The Yachting Life

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2002 Current Issue
June 2002
Short Cuts:
The Yachting Life

Vessel as venue: The Chere Amie offers fun, fresh air and a captive audience.

It’s hard to find an entertainment combo to rival water, sky and soft sea breezes. A little sailing time aboard a private yacht provides instant relaxation, and if there’s a message to be delivered, “It’s not like you have to worry about them walking out of the ballroom before you make your point,” says Cris Canning, CMP, director of sales for San Diego-based Charter Connection (www.charterconnection.com). The company’s 150-passenger Chere Amie and 500-passenger Belle Amie ply San Diego’s inner harbor, cruising among destroyers, aircraft carriers and the occasional Navy SEAL training exercise.

Up north in Seattle, groups can sail the city’s inner lakes or along Puget Sound. Waterways Cruises and Events (www.waterwayscruises.com) offers customized excursions on five vessels, ranging from eight-passenger yachts to the 250-passenger Emerald Star. “We even can design an onboard event pairing local wines with local delicacies,” says Sommer Ron, account manager.

Heading east, Newport, R.I., known for its yachting fans, also serves as home port to the champion vessels Columbia, Intrepid and Weatherly, past winners of the coveted America’s Cup. And at America’s Cup Charters (www.americascupcharters.com), groups can don gear bearing the exclusive Cup logo and stage their own regatta aboard the company’s restored wooden 12-meter sloops. Or, for a little bonding, indulge in seaworthy team-building exercises with seasoned yacht racers.

• C.A.S.