My 60th birthday celebration was on s/y Double Feature in 2008 with Captain Jonny and Chef Kelly as the crew who are now on Best Revenge V. I just discovered that s/y Soterion – a Lagoon 57 with four complete staterooms, which is at the BVI Charter Yacht Show, is the newest rendition of this beautiful catamaran. My curiosity got the best of me so I had to stop by and meet the new crew for this yacht that held so many memories for me. What I discovered was another fun story as to how a couple ended up in the Caribbean crewing a charter yacht. Captain Ben and Chef Nikki are who I met when I asked permission to “come aboard”. What a fabulous refit the new owner has done on this cat. There is always a great story to hear when you meet any charter crew and the one from Ben and Nikki was just another of them.
Ben and Nikki first met at the Portside Pub in Seattle, Washington almost eight years ago. Nikki was finishing her masters in elementary education, and Ben was engrossed in all aspects of the sailing world – from boat deliveries up and down the Pacific to rebuilding his own boat with blue water chartering as his dream. If Nikki was going to hang out with Ben she would need to agree to the sailing life. The final decision regarding staying with Ben was having him visit her elementary classroom as a judge of a science project. What Ben didn’t know was that the students and teachers at Nikki’s school were going to “vote” on if Ben was “the one”. It was apparently unanimous. Nikki decided to take a break from her teach career and join Ben on an extended cruise that actually lasted for more than three years – all the way down to Ecuador, through the Panama Canal and on to the Caribbean. Once in the Caribbean they were hooked on the sailing life and decided to join the community of Charter crews.
The catamarans are prevalent throughout the Caribbean chartering world. Space is probably the reason. You are not short on space on s/y Solterion, and with her low draft you can easily navigate close to the beach and other hard to reach areas such as Anegada. A sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands on s/y Soterion isn’t a camping holiday. It is all about the warm waters of the Caribbean, gentle sails between islands, and gourmet dining from morning until night.
Each of the staterooms are designed for spacious comfort of the couple who wants to feel like home. From the high thread cotton linens to the thick bath towels, you are certainly pampered. 
Plus, there is plenty of storage space with even closets for your hanging clothes. In addition, you even have your own TV, DVD player and VCR. The full bathrooms have hair dryers but you probably won’t use them because you will be in and out of the water snorkeling, water-skiing, wake-boarding, kayaking and fishing. SCUBA diving is an option using rendezvous dive services from Dive BVI.
Each of the charter yachts are similar in how they are fitted out for your every need. And, with the correct advice you will find the most fun crews you will ever meet as your hosts for your unforgettable Caribbean sailing adventure. Captain Ben and Chef Nikki are two to add to your list. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty!
