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

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.

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.

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

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

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

March 08, 2010

10 Best Top-Dollar Charter Yachts

Broker Missy Johnston at Northrop and Johnson Worldwide Charters says: “We like Four Wishes, the 144-foot Palmer Johnson motoryacht for 10 guests with Capt. Aaron Clark. Chartering now in the Caribbean, the yacht will be heading for the Mediterranean this coming summer. For $160,000 per week plus expenses and crew gratuity in the Caribbean, and $180,000 per week plus expenses and crew gratuity in the Mediterranean, Four Wishes offers a very good charter value for the quality of crew service and the quality of the yacht manufacturer, especially in the Mediterranean, where the yacht is still pricing in U.S. dollars. We always have repeat charters onboard Four Wishes once the charterer is introduced to this yacht.”

Broker June Montagne in the Fort Lauderdale office of Northrop and Johnson has three suggestions this week. First is the 246-foot motoryacht Leander—“still one of my favorites,” she says—which has been entertaining charter clients since she launched in 1993. Leander’s lowest weekly base rate is €385,000.

Second from Montagne this week is a recommendation for the 235-foot motoryacht Kogo, whose lowest weekly base rate is €476,000. Amenities include zero-speed stabilizers, a helipad, a gymnasium, a steam room, a doctor’s cabin with on-call medical support, and more.

Last this week from Montagne is a suggestion for the 198-foot Feadship motoryacht Blue Moon, which entered the charter market for the first time in late 2009 as one of the most expensive yachts for charter in the history of the renowned Dutch shipyard. Blue Moon’s weekly base rate is $525,000 for 12 guests.

Broker Trina Howes at CharterWorld.com recommends the 136-foot, J-Class sailing yacht Ranger, which she says offers “beautiful, classic style with a fun, friendly and vibrant crew!” Ranger’s lowest weekly base rate is $90,000 for eight to 10 guests.

Fiona Maureso at Peter Insull’s recommends the 161-foot Trinity motoryacht Blind Date, whose lowest weekly base rate is $235,000 for 10 to 12 guests. The yacht launched in late 2009 and offers the only master suite of its kind among other models from the same builder.

President Jennifer Saia of The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals says: “One of the most exciting motoryachts on the worldwide charter scene is the silver-and-black beauty Odessa, a 160-foot Christensen launched in 2009. Odessa was the ‘hit’ of the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show in February 2010. She accommodates up to 12 guests, has an elevator to all decks, a 12-person hot tub, and a 50-inch plasma that deploys from the flying bridge hardtop.” Odessa’s lowest weekly base rate is $240,000.

CharterWave editor Kim Kavin has three suggestions this week. First is the 198-foot CMN motoryacht Cloud 9, which entered the charter market in 2009 with a longtime, well-regarded captain and crew—and which has a forward-thinking waste system aboard that prevents environmental damage to the waters where the yacht cruises. Cloud 9’s lowest weekly base rate is €315,000 per week.

Among top-dollar charter yachts, Kim also likes the 161-foot Trinity motoryacht Destination Fox Harb’r Too, which offers unusual golf-and-charter itineraries in Nova Scotia each summer. Her lowest weekly base rate is $230,000 for 12 guests.

Last this week is a recommendation for the 183-foot Benetti motoryacht Galaxy, whose lowest weekly base rate is €255,000 for 12 guests. Galaxy offers a split-level master suite, an air-conditioned gymnasium on the sundeck, a glass elevator for guests, and an impressive captain, crew and chef who have lots of experience catering to guests who appreciate fine service and cuisine.