Two decidedly different builds from the Sanlorenzo shipyard in Italy have entered the charter market, one booking through IYC and the other listed with Westport Yachts charter management.

The newer of the two yachts is the 145-foot La La Land, a 2023 build that’s now part of the IYC charter fleet. It’s a Lissoni Limited Edition Sanlorenzo X-Space whose owner invested about $3.3 million in options to further enhance the cruising experience.

Accommodations aboard La La Land are for 12 guests in five staterooms—including an owner’s deck with a sky lounge, an alfresco lounge with a freestanding fire pit, a private pantry, an office, a walk-in closet and a head built with a heated sole and steam shower. The master stateroom also has direct access to one of two outdoor hydro massage pools that are on board.

Additional features aboard La La Land include two foldout platforms, a gymnasium, a hammam and a massage room.

The lowest weekly base rate to charter La La Land is about $317,500, with inquiries being accepted for the East and West Mediterranean through September 2024. For winter 2024-25, La La Land is expected to charter in the Caribbean.

Also now chartering is the 108-foot Sanlorenzo Daddy, which is new to the Westport Yachts fleet in the Bahamas this winter.

Daddy is a 2008 build. The charter agent says an extensive 2023 refit has left the yacht presenting in like-new condition. Daddy accommodates eight guests in four staterooms, including a belowdecks amidships master with a king-size berth, espresso machine and fridge. The VIP stateroom is forward with a queen-size berth.

Gathering areas for all eight guests include aft-deck dining, foredeck lounging, and flybridge entertaining with dining, a bar and barbecues. The retractable sunroof has a removable enclosure for extra protection from the elements as needed.

Daddy is also kitted-out for fun in the sun in the Bahamas. The yacht charters with two tenders: a 30-foot Jupiter powered by twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines, and a 14-foot Walker Bay Venture with a 70-horsepower Yamaha. Watertoys include a two-seat PWC, inflatable paddleboards, tow toys and snorkeling gear.

The lowest weekly base rate to charter Daddy is $65,000. The owner is reportedly eager to secure holiday bookings this winter at a weekly base rate of $70,000, with a one-week holiday minimum.

Are tenders important for yacht charter in the Bahamas? Yes, if you want to make the most of water sports. The area is known for being shallow, which means the mothership can’t get into some areas that a good set of tenders can access for fishing, snorkeling and other activities.

Take the next step: contact a charter broker at iyc.com or westportyachts.com

The post Two New Ways to Charter a Sanlorenzo appeared first on Yachting.

The Miss Liza, a 2022 Sanlorenzo SL86 listed with Onewater Yacht Group, just saw its price reduced to $6.195 million. The 86-footer has a four-stateroom, five-head layout that also includes three crew berths.

Miss Liza’s entertainment potential becomes apparent the moment guests step through the salon’s sliding glass where an L-shaped settee, loose lounge seating and a coffee table fill the starboard side–offering plenty of seating for guests to have a cocktail and chat. Forward in the sun-filled salon–thanks to near sole-to-ceiling windows–is a formal dining table with a wet bar adjacent for easy access to cocktails.

Heading forward from the salon, an entryway leads to the country kitchen to starboard and helm to port. The country kitchen is outfitted with a microwave, electric cooktop, oven, sink, refrigerator and L-shaped seating and table. The salon is notable for its light-tone furnishings and fabrics, enhancing the sense of volume.

Stairs, across from the formal dining space, lead to the flybridge where guests are greeted with a C-shaped dinette just abaft the upper helm to starboard. The flybridge also has a bar, grill and TV to port. Aft of the dining area is a three-seat bar countertop and an additional C-shaped settee and coffee table on the after deck. A louvered hardtop lets the skipper dial in the amount of sun desired.

Belowdecks, owners get a master stateroom amidships with an en suite head and his-and-hers vanities. Forward, guests can enjoy either a VIP stateroom with a queen berth or one of two guest cabins.

When it comes to outside spaces, the SL86 has a foredeck lounge for some quiet time on the hook or at the quay. The center padding of the lounge seating can be removed, revealing an electric hi-low table. The cockpit also has hi-low teak table with seating for eight, inviting everyone to sit and dine alfresco.

