 Date toured: November 2006
Eric and Jacque Stahl are the kind of couple you hope and pray will succeed in boating. They have smarts, ambition, and a terrific way with people—not to mention a pretty great boat.
They arrived onboard Tachyon by way of Eric’s classes at the University of Colorado, where he was studying for his master’s degree in business administration. He had to write a business plan for any potential company of his choosing, and he thought back to a “learn to sail” course he and Jacque (pronounced Jack) had really enjoyed. From there, they learned about the charter business and wrote a business plan for buying and running a sailing yacht of their own.
Much searching on the docks and a few investors later, the couple are onboard Tachyon, their 47-foot sailing catamaran. It previously was part of the fleet at The Moorings, where it was used for Signature Vacations (with a professional captain, so the boat is better maintained than full-on bareboats). Tachyon is not only in beautiful condition, but also is arranged with three equal-size cabins—which makes it ideal for three couples who want to split the bill.
Eric will act as captain, with Jacque serving as mate/stewardess/chef. She can handle the yacht by herself in an emergency, having grown up sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and later racing M-20s with Eric in his native Colorado. She’s also good to have around should any health problems arise, as Jacque is pre-med with aspirations of becoming an OB-GYN.
“We want to try this now, before we have mortgages and a family,” as Eric put it. “I would rather try this and have it go down in flames than to look back in 20 years and say ‘woulda, shoulda, coulda.’”
Like I said, they’re just the kind of couple you hope and pray will succeed. And thy have a good shot with their all-inclusive high-season weekly rate in the Virgin Islands of $9,400 for two guests ($4,700 per person), $11,100 (2,775 per person) for four guests, and $12,300 ($2,050 per person) for six guests.
Tachyon is with Regency Charter Services.—Kim Kavin
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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
Michael Sawyer of Infinity Yacht Charters has unique access to charter yachts and crew from Alaska to Mexico. Contact Michael.
Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon
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.
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.
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
