Captain Russell Strang tells us what it’s like to charter 40.05 metre superyacht Lady M…
Originally from Sydney, Australian captain Russell Strang has been in the yachting industry for 15 years and has worked on yachts such as Alfa Nero, Majestic, Capri and Troyanda. In 2020, he stepped aboard Sunseeker superyacht Lady M to take the helm and will be her captain this charter season as she cruises through the waters of Croatia, Turkey and Greece.
Delivered in 2018, Lady M is one of the latest editions of the Sunseeker 131 model. Her interiors, styled in classic fashion by Vickers Design Studio, can accommodate up to 10 guests in five cabins, each with their own signature colour.
Her design is key to optimising the charter experience on board, says Strang. "Lady M's compact enough to get into most ports, you can get nice and close to the shore in most anchorages but it’s still a spacious boat." He adds that “there are lots of separate spaces on board to relax, mingle, entertain.”
Spaces favoured by the guests could include the sundeck, which features a shaded al fresco cocktail bar, or the main saloon with its formal dining area for enjoying meals cooked up by Dutch chef Anner Slutjer who has been trained to Michelin-star level.
Active guests on board Lady M will have an opportunity to spend time in the water playing around with her extensive collection of toys. Strang reels off an impressive list: “stand up paddleboards, wakeboards, water skis, Seabobs, Jet Skis; we even have full scuba kits,” he says. “Another great toy is our drone; we have a couple of drone pilots on board and it’s great for capturing all the smiles from all the water sports sessions,” says Strang.
Aside from Lady M's amenities, Strang stresses that the crew are crucial to the charter experience on board, which celebrities such as Judge Judy have sampled in the past: “What sets her apart from similar vessels would have to be the crew. We have a healthy mix of nationalities; everyone is service orientated to ensure the guests have a great time on board. The chefs’ skills are impeccable, and the chief stew's skills and knowledge sets the stage for a marvellous experience.”
The crew, says Strang, has always ensured that defining memories are made on board, whether that’s “a perfect sunset just in time for dinner on the aft deck, an epic beach set up with a BBQ or the kids jumping into the water from the sundeck.”
The charter destination can be just as important as the vessel – and if Strang could recommend one place to visit on Lady M this charter season, it would be Croatia, his “personal favourite in the Mediterranean.”
“Cruising between the islands, there is just something for every guest, says Strang. “There’s historic Dubrovnik, [guests can] party the night away in Hvar, experience some incredible local restaurants, explore the amazing Krka waterfalls or find a deserted island, a tranquil bay where we can go stern to the rocks and just enjoy unspoilt nature,” describes the captain.
Lady M is managed by West Nautical with a weekly charter rate starting from €195,000.