The Charter Connection Blog

‘Sayang’, a popular Jeanneau 54, is offering 8 days for the price of 7 through the month of July. Paul and Ratna also offer a ‘Romantic Getaway for Two’ special! We have had 22 successful charters on this boat. Flexible layout for up to six but particularly suitable for four. Excellent boat and crew.

‘Viking Dream’ was voted best multihull up to 50′ at the last two consecutive Tortola broker shows (2010 and 2009), which is almost unheard of! They are offering $1000 off for selected fall dates. Recommended.

‘NSS Pattam’, the 84′ classic DeFever motor yacht, is offering a $500 per person discount on fully crewed charters and $350 per person discount on B&B charters taking place in June or July.

Voyage is taking 20% off their fleet of bareboat sail cats and 15% off crewed sailing charters through July. Ask us for specifics.

We’ll find you the best value. Call us at 800 621 7855, email us at info@ed-hamilton.com, visit the Ed Hamilton & Co website, or let us suggest some boats and crews suitable for your group!

Have you ever wondered where the crewed yacht chefs buy their organic produce in Tortola? Aragorn Dick-Read is better known as a sculptor and supporter of the local arts (he created those fireball sculptures in Trellis Bay), but he and his wife also own a local produce business. Revitalizing old terraced farmland on the more fertile north side of Tortola, they created ‘Good Moon Farm’ and have built up a network of local farmers to supply Mega Yachts and crewed charter chefs with quality organic produce. In addition to crewed yachts, they supply several restaurants, villa rentals and bareboaters willing to pay a little extra for produce that has never been sprayed and hasn’t arrived on a ship.

The apple often doesn’t fall far from the tree and in this case, Aragorn is following a family tradition. His father, Robert Dick-Read, was one of the pioneers in the early development of present day Tortola. Some of his schemes, such as a rental car business, were ahead of their time (his VW Beetles were killed by the terrible roads of the late 60s), but his big break was the Ample Hamper, which supplied provisions to the new evolving charter industry. He was the founder and first owner, and his flamboyant enthusiasm behind the counter played a big part in its success. For those who remember him, he is doing well at 80 and is still scheming!

If you’re considering a charter, we have been in this industry since it started! Call us (800 621 7855), email info@ed-hamilton.com, or visit the Ed Hamilton & Co website. If you tell us more about your requirements , we can suggest some suitable boats and crews!

We wish Aragorn well, not only in this venture, but also with his sculpture and his efforts to keep Caribbean art and old traditions alive.

‘Analisa’ is offering a snowbird special. $1,000 off a 7 night 4 pax charter, $750 off for 3 and $500 off a 2 pax, taking place before June 2011. This 60′ Hatteras motor yacht is already economically priced at $3,375 per person for 4, per week, including all meals, open ship’s bar, water toys, cruising taxes, unlimited generator and free fuel up to 20 hours (more than adequate for a 7 day charter).

The special applies for 7 night charters, but they also will charter for shorter periods without adding the customary surcharge to the prorated weekly rate. They offer half board rates for those wishing to eat several meals ashore, but with the price of local restaurants, the inclusive rate is generally the better value. She’s best for 4, but families of 6 can be accommodated, with two children in the salon, sharing a head with the crew.

Peter Scully and Ruth Pinnell have cruised on Analisa for 10years, but put her through an extensive refit before chartering her, so everything is new and in great shape. Meet them both in their excellent promotional video.

Her comfortable master cabin features a queen berth and a second guest cabin has two singles which can be converted to a sideways queen. The 15′ tender has a 60hp engine which can pull a variety of water toys, including adult and child water skis, a tube and a wake board. There are also two double kayaks, underwater cameras (video and still), floating mats and fishing gear. She can start charters in the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands.

We specialize in finding you the best value regardless of price range. Call us at 800 621 7855, email us at info@ed-hamilton.com, take a look at the Ed Hamilton & Co website, or tell us about your plans and we will suggest some boats and crews we feel would be suitable for your group!

Here’s an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day! Brett and Ronnie are offering $5,000 off the listed rate for 7 night bookings on Akasha, between March 3 and 16. This is one of the few slots available in this popular boat’s calendar and they are keen to fill it. Akasha offers wonderful luxury for up to 10 guests, in 4 queen suites and a lovely master suite with a king. Brett and Ronnie are true professionals and run a first class ship.

If the cold is getting to you and you’re in the market for a big cat this winter, it doesn’t get better than this. For $4,300 per person, a party of 10 can charter this huge 76′ cat for a week, including all ‘5star’ meals, reasonable bar and some scuba diving for certified divers.

Whether you’re going for the best money can buy or looking for great value, at Ed Hamilton & Co we’ll find you the perfect yacht. Use our online form to tell us about your party so we can start suggesting some boats. You can also call us at 800 621 7855 or email us at info@ed-hamilton.com

Here’s a way of having an inexpensive romantic Valentine charter and renew your vows at the same time! Tim and Angela are offering a special for charters over Valentine’s Day on their lovely 46′ yacht ‘Spirit’.

In addition to all meals and open bar, they are including free champagne throughout the week (let it flow), engraved gifts, a DVD of your happy adventures above and below the water, and champagne beach picnics! On Valentines Day itself, you can join the traditional group wedding vow renewal ceremony, held just before sunset at beautiful Trunk Bay, St. John. A tropical fruit platter and (of course) champagne, will be served after the ceremony, on the beach. Also included is a tandem ride rendezvous parasail with a bird’s eye view of St. John, St Thomas and the western British Virgin Islands.
All this for a total of $5900 for two, for the week, plus gratuity. Preferred pick up is the US Virgin Islands for this special.

