Deepa BharathIt’s very much like a bed...

Deepa Bharath

It’s very much like a bed and breakfast. Only, it’s on a boat.

Boat and Breakfast is a concept and a business that has existed in

Lido Village for about 12 years. The business was started by Vili

Boyadjiev in 1991. It was brought over by Todd and Cynthia Lucas in

November.

The company has several yachts in its fleets that it sub leases to

customers.

“The yachts have their individual owners,” co-owner Todd Lucas

said. “We let it out to our customers and then share our profits with

the yacht owners.”

As a result customers, for instance, get to spend a night on board

a yacht that costs $300,000 or $400,000 for $300 or $400 a night, he

said.

“We can work a variety of packages and deals as part of a

customer’s stay,” Lucas said.

People who come to stay on the yachts could opt for cruises to

Catalina or around Newport Harbor, for dinner and gondola rides, or

even host parties or small weddings on some of the bigger yachts.

“We could go anywhere from $225 for a night’s stay to $5,000 for a

cruise on a luxury, $4 million yacht to Catalina,” Lucas said.

They partner with other businesses on Lido Village such as spas,

restaurants and bars to offer customers additional services.

Most of the yachts are docked off of Lido Village, but a couple

are docked elsewhere in Newport Beach, he said.

One of the major challenges they face running the business is the

weather, Lucas said.

“But now that summer’s here, it’s getting pretty busy,” he said.

Marketing the concept to the public is also tough, Lucas said.

“It’s difficult to make people understand what we’re about,” he

said. “But we’re beginning to advertise now. So hopefully, we’ll have

better response.”

Lucas said it is a good feeling to be able to give people the

opportunity to have a good time and the environment to make happy

memories.

“Just last week, we had two men who proposed to their

girlfriends,” he said. “It’s nice to be a part of someone’s future.”