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 Westport 40M is a trideck superyacht with serious capabilities for outdoor entertaining. Its flybridge has a covered outdoor dining area for 10, a hot tub and a wet bar. Inside, the galley has a dishwasher, a wine chiller, an ice maker, a stove on an island with a bar, and a double-door stainless-steel refrigerator. 

Belowdecks are four staterooms: two VIPs with king berths and two guest rooms with twin berths. The master is forward on the main deck. At press time, there were three Westport 40Ms available, ranging from $12.9 million to $17.9 million.  

From the Archive

“They’re constantly improving their product, sometimes building in extras in advance of needing them, and always with the long term in mind. When talking about the new 40M, which is built on the hull of the hugely popular, William Garden-designed Westport 130, [Capt. Fred] Hammond cites this vessel’s ABS class and MCA compliance as an example of something they started working quietly toward on previous builds.”

— Yachting, March 2010

The post Westport 40M for Sale appeared first on Yachting.

In early November, Westport Yachts in Washington State launched the ninth hull of its Westport 125 series.

The model has continued to prove popular since Hull No. 1 launched in 2016, marking the first new model in a decade for the builder that had long been known for the Westport 112 and Westport 130. More than 100 of those two models have been built.

When the 125 first appeared, Westport said it drew on popular features from the 112 and 130 models, giving owners a way to move up to a bigger yacht from the 112 without having to go all the way to the size of the 130. Like the 112, the 125 has a raised pilothouse (as opposed to the 130’s trideck design).

“The launch of the enhanced Westport 125 is a significant milestone for Westport Yachts, and it exemplifies their unwavering commitment to excellence in the luxury yachting industry,” the company announced in a press release. “The yacht will now undergo final outfitting and sea trials before being delivered to her excited owner.”

What are the accommodations aboard the Westport 125? The yacht has staterooms for 10 guests as well as quarters for five or six crew.

Take the next step: go to westportyachts.com

The post Westport Launches Hull No. 9 of the 125 appeared first on Yachting.

But when it comes to the really big boats—the megayachts, superyachts and gigayachts—it’s the NFL team owners who have the goods. Sure, there’s an occasional story in the news about an NFL player spending a day on the water, but the people making a real splash on the docks are the ones who own the teams.

Article At-A-Glance

• NFL players, such as Tom Brady, have good-size boats, but team owners have big yachts.
• Several NFL team owners have sizable, pedigree European shipyard builds.
• You’d never know the owners based on the yacht names.
• The yachts cruise all over the world, including the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

European Shipyards that NFL Owners Choose

Europe has always been seen as the place to buy a pedigree superyacht, and owners of NFL teams naturally gravitate toward the best. They’ve commissioned yachts from Oceanco, Lürssen, Feadship and Royal Hakvoort.

Jerry Jones’ Bravo Eugenia

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones owns Bravo Eugenia, a 357-foot Oceanco that was delivered in late 2018. Forbes reported that, during the pandemic, Jones handled the NFL draft from on board—in a luxurious version of social-distancing. The yacht itself is noteworthy for its hybrid propulsion as well as its multiple helipads, which give Jones the ability to land on board pretty much anywhere in the world.

Shahid Khan’s Kismet

In 2014, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan took delivery of the 312-foot Lürssen Kismet. It’s currently listed for sale on the Moran Yacht & Ship website at an asking price of about $160 million, with what the brokerage house calls a “decadent interior” by Reymond Langton Design. Accommodations are for 16 guests, with quarters for 28 crew. The yacht has a helipad, a spa, a swimming pool and an outdoor fireplace—a rare find aboard any yacht of any size.

American Shipyards that NFL Owners Choose

Some NFL owners skip the European shipyards (and their years-long waiting lists) altogether and go with American builds instead. These yachts are new or refitted after being purchased from previous owners, showing that it’s possible to get exactly what you want in a yacht even if you don’t choose the process of custom construction.

Steve Bisciotti’s Winning Drive

Baltimore Ravens majority owner Steve Bisciotti reportedly also owns Winning Drive, a Westport 130 that left the yard in 2012. This is one of the most popular American-model yachts ever, with the series in build since way back in 2000 and the company still offering new versions today. The 10-guest, seven-crew Westport 130 is also a popular model on the charter market, if anyone wants to book a different hull to get a feel for life on board Bisciotti style.

Stan Kroenke’s Aquila

This billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Rams (and numerous other sports teams) reportedly also owns Aquila, a 280-foot Derecktor that started life on the water in 2010 as Cakewalk—the largest private motoryacht ever built in the United States. The yacht underwent a yearlong refit at Pendennis and is currently available for charter through Burgess at a lowest weekly base rate of $945,000. Guests have full access to the onboard elevator, cinema room, spa and massage areas, and bridge-deck fire pit.