The SL86’s tender garage accommodates a 12-foot six-inch tender for shoreside excursions to check out a local beach or to catch dinner in your port of call.

The Miss Liza is powered with twin MTU 12V engines generating 4,000 total hp, which currently have 385 hours on them. The yacht has a reported top speed of 30 knots, with a 26-knot cruising speed.

Where is Miss Liza located? The yacht is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Take the next step: Contact the listing agent, John Keenan, CPYB, at 954-793-7455.

Quick Specifications:

• Length Overall: 86′
• Maximum Beam: 20′ 10″
• Fuel Capacity: 2,200 Gal.
• Draft: 6’3″

The post Sanlorenzo SL86 Sees Price Improvement appeared first on Yachting.

Fraser has just welcomed the 185-foot Sanlorenzo Virtuosity to the charter fleet. This is a brand-new, 2023 build that will make its charter debut this winter in the Caribbean.

Virtuosity is one of Sanlorenzo’s 57Steel models with design by Zuccon International Project. The owner’s stateroom is on the upper deck with a private terrace and a hot tub. There are accommodations for another 10 guests in addition to the master, with several of the guest staterooms able to convert from twin- to double-berth setups.

Onboard amenities include a glass-bottom, heated swimming pool with jets; a beach club and gymnasium with foldout doors to port and starboard; a hammam and a sauna; a bridge-deck DJ booth near the bar and lounging area; and a custom-made inflatable platform as one of the watertoys.

After the yacht’s debut season this winter in the Caribbean, it’s expected to charter in the Mediterranean during summer 2024.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Virtuosity this winter in the Caribbean? It’s about $426,500.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

The post This Brand-New Sanlorenzo Is Open for Charter appeared first on Yachting.

Speed is a relative thing. Streaking across the sky at 600 knots in an airliner seems like nothing, while running along the sea at 40 knots on a 113-ton, 108-foot yacht seems incredibly quick. When looking astern, one doesn’t see a wake; instead, massive fire-hose blasts exit the three water jets.

But that’s not the only surprising thing about the Sanlorenzo SP110 (SP for smart performance). With exterior lines from Studio Zuccon International Project, interior design by Piero Lissoni and a hull form from Marco Arnaboldi, this group literally turned everything around.

Many yachts have an atrium, using the slanted windshield to create an open forward entry to the lower staterooms. On the Sanlorenzo, the atrium is aft, with a double-height space that provides ocean vistas from the upper salon as well as a lower “den” with loft-like space. This den opens directly to the corridor leading to the four staterooms, so guests can mosey from their staterooms directly into this space overlooking the aft deck, perhaps to enjoy morning espresso and croissants. Then, they can ascend a floating stairway that underlines the airy feel of this yacht.

The staterooms all open off a central corridor from the den, with a choice of three or four. Two en suite double staterooms are aft on each side, with the master at the forward end of the companionway. A fourth stateroom, opposite the starboard-side master, can be an extension of the master. Sanlorenzo calls this fourth space a “jolly room.” It could provide owners with their own getaway with a couch or a desk. Placing the master head forward provides a natural sound barrier between crew and guest spaces.

Sanlorenzo calls the SP110 its first “open coupe.” The low, lean looks certainly support that description, so the two levels are a surprise. The main deck—or salon level—has an entertainment area aft with loose chairs and a 12-foot-long settee, while the formal dining area has a 6-by-6-foot aluminum table with room for eight guests. Sliding doors on each side combine with lowered bulwarks outside to create the essence of alfresco dining while remaining protected from the elements.

The galley serves as a subtle divider between guests and crew, spanning the beam just forward of the salon and effectively separating the pilothouse, where a single pedestal chair and a small settee add to a professional layout with a flat-black dash and twin monitors. This area also provides access to the three en suite crew cabins.

This yacht’s nearly invisible flybridge is pure sun pad, and it’s set well aft with a vestigial helm to allow for the cabin top to be covered in solar panels that feed lithium batteries to run the hotel functions without requiring use of the two (35 kW and 28 kW) gensets. In sunny areas, Sanlorenzo says, the 60 kW produced daily will run the hotel load for up to four hours.

