More Specifications
Flag:
USA
Homeport:
BVI (Tortola)
Yacht Permit:
1
Yacht License:
1
Yacht Mca:
1
Yacht Insurance:
Accord
Other Entertainment
Professional espresso machine
Big Green Egg BBQ
Underwater lights
Water Sports
Dinghy Size:
11ft
Kayaks 1 Pax:
No
Kayaks 2 Pax:
No
Dinghy Hp:
20
Floating Mats:
Yes
Dinghy Pax:
8
Swim Platform:
Yes
Water Skis Adult:
No
Boarding Ladder:
Stern
Water Skis Kids:
No
Sailing Dinghy:
No
Jet Skis:
No
Beach Games:
Yes
Wave Runners:
No
Kneeboard:
No
Windsurfer:
No
Snorkel Gear:
Yes
Underwater Camera:
No
Scurfer:
No
Underwater Video:
No
Wake Board:
No
Paddleboard:
Yes
Seabob:
No
Sea Scooter:
No
Crew
Graham & Kristiann Gips
Captain & Chef
Graham is an engineer by training who spent a successful 10-year career in the oil and gas industry. He learned to sail on a 20ft racing dinghy with Kristiann as crew. They raced weekly for several years, topped the local podium and earned the chance to compete internationally.
If you are new to sailing, Graham would love to teach you how much fun it can be to helm and tune the sails. He knows the islands well and can craft an itinerary that suits everyone aboard. When the anchor is set each evening, Graham turns his attention to crafting cocktails to your taste.
From 2011-2015, Kristiann ran a successful catering company. She honed her culinary skills by accommodating a wide variety of preferences and dietary needs each day. She loves to combine gourmet ingredients with local delicacies for new twists on classic dishes.
Avid travelers, Kristiann and Graham have lived on four continents and visited over 40 countries. Their experiences have taught them that great vacations are made up of many small details. Kristiann delights in tailoring the menu and creating special moments for each group of guests aboard.
In 2015, Graham and Kristiann reached a point where they could focus on what they love to do most: travel, host guests, and sail. They have sailed Allende since her launch in France, cruising the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea and crossing the Atlantic to meet you in the British Virgin Islands. Both Graham and Kristiann hold a Masters 50-ton license from the United States Coast Guard and are CPR/First Aid certified.
Graham and Kristiann welcome you to share in the luxurious life aboard Allende.
Friday Gips
Friday is a seven-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer with his sea legs. He's well-mannered and loves the water. He leaps off the front of the boat when at anchor and seduces other cruisers paddleboarding by to take him for rides. Friday can climb the swim ladder on his own. For guests who are pet-lovers, he is a much-loved addition to their charter. With advance notice, the crew is also happy to confirm Friday's home ashore.
Crew are fully vaccinated for COVID 19.
Reviews
An absolutely magical week aboard Allende - December 2019
Thank you so much for an absolutely magical week aboard Allende. Your wonderful hospitality makes us feel like home. Everything from sailing to Anegada, riding a Moke, snorkeling, checking out North Sound, chilling at Jost, jumping off the Willy T is a vacation dreams are made of. We will miss you and the wonderful meals and cannot wait to celebrate our 5th anniversary with you next year.
Dustin & Noel
I could not have asked for a better way to begin celebrating my milestone birthday. I so appreciate all you do to share the BVI with us. From quiet spots full of beauty, to the phenomenal food, the best cocktails and of course, Friday. This has been a vacation to remember. Can't wait to return!
Karin Eanes
Thank you
To Graham--
I really appreciate your professionalism and eye for safety. You are an excellent Captain and allowed Kelly and I to truly relax even with the young ones aboard. Thank you for sharing your home with us this week and your beautiful backyard and pool!
To Kristiann--
You are the real deal--cooking, scheduling and crewing. Watching you and Graham work together is inspirational. Thank you also for getting my family around the table. Good food, good conversation and no devices!
Kelly & Matt McAughan
July 2019
Dear Friday...
Dear Friday, thank you for extending your hospitality to us for this past week. We'll miss your cuddles and floppy ears greatly.
Your parents were awesome! The food, the cocktails and the company were 5-star. This trip was like sailing with friends. Tell them we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. Your dad is super-smart. We learned a lot about sailing and his love for the community, the environment and of course, your Mom. Not only is she a wonderful cook and bartender, but an incredibly friendly face who never fails to make you feel welcome.
You're lucky to have parents who love and care for you so well. We will miss their company as well as yours!
