First Impression: Julianne

Date toured: June 2007

The 64-foot motoryacht Julianne is an example of a beautifully maintained, moderately priced, entry-level yacht for anyone who wants to try crewed charter without breaking the bank.
     Built in 2002 by the Grand Alaskan company, Julianne has a pedigree that’s known for being sturdy at sea. You may find her exterior to be stodgy-looking compared to many of today’s sleeker designs, but that’s because she’s not meant to race from Point A to Point B on a charter itinerary.
     Instead, Julianne is meant to get safely from Point A to Point B no matter the weather, and to do so comfortably while using a minimum amount of fuel.
     “I spent six years off of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with the U.S. Coast Guard, and I saw plenty of search-and-rescue operations,” Capt. Lyn Hippert told me as we chatted in the yacht's galley. “I can tell you that this boat is seaworthy. The only time I’ve ever pulled back because of weather was because of guest comfort, not the boat itself. Once, the Coast Guard boarded us just to see what we were doing. We were the only boat out, and it was really nasty. We were just going home.”
     Hippert is the only permanent crew member onboard Julianne, and he works with a regular freelancer who is brought onboard to serve as chef and stewardess during charters. They’ve been working together for a year, though Hippert says he’s been working onboard yachts since the 1970s.
     The yacht itself has been in charter for two years, first with the Churchill Yacht Partners fleet and, since April of this year, with The Shipyard Group, a newly formed company in Fort Lauderdale.
     At the time of my tour, Julianne had two charters booked in New England for the summer of 2007—and it’s a good idea to check with a reputable charter broker to see how they turned out before booking your own. In particular, I would ask whether the previous guests found the accommodations comfortable, as the smaller of the two guest cabins shares a bathroom with Hippert and the chef.
     Julianne’s weekly base rate is $12,000 for four guests, or about $3,750 per person with 25-percent expenses included. She’s expected to be in Florida and the Bahamas this winter.—Kim Kavin