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/

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When Groupe Beneteau’s Excess Catamarans introduced its first model in 2019, a test sail in winds approaching 40 knots made it abundantly clear that the 38-foot-7-inch Excess 12 wasn’t just another pretty new face in the ever-growing cat crowd. That boat could sail.

A recent light-air outing aboard the company’s newest model, the Excess 14, was perhaps equally revealing. With a hull length right around 44 feet and a beam of 25 feet, 9 inches, this is a big, roomy and comfortable cruising cat. But in just 5 knots of breeze, sailing with the main and working jib set, the chart plotter’s speed over ground read 4.1 knots heading upwind with the sails sheeted hard. A little later, with the jib rolled up and the code zero unfurled and set on a sprit that brings the boat’s LOA to 52 feet, 5 inches, our boatspeed was 5.7 knots on a reach in wind gusting to maybe 6. 

Those were conditions that would have left a lot of similar-size multihulls parked, but the Excess 14 felt relatively lively underway and “tacked quickly,” I wrote in my notes. I also noted that line handling was easy, thanks to sheet winches within reach of the helms and an electric Harken FlatWinder winch that handles a traveler mounted outboard of a comfortable bench seat that spans most of the transom.

For the record, I’m a fan of the Excess brand DNA that calls for outdoor helm stations located far aft on either stern. Sitting at them underway, you can see and hear the water rush by and feel the breeze in your face. You know, like when you’re sailing. You can converse with people seated in the cockpit, and you have easy access to the salon should you care to set the autopilot and keep watch out of the elements, through windows that provide nearly 360 degrees of visibility.

Open to fresh ideas, the team at Excess started with a blank slate when they conceived the 14, and they gave naval architects at VPLP Design some liberty in terms of hull design in their quest for better performance. VPLP, drawing from their experience with a long line of racing machines, then tested and ultimately opted for asymmetrical hulls—think of a monohull sliced lengthwise down the middle and then separated—that tend to reduce the size of the waves produced between the hulls, thereby reducing drag that slows down the boat.

The design team also toyed with replacing the stub keels affixed to most cruising cats, including earlier Excess models, with the sort of lifting daggerboards found on high-performance cats. They dropped that idea, however, because daggerboards add complexity when sailing and take away from living space below. Instead, the 14 has more-efficient, deeper and thinner fixed foils that increase draft to 4 feet, 10 inches—a few inches deeper than what you would expect to find on cats of a similar size.

There are also interesting ­innovations found in the 14’s interior, where saving weight has a direct relationship to livelier sailing. Relatively lighter carbon-fiber cloth is employed in some structural areas for strength, and some bulkheads are infused using foam coring. And there’s less wood used in furniture, drawers and stowage areas. Overhead, the cabin top is injected-molded, eliminating the need for a liner. And in hulls with two staterooms and two head compartments located amidships, the toilets share a single holding tank to reduce plumbing, while the staterooms share one larger Webasto air-conditioning unit, saving the weight and wiring required for two. 

Excess is also involved with Groupe Beneteau’s overall efforts to adopt more-sustainable building practices. Laminates used for the performance mainsail and genoa are recycled material, and hemp fibers are used in place of fiberglass and injected with partly bio-sourced resin in some nonstructural parts such as locker lids. Even furniture knobs have been replaced by neat little loops of rope.

Buyers have a few decisions to make when ordering an Excess 14. There is a four-­stateroom version that would be well-suited for charter, and there are a couple of three-stateroom options. In one, the owner gets a large fore-and-aft bunk aft, a sitting area with a desk at the foot of the companionway, a head and shower forward, and a walk-in closet in place of a V-berth. A second plan, called the Transformer Version, has bunks far forward that can be folded down for sleeping or up for stowage. (One company photo shows a paddleboard stashed away there.) That’s the layout we saw in Miami and the one I’d choose if it were my boat. In all the layouts, the salon gets lots of sunlight and has a pleasant, airy feeling with the sliding door and window open aft. There’s an abundance of fridge and freezer space adjacent to the galley to port. Dining tables are indoors, at the front of the salon, and in the cockpit. 

The Miami boat included a pair of optional 57 hp Yanmar diesels with saildrives (45 hp engines come standard) that pushed us along at 7.8 knots in cruising speed and 8.4 knots in get-home-quick mode. Gear included an electric winch at the starboard helm to make raising the main easier, as well as engine controls at either wheel to make docking simpler. Davits are available, as are canvas Biminis over the wheels for shade.

