First Impression: Margaux

Date toured: November 2006

There are several yachts available for charter right now that go by the name Margaux. This one is the 54-foot sailing yacht built by the Jenneau company in 2004.
     The yacht’s current owner bought her in November 2005 and spent that year doing seven charters for friends and business associates with chef Vicki Woodill (who makes a mean mango cheesecake, which I tasted to great delight during the annual St. Thomas charter yacht show).
     In 2006, Margaux’s owner decided to offer the yacht for proper charters in the Virgin Islands. He serves as captain, making this an owner-operated boat. That can seem a little strange if the owner doesn’t understand that his job is to put guest needs first, but this particular owner, Steve Rees, has a reputation among longtime, reputable charter brokers as the kind of guy who gets the job done right.
     Margaux herself is in beautiful shape, with a large cockpit seating area (see photo at right, where Rees is seated at far left) that should comfortably accommodate all six guests. “It’s the perfect boat for a six-pack,” Rees told me, using the industry lingo for a group of six charter guests. “It’s everything it needs to be and nothing more.”
     Like all Jenneau 54s, Margaux has a master stateroom up front that converts into two separate cabins that make taking six guests at a time possible. I personally feel more comfortable in the cabin when it’s left open as a proper master, meaning only four guests could charter at once. Your personal tastes may vary, and any reputable charter broker can help you sort out your options.
     Margaux is part of the fleet at CharterPortBVI. Her inclusive weekly rate for four guests starts at $7,000, and her inclusive rate for six guests starts at $8,500, or about $1,400 per person before crew gratuity is included.—Kim Kavin