This Tampa Bay yacht charter will sail you into paradise

This article was sponsored by Sunburst Yacht Charters

Want to live the life of luxury for a fraction of the cost? Of course you do, and Sunburst Yacht Charters is here to make that dream a reality with their 82-foot Sunseeker named Vanguard, captained by Wendy Clark and her first mate, Christian Foito.

"Our full-time captain, Wendy Clark, has been the star of our operation since she joined our team in 2019," Dustin Swope, 28, managing partner of Sunburst Yacht Charters said in our exclusive interview. "Both she and our full-time first mate, Christian Foito, have worked tirelessly to keep the Vanguard showroom-ready and deliver the highest-end experience for our clients." 

But having a fully-captained and beautifully maintained yacht are only two of the many highlights offered by the locally owned and operated company.

"We're a family-owned business. My father, my brother and I are the managing partners, and my mother handles quality control," Swope noted that his father, who has always loved sailing, started the business after coming around to the idea of a power yacht as a safer, less labor-intensive way to stay out on the water.

"When an opportunity opened up for a stable dock slip at the Harbour Island Marina in front of Jackson's Bistro, my father combined that with his recent research into power yachting to hatch the idea that became Sunburst Yacht Charters and track down the perfect yacht for the job."

The yacht was purchased by the Swope family in 2018 and was brought to the Bay after a four-day sail from the east coast --then the hard work started. The family wanted to make sure that they were offering the most luxurious yacht charter in the area, and that meant upgrades.

According to Swope, "everything from the surround-sound stereo that runs the exterior of the yacht, to our navigation and instrumentation panels, and even the yacht's water treatment system were upgraded." A sleek new Novurania rigid inflatable tender was also purchased and with an upgraded swim platform hydraulic system, Vanguard was ready for anything. With all the bells and whistles in place, it was time to set sail with customers aboard.

Swope noted that the charters have remained a popular choice for businesses looking for an especially fun way to reward their team for big accomplishments, or to impress clients, as well as wedding parties, graduations and a host of other family-oriented celebrations. Sunburst was even lucky enough to take members of the Tampa Bay Lightning out for a few charters after their Stanley Cup victory last year.

Sunburst continues to offer customers a fun day on the water with three typical charter styles including a sunset cruise, half-day, and full day --and for those who want a really luxurious experience, a multi-day charter.

Here's what you can expect from each:

• Sunset Cruise -This is a two-hour charter that meanders along the scenic shores of Tampa Bay and gives guests the best seat in the house to see the sun set over the St. Petersburg skyline.
• Half Day Charter - This is a four-hour charter where we can stop off at one of the local spoil islands or natural Florida beaches and let guests jump in the water, or spend our time cruising to see all of the unique shoreline scenery that Tampa Bay has to offer. 
• Full Day Charters - This is an eight-hour charter, and for most clients, this is the best of both worlds. There is time to mix and match items from secluded anchorage to freshly prepared meals, sightseeing, visits to downtown St. Pete, and anything else clients can think of. With a Full Day Charter, nothing in Tampa Bay is beyond reach.
• Multi-day charters - This option opens up destinations all along Florida's West Coast! With four bedrooms accommodating eight guests total, they have everything needed for an unforgettable charter at any length.

It's never a bad time to book, either. "We specialize in holiday events, but the truth is that there is no off-season for us," Swope mentioned. 

"My father has a professional mantra that he applies to all aspects of his life: Do well by doing good. We want that philosophy to be evident in everything that Sunburst Yacht Charters does, finding success by having fun and putting the biggest possible smiles on the faces of our clients and our partners."

For any inquiries about pricing, packages, or availability, Dustin Swope is always looking forward to helping clients plan their next yacht charter. Just visit their website and use their contact form to get started!

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