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© Corey Miller Photo
Allon-Z Charters owners Pierre Monacelli and Morgann Rose aboard their 2017 Jeanneau NC-11.
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© Corey Miller Photo
The Allon-Z accommodates up to six guests per charter and includes complimentary charcuterie and wine.
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© Corey Miller Photo
“We let people relax and soak up what the Northern Neck is all about. This isn’t a job, it’s a passion.” —Pierre Monacelli
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© Corey Miller Photo
Allon-Z Captain Pierre Monacelli
Some people took up bread baking or gardening during the pandemic.
Not Pierre Monacelli, an avid sailor and boater since he was a teen. He used the time to get his 25-ton U.S. Coast Guard Master License during the COVID-19 lockdown, an accomplishment that spurred his neighbors to suggest he start offering private charters out of Reedville. “It was an accident really,” Monacelli explains with a laugh. “We had a soft opening and wound up doing a lot of bookings with my little boat.”
That early success spurred him to seek out a bigger boat that would be more suitable for entertaining on the water, not to mention to make his passengers more comfortable. Last October he purchased a 2017 Jeanneau NC-11, citing its spacious layout, generous interior cabin space and full galley, and dubbing it Allon-Z. “We figured it was appropriate since both Morgann and I have French heritage and it’s a French boat,” he says, adding that they chose to spell the French phrase for “Let’s go” differently to make the pronunciation more obvious.
The Allon-Z accommodates up to six guests per charter and includes complimentary charcuterie and wine. Among their plans are to focus on serving local wines on board, and eventually to offer package tours such as charters to local wineries. “We’re looking at getting a kitchen license so we can also prepare dinner in the galley,” Monacelli says. “For now, we can pick up dinners at the Crazy Crab or people can bring their own food if they wish.”
What he doesn’t do is fishing charters, clarifying that there are plenty of those with captains far more experienced in fishing than he is. So far, his clientele has included out-of-town visitors, many of whom learn about Allon-Z through their Airbnb or other lodgings. He’s found that the charters are a good way for non-boaters to get a taste of what boat life entails, as well as for groups with kids and dogs to get out on the water. “We’ve had locals who no longer have a boat and want to get out,” he says. “The boat surface is flat, with only one small step, making it easy for anyone to get around on.” For those who’d like to pause for a refreshing dip in the water, there’s a large swim platform for easy water access, plus a transom shower to rinse off afterward.
Last year served as a trial balloon to figure out what people wanted and what they could offer. Now with the larger boat, Monacelli anticipates sharing the area’s waterways—not to mention dolphin sightings and private beaches—with others like himself who are surprised and dazzled by the beauty and serenity of the region. “It’s so calming and relaxing on the water surrounded by nature, and it makes you feel very small, which is a great feeling in a stressful world,” he says. “We let people relax and soak up what the Northern Neck is all about. This isn’t a job, it’s a passion.”
Allon-Z Charters I 703-731-4971 I allon-z.com I Facebook.com/AllonZcharters I Email: allonzcharters@gmail.com