After 20+ separate charters yacht vacations each season, a charter crew needs a break…and they take one every Summer up until November 1st!

I let you know in past articles  that owning and operating a charter yacht vacation business is not just having fun and sailing around the Caribbean.  It is a BIG business.  It is BIG work!  And, it is not for the faint of heart!  Imagine owning a bed and breakfast in the Caribbean, except that it is a boat!  If something breaks there is no one to call except your personal skills in fixing it; generators, ice makers, electrical, plugged plumbing, air conditioning break downs, sheets and sail issues, and on and on.  Are you getting the picture that is not just sailing in Paradise and keeping sun screen on?  The “job” of a charter yacht owner/crew is to produce an extraordinary tropical yacht vacation experience for every guest…for every week of charters.  And, if that is not delivered to their charter guests they will not have a “Caribbean floating bed and breakfast” business for very long.

So, in spite of what I have just described, there is a small community of charter yacht owners who would not change one bit of their lives.  They are some of the most professional and competent business owners you will ever meet.  They are the consummate problem solvers every day without their guests ever knowing there may be something wrong.  They deliver four to five 5-Star dining experiences a day!  Every water toy you can imagine is on the yacht – from water skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, wind su rfing, etc.  And, they know every special anchorage in the Caribbean so when the anchor is dropped for the night you will witness a brand new spectacular sunset every evening while you are being served you favorite cocktails.  ( If you think I am over stating the experience one has on a charter yacht vacation, it is because you have been yet.  It is the most unforgettable vacation experience I have ever had – 40 years of sailing in the Caribbean has not dampened my love for this amazing part of the world.)

Two of the “Rock Stars” of the Caribbean charter industry are Randy and Shelly Tucker.  I had the chance to work with Shelly at last year’s VICL Boat Show  at Yacht Haven Grande  in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.  They own the Irwin 72′ Three Moons – one of my favorite mono-hulls especially built for the Caribbean.  Randy and Shelly are legendary in the Caribbean charter industry because of the consistently exceptional experience they deliver to their clients.  Almost 90% clients are repeat or referral clients.  Here is a quote from Randy and Shelly that truly communicates what is awaiting you for a Caribbean charter yacht vacation, “Comfort, relaxation, and award-winning cuisine are yours sailing aboard our handsome 72 foot yacht throughout  an exquisitely inviting Caribbean playground…the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.”   Because of the cuisine experience that Shelly delivers to their customers everyday, Crew Life Magazine printed a feature story on this award-winning chef.  Shelly has also published the very successful “Three Moons Island Cookbook” - in its third edition!

I had the pleasure of hosting Randy and Shelly at our San Francisco Bay Area home this week during their off-charter adventures.  This was their first visit to one of my top five favorite cities in the world.  Yesterday they had fresh Dungeness crab at the Waterfront Restaurant  on the Embarcadero.  They walked their “deck shoes”  off exploring this magical City.  They stopped by a few days after attending a family wedding in Cabo, Mexico. ( If you look closely at the photo of the catamaran you will see them with very BIG smiles – even though they are not fans of multi-hull yachts.)  During their stay as OUR “charter guests”,  it was such a pleasure to deliver the best we had for every meal, and even dipping into our wine cellar sharing our favorite wines.  ( We also had one night that started out with Belevedre martinis, some BIG reds, and topped off with some amazing Tawny Port for the Sierra foothills – Indian Rock Vineyards.)  I look forward to all of you having the opportunity of booking a charter yacht vacation in the Caribbean.  It will change your life – and that is not an overstatement.  Email me  and I will be your guide in setting up an unforgettable sailing adventure.  Until next time….fair winds!

Saborea Puerta Rico is THE annual culinary event of the Caribbean!

Did you know that Puerto Rico is considered the culinary headquarters of the Caribbean. OK, I know that each of the islands have their very specific pride in the food they present to the world, however, I would have to agree with the press releases that “Saborea Puerto Rico” which is being presented April 4^th – 6^th at the beach of Isla Verde is not to be missed. This incredible three day program includes demo kitchens, signature events, wine seminars, kid’s kitchen’s and, the very popular Tasting Pavilion. The events program that I have reviewed was over the TOP!