Foredeck sun pads convert to an alfresco dining area, a break from the usual cockpit dining and a way to create privacy when Med-moored to a quay. The anchor is cleverly handled by an Arnaboldi-designed folding-bow section that opens upward like a walrus snout to hide, hold and manage the anchor and chain.

Aft, the considerable deck space (500-plus square feet) has more sun pads, and the entire transom folds down to create steps leading to a “beach.”

Power for the SP110 is a trio of 2,000 hp MAN V-12 diesels paired with three Marine Jet Power water jets, with the center jet used as a booster for top speed. This setup allows the captain to dial in one, two or all three engines, depending on the speed desired and the fuel usage tolerated.

During my time aboard, we had all three jets online, and the SP110 easily hit 36.3 knots while burning about 290 gallons per hour in the lumpy Gulf Stream. Range at this top hop is about 385 nautical miles. The builder reports seeing 40 knots in calmer conditions. Of particular note is that the salon had a sound level of just 62 decibels, similar to a quiet refrigerator or a normal conversation. We didn’t have a chance to run on fewer engines, but Sanlorenzo says that at 10 knots, with the two outboard engines at 800 to 900 rpm, the fuel consumption drops to just about 30 gph, and range jumps to 1,000-plus nm. At 2,000 rpm, cruise speed is 27 knots while the trio of diesels consume 189 gph, resulting in a range of 433 nm.

The day proved the efficiency of the double-chined hull with large flats, which both threw spray far away and added interior space in the 27-foot beam. With proprietary hybrid carbon-composite construction, the Sanlorenzo SP110 was free of any creaks or groans, and had a solid feel in all seas.

This is a yacht that truly challenges many preconceived notions about what a luxury performance yacht can be.

The Hidden Tender

A 15-foot Williams jet tender is concealed under three lifting hatches in the SP110’s cockpit with a folding crane that resembles a football goal post. An even larger tender can be deck-chocked, along with personal watercraft.

Hydro Power

Built for strength from a duplex stainless-steel structure, the Marine Jet Power CSU550 water jets on the SP110 are reportedly stronger and more corrosion-resistant for less maintenance. The Swedish company has a reputation for yacht, commercial and military uses, and the 550 enables speeds of more than 50 knots as well as sideways, spinning and reverse precision, plus GPS positioning.

Meet the Designer

Italian naval engineer Marco Arnaboldi is known as a speed merchant, having penned many of the fast AB Yachts, high-speed Azimuts like the 103SL and designs for Viareggio Super Yachts. The SP110 shows his penchant for long, slippery, higher-performance hulls.

Take the next step: americas.sanlorenzoyacht.com

The post Reviewed: Sanlorenzo SP110 appeared first on Yachting.

Videoworks is revealing details about how it outfitted the Sanlorenzo SP110 Almax for communications, entertainment and home automation.

The project focused around a single, centralized, 30-unit rack for all AV and IT systems, eliminating the need for smaller units throughout the yacht. Videoworks says this setup took up 40 percent less space and generates 30 percent less heat, along with reducing cable needs by 20 percent.

Videoworks also installed its MyInfo 3.0 app to manage the multimedia and infotainment channels on the yacht’s smart TVs. The interface for controlling individual areas from iOS or Android devices can be downloaded by scanning the QR code in each room.

Almax also has a 5G modem and four active SIMs, and is LEO-satellite-system-ready, which means antennas can be connected at any time to receive Starlink or OneWeb satellite connectivity services. The Wi-Fi system is equipped with Kerio technology for managing internet connections and VLANs, and for firewall, antivirus and web-filter functions.

Outside, there are four pop-up speakers integrated into the deckhouse design. A karaoke system is in the lounge, and a presentation system is in the main salon, lounge and cockpit. Lights, blinds and climate control are all integrated as well.

What if something breaks? Videoworks includes a remote assistance server in all its systems, so the company’s help desk can intervene remotely 24/7/365.

Take the next step: click over to videoworksgroup.com

The post How Videoworks Outfitted the Sanlorenzo SP110 ‘Almax’ appeared first on Yachting.

