Power and Sail. Monohull and
Catamaran--we love boats. If you do to, you'll want to meet our dedicated
staff who make it all happen. Learn more about us on this page
We are a group of affiliated
companies, principally owned by Eric Smith.
Eric started Bay
Yacht Agency in 1972 and since that time has sold over 2000 boats while
placing over 650 into our management plan. At any given time, there are
over 100 boats active with the various management companies on the East
Coast and in the Caribbean.
Our main offices are
in Annapolis Md. and include separate offices for boat sales as well
as a charter office.
Our Sail/Catamaran
Trawler division is Bay Yacht Agency, the powerboat division includes
Brokerage boats along with some cooperating new boats for placement in
management and Fountaine Pajot Catamaran Trawlers , and our Charter company is LetsGoCruising.com
(For our BAB program: All the
new boats we sell, plus Jeanneau Power and Selene Trawlers.)
This is our story.
Eric Smith,
President, welcome! "Join
us, just for the fun of it!"
We have one of the
largest marine internet sites out there...
Our primary office is in
the Yacht Haven complex, on the harbor in Annapolis. Our Charter
affiliate, Let's Go Cruising, also has offices in an adjacent space next
to the Chart House restaurant, as well as an office at Kentmorr, MD.
All of the companies are
based out of our Annapolis office "On the Harbor", in
Annapolis--Americas boating capital.
Demonstrators and Charter
boats are kept in the slips adjacent to the Chart House Restaurant on
the Harbor--directly across from City Dock and connected by Water-Taxi
and the draw bridge. Click on the aerial photograph to see the entire
area.
Meet our sales staff...
Some boat companies seem to think that one size fits all, and a "salesman"
is the right guy to help you with buying and equipping your boat.
At BYA, we have a team of devoted specialists that help you each step of
the way. Experts in their field, and a talented support team for your
Sales Associate and you. From handling the business, to the
commissioning of your boat, you will have a dedicated expert helping
each step of the way.
One size fits all, or one tool fits all, no longer has a place with
today's knowledgeable owner.
In addition to our combined knowledge, we offer a substantial fleet of
boats that we manage, for charter. We get much more feedback than a
typical dealer, and use that feedback to create smooth running vessels
and happy owners.
Meet some of our professionals below.
Eric
Smith President and Founder.Eric has cruised and raced all over the Atlantic
basin. He started Bay Yacht Agency in 1972 and since
that time has helped approximately 685 people set their boat up as a
business, and hundreds more custom commission their boat to meet
their personal goals and requirements. Eric and Douglass live in Annapolis, and also have a home in
Florida. 410-263-2311 X222
esmith@bayacht.comSkype bya269
Chris
Bent, Senior Broker, Jeanneau project manager. Chris has been involved in various business
endeavors and the yacht industry
since 1996. He has managed charter yachts, a brokerage and new
boat sales organization and has been running sail and power boats for
the last 20 plus years. Now, he specializes in large cruising yachts and
our Boat as a business™ Program. Chris lives on Kent Island with his
wife, Dawn and two small children. cbent@bayacht.com
410-263-2311 X230 Web
Page for ChrisSkype: chbent
Rudy
Vereen.Rudy our Broker with a
smile is an extremely
professional Sales Associate. You couldn't meet a more helpful, fun-loving
upbeat (and knowledgeable) guy! Rudy and Kris live in Annapolis.
rudy@bayacht.com
410-263-2311 X225 Web
page for RudySkype: Rudy.Vereen
Bobby
Allen. Bobby is a world renowned sailor and friend of virtually
every client he has ever come in contact with. he has been a captain on
many different kinds of boats from the Med to the Caribbean. He offers a wealth of
information, ideas and contacts. Bobby lives in Annapolis with his wife,
Angie and three children. Reach him at: 410-263-2311 X224
bobbya@bayacht.comWeb page for Bobby Skype: Ballen9545
Bo Phillips... Bo joins us having operated his own SeaTow business, and as a captain on a variety of boats up and down the East Coast and in the Caribbean. Bo lives with his family and 2 children on the Eastern Shore. Reach Bo at 410-263-2311 X233 on his cell at: (410) 924-7470 Email: bo@bayacht.com Web page: Web page and Skype address: Bo.Bayacht
Dennis Bass joins us from his backround as a cruiser and racer in New England. He has been in the car and real estate business, and finally decided to pursue his real passion and has joined the Bay Yacht team. You can reach him at: 516-987-5027 or by email: dennis@bayacht.com
Other important People!
