WWW.BOATINTERNATIONAL.COM NOVEMBER 2017OWNERS’ CLUBPHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES
Sharon Lessard
The Washingtonian tells Grace Trofa
about turning her 151ft Benetti,
a grand dame built for a sheik, into
a yacht fit for adventure and charterMy husband loves yachting. For the past two years I’ve been
flying to Fort Lauderdale from Washington, DC, to look at
yachts, but it has always been “No, no, no” – until this one.
He’s pretty much put this project in my hands. Is it a gift from
my husband? I guess so. After all, it is called Lady S. We’ve
been married 22 years and he’s a good guy. Our first boating
experience was on a sailboat. I was like, “I can’t do this.” No
air conditioning; my face was up against the porthole
searching for air. But then we enjoyed our first motor trip with
Captain Jack McKay on Harmony and chartered with him for
15 years. We plan to use the boat about four weeks a year,
and then about four months in charters, promoting her as an
adventure vessel with scuba diving and snorkeling equipment,
kayaks, jet skis, all the toys. I’d like to see families charter,
and use her to get kids off their phones and iPads and gadgets
and get out and enjoy life. We have three sons,
who are 17, 19 and 21, and they have grown up on
yachts. It is a totally different lifestyle. When we
started chartering, my husband Chris, who is an
architect, would always bring along his briefcase
and do his work, but then gradually he stopped
bringing work and instead spent more time with
the kids outdoors, engaged in sports. I would
bring a book and constantly read. I always say
“I don’t get off the boat.” I love it; there is no
reason to get off. Our favorite cruising ground is
Croatia. My goodness – it’s so beautiful and not
tapped yet by American commercialism. We
bought the boat in June and our first boat trip
was to Cuba for an overdue family vacation.
The island felt like a step back to the 1950s but
the people were lovely and so appreciative. So much is lacking
in Cuba. On our last day, we started handing out simple things
from the boat, like toiletries. It makes you really appreciate
what you have and to see how even a small gesture can make
someone happy. We have had our moments on board. One
of my sons, then three, once fell overboard. The blood-curdling
scream brought us all running, and we witnessed Captain
Jack’s nephew pulling him out of the water. I fell to my knees in
grief and gratitude. Captain Jack wisely advised me to not
make a big deal of it, but I haven’t forgotten the experience.MY LIFE IN BOATSPLAY TIME
Sharon wants to
charter Lady Sto
adventure-loving
familiesSWITCH OFF
Sharon’s husband
Chris soon learned
to put away his
briefcase and relaxPORTS OF CALL
Lady S’s first
trip was to Cuba,
above, and Croatia
is another favorite85