A real "Dream" boat

"Dream", a Beneteau Swift Trawler 44 has left Charleston and headed to its new home! We love a "Dream" come true.

The first mate is a real cutie!

For more information and video on the Swift Trawler 44 click HERE

Beneteau Oceanis 35 Wins Midsize Boat of the Year by Cruising World

The Beneteau Oceanis 35 — a sister ship to the company’s Oceanis 38, introduced last year — a boat with an unusual but incredibly well-imagined and executed interior plan from Nauta Design. It was so well done, actually, that it earned the boat top honors as the best Midsize Cruiser for 2015.

“This is a very interesting boat,” said Murphy. “The interior, I think, is great. The floor plan in the main saloon is completely open with no forward bulkhead, which is very unusual, but it works. They offer the boat in three stages, so you can buy it as a daysailer with no galley whatsoever, and then up through two more levels, as a weekender or a full-on cruiser. We were on so many other boats this year, many of them in the mid-40-foot range and larger, and my notes over and over again say the Oceanis 35 compares favorably with them.

“There are just so many little things that add up,” he continued. “For instance, on this 35-footer, there’s a separate head with a completely separate shower room. The aft cabin is a wonderful space. Those are always a challenge, to get that space to actually work under the complex curves of the cockpit sole, but they nailed it. In the main cabin, there are windows in the hull, which you see on more and more boats. I liked sitting down there when we were sailing, with the light coming in, watching the shoreline and the water pass by. I reviewed a 58-footer recently with the same features, and the view on the Oceanis 35 was exactly the same. I think that’s quite a nice thing.”

“The target market, I think, is the millennial generation, the kids who played with Transformer toys,” said Schrader. “They’ll have a number of different things to do with the interior here; it’s really very clever. The Lewmar steering package was very smooth, and the mechanical installations were good. The cockpit was huge, thanks to a wide, wide transom. It’s a lot of boat in 35 feet. They also offer a seven-year hull and structural warranty, three years on equipment, and all the warranty work goes directly through Beneteau.”

That final point sealed Schrader’s vote, and ultimately, those of his fellow judges too.

“I like a company that stands behind what it makes,” he said.

Check out more information and video about the Oceanis 35 HERE

See You At The Show! Ft. Lauderdale kicks off this week!

Beneteau America and St. Barts Yachts are looking forward to seeing you at the Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show, Oct 30th to Nov 4th.

Come visit our booth dock F-G and discover the following models on display:

• NEW ! Monte Carlo 4     BoatTest review
• Monte Carlo 5                BoatTest review
    
• Gran Turismo 49 HT      BoatTest review
• Gran Turismo 38           BoatTest review
• Gran Turismo 35           BoatTest review
  
  
• Swift Trawler 50           BoatTest review
• Swift Trawler 44           BoatTest review
• Swift Trawler 34           BoatTest review

Brokers in Attendance:

Chuck Laughlin Chuck.Laughlin@St-Barts.com

Mike Lecholop Mike.Lecholop@St-Barts.com

Barbara Burke  Barbara.Burke@St-Barts.com 

Annapolis Powerboat Show 2014

 Tyler Gainey (from the Oriental office) and Chuck (Charleston office) modeling in front of the stunning Monte Carlo 5

 The Monte Carlo 5

 Chuck and Laurent (of Beneteau) ringing the bell for a signed contract. A happy new owner will be receiving his Swift Trawler 44 by the end of this year.

It was a great show! We met some wonderful clients and sold several of them new boats!

Great Loop Seminar comes to Charleston

Saturday, November 8, 2014 10am-4pm at the Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Riverfront

"Many of us have a Great Loop cruise on our bucket list. But few actually move beyond just dreaming of the Loop, to investigating whether and how to make it a reality. America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association is pleased to introduce this new one-day seminar designed to help answer the questions most people have about the Great Loop.

• How much time and money will it take?
• What kind of a boat do I need?
• How can I leave my home/kids/grandkids for an extended period of time?
• Will my spouse and I still like each other after spending so much time together?
• Is it safe?
• Will I see interesting things, or just cruise along at a turtle's pace for a whole year of my life?
• I like my lifestyle. Can my life on the water replicate what I have at home?
• We've never handled a large boat before. Why start now?
• How will I know what to do in an emergency when we're all alone on our boat?

If these are questions you (or your spouse) have pondered, this seminar is for you. "

-America's Great Loop Cruising Association Website

To register or call 877-GR8-LOOP (877)478-5667

 Greenline 33 Hybrid

Swift Trawler 44

After the seminar come on down to St. Barts Yachts Dock (T-Dock at the Charleston City Marina) to view some nice Great Loop Cruising options from 4pm-6pm.

Beneteau Boutique

Cannes Beach Bag

Beneteau Glassware

Casual Cap

The Beneteau Boutique just added some new items. Check it out here! Christmas is just around the corner! If you are really looking to show someone you love them check out the Gran Turismo 38!

Mike Lecholop joins St. Barts Yachts Sales Team

Recognize this familiar face?

We are pleased to have Mike Lecholop back in the boat business with us! Mike has boating in the blood and following his brief retirement from Groupe Beneteau, realized he missed the yachting industry. We look forward to having him on board our sales team.

Mike Lecholop is a 1971 graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, SC with a BS in Political Science and his professional background spans 38 years of sales and service experience in the marine industry. 

Mike retired from Beneteau USA Inc. in 2012 as Vice President of sales where he led overall sales management for the North American division of the world’s largest boat manufacturer, Groupe Beneteau of St. Gilles Croix-de-Vie, France.

Over his 26 years with Beneteau, Mike rose through the ranks from regional sales manager to director of sales and in 1992 was appointed Vice President of sales.  Mike and his sales team led Beneteau to the # 1 market share position in the sailboat industry by developing a strong dealer network supported by clear goals and a sound common sense management style. Having written the Beneteau Platinum dealer program Mike understands that service before, during and after the sale provides an exceptional customer experience.

Previous to this Mike was a regional sales manager for Lear Siegler Marine, manufacturer of the Cal Boats, Ranger Yachts, O’Day Sailboats and Prindle catamaran brands.  Mike has also served on the board of directors of the National Sailing Industry Association and Sail America.

Mike understands the sales and service process and is eager to put his experience to work for you. Contact Mike at Mike.Lecholop@St-Barts.com or at (843)577-7377.