OnBoard Magazine - Issue XI - Summer 2019

The return trip allowed their new Princess to perform in unfavorable conditions, cutting through 8-foot seas at 12 knots with no problem. In their convoy were a couple yachts larger than 80’ and the captains of both vessels were blown away at how well the new 49 performed. Underway, the Seakeeper helped keep the boat’s manners in check. After the rendezvous, Princess owners have kept in touch. “They’re all a really great group of folks,” Steve recounts. BLOSSOMING FRIENDSHIPS MacDonald took a phone call at Bluewater’s Grasonville office one day and what started as a simple inquiry about Princess product, unfolded into a 90-minute phone conversation and a new relationship with customers Cindee and Alan. “His character is amazing,” Cindee recalls. “Scott shared a wealth of information with me that day. He is very sincere, professional, kind and knowledgeable.” MacDonald’s next step was to speak with the Capalbos regarding an opportunity for Cindee and Alan to tour their Princess F49. The date was set, and Cindee and Alan would not only be meeting Steve and Carolyn, but also MacDonald for the first time. “The Capalbos provided such a gracious and glowing recommendation of both Bluewater and Princess—it was absolutely genuine,” Cindee said. The boat tour and budding friendships transitioned in to a sea trial and cruise through the Chesapeake Bay. The Capalbos were also contacted by Princess Yachts, requesting that their boat be featured at Bluewater’s display during the United States Powerboat Show in Annapolis. “It’s a two-way street,” Steve explains. “Princess is super supportive and their service is top notch and very responsive, so I wanted to return the favor by allowing our boat to be on display.” Alan and Cindee joined the Capalbos aboard their Princess F49 for the cruise to the Annapolis Boat Show and MacDonald recalls, “Just like Steve and Carolyn a couple years back, my new clients fell in love with the Princess look and layout.” Steve was excited to take Alan and Cindee out on their 49 Flybridge and he even performed a trademark Seakeeper demo by laying the boat beam to the waves and switching the gyro on and off. “I can't imagine anyone getting any boat without stabilization,” Steve says. Cindee and Alan echoed those sentiments, blown away at how well the relatively small Seakeeper gyro could tame the roll in a large yacht. Not only did a great friendship blossom between the two couples, but now Alan and Cindee are anxiously awaiting delivery of their brand new Seakeeper- equipped Princess S60. Scheduled to arrive stateside in September 2019, Alan and Cindee will joinMacDonald for a scheduled trip to Plymouth, England to view their boat in progress at the Princess factory in July. “We went bigger and optioned a great deal of creature comforts for extended cruising adventures,” Cindee explains. Like the Capalbos, they also wanted two helm stations, but with concerns over bridge clearances along the Great Loop, Alan and Cindee opted for the sleeker topless S-Class from Princess. “Our first retirement hoorah involves cutting ties and going cruising for the long run,” Cindee exclaims. Their travel bucket list includes The Great Loop with adventures in Nova Scotia and an escape fromwinter to the Bahamas and Caribbean. “We love our friendship with Scott, we love Bluewater and working with them, and we absolutely love Princess,” Cindee concludes. “The people in Palm Beach [at Princess Yachts North America HQ] are fantastic!” Even before their Princess delivered, Alan and Cindee joined Steve and Carolyn at the 2019 Princess spring rendezvous in the Bahamas with nearly 200 other Princess owners. The Capalbos are also including Alan and Cindee in upcoming summer cruising adventures to help scratch the itch while awaiting delivery of their new Princess S60 in the fall. “We try to get out [on the boat] as much as we possibly can,” Steve said. “You have to commit to the lifestyle. You don't buy this kind of boat for it to sit in a marina, you run it and enjoy it!” Adventure cruising has always been a great way to meet new people and develop lifetime friendships, but these new Princess owners appear to be off to an incredibly fast start! "Princess is super supportive and their service is top notch..." Princess Rendezvous in the Abacos 35 SUMMER 2019