You never know who you might run into when on a November flight to Paradise - Santa Claus!

This Thanksgiving my whole family is spending it our favorite tropical Paradise.  Ann Marie and I got upgraded to first class and were settling in for another pleasant flight to our next sun-filled adventure.  As I am settling in to my cushy seat a man walked by me headed for the cockpit.  From just a fleeting glance he had a long white beard, white hair, a tropical shirt that had Santas on surfboards all over it, and shorts and flip-flops.  He was at least 70 years old and certainly had the belly that one would expect from Santa. 

As I watched him enter the cockpit, the pilots welcomed him as a long lost friend, and “Santa” took over the pilot’s seat and fooled around with the controls a bit.  The jet engines fired up and there was more conversation with the pilots and this man who was a dead ringer for “Jolly Old St. Nick”.  He said his goodbyes to the pilots and walked back past me to his seat.  This time I got a good look at his face and his spectacles that rested on his nose.

I got out of my seat and followed him to his seat.  Seated next to him was Mrs. Claus!!!  I was blown away at my good fortune to finally personally meet Santa and his wife.  I kneeled down in the isle and asked if I could speak with him for a moment.  I asked him, “Are you who I think you are?”  He said, “If you think you are talking with Santa, you are correct!”  What an unforgettable moment I was about to have.

There was a whole series of questions that I just blurted out.  The jist of it is that I learned he starts the logistics of his annual trip over 30 days before his sleigh fide on Christmas Eve night.  He and Mrs. Claus were on their way to the spot where they launch their annual adventuer and I happened to on the SAME airplane.  The conversation he was having with the pilots was to let them know they may be seeing some UFOs on their radar screens about a month from now, but not to worry.

We ended our conversation with him asking me some questions.  He started out with the tyical, “Have you been naughty or nice stuff?”  I let him know that he would have to ask my family and friends their opinion of that question.  We both laughed and he then asked if I would sit on his knee and let him know my favorite wish for Christmas.  It got a bit complicated when I started off on the topic of solving world hunger, clean drinking water for everyone, and world peace with every national leader being a woman since they never start wars. 

He interrupted me and asked if there was something just for me that I might want him to drop off when he visits our home.  I had to think a moment or two.  There is actually nothing I need in my life.  I am blessed beyond measure.  But, I did come up with a small request.  My earring that I have had since I sailed across the equator in 1997 broke a few weeks ago, so I let him know that it would be nice to find a new one.  He said,  “I will do what I can to find the perfect replacement and drop it off on my way by Christmas Eve.”  WOW! 

We ended our conversation with him thanking me for taking a few moments to chat, and his final words were, “Never stop counting your blessings, and never stop sharing them with others”  I promised I would and we said goodbye.  On Christmas Eve night, I will be waiting all night for his arrival so we can check in with each other again.  This was the most unforgettable Thanksgiving moment I have had in memory - meeting the real Santa Claus! 

We are sending you our best wishes as you spend time with your family and friends counting your blessings.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be just once a year.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty!

Flagship is actually the indispensible link between the charter yacht Crews and the charter vacation yacht Brokers.

Who is Flagship?  Flagship  was originally HomePort.  Then Flagship was purchased by the Virgin Islands Charter Yacht League in the late 1980’s, and has grown to be one of the premier clearing houses in the Caribbean.  Flagship, Inc. is operated, not by an owner, but by a volunteer Board of Governors comprised of working yacht owners and Captains. All members of the Board of Governors are members of the Virgin Islands Charter Yacht League  (VICL). VICL is a non-profit agency whose mission is to promote tourism in the Caribbean through promotion of crewed chartered yacht vacations.

What is a Clearinghouse?  A yacht clearinghouse is the primary link between you and the charter brokers. Your clearinghouse keeps your calendar along with the all the rate, specifications and other details about your yacht and your crew. We provide that information to the charter brokers. Think of us as your “on the spot” information services. We will distribute your information to charter yacht brokers on our two websites - one for in house details and one a non-contact source for brokers to use in marketing. We also keep your information up to date on Central Yacht Agent, Book A Yacht and the CDI Guide.

