To enjoy yachting at its best, some say nothing compares with a monohull sailing yacht. True, catamarans offer a level sailing platform and motor yachts are not wind dependent, but only monohull sailing yachts offer that authentic sailing experience.
There’s that thrilling heeling experience, a superior upwind performance, their seaworthiness for offshore sailing and challenging conditions, their elegant designs and their adaptability for racing or cruising.
Sailing yachts in the charter fleet offer beautiful accommodations, high-end furnishings, all the state-of-the-art technology you could wish for and a keen, experienced crew to sail the yacht for you, as well as providing first-rate service and cuisine. So, what’s holding you back?
At the charter shows I attended for this 2024/25 season, sailing yachts seemed very under-represented in numbers with just four on show in Antigua in December. But what a range!
Looking very at home on the Dockyard’s Superyacht Dock was the 56m (183ft) Perini Navi, s/y Asahi. Not only is she a recognised RYA centre but this immaculate yacht carries a more extensive range of water-sport equipment than you’d see on most motor yachts, with very well-qualified crew to supervise or offer instruction. Asahi has a wide hydraulic swim platform and a 41ft chase boat. Her whole interior layout is spacious with a contemporary design and she also has an upper flybridge deck. She has six guest cabins and 10 crew to provide top-level service to discerning guests.
Out at anchor for the show and dominating the entrance to Falmouth Harbour, was a most spectacular sight: the 106m (345ft) tri-deck s/y Black Pearl. The ride out to her was on one of her tenders and we were warmly welcomed onboard. Black Pearl is unique – she has three 70m high DynaRig electric rotating masts designed for maximum efficiency. Variable pitch propellers, which should provide enough power to supply the everyday functioning of the yacht, help make her pretty much energy self-sufficient (and quiet) for ocean crossings. The interior is impressive with massive interlinking reception rooms – from the office and with all the doors open, you can see 80m through the yacht right out to the pool (with flow jet) on the aft deck. The interior is furnished in an ornate style and includes many antique pieces of furniture, such as a piano said to have once belonged to Emperor Napoleon. Black Pearl offers the perfect mix of luxurious living in five suites and is equipped with a dancefloor, movie theatre, beach club and gym, and is run by 26 crew.
Back on the dock at the Yacht Club Marina, was the 44m (144ft) s/y Mes Amis. Designed by Dubois and built at the Fitzroy yard, she sat well alongside other superyachts at the show. Expansive decks, a sheltered cockpit seating area and a sunken tender bay forward (now converted to a lounging area), a roomy interior with upper and lower salons and accommodation for up to 10 guests in four well-designed cabins. Add to that a 15m (49ft) chase boat, good water-sports equipment and 7 crew.
On the main quay in the dockyard was a rare find, the stately s/y Abide, a 42m (138ft) Jongert, recently extensively refitted. Very traditional in design and layout with beautiful hardwood panelling and blue/white fabrics, she is so well suited to comfortable cruising and guests seeking to be indulged. Abide has 3 guest staterooms and 6 crew.
I’d be happy to recommend any of these yachts, as well as a number of other monohulls available for charter in the Caribbean this winter.
One in particular I’d mention, is the 27m (88ft) Oyster, s/y Lush. This recently refitted yacht received outstanding reviews from my charter guests onboard over Christmas – they enjoyed their time onboard so much that they’re planning to charter her again in the Med this summer! As well as being a wonderful sailing vessel, she too has a range of water-sport toys including e-foils. Accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 cabins and 4 highly praised crew.
If you would like to know availability and charter rates or explore the many other options for chartering, please do get in touch – I am happy to help.
