Inside BOA VIDA: The People Behind the Experience

Some yachts are designed simply to impress. Others are created to be experienced fully, from the first coffee in your stateroom to the final night at anchor. BOA VIDA falls firmly into the latter category. With expansive living areas, serious entertainment capability and a full collection of modern water toys, charter yacht BOA VIDA represents a forward-thinking approach to luxury yachting. She is built for guests who intend to use every inch of the yacht.

Delivered in 2023 as an Ocean Alexander 35R, she was brought to life by designer Evan K. Marshall in collaboration with Arrabito Naval Architects. Measuring 116’ (35m), she combines contemporary styling with proven performance. Her profile is purposeful, highlighted by Ocean Alexander’s signature vertical bow, which increases interior volume while preserving efficiency and seakeeping.

But while the platform matters, charter is ultimately about people. On BOA VIDA, the onboard experience is shaped by Chief Steward Andrew Blanchard, and his path to yachting is rooted in hospitality from the start.

Originally from Rhode Island and now based in Fort Lauderdale, Andrew has spent five and a half years in the industry. Long before stepping aboard a yacht, he began working in a formal dining restaurant at 15 years old. From there, he moved through boutique hotels and restaurants, held real estate sales roles in between, and eventually returned to manage the same restaurant where he first started. It was during a move to Newport, Rhode Island — a major stop along the Northeast summer yachting season — that he encountered crew working in the industry. After many conversations and plenty of curiosity, he made the decision to pursue it himself.

“I could do that,” he remembers thinking at the time. “This is something I could really see myself doing.”

That decision has now evolved into three years with his current program, working his way up and ultimately stepping into the Chief Steward role. Reflecting on that progression, he explains that one of the most fulfilling parts of his position is maintaining established standards while adding his own leadership approach. “Being aboard my current program for three years now, I’ve worked my way up,” he says. “Being able to maintain the standard the way it’s been but also adding my own twist and making everyone feel super valued in each of their roles is fulfilling to me. Because I was there.”

That perspective informs how he views crew culture. When asked what separates a good charter program from an exceptional one, his answer is measured and clear. Caring owners matter. A reputable broker and brokerage matter. A fair and competent Captain matters. “But most importantly,” he says, “a crew with heart.” He continues: “Crew culture is such an important aspect to focus on. It truly does take a village.”

BOA VIDA’s layout supports that shared effort. BOA VIDA offers generous, flexible interior and exterior areas designed to elevate the charter experience. Just steps from the water, her beach club sits below the main deck with integrated bar facilities, refrigeration and open sightlines; a space that transitions naturally from morning coffee to evening cocktails.

On the main deck aft, a raised U-shaped seating area faces the swim platform and is paired with a nearby wet bar and service station, flowing directly into the main salon through sliding glass doors. The connection between interior and exterior spaces is intentional. Inside, the salon features an L-shaped lounge, a concealed fold-down television and floor-to-ceiling windows, finished in light woods including white oak and high-gloss accents.

Guest accommodations are equally practical and well-considered. BOA VIDA accommodates up to 10 guests across five staterooms, including a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck with a king bed, private sitting area, hidden television and a spacious ensuite featuring dual toilets and sinks, a separate shower and a large soaking tub. On the lower deck, two VIP cabins with queen beds and two convertible twin staterooms each include private en-suites and dedicated vanity or desk areas. Crew quarters accommodate six.

As guests move upward, additional entertainment spaces unfold. The skylounge aft is arranged with a large hexagonal dining table for 10, complemented by a full bar and barbecue for open-air dining with optional shade. Above, the sundeck features a Jacuzzi, multiple sunpads, a reversible lounge arrangement and another wet bar, offering flexibility between social gatherings and relaxed afternoons. Forward, the bow includes a broad sunpad with adjustable headrests and a U-shaped seating area positioned for open views and breeze.

The onboard program extends well beyond the layout. The crew maintains a welcoming, energetic and family-oriented atmosphere, guiding guests through everything from water toy sessions, including e-foil instruction, to fully themed evening events. Theme nights have become a defining feature. The yacht carries full costumes and decorations for 70s Disco, 1920s Prohibition, Pirates and Greek Toga nights. Andrew’s favorite remains Disco, which, as he notes, “always gets everyone excited and dancing and has now somehow always leads into a full-fledged karaoke party night.” A sign that hung in a friend’s kitchen while he was growing up read, “If you can walk you can dance, and if you can talk you can sing,” and the sentiment has stayed with him ever since.

Yachting, however, is demanding. Andrew is direct about the discipline required to sustain performance. “Resetting,” he says, is essential — knowing when it is time to enjoy the moment and when it is time to focus. He maintains consistent workouts and limits alcohol between trips to stay sharp. In his view, “Self-discipline” is the most underrated skill in the industry — “a skill that transcends self, work, life. Something that is a constant effort, never obtained.”

He is also candid about the realities of the role. As a male interior crew member entering the industry, he understood early that opportunities would require patience. His advice to aspiring Chief Stewards reflects that experience: be open to rejection, stay persistent, engage with seasoned crew and maintain a strong work ethic. “If there’s a will there’s a way,” he says — advice that has stayed with him since the beginning of his career.

At her core, BOA VIDA delivers scale, adaptability and structure. She offers expansive deck areas from bow to stern, multiple bar stations — seven in total — extensive glazing for uninterrupted views, diverse lounging and dining zones, and a comprehensive toy inventory suited to varying activity levels. Her layout and crew structure are well-suited to hosting either family groups or friends traveling together. Combined with a program built on experience and a crew that understands both discipline and celebration, BOA VIDA presents a charter platform where preparation and personality operate side by side.