Superyachts are the commanders of the sea, and it makes sense why. These super-sized vessels can do everything, from indefinitely taking you away from land to being the headquarters of your next angling adventure. Whether it’s on the top deck, the main deck or belowdecks, the volume on superyachts is unmatched. Owners customize these spaces with modular furniture, hot tubs, swimming pools, beach clubs, gymnasiums and more, making them as unique as fingerprints.

Here are 10 amazing superyachts on the water today.

Ferretti Yachts 860

Flybridge designs are fundamental to the Ferretti Yachts DNA, and this one sticks with the winning formula. The after half of the flybridge is open to interpretation, with a hot tub option, while the standard layout forward includes a dinette for eight guests, a sun pad to port, and a wet bar and two-seat helm station to starboard. Three sizes of hardtop are available, the largest one even bigger than the hardtop on the flagship Ferretti Yachts 1000. — Phil Draper, “The Ferretti Yachts 860 Is an Evolution”

Hargrave 105

[Mike] Joyce is the CEO of Hargrave Custom Yachts, whose latest 105, Irresistible, exemplifies numerous ways the builder tailors its designs to what each owner wants.

Irresistible, for instance, has a raised pilothouse, creating an all-weather backup to the flybridge helm. The bridge is open, but it’s shaded by the fiberglass hardtop, rather than having a sky lounge on board. That’s already a lot of personalization based on the starting point of a new Jack Sarin-designed hull that tops out at 21 knots and cruises at 18 knots. In addition, this owner was planning 1,000-nautical-mile voyages, so he opted for twin 1,600 hp Caterpillar C32 Acert diesels. Irresistible reportedly has a 2,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. Based on my time aboard, I can report that the hull is also comfortable in Gulf Stream lumps. — Chris Caswell, “Hargrave 105 Superyacht Review”

Ocean Alexander 35R

… Yachtsmen began to learn that gross tonnage was more important than feet and inches in terms of the creature comforts they wanted.

The 116-foot-9-inch Ocean Alexander 35R, whose gross tonnage is just shy of 300, is the latest model to demonstrate both points. Hull No. 1 was commissioned by a client before the shipyard could exhibit the yacht, and Hull No. 2 sold quickly during its debut at the [2021] Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida. As of early December [2021], Hull No. 7 was the first available build slot, with delivery anticipated in 2024. The series is attracting attention from loyal Ocean Alexander buyers and newcomers alike. – Diane M. Byrne, “Reviewed: Ocean Alexander 35R”

Dynamiq GTT 135

In the pilothouse, Dynamiq worked with German vehicle outfitter Klassen to develop a bespoke wheelhouse, finished in the same quality and style of the company’s luxury shuttle vans (think sporty trim and high-end finishes). The five-stateroom layout is accented in soft-gold and mother-of-pearl flourishes. A pair of 75-inch TVs await guests on the sun deck, where they might want to relax after a drink at the bar. — Kim Kavin, “Dynamiq’s GTT 135 Evokes Elegance”

Wally WHY200

Why WHY200? The acronym stands for Wally Hybrid Yachts, which has nothing to do with hybrid propulsion, but rather a hull designed for a range of displacement and semi-displacement cruising speeds. And the numerals don’t reference length. They reflect the approximate volume (199 gross tons), which is a lot for a yacht with a length overall of just 89 feet.

But length is not what matters these days. Gross tonnage and beam—the feeling of space—are the important metrics. And on this yacht, that most important effect is achieved. — Phil Draper, “Wally’s WHY200 Impresses Inside and Out”

Royal Huisman Project 406

Project 406 has a length overall of 171 feet. That means the vessel will dwarf not only the most sizable 80- to 105-footers from well-known sport-fish builders—such as Viking Yachts, Bayliss Boatworks and Jim Smith Tournament Boats—but also the behemoth one-off sport-fishers such as the 144-foot Trinity Bad Company, 130-foot McMullen & Wing Mea Culpa and 129-foot Yachting Developments Lanakai. As the team at Royal Huisman expressed this reality about Project 406, “This groundbreaking creation will be, by some distance, the largest, most luxurious and individual true sport-fish yacht in the world.” — Kim Kavin, “Biggest Sport-Fishing Boat in the World”