The boat also had an optional seating area on the flybridge. It reminded me a bit of a stretch version of the footwell that you’d find on a Sunfish. I’m not sure if it’s an option I’d choose, and with the boom set relatively low on the mast, it wouldn’t be a place to lounge underway. Some might like to sit up there while at anchor to enjoy the view though.

The sail-away price for the boat we visited is right around $980,000, but that’s loaded with gear, including an Onan generator and a Pulse rig and sail package that includes a 70-foot-8-inch mast instead of the standard 64-foot-11-inch spar. The upwind Pulse rig sail area of 1,453 square feet will be appreciated by those who sail in variable conditions and like to go fast; in the trades, the standard 1,323 square feet might suffice, and the shorter rig would let you just squeeze under most Intracoastal Waterway bridges.

Me? I was happy to have the added horsepower provided by the bigger square-top main. Sailing a big cat in 5 knots of breeze isn’t always fun, but aboard the Excess 14, we had a jolly old time.

Excess 14 Specifications

Sea Trial

The post Sailboat Review: Light and Lively Excess 14 appeared first on Cruising World.

Sitting at the flybridge helm station aboard the new Leopard 40 power cat, taking in the view of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, was an excellent way to spend a sunny February morning. It was the day after the 2023 Miami International Boat Show, where the latest model from South African builder Robertson and Caine had made its world debut. I was thoroughly enjoying my allotted time at the helm.

Did I mention that I was a thousand or so miles from the snow and ice back home in New England? Or that the three-person helm seat was far comfier than a similar-size chairlift on any ski hill? Or that the table, surrounded by an L-shaped couch directly behind me—never mind the adjacent chaise abutting a counter with grill, sink and fridge—promised nothing but fun times for both skipper and crew?

With another nine hulls already in the works, and more to come by year’s end when production is fully ramped up, the boat will soon be available for charter vacations with The Moorings. At first, it will be in the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Croatia and Greece, and eventually, it will join the company’s bases worldwide.

Off the Florida coast, we monitored miles per gallon at 500 rpm increments. In slow motion (1,000 rpm), the twin 370 hp Yanmar diesels sipped fuel at an estimated rate of 4.8 miles to the gallon. The boat’s sweet spot—3,000 rpm, where we cranked along at 17 knots—came at a cost of 0.8 miles per gallon. Any more or less, and efficiency dropped, according to onboard gauges. Top speed was a little better than 22 knots.

At cruising speed, the boat’s hydraulic steering felt nimble and responsive as I cranked the wheel into a turn. Conditions were fairly calm, but crossing our own wake, the 40 PC plowed on through the chop without missing a beat.

At low speed, the 40 PC turned easily when I adjusted the twin fly-by-wire throttles and shifted between forward and reverse. The sailor in me wondered if the builder really needed to include a bow thruster in the port bow, though the feature had made getting out of the tight slip at the marina a simple enough maneuver. For extra-tight quarters with a shorthanded crew, cameras can ­monitor the stern and bow, and deliver the imagery to either of the twin Raymarine displays at the ­upstairs helm station.

The 40 PC joins a lineup that includes the Leopard 46 PC (also sold as the Moorings 464) and Robertson and Caine’s flagship on the power side, the Leopard 53 PC. 

A word of explanation here: Robertson and Caine enjoys a somewhat unusual relationship with Travelopia, which owns The Moorings and Sunsail, and oversees the Leopard sales team. All of Robertson and Caine’s sailing catamarans go into the charter companies’ fleets or are sold to private owners as Leopard Catamarans. Robertson and Caine’s power models are branded as Leopards or Moorings models, depending on how an owner plans to use the boat. All of Robertson and Caine’s current models—power and sail—are developed by the in-house design team, along with Alex Simonis of naval architecture firm Simonis and Voogd, and Franck Bauguil, vice president of yacht ownership and product development at Travelopia. Bauguil also manages sales of all three brands.

At present, he says, approximately half of Robertson and Caine’s sailboats are sold for charter, and half are for private use. The same is expected to be true for the 40 PC. Robertson and Caine plans to build 20 of the boats this year and increase the number to 31 next year. A well-equipped model, delivered from South Africa to the United States ready to go, comes in at under $1.2 million. 

The three current power models comprise the fourth generation of power vessels from Robertson and Caine in terms of design. Previous generations shared some furniture modules with boats from the sail side, but Bauguil says that this new line started with a blank sheet of paper. The result is increased volume for interior accommodations without disturbing performance.