Jessica, Julio, Aimee, Priscilla, Jemilly & Julian
Fernandez / Sanchez / Castro Charter
June 2019
Perfect Vacation
This has been a perfect vacation. Your boat is beautiful and your hospitality perfect. Every meal was delicious! We loved the itinerary--great stops for snorkeling, going shore, outings and sleeping. And Friday was the icing on the cake. What a great dog. He made the week complete.
Until next time,
The Kerrigan Family
June 2019
EPIC! - April 2019
"People use the word “Epic” far too liberally, but this adventure was truly EPIC! We sailed over 100 nautical miles, tacking this way and that. Exploring reefs that few have explored and walking on beaches that even fewer have walked. We ate like royalty and partied with pirates. This experience will be hard to rival and will be celebrated for the rest of time. A thousand thank-yous for this magical moment. May the wind always fill your sails and laughter always fill the decks of Allende.”
The Mosses
Moritz / Hefton / Moss / DeGarmo Charter
We can't thank you enough for the most incredible family vacation ever!
Every day was the perfect mix of action-packed adventure, relaxing and enjoying the most delicious meals, snacks and desserts! You are the perfect team: the engineering skills, incredible geology and marine life knowledge, culinary magic and the best dispositions for managing new personalities. It will be very hard to return to road trips and museums for this group--we will plan to be back for another adventure with Allende! The trip would not have been the same without the best sailor--Friday. Paddleboarding with Friday was a personal favorite activity. Thank you for the best week, your kind hospitality and memories that we will never forget.
Dana, Andy, Charlie, Billy & Wylie Stern
Thank you! April 2019
“THANK YOU doesn’t seem big enough words to describe how wonderful our week has been. While the views & the booze & the water & the food has all been spectacular, I feel like we’re also going home with two more friends. Once you join in our hair-braiding karaoke gang, we are friends for life!! How lucky are we to have stumbled onto the Allende and met such wonderful people...and Friday! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!”
Melissa Connealy & Janice Hall
April 2019
We loved our adventure in the BVI! - March 2019
“Dear Friday, thank you for everything. So great that you brought Kristiann and Graham along with you on this trip! The meals were beyond amazing and worth of Michelin’s attention. We were definitely spoiled by the endlessly great meals—who knew it was even possible on a boat?! And thanks for bringing along Captain Graham who knows all the best spots and all the best routes. Elena benefited from his teaching skills as she learned knots most people have never heard of. We all loved our adventure in the BVI!! I think you’ve got the family hooked on sailing. It was an experience that exceeded expectations—mostly by the quality of care and attention during the journey.”
The Halloran Family
March 2019
What. A. Week! - March 2019
“What. A. Week. We can easily say this is one of the most complete vacations we have ever been on. You two (and Friday of course) embody the sense of adventure that so many others pass up. Despite the pure joy that the food has been and despite Graham’s sailing expertise and insights into BVI geography and history, rum and Blackjack, both of your personalities made this trip! Thank you for being so amazing. Keep the party going always! Until next time...”
The Proehl Family
March 2019
A vacation never to forget! - February 2019
“I could not have picked a better way to celebrate my 60th than with you both, Friday and friends! Thank you for great sailing, delicious food, amazing drinks and lots of laughs. A vacation never to forget!”
Jim Little
DeFazio / Little / LaFratta Charter
February 2019
Allende was truly "beyond."
After 20 years of marriage and many adventures this was the perfect celebration. I am amazed at how much we were able to accomplish in seven days. Your home is so beautiful--thank you for the memories.
Anna & David Kessler
An absolutely fantastic crew in every way!
We're so thankful to have found the Sail Allende team. We just returned from a week's sail where Graham, Kristiann, and Friday (the crew dog / entertainment crew) treated us to the best time in the USVI/BVI. Pre-trip communication was professional and timely. Allende is kept in fanatical shape. Graham is careful and professional at the helm. And Kristiann kept our bellies full with delicious cocktails and the most 5-star amazing food. As a chef, Kristiann doesn't skimp - nearly everything is homemade aboard and suited our diverse group's taste buds.
The Sail Allende team created a customized journey for us. We can't say enough about this crew! If you're looking for a crewed charter, look no further. We promise, you won't be disappointed!
We can't wait to be back on Allende for BVI 3.0!
Quentin & Erica Carr
We will never forget you or this unbelievable trip!
Both of you are fabulous hosts, Captains, chefs and now friends.
The Gornto Family
Every day, night and minute was beyond my wildest expectations.
Thank you for helping me out of my comfort zone and take this experience fully on. I swam with a shark, over a shipwreck, dove for conch, fished in the deep blue and explored the BVI by moped thanks to you both. We will definitely hold our 15th wedding anniversary close to our hearts. Thank you for this gift!