Flagship is also your secretarial and mail service. We track receipt of contracts and preference sheets and will fax or email to you (at no charge) regardless of your location. We offer faxes, photo copies, scanner, computers (with DSL or dial up for your laptop), telephones and filing of your electronic Notice of Departures/Arrivals for your US based pickups/dropoffs. Flagship stays current on all regulations that apply to YOUR business and make it our business to keep you on top of all current regulations in the USVI, BVI and down island. Our friendly staff is on hand to assist you with any information you need to help keep YOUR business professional and profitable.

Calendar Desk Functionality:  Our personnel strive to stay knowledgeable of our yachts, their accommodations and their crews. We maintain up-to-the-minute calendars on each yacht as well as current yacht and crew information sheets. Our information is only as current as what your provide us.

The Charter Owners/Crews would not be able to replace the services that Flagship provides them.  If they had to, it would require them adding an entire layer of staff, which would be cost prohibitive.  Flagship is managed by Sue Maki  and her amazing team of Josey and Elizabeth.  Please contact me if you have any further questions about Flagship, or if you would like to explore what it would be like to have your charter yacht become a member of this important service organization for the Owners/Crews of the charter yacht industry.

Recently I asked the Owners/Crew of s/v Three Moons, Randy and Shelly,  to write down their observations of what happens with a charter guest as they enter into the unfamiliar experience of a Caribbean charter yacht vacation.  Enjoy their response to my question.

So, let’s see if we can get into the mind of a first time charter yacht guest.  “I wonder if I will get sea sick during this vacation on a boat?  How much sunscreen will I need?  Will I really like being in such a small space for a week?  Do I need to be worried about safety issues - both on the boat and when I am ashore?  What about bug-bites?  Are the promotional photos really representative of the boat and the color of the water?  Do the fish bite if I get in the water?  What about sharks and barracuda?  Will I have enough to eat and drink, and will it be good food? I really hope I find the beautiful post card beaches, swaying palm trees, azure blue waters, some local culture and everything that embodies the “good life”.  But, will it really happen for me, or was this a bad choice for a vacation?”

The guests stayed over night at Secret Harbor Resort on Friday night, and they are now walking down the dock Saturday at noon at American Yacht Harbor, after eating breakfast at Molly Malone’s, and they see their crew for the first time.  “Well, they look friendly enough, but what is a Captain supposed to look like? They appear a bit young for this work.  WOW!  They really are nice and they even know my name.  I walked aboard our floating home for the next week, and they already have Tropical drinks waiting me.  I can’t believe they asked me to take off my shoes before I climbed on board.  Why did I buy “deck shoes” if I am required to be barefoot on the boat?  We have a brief crew meeting where the safety issues of a charter yacht are discussed and I learn where the life preservers are located.  This is very important information I need to remember.  And, I learn that whatever I want to happen on this vacation may really happen.  Another WOW!  I hope it does.

“Next, I have a tour of the boat and I am directed to my bedroom, and I am given instructions regarding the use of the toilet called a head.  I learn that the shower actually works, even though it is in the same space as the toilet.  I am actually surprised at how efficient space planning is on a yacht.  The storage locker for my clothes is pretty small for all the stuff I brought.  As I meander back up to the deck, what awaits me are some beautifully prepared appetizers before we shove off for Norman Island.  Another WOW!  I am being swept away with the reality that my Crew is taking all the vacation hassles away so I can just stay in the moment of Paradise for seven days. I haven’t taken my watch off yet, because it is always important to know what time it is.  I wonder where I will be able to read a book since the boat is always rocking?  Boy, I hope this vacation works out O.K.?

“What I am discovering within the first few hours is that the Caribbean Sea is allowing me to dump all of my typical daily “baggage” for just a few days.  I am starting to realize that there may be some remarkable thoughts that I will hang with for a moment or two during my Caribbean sailing adventure.  I didn’t realize that the need to feel cared for is such an important part of the experience I have been secretly craving,  since my “real world” expects ME to always do the caring.”

