KNOT 5280 | 2016

After Charter Follow Up Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Crew Friendliness → 5 Out of 5
Crew Knowledge → 5 Out of 5
Quality of Service → 5 Out of 5
Professionalism of Crew → 5 Out of 5
On-board Cuisine → 5 Out of 5
Yacht Cleanliness → 5 Out of 5
Amenities Offered → 5 Out of 5
Destination/Location → 5 Out of 5
Watersports → 5 Out of 5
Overall Satisfaction → 5 Out of 5
Please share any thoughts about your experience → Great experience, Delicious food, Nice boat
Were your requests fulfilled → Yes

Beautifully maintained yacht, comfortable, certainly enough shade and plenty of variety for seating/lounging, ample storage in cabins.

Quietude of sailing, peacefulness, snorkeling (Indians in particular), meditations, cocktail hour with amazing charcuterie, fantastic meals with outstanding presentation, very accommodating to specific dietary needs/wants, stargazing, flexibility in finding peaceful anchorages, making real connections with the crew (Holly and Joe)!

Excellent communication about our dietary wants and needs, super accommodating, had more than enough of our preferred wine/spirits, such excellent presentation (table cloths, napkins, etc) for each meal, with a broad variety of super tasty meals/snacks, with the crew being very attentive and proactive.

Tried paddle boarding for the first time, very nice experience...lots of swimming and snorkeling, sat in the swim flotilla several times...great to have the options to partake in the water toys.

Holly and Joe were an excellent team, such friendly and enjoyable banter with all of us, and we felt totally safe with their ability to handle everything on the yacht. It was a true pleasure to sail with them!

Wow, what an amazing week! Y’all are wonderful hosts making our experience aboard Knot 5280 one that will go down in the books as a unforgettable vacation. From the food (delicious!) to the activities, the accommodations, and great conversations, and did we mention the sights… the week flew by and we wish we could do it all over again. Thank you for sharing your beautiful world with us.

Thank you for sharing your home with us this week! We all had such a wonderful time – one that exceeded our expectations. From the food (amazing), tour guide duties, snorkeling to dinghy rides – you made it all memorable. We really felt at home when you started in on the jokes. Thanks for the fun birthday party at sea! Celebrating our birthdays, friendships and food fortune was made even more thoughtful by your sweet touches.
Thank you.

Thank you guys for the best rip I could have asked for! It was a pleasure to hear your stories, learn about the islands and have you all as the crew for our trip. Our parents have been talking about this trip as long as I can remember and you made it the best it could have been.
- I can’t wait to come back.

Everything far exceeded our expectations – really we didn’t know what to expect, but we are sure glad we gave chartering a try because I think the family is hooked! Not only did you make the trip special for Corey’s birthday, but you also really made the girls feel special too. We cannot thank you enough for a truly wonderful, relaxing week in the beautiful BVI!

Thank you both for an amazing week at seas! You both went above and beyond making our first trip to the BVI very memorable. This was a 13th birthday trip Jeffrey will never forget! Joe, thank you for enriching Jeffrey’s love of sailing. Holly, the food and everything was exceptional. We enjoyed all of our wonderful conversations. We hope to come visit again. This was the most relaxing family time we have had in a long time. Thank you.

When we started planning this trip nine months ago, we never could have imaged that the trip would have turned out as amazing as it did. You welcomed us into your home and made us feel like family. We’ve been reminded lately how precious life is and we felt like you helped us savor every moment together as a family – being present in this beautiful place on earth. We got to check off so many items on our bucket list and we promise we didn’t take any turtles home! 😊 We will greatly miss the amazing food Holly! It was spectacular and our nightly map sessions were the perfect ending to the night.
Thank you doesn’t seem enough. You two are gems.

Thank you so much for an amazing trip… AGAIN! Your willingness to put up with this crazy group twice… well you are both honorary members of the Miller Lite Club. We had an amazing time snorkeling, hiking, and drinking our way through the BVI. Your hospitality is unmatched and Holly the food was incredible. .
Thanks again.

Mid charter check-in response:
“We are having the time of our lives. Joe and Holly are incredible hosts and have shown us so much of the beauty of the islands. We don’t want our time to end!”
See guest's written guest book review below.