Kris
Vereen is our dynamic business manager and service
coordinator. She keeps everyone on track, and works closely
with all of our clients from initial order through final
settlement. If you have a question she has, or can get the
answers! Kris and Rudy are our hard working couple living in
Annapolis.410-263-2311 Skype kris.vereen
Steve.
Our comptroller. He acts as the comptroller for both Bay Yacht
Agency and Let's Go Cruising.
Mark DeLaney is our financial analyst and
financing expert. He's also a sailor, and boat owner who has sailed far
and wide. He understands boat owners! For the latest on requirements in today's economy,
visit our white paper on the subject--click
here. Mark and his team specialize in tweaking finance
applications so that you make the kind of presentation that gets you the
best financing available. Reach him through Kris.
Mark Sims-Project/Commissioning manager
Mark Simms Service and Commissioning manager. Mark
has been in Professional Yachting for two decades. He has been a project
manager for multi-million dollar Yachts at yards all over the world. He
has raced or managed programs for sophisticated, high performance yachts
from the early design stages, through being an active member of the crew
on various world-wide companies. Presently he holds 3 World Elapsed Time
records. Has raced across the North and South Atlantic 4 times, Raced
across the Pacific 12 times. Raced extensively in the Mediterranean,
Baltic, and North Sea. Coming to Bay Yacht Mark brings a wealth of
experience that can match the demands and expectations of our clients.
He finally wants to settle down in his favorite corner of the world--on
the Chesapeake Bay, and we have chosen to work together because of our
similar goals and expectations--we want to offer our clients the
absolute best, unequivocally--from the gleam in your eye, to your
gleaming Yacht on the water." 410-263-2311
Ken
Krasco. Our primary engineer who
arranges most of the commissioning on your boat. He and his crew of 6
take care of everything from creating a special cabinet for your stereo
system, to installing upgraded electrical systems that meet your load
carrying requirements. Ken works closely with Mark and our Business
manager, Kris to insure that your boat meets your expectations. After
several commissioning meetings with you, they'll understand exactly how
you want your boat, and make sure it comes out that way! Kenny and BYA
have been working successfully together for over 23 years.
Douglass
Dillard. Financial manager. Eric's first mate and a communications
pro.
Douglass is the overall manager of financing for both of our
companies. She helps smooth out the process of integrating your boat
into the management program regardless of where you ultimately choose to
locate it. Douglass and Eric live in Annapolis, and also have a home in
Florida. 410-263-2311 X228
douglass@letsgocruising.com
Let's Go Cruising
Ryan
Kemp, Charter Broker
New for 2011, Ryan's anxious to help. Give him a call at 410-263-1818 or
email to:
ryan@letsgocruising.com Skype Address: LGC269
Liz Childs. Liz is the manager of our SailScape Club
program Contact her at:
liz@letsgocruising.com or 410-263-1818
Service Team...
Mark, Service Manager, BYA and Let's Go Cruising
Mark and his team have a superlative record for outstanding service. Reach Mark though Kris Vereen--He's usually out in the field.
Ken, Roach.Leader of the ASA Sailing
Course program. Ken comes with years of background managing and
running sailing schools and charter companies.
ken@bayacht.com 410-263-2311
Since 1972, we've served over 1,800
clients. Helped over 600 people set their boat up as a business. Maintained a
5,000 page web site--offering more information to our clients.