We, in the charter vacation industry understand this is not the typical vacation experience most people have.  AND… it is the one we deliver to each of our charter guests every moment of everyday.  In the past eleven years of having our charter yacht business, we’ve discovered that our guests are not just looking for the 5-star service and quality of a vacation.  They are actually looking to be more in the “moment” each day, and have an “extraordinary experience” of pampering and discovering new adventures during their time away from there personal rat race.  Anything less yields just the same old run-of-the-mill vacation where we’ve all said the following: “We went, we saw and we can check that one off our list.”   A really devoted charter yacht crew realizes the importance of having an awareness of what is going on around them without having to be told about anyone’s needs. A good charter is not complete without a crew that intuitively anticipates what you need before you realize that you need it, or even better, they know right before their guests even ask for something.

Here is what we deliver for every charter guest…the realization that your Crew is delivering an extraordinary experience, from their hearts, in order to create another raving fan for the Caribbean sailing experience.  99.9% of our guests say, “I didn’t expect it to be this nice!” Later on it’s another comment that we hear,  “Boy, you guys work hard, yet you make it look so easy”.  Or, “Wow! How did you find enough time to prepare an appetizer, meal and dessert like that when we were all out doing water sports together this afternoon?”  Other funny comments are: “Are you guys’ psychic?  As I got out of the water, you were there to hand me a towel and my favorite drink”.

We have to admit that some of our charters are just “vanilla” and others are “double decadent fudge chocolate” topped with a dose of pure joy.  We can honestly say after eleven years and hundreds of charter guests, we’ve only had two guests who really would have been happier at a resort or on a crowded cruise ship.  Lucky for us, we have had wonderful mentors in this business. Everyday we are part of a very large “village” of Crews from all different backgrounds, many different countries, many levels of experience,  who are willing to offer their advice and support. The collective commitment of all charter vacation Crews is to deliver to their charter guests the BEST experience of their entire life.  Extraordinary experiences are what makes a Caribbean charter yacht vacation so special.  Because of the experience we deliver to them each day, 80% of our charters are returning guests!  Most of our charters are now like “family reunions”.  We invite you to experience a transforming moment on a charter yacht vacation, too!  We have never found one person who wants a charter yacht vacation to end.  And all of our guests start planning when they can return for another unforgettable Caribbean sailing experience, before their charter vacation with us is even over!  It is very hard work.  There are times we are actually tired.  And, we love our charter career so much, that we can’t wait for our next guests to arrive, in what we call “Paradise”!   Fair winds until we meet again…and I know we will.   Captain Randy & Shelly Tucker - s/y Three Moons

The Boat Show is over, and today the Crews and a few of the Brokers started their day relaxing at the Yacht Haven Grande pool and some even moved the party on to Secret Harbor Resort beach.

Yes, there was an after-party today!  Many of the Crews have charters that start on Saturday, so they had one more day to relax before they started their provisioning details.  Since their yachts are all charter-ready, it gave them one more day to relax and enjoy the time off before their real work begins - six to seven months of hosting charter guests.  And, some of the Brokers are stay an extra day or two, since they are already on-island.  The day started pool-side at Yacht Haven Grande, and then transitioned in the afternoon to Secret Harbor.

Since many of the charters will be starting this Saturday at American Yacht Harbor, it made sense to move to the Red Hook side of the island for the rest of the after-party.  Secret Harbor is the perfect location for any party.  Even some floaties showed up so cocktails could be consumed while sunning in the water.  There even was some fun happening at the outdoor showers.

The sunset set with more goodbyes, and some were even planning on participating in Jonny and Meredith’s wedding tomorrow.  Remember them?  they are the adorable crew from s/y Conundrum.  Yes, they have been planning a wedding for months so it coincided with the Boat Show.  That way their family and friends could fly down for the wedding, and all of their very special Crew friends could join them, too.

The light started to dim and we watched another glorious Caribbean sunset.  The “Charter Gang” started to dispurse for the actual start of another very successful charter yacht season.  And, the mantra we talked about several times today that many are now going to post in their crew quarters to read each morning when they get up to face another day of customer service is;

“Today I will declare a commitment to a result that has no present evidence of possibilities.  Let’s make miracles happen today!”

