Optimism Superyacht

Optimism keeps a home port at Nassau and a second at Naples, which means she can be joined at either. She is a 121ft (37m) superyacht from Gulf Craft, set up for guests who dive as much as for guests who want to be looked after on deck.

On deck

A deck jacuzzi puts hot water in the open air, and a swim platform gives the plainest way into the sea for those who would rather swim than sit. A barbecue means meals can be cooked outside, portable Bluetooth speakers carry the music out on deck, and a karaoke system lets the party make its own entertainment.

Water toys

Two tenders travel with her: a 38ft Deep Impact chase boat that is towed rather than stowed, and a 14ft Williams Jet tender, so a run ashore need never wait for the other boat to return. Two Seadoo Spark jet skis, each with a sound system, take two riders at a time, and two Seabobs with a camera option and two paddleboards are likewise shared in pairs. Water skis, a wakeboard and a set of inflatables are pulled behind, fishing equipment is aboard, snorkel gear backs up the diving, and a beach set-up goes ashore with the tender.

Where she cruises

Optimism works two regions, and her Caribbean list opens with the Bahamas and takes in Turks and Caicos, the Grenadines, St Lucia, St Barths and St Martin, coast and open water that her diving and snorkelling gear is carried for. Italy, France, Monaco and Spain make up her Mediterranean grounds, a second set of coasts to set against the Bahamas.

Accommodation and crew

Six cabins sleep twelve guests: a king in the master stateroom, which has its own vanity and en suite, a queen in the VIP, two doubles and two convertible twins that make up as singles or as a double, so the same cabin can take two singles or a couple. She takes twelve by day as well, no more than she sleeps, and eight crew look after them.

Comfort under way

Under way she cruises at 14 knots with 18 in hand, so the distance between the places on her list is covered quickly rather than endured, and her calendar is fullest in December, January, February and March and again in July and August. Air conditioning throughout keeps the interior cool and Wi-Fi keeps the group in touch ashore.

Charter notes

Optimism suits two couples or a family who dive and would rather the boat carried the equipment than hire it ashore. She is offered for charter by the week and for shorter bookings, and whichever is chosen the two tenders and the scuba kit, wetsuits and a Brownie's Third Lung among it, come with her, so a party of divers has its gear already on board wherever she anchors.