SIR WINSTON Luxury Yacht Charters
The Owner of the
SIR WINSTON -
Winston Knauss
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Winston Knauss, designer, builder, owner and captain of the most unique charter yachts in the world was a highly successful businessman and entrepreneur in Indianapolis, Indiana. He founded and owned Winston Development Corp., AAA Wrecking Co. - a demolition contracting business, owned and operated the Winston Yacht and Country Club, and a number of hotels, and was also a land developer. As a child, in Indiana, Winston dreamed of building boats. |
In his back yard as a child, he resurected many boats and later as an adult, he built boats that would eventually become world known. Winston built his first boat in his back yard along the White River in Indianapolis, Indiana in the 1970’s out of salvage from his demolition and building companies.
In 1977, in Florida, a yacht broker asked him if he would be interested in chartering his 62-foot luxury craft, Winston agreed, and he has been in the yacht chartering business ever since.
In the beginning, his charters did not include any catered food aboard the yacht, but that all changed one day when show business luminary Liza Minelli chartered his yacht and insisted on serving stone crabs, shrimp, oysters and a seafood buffet.
As the vessels got bigger and better, Winston proceeded to get his 100 ton captain's license and operate them to see first hand how to improve the quality of mechanics, structure, and operation. Winston is continually building and perfecting his boats. As the yachts got bigger he moved his boat-building from Indiana to Florida. Winston has sold his vessels to buyers in Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Chicago, New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Shanghai, China. Every year there is a new SIR WINSTON and another proud new owner of the previous yacht. He designs, builds and works his yachts to the state of the art vessels they have become.
There were ten previous SIR WINSTON's and 6 preceeding yachts named Wrecking Krew, and one Celebration.
Winston is an inventor and applied for his 1st patent at the age of 22. In his demolition business, he spent many years destroying buildings, manufacturing plants, smoke stacks, water towers, and bridges, so it is especially satisfying to be able to create something as lovely as these yachts and be able to stand back and just admire the beauty they bring to this world.
"It gives me great pleasure to bring such joy and happiness to the people who have the time of their lives aboard my yachts."
Captain Winston and his wife Captain Diane have enjoyed the planning that goes into building these well thought out charter boats. They both are U.S.C.G. licensed captains and play a dominant part in every charter onboard the SIRWINSTON to insure a perfect event every time.