First Impression: Extraordinary

Date toured: June 2007

The 63-foot sailing yacht Extraordinary is one of those boats that makes my heart flutter. She just plain looks gorgeous whether she’s sitting at the dock or sailing on fair seas, with her dark blue hull putting a heck of a lot of similar-size boats to shame.
     I was most impressed with her captain, Ian Fagg, who beams with pride when he talks about this yacht the same way a father does when telling you about his firstborn child. This is certainly not Ian’s first command, but it just may be the first one that he truly loves. And it shows. He and his partner, chef/stewardess Nicki Collins, make it their goal to provide service that’s as top-notch as the yacht itself. Extraordinary’s owner demands as much, and gives them a budget to make it happen. That’s important for charter guests to know, since on a lot of other yachts in this size range, you can find owners who skimp a bit around the corners to save a buck.
     The master cabin onboard this yacht (shown in the photograph below) is quite fabulous, located all the way at the back of the boat with its own en suite bathroom and its own stairway for access. It is separated from the rest of the boat’s living spaces by the galley and main saloon , so once you’re tucked away for the night, you should feel like you are truly in your own little quiet corner of the world.
     There are two other guest cabins onboard, both of them all the way at the front of the yacht. One has a double bed and the other has upper-lower bunks. You can choose either one of these cabins—say the double if you’re with another couple, or the bunks if you’re traveling with children—but note that no matter which forward cabin you select, the guests sleeping there will share a bathroom with the crew. They use whichever cabin you decide not to use.
     That’s really the only quibble I have with the design of this yacht for charter, as she is in excellent condition for a 2000 build and is really quite beautiful inside and out. She sails well, too, making eight to ten knots in good conditions.
     And note that sailing is the main event during a charter onboard Extraordinary; she doesn’t carry a whole slew of water toys. She’s for people who want to cruise in comfort and style, perhaps taking a nap in the on-deck hammock once the boat drops anchor for the night in a starry cove.
     Extraordinary’s base rate is $15,500 per week for four guests, or about $4,800 per person with typical 25-percent expenses factored in. She’s part of the fleet at Nicholson Yachts. Contact any reputable charter broker for more information.—Kim Kavin