Fari winds to all, as your Boat Show internet reporter signs off until November 8th - 11th, 2009 at next year’s VICL Boat Show!  Contact me  any time with updates on your adventures.  I will glad to post them for all to read.

Almost a year of planning, blood, sweat, and some tears went into producing one the best Boat Shows VICL has presented.  It takes an army of people and sponsors/ vendors to pull it off. A sincere thanks to all of them!

What a Boat Show!  Now for the list of “credits”.  I know there are many more contributors I may have missed.  If you are one of them, please contact  me  and I will be sure to add you to the list.  The Boat Show Stars were actually all the Crews and Yachts that dazzle our charter guest all season and make the Brokers proud of the businesses they are in.  The “Charter Life”  may not always be easy, but it is certainly fun and very satisfying when you see your clients’ smile from ear to ear because of the experience delivered to them on their most unforgettable vacation - a crewed yacht charter vacation in the Caribbean.  Fair winds to all of you.

Presenters & Honored Guests - In Order Of Appearance

• Erik Ackerson - VICL Director
• VICL Board of Directors:
• President Mike Calhoun…s/v Southern Comfort
• Vice President Franz Gradler…s/v Hanalei Bay
• Secretary Kevin Mare…s/v Instant Karma
• Vince Stracener…s/v Drumbeat 1
• Brian Johnson…s/v Sublime
• Gordon Monsen…s/v Liberte’
• Sue Maki, Gen.Mgr. Flagship - New Broker Seminars
• Charter Chef Ashley Lynn Hotchkiss
• Bill Canfield St Thomas Yacht Club
  Lt. Cmdr. Tim Grant U.S. Coast Guard
• Gov. John deJongh
• Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis
• Senator Louis Hill
• Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson Doty
• Lt. CMDR. Tim Grant - USCG
• Director Mel Vanterpool Homeland Security
• Mike Fitzsimmons (Maritime Law) 

Sponsors & Vendors

• Yacht Haven Grande
• Flagship
• Treasure Hunt Grand Prize - Donated By Owen & Mary - s/v Fidelity
• The Workbench Limited at Virgin Gorda Marina
• Frenchmen’s Reef Resort Hotel
• Budget Marine
• Hooters
• Premier Wine and Spirits
• Bad Ass Coffee
• Southern Trades
• V.I. Wine Wholesale
• Gourmet Gallery
• CharterPort - Boat Show’s Virtual Office
• The Real Estate Center
• Dolphin Cove Resort
• Fat Turtle
• Bellows International
• V.I. Dept. of Tourism
• Yacht Haven Grande
• ONDECK Racing
• Theodore Tunick and Company
• CYBA
• Paradise Point
• The Pirate’s Chest at Paradise Point
• Reefco
• Marshall Islands Yacht Registry
• A.H.Riise,
  Island Marine Outfitters
• Virgin Islands Canvas
• Custom Canvas and Sails, Inc.
• High Tech Water Sports
• The Pegasus Group
• Caribbean Islands Realty  - Internet Reporting

How about a traditional Caribbean/Hawaiian Luau as the final night’s celebration of this year’s Boat Show?  What a great night of old and new friends saying farewell!

 Bare feet, flip-flops, colorful shirts and dresses, and even some plastic leis!!!  ( I did hear some say they got “leid” at the Luau.  I am not quiet sure what they meant.)  The 2008 Boat Show’s final night of celebrations was highlighted by a sense of great accomplishment of the VICL Boat Show committee and Director Erik as the stars!  The ingredient for a GREAT party is good food, more than enough to drink, and awesome music.  Tonight has it all!

 The headline entertainment tonight was Ras Abijah & Friends!  The scoop on Abijah is a reggae voice with positive messages: modern and distinctive, but steeped in Reggae’s tradition, drawing on R&B, roots, soul and world flavors.  His international flair is an example of the flamenco-tinged musical influence of his music.  Jamaicans have given Abijah his moniker “Ambassador of Peace” for his work promoting One Love philosophies before thousands of Caribbean kids.  He has even performed at Harvard and Oxford Universities.

