Navigating Life's Waters: An Owner Testimonial

We recently had the pleasure of reconnecting with Margaret and Jim Burt, the proud owners of The Moorings 4200, affectionately named “We Are Nuts II”, during our latest owner flotilla in The British Virgin Islands. Their yacht ownership journey spans a decade, marked by thrilling adventures, a few challenges, and countless cherished memories. Join us as they share their story, offering insights and advice for anyone dreaming of charter yacht ownership.

Making Yacht Ownership A Reality:

Like many of our owners, the Burt's never envisioned owning a yacht in the Caribbean. However, after going on a trip with some friends and learning about how the program worked they quickly found out that The Moorings Yacht Ownership Program, with the promise of up to 12 weeks of sailing each year, fit their lifestyle perfectly. Knowing that The Moorings maintains the boat from beginning to end solidified their decision. Fast forward to today they can now say “When we come, I swear it's like we’re coming home”.

Yachts Owned:

Their ownership journey started when they fell in love with The Moorings 3900 (Leopard 39). Just five years later, they found themselves at the Miami Boat Show, where the Moorings 4000 caught their eye. With their contract about to end, Burt says “It took me 10 minutes to decide to buy it” and thus, their second contract was underway. Another few years flew by when Christine Joseph, their dedicated sales representative, introduced them to the brand-new Moorings 4200, which featured their preferred 3-cabin layout. Without hesitation, they upgraded, and today, they proudly say, “It is everything we would want in a sailing catamaran”.

Navigating Storms and Pandemics:

On September 6th, 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the British Virgin Islands, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Despite the chaos, the Burt's confidently affirm, “Moorings never missed a beat, never missed a lick, never missed a payment, and just took care of us in every way.” Jim reflects on how he was reassured beforehand but adds, “The proof is in the pudding.”

Just three years later, the world faced another crisis—COVID-19. The Burt's found themselves in uncharted waters, but month after month, they were astonished to see, “every month the money was in our account and I could barely believe it”.

Their Favorite Aspects of Being Moorings Owners:

The Burt's are true adventurers, taking full advantage of The Moorings’ 20+ bases worldwide. They fondly recall charters in Tahiti, Croatia, The Bahamas, St. Lucia, and Belize, marveling at the opportunity to explore these incredible destinations. Even though they don’t stay on their exact boat, stepping aboard an identical vessel feels just like home. As they put it, “It’s marvelous that we get to see these places around the world.”

Owner flotillas. This year marked the Burt's third Owner’s Flotilla, and they describe it as “really just a lot of silly fun.” From the welcome reception to lively group dinners and spirited races, the event even provides a rare opportunity to don tutus and purple wigs—a highlight they recall with wide smiles.

Advice For Aspiring Yacht Owners:

If you're considering charter yacht ownership and wondering if it's the right fit for you, they suggest doing exactly what they did: experiencing an actual charter firsthand and speaking with other Moorings yacht owners. They attribute their decision to commit to yacht ownership to a pair of dear friends who shared their own experiences with the Burt's and to the helpful support of The Moorings staff. As they put it, “All of the people we have dealt with on The Moorings' administration or management team have been helpful.”

Ready to embark on your own yacht ownership adventure? Contact us today and learn more from one of our charter yacht ownership representatives.