Thank you both so much for an awesome week! We loved sailing into the New Year with you guys!! The hospitality, the food, the drinks were all incredible. We loved every minute of sailing on Knot 5280. We wish you guys the best in the future. Again, thank you so much!

Thank you for the best vacation EVER!! This was a “bucket list” trip for us and we were not disappointed. Thank you for a fantastic week of relaxation, sunshine, great food and lots of laughs.
You guys are awesome!

We could not have expected our trip to be this fantastic, even though we had high hopes for it. We feel like with hit the jackpot with you as hosts because we all meshed so well for a fun and relaxing week. The meals, snacks and drinkers have been AMAZING, and your plan and recommendations have been just perfect. We are already discussing a return trip, so we don’t anticipate this being our last trip with y’all.
Thank you again SO much for the wonderful experience!

Absolute best vacation ever… and great company to spend a week with. You both made us feel so comfortable and welcome. Food was unbelievable, almost better than the scenery 😊. Thank you so much for a 30th anniversary trip of a lifetime.
You guys are great!

After charter review

Captain Joe and Holly were very professional, friendly, and super attentive to our family's needs. They made us feel very welcome right away and tailored our trip to our family's schedule (early mornings, lots of snacks and need to do a lot of activities). They were very knowledgeable and shared their insight of the best places to go, beaches to visit, locations to snorkel and what to look for, and so on. I couldn't have wished for a better crew for our family of 5 (3 kids- 9 yo, 7 yo and 2.5 yo)!

Our meals were excellent. They made very fresh food with local flavors, per our preference sheet. Miss Holly exceeded our expectations with the recipes she prepared for our family and focus to detail on being focused on lean proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables.

We enjoyed the sailing and learning about the boat from Captain Joe; we loved snorkeling at Diamond Reef, private beaches like Savannah Cay, and getting to the best spots early to avoid the crowds! The pace and itinerary was perfect.

Cannot begin to tell you what a wonderful vacation this has been. As virgin sailors we really didn’t know what to expect. I think y’all exceeded by far any of my expectations. Holly the food was exceptional and delicious with great variety and portions to fill my apparently “hollow” leg. The land tour of Virgin Gorda and trip to The Baths and lunch at Hog Heaven was an added bonus! So fun and relaxing to sail from place to place. Joe, your years of sailing show as you are a great captain. Your first mate, Holly really does a fine job and y’all make a great crew. We are happy to help y’all get the dust and rust knocked off and kick off your new season. Thank you so much.

Thank you for an amazing week. Everything was over the top amazing. The food was delicious and the presentation always beautiful. You were troopers to put up with our load games. The snorkeling was amazing. You guys really know how to entertain your guest and make sure they get a taste of everything.
Fair winds and following seas for your upcoming season.

We had the most amazing time. As someone who has done this bareboat multiple times we know how much work goes into it. You guys never missed a beat. Fabulous food, the best destination. We will be back, I hope you are ready!

Sometimes it really can hit you in the face that we have a finite time to make memories on this earth with the people we love. This trip gave our family the space to make those memories together and we are so thankful for that. We felt so well cared for and truly had a wonderful time.
Rebecca, Mike, Darlene, Mikey, Thea and Abe

Our experience in the Virgin Islands was a blanket in comfort and a daily dip into decadence thanks to Joe and Holly. The boat was spacious, fully equipped, and a haven on the water.
Joe’s thorough knowledge of the marine conditions and command of his craft provided smooth sailing around the islands and to easily accommodate the comfort of everyone in our group. He is also intimate with the boat and is prepared for nearly any contingency. Joe, being not only our competent skipper on the boat, but also our guide to the best below water bringing us to beautiful and safe snorkeling locations.
Holly, in short, allowed us to leave our tired brains at home; we barely had to think about what we might want at any time and she was there to provide snacks, drinks, or any accoutrement to enjoy any part of the day. Holly created the perfect menu for every day, skillfully strategizing the small kitchen to make beautiful, bright, diverse meals that always seemed to be perfect for the time of day. Particularly impressive was her insistence to include fresh greens and vegetables day after day out on the water.
The USVI was astoundingly gorgeous on SV Knot5280 and we thoroughly, enthusiastically recommend Joe and Holly to experience the islands with them.

