Bahamas Yacht Charters by Sneed Charters
(800) 581-7130 / (561)459-5316
| Title | Name | Nation | Born | Licenses |
| Captain | Bill Wassmer | American | 0 | |
| Captain | Devon Pickard | American | 0 | |
| Number of Crew: 4 | Languages: English, Afrikaans | |||
Bill Wassmer:
Captain Bill learned to sail in Long Island Sound and raced in regattas up and down the sound (Manhasset Bay, Larchmont, Stamford, Cold Spring Harbor etc) from 9 years old until the end of high school. During college he raced on larger sailboats and even has skippered three 12-meter America's Cup yachts - Columbia, Heritage and American Eagle. At one point he was crewing for Ted Turner on American Eagle. Also during college Captain Bill was the head sailing instructor of Sagamore Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program in Oyster Bay New York with a summer sailing program of up to 85 kids and 20 plus one design sailboats. During this time, he also competed in Block Island Race, the New York Yacht Club races and the Newport/Bermuda race. In 1996 Captain Bill re-entered yachting on a 50-foot Gulfstar Viking motor yacht which he took from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, WA and then cruised Puget Sound and the lower British Columbia Pacific Coast. In 2006 the owner ordered a new 66-foot Grand Alaskan motor yacht which Captain Bill captained for 38,000 miles from Canada down the entire USA, Mexico and Central America pacific west coast then through the Panama Canal and north to the Cayman Islands around Cuba and returning to the USA at Key West and them north all the way to Maine. Captain Bill has taken M/Y LEXINGTON from Key West to Maine and back up and down the USA east coast 6 times as well as numerous side trips to the Bahamas, he is also a licensed pilot and can fly seaplanes. Captain Bill is also PADI Certified Open Water Diver.
Devon Pickard:
Devon’s passion for the ocean stemmed from an early love of wildlife conservation. He began a marine conservation internship in the Yucutan peninsula of Mexico. During his time here, exploring the beautiful reefs, Devon began his courses and graduated as a PADI Dive instructor, 9 months later. Following his adventures in Mexico, he took a job with Lahaina Divers in Maui. He spent the next few years as their lead dive instructor and repair technician. He taught and certified over 300 students in open water courses while maintaining the fleet of rental gear. During his time in Hawaii, he spent time working on sunset dinner cruises, whale watches, and snorkel tours. In 2018, he returned home to Texas, visited Fort Lauderdale and found himself drawn into the yachting world. His first position in the industry happened to be on LEXINGTON and he remained the first mate on board for 3 years. Here he obtained his USCG 100 ton license, and went on to captain another vessel for a Florida based family of fishing enthusiasts. Cruising 1000s of miles around the Bahamas, fishing and diving along the way, Devon reconnected with the LEXINGTON and is proud to be back as the rotational Captain. Devon is very familiar with the Bahamas and looks forward to taking your guests on the adventure of a lifetime!
Ranada Riley:
Chef Ranada started cooking with her family in their farmhouse kitchen in Hillsboro, Ohio. She learned from a long line of home cooks who put their heart and soul into their Southern based cooking. Her fondest memories included rolling egg rolls and tending a garden to canning corn and green beans with her mother when she was a small child, and most moms were making Hamburger Helper. Ranada learned to make a great roux and gumbo from her Irish father and the best breakfast and biscuits and gravy from her Eastern Kentucky grandmother. Ranada has traveled the nation and most recently internationally to cook beside some of the greatest chefs in the business. She has catered and cooked for multiple Grammy Music award winners, executives, sports teams and even a US President. As an independent restauranteur settled in Lexington KY, all three of Ranada's restaurants won multiple local and state awards from Taste of the Bluegrass Best Fine Dining to a three-time award winner for best new restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky. When Ranada stepped away from being a restaurant owner post-Covid, she boarded M/Y LEXINGTON and immediately out of the gate as a freshman yacht chef - brought a in a First-Place win with Best Cocktail at the Newport Charter Show in 2022. She loves listening to and playing music on her guitar, art, history, writing, and producing some creative meals sure to wow our guests on board. With the most stunning galley view, she loves early morning coffee with the crew and captain, but Ranada really enjoys connecting with our guests in the galley area to provide the best possible meals with every attention to stunning detail. She’ll even offer to teach our guests a thing or two so don’t hesitate to spend some time with her in the galley aboard M/Y LEXINGTON.
Louw Van Rooyen:
Louw is originally from Cape Town, South Africa and grew up on the coast. As a child, he quickly discovered that he was drawn to the sea. He would spend his spare time free diving, surfing and fishing. After high school, he followed his passion and joined the yachting industry, travelling on yachts through the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Having been to over 15 countries, Louw is well travelled and speaks both English and his native tongue, Afrikaans. He holds a 200-ton captains license, a PADI dive certificate and is a certified jet ski instructor. He loves wildlife and spends significant time diving with both Tiger and Hammerhead Sharks and grew up with a pet monkey and a snake while his mom raised their two giraffes and five zebras. Louw looks forward to enhancing your time on LEXINGTON and would love to take you out fishing, set up a bonfire and introduce you to the world renowned South African barbeque experience.
FAQ
WHAT TO DO IN THE BAHAMAS?
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.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN REGARDS TO MEALS?
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.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RATES LISTED?
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.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS?
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 IF I HAVE TO CANCEL?
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.
WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE CAPTAIN WHILE ON MY CHARTER?
A 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.
IS IT CUSTOMARY TO TIP THE CREW?
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.
HOW DO I RESERVE A YACHT?
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.
HOW MUCH IS THE DEPOSIT?
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.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED AND THE DEPOSIT IS MADE?
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.
WHEN IS THE FINAL PAYMENT DUE?
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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