Well, here is the kicker…

DYC, as part of the deal and to help us ease the pain of having to wait for over a year to actually use our cat, offered to spread the first year’s free usage over two years…. starting from the day we paid our deposit.

True to their word the team at DYC “Owners Rental Department” in France spun into action and facilitated an 8 day charter out of Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Australia, with what could only be described as “minimal lead time” – like 3 days!!

Queensland Yacht Charters, DYC local affiliate, provided us with a very nicely maintained 2014 Lagoon 421, “Traviata”

* Standard charter outfit, 4 main cabins + 1 out front, 5 toilets
* Very clean and well maintained yacht. Usual but minimal wear and tear.  Everything worked!
* No A/C, watermaker or Genset (but none were advertised nor needed on that trip in April)
* Enough solar to last most of the time if you are careful. The engines cover the remainder of
your charging needs.
* Plenty of fridge & storage space as well as all required utensils.
* Welcome pack (like dishwashing liquid, toilet paper and some staples for cooking), fresh
linen, blankets, pillows, towels and even rain coats
* Good electronic navigation equipment, charts and local cruising guide, binoculars, torches
* Large dingy and well working outboard (6HP)
* Even though Traviata only has minimum sails (mains and jib) she sailed extremely well for
the type of cat, did 9 kts in 15-20 kts of true wind with 1 reef

From an owners point of view…

OUTBOUND:

The staff were friendly and super professional. On arrival, we got a thorough area briefing, highlighting danger zones, do’s and dont’s, spots to see, good anchorages, introduction into local tidal flows and twice daily radio schedule.

This would have been followed by an equally thorough boat brief but as I have sailed a Lagoon 421 previously, I was familiar with the yacht and we focused on some of Traviata’s specific custom items.

Local staff will take the yacht out of the marina for you (for insurance) and once in open water show you how to hoist the main sail. It’s almost like a last line of defense against pretend and fraudulent sailing CVs . Clever!

INBOUND:

Again, the staff moored the yacht after refueling it.

Decent walk through and debrief as to how the yacht performed, any problems, did anything break, did you hit anything, problems anchoring etc.

I pointed out little maintenance things, really more preventative stuff (like a loose hinge) and they took it all down on paper to fix.

Everything was well documented and check-listed, ticked off and signed by both parties. I am not sure if they did a dive to look under the belly after we left, I have seen that happen in Thailand.