Michel Dufour was one of the earliest pioneers of composite boatbuilding in Europe. A keen racing sailor with a background in mechanical engineering, he started Dufour Shipyard on the French Atlantic Coast in 1964. Some 60 years later, the company that bears his name continues innovating with new sailboat designs in models ranging from 37 to 61 feet.

Cruising World’s Boat of the Year judges test-sailed the Umberto Felci-designed Dufour 41 this past October in Annapolis, Maryland, and came away with several fresh impressions from this storied builder. The first one struck us at the dock: a bold visual impression. Today Dufour Yachts’ La Rochelle headquarters stands only 60 miles from Les Sables d’Olonne, start of the quadrennial Vendée Globe nonstop solo round-the-world race, so it’s no surprise that from its bow on, this new Dufour echoes the looks of the latest IMOCA racing machines. Felci’s hull is stepped outward above the waterline, then rolls back inward again near the sheerline, bringing the beam well forward while preserving a narrow waterline entry for windward performance under sail.

That same feature contributed to our second strong impression when we walked below: an impression of light. The designer’s choice to carry the beam forward opens the interior such that this 41-footer feels more spacious than other boats of the same length. Longitudinal windows in both the hull and the cabin house, plus ample hatches in the coachroof, flood the interior with daylight.

Interior designer Luca Ardizio employs indirect LED lighting and soft colors to carry that same light and open feeling throughout the boat after the sun goes down. Interior treatments come in two versions: Europe (for a modern urban look) and Boston (traditional yacht look).

The 41 comes in one of three layout options with either three or four private cabins and either two or three showers and heads. In the four-cabin version, a true soundproof bulkhead separates the cabins, each with generous 57-inch berths. Yet Dufour knows that the outdoors is where sailors most love to spend their time. With optional refrigeration and grill top at the transom, why would you ever go below? Long cockpit settees accommodate guests, while most of the sailhandling can occur aft of the two wheels.

Felci’s design team has stuck with a single deep rudder on centerline, while many competitors have transitioned to twin rudders. The BOTY judges appreciated that this single rudder is protected by the keel. In close-quarters maneuvering, the boat turned within its own length, answering to prop thrust alone (not boatspeed, as twin rudders require) to effect turns.

Sailhandling was simple and safe, with the mainsheet blocked forward of the cockpit and away from guests. The self-tacking headsail makes every maneuver virtually hands-free. As we learned in Annapolis, the elements we saw aboard the new Dufour 41 are the same ones that will mark at least the next four years of design throughout the whole Dufour fleet. Messrs. Felci and Ardizio and the Dufour engineers clearly know how to take a sailboat and light it up.

For more information on the Dufour 41, visit dufour-yachts.com/en/luxury-yachts/dufour-41/

The post Dufour Lights It Up appeared first on Cruising World.

It’s safe to say that there has never been a performance-oriented cruising boat quite like the HH44. In Cruising World’s annual Boat of the Year contest, the magazine’s judging panel became quite familiar with the brand’s previous models: the HH66, HH55 and HH50, all of which acquitted themselves extremely well. And the legendary multihull design team of Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin have a long list of cutting-edge accomplishments across the offshore-catamaran spectrum, prior to and including their association with HH Catamarans. Melvin & Morrelli are the real deal, with an extensive résumé of bluewater success to prove it.

But as the latest judging panel learned in sea trials on Chesapeake Bay following this past October’s US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, the HH44 is literally a different breed of cat, what the company rightfully refers to as HH’s “second generation” of twin-hulled yachts, one “that really kind of marks a shift toward a more environmentally friendly electric future.”

That shift to a hybrid approach to propulsion, with new advances in charging systems and battery maintenance, is a stunning story. But first things first. Like its siblings in the HH quiver, the new 44-footer first and foremost offers a joyful, unparalleled sailing experience. Despite the fact that the HH44 was fresh out of the box, only a couple of days removed from arriving on a freighter, under near-ideal conditions of 12- to 16-knots of steady breeze, the sprightly cat trucked to weather while flirting at 10 knots of boatspeed. With its deep daggerboard deployed, it tracked like a freight train with the lightest of helms. If you enjoy sailing, the HH44 will light you up.