Trent & Pam Lanham
This was hands-down a once-in-a-lifetime trip!
The words "thank you" don't even seem appropriate! The food, hospitality and attention to every detail was above and beyond the call of duty. Your knowledge of the area, fantastic advice and stories added such a personal touch to our experience. And the amazing Bushwackers didn't hurt!
Lindsay & Jeff Chastain, Laura & Tracy Ballew
You have catered to our every need and truly spoiled us!
This was an amazing vacation for our family! Thank you so much for everything--from the incredible meals (and I mean every single one!) to the amazing adventures each day. It's going to be an adjustment to go home and have to do anything for ourselves.
The Dickens Family
We could not have asked for a better first experience living aboard a yacht.- March 2018
You guys packed so much adventure into every day of our trip that I'm sure we could fill volumes (and I have the 2,800 photos to prove it)! We could not have asked for a better first experience living aboard a yacht. Allende has all the comforts we could ever hope for--and Kristiann's cooking was beyond brilliant and delicious! We're really going to miss snuggling with Friday on the "Lido Deck" while sipping lattes and Painkillers. These experiences have ignited a new passion for travel on the water that I'm sure will stay with us for the rest of our lives. Looking forward to our next sail with you--and the next, and the next...
Bradley & Andrew
Never have we ever eaten such fine food, meal after meal, day after day and never have we ever witnessed such rare natural beauty, reef after cove after mountain after bay. This past week has cleared our minds and filled our souls. You are gracious hosts and patient teachers. All very much appreciated.
Phil & Fontaine
Sail Allende!!!!! 5 Stars---All the Way!!!!
I wanted to reach out to you and thank you for your help setting up our first and BEST sailboat trip in the BVI's. I can't explain how magical and perfect our trip was!!! The catamaran was amazing, but no matter how the boat was, you can never replicate the crew! Kristiann and Graham were soooo key to our trip being perfect, fun and delicious. The service was by far better than any luxury hotel I've stayed in. They both were low-key and accommodating, and sooo organized and prepared to supply their guest with the best of the best. I HIGHLY recommend making Sail Allende your first choice when a potential customer asks for your "opinion" as there are many boats/crew to choose from.
This trip touched my soul! I feel like I'll need to sail at least once a year, and I will only sail with Kristiann and Graham. They have a loyal following with me and my husband! Truly epic and remarkable experience thanks to them and their perfectly designed and well-maintained boat along with their 5-star meals, coffee, drinks, and appetizers!!!
The FOOD was AMAZING and sooooo THOUGHTFUL!!!! Loved Kristiann's very own homemade "Bushwacker" or "Frozen Lemonade." Let me not forget how Kristiann made homemade hamburger buns, homemade Key-Lime Pie (which she used a "blow-torch" to scorch the meringue on top------SO COOL!!!!), homemade Almond Cake, Homemade banana nut bread......... and they have a grill on board, so all of our meats were grilled and yummy right down to the "grilled pineapple" they served with our burgers. We appreciated so much of the thought, detail, and care that went into making our trip so special. I felt like the Queen of England on the seas!!! LOL
Kristin G - August 2017
To say that Sail Allende is exceptional is a huge understatement!
One goes on a trip or has an experience they always seem to find something to improve on....but, honestly, I'm unable to find anything. They manage to hit every check box and as far as I'm concerned, they set the benchmark for quality service and crewing a catamaran.
Excellent, knowledgeable Captainship, incredible 6-star gourmet cuisine (ALL made from scratch in a small ship's galley), deep knowledge of the area with excellent sightseeing, and kisses on the nose from their dog Friday...all make for a "trip of a lifetime" we plan to recreate over and over...thank you Kristiann and Graham!
Derek & Christine Atchley
The best trip ever
Super fun-filled week. Excellent food, sailing and water activities. The best trip ever and we're ready to do it all again!
Lee & David McGarey
BVI - December 20th - 26th 2018
We all agreed that our week with Graham and Kristiann on Sail Allende was the best sailing trip we have had, despite our two boys being committed monohull fans! Specifically, G&K are enthusiastic about sailing so were happy to blast around as much as we liked. They allowed our involvement and were helpful with tips and instruction. G&K took turns to snorkel with us, being wonderful guides and spotters underwater. Catering was fabulous. Their professionalism and attention to detail was manifest in everything they did and included some lovely personal touches. They have given each aspect of hosting serious thought and none of us could find fault with a thing. Perhaps the best way I can communicate it is to report what I said to them: not only could I not find fault, but I could not come up with a single thing that I think they could do better, they really were that good. Sailing, itinerary, friendliness and discretion (and getting the balance), ideas, organisation, catering, drinks and refreshments etc. It was terrific. The boat was perfect for a guest party of 4-6
Andrew
You checked all the boxes! Plus a Whale Watch! March 2018
One of the best trips ever! The food was fantastic and we always felt we were in the hands of an experienced Captain. Each meal, beach, port-of-call was exceptional. Can't wait until we can return.