Guaranteed price and
service
Since We are the largest dealer for
the manufacturers that we represent. We spread our cost of sales for new and
used boats over many sales each year so, simply, we can work with smaller
margins and pass the savings on to you, our clients. We're so confident of
maintaining this position that...
We
guarantee our service and prices.
Customize your boat
We have commissioned hundreds of
boats for live-aboard and world wide cruising. Whether you choose a new or used
boat; a boat for private pleasure or set up as a business--we will help you to
make it reflect your individual personality.
Customize
your boat
Location, location,
location...
Whether it's comparing new boats,
finding a used boat or having the commissioning services available to make your
boat special--Annapolis is America's boating capital... and, BYA is in
the heart of Annapolis, "On the harbor".
Learn
more about the Chesapeake and our home base in Annapolis.
Try before you buy & Yacht
Charters...
If
you have the time. If you're not sure. The absolutely best thing that you can do
is charter for a weekend or longer. (Or take a live-aboard course) We have
all of the new boats that we sell available for charter, or live-aboard
courses--in Annapolis, in the Islands--make your
investigation fun, and have a vacation on us.
Learn
more about our management and charter company, and what boats are
available-where.
Boat-As-A-Business
Use
tax savings and profits to truly own for less. We'll show you the 3 easy steps
to success. We're there every step of the way with CPA support, business support
and management support.
Learn
more about our Boat-As-A-Business program.
Click here.
Bay Yacht Agency History
Bay Yacht Agency was started in Oct.
1972 by Eric Smith, current owner and President. Eric was a successful engineer,
sailboat racer and artist at various times in his career.
Over the years, BYA became known as
one of the most active new and brokerage boat dealers for sailboats, in the
Mid-Atlantic area. BYA has won numerous top dealer and top service awards over
the years and is currently Jeanneau Sailboats #1 American dealer, and the all
time, #1 North American dealer for Fountaine Pajot Catamarans..
BYA was among the first to embrace
computer technology, including
setting up custom data-bases and in 1996 an elaborate web site which has grown
to over 5,000 pages of information. In fact, the BYA web site has become an
information resource for clients and other dealers as well.
While BYA always had a charter
company, with affiliates in Florida and the Caribbean, it was when Douglass
joined the team in the late 90's that the Charter division really came into it's
own. By 2002, the Charter division had established a reputation on the Bay as
the leading company offering new and late model boats, and at the same time
started offering power boats for the first time. The previous company name,
SailScape, no longer worked and so Douglass established a new company with a new
name that would endure for years, if not decades to come: Lets Go Cruising.
We now have all of the companies
operating under the umbrella trade name of the Bay
Yacht Agency Group, though each company remains totally
autonomous and responsible for it's own management.
Of course what makes us unique is
the people. All of our staff is devoted to insuring that our clients are treated
with the utmost respect and we endeavor to give industry leading customer
service. That's one of the reasons that we're rated the number one dealer for
Jeanneau and Fountaine Pajot.
3 things that make
us unique in the boat business:
1. We use a
sophisticated, on-line database so that all of our Brokers can work from
home, or anywhere that they have an internet connection. They have full
access to our client database, pricing, contracts and all relevant
information. This allows us to better serve our clients and we are
always in touch.
2. Our 5,000 +
page web site is a unique resource. We can convey information
instantly--whether for a brokerage boat, a new boat or some confidential
technical information.
3. We offer creative ways to acquire
a boat including a unique Yacht Profit Sharing Management Program. This enables
clients to offset their cost of ownership, or even set their boat up as a
business. More
info. Just one more choice!
At the end of the day, cruising is all about
relaxing and having fun--and that's what we really specialize in.
Many of our owners have found our Boat-As-A-Business
plan offers care free sailing in addition to tax advantages and income that
offsets costs.
If there's one theme we
keep hearing, it's that time is precious and so if you can get someone else (LetsGoCruising)
to do the routine maintenance--you have more time to enjoy your boat. Check out
the program.
Finally,
another way that we offer more fun is with cruise rallys that are both
educational and fun. Check out last seasons New England rally, which will be
repeated this year.
