To sell a brand as unique as Vicem requires an equally special type of person or company, those who understand our brand values and thrive on the challenge of selling a boat that is more a work of art, a one of a kind, masterfully crafted piece of naval. Our brokers are the bridge that connects our company's hard work and our clients' dreams, and without their talent and hard work, there would not be so many Vicems drawing glances of admiration all over the world. Today, we introduce Valerie Toomey, broker for Semmes Yachts and also a Vicem owner.

I guess I started windsurfing at 18 if we can call that boating...

20 years ago, my now husband introduced me to sailing on the San Francisco Bay and even proposed on a J24. When we moved to Annapolis, we owned a small power boat and he later gave me a Beneteau First 325 sailboat for my 40th birthday.

While working as a hostess to the Annapolis and Miami boat shows for Lagoon, I got introduce to the President of Jeanneau America, Paul Fenn, who hired me. I had many opportunity to sea trial boats and also enjoy many times aboard an array of sail and power boats. Living on the water we enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding.

We purchased our first Lagoon catamaran in 2012 and put it in a charter fleet in Puerto Rico for 3 years and spending great family vacations. We then decided to buy a new one in France and start a 2 year cruise that took us from the Atlantic Coast of France to the Mediterranean, we went as far as Greece before we had to turn back and start working our way back to Annapolis. We enjoyed a very uneventful Atlantic crossing and worked our way up the Caribbean and Bahamas. We finally returned to Annapolis in June 2017 and sold our boat. After missing owning one for a few months, I started to search for picnic and downeast style boats and somehow came across a Windsor Craft 36, I immediately fell in love with its lines and good looks. After doing some research on Downeast boats I realized that I kept coming back to Vicem Yachts...so we purchased "Minnehaha", a 2009 Windsor Craft 36. This is how I met Noelle and decided to work for Semmes Yachts, and the rest is history...

I would like to start with a quote from Dr Sylvia Earle:

"No ocean, no life. No blue, no green. No ocean, no us"

I love the Ocean and respect it. Some of my best memories were made while playing in or on the water. After spending 2 years cruising I realized how the ocean is connected to us. I find myself always more relaxed when I enjoy scuba diving, swimming or simply boating. Boating allows us to spend some quality time with friends or family.

Being a very social person, I enjoy taking care of customers. While I don't need to work, I love being busy but need a flexible job, I felt that yacht sales would allow me to balance work and managing two teenagers. Early in my career I enjoyed working in sales and searching for that perfect boat seems like a great fit.

Buying a new boat...but being escorted by dolphins or whales while cruising is thrilling.

When looking at Downeast and Classic style boats, I kept coming back to Windsor Craft, even though I did not know much about Vicem as a boat builder. The aesthetic was, in my opinion, far superior to anyone's. Of course when buying such a boat you have to be willing to give it the upkeep it needs as the varnish work is intensive. As an owner, you cannot go anywhere without having people complementing you on your boat. And this is a great feeling!

As a broker, Vicem Yachts are set apart from their competition. The craftsmanship is incredibly high quality and almost a piece of art in the choice of material. The woodwork is by far the most beautiful I have seen in the industry. The lines are classic yet somehow modern. Of course it is not a yacht for everyone but everyone would love one.