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Bahamas Yacht Charters by Sneed Charters

SOUTHERN CHARM Yacht Charters
Sneed Yacht Charters.

(800) 581-7130 / (561)459-5316
CREW PROFILES

TitleNameNationBornLicenses
CaptainKevin King USA 1972 USCG - Master
Chef/mateElizabeth King USA 1972 STCW
Number of Crew: 2Languages: English

Crew Profiles:
If ever a couple was built for the close-quarters intimacy of full-time cruising, it’s Kevin and Elizabeth King. These Leopard 50 owners have walked through life side-by-side since infancy. “Elizabeth and I met in church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, when we were about two-years-old,” says Kevin. “Our families were close. We went to church together, and our fathers eventually became business partners. Elizabeth and I even have the same birthday - day, month and year.”

After attending the University of Arkansas and working for their families’ telecom company, the energetic, ambitious couple decided to go into business for themselves. They did so in their usual way, together and full throttle. “In 2005, we decided to start our own real estate brokerage,” says Kevin. “It took off like mad. With Elizabeth's marketing skills and my sales and recruiting experience, everything just exploded. We became the number one volume real estate office in our region in just our third year.”

Of course, that success came at a price. As much as they loved their work, Kevin and Elizabeth knew they needed both a way to occasionally escape the demands of entrepreneurship and a plan for their long-term future, i.e., retirement. As it turns out, there was a one-word answer for both: Sailing. “Elizabeth came up with an idea to go sailing,” says Kevin. She found a crewed charter in the BVI, and we went and absolutely loved it.” Loved it a lot.

Kevin, who never goes along for the ride, spent much of that first cruise learning the basics of sailing from the crew. Over the next three years, the Kings immersed themselves in their new passion. They took ASA courses and went on more cruises. Kevin even volunteered to crew on passages up and down the East Coast. The couple was pleasantly surprised by the welcome and support they received from their fellow cruisers. “The sailing community is made up of a lot of good, caring people,” says Kevin. “They're like-minded. They enjoy sailing, obviously, but they also enjoy the sense of community and helping others. It’s amazing how quickly you can make friends even during a pandemic.”

In 2019, the Kings put their seamanship to a life-changing test. They successfully crossed the Atlantic via the Azores with their three kids on a friend’s Leopard 45. The trip sealed their decision to go full-time and validated their 2018 decision to purchase a Leopard 50. Kevin and Elizabeth took delivery of their 50 earlier this year and say it checks every box on their design and performance list. “We liked the Leopard a lot because of the forward hatch and the forward seating area,” says Kevin. “We love the flybridge, too. The heavy displacement is important to us. The boat is solid, like a tank. We've been in some pretty high winds being offshore, and it handles great. We've never felt unsafe with the Leopard. Taking the option of the larger engine was a good call. We use that added power a lot coming in and out of some inlets in Florida.”

The Kings’ Leopard, Southern Charm, is now pretty much home for Kevin, Elizabeth and their daughter, who is finishing up high school remotely from the Leopard’s lounge area. While the couple must occasionally spend time in Fort Smith as they wrap up the sale of their business, they hurry back to Southern Charm as soon as possible. The COVID pandemic has had a mixed impact on the King’s new-boat experience. On the downside, the couple was forced to cancel a planned maiden cruise to the Bahamas, a cruise to Acadia National Park in Maine, and visits by friends and family. But the corona-caused acceptance of remote meeting options reduced the need for those trips back to Arkansas.

Once the all-clear sounds, the Kings would like to explore the Bahamas and circumnavigate the world. Closer in, they look forward to introducing their friends and family to Southern Charm and the world of sailing. “Fort Smith is a border town with the Arkansas River wrapping around half of it, “ says Kevin. “We have lakes all around the city, so lots of our friends grew up skiing and wakeboarding and all that kind of stuff, but nobody's really been on a big sailboat.” The couple also plans to offer crewed cruises on Southern Charm. Kevin says they might do ten or fifteen cruises a year, “just enough to cover some of our cruising costs.” And scratch their entrepreneurial itch, no doubt.