If we look like a fun group that you'd like to
join--Expand your Horizons--Charter
or own with us! 410-263-2311
Chartering--you told us what you wanted in our
survey--now, we're delivering! A report from Let's Go Cruising
We asked your
opinion, and you gave it! I always assumed that our location was a
big part of our business. And it is. But guess what I learned from our
online survey. You prefer starting from Annapolis where every amenity,
and 5 star restaurants are within walking distance by 3 to one!
Just as I thought, you love our new boats, but who
would have thought that our exceptional Biminis and sun protection were #1 on
your priority list. Or that fresh linens provided with each boat were high on
the list--as was filtered water, security and ozone treated air to reduce
smells!
Well, we combined all of your most expressed likes
into a unique loyalty club program. It's called the "SailScape club" and here's
a limited time offer. The membership is normally $235 dollars, and Charterers
typically recoup more than this in their first charter. But go to our membership
page, and simply take the survey now (about 5 minutes of your time) and we'll
make you a free member! Just be sure to give us the email address you want us to
use to confirm your membership! Find out about this very special club designed
to offer you more value than available anywhere else in the industry--targeted
to what you told us was important!
Let's Go Cruising...
Specializes in managing the new boats that BYA sells. At any
given time, there are about 22 new or almost new boats under management and
available for charter (with or without a captain), ASA sailing courses, Flotilla
charters, corporate charters and even "Boat and Breakfast".
In addition, we have set up a number of luxury equipped monohull
and catamarans in a number of other popular locations. Currently, there are
about 100 boats being managed among the various affiliated fleets who,
generally, follow the LGC guidelines for charter, management and service
excellence.
Some boat companies and Brokers seem to think that one size fits all, and
a "salesman" is the right guy to help you with buying and equipping your
boat.
At BYA, we have a team of devoted specialists that help
you each step of the way. Experts in their field, and a talented support
team for your Sales Associate and you. From handling the business,
to the commissioning of your boat, you will have a dedicated expert
helping each step of the way. It's a little like having a
dedicated tool for each job, rather than using a once size fits all
tool.
One size fits all, or one tool fits all, no longer has a place with
today's knowledgeable owner.
In addition to our combined knowledge, we offer a substantial fleet of
boats that we manage, for charter. We get much more feedback than a
typical dealer, and use that feedback to create smooth running vessels
and happy owners.
Meet some of our professionals below.
Current
Products - Sail... (Click on graphic to see video.)
Since 1972 we have represented a variety of new sailboat
manufacturers. Since the late 80's we focused on the Jeanneau monohull product
line and Fountaine Pajot Catamarans (Including catamaran trawlers.)
We believe that these boats represent the best values available
in the industry without sacrificing quality or performance .
In fact, each Fountaine Pajot sailing cat enjoys a
Trans-Atlantic trip as it's first shake down trip! (LaRochelle France, to
Annapolis!) The crews have become friends and autograph the flag flown on the
journey. We gain valuable insights into the boats, and their handling under a
wide range of conditions as a result of our debriefing sessions.
We offer most models in a "Try Before You Buy
Program". An interested prospect can charter a model he's interested in at
any of our affiliated bases (through LGC) and if he later decides to purchase,
the charter is reimbursed.
Our web information on all of our boats is expansive. Here's one
example:
A slide show that compares our Jeanneau 54 to some of the competition.
Click
on the camera.
We
have one of the most powerful brokerage search engines available anywhere with
over 70,000 boats listed by very specific criteria. Click on the logo
Click the above to enlarge, or
See a slide show of the new, Fountaine Pajot 44 (Cumberland) Catamaran
Trawler, click on the camera
Hybrid Houseboats...
This
is a new category of vessel offered for anything from a vacation home to
a live-aboard to an investment property. Call Rudy, our project manager
for more information. 410-263-2311
Link: here.
3. Power Catamaran
Trawlers and other boats for placement in our Boat-As-A-Business program.
