Zingara

Gertrud Annevelink's many years of charter experience are your free local knowledge. E-mail Gertrud

Michael Sawyer of Infinity Yacht Charters has unique access to charter yachts and crew from Alaska to Mexico. Contact Michael.

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

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

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.

Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon

Liz Howard joined Fraser Yachts as a charter broker in 2002 after more than 15 years in the maritime industry. E-mail Liz.

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

Zingara

Date toured: November 2006

Zingara was a sparkling brand-new yacht when I stepped onboard, built and launched into the charter market in early 2006. At 76 feet long, she’s also one of the bigger sailing catamarans available for charter in the Caribbean, whether you want to cruise among the Virgin Islands or head south toward the Grenadines.
The yacht’s layout makes her ideal for five couples to split the bill, though one couple will enjoy the larger master cabin with king-size bed off the main saloon. The other cabins all have queen-size beds, some of which convert to twin berths if you have children instead of couples. That’s a terrific feature for accommodating multiple kinds of charter parties.
Captain Mark Wehrley comes from a career of working onboard larger charter and private yachts in the Mediterranean, experience that bodes well for the level of service that will be offered onboard Zingara. At the very least, guests are sure to enjoy the on-deck hot tub—a rare treat onboard a sailing catamaran.
Zingara is part of the fleet at CharterPort BVI. The weekly rate is $41,360 for two to six guests; $41, 745 for seven guests; and $42,900 for 10 guests (about $4,300 per person with a full boat).
At the time of this writing, a special introductory rate was offered including a 10-percent discount for you, the client, along with a 20-percent commission for your charter broker. (See my recent blog posting about that practice.) The discount was being promoted for any charter booked before December 31, 2006, even if the trip itself was to take place after that date.—Kim Kavin