When exactly all this might happen is still up in the air, given the continued health concerns. And that’s fine with the Kings. “We've kind of quit planning with COVID,” says Elizabeth. “We have a general idea of what we're going to do, and then we're just pretty loosey-goosey from there.” Adds Kevin: “We were on a treadmill with work for a long time. We want to spend some quality time enjoying the slow route. Not hurrying on an agenda to get anywhere, but enjoying the places we visit and taking the time to meet locals and enjoy the local food, and get to know people a little bit instead of hurrying to get the next spot.”

One thing is certain, even in these crazy times. Whatever the future holds for Kevin and Elizabeth, they’ll experience it hand-in-hand.

Sneed Yacht Charters.

Bahamas Motor Yacht Charter

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FAQ

We’ll be pleased to assist you in deciding which activities suit your personality and interests the best. Your crew and captain are experts. They are familiar with the locale and the greatest things to do. They can give advice on where to go fishing, diving, or snorkeling. They are aware of the locations of the remotest beaches. They can give advice on the top boutiques, eateries, or nightclubs.

We’ll provide you a food choice survey to fill out so we can figure out what kinds of meals you and your visitors would like to eat while you’re away. Along with your preferences, the form will ask about any dietary requirements, medical restrictions, or food allergies that any members of your party may have. Prior to your departure, you will also get the chance to ask any questions of a crew member. The team will next make your favorite cocktails and fresh, gourmet meals for the rest of the voyage.

Running costs are not included in the rates given for motor yacht charters and must be paid separately. Catamarans for sailing must be all-inclusive. The costs are determined by the number of people and cover all meals, drinks (including the typical ship’s bar), fuel, ice, and aquatic activities. Taxes, dockage fees, and communication expenses must all be paid individually.

Food, alcohol, fuel, dockage, port fees, and any other costs associated with the charter are considered running costs.
Typically, the operating costs represent 35% of the base charter fee. A 35% Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) will be paid in advance of your departure, giving the crew time to stock the yacht. A detailed breakdown of all costs will be provided to you at the conclusion of the charter. If there is still a balance, you will get a refund; however, if expenses are higher than the APA, you will have to pay the outstanding balance before disembarking.

Florida’s tax ranges from 6-7%, depending on the port of embarkation, while the Bahamian tax is 14%. The charter cost also includes tax.

What to anticipate if you have to cancel your vacation is covered in your charter agreement. To protect yourself in the event that unavoidable circumstances force you to cancel your trip, we advise buying cancellation insurance.

luxury yacht rental is made to meet all of your requirements for the entirety of your journey. The skipper and crew will do everything possible to meet and exceed your expectations. The captain’s first priority, however, is the security of his crew and the boat. He has the last say on anything that could affect the safety of passengers.

Yes. Although not required, leaving a tip is encouraged, especially if your yacht rental experience left you feeling especially satisfied. At the completion of your charter, you should give the captain a 15% gratuity.

Once you’ve decided on a yacht, we’ll place an “option” on it, securing it for 48 hours while you finish the paperwork. Then, a yacht charter agreement must be read and signed. We are happy to answer any queries you may have and thoroughly explain the terms. You must send your completed contract together with a deposit for the charter.

50% of the charter cost is required as a down payment; however, if there are less than 30 days to departure, the whole amount is due. The deposit is made via bank wire transfer and is kept in an escrow account by the principal agent of the yacht until just before the charter date. You have secured the yacht once we get your signed contract and down payment.

We’ll start collaborating with you to customize your charter. Your food and exercise preference survey will be delivered to you. We’ll set up a phone call for you and the crew. We will assist you in planning all charter-related details, including transportation in a limousine and flights.

If you are renting a motor boat, the APA funds and the remaining balance of the charter are due 30 days before the start of your trip.

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