And yet, that’s only half the narrative, and for some cruising sailors, it won’t even be the most alluring part.

That’s because the HH44 employed, first of all, a construction laminate that the Cruising World judges described as “the most sophisticated hull/deck structure in the entire fleet: epoxy-infused E-glass and carbon fiber in high-load areas over a thermoformed foam core. The thermoformed foam eliminates kerfs, and the extra resin weight in them.” Translation? A light, rigid, bulletproof layout that makes for an impressive combination of strength and speed in one beautifully rendered package.

But then, as the judges noted, HH doubled down on the technology that defines this boat: “It also had the most sophisticated house systems and propulsion, starting with their ‘parallel hybrid’ drive, a system unlike any we’ve inspected on any boat before this one.” Electric motors are built onto the back of the twin Beta Marine diesels with a coupling to the transmission. The electric motors can effectively be used as a pair of 5 kW generators to charge the battery bank. Adding regeneration while sailing provides up to 2 kW per shaft at 10 knots of boatspeed. An additional 43 kWh of energy are produced by the solar array on the cabin top.

What this translates to is silent operation under power in full electric mode, augmented by hydro-generation to top off batteries while sailing, with the good old-fashioned reliability of those diesel engines as a backup. It’s a boat that checks all the boxes.

To sum up, the HH44 is a fully found engineering marvel. It will take you wherever you wish to go—quickly, quietly and efficiently.

For more information on the HH44, visit www.hhcatamarans.com/hh44.

The post The HH44—An Engineering Marvel appeared first on Cruising World.

If you’ve watched Hanse Yachts’ development over the past decade or more, you’ll see something entirely new in the Hanse 510. For many years the German boatbuilder has offered simple-to-sail, good-performing monohulls in the 50-foot range, beginning with the 495, then transitioning through the 505 and finally the 508. Each of those boats was designed by design firm Judel/Vrolijk out of Bremerhaven, Germany. With subtle changes along the way, those models shared the common traits of a pronounced freeboard, low coachroof, and plumb bow.

By contrast, the new 510 breaks that trend, carrying on instead from something Hanse Yachts started in 2021 when it launched the 460: a new working partnership with French yacht designers at Berrett-Racoupeau. This boat emphasizes powerful horizontal lines, particularly at the waterline, with a reverse bow that suggests a Volvo Ocean Race boat. A chine—subtle forward and more pronounced farther aft—confers low wetted surface near the waterline yet ample volume above. Meanwhile, the freeboard is more traditionally proportional.

Cruising World’s Boat of the Year judges test-sailed the 510 in Annapolis, Maryland, in October, and they were immediately struck by the generous cockpit space. The boat they sailed had an optional tempered-glass windshield and hardtop that sheltered the long cockpit settees yet opened to let in the light in fine weather.

In this boat, the social cockpit is at once separated from and connected with the working cockpit. Twin helm pedestals, outboard to port and starboard, create a subtle separation without in any way blocking eye contact or conversations; primary and secondary winches are placed in the space between the helm stations and the settees. All sailhandling lines are led to these positions, which can be reached by the helmsman alone or by crew from the settees. This, plus a self-tacking jib, keeps the sailhandling as simple as can be. It’s safe too: The mainsheet terminates forward of and entirely clear of the social cockpit.

To keep seawater out of the cockpit, Hanse built ample drainage into the side decks. An integrated step leads from the cockpit to the side deck, while also providing a line bag for sheet tails and other spaghetti. The hardtop provides an excellent handrail for this transition. Optional barbecue and sink, as well as shower, round out the Hanse’s cockpit amenities. A tender bay with Hanse’s tender arm system provides a place for the dinghy—off the deck, without davits, and out of the way.

For more information on the Hanse 510, visit hanseyachtsag.com/hanse/us/yachts/hanse-510/

The post All the Space in the World appeared first on Cruising World.

In the great mono-versus-cat debate, what does a cruising multihull have that a monohull doesn’t? The typical reply would be lots of deck space, multiple places to gather, private accommodations for the owner and guests, and if there’s a flybridge, a great view in every direction. What’s not to like, right?