(All are available for placement in
our Boat-As-A-Business program)
Fountaine Pajot
Catamaran Trawler--now on the web.
We
have one of the most powerful brokerage search engines available anywhere with
over 70,000 boats listed by very specific criteria. Click on the logo.
Hybrid Houseboats
A unique, new product. Totally green and
suitable for quiet cruises or picnics, living aboard full or part time, or
purchase as an investment vacation home!
Get the information at this link
We offer on-board, and boat show
seminars which include an explanation of our Boat-as-a-business program,
as well as acquainting prospects with our boats.
In it's simplest terms--here's how it works. You set
your boat up as a business. (We show you how) Tax advantages pass
through to you personally. You charter your boat when you're not using
it and the income and tax advantages cover 70-100% of your costs--here's
an example...
Many of our clients have used our program to end up owning a boat in 6-7
years instead of 15. here's an excerpt from a story written by one of these
owners.
Click here.
Charters We have the largest fleet of new, 5 star boats on
the East Coast.
> ASA-Live-Aboard Courses
> Bare boat charters on the Chesapeake--with or without a captain.
> Flotillas, group cruising, Corporate charters and more.
> Charter Broker for E.Coast and Caribbean charters.
We offer a 5 star charter club with
many advantages.
Gain access to a fleet of 5 star boats which are set up
with owner's arrangements, and all of the latest equipment
Your
personal fleet. Located in all of your favorite areas.
Equipped with the latest equipment. From Air conditioning,
to autopilots. Remote windlass controls with chain counters, to oversized
invertors.
As a member, you'll get discounts on your charter. You'll
get a 5 star boat for about the price of an ordinary charter boat. You'll
get certificates for perks at all of your favorite areas. Free ice.
Appetizers. Get served snacks or full meals right aboard your boat while
dockside.
15% of every charter booked through
LGC is applied to
a
purchase, should you later decide to buy a boat and place it in the
program.
Plus you get all of the other great
LGC member benefits, including superior boats with superior equipment in
super-clean condition... see below.
Want to book in the Caribbean or at
another cooperating LGC base? If you first booked on the Chesapeake, you
get a discount the first time, and additional discounts after that for any subsequent
bookings.
Let's go cruising evolved from Bay Yacht Agencies previous
charter company--SailScape.. (We changed the name because we are now also
representing power boats.)
In addition to operating the largest fleet of new boats,
monohulls and catamarans, Power and Sail out of Annapolis we have affiliates in
the most
popular
Florida and Caribbean ports.
Our boats are unique in that they're luxuriously equipped,
compared to the typical charter boat. Among other things, they generally include
Air Conditioning.
We spend an extraordinary amount of time maintaining the boats
and thoroughly familiarizing our clients with the operation of these more
sophisticated boats. In fact, we are actually do a creek cruise with each
charterer to
insure that they thoroughly understand the boat and it's systems if they haven't
chartered with us before. This is a comfort to them, and to our owners!
Ways to use our Program...
(In addition to your private enjoyment)
Set up an employee reward program.
Entertain your VIP clients.
Run a seminar or team building program
Weddings, bar mitzvahs and other special events.
We run programs in conjunction with hotels and conference
facilities as well as with larger boats that can take up to 100 or more people.
Call our Charter division to discuss your requirements.410-263-1818
While Bay Yacht Agency has sold over 550 boats into charter
since the mid-70's, most of the owners have used the program to pay off their
boats in 5 years or so (instead of 15) and are now using their boats exclusively
sailing from ports all around the world. There are currently, approximately, 100
boats in active management that BYA has placed and that LGC Charters.
For
those planning a Chesapeake, or Caribbean charter--LGC offers the utmost in
luxury, comfort and service. Come cruise with us...
At any given time,
you're likely to see Eric & Douglass's Bus around a boat show or other
special marine event.
"The bus
has proven a great asset at boat shows. We have a complete office set up,
including communications and we carry everything, including our personal
belongings with us!"
