When smaller is better

John Brendmoe, the owner of M/Y Alexandra V, chartered everything from 50ft catamarans to 100m motoryachts before choosing his 30m as the perfect yacht for his family and for chartering out. He shares his decision-making process and some of his thoughts ownership with Angela Audretsch.

Of course everybody likes big boats, but I chartered big boats and I was not happy. I was disappointed that I didn’t have the opportunity to come into port or close to the beach. I was not confident with having 16 crew; I don’t need a bell to call for a drink. The bigger boat you have the more expensive and the more complicated it gets. It becomes like a huge company. In my case I’m very happy with a 30m yacht right now. I also wanted to start with something that wasn’t too big and learn how it is to be a boat owner before I consider a bigger yacht.



When I chose Alexandra V, I went carefully through all the criteria I had as a picky charter guest. Further on I tried to add what the yacht needed to become the ultimate and perfect charter boat. Alexandra V is 30m but thinks she’s 45m. She has zero stabilisers, a spa, an on-deck cinema and a gym. We also focused a lot on food, hiring a Michelin trained chef who has previously worked on several Michelin star restaurants.

Spend time to think through your dream yacht, first and foremost; how you want the boat to appear. Don’t listen to everybody, go your own way and make something unique no matter size. First of all I recommend that you need the best crew and a management that you can trust.


The boat industry has some challenges that need to be taken care of as soon as possible if we are to get more people into this market. There hasn’t been any increase of clients in this industry in many years, which really makes you think. Yacht owners must set stronger requirements towards morals, service and performance. Yacht owners should use their influence to tell politicians that there are millions of people working in this industry, on board and on shore.

I could talk about yachts for hours, it a great industry and the ocean is a great place to be, but we still have a way to go which is good since challenges are there to be taken.

The Superyacht Owner talks to John Brendmoe about Alexandra V and yachting with his family in Issue 14. Members can view this issue online here. To subscribe, click here.

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