during the summer 2009 season, scheduling Friday-to-Sunday long-weekend charters at a reduced rate compared with the regular weekly base price. Ask any reputable charter broker to talk with you about options and pricing for the current season, or contact Nicholson Yachts, which markets Ashlana for charter.—Kim Kavin
|
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
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
