"The people are real. The cases are real. The rulings are final." The success of popular syndicated television show Judge Judy, on the air for a decade, proves the viewer appetite for real-life drama. There is something addictive about televised courtroom proceedings: Other people’s plights can be perversely curious, but they can also be informative and funny—especially if Judge Judy is presiding. After hearing two sides of a story, she readily comments in her distinct New York accent: "That is the lamest story I have ever heard!" or "Life isn’t fair" or "You’re supposed to be smarter." Her caustic wit and no-nonsense manner have propelled her to where she is today—in a position to own the yacht of her choice.

I visited Judy and her husband, Jerry Sheindlin, at their summer home in Connecticut to talk about their new yacht—a 148-foot (45-meter) Feadship. Characteristic of her TV personality, the first words out of Judy’s mouth when I met her were, well, funny. Greeting me in her driveway, she wrinkled her nose in disgust and exclaimed, "Why did the gardeners choose this day—the day I’m expecting 30 people for an outdoor barbecue—to spread my beds with horseshit?" She does not mince her words.

Judy and her husband—a retired New York State Supreme Court judge—partnered with close friends Brian and Denise Cobb and recently purchased their first yacht. Denise, a former CNN anchor, and Brian, president of CobbCorp, which specializes in mergers and acquisitions of media properties, had owned some smaller boats, but neither couple had owned a megayacht. The foursome’s first megayacht charter was a boondoggle, born of a bid on a yacht charter at the Winter Wine Festival in Naples, Florida, where both couples have residences. The Cobbs and the Sheindlins and two other couples shared this first charter. They drew straws to see who would get the master suite.

After their first group charter, the Sheindlins and the Cobbs were hooked on the type of vacation they previously never knew existed. Both couples continued to charter yachts for a few years before deciding to buy one. The Sheindlins explained that they feel a yacht is not only a fabulous getaway with friends but also a means to spend quality (and captive) time aboard with family.

I asked Judy and Jerry who gets the master suite when they cruise with the Cobbs. While the master on deck is capacious and luxurious, both pairs of staterooms down below have walls that can open to make one stateroom, providing the option of having two, three or four staterooms belowdecks. For this very reason, they find their new Feadship to be perfect. The couples agreed to rotate the on-deck master every other trip.

Their yacht, renamed Her Honor, is now in the charter market. Between the two families, they plan to use the yacht 12 to 16 weeks and charter it 12 to 14 weeks every year.

The boat is real. The destinations are real. The verdict is final. Charter before you buy.

Available for charter:
Summer in the Med: $140,000 per week
Winter in the Caribbean (high season: mid-December through New Year’s): $135,000 per week
Winter in the Caribbean (low season: January through March): $125,000 per week

Camper & Nicholsons USA
954-524-4250
info@ftl.cnyachts.com
www.herhonor.net