The real deal tonight was the fun relationships with the Crews and charter yacht Brokers as they expand their connections for the 2008-2009 charter season.  There are charter yachts whose season has been guaranteed because of their success at the VICL Boat Show.  In every industry the cream rises to the top, and this show had the best of the fleet as participants.  A quote that has stayed with me for years is…

 “Let my boat of life be light,  packed with only what I need - a homely place to stay and simple pleasures,  a few friends worth the name,  someone to love and someone to love me,  a cigar or two,  enough to eat and enough to wear,  and a little more than enough to drink,  for a thirst is a dangerous thing.”   - Jerome Klapka Jerome

This may be the mantra for many who are living the sailing life in the Caribbean.  It is such a pleasure to be a part of community that is supporting the success of the charter yacht vacation experience.  I look forward to my next time with all of the Crews and Brokers.  And…I have heard rumors that there is an after-the-Boat-Show pool party tomorrow at the Yacht Haven Grande swimming pool.  I assure you that the Crews are glad the focus is off of them, and they are excited to begin another charter season.  In my conversations with many of the Crews, they hope the Brokers enjoyed the previews of their “floating villas”.  My guess is you will hear from me tomorrow from the pool party…until then,  FAIR WINDS  as many of you are heading back to your homes and families.  What you have experienced with my articles regarding the Boat Show has only been from my eyes.  I welcome any other articles and photos that you may send to me and I will post them for the charter vacation yacht crowd to see.

Who says that the charter industry is just for the young energetic sailing entrepreneurs?  You are about to meet two crews still showing the charter industry that age and a young heart are still the best combo!

So, did you stop by and spend time with s/v Fidelity  and s/v Glory  at the show?  If not, before they leave the docks tomorrow, make sure you meet Captain David from s/v Glory and Captain Owen and Chef Mary from s/v Fidelity.  Bring a pad of paper and be prepared to glean some GREAT STUFF from these “old salt” crews that have contributed so much to the charter yacht industry over the years.

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, every charter yacht has a “story”, and Captain David Kummerle from s/v Glory is one of a kind.  He was born and raised in Mount Vernon, NY and grew up with boats.  After graduating from State University of New York in 1965, he moved to St. Croix “for a year or two”.  He taught high school there in science and art for nine years, SCUBA diving for two years, owned and operated several businesses.  Well, the two years have turned into over 40 years!

Within two years of moving to St. Croix, David bought a 30′ yawl as a bare hull. He completed the boat and logged more than 10,000 miles in the Caribbean. David then logged another 7000 miles racing and cruising a variety of his own and other people’s boats. “I know the United States and British Virgin Islands quite intimately” says David. “Besides printer’s ink, I guess I have boats and saltwater in my veins.”

David bought s/v Glory in 1987 as a home for him and his daughter with chartering as something to consider in the future.  Well his daughter grew up and moved away a new adventure of creating a charter yacht business was staring him the face, and he went for the gusto!  David’s reputation is as a “sailor’s sailor”.  Glory is a 3-PAX, and David is the Captain and the Chef.  Also, if you want to learn how to sail, this is the charter for you!  He is a Master sailing instructor, too.  David is probably one of the longest standing members of the Charter League and someone that all of can learn from.  Please meet him.  I promise you will enjoy every moment!

Then there is Captain Owen Jones and Chef Mary Jones of s/v Fidelity.  Even though Owen and Mary are member of “old salt” charter yacht society, you will be hard pressed to keep up with either of them.  So, I walk up to Owen and the second or third sentences out of his mouth was, “So, a man was telling his neighbor, “I just bought a new hearing aid.  It cost me $4,000, and its the state-of-the-art of hearing aids. It’s the best one I have ever had.”  So, the neighbor replied, “Really…what kind is it?”  The man said, “Twelve thirty!”   Do you now get a sense of what you are in for with Owen and Mary?  They have the warmest hearts, and they love to laugh.  Plus, they are incredible sailors and charter yacht owners.

