One of the most rewarding parts of my career in Yacht Sales Marketing is gaining the opportunity to meet our different yacht owners. There is something amazing about meeting families who make the most out of their time together by getting out on the water. It has turned me into an advocate for alternative lifestyles, specifically the cruising lifestyle. I always appreciate the chance to meet people who are taking a sabbatical from real life to go sailing around the world for a few years, or indefinitely. This may sound like a bit of a drastic step to some people, but this is not the only way to ensure that more time can be spent together as a family.
Family Time on Family II
I had the opportunity to chat with Leopard 51 PC owner, Frank Lazo. His yacht "Family II" is an opportunity for his family to climb aboard and escape the stressful streets of South Florida. Frank explains, "We love our boat. I keep ‘Family II’ here at my house and sometimes we don't even take her off the dock, we just like to hang out on board. With the palm trees and the breeze of Key Biscayne it almost feels like we are docked somewhere in the Bahamas or the Keys. There is so much space it's almost like having another house, or a guest house. It provides extra space for when all of the grand-kids come over. The kids love to sleep aboard."
Getting the group together
And while the boat is a fantastic addition to any home, luckily she is capable of more than just a place to rest and enjoy cocktails. "Family II" is the perfect place for the Lazos to enjoy a proper family day. And with a family of 16, the spacious Leopard 51 PC is the ideal yacht to host the whole crew out on the water! On the group’s most recent cruise the family indulged in a birthday celebration for Frank. They cruised all around Miami, South Beach and the intracoastal.
Three hours to paradise
"Family II" provides the Lazo family a means to get from Miami to Bimini in about three hours. If you have never been to Bimini, you are missing out. It is a Bahamian bliss, just three hours by powercat, outside the hustle and bustle of South Florida. Stumble upon it and find yourself in a cruiser's paradise with remote beaches, world class fishing and excellent snorkeling. Frank explains, "Cruising the Bahamas means very low tide and the depth is very shallow in some areas. For the size (51 ft.) and the beam (25 ft.) the draft is very surprising, at only 3 ft. 2 in. The draft makes my boat perfect for cruising the shallows of the Florida Keys and the Bahamas."
Favorite yacht features
Frank went on to explain some of his favorite features of the yacht, "Of course the flybridge is wonderful. It is like our living room and there is space and seating for everyone to be together. The fridge, grill, sink and ice maker are all very convenient. The sundeck forward is also nice. My wife and her friends enjoy being on the main deck. She really likes when you exit the saloon from the forward door and you have the forward seating area, which is a great place to spend time. Also, on many other boats we looked at, the stairs are not safe. The stairs and the safety handles installed all around my boat are really nice, and we feel very safe."
Why you should buy new
He continues, "Also, buying a new yacht with a good warranty was important to me. The pricing on this yacht compared to competition is very competitive. When you compare the price to what you are getting no one can compete with the Leopard 51 PC. I understand the desire for some people to have luxury items, and while those can be nice, I prefer a simpler boat with good quality construction that is easy to fix and that has easily accessible systems."
Future of the family
As for future plans for the Lazos? Frank revealed that they will just keep doing what they are doing-- spending time with the family.
Getting out on the water is just one of the thousands of ways to spend quality time with the people you love. But if you would like to learn more about how you can maximize your family time with a Leopard 51 PC, please contact us today.