But for many sailors, there’s a trade-off to be made when it comes time to write a check for a new boat, because a similar size monohull is probably going to be more fun to sail, especially upwind, and all things being equal lengthwise, the monohull is likely easier to fit in a marina slip and less expensive to maintain because there’s one engine instead of two, and systems such as AC and electrical are confined to a single hull.

So, tired of seeing customers kick the keels of its monohulls only to slap down a deposit on a cat, French builder Jeanneau decided it was time to start with a black piece of paper and come up with a design that marries cat-style living with monohull performance. They call it the Jeanneau Yachts 55.

It’s a heck of a boat. Naval architect Philippe Briand and interior designer Andrew Winch have created a powerful hull form with loads of interior volume, an enormous cockpit that stretches from the stern to nearly the mast, with the option to enclose much of that area with a hard dodger and Bimini, the latter with a center panel that opens to let in sun by day and stars by night.

Accommodations are unique. The 55 that was introduced to North America during the 2023 Annapolis Boat Show included the Bimini, and it covered a pair of tables that can be lowered to become sunbeds. They are well aft, adjacent to the fold-down swim platform. Forward of them are twin wheels, with sheets leading aft to electric winches at each steering console.

Each helm station abuts a companionway. To port, steps lead down to a large VIP cabin with a seating area, desk, and en suite head and shower. There’s a smaller guest cabin to starboard, also with its own head and shower.

Amidships, beneath the dodger, there’s another table with U-shaped seating to starboard and a nav station, complete with plotter to port. It’s a great place to sit. With windows overhead, forward and to either side, the view tremendous. Just aft of the mast, the main companionway leads to the salon and owner’s suite below. It includes a well-equipped galley to starboard, a table to port, and the owner’s private cabin, head, and shower forward.

Just like on a cat, owners and guests have a place of their own.

Comfortable dockside, the 55 lights up under sail. The boat in Annapolis came rigged with an in-mast roller furling, a self-tacking jib, a genoa and a code zero—in other words, a quiver of sails well-suited for changing conditions and any point of sail. In shifty conditions, with wind that ranged from single digits to the high teens, the boat had some get-up-and-go. In 4 knots of breeze, the speedo read 3.4 knots. In 17 knots, it was more like 7s and 8s.

And it was a fun boat to sail. At the wheel, the person on the helm can sit inboard, under the cover of the Bimini, with great visibility through the dodger’s windows, or else step out on to the walk-around side deck and lean against the solid stainless-steel railing of the rear pulpit that’s carried amidships. Out there, with one hand on the wheel, the wind’s in your face and the water’s rushing by. You know, it feels like you’re sailing—and that’s just what the creators of the Yachts 55 intended.

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 awarded Boat of the Year Overall Winner

To learn more about the Jeanneau Yachts 55, contact your local Jeanneau dealer: CLICK HERE

The post Jeanneau 55: Nipping at the Cat Crowd appeared first on Cruising World.

After stepping aboard the Vision 444 catamaran at the fall 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show, it was immediately apparent that this was a cat of a different sort compared with the several other midsize production models on display. Let’s start with the handy fold-down boarding doors located on the aft quarter of each hull that allow you to take a simple, convenient step into the cockpit. It was an innovation introduced on an earlier model that was designed around the needs of a handicapped sailor and then adopted because, well, it was a good idea.

Then right inside the salon, to starboard, there sat a full-fledged forward-facing nav station. Does any other cat builder bother with a dedicated piloting space these days? Can’t think of one, but at sea, it’s mighty handy to have a place to settle in and update the log, work the computer, or check the charts—all while keeping an eye on instruments, systems, and the sea ahead.

At its yard in Knysna, South Africa, Vision Yachts produces one model, the 444, and each boat, so far at least, seems to evolve with the technology and gear available. Buyers’ ideas are also considered and put to good use when they make sense, said David Stein, the owner of Jubilee, Hull No. 8.