Mary and Owen had been really quite ordinary people before deciding to live their dream of living the sailing life full time.  He was a university professor and Mary an employment manager at the same place of higher education. They retired and traveled the world for ten years with sailing as a major part of those adventures in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Mary and Owen now own s/v Fidelity, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45.2, with the best of all configurations… three staterooms with three cabin-accessible heads. Over the past five years they have sailed her all over the British, U.S. and Spanish Virgin Islands as well as down-island through St. Maarten, Antigua, Montserrat and Dominica, and completing their island-chain sailing experience through St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Grenada.  Booking s/v Fidelity for charter vacation adventure is not to be missed.  You see, age is still in your mind and heart.  You have just met two crews that may be in the “old salt” charter yacht society, but you will never believe it by hanging with them for a day or a week. 

OK, so we all better get cleaned up and ready for the Hawaiian Luau awaiting us tonight on the great lawn of Yacht Haven Grande.  I learned that shoes are even optional.  Barefoot, or flip-flops are my choice of foot attire.  See you there!

Every charter yacht attending this Boat Show is quietly saying, “Pick me as your favorite charter yacht to promote to your charter guests who book vacations this next season!” 

Whether you hear those words this week or not, that is the reason why every detail has been attended to on each yacht so it is presented in it’s best possible condition.  And you will notice that the crews look very sharp in their charter yacht “uniforms”.   Some of the crews are new to this game called “a Boat Show”.  So, VICL Director Erik  and your Board of Directors took the time to provide each of the crews a suggested action list in preparation for a successful Boat Show.  Randy and Shelly from Three Moons  just passed this list on to me for your enjoyment.  You will not believe what each of the crews have gone through to make sure their yacht sparkles and shines.  Here is the crew’s suggested action list.

“First impressions at each Boat Show are critical.  One charter yacht show does not a successful season make; a bad show appearance can hurt you for this season and seasons to come!  Here are our best suggestions from years of preparing yachts for charter boat shows.  Your preparation will be the best investment you will make all year to the success of your business.” 

• Have the yacht “charter ready”.  Make sure all the drawers and lockers in each cabin are clean. Brokers will check your standard for cleanliness and order aboard your yacht. There should be absolutely no loose gear in sight. This means everything unnecessary needs to be stowed away in lockers, moved off the boat, decks cleaned, etc. This means no hoses, lines, gear tackle, motor scooters, buckets, ex-wives/ex-husbands, etc. lying around. Get a storage locker if you have to!
• Provide brochures, crew profiles and menu inserts for the brokers visiting your yacht. Remind the Brokers that more are available through you clearing house. Also, have your guest book, letter and pictures from your past guests out for the Brokers to see.
• Fresh flowers are not required; but they are a nice touch.
• Linens on the beds should be crisp and smooth. Matching towels in the heads or on the beds are a nice touch. Set a dinner place for two to show off your beautiful diner settings. Be sure to leave space at the table for a Broker or two to sit around and use for note taking.
• Have your polishing, painting and varnishing DONE! Put all supplies away
• No laundry, towels, rags, etc. hanging on the life lines. No garbage on board or on the dock.
• No deliveries of provisions or equipment during the show. If you must provision, leave the show early.
• Make it easy to board as possible with a clear route from the boarding site to the cockpit and/or below.
• Ask a friend to take a “sniff test” of your yacht. There may be an odor you might not notice; but the Broker will.
• Speaking of scents, have something baking in the oven for a welcoming aroma. Be careful not to burn anything! The new little fans that circulate scents from an electrical outlet are great. You want the yacht to smell as good as it looks.
• Details count! Little folded points on the bathroom toilet tissue, a mint on the pillow, mock mementos with charter guest names are all little details that make a big impact. Have some recent photos of guest having fun. Make sure every light bulb works and have as many of them on as you can without heating up the yacht. Lighting will show the yacht off to its best advantage.

