Christensen, the Vancouver, Washington shipyard that closed in 2015 after producing some of North America’s most technically accomplished composite motor yachts, left behind a charter fleet that continues to attract guests who value engineering precision over visual ostentation. Christensen built to aerospace standards using Kevlar-reinforced fibreglass construction and custom resin systems, producing yachts that are light, fast, and structurally rigorous. In Curacao, these yachts find a Caribbean destination that is slightly off the standard circuit, which suits their understated character. The island offers Willemstad’s UNESCO-listed harbour and the extraordinary Handelskade waterfront as an urban component, balanced against quiet natural bays on the southern coast and productive reef diving on the western shore. Christensen yachts in the charter market typically run from 40 to 62 metres, accommodating eight to twelve guests in four to six cabins. Interior design tends toward contemporary American tastes with high-specification audiovisual equipment and well-fitted crew areas. Weekly rates in the Caribbean run from approximately 65,000 to 300,000 euros. The advance provisioning allowance of 30 percent covers fuel, provisions, and berthing. High season is December through April. Curacao’s year-round trade winds and reliable infrastructure make it a practical base for a Christensen charter, with the relatively compact island easily covered in three to four days before crossing to Bonaire or Aruba for the remainder of the week. Christensen’s precise construction and the island’s varied natural anchorages combine to make a Curacao charter aboard one of these yachts a particularly satisfying week for guests who know their superyachts well.
