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

 

 

 

 

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Koo PDF Print E-mail

charter yacht Koo main salonFirst Impression: Koo

 

Date toured: December 2011


Koo is a 140-foot Vitters sailing yacht that originally launched in 2002 as African Queen. She’s had several owners since then and has gone by the names Red Dragon and Vent D’est. Her current owner took possession in April 2011 and, I was told during my tour, is the first to put her seriously into the charter market.

He hired a crew with some serious charter experience, including Capt. Brendon Crawford, who previously spent more than six years as chief mate aboard the popular charter yacht Tiara. The rest of the crew also have popular charter yachts on their resumes: Chief Engineer Mark Critchley was aboard Windrose, Chief Mate Jeremy Quince was with Mirabella V, Chef Nick Paterson was aboard Big Aron, Chief Stewardess Katerina Poljak came from Atlantica, and Deckhand/Stewardess Lydia Thomson was aboard Mirabella III. All of those yachts have excellent reputations for charter, and the combined skills of this crew should be noteworthy.

Koo herself looked lovely to me, very well kept as she approaches her tenth birthday. Her mahogany interior is rich and warm, and it remains stylish because of its classic design.

Eight guests are accommodated in four cabins, including an oversized master suite that includes a king-size bed and private office with an oversized twin bed inside. It’s an ideal spot for a supernumerary such as a security guard or nanny. The other three cabins all have double beds.

The crew aboard Koo told me that they love to sail and know how to make the boat move at fun speeds. They’re preparing to compete in the St. Barth’s Bucket with the owner onboard, and while the yacht is not available for racing charters, their freewheeling spirit will remain onboard with guests who want to push the wind.

Koo is expected to be in the Caribbean this winter with summer availability to be determined. The lowest weekly base rate is $100,000, and the management company is Camper and Nicholsons International. Any reputable charter broker can tell you more or help you book a week onboard.—Kim Kavin