Stein picked up Jubilee at the yard in Knysna, sailed to Mozambique for a shakedown cruise, then crossed the Atlantic, via St. Helena, to Grenada. After a season in the Caribbean, he sailed the boat north (the rig is Intracoastal Waterway-friendly, he reports), arriving in Chesapeake Bay in time for the show. After 14,000 miles at sea, he said he was looking forward to sailing many more.

During a walk-through, he was meticulous about detailing innovations developed before his boat was built, and what’s available on models that can be ordered now. The evolving design means each new boat carries the latest equipment, such as the lithium power system on Stein’s boat.

Vision’s hulls, deck, and house are vacuum-infused using vinylester resin and foam coring. The hulls, which sport mini keels, are fabricated with a matrix of watertight boxes beneath the soles. Composite water and fuel tanks are also built into the hulls.

Jubilee is powered by a pair of 40 hp Yanmar diesels (38 hp Nanni diesels are standard on current models), and the engines are located under the aft berth in each hull. The beds lift up, providing good all-round access to the motors, and maintenance can be done out of the elements. Despite their interior location, under power, the Vision was a relatively quiet boat with sound levels ranging from 60 to 68 decibels, depending on engine speed. (The Nanni’s are approximately 30 percent quieter.)

On Jubilee, the owner’s cabin is located aft in the starboard hull, and includes a spacious head and shower. Far forward, in place of a guest cabin, there’s a handy tool shop/man cave, complete with workbench and vice for making repairs underway. In the port hull, there’s an athwartships berth forward, with a head and shower in the forepeak; a double berth aft, also with head and shower, is located aft. 

Large storage lockers sit amidships in each hull. Inside them, electrical circuits, systems and plumbing are easily accessed; every wire and hose is clearly labeled.

Jubilee was well-mannered under sail. The rack-and-pinion steering is silky smooth and responsive. In 10 to 12 knots of wind, our speeds were consistently in the mid 7s to over 8 knots in the puffs. 

Seated at the raised helm station, with sail-control lines within easy reach and with good visibility all around, the boat loped comfortably along. With its practical layout, plenty of solar power and lithium batteries for living off the grid, and a well-thought-out sail plan, clearly the 444 is a boat built for sailors with visions of going places.

For more information about the 444, visit https://visionyachts.com/

The post Vision 444: A Cat That’s Ready To Roam appeared first on Cruising World.

With the launch of its newest model, the Oceanis 37.1, French boatbuilder Beneteau has completed the seventh generation of its venerable Oceanis line, a popular range of cruising sailboats that was first introduced in 1986.

Designed by the Mark Lombard Yacht Design Group, the 37.1 lies at the center of a lineup of six boats that range in size from 30 to 52 feet. It was one of the last projects Lombard worked on before he passed away in 2023. It replaces the quite successful Oceanis 38.1, of which more than 750 were built.

At first glance, compared with the 38.1, the 37.1 has much more pronounced chines running from stem to stern, just above its waterline, and beam that’s carried farther forward as well. The result is increased interior volume, particularly toward the bow. The coachroof on the 37.1 is lower profile compared with that of the 38.1, a look shared across the seventh-generation line along with plum bows and sterns, and bowsprits for flying reaching sails and spinnakers.

Lombard is known for designing boats with slippery bottoms, and the 37.1 is no exception. Reaching in 10 to 12 knots of wind with a code zero set, the boat lopes along in the mid-7-knot range, with occasional sprints to 8 knots or more in any gusts. Closehauled, the 110 percent genoa—an optional headsail—has plenty of power, yet is still easily handled when tacking. The boat comes standard with a self-tacking jib.

The 37.1 is set up well for a shorthanded crew, with sheets for both main and genoa leading back to winches adjacent to the twin wheels. Halyards are the only sail-control lines that lead to the cabin top. Twin rudders provide plenty of control when the boat heels, and the steering is light and lively even when the ride gets gusty. The double-spreader rig has no backstays, making a square-top main possible for the performance-minded sailor. A traditional main and an in-mast furling sail are also options.