Sanlorenzo SL106 Asymmetric

The idea behind the Asymmetric line dates back several years. Sanlorenzo was wrestling with how to provide owners with more usable interior space. An initial idea was a widebody design, in which the main-deck interior spans the yacht’s full beam. Sanlorenzo quickly decided that wasn’t practical for smaller to midsize superyachts. So, [Sanlorenzo CEO Massimo] Perotti sought the input of designer Chris Bangle, with whom Sanlorenzo has been working since 2015. Bangle is known for shaking up the designs of Fiat and BMW. He came up with the notion of a widebody to one side to benefit owners along with a full side deck opposite, as well as an over-the-widebody passage from the flybridge to the bow to benefit the crew. — Diane M. Byrne, “Sanlorenzo’s Asymmetric SL106A Reviewed”

Westport 112

At first, the owner thought he and his family would use the 112-foot Hannah without making any changes. Then, his wife looked at it.

“The original idea was just to change a few things inside, but you start one thing, and you say, ‘Why don’t you do the next one?’” he says. “We kept going and going and going.”

After buying the Westport yacht in early 2020, the owner brought in Destry Darr Designs for the refit. She ended up orchestrating a total overhaul, finishing the project at the end of 2020. The yacht’s post-refit maiden cruise with the family was during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays that winter, then Westport Yachts began offering Hannah for charter. — Kim Kavin, “Refitting the 112-Foot ‘Hannah’ for Charter”

Hargrave ‘Baba’s’

These days, many shipyards tell buyers they can design their yachts the way they see fit, but some of those same builders actually offer semicustom yachts. Some, arguably, are more production than semicustom. Clients have two, maybe three choices for general arrangements, for example, and the exterior styling is set in stone. Fewer permit moving nonstructural bulkheads. Much of the time, the systems and engine packages are nonnegotiable.

That was not the case with Baba’s.

Hargrave saw the challenge as a way to prove its mettle to would-be owners outside the United States. “This is the connection to the global market we never had,” says Michael Joyce, Hargrave’s CEO. The yard also let [Sam] Shalem—a longtime owner of a real-estate-development and -management company who is accustomed to assembling teams—play a large role in choosing craftsmen to work on the project. This father of four and grandfather to even more (baba means “grandfather” in several cultures) was hands-on in nearly all aspects, ranging from gathering the workers to specifying the systems to selecting the mosaics in the interior. — Diane M. Byrne, “Hargrave’s 186-Foot Vessel Shows Creativity”

Rybovich 94

Throw out any preconceived notions you may have about sport-fishing yachts—even large ones. III Amigos—a 94-footer from the consortium of boatbuilder Michael Rybovich, designer Patrick Knowles and an experienced owner—is far more mega-yacht than most fishing machines.

III Amigos was born in a peculiar fashion. Its owner, who spends 50 to 60 days a year fishing, first approached Rybovich but, before signing, asked Knowles to do a dizzying collection of realistic renderings to show the final result. Knowles had a solid knowledge base from working with the owner on previous yachts as well as the owner’s five homes and his business jet, so he had a good idea about where to start. — Chris Caswell, “The Sportfishing Superyacht: Rybovich 94”

The post 10 Awe-Inspiring Superyachts appeared first on Yachting.

BlackOrange Superyachts says there’s been a price drop of more than $1 million on the Sanlorenzo 40 Alloy Bliss Easy. The new asking price is about $7.37 million.

Bliss Easy is a 2009 build that was constructed in aluminum. Accommodations are for 10 guests, with additional quarters for six crew.

“The feeling on board this 40-meter is open and modern, with no space wasted,” according to the brokerage house. “Flooded with natural light, the interior is uncluttered and unfussy.”

Cruising speed is 22 knots, according to the BlackOrange team.

Where is Bliss Easy available for viewings? The yacht is lying in Hong Kong.

Take the next step: contact a sales broker at blackorange-yachts.com

The post $1 Million-Plus Price Drop on ‘Bliss Easy’ appeared first on Yachting.