Tom Brady’s Boat

By comparison with these behemoths, Brady’s Wajer 77 seems small—but it’s actually the largest model in the builder’s line. It’s built for speed and silence, with a top speed of 37 knots and extensive use of insulation to dampen onboard noise. Smaller models from Wajer give all kinds of boat owners a chance to sample the kind of fun that Brady is having out on the water.

Wajer 38

The Wajer 38 is the entry-level model in the builder’s lineup, with 45 knots of speed (yes, it can outrun Tom Brady’s boat). The 300-nautical-mile range means this boat is well-suited for weekend getaways, and the fact that the boat is packed with seating and sun pads mean owners can bring plenty of friends along for the ride. Vripack in the Netherlands—also a superyacht designer—handled naval architecture, which explains the upscale feel.

Wajer 55S

This is the model that Tom Brady had before he upgraded to the builder’s larger flagship. The 55S is still in production today. It’s a 38-knot boat with a 400-nautical-mile range and a center-console design that allows great walkaround space for fishing and other water sports. Belowdecks, there’s accommodations for as many as four people, if owners want to spend the night on the hook. For the hull, owners can choose among a wide variety of colors, ranging from more subtle blacks and whites to high-octane yellows and pinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do more NFL team owners than NFL players own superyachts?

Generally speaking, superyacht owners are billionaires, while even the most successful NFL players tend to be multimillionaires.

Do any NFL team owners have yachts bigger than a football field?

A football field between the goal lines is 100 yards, or 300 feet. That means several NFL team owners have yachts that would be too long to fit inside their own stadiums.

Do NFL team owners keep their yachts near NFL stadiums?

Not usually. Dallas Cowboys owners Jerry Jones’ yacht, for instance, has been spotted everywhere from Vancouver to London.

Do NFL team owners with yachts also have other business interests?

Yes. Shahid Khan, who owns the Jacksonville Jaguars, made his fortune with Flex-N-Gate, which makes bumpers for vehicles. Steve Bisciotti, who owns the Baltimore Ravens, also owns staffing, recruiting and talent-management companies.

Do any NFL stadiums have dockage for yachts?

Not directly at the stadium, but there’s a marina adjacent to Soldier Field, where the Chicago Bears play, and boaters heading to Cleveland Browns games can tie up at the nearby Rock and Dock Marina at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The post The NFL’s Favorite Boats appeared first on Yachting.

Denison Yachting says there has been a price drop on the Westport 112 Seahawk, which is lying in Palm Beach, Florida, with an asking price of $10,950,000.

Seahawk is a 2014 build with a gross tonnage of 235. According to the brokerage house, cruise speed is 22 knots with a top hop of 25 knots. Draft is 5 feet, 6 inches for getting into skinny-water ports.

Accommodations are for eight guests in four en suite staterooms. The master is full-beam with a California king berth. The VIP is far forward, with the two other guest staterooms between the master and the VIP.

Recent upgrades: Denison’s team says Seahawk recently was upgraded with new navigation electronics, including five new screens; new Wi-Fi and cellular electronics, including Starlink satellite internet; new carpeting in the salon, stairs and staterooms; a new Axis security system and cameras; and a Naiad at-rest stabilizer system.

How to book a walkthrough or sea trial: contact sales brokers Erik Mayol or Richard Glazer at denisonyachting.com

The post Price Drop on Westport 112 appeared first on Yachting.

Describing the refit of the Westport 112 Montrachet, Destry Darr of Destry Darr Designs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, says with a laugh, “This was never going to be what I call a fluff-and-puff.”

That’s what she calls a refit consisting of changing pillows and upholstery.

“But we were never going to be a full gut-and-chuck either,” she says, noting that, while the finished yacht was unrecognizable on the interior from the original build, it didn’t involve ripping out bulkheads or rearranging major features.

Montrachet’s experienced owners bought the 112 with a refit in mind. Since the yacht had undergone a mechanical overhaul just two years earlier, they were free to focus on a new interior.

“They wanted clean and fresh,” says Darr, noting that the owners asked for Nantucket chic. “They brought photos of what they liked, and we went with pale blues and whites, with dark-blue accents, to give the coastal look.”

The owners also planned to use the yacht with an extended family that includes young grandchildren. “This meant using the new fabrics that not only are great outdoors and look terrific indoors, but are crayon-proof,” she adds.

Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center was the refit yard of choice for several reasons. First, she says, it has an excellent reputation. Second, it works comfortably with outside subcontractors. Last, Darr has done many refits there and knew what to expect while lightening the interior and retaining much of the Westport’s woodwork.