 Other General Suggestions:

• Plan ahead. Think about what you want to emphasize about yourself/your yacht and crew. Decide what type of charters you want to promote. Do you want to do more charters with children, honey-mooners, hard-core divers, big time sailors or real high-end gourmet charters? The Brokers will want to know. Think about answers to the tough questions. Brokers will ask questions such as, “What was your worst charter? Tell me about a charter that didn’t turn out well. What did you learn from it? Why won’t happen again? What was your best charter?” Have the answers ready ahead of time.
• Smokers- Be discreet about smoking as possible. This includes smoking during social events. Remember than many restaurants stateside no longer allow smoking. If you allow smoking aboard the yacht, have clean ashtrays for the Brokers.
• Politics- Go easy! There are some strong opinions and this is not the time to get into a heated into a heated debate with a Broker.
• Non-Stop Hospitality- Offer coffee, tea or juice in the morning and cool drinks in the afternoon. Think about serving alcohol to Brokers and make your own decision. Hors d’oeuvres are fine. Prepare them ahead of time.
• Keep the yacht as cool as possible. If you don’t have air conditioning, keep the hatches open, use fans and get wind scoops. If you do have air conditioning, don’t remain down below all the time during the show. Brokers confronted with closed hatches may assume you are away, not showing or with another broker.
• Some Brokers will want to see the crew quarters to know how it affects the guest’s quarters. Some Brokers will ask to see your bilge. Keep both as clean and presentable as possible, but don’t stress too much about it.
• Be careful about promising to fix things. Brokers don’t want to hear too much “after a few charters, we’ll replace those old cushions.” If you can’t replace it now, do the best you can with throw pillows, accents or something. Make the best of what you have and don’t draw attention to the negatives.
• Emphasize your crew’s teamwork even if you only have a freelance chef or mate for the show. The Brokers was to see you function together as a team and be happy. If you have personality differences with your crew, you don’t need to be together. Some crews find one person on deck and one below allows them to cover twice as many Brokers, but the Brokers don’t get a chance to see you together. Charter yacht shows can be a stressful time. This is not the time to decide to divorce your chef or Captain. Let it wait until after the show.
• Collect business cards. As soon as possible after the Broker leaves the yacht, write something on the back of their business card so that you can remember them. Sending a Thank you note for their visit during the show or personalized email will go a long way in helping you grow your business. Follow up! Don’t be a pest; but do be persistent.

I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted from just reading this memo.  And, the reason why all this work is done is so they can share the above beach with each of their delighted charter guests. I am off to interview more of the crews so stay tuned.  After that I believe I will be taking a nap by the pool until the Hawaiian Luau tonight.  Enjoy your afternoon!  Your VICL Boat Show detective remains on duty… 

The charter industry is in a constant state of change.  The evolution over the past years has been at galactic speed!

Who would have ever imagined that a company would have the vision and money to fund the dream of a world class charter yacht racing company?  Well, ONDECK  has done just that.  Last year they showed up to the VICL Boat Show in force with race-ready Beneteau 40.7’s and created two match races a day for the charter Brokers and charter yacht Crews.  They have showed up big-time again this year.

ONDECK has regatta racing yachts that can be chartered with a full crew so those novice race enthusiasts can participate in any one of the Caribbean Regattas and actually be part of the excitement as a crew member.  They allow for the opportunities to develop your racing skills, match racing, and entering any or all of the Caribbean Regatta Series.  You can imagine that I have enjoyed the conversations with the ONDECK crews, and the great concept they have created for serious yacht racers who don’t have the finances or time to own their own $2.5 million racing yacht.  Today’s morning match race with the Boat Show guests dropped in $10 a person, and the winning yacht would split the pot.  What a great idea!  The competitive juices were boiling with the morning race crews.

I have raced in both the San Francisco Bay Winter Races and in several of the Heineken Regattas. Two more of the Caribbean Regattas that interest me are the International Rolex Regatta  in St. Thomas.  For 35 years, St. Thomas has been running this annual sailing regatta.  It starts in March each year with three days of very competitive racing.  The Antigua Sailing Week Regatta  is now in its 42^nd year.   It is scheduled for the last week of April 2009.  This event which started in 1967 with a handful of local yachts has grown to become one of the World’s premier regattas.  More than 1,500 participants including Olympic, America’s Cup and round-the-world sailors in more than 200 boats pit their skills against one another in a fun and fierce contest in the waters around Antigua.  Last year one of ONDECK’s chartered yachts took second place at Antigua Race Week!  Be sure to sign up today for the thrill of your sailing life.

