First Impression: Celtic Dawn

Date toured: May 2007

Some yachts simply scream “built for two families to split the bill.” The 102-foot motoryacht Celtic Dawn is one of these, with spacious master and VIP cabins that two paying couples can enjoy while plunking their respective broods into the twin-bed cabins onboard.
     Celtic Dawn is a 2003 build that started life as Putty V. She got her third owner in September 2006. He is the first to put her into charter, and she looks as if she has barely been used. Capt. Wayne Jones, who showed me around, came onboard in February 2007 following work as both a captain and a chef onboard 70-foot yachts. He’s a charming Brit who made me feel instantly welcome, much like the yacht herself.
     Jones especially likes Celtic Dawn’s sundeck (see photo below), which is devoted to guest use thanks to a separate garage that houses tenders one level below. 
     “It’s great for the guests because we don’t have any toys on this deck,” he explains. “And inside, it’s nice because the boat is not overly decorated. There’s no big owner’s gold mirror and leopard-skin-you-know-what staring at you.”
     Given that two of Celtic Dawn’s other three permanent crew are experienced in charter as well, the yacht should offer a comfortable vacation experience when she becomes available this August and September in the South of France. The captain says they bring on an additional, fifth crew member for charters so as to ensure proper service for up to eight charter guests. That’s a good sign that they will live up to their resumes.
     As always—and especially with a new crew like this one, no matter how nice the boat appears at first blush—I recommend working with a reputable charter broker to check the yacht’s references before booking.
    Celtic Dawn’s lowest weekly base rate is $55,000 a week, or about $8,600 per person with 25-percent expenses included. She is part of the fleet at De Valk.—Kim Kavin