First Impression: Gale Winds

Date toured: October 2007

I caught up with the 112-foot Westport motoryacht Gale Winds at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where she was for sale at a price tag just shy of $9.4 million. As of this writing, the 2006 build was still on the market—and thus still available for charter from the same owner.
     That’s a good thing, I think, based on what I saw during my tour with David Lacz of management company Bartram & Brakenhoff, along with mate Trevor Mulkey. The latter is one of four permanent crew members, who also include the captain, chef, and chief stewardess. A second, freelance stewardess is brought onboard for charters, to ensure an appropriate level of service for the eight guests that Gale Winds takes.
     The yacht had done about 18 charters during the 17 months before I saw her, according to my tour guides, and she didn’t look overused to me at all. She was in nice condition, perhaps because she’s known as a family boat more than a rowdy playhouse on the water.
     “It’s not known as a big party boat,” Mulkey told me. “We do some fishing—we tow a 25-foot Regulator—but we’re a family boat for sure.”
     One of the nice features for families chartering is that Gale Winds has a large, country kitchen-style galley with seating for casual meals (see the photo at right). That means the kids can eat in the galley while adults enjoy more elegant service in the main dining room or outdoor dining areas.
     Another nice feature is the yacht’s two-level sundeck. Up highest is the bar and barbecue area, while a few steps down are the hot tub and sunpads. Again, guests can have their own private space during charter.
     Also on the sundeck, Gale Winds has a 60-inch, fold-down, flat-screen television that is smartly placed beneath the hard top—intended to actually let you see the pictures on the screen while outdoors, even in bright Caribbean sunshine. I can’t vouch for that, as it was pouring rain during my tour, but it looked like a good setup to me.
     Gale Winds charters at a weekly base rate of $62,000, plus expenses. Contact any reputable charter broker to learn more.—Kim Kavin