It was October 9, and Denise Rich was about to host a christening party for 200 people at North Cove Marina in New York City for her new 157-foot Christensen, Lady Joy. Up until that day, the fall weather had been clear, sunny and crisp. Unfortunately, on that Tuesday, the air was heavy and the moody sky iffy at best. The festivities were set up for the outside deck areas. The party planners were holding their breath, at the ready for Plan B.

Joy is Rich’s middle name. And despite the fact that she has had more than her fair share of life’s challenges and personal tragedies, Rich does indeed radiate an aura of joy. A singer-songwriter with a Grammy award to her credit, Rich is recognized in New York City as an exuberant socialite who not only has talent, good looks and money, but who also has a big heart. Several years ago, she lost her 27-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, to leukemia. As a way to honor her daughter’s memory and to be active in finding a cure for cancer, Rich established the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research in 1996. Rich’s annual Angel Ball raises millions of dollars for cancer research. Her guests and donors include an A-list of affluent moguls, musicians, Hollywood stars and heads of state. Rich is all about celebrating life, and Lady Joy is all about celebration.

Photograph by Startraks Photo. (Click image to enlarge) 

Rich made her entrance and all heads turned. She is a very attractive blonde with a commanding presence. I had been curious about her when I first heard she had commissioned the yacht. I don’t know a lot of single women who’ve taken on the substantial project of building a megayacht. While it’s not uncommon for wives to be by their husbands’ sides during a build and to exert influence over design and details, it’s fair to say that men generally initiate the majority of new builds. When Rich purchased her previous boat, a 140-foot Heesen, she was involved in its renovation, but building new is a different story entirely.

Rich grew up in Massachusetts and her first memory of boating was on her uncle’s boat. "I love to be out of doors, to experience weather. I love the mountains, and I love the ocean," said Rich.

Like many other yacht owners, she made the decision to purchase her own boat after 15 or so years of charter. She chartered her first boat, Big Eagle, in the early nineties.

"I was so excited about that particular boat that I told all my friends about it, and then the boat became so popular, it wasn’t available when I wanted it."

She chartered a variety of yachts in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. "One of the reasons I decided to own a boat was so that I could go where I wanted to go when I wanted to go there. Chartering is not always convenient; the boat you want may be booked, or maybe the boat is not available in the location where you want it. One of the reasons to charter is to have the freedom to do what you want."I was once on a charter boat in Stromboli, Italy. I wanted the captain to anchor where I could lay in the cockpit and see the volcano. I could not convince the captain to pick up the anchor and move. He was not at all accommodating. I was so frustrated, I ended up in tears," she said.

The new Lady Joy was built with family and friends in mind, but businesswoman that she is, Rich also intends to charter her. Drawing from her personal charter experience, she designed the boat to maximize its charter potential. The boat will be in the Caribbean in the winter and the Mediterranean in the summer. She admits she likes to spend a good part of the winter skiing, so she can see forfeiting her boat some of the time. Her favorite cruising grounds are Saint-Tropez in France, and Positano and Capri in Italy. Next summer she is anxious to go to Croatia, and eventually she sees herself exploring everywhere from Alaska to Russia to Indonesia and the Galapagos. Above all else, Rich intends her boat to be a place to have fun.

"I want my guests to have the best time. There is nothing better than downtime on the boat with family and friends. My boat is like going on a retreat. I want it to be a place to do yoga, laugh with friends and drink champagne. I like to have room for everyone. (She has two married daughters and five grandchildren.)

"Lady Joy can accommodate 12 to 14 people. I have four distinct dining areas, including a space forward of the bridge. I also discovered some unused space up forward for additional sun loungers. I really like to use the outside spaces. I will store my toys and Jet Skis on the foredeck so as not to clutter the sun deck. I love to be able to be out on deck and sometimes sleep under the stars. I get a lot of inspiration at sea for my writing. I have a piano on board, a full recording studio and a Kaleidescape sound system. I like to have parties and to entertain people."

Rich’s attorney and cousin Lee Goldberg is the person who introduced her to Christensen Shipyards. Denise surveyed several boatyards both in Europe and in the United States before determining that Christensen offered what she was looking for. She hit it off with Christensen President Joe Foggia and his wife Judy and often went to their home for dinner when in Vancouver, Washington. Rich visited the yard every month during the build. She loved being involved in the work atmosphere. Meeting around the conference table was part of the journey for Rich. She also worked well with designer Carol Williamson and her team. They visited Rich’s former yacht and her New York apartment to get a deeper grasp of her taste. Rich and her daughter Danielle were both intimately involved in choosing the soft fabrics and furniture, agonizing over every small piece.

"I can’t be different than who I am," said Rich. "My goal was to have the yacht be chic and elegant, but also cozy and casual." She wanted her guests to be able to feel comfortable inside while wearing their bathing suits.

Her vast and varied art collection—including a Paul McCartney, a Peter Max and a Milton Avery—provides the zing in each room. "I grew up with fine art and several of my pieces were given to me by my father," she said.

Party time. Guests arrive. New York society—columnists, cousins, Wall Streeters, Broadway types and beyond—start to mingle. I was thrilled to be introduced to personal icon Patti LaBelle. Champagne flowed, and the weather held until it didn’t. When the rain finally came, only several dozen of Rich’s inner circle were left. They all gathered in the main salon. Toasts were made and tears were shed, but joy was the lingering sentiment as the last people donned their shoes and made their way back to the streets of New York, guided under large umbrellas by the crew of Lady Joy.

For charter info, contact Sapphire Seas at 954-790-4501. www.sapphire-seas.com