The 37.1’s cockpit is roomy, with a fiberglass and wood drop-leaf table on the centerline. At anchor, it’s a great place to entertain; underway, the table provides a brace when heeled. Iroko, a sustainable wood, replaces teak on the cabin sole.

Below, the interior is practical and bright, thanks to ports in the hull and cabin top. There are a couple of layout options available. Standard, which will work well for a cruising couple with occasional guests or a small family, is two cabins—one forward and the other aft, to port. In this design, there is a single head compartment to starboard at the foot of the companionway, with a spacious shower aft. Farther astern is a large storage locker accessible either through the shower or the cockpit seat above. For an owner who needs more bunks, the large shower and locker can be replaced with a second cabin aft. A second head can also be added in the forward cabin by skewing the bunk to starboard and eliminating a large hanging locker that’s located to port.

In all versions, a large dinette is to port in the salon with an in-line galley to starboard.

With a base price of $260,000, an owner can load the boat with options or keep things simple. A well-equipped boat, ready to sail away in North America, will run right around $370,000. All in all, for a buyer looking for a new boat that will be a comfortable retreat and that sails well, the Oceanis 37.1 is well worth a look.

For more information about the Oceanis 37.1, visit  www.beneteau.com/oceanis/oceanis-371.

The post Beneteau 37.1: A Midsize Cruiser With Flair appeared first on Cruising World.

“A sense of proportion, simplicity, and harmony of line, such that after a considerable time, there is still something more alive than just a memory of beauty.” That’s how Battista “Pinin” Farina—founder of the design firm whose clients included Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and now Elan Yachts—described his approach to Italian design.

The new Elan Impression 43 expresses those values in its own harmonious blend of form and function. Built in Slovenia on a hull designed by UK-based Humphreys Yacht Design, this Impression draws on some the best design thinking from across Europe. From a fine bow, its full hull sections, carried well aft, provide the power to stand up to a nearly 1,000-square-foot sail plan while offering the space below to accommodate a whole family in perfect comfort.

Light pours in through the windows of this modified deck-salon layout, illuminating the knotty oak interior; the effect is at once modern in the way of a Milan apartment and cozy in the way of a country farmhouse. The layout comes with either three or four private cabins; the three-cabin layout features an island queen berth with en suite shower and head.

The creators at Elan know how families will use their time—not just on the water, but also in the water. A versatile cockpit featuring twin wheels outboard opens up the centerline from the companionway through the transom and onto the fold-down swim platform, where all the best watersports begin. The builder’s attention to safety is evidenced in a dedicated life-raft locker, right near the transom, just where you want it should you ever need it.

Under sail, those same twin wheels put the helmsman outboard, to windward or leeward, with the best view of the sails and any surrounding traffic. Elegantly designed pedestals are both a solid handhold for crew and guests walking through the cockpit and a generous platform for navigation equipment.

Below the waterline, twin rudders ensure that this big Impression answers her helm as the breeze rises. Sail controls are simplified and safe, with all mainsheet blocks forward of the cockpit, and all lines run to the protected aft end of the cabin house. Shrouds brought to the sheerline and swept-back spreaders give ample support to the rig while also promoting inboard sheeting for the headsails, enabling higher pointing angles. The high-end construction features foam core for a strong, lightweight structure and infused polyester resin throughout the laminate to control the resin ratio and emissions. Elan Yachts has long been a pioneer in vacuum-infusion processes; with this boat they carry that forward thinking a step further by infusing all transverse and longitudinal stringers for true monocoque strength.

A Yanmar diesel engine comes standard, with available power from 45 to 80 horsepower, though the boat is also available with Oceanvolt electric propulsion and an integrated lithium-ion battery system. Taken together, the Elan Impression 43 is a powerful boat to sail, a luxurious home on the water, and a most elegant yacht to see across the water.

For more information on the Elan Impression 43, contact:
Springline Yachts
secureyourdream.com
860-415-4810

The post An Impression of Pan-European Harmony appeared first on Cruising World.

