Christensen Shipyards, the Vancouver, Washington builder sometimes distinguished in the charter market from the Christensen Yachts brand, has produced a series of fibreglass motor yachts of 40 to 60 metres that are among the most practical and reliable vessels in the American charter fleet. Built to ABYC and ABS standards with full ocean-crossing fuel capacity, Christensen Shipyards vessels are equally at home crossing from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas as they are anchoring in the shallow water of the Caicos Bank. Three Christensen Shipyards charter yachts are available to guests choosing the Abacos, offering similar characteristics to the wider Christensen fleet: generous staterooms, a large aft deck for outdoor dining, fly bridge with Caribbean views, and an American-style galley provisioned from Marsh Harbour market. The crew of eight to twelve on a vessel in this range maintains the yacht to the level expected by the American charter market, with particular attention to the mechanical reliability that multi-week Caribbean itineraries demand. The Abacos provides a perfect operating environment: the Sea of Abaco sheltered passage covers 130 kilometres from Marsh Harbour to Walkers Cay with consistent protection from Atlantic swell, while reef cuts at Lynyard Cay, Tilloo and Man-O-War give access to the outer ocean for diving by tender. Charter season runs November through June, with the most popular weeks in March and April, when the Bahamian light is at its best and the trade winds blow steadily from the southeast, ideal for the north-bound passage.
