By Kevin Fraser CPYB
Last summer, one of my customers asked me to find him a sailboat that he could sail to Bermuda to watch the America’s Cup. I showed him a few boats in the 50’ range but none appealed to him, I then showed him a Beneteau Sense 55, which his first reaction was, “it’s too big.”

I convinced him to go for a sail on the Sense 55, and so we left Padanaram Harbor on a beautiful summer day with a typical Buzzards Bay sea breeze of 10 to 12 kts. The boat loved the conditions and soon we were sailing along on a close reach at 9kts … he was hooked!

After that sail we negotiated back and forth on price and conditions. Finally, he said to me, “I will buy the boat … but you have to help me sail it to Bermuda and back.”

 Of course I said absolutely!

Thus began the process for modifying and equipping the boat now with a name, “Gracie,” for an offshore passage to Bermuda.

On June 7, they set sail for Bermuda, to watch the America’s Cup.

Stay tuned for more about what we did to make Gracie ready for her maiden offshore voyage to Bermuda.

For more photos and videos on this, check out our Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter.

Cape Yachts and LH-Finance announce new strategic partnership

South Dartmouth, MA, February 7, 2017- Cape Yachts and LH-Finance announced a new strategic partnership today enabling LH-Finance to provide Cape Yachts and its customers with competitive terms in retail and inventory (floorplan) financing.

LH-Finance and Cape Yachts are collaborating to provide customers with incentives such as interest-free periods, prior authorization, competitive rates, and more.

The new “Finance” page on Cape Yachts’ website provides all details with an option to get pre-qualified* before the Miami Boat Shows (Feb. 16-20) with the VIP Program that LH-Finance has developed with partner Active Interest Media (AIM) and the National Marine Manufacturer Association (NMMA): www.capeyachts.com/financing.

This unique and innovative VIP Program gives applicants the opportunity to get pre-qualified by LH-Finance for marine financing in advance of shopping for a yacht at Yachts Miami Beach and/or the Miami International Boat Show/Strictly Sail, which run simultaneously in February. Pre-qualified customers will receive the LH-Finance VIP Card, which entitles them to two free entry tickets to the shows, complimentary admission to the Yachts Miami Beach and Miami International Boat Show VIP Lounges, as well as preferred treatment when they visit the boat show displays of yacht builders participating in the program.

All applicants to the LH-Finance VIP Program need to do is fill in a short form on Cape Yachts’ website (www.capeyachts.com/financing) and the Credit Department will contact them for a quick review of their financials.

Commenting on the exciting development, Dave Nolan, President of Cape Yachts, “Our friends at LH-Finance have made it possible for us to offer an innovative concierge level of financing services to our customers making it easy for them to plan and execute their next boat purchase or refinancing under the best terms available in the market.”

Hervé Bonnet, President and CEO of LH-Finance, added, “We have been working with Cape Yachts for a long time now and have always valued their professionalism and commitment to make their customers happy. We are thrilled to be able to support them even better now.”

*Subject to credit approval.

About LH Finance

LH‐Finance, also referred to as L’Hermione Finance, the Marine division of United Bank of Glastonbury, Connecticut (Member FDIC), offers both retail solutions to customers and wholesale financing to dealers and boat manufacturers. With its experienced team dedicated to marine financing based in Baltimore, Maryland, LH‐Finance is uniquely positioned to provide exceptional customer service through a combination of strong partnerships with premium multinational brands, industry expertise, innovative products and competitive rates. For more information on LH‐Finance, please visit www.LH‐Finance.com.

About Cape Yachts

Located in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts and Newport, RI, Cape Yachts is the exclusive Jupiter Marine and Beneteau Power Yachts dealer in New England in addition to providing Cobia boats and Beneteau Sailboats within our local market.  Cape Yachts has been serving boaters from New York to Maine with new and brokered boats since 1986.

Beneteau America announced the start of a new strategic partnership with LH-Finance, with boat show special retail conditions and the launch of the unique VIP Program LH-Finance developed with partner Active Interest Media and the National Marine Manufacturer Association at the 2017 Yachts Miami Beach & Miami International Boat Show/Strictly Sail on Feb. 16-20.

The new program gives applicants the opportunity to get pre-qualified* by LH-Finance for marine financing in advance of shopping for a yacht at Yachts Miami Beach & Miami International Boat Show/Strictly Sail. Pre-qualified customers will receive the LH-Finance VIP Card, which entitles them to two free entry tickets to the boat shows, complimentary admission to the Yachts Miami Beach & Miami International Boat Show VIP Lounges, as well as preferred treatment when they visit the booths of participating yacht builders.

Getting pre-qualified is the initial step in the boat loan process. All applicants to the LH-Finance VIP Program need to do is fill in a quick form on the LH-Finance website and the Credit Department will contact them for a quick review of their financials.

“We are thrilled by this partnership with LH-Finance, an innovative marine lender that offers unique solutions and excited by this unseen VIP program that will certainly appeal to serious customers when they enter the fast lane at our booths in Miami.” said Laurent Fabre, president of Beneteau America.