Every so often, a set of foul-weather gear arrives at our offices that makes us really sit up and take notice. Helly Hansen’s new coastal/offshore sailing jacket and bib salopette from their Skagen line is one of those. But it wasn’t the quality that first got our attention—we’ll talk about that in a bit. It was the price. A true offshore jacket for $375 and $275 for the salopettes? There must be a typo. But we checked. No typo. Fantastic news for the budget-conscious. 

But is it worth the savings? You bet. Let’s start with the jacket. Like most coastal/offshore jackets, it’s made of breathable, waterproof material, but just handling it you get the sense that, yeah, I’d wear this just about anywhere Perfect for Mackinac races. The material is made from Ocean Bound fabric, sourced from discarded plastic near and in coastlines and waterways to clean up those underserved areas but also create a burly yet protective fabric.  This is tough stuff. But it doesn’t weigh so much that you’ll notice it after wearing it all day. Inside is a mesh moisture-barrier liner, so you won’t end up as wet inside as outside. There are no interior pockets, but with three on a side on the exterior, it’s doubtful you’ll ever need them. On each side of the upper chest are large, fleece-lined pockets with waterproof zippers. Great for stashing valuables or warming up cold hands. Below each of those is a large, horizontally opening pocket, secured with a Velcro flap. Adjacent to each of those is another fleece-lined pocket—more great hand-warming options. The cuffs have the usual exterior Velcro closure, but inside there’s a soft rubber cuff with another Velcro closure. Water’s going to have a tough time getting into these sleeves. A cool safety detail is that when you extend your arm out of the cuff opening—think waving to rescuers while in the water—a section of fluorescent-green cuff is exposed, providing one more way for searchers to spot you. In addition, there are reflective patches at the ends of each sleeve, on top of each shoulder and on top of the fluorescent-green hood. Great safety touches.

One of the unique features of the Helly Hansen coastal/offshore sailing jacket is the super-high collar. It’s fleece-lined and, when fully zipped, comes about halfway up your ears and then tapers higher yet from there so that about half of the back of your head is protected. But there’s more. Attached to the left side is a breathable, fleece-lined flap that, with the hood up, can be secured across the bottom of your face and over your nose, cocooning you in a secure envelope of sorts, leaving only your eyes exposed. Talk about protection. When not in use, the flap can be secured off to the left side with Velcro or rolled up to disappear into a small pocket off to the side. Pretty cool!

Helly Hansen’s bib salopettes are constructed of similarly tough material as the jacket, with extra beefiness on the seat and knees. Inside, they’re fully lined with the same moisture-barrier mesh liner as the jacket. There’s a large gusset and two-way zipper to make seeking relief a breeze. Like the jacket, there are plenty of pockets, including one on each thigh. We particularly liked how these were designed to extend out from the thigh when holding something, such as sailing gloves. No discomfort here. Southpaws will like the dual chest pockets. Often there’s just one, and it’s located on the left side, making it difficult for left-handers to access the pocket. We also liked the waist cinchers with positive latching system. Set them to length, click in, and they’ll stay put. Finally, there are the Velcro tabs at the ankles. Rather than positioning them horizontally, they angle upward, which causes the ankle openings to flare out slightly—think boot-cut jeans. That funnels water away from your shoes instead of straight down into them. Nice comfort feature!

The Skagen line is named after Denmark’s northernmost town, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Withstanding the elements is certainly an aspect of life there, and in keeping with its namesake, Helly Hansen’s Skagen line does the same. 

To shop the collection, visit hellyhansen.com/en_us/shop/activity/sailing/skagen.

The post Helly Hansen’s Skagen Line—It’s the Attention to Detail appeared first on Cruising World.

On your next (or perhaps first) sailing vacation, are you looking for history-steeped villages and afternoon sea breezes? Croatia’s got those. Or maybe big wind is your thing? Greece and Turkey in the summertime are known for their blustery meltemis. Then again, if a midwinter tropical escape would better fit your plans, Navigare Yachting can help you there too, with bases in the Bahamas and both the US and British Virgin Islands. 