The event starts off at a coffee plantation and then moves to Isla Verde Beach the last two days. Many of the five-star hotels and restaurants will create venues for many of the food and wine presentations. Puerto Rico can’t wait to show off the islands best features – it’s amazing cuisine! It is also the main fund raising event of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association benefiting the educational fund which provides training and certifications in a variety of specialties for candidates entering the hospitality industry.

The Puerto Rican culinary fusion of traditional African, Indian, and Spanish cuisines includes coriander, papay, cacoa, planains, and toro, as well as the entire variety of seafood that is available for the local Caribbean waters. The locals call their food “cocina criolla”. The mixture of ingredients and cooking techniques has evolved into the blend that is Puerto Rican cuisine. When you visit Old San Juan you must dine at La Mallorquina – which is the oldest continuous restaurant in all of the Americas. Dining in Puerto Rico is an amazing adventure that offers hundreds of choices of dining atmosphere and dining diversity as any majore metropolitan city in the world. If you are in the Caribbean during this event you would be well served to participate. I know you will enjoy every minute of it. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective is searching out the BEST experiences available.

Each year we invite guests to join us for a crewed chartered yacht sailing adventure!

In just a few weeks we are boarding Double Feature – a Lagoon 57 catamaran for a seven day crewed sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands. Double Feature is one of the Charter Yachts Of The Year in the Caribbean! This is one of our top five sailing waters in the Caribbean. There will be three other couples joining us and none of them have EVER been in the British Virgin Islands, let alone sailing.

Using my 30 + years of sailing experiences in the Caribbean as a guide, I have laid out a suggested itinerary for our voyage. Those of you that have sailed in the BVI know that each day is an unforgettable adventure. Here is what I am suggesting for our daily anchorages;

• Friday – Arrive in Road Town or St. Thomas at Village Cay Marina
• Saturday - Sail to Norman Island – anchor at The Bight
• Sunday – Norman Island to Cooper Island
• Monday – Cooper Island to Long Bay – Virgin Gorda
• Tuesday – Long Bay to the Bitter End Yacht Club- Virgin Gorda
• Wednesday - Bitter End to Monkey Point, Guana Island
• Thursday - Monkey Point to Marina Cay – Beef Island
• Friday - Marina Cay to Great Harbor – Jost Van Dyke – Foxy’s
• Saturday – Great Harbor to Road Town, Tortola – Fly out in the afternoon.

Our crew, Johnny and Kellie, are from Wales and are one of my favorite crews, even though they are a bit young. Kellie produces four or more 5-star meals a day. Each of the guests have sent me what they want for menus and beverages. The choice of our guests is a Mediterranian type menu with French wines as part of the meals. The cocktails will be rum drinks that Johnny and Kellie invent each day, plus the ever present vodka martinis at sunset each day. If you have never been on a crewed charter yacht vacation you have really missed out. It is one of my favorite vacations – EVER!

The activities during our voyage are really anything connected to being in a tropical paradise – 85 degree temperatures, 85 degree waters, 100 foot visibility in the water, swimming in an aquarium for hours a day, and deciding each morning what is next. We may even divert one night to Bamba’s Shack for the world famous full moon jump up. Who knows??? From beginning to end of our voyage I will do a daily blog keeping you posted as to what is unfolding each day for us in Paradise. I know you will really enjoy what you discover with us.

After we step off the yacht on Saturday we are flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico and staying in Old San Juan at the El Convento Hotel - a former convent built in the early 1600′s. We’ll spend a few days before we head back home. Again, if you have not explored Old San Juan, it is one of my favorite three day vacation in the world because it is as if you have just arrived in Spain of the 1600′s.

Stay tuned…the adventure begins February 16th! Do any of you have places we should consider besides the ones I have listed above? Please let me know…