S/V Mandalay

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S/V Mandalay was custom-built by American multi-millionaire Edward F. Hutton in 1923, whose request was to “Build me a ship, the finest private yacht in the entire world”. Designed by Cox and Stevens, her hull was built by the Danish shipbuilders of Burmeister and Wain and was christened Hussar. She was launched as a three-masted brigantine of 236 feet overall and over 20,000 square feet of sail. For nearly ten years, her owners lived in “great comfort and splendor as [they were] conveyed about the world”. The Hussar was the height of luxury and opulence but eventually superseded by Mrs. Hutton’s wish for an even more magnificent yacht. Mandalay
Picture / Info courtesy of Andando Tours

Once the war was over, Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory program chartered Vema for a highly successful research voyage that eventually led to her being purchased by the university in 1953 and a near 30-year career as an oceanographic research vessel. She logged over a million sea miles and helped redefine the understanding of plate tectonics and continental drift. It was onboard Vema that the world’s first ocean-floor map was drawn up and invaluable data were collected in marine geology and the earth’s magnetic field.

In 1982, the founder of Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, Capt. Mike Burke, acquired Vema and renamed her Mandalay. After a major refit, the yacht re-emerged as a sleek pleasure cruiser for around 70 passengers and joined the Windjammer fleet to cruise the Windward Islands for more than 20 years.
 
Accommodations
Mandalay can accommodate up to 32 passengers in 20 cabins:
Seven cabins on the main deck with double lower bed; and 13 cabins with lower and upper berths located on the lower deck. All cabins have en-suite bathrooms with hot-water showers.
Itinerary
•    Saturday: Baltra. North Seymour.
•    Sunday: Espanola: Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez.
•    Monday: Floreana: Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay.
•    Tuesday: Santa Cruz: Highlands, Charles Darwin Research Centre.
•    Wednesday: Isabela: Punta Moreno, Elizabeth Bay.
•    Thursday: Isabela: Urbina Bay. Fernandina: Punta Espinosa.
•    Friday: Santiago: Puero Egas. Bartolome.
•    Saturday: Baltra: Black Turtle Cove.
 
MANDALAY - RATES 2010
For individual travelers:
USD 3,200
Charter for 32 passengers:
USD 102,400
Children (under 12 yrs):
USD 2,300
For Single Cabin:
USD 4,200

Fuel surcharge on all yachts may change depending on the fuel rates policy in Ecuador. Christmas and New Year dates will have a 10% surcharge
Charter and FIT rates do not include air ticket, National Park fees, the Transit Control Card of US$10.00, snorkeling equipment and beverages on board.
Our rates include your accommodation (shared double cabin), meals, excursions and guide.