Launched two decades ago with a single charter location in Greece, Navigare today operates in 9 countries—with more on the way—and it offers sailors a fleet of more than 300 sailboats, including monohulls from builders such as Arcona, Beneteau, Dufour, and Jeanneau, and sailing catamarans from brands that include Lagoon, Bali, Excess, and Fountaine-Pajot. Recently the company has added Aquila power cats to its lineup, and coming next year, it plans to offer all-electric Island Spirit Catamarans for charter. The plan is for the 52-foot sailing E-cat to make its debut at the Miami International Boat Show in 2024. Check out all of these options on Navigare’s Charter Page.

The vast majority of Navigare’s charter yachts are privately owned and managed by the company. Early on, the fleet was made up entirely of monohulls, but today, roughly two-thirds of the boats are catamarans. On the sales side, nearly 90 percent of the vessels Navigare delivers to owners are cats, and the company estimates that eventually multihulls will make up 80 percent of the fleet worldwide.

Coming from Scandinavia, Navigare founder and CEO Jesper Rönngard says that he always thought of the Mediterranean as the warm place for sailors. About 10 years ago, though, the company expanded first to Thailand and then to the BVI. Tortola, he says, is the most popular destination with American sailors. Today, the company does about half its business in the Med, and the remainder elsewhere in the world, including the Virgin Islands, the Seychelles and Sweden. The Bahamas, he notes, is also an extremely popular destination and earns nothing but five-star reviews with charterers. In 2024, the company plans to add St. Maarten and Tahiti to its list of destinations.

All About the Boats

With Navigare, no matter where or what you choose for your charter, the common denominator across the company is the keen attention the staff pays to maintaining the fleet, Rönngard says. 

“We really try to take care of the boats,” Rönngard says. “And by taking care of the boats, we take care of the boat owners and make sure the boat owners are happy. And that way, kind of as a bonus, the charterers are really happy with the boats. That’s been our idea from the get-go. When we started the company, it was always about maintaining the boats, giving them proper service. This way, we knew that we would grow, just by word of mouth.”

That’s not to say that every boat and every vacation is trouble-free—they’re boats, after all. But having the ability to respond quickly with a chase boat to make needed repairs is also something the staff does well, he adds.

Options for Charterers, Choices for Owners

There are a number of ways to charter with Navigare, the most common of which is a bareboat vacation of a week or longer, where you get the boat to use with family and friends as you wish. Other options include skipper and luxury crewed trips, by-the-cabin charters, and flotillas, where a local guide leads a number of boats that share an itinerary that can include both free time and group events. 

Navigare also offers sailing instruction so that guests can learn to skipper their own bareboat yachts. The two-week course is taught from the company’s base in Seget, Croatia, and uses a curriculum developed by the International Yacht Training Organization. It allows students to earn an IYT Bareboat Skipper Certificate. Details can be found at Navigare Yachting .

Yacht sales are another important part of Navigare’s business plan. Its brokerage office is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the company offers three programs for buyers, ranging from a fixed monthly income plan to one that gives an owner lots more flexibility in terms of risk and revenue. 

Details of the ownership plans are spelled out on the Navigare Yachting website, which is chock-full of other information about locations, itineraries, charter options, and the sailing school. There’s even an app you can download, so you can dream about and plan your next vacation on the fly. 

So where do you want to sail next? Navigare has you covered.

The post Ready To Go Sailing? A Global Charter Company Gives You Options appeared first on Cruising World.

The daydreams are real: You’re moored in an exotic anchorage, savoring a gourmet meal on the aft deck with family and friends; you’re welcoming your business associates aboard your beautiful yacht for cocktails and networking; you’re sailing into the sunset in the BVI at the helm of your catamaran…. Until the realities of cleaning, dockage, maintenance, insurance and, oh yes, the overall cost of a yacht itself interrupt your yacht-ownership daydream in record-scratching fashion.

Thanks to a new and improved fractional program through Dream Yacht Sales & Ownership, your sailing-yacht-ownership daydream can now become a hassle-free reality.

What is Fractional Yacht Ownership?

A fractional-ownership program allows you and other like-minded individuals to purchase a share (or more) of a yacht in exchange for an allocated number of weeks of use per year. It offers an attractive buy-in price and shared usage costs that allow you to enjoy the benefits of yacht ownership without the prohibitive costs of full ownership. While some fractional programs have seen success, others have stumbled when it comes to the allocation of popular holiday weeks, destinations available, upkeep of the yacht, and return on investment. 