“And for potential clients considering buying a Beneteau but think financing is too complicated a process for them, this might just be the trigger they need to move forward,” added Hervé Bonnet, president and CEO of LH-Finance.

*Subject to credit approval.

-By Beneteau America

There’s no place like Newport, and we’re thrilled to be opening a new office this Friday, June 24 in the Sailing Capital of the World! Even though we’ve been serving Newport and the surrounding areas for three decades with award-winning sales and service, our new office will make buying, selling and servicing yachts even easier for Newport area boaters.

As the exclusive Beneteau sailboats and powerboats dealer in the region, we can make purchasing a new Beneteau more convenient while providing world-class commissioning, service and maintenance with our expert technicians at South Wharf.

Founded in 1986, Cape Yachts is one of the largest Beneteau dealerships in North America with locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Cape Yachts specializes in new Beneteau sailboats and powerboats, including the popular Monte Carlo range as well as offering an extensive variety of well loved pre-owned boats of all makes and models. In addition, the historic South Wharf Yacht Yard in the Padanaram Village of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts is part of the Cape Yachts family providing expert commissioning, service and repairs. Visit our newest location at 5 Christie’s Landing in Newport or contact us at 401-847-0915.

Beneteau recently announced the Americas premiere of the new Oceanis Yacht 62 at the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, October 6-10 2016.

The first model of the Oceanis Yacht range is characterized by an eye-catching sporty line recognizable among thousands.

Lined with large windows, she boasts a strikingly elegant profile. She is reassuring to handle and finds full expression in a chined hull, twin rudders and a sail plan that is perfectly balanced.

This new flagship, available in 3 or 4-cabin configuration, accommodates family and friends with all the comfort at sea you’ve come to expect from Beneteau.

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The 2016 International Yacht & Aviation Award for best interior design in the power yacht category goes to the MCY105 by Monte Carlo Yachts.

Every beautiful relationship begins with a first date. Remember yours?

This Spring, Cape Yachts wants to set you and that special Beneteau up with a Frist Date Test Drive. Your date will be shined, dressed to impress and ready to show you what she’s got out on the open water.

Will there be a match? There’s only one way to find out. Call (508)994-4444 or email info@capeyachts.com to let us know you’re coming.

Where: South Dartmouth, MA

When: Friday, May 13th and Saturday May 14th, 2016

Brighter, sleeker and customizable, the latest addition to the Oceanis family, proudly built in Marion, South Carolina, is the result of Beneteau’s remarkable effort to streamline a 41-footer from bow to stern and define a new standard of openness at this size.

Overall the new Oceanis 41.1 is a very modern yet realistic mid-size cruiser, thanks to her ultra-sleek design and her impressive equipment level.  The hard chine that has become the trademark of the Oceanis range stretches for the entire length of the hull of the 41.1 for a reduced heeling angle and optimized living spaces inside. Six oversized hull windows bring in even more natural light, and her deck fitted with larger portholes as well as flush hatches and tracks further contribute to her sleek silhouette.

The cockpit is incredibly spacious for her size. It features twin helms with folding helm seats and is equipped with standard courtesy lights. The new deck joint has been redesigned in fiberglass and is fitted with the navigation lights for a streamlined profile – the absence of the typical wooden toe rail also translates into easier maintenance! The flip-down swim platform which offers nearly 22 square foot of access to the water can be operated with optional electric controls. When folded, the platform conceals a clever folding step into the transom.

The main sail arch of the 41.1 continues to prevent lines from crowding the cockpit and maximizing entertainment, but it has become very slender and opens up the profile of the boat even further. The descent into the salon is very comfortable with a 45 degree angle companionway.

The new Oceanis 41.1 is available in 2- and 3-cabin layouts, each with one or two heads.

The L-shaped galley is placed to port right next to the companionway, and offers a large refrigerator space (50 Gal), and a single, deep sink in stainless steel. Storage is plentiful and well thought-out, not only in the surrounding cabinets but also in the galley and salon floor. Storage capacity further improves in the 2-cabin configuration, and the newfound space can also be fitted with a dishwasher. Furthermore, an access door to port leads aft to the sail locker, batteries and breakers box.

The salon is full beam and is equipped with a U-shape seating area with center table that can accommodate 6 to 8 guests. It also includes a very comfortable bench and well-appointed chart table to port, opposite the dining area.

In the forward cabin, the forward facing berth is a distinctive achievement for a boat her size – and in the 2-cabin configuration, the double door access to the owners cabin further contributes to an incredible feel of openness. Storage abounds here again, on either side of the berth and below it. The main head is fitted with a separate shower stall and two access doors: one private access from the owners’ cabin and another from the salon for day use.

Plenty of windows and opening portholes allow for much natural light in the guest cabins that are also appointed with large beds and above-average stowage compartments.
The layout configuration options together with the owner’s choice between two interior wood colors and three padding options for the wall coverings brings an entire new level of customization to this new yacht.

Beneteau is poised to capture the heart of the sailing cruising market with an incredibly attractive boat that is also within the reach of her targeted audience.