Maureen & Andy S
You checked all the boxes! A perfect balance of professionalism and down-to-earth friendliness. Incredible activities and relaxation, all topped by the best eating I have ever experienced. Truly over the top!
Carlo & Karen M
The entire trip was perfect from start to finish. This would not be a complete entry without expressing my utter gratitude for the vegan cooking on my behalf--beyond my expectation. Graham and Kristiann--thank you so much for everything you did to provide a great trip.
Robin S.
Awesome. The whole thing! The BVI, the company, the boat and of course Graham & Kristiann--they treated us like honored guests. A week of perfection.
Dave S
It was such a pleasure to be aboard Allende! July 2018
We cajoled friends for two years to make it happen. Can't say what was our favorite part; the bays, sailing, snorkeling, excursions and FOOD were all first-class!
Angie & Bill Patterson
We can't wait to come back.
Thank you for showing us the best of the Caribbean, creating a beautiful experience for us and giving us the best culinary creations ever!
Teresa & Jay Long
November 2018
Round Two on Allende ROCKED
Tom & I had bragged to our friends about your knowledge, culinary skills, sailing ability and all-around greatness! And you both delivered.
The BVIs have returned and we loved doing a new itinerary, full of fun. It's been wonderful to see the recovery and to see the people so happy. Thank you doesn't seem like enough! We loved being with you both all week!
Pamela & Tom McKinstry
December 2018
You then exceeded even my greatest expectations!
Our first thoughts once we boarded were, "This is going to be the best vacation we've ever had." You then exceeded even my greatest expectations! Food was amazing--who needs to eat ashore? My first time snorkeling and paddleboarding and you made me feel so comfortable doing it. Getting to help raise sails and participate made me feel welcome as a new sailor. Locations were breathtaking and just the right amount of activity vs. chill. Loved the morning kisses from Friday--he is the sweetest dog--and we felt right at home with a dog aboard. Thank you for an amazing week!
Jen Henschel & Jeff Kersten
December 2018
It was terrific!
We all agreed that our week with Graham and Kristiann on Sail Allende was the best sailing trip we have had, despite our two boys being committed monohull fans! Specifically, G&K are enthusiastic about sailing so were happy to blast around as much as we liked. They allowed our involvement and were helpful with tips and instruction. G&K took turns to snorkel with us, being wonderful guides and spotters underwater. Catering was fabulous. Their professionalism and attention to detail was manifest in everything they did and included some lovely personal touches. They have given each aspect of hosting serious thought and none of us could find fault with a thing. Perhaps the best way I can communicate it is to report what I said to them: not only could I not find fault, but I could not come up with a single thing that I think they could do better, they really were that good. Sailing, itinerary, friendliness and discretion (and getting the balance), ideas, organization, catering, drinks and refreshments etc. It was terrific.
The Beverley Family
December 2018
Awesome boat with the best crew!
We had a great time. Awesome boat with the best crew! Graham and Kristiann
made sure that our trip and experience was top notch. I am in the hospitality
business and the level of service they provided was at a level that exceeds the
most sought-after hotels in the world. Graham's sailing ability, the condition
which he keeps Allende was matched only by Kristiann's culinary expertise and
the little things that consistently surprised us to make our trip a truly memorable
one. We wish them the best of luck with their boat and are already trying to
figure out how to book the next trip.
The Nelson Family
December 2018
Awesome boat with the best crew!
We had a great time. Awesome boat with the best crew! Graham and Kristiann
made sure that our trip and experience was top notch. I am in the hospitality
business and the level of service they provided was at a level that exceeds the
most sought-after hotels in the world. Graham's sailing ability, the condition
which he keeps Allende was matched only by Kristiann's culinary expertise and
the little things that consistently surprised us to make our trip a truly memorable
one. We wish them the best of luck with their boat and are already trying to
figure out how to book the next trip.
The Nelson Family
December 2018
This trip is full of memories we will cherish forever.
Thank you so, so much for an amazing week, and for the passion and love that you put into everything you do.
The Neuhauser Family
January 2019