Feeling romantic? Ed Hamilton & Co can provide the perfect setting for any honeymoon yacht charter or celebration, so tell us your plans and call us at 800 621 7855 or send us an email at info@ed-hamilton.com.

P.S. See if you can guess the name of the beach in the photograph (hint it was taken a few years ago)! The answer is on our company FaceBook page.

Christmas is only 9 days away, but we are still getting last minute requests for the holidays. Almost more surprising is that we are finding suitable boats and booking them! The savvy shoppers are booking for NEXT year, where they can get what they want before the regulars rebook for 2011/12, but if you’re looking for a last minute get away, here are some suggestions for this year. Prices are holiday rates for one week and include all meals and open bar unless stated.

Open from Dec 27 - Jan 11, Tachyon has to be a deal in the Grenadines. Jacque is joining Eric for this charter, so this week she is fully crewed for up to 6 guests, for $11,900 (reduced from $14,900).

Magpie ($8,700/2, $10,300/4)and Sudiki ($9,400/2, $12,000/4) are two other options in the Grenadines, open for both holidays.

In the British and US Virgin Islands, the popular Sandcastle ($13,420/2, $14,420/4) is open for Christmas, up to Dec 27, and Reaction ($20,000 up to 8 ), with their fun crew, is open to Dec 28.

Honiara ($8,470 up to 4) and Crystal Clear ($8,950/2, $10,950/4) are open for both holidays and Amaryllis ($9,350/2, $10,450/4, $12,100/6) is open for New Year from the 30th.

123Relax ($5,445/2, $7,150/4, $8,778/6, plus bar in Leewards) is an inexpensive option in St. Martin but she needs to finish on the 1st.

Thinking of a different New Year in the uncrowded islands of Belize? Be pampered on the exciting Gunboat 66, Gazelle ($23,100 up to 4, $25,300/6), open from the 30th.

Check into flights first, but if you can get there, we can have you celebrating in the sunshine this holiday! Email us now at Ed Hamilton & Co.

The St Thomas charter yacht show was held for the third year at Yacht Haven Grande, in Charlotte Amalie. The setting is gorgeous with the landscaped area, host of restaurants and boutique shops surrounding the docks.

Twenty-eight yachts were in attendance, and brokers could see a wide range of boats from the 46′ Hunter SPIRIT, specializing in two guest vacations, to the 56′ Marquises Catamaran, GOOD NEWS, all the way up to the 120′ Broward, M/Y FREEDOM.

I had the honor of having lunch aboard the latter, and had an outstanding meal by chef Quinn Corbett, who incidentally hails from Maine. Quinn showcased his talents well and his menu was amazing. The starter was sauteed shrimp with house smoked bacon and sweet corn, finished with white wine, fresh thyme and butter and served on southern grits.

The main course consisted of a mixed grill of chicken breast with a cranberry-orange chutney, quail with dried fruit and nut bread stuffing, Merguez sausage with traditional Harissa sauce, and a fresh goat cheese crumble, served with grilled veggies and an Israeli couscous. And just when we thought we’d eaten too much, out came the dessert. A Chef’s selection of truffles, fruit fondu, mini whoopie pies, rosemary shortbread, mini ice cream sandwiches, peanut butter cups and blondies. There were clean plates all around. FREEDOM can host up to 9 guests in 4 cabins, the Master Cabin has a King bed, there are two Queen cabins and a cabin with twin beds and a pullman.

I was also treated to lunch aboard the 54′ Lazzara, Verna Breeze. Chris and Kelly are wonderful hosts and the online brochure does not do the boat justice. This comfortable sailer features amazingly spacious, flat decks.  Kelly prepared prosciutto wrapped asparagus spears, yin yan soup, and grilled lobster.  Dessert was grilled pineapple with dipping sauce. Stellar. VERNA BREEZE is a great boat for a single couple or a family with one or two kids. Her master has a queen and an additional cabin offers over/under singles.

The boat show was a great success, and I had the opportunity to visit with crews and yachts I was already familiar with as well as see some exciting new options for charter. Email us or give us a call at 800 621 7855, and we can help you find the perfect yacht and crew for your vacation!

The picture shows the charter base at West Indies Yachts, which Ed managed from 1973 to 1975. An early client sent it to us recently, saying that it was taken at the start of their first charter, with his wife and two sons, in 1974. Many sailing adventures followed, but it was this charter that opened a new world for them! He and his wife are no longer sailing, but live in a comfortable retirement community overlooking the Severn River in Annapolis. He particularly enjoyed The Last Resort and asked if we knew of a CD of Tony Snell as they have many happy memories of watching him perform (as do we all).

West Indies Yachts originally started in the Lagoon at St. Thomas, at the base later used by Trawlers in Paradise. Ed was working as a manager at The Moorings, but at 26, saw the change as a challenge and an opportunity. His first job as manager was to move the 9 boat fleet to Maya Cove, Tortola, but because only three boats had functioning engines, each one had to tow two boats behind them to get there! The fleet consisted of three neglected Ohlson 38s (beautiful sailing yachts) and some inexpensively built Coronados (base price was around $25,000 which was cheap for a new 41 footer even in those days). These were replaced with more upscale Gulfstar 41s and 43s. The WIY base was later used by Sunsail as their Maya Cove work dock. More pictures.

Rough beginnings but what a great opportunity it turned out to be. Ed has spent his life in the charter industry and has never regretted those early decisions. Ed Hamilton & Co.