HMY Yachts has added the 106-foot Sanlorenzo Fifty Shades to the charter fleet, with bookings available in Florida, the Bahamas and New England.

Fifty Shades is a 2018 build that had a complete interior refit this year. Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms, including a main-deck master. The yacht charters with five crew.

Tenders and toys include a 33-foot Boston Whaler, a 13-foot Williams jet tender, a pair of Sea-Doos, a trio of Seabobs, a Fliteboard electric hydrofoil toy, fishing gear, tow toys and more.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Fifty Shades? It’s $80,000.

Take the next step: contact charter broker Susan Harris at hmy.com

The post New to the HMY Charter Fleet: ‘Fifty Shades’ appeared first on Yachting.

Designers Bernardo and Martina Zuccon are revealing details about their new model for Sanlorenzo: the SP110.

SP stands for Smart Performance, with the model marking Sanlorenzo’s entry into the sport-boat arena. The product manager for the design is Tilli Antonelli, with décor by Piero Lissoni.

“The SP110 tries to question some of the classic features of performance boats as we have come to know them,” Bernardo stated in a press release. “While maintaining the style features that, through the years, have come to characterize this type of boat, including the aerodynamic and highly organic surfaces, we reached a compromise with Antonelli and created a boat that makes a point of the dialogue between dynamism and livability that is not normally perceptible on a yacht this size.”

The SP110 is built of carbon and fiberglass. It has a minimalist design theme, with elements such as an anchor that is partially hidden.

What’s the layout like inside? There’s a two-level “day area” to help keep guests connected to the outdoors when they are indoors.

Where to learn more: go to sanlorenzoyacht.com

The post Meet the Sanlorenzo SP110 appeared first on Yachting.

For a farm girl from Indiana to become a superyacht captain is an Everest goal, a dedicated pursuit of an extraordinary achievement. When Kelly Gordon stepped on board an 80-foot Sanlorenzo in Beaufort, North Carolina, for a party—her first time on a boat larger than an 18-foot runabout—she knew instantly that she’d found her life’s calling.

That boat’s name: Everest.

Thirteen years after earning her license, Gordon, 40, is captain of an even grander 2017 Sanlorenzo: the 106-foot Freddy, which charters out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Gordon credits years of hard work, determination and the mentorship she received from Everest’s captain for her standing as one of the few female captains in the industry. She now aspires to inspire other women to not just join the crew but to lead it.

Curiosity and a Thirst for Knowledge

The turquoise waters of the Exumas, Gordon’s favorite cruising grounds, are a world away from the corn and soybean fields of Elwood, Indiana—population 8,288. Gordon loved working her family’s 40 acres and looking after their menagerie. She left high school at 15, worked as a veterinary technician and started college at 17, with her sights set on becoming a veterinarian. She completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and was lured to Beaufort by a stipend to pursue a master’s degree and teach chemistry before continuing on to vet school.

Those plans changed when she stepped aboard Everest. The boat’s owner, Dan Meggitt, offered her a tour. “I said: ‘Where’s the engine room? That’s got to be the best part of the boat,’” she recalls. “His eyes got big with surprise.”

“I saw the similarities between the boat engines and the engines in the heavy farm equipment that I grew up with,” Gordon continues. “It felt so familiar yet so different. I said, ‘I want to do this.’ Dan said: ‘You think so? Then come back tomorrow.’”

She did—and worked for Meggitt on Everest for the next eight years, running charters along the East Coast and to the Bahamas.

“He could see my curiosity and thirst for knowledge,” Gordon says. “He insisted I spend as much time as I could in every department. He told me: ‘You have to be in the engine room. You have to learn your systems. When you hire an engineer or contractor, you need to be able to have an intelligent conversation about what’s going on and not get the wool pulled over your eyes.’”

During what she calls her “baby captain” days aboard Everest, Gordon took one of her most memorable cruises: to Cuba in February 2016.

“We lost our transmission and limped into port on one gear,” she recalls. “Trying to deal with visas to fly out to bring back a long list of parts was a nightmare. So, I got myself a mechanic and a translator. I thought, ‘If they can keep these old cars on the road with minimal supplies, they will be able to help me with the transmission.’”

