Meet: the Crystal Blue Yacht Charters Team

words by kobi facto

Owned and operated by David and Amanda Fisher and their long-time friend Grant Wharington, Crystal Blue Yacht Charters is certainly making waves on the Gold Coast.

We sit down with David Fisher on how it all began…

KF: How did Crystal Blue come to life?
DF: I moved to the Gold Coast from Byron with the family last October and reconnected with my school friend Grant Wharington who has been living on the Coast for the last 7 years.

Crystal Blue came up for sale and we were invited for a day on the water to experience the yacht firsthand on Australia Day 2016. We were super impressed with the quality and build of the boat and felt that the layout would be perfect for luxury charters on the Gold Coast.

 We identified a massive hole in the Gold Coast charter market for a luxury motor yacht (based on the Coast 12 months of the year) that could cruise under the Sundale Bridge into Surfers Paradise. Crystal Blue ticked all the boxes and was approved to carry up to 60 passengers (8 overnight guests), making it a very affordable luxury charter option.

 As a result of a great day on the water last January, we settled Crystal Blue in April. We then spent four months getting her commercial survey ready and launched Crystal Blue Yacht Charters in August 2016.

The only thing missing is you ! call us for a last minute rate, we are free today at 12pm …..#grabafriendandjumponboard #crystalblueyachtcharter #goldcoast #goldcoastlife #gcvip #privatecharter #itsabeautifulday #goldcoasttourism #charterboat

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KF: How did you come to live on the Gold Coast?
DF: Myself and Grant are both from the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne, where we went to school and grew up. Myself and my wife, Amanda, had a four-year stint in Hong Kong before returning home to Byron Bay and now reside on the Gold Coast. We all moved to the Gold Coast for the same reasons – great weather, the ability to live on the water and truly some of the best boating waterways in the world. 

KF: Do you have a history in boating?
DF: If you’re buying a custom built 80ft motor yacht, make sure you do it with a partner with lots of big boat experience! Grant has completed 27 Sydney to Hobart yacht races and was owner skipper of the 100ft Maxi Yacht, “Wild Thing” which took out line honours in 2003. 

Crystal Blue is more like a ship than a boat. I simply would not have taken on the project without Grant’s involvement. His experience and depth of knowledge in managing a vessel of this size is second to none.

KF: What’s the best thing about being a Yacht owner on the GC?
DF: Acquiring Crystal Blue and putting the program together to get her into commercial survey has been a very rewarding journey. We have worked with some of the best marine surveyors and contractors in Australia to make it happen. As a serious new business venture, we moved on very quickly from “wow look at this great boat we just bought”. We are extremely hands on and are very focused on the customer experience. In saying that, it is a very cool office and to be working on the water every day, I do give myself the occasional pinch.

KF: Easy one – what’s the best thing about summer on the Gold Coast?
DF: Boating (obviously)! Jet skis, tinnies, boats and sailing, it’s water activity central on the GC!

KF: Aside from the sunset cruises, how else can we enjoy Crystal Blue?
DF: The Champagne sunset cruise has been a great product for guests to experience a really affordable cruise on a super yacht. Shortly we are rolling out a Super Yacht lunch cruise, with fresh seafood and we plan to schedule a number of ticketed events throughout the year, like Riverfire in Brisbane.

Crystal Blue is available for private charter for events and special occasions from 1 hr to full days. The overnight charter for 8 guests with gourmet catering is an exciting new offer to the Gold Coast and as we keep telling anyone who wants to listen, the Gold Coast is more fun on the water!

Book QT Gold Coast’s Crystal Blue Summer package for luxe overnight accommodation, a Crystal Blue Champagne sunset cruise for two adults, cocktails at Stingray Lounge and marketplace breakfast at Bazaar.  

Learn more about Crystal Blue HERE