Joe and Holly,

Cannot thank you enough for the hospitality. Everything was amazing. We got to explore areas we would never have seen by land. The food was amazing. The relaxation on the boat was something you would never have at a resort. Awesome trip. Thanks for everything. The Goff charter – Browns Summit, NC.

Joe & Holly, Thank you for the best vacation anyone could imagine! You guys are the best – can't imagine any hosts more fun, accommodating, caring, or better chefs or bartenders, Lol! Everything was perfect we would love to do it again!

Joe & Holly,

Thanks so much for such a great week! You 2 are the best!

Holly & Joe, Thanks so much for the amazing memories. I knew coming back to the USVI would be wonderful, but you two made the trip perfect! I hope our trails cross again!

Holly & Joe, To say you are amazing is an understatement. We truly enjoyed ourselves and your fun personalities put our experience over the top! We hope our paths cross again!

My wife and I just finished a 7 day charter. I didn’t know what to expect since I never did it this before. From the second we boarded, the unbelievable over the top experience began. The crew/hosts are some of the most friendly people you will ever meet. The accommodations were fantastic. They had a full open bar catering to our favorites. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner was so over the top with creativity, variety and craftsmanship, it was too pretty to even eat. They thought of everything. Boat activities were top notch, including paddle boarding, snorkeling and my favorite, kayaking. If you want to relax on a float in the water, they have that too. This boat is big with plenty of room to roam and relax. Did I mention the food? OMG! Worth every penny. More in my opinion. Thank you Joe and Holly for an unforgettable experience.

Happy New Year! What a great start! We had the best time thanks to you both. We will cherish the memories we made with good friends on Knot 5280. We can’t wait to be back! Pura Vida!

We can’t even begin to describe what an amazing experience Knot 5280 was! Holly and Joe - you are the absolute best in every way possible! Thank you so much for showing your dream with us - we will never forget the absolute paradise we had for a week! We will be back whether you want us or not! :)

Thank you for a wonderful New Years charter! Your hospitality was fabulous. We did and saw all the things we wanted to and had a fabulous down time with a spectacular view. Your attention to detail in our preference sheet was wonderful. Thank you for all the advice and lessons on sailing in the islands. Happy New Year! Sara, Scott, Margaret

Rating of Yacht & Crew: 5
Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes!
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes!
Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Yes, Holly and Joe were fabulous. They had clearly paid attention to our preference sheet and were very attentive to our requests and any changes we had.
Was the food good and well presented?
Yes indeed. Holly was a fabulous chef!
8. Additional comments about the yacht and crew?
Holly and Joe were friendly, inspired great confidence and made our vacation all we hoped for. We were eager to learn about sailing in the VI. Holly and Joe were very patient with all our questions and provided great tips and insight into the possibility of bareboating. If we decide to go with a crew again - Knot 5280 would be our choice.
Cruising Area

Did you like the area you chartered in?
Yes

There are so many wonderful things that we can say about our trip aboard Knot 5280. Let us start by saying that Captain Joe and First Mate Holly were exceptional hosts, their yacht is extremely well equipped and very comfortable, and the food and beverages were fantastic!
For just a bit more detail, our journey did not begin when we boarded, but many weeks earlier. Joe and Holly exchanged several emails focused on our food choices, itineraries, and more. Of greatest concern for us was our son’s fatal food allergies. While they are always very busy with their charters, they made time to speak with us on the phone more than once to go over what would be needed to keep him safe but well fed. Holly was incredibly gracious and went out of her way to find foods and even new recipes that were safe for him.
Throughout the journey, meals were abundant, delicious and very attractively plated and served. Every afternoon, Holly would prepare an amazing appetizer, always beautifully arranged. And she would offer cocktails from the well-stocked bar. Breakfast always began with fresh cut fruit, melon and berries, and followed with something hearty. And Joe makes a mean pot of coffee.
The cabins and heads were comfortable and nicely appointed. Having ensuite bedrooms with bathrooms was amazing and felt luxurious!
The boat is equipped with lots of toys. Snorkeling was by far our favorite activity – lots of rocks and reefs, fish and other aquatic life, and by far our favorite – the sea turtles were everywhere. There are also two paddleboards, a 2-person kayak, Sunchill (a very large floatation ring that lets you lie in the water), and of course, Tiffany, the huge inflatable pink flamingo. There were usually nice hikes at each anchorage, but given the heat of the day, we chose to stay in the water most days.
The decks have plenty of comfortable places to sit or lie down, in full sun or in the shade. We almost always anchored or moored near a very nice beach, so a quick trip with the dinghy and the beach chairs and you could spend all day with a book in your hand and sand between your toes. And Joe and Holly were always nearby and eager to bring drinks and food as needed.
Bottom line – we would not hesitate for a moment to book a trip on this wonderful boat with such a great crew.