We
have one of the most powerful brokerage search engines available anywhere with
over 70,000 boats listed by very specific criteria. Click on the logo.
Affiliates in several east Coast and
Caribbean locations can manage your boat, service it, or provide a friendly
place to leave your boat when you need to leave it.
...You say that homebased business is one of the few legal tax shelters
left. What does that mean? Sandy Botkin: First of all, understand something: We have two tax
systems in this country. [Many] times people think there's one for rich
and one for poor. That is a huge myth. What the systems are is one for
employees--people who don't know the rules, which are designed to take
your wealth--and one for self-employed people, [the rules of] which are
designed to create economic growth. The reason for that is, small business
generates over 70 percent of the jobs in this country. So Congress passes
good tax laws. And there are good tax laws--let me emphasize this--for
small business.
Justice, Learnard Hand
said: "There is nothing sinister in arranging one's affairs as to keep
taxes as low as possible...for nobody owes any public duty to pay more
than the law demands."
Let's change the way we
look at our cruising and ownership possibilities--at least until the time
that we can spend as much time as we like cruising--it's called
retirement, but it should really be called adventure cruising. Find
out more about what you can do now to reduce the cost of gaining
experience until you have unlimited time to go cruising.
handy form to register and
receive confidential information: Insider news, technical brochures, in
depth articles, business plans, pre-announcement of new models and charter
specials and more.
Eric
Smith President and Founder.
Chris
Bent, Senior Broker, Jeanneau project manager. 
Rudy
Vereen.
Bobby
Allen. Bobby is a world renowned sailor and friend of virtually
every client he has ever come in contact with. he has been a captain on
many different kinds of boats from the Med to the Caribbean. He offers a wealth of
information, ideas and contacts. Bobby lives in Annapolis with his wife,
Angie and three children. Reach him at: 410-263-2311 X224
Bo Phillips... Bo joins us having operated his own SeaTow business, and as a captain on a variety of boats up and down the East Coast and in the Caribbean. Bo lives with his family and 2 children on the Eastern Shore. Reach Bo at 410-263-2311 X233 on his cell at: (410) 924-7470 Email: bo@bayacht.com Web page: 
Dennis Bass joins us from his backround as a cruiser and racer in New England. He has been in the car and real estate business, and finally decided to pursue his real passion and has joined the Bay Yacht team. You can reach him at: 516-987-5027 or by email: dennis@bayacht.com 
financing expert. He's also a sailor, and boat owner who has sailed far
and wide. He understands boat owners! For the latest on requirements in today's economy,
visit our white paper on the subject--
Ken
Krasco. 
Douglass
Dillard.
Ryan
Kemp, Charter Broker
Mark, Service Manager, BYA and Let's Go Cruising 
Course program.
investigation fun, and have a vacation on us.
setting up custom data-bases and in 1996 an elaborate web site which has grown
to over 5,000 pages of information. In fact, the BYA web site has become an
information resource for clients and other dealers as well.
Finally,
another way that we offer more fun is with cruise rallys that are both
educational and fun. Check out last seasons New England rally, which will be
repeated this year. 
.jpg)
corporate charters and even "Boat and Breakfast".
This
is a new category of vessel offered for anything from a vacation home to
a live-aboard to an investment property. Call Rudy, our project manager
for more information. 410-263-2311
years instead of 15. here's an excerpt from a story written by one of these
owners. 
Your
personal fleet. Located in all of your favorite areas.
a
purchase, should you later decide to buy a boat and place it in the
program.
Let's go cruising evolved from Bay Yacht Agencies previous
charter company--SailScape.. (We changed the name because we are now also
representing power boats.) 
popular
Florida and Caribbean ports. 
insure that they thoroughly understand the boat and it's systems if they haven't
chartered with us before. This is a comfort to them, and to our owners!
For
those planning a Chesapeake, or Caribbean charter--LGC offers the utmost in
luxury, comfort and service. Come cruise with us...
brochures, in
depth articles, business plans, pre-announcement of new models and charter
specials and more.