Another major change over the last ten+ years has been the growth of the catamaran fleet in the Caribbean.  There are still an army of mono-hull purests,  but for pure comfort for the charter guests who are not sailors, catamarans are the perfect yacht to see the Caribbean.  Our friends, Captain Chris  and Chef Julie,  own the very popular s/v Blu Moon - a Beneteau 51.  During the off-charter season they made the leap to a catamaran charter yacht s/v/ Felicia - a Privilege 65!  ( If one is looking for a “turn key” charter yacht, it is for sale and you may want to check it out, and tell your sailing friends.)

At last year’s Boat Show I was rushing by s/v Blu Moon  when I saw Chris and Julie rocking in their hammock.  I immediately knew I wanted to get acquainted with this very relaxed and laid back couple.  My instincts were correct. What has evolved is fun friendship with two top professionals in the charter industry.  

They have owned and operated their charter yacht business for over eleven years and have been married for almost 25 years.  They met in Kansas with another story of paths that would seem to have never crossed, but they did.  Their favorite chartering area is the Spanish Virgin Islands.  After 40 years of sailing in the Caribbean, I have still not been to the Spanish Virgins.  Any time you get them talking about their favorite anchorages in the Spanish Virgins their eyes gleam and big smiles are plastered across their faces. 

They sailed s/v Felicia up from Trinidad the last month completing the refit for the yacht.  They completed it just before they arrived at the 2008 VICL Boat Show.  They now have their “finger prints” all over their sparkling “floating villa” s/v Felicia.  I just heard from Julie that they are getting rave reviews from all of you.  If you haven’t stopped by yet, make sure you spend some time on their yacht.  Contact me  if you want more information!

Charter Crews and Brokers know how to party - it was demonstrated again tonight!

So, I began my late after noon tradition of walking over through Havensight  to have a “final-final”  rum at the Rum Hut with the bartender, Amber, after wandering the docks all day as I shared time with the best Crews and Brokers in the world. ( Be careful of Amber’s Voodo Punch.)  After one drink I caught a cab back to my hotel to freshen up for THE PARTY night of the VICL Boat Show.  You know it doesn’t matter if you take a shower or not in the Caribbean, especially before a dance party at Paradise Point,  because you will be wringing wet with sweat in just a few moments of stepping off the St. Thomas Sky Ride tram.

Director Erik  continues to deliver on his promise to have this be one of the best VICL Boat Shows ever, and he has kept his promise all week.  And, tonight’s party was no exception.  It is still amazing to me to see a ski lift system in place from Havensight that takes us to Paradise Point,  on top of a mountain overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Murray Pridham has built a Caribbean “party headquarters” on top of this mountain and the Boat Show has enjoyed the hospitality of his Team for the past few years.

As you step off the tram you are blasted by the group Top Notch, one of the local club bands on St. Thomas.  They kept the Brokers and Crews dancing all night. You learn what it was like to hangout with 36+ yacht crews and Brokers when they don’t have anyone to worry about other than how to get back to their yachts and hotels after the party. What a FUN time. Great music, food, and drinks for the Boat Show participants.  Next time you are there make sure you meet the bartender, Elroy - one of the best.  Plus, the view of the Caribbean is over the top.  It is an incredible environment that Murray has created for those who want to have fun in the Caribbean.  And, I even found a sign that said “Keep Off Grass!” behind one to fences. Only in the Caribbean!

Paradise Point gave the revelers all they expected and more. I did not see any of the Boat Show attendees ever sitting the entire night. It will be interesting to see what condition the Brokers and Crews are in tomorrow.  I know that ONDECK charter racing will have two races tomorrow, so those signed up will want to make sure they have sturdy stomachs after such a night of partying. 

Also, don’t forget that the lunch speaker tomorrow is Carolyn Lanclos from the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.  This government agency is a key reason why tourism is so healthy in the Virgin Islands compared to many other destinations.  More yacht interviews will be in tomorrow’s articles.  Sleep well, and remember the charter yachts are all open for preview tomorrow from 9AM to 5PM.  Then ANOTHER PARTY is planned by Director Erik - the “Hawaiian Luau” at the Yacht Haven Grande’s  big lawn.  Until tomorrow…your Boat Show detective is determined to pace himself better on Wednesday.  Time will tell.