We cannot describe in words how wonderful this entire trip has been. The food, drinks, hikes – all of it was beyond our expectations! Joe and Holly are the perfect hosts that add an extra special touch to every detail! We hope to be able to sail again soon!

We could not have enjoyed this trip of a lifetime more. It was perfect and has us wishing for more. Thank you for the great food, sunsets, snorkeling, hikes, beautiful sails and friendship. It could not have been better. - Mike & Colleen Murray

It has been a privilege to spend a week seeing St. Thomas and St. John aboard the wonderful Knot 5280! Each day was filled with beautiful bays, wonderful food and lovely memories. Joe and Holly, you are gracious hosts and the best crew ever! - Sue & Ralph

I did not think that it was possible, but everyday on Knot 5280 kept getting better and better You exceeded expectations. Knot 5280 is paradise in paradise! It wasn't the ship but the crew (and Tiffany!). Joe and Holly you were amazing and we cant wait to sail with you again soon! - Mike Murray

An amazing trip with Queen Holly, Captain Joe and Tiffany. The weather was spectacular, the food was well round, abundant and an amazing variety. Our favorite spot was Salt Pond where the people were fun and turtles abundant. All in all we loved it. 4 teens 15-18 and 4 adults. We all came out alive and still friends – thank you Holly and Joe – we loved our time!

We had a last minute switch from our planned charter due to an engine issue, and honestly, we could have been luckier! Holly and Joe were so warm and welcoming – we felt at home immediately. Joe did a great job finding calm spots for us to anchor and Holly did a great job making delicious meals and drinks (you have to try her painkillers!). Thank you both for an awesome week!

An amazing trip with Queen Holly – Captain Joe and Tiffany. The weather was spectacular, the food was well loved, abundant and an amazing variety. Our favorite spot was Salt Pond where the people were fun and turtles abundant. All in all we loved it. 4 teens 15-18 and 2 adults. We all came out alive and still friends – Thank you Joe and Holly. We loved our time!

We had a last minute switch from our planned carter due to an engine issue, and honestly, we could not have been more lucky. Holly and Joe were so warm and welcoming – we felt at home immediately. Joe did a great job finding us calm spots for us to anchor and Holly did a great job making delicious meals and drinks (you have to try her painkillers!!) Thank you both for an awesome week!

Holly and Joe were so fun! They took great care of our family on our day charter. Even though I sprung a last-minute dietary restriction; Holly still managed to make an incredible lunch! We can’t wait to come back and spend a few nights on Knot 5280.The Ball Family

What an amazing experience on Knot 5280. Holly and Joe were incredible hosts that found the perfect balance between relaxation and activity for our active family of 4. The happy, energetic personalities were contagious to everyone on the boat. They knew the islands so well and had great suggestions for hiking, snorkeling and exploring. Joe’s knowledge of sailing was beyond what I expected – he was a patient and kind teacher and we all left with a new love for sailing. Thank you so much for a great family vacation!The Glass Family

After a week on Knot 5280, the hardest part was saying good. You made our big Caribbean Thanksgiving dream come true. We were so impressed by your calm, non-stop attention to detail and customer service. You never stopped working hard for us so that our vacation would be tremendous. Holly was an amazing host that planned meals that fit our tastes and planned the days around our wants and gave some great suggestions. As owner/operators I felt like Joe and Holly went above and beyond to make sure everything was absolutely wonderful.The Cornelius Family

Joe and Holly, thank you so much for making such an amazing place even better with your company, enthusiasm, knowledge, and expertise. We couldn’t have asked for better people to take us around the US Virgin Islands. It was our first trip down here and our first time on a catamaran. Captain Joe made us feel so safe and the boat was amazing – clean, spacious, and so well-cared for. The trip was absolutely amazing! Way more than we ever expected!The Foy Family