Dream Yacht Sales & Ownership has addressed these limitations with Dream Fractional, its unique fractional program, which immediately distinguishes itself from other programs with a low buy-in rate, legal titled ownership, reciprocal usage of other yachts in the program, and percentage payout of charter income from the owned yacht.

How Does Dream Fractional Work?

Dream Fractional offers ownership of one of five shares in a participating sailing monohull or catamaran. Dream Yacht retains one share of ownership, thereby affording owners a low 20 percent buy-in rate with shared usage across four owners instead of five. Each owner receives legal titled ownership per share purchased (unlike timeshares that provide members only a leased interest in the asset), with operating expenses managed by Dream Fractional and split among the co-owners.

Each Dream Fractional owner will enjoy five weeks of use aboard their shared yacht with reciprocal usage rights to any of the Dream Fractional yachts worldwide. As part of the Dream Yacht Group, which oversees one of the world’s largest fleets of sailing monohulls, catamarans and power catamarans in 50 destinations worldwide, Dream Fractional owners will enjoy concierge booking service and complete management of financials, insurance, cleaning, maintenance, and charter bookings through Dream Yacht’s experienced management network.

What Yachts Participate in the Dream Fractional Program?

Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Dream Fractional program is the selection of yachts offered. Dream Yachts works with the world’s leading boat manufacturers such as Fountaine-Pajot, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bali, Dufour, Lagoon and Excess. Whether it’s a 46-foot Lagoon based in the BVI or a 42-foot Bali based in St. Martin, Dream Yachts offers a curated selection of its most popular charter yachts for fractional ownership, which allows the yacht to be chartered out when not in use by an owner. In turn, a one-quarter share of 65 percent of any charter income is paid to each owner quarterly.

This feature is particularly enticing to frequent charter clients who will appreciate the investment opportunity as well as the ability to select from a variety of yachts based in destinations around the globe. Owners are not limited to one share and can purchase more than one to increase their boat usage to 10 weeks per year.

What’s My Return on Investment?

The Dream Fractional program offers the benefits of full yacht ownership management at a fraction of the cost, with the flexibility of reciprocal usage across a select group of well-managed yachts worldwide. Current participating yachts in the program range from a 39 foot Bali Catsmart in Grenada to a 46 foot Lagoon catamaran in the British Virgin Islands.

As a legal, titled co-owner of a popular charter yacht with an established charter program, Dream Fractional clients will enjoy a quarterly payout share of 65 percent of charter revenue, which further offsets the shared operating expenses. 

Yachts are kept in the program for 66 months (five-and-a-half years). At the end of the program, Dream Yacht Sales & Ownership fully manages the resale process, which includes finding buyers and coordinating offers—with fractional owners given the priority to purchase the yacht themselves. After the sale, each owner then recovers his or her share of the final selling price.

“Between the initial purchase-price savings realized by utilizing a yacht-sharing model, and the quarterly charter-revenue income, Dream Fractional makes owning a yacht much more attainable,” says Dan Lockyer, Dream Yacht’s Chief Revenue Officer. “Add to this equation the boat’s sale at the end of the program at an average of 50 to 55 percent of the original price, and the numbers become very attractive. For those who enjoy charter vacations, the reciprocal sailing in amazing destinations around the world makes it an easy decision.”

In tandem with the Dream Yacht Group’s overarching aim to make sailing accessible to all, the Dream Fractional program is designed specifically to make yacht ownership easy and more accessible. By testing the waters of yacht ownership without the limitations of high costs or overwhelming responsibilities, you can now turn that daydream into the realization of the big dream. So, go ahead—it’s time to buy the yacht.

For more information on Dream Yacht Sales & Ownership Dream Fractional program, please visit https://landings.dreamyachtsales.com/dream_fractional.

More Dream Yacht ownership programs can be found at dreamyachtsales.com.

The post Go Ahead, Buy the Yacht appeared first on Cruising World.