One mechanical project was to replace the HVAC system. That work was coordinated with the removal and replacement of the headliner to allow for indirect returns. This setup required removing and redesigning a recessed soffit over the dining table.

A second significant task was to refresh and renew the master stateroom’s en suite head, which required removing the striated marble from the counters and bulkheads, and replacing it with a simple, clean look, including chrome fixtures on an all-white vanity. Like all the yacht’s en suites, it got updated stone, new wall coverings and shower enclosures, and new plumbing with chrome faucets.

The VIP stateroom forward was challenging because the plan was to use beadboard paneling to lighten the interior as well as to create a classic sailboat look. The angles from the changing hull shape and overhead were difficult, but Darr’s team incorporated recessed overhead lighting soffits and black-and-white nautical photographs. Shoji screens were also replaced (in all staterooms), and beadboard was fitted around ports and windows.

The master stateroom also received the beadboard treatment on its bulkheads and overhead (and on an elegant headboard). Newly designed bookshelves were finished with polished chrome fiddles that are decorative and useful to keep things in place. A sculptured carpet softened the stateroom sole.

In the lower foyer leading to the staterooms, the stone sole was replaced by warm engineered cherry-wood planking. White textured wall coverings create interest. Whiter LED lighting was installed, along with ribbed-glass sconces to match the staterooms and brighten the corridor.

The stairs leading from the main deck to the foyer also received cherry-wood borders with a textured carpet runner to create a waterfall effect as well as secure footing.

Without removing the original Westport cabinetry, new bullnose trim was fitted throughout the salon and staterooms, with caning topped with glass for a timeless, elegant sensibility. The salon received a new L-shaped couch and loose chairs with classic styling in white, easy-clean fabrics. A game table for two to starboard has cane chairs to tie in with the countertops and invites not only cards, but breakfast croissants too. New window treatments finished the salon look.

One feature of the Westport 112 is a forward country-kitchen-style galley, which incorporates an island and a dining settee with a table. It’s intended as a gathering place for guests and the chef. On this boat, it has stainless-steel appliances and white quartz Silestone counters for a clean, contemporary look that’s easy to clean. The dinette has sleek upholstery around a Silestone table to match the galley. Chairs that tuck under the island overhang let guests use the galley counter for snacks or to chat with the chef.

“I’m seeing more sleek-looking stones, such as Cambria quartz, with a cleaner and larger pattern of movement,” Darr says. “Marbled colors and veiny patterns are losing favor, while synthetic stones offer a contemporary look.”

The yacht’s exterior was updated with new upholstery, cushions and accent windows. On the bridge, white all-weather, childproof upholstery with blue piping continues the white-and-blue look. Montrachet also now has lighted nameboards.

With an interior that matches the owner’s dreams, the Montrachet project took six months. “That time frame is doable,” Darr says, “but it requires both careful planning and talented subcontractors.”  

Westport 112

The Westport 112 is a popular yacht for refits. More than 60 hulls have been built, and they have what buyers call “good bones,” with four staterooms, quarters for five crew, proven construction and an aesthetic that is receptive to a variety of design styles.

Colors for Relaxation

“Grays, blues and shades of white have been dominant lately,” says Florida-based designer Destry Darr. “These colors create warmth, happiness, joy, relaxation and rejuvenation—everything an owner wants to feel to get away from their fast-paced, day-to-day life.”

Choosing Color Schemes

Florida-based designer Destry Darr says, “I am seeing more contemporary interiors with interesting colors combined with unusual accents in classic colors such as warm orange, soft yellow, and majestic pinks and plum. I see a lot of organic and natural colors, such as leaf green, and, of course, earthy neutrals never go out of style.”

Take the next step: destrydarrdesigns.com

The post Westport 112 ‘Montrachet’ Completes Refit 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.

Churchill Yacht Partners says the 130-foot Westport Dona Lola is scheduled to be in the Bahamas starting this November and is accepting inquiries now for the whole of the winter 2022-23 charter season.

Dona Lola is a 2003 build that most recently was refitted in 2018. The yacht accommodates 10 guests in five staterooms and charters with seven crew.

Tenders and toys include a 30-foot Intrepid center console, an 18-foot Novurania RIB, scuba and snorkeling gear, WaveRunners, standup paddleboards, kayaks, Bladefish sea scooters, fishing gear and a floating island.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Dona Lola this winter in the Bahamas? It’s $100,000.

Take the next step: contact a charter broker at churchillyachts.com

The post ‘Dona Lola’ Now Accepting Winter Charter Inquiries appeared first on Yachting.

Churchill Yacht Partners says the 130-foot Westport Dona Lola is now accepting bookings for the winter 2022-23 charter season in the Bahamas.