The mechanic came up with a one-part solution that allowed Everest to make it back to the United States. “The people of Cuba made that experience,” she says. “Whatever I needed to do, they were there to help.”

I’m Really Doing This

In 2017, Meggitt transitioned out of the industry, and Gordon pivoted to delivering boats ranging from 70 to 160 feet. “Delivering that 160-footer was a surreal moment,” she says. “I felt like: ‘Wow, I’m really doing this. After so many years of hard work and determination, I am doing what I wanted to do.’”

She brought on two crewmembers who are still with her: chef and jack-of-all-trades Shane Hughes and deck stew Gianna “Gi” Mesi. “Gi is one of the brightest young women in the industry,” Gordon says. “She is working her way up the ladder on the deck.”

The trio gelled as a team while crewing for three summers on a 75-foot private yacht in Chicago, and especially while navigating the inland waterways to deliver boats between Florida and Chicago.

“I was coming around the bend from the Ohio River into the Mississippi River, and it looked like a miniature ocean,” Gordon says. “You had waves, swells, trash, trees, refrigerators, buoys on the wrong side of the river and lots of commercial traffic. It took all three of us to get through situations like that.”

At every stop, Hughes was constantly mistaken for the captain. “He’d say: ‘No, I am low man on the totem pole. These two women are running the boat,’” Gordon says. “You learn to laugh about it and feel proud when they realize you are the captain.”

Word got out about the female captain. When Gordon pulled into Heritage Harbor in Ottawa, Illinois, the marina manager asked if she’d meet with a local young woman named Macy who’d been awaiting her arrival and aspired to be a captain herself.

“That was a pivotal moment for me,” Gordon says. “I didn’t realize how much of an influence I could have on young women.”

Coming Full Circle

During the past year, Gordon has taken command of two separate helms. In June 2021, three different sources contacted her within 24 hours about the captain position aboard Freddy. “It was meant to be,” she says with a laugh. “To captain another Sanlorenzo felt like everything was coming full circle for me.”

She took Freddy into the boatyard for extensive upgrades to the interior and chiller system. “Vendors have thought that Freddy is a newer boat than she actually is, so that has been rewarding,” she says.

The captain thrills every time she takes Freddy to the Bahamas, where she has made close friends over her more than a decade in the industry. “My energy, vibe and whole face change as soon as I see Nassau on the horizon,” she says. “Highbourne, Compass and Staniel cays are where my people are, and I love making each of those stops.”

Gordon’s second “helm” is a mentorship program through her personal website (captainkellyjgordon.com) that connects the growing number of Macys who reach out to her from all over the world with the current generation of female crew.

“We need to help these young women who are so passionate about getting into the industry,” she says. “Mentorship was so important to me and my career. I want to pay it forward.”

Hidden Gem

While many charters in the Northern Exumas don’t venture past Staniel Cay, Gordon is proud to take her guests one stop farther south. She anchors in Little Bay at Black Point. She then takes Freddy’s 2021 Boston Whaler 320 Vantage down to Little Farmer’s Cay so guests can swim with turtles and visit an above ground cave. They then stop at Musha Cay to collect sand dollars.

Room to Grow

According to the She of the Sea 2021 “Diversity and Inclusion in Yachting” report, women account for: 1.9 percent of captains, 3.9 percent of chief officers, 0.5 percent of engineers, 8.6 percent of deck crew, 18.9 percent of galley crew, 86.4 percent of interior crew, and 2.1 percent of captain candidates.

Helping Hand

During a February stop at Pig Beach in the Exumas, Gordon noticed a piglet that wasn’t doing so well. She found some baby formula on Freddy and drew on her veterinary skills to get the piglet back on its feet. Her crew recorded the moment on video. “It says everything about me—the pigs, the beach and the boats,” Gordon says. 

Due Course

Like most captains, Gordon travels light. However, one fixture aboard Freddy is an old-school compass given to her by her sister, Brandee Gordon. Engraved on the back is the message, “Let your mind be free when you’re at sea.”

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