The boat in Miami was powered by optional twin 370 hp Yanmar diesels. Charter models are fitted out with 350 hp Yanmars, and 250 hp Yanmars are also available. Tankage is cruiser-friendly, with 370 gallons of fuel and 170 gallons of water.

Aboard the 40 PC, the owner’s stateroom occupies the starboard hull. It has a queen berth aft and a head ­compartment forward with a shower in the forepeak. Amidships are a desk and ­television, hanging lockers, and a fair amount of stowage.

The port hull includes guest staterooms fore and aft, each with a queen berth, and a shared head between them.

It’s bright and airy in the salon, thanks to windows that offer a near 360-degree view, a sliding door that opens to the cockpit, and another door forward that leads to the foredeck, where a couple of cushioned sun beds await. The cockpit is shaded by the flybridge, with a cushioned seat across the transom, and a dining table.

The salon itself is well-laid-­out, with an indoor helm station tucked into the forward starboard corner. To port, an L-shaped couch surrounds a coffee table (a dining table is optional); opposite is an upholstered chair. The galley is adjacent to the cockpit, with a full-size, home-style fridge to starboard and an L-shaped counter to port that includes an induction stove top, a convection microwave oven, a sink, and a dishwasher.

On deck, a solid stainless-­steel rail around the boat provides secure handholds for moving about underway.

Inside and out, the lines of the 40 PC are sharp and stylish. Bauguil says early orders indicate that the boat is appealing not only to multihull sailors who want to make a jump into power, but also to powerboaters looking for the efficiency gained by two hulls. As for charterers, I can state it pure and simple: Put me on a 40 PC somewhere warm and sunny for a week, and I’ll guarantee a good time.  

Leopard 40 Power Cat Specifications

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Built by sailors for sailors, the Vision 444 was inspired, according to the builder, by thousands of miles spent at sea understanding the demands of a vessel and her crew, years of experience building custom catamarans, and a passion to produce the perfect bluewater cruiser. Boatbuilder James Turner and Vision Yachts have created this 44’4” lightweight performance vessel with unique features and an impressive standard inventory that sets this catamaran above the rest.

The Vision 444 is constructed with an innovative resin infusion technology with all support struts and davits made from advanced composite and integrated into the hull to create a strong yet lightweight vessel. Key features of the 444 suggest that form follows function. All furniture is structurally bonded to the hull in an ergonomic design. Midship service lockers in each hull offer easy access to shut-off valves, filters, sea strainers, and pumps. Two bilges line each hull, one in the service locker and one in the engine room. Fuel line hoses and electrical wiring have their own dedicated conduits. The lithium ion batteries are under the salon seats, and the engines are under the bunks, allowing safe and easy access. A bench seat in the engine room with dedicated tools, storage for spare parts, ventilation, and lighting make servicing the engines a breeze. Access to the rudder system is in the starboard stern locker. Every locker has ample space for access or storage, and a room in the starboard bow (accessed through the master shower walk-through) contains a complete work bench with a vice and additional storage. And, exhale…

The interior is equally functional, and with a healthy dollop of form mixed in. All windows and hatches in the salon provide superb vision of the horizon. From the forward-facing navigation station in the salon, GPS can link up to the TV for a Spielberg-sized chart-plotter display. Flooring is flush throughout and an L-shaped door between the cockpit and salon doubles the space while open and offers an alfresco ambiance. In the salon, the U-shaped settee is standard with leather. Windows are single-panel flat glass. All vertical finishes are quarter sawn reconstructed oak veneer with an oil finish, which is easy to maintain or to replace without matching wood grains if needed. Quartz composite countertops with stainless steel refrigerator/freezer and all high-end appliances surrounded by stainless grab rails throughout yield a dual sense of openness and safety when underway.

On deck, the side access door is great for boarding, loading and accessibility. Wide, level decks are clear of all running rigging, and the flush mount hatches allow the crew to move around safely. Two standard electric winches and running rigging led back to the helm provide ease of operation for single-handed sailing. The mainsheet bridle system (eliminating the traveler and tracks) is simple to use in conjunction with the self-tacking jib. Atkinson’s-theory-calibrated rudders help to maintain drive when tacking and jibing. The working helm seating for two has a commanding position with a view over both bows and 360-degree visibility.

The deck sole in the cockpit, and on the side decks and foredeck is EVA foam padding, a UV resistant material that is resilient—like a high-quality yoga mat with grip. The cockpit has ample seating with a large teak table. Stainless steel tubing that retracts into the transom bulkhead provides additional safety at sea.

