I was immediately taken with its sleek, sexy lines, glistening wood, lavish appointments, and sheer size - 112 feet. The object of my affection – a Custom Line 112 yacht christened the Blue Diamond.

I fell in love on a magnificent warm blue-sky September day! It was love at first sight, at least on my part. The Delamar Greenwich Harbor hotel in Greenwich, Connecticut was the location of our tryst. I was immediately taken with its sleek, sexy lines, glistening wood, lavish appointments, and sheer size - 112 feet. The object of my affection – a Custom Line 112 yacht christened the Blue Diamond.

I first saw the Blue Diamond at a Robb Report magazine www.robbreport.com sponsored event at, the Delamar Greenwich Harbor hotel, which was the perfect venue, since Greenwich is synonymous with wealth and luxury. So taken with the Blue Diamond that the captain invited me to join him the next day on a test ride from Norwalk, Connecticut to the Liberty Landing Marina in New Jersey for the New York/New Jersey Boat Show which runs from September 16 – 19, 2004. Needless to say, he did not need to ask me twice!

Captain Jack

The next day, another glorious September day, I met Captain Jack Frauenheim and his gracious crew, Randy Penn, Travis Wheaton and Alice Boccalate at a marina in Connecticut. Welcomed on board, I explored every inch of this custom 112’ yacht. Luxurious, but tasteful décor abounds throughout, beginning at the Aft Peak with sleekly curved leather banquette, and crescent table with 3 rattan chairs. Automated sliding glass doors open onto the salon with a glistening cherry wood bar on the right, and luxe silk sofas the color of champagne decorated with an assortment of inviting pillows in shades of platinum, taupe and slate blue, on the left. A plush diamond-pattern carpet in shades of taupe and champagne guided me through the salon to the elegant dining area complete with gleaming dining room table with eight upholstered chairs the color of blue slate. I could imagine giving grand parties, while my chef created culinary masterpieces in the L-shaped granite countered galley complete with double ovens, wine refrigerator and Lavazza Espresso Point machine.

Master Stateroom

Boasting a Master Stateroom with his and hers marble bathrooms with walk-in showers and large rain-shower heads, for a total of eight staterooms for guests and crew, and 11 bathrooms. The extravagantly decorated Master Stateroom bed beckoned with an tempting assortment of pillows, including a playful “beach ball” pillow.

Elegant appointments as well as functional ones, include a washer and dryer as well as another galley on the Lower Deck for the crew. Sun-worshippers will love the Fly Bridge with Jacuzzi, lounge chairs, table, comfortable wrap-around banquettes and grill. The Blue Diamond can reach a top speed of 28 knots and holds a cruising speed of 25 knots.

Captain Jack pointed out the landmarks along the Connecticut to New York shoreline, while Alice served me an al-fresco lunch on the Fly Bridge. I thrilled at seeing the New York Skyline, but then realized it was a bittersweet moment, as I would have to end my love affair with the Blue Diamond once we arrived at the marina in New Jersey, at least for today.

The Blue Diamond was introduced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in 2003 and is available for purchase with a discrete price tag of $13 million. It will be at that show again this year from October 28 – November 1, 2004. This is definitely at the top of my Christmas Wish List. Santa, are you listening?

For information on the Blue Diamond or other yachts, please contact MarineMax at www.marinemaxyachts.com.

© October 2004. Luxury Experience www.luxuryexperience.com All rights reserved.