First Impression: Lucky Me

Date toured: June 2008

Lucky Me is a 75-foot Hatteras motoryacht that was built in 2000 and got a new owner in 2006. The yacht has been in charter for at least two years, and is serious enough about promoting its program that its owners built this nifty website.
      The yacht is entry-level in terms of price in the crewed yacht market, with the weekly base rate being $17,500 for six guests with two crew (about $3,700 per person for the week with typical 25-percent expenses factored in). I thought the yacht’s layout was ideal for three couples, since there were no upper/lower-style bunk beds onboard, as is sometimes the case with boats this size. The master cabin is aft down a private staircase, which is a nice touch. Note that the forward guest cabin has its bathroom a few steps up, and that same bathroom doubles as a day head (or guest bathroom, in landlubber parlance).
     Interesting for a yacht this size is that Lucky Me tows a 31-foot Jupiter powerboat (at an extra cost of $3,000 per week) in addition to its regular dinghy, kayaks, and other water sports equipment. The owner appears to be very into fishing and snorkeling, so the crew should be well-versed in helping you to make the most of those activities during your charter.
     I was told there’s WiFi available, as well as satellite television and iPod docking stations. In terms of personnel, the time I spent onboard was with a very nice, well-qualified chef named Jennifer Brown, but the current crew profile lists a different chef, so check with a reputable charter broker about the crew before you book.
     Lucky Me is part of the fleet at Robert Curry & Associates. She’s expected to be in the Florida-Bahamas area this winter.—Kim Kavin