Dona Lola has availability starting in November—including the Thanksgiving holiday—with itineraries out of Nassau, Bahamas.

The lowest weekly base rate to charter Dona Lola is $100,000 for 10 guests in five staterooms, with seven crew on board.

For fun in the sun, Dona Lola charters with a 30-foot Intrepid center console, an 18-foot Novurania RIB, a full complement of dive gear, personal watercraft, standup paddleboards, kayaks, sea scooters, fishing gear and more.

Is Dona Lola a family-friendly charter yacht? Yes, so much so that its watersports equipment is sized for adults and children alike.

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

The post Book Now for Bahamas Charter This Winter appeared first on Yachting.

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.

By the end of 2021, the yacht had done 12 weeks, with clients continuing to line up for more.

“The styling of the yacht, the look—it’s just beautiful,” says Kim Vickery, who manages Hannah’s charter program at Westport Yachts. “Clients are very drawn to it. It’s modern with open spaces. You send them the photos, and they say, ‘OK, I want that one.’”

The parts of the interior refit that charter guests can see in those photos include the flooring, headliner, woodwork, paint, galley countertops, appliances, upholstery and guest-stateroom layouts. “We had twin berths in the VIP that the [previous] owner originally used for bodyguards,” the owner says. “We destroyed all that and made a new VIP with a queen bed. It had two bathrooms; we made one of them a closet.”

He and his wife weren’t even close to being done after that.

“Then in the master bathroom, it had a column in the middle,” he says. “We removed that and did a brand-new shower with new marble, new showerhead and so forth. We have new marble sinks and whatnot. New toilets. New flooring.”

The owner also invested in an engine-room refit because, he says, what was there “was not very appealing. We had the engines painted, we had a full service done on the engines—that wasn’t needed, but we figured we might as well do it. We put in new risers, lights in the engine room because it didn’t have any.”

And he gave Hannah a fresh paint job. “Bottom to top, the whole thing,” he says. “We did some silver paint on top to give it some contrast.”

Additional investments included new electronics at the helm, new wiring and low-voltage lighting, and additions to the toy chest.

“I got a second Jet Ski because we only had one,” the owner says. “We got rid of the 14-foot tender and got a 35-foot Whaler as the tender.”

The decor was selected in large part because it’s what the owner likes. “What I did originally was take Destry to my home,” he explains. “I said, ‘This is the way I live. This is what I would like to see on my boat.’ And that’s exactly what she duplicated.”

Except, Darr says, all the materials for the boat’s refit were chosen with charter in mind. The yacht had to be ready for bookings to begin the minute Hannah relaunched.

“The wife was very nervous about how it would hold up for charter, especially if the boat was heavily chartered, but it’s holding up phenomenally well,” Darr said in early 2022. “We thought about the stone, the wall materials, the paints that we used—we used so many different materials, from papers to fabrics to quartz stone and vinyls. We used a lot of outdoor materials, veneers, different kinds of paints. It all added to the interest of the design.”

Darr says one of her favorite spaces on the yacht post-refit is the lower foyer.

“It’s a custom-made tile and a custom-made wall covering,” she says. “They have silver studs in them. It was something that the owner loved when he saw the wall covering, and we wanted to play one off the other, so we came up with this custom tile that we designed.”

The owner says he could not be happier. He ended up with what he says is “basically a brand-new boat,” and he got it for less than half of what he would have to pay to order the same yacht new from the shipyard.

Darr says the owner had a palpable level of excitement all throughout the refit project too.

“I rave about him all the time,” she says. “It makes all the difference in the world to have a wonderful client, somebody who really has a great eye for design and knows what they like. He loved the project. He was there all the time. If it wasn’t for COVID shutting things down, he would’ve been there even more. It was nice that he wasn’t micromanaging—he just loved to see what was going on.”

Today, the owner also feels more comfortable as a first-time charter-yacht owner.

“I have a very good captain and crew who make sure that it’s maintained in pristine condition,” he says. “One of the concerns I had was that you charter and people destroy what you have, but the crew is very keen on making sure the boat is taken care of. When I get on the boat, it looks like the first day that I got on it.”

Details, Details

Westport Yachts manages Hannah for charter. Accommodations are for eight guests in four staterooms, including a master with a California king berth on centerline. There are five crewmembers on board. Cruising speed is 18 knots for exploring Florida and the Bahamas. The lowest weekly base rate is $60,000.

Waiting for the Right Opportunity

Hannah’s owner says he waited 10 years for a Westport to pop up in his price range. “This one came up, and I bought it in two seconds,” he says. “There was a bidder who had done a survey and all that and then negotiated more with the owner, and the owner said, ‘No more.’ I was the underbidder, and I got it.”

Take the next step: westportyachts.com

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