“A sense of certainty in any sailing vessel begins with strength” says a Vision Yachts representative. “We use an innovative resin infusion and gel-coat technology to form the Vision 444’s durable hulls. Decks are extra-tough while still maintaining impressive performance due to the weight-saving process. The result is a better, lighter, faster, stronger and safer vessel which will hold its investment value longer.”

Vision 444 Specifications

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Over the past several years, Jason and Nikki Wynn have become an internet sensation of sorts, documenting their ‘round the world cruising endeavors on their sailing YouTube channel “Gone with the Wynns,” which has grown to over a half a million subscribers, becoming the third most popular (and growing) sailing channel on YouTube today. Beginning this fall, they’ll be broadcasting their adventures from the decks of a sweet new ride—the eco-conscious and carbon-reinforced HH44 by HH Catamarans.

Poised to appeal to early tech adopters, world cruisers and serious sailors alike, the HH44 is a disruptive new entry in the catamaran market, and it’s ready to make waves as a strong 2024 Boat of the Year contender at its US premiere in Annapolis.

This new model from HH Catamarans is available in two versions: OC (Ocean Cruising) and SC (Sports Cruising). The HH44-OC is a fast, comfortable, family-friendly cruiser that skews toward ease of operation for bluewater cruising. It shares the same hull and interior fit and finish quality as the sportier HH44-SC but features an aluminum mast, e-glass longeron, white gelcoat finish and mini-keels as standard instead of daggerboards. The HH44-SC integrates the very latest in race boat technology but remains equally as comfortable as a family cruiser. This is a “no-compromise-boat” with C-shaped carbon daggerboards, a carbon rig, a painted hull finish, emissions-free motoring, cutting-edge solar integration and an EcoDrive as standard equipment.

Designed for hybrid propulsion and solar power, the HH44 was conceived from the ground up to work with a parallel electric/diesel hybrid, a 4,232 watt solar array on the cabin top and hydro-regeneration while sailing. HH’s EcoDrive provides all the benefits of an electric boat: silent fume-free motoring at 7.5kts, instant torque for maneuvering, and hydro-regeneration while sailing, while also providing the reliability of trusty diesel engines as a backup. For technology shy owners, traditional standalone diesel engines with shaft drives are also offered.

The 4,232 watts of custom integrated solar come standard, as does an electric parallel hybrid with shaft drives, folding transoms, dual swing helm stations, forward opening salon windows, line tunnels, EVA foam decking and carbon fiber design detailing throughout.

Steer the boat from the outboard position with the wind in your hair and increased visibility of your sail plan. A fold-down helm seat stows out of the way or easily deploys when needed. Or, rotate the helm(s) inboard and steer from the protection of the three-seat sofa on the aft beam.

An angular cabin allows the two large, forward-facing windows to open fully from inside the 187 square-foot salon. Ceiling height is over 6’6” throughout. Comfort underfoot has been enhanced with non-skid EVA foam decking as standard.

Carbon and epoxy construction creates the strongest yacht possible without adding weight. All lines run under the deck to create an uncluttered walkway. Stanchions are 900mm tall for safety underway, and a continuous, unbroken toe rail runs the length of the deck with all hull and deck-joints fused and hidden.

An emphasis on craftsmanship and fit-and-finish is evident throughout, with foam core furniture and meticulous joinery, top of the line fixtures and Bosch electric appliances standard. Cabinet locks are cleverly hidden in the modern design and an optional pocket TV can deploy and spin to face the viewer. Optional RGB rope lighting throughout can be dimmed or change colors depending on your vision needs while night sailing or for setting the mood at anchor.

HH Catamarans HH44 Specifications

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To say that French shipyard Fountaine Pajot has a long and varied history is to traffic in understatement. Founded in 1976 by a quartet that included Olympic sailor Jean-François Fountaine and offshore racer Yves Pajot, the company initially specialized in racing dinghies and IOR-rule monohulls. It later delved into large, record-setting transoceanic catamarans and trimarans. It wasn’t until 1983 that the yard pivoted to cruising cats, beginning with the Louisiana 37. In the four decades since, Fountaine Pajot has produced more than three dozen models, many named after the destinations or islands that inspired them: the Tobago 35, the Saba 50, the Eleuthera 60 and so on. 

Which brings us to model year 2023, and the US introduction of Fountaine Pajot’s Tanna 47. Named for a South Pacific island in the Vanuatu chain, the 46-foot cat earned top honors as the Best Cruising Multihull in one of the stronger classes of the 2023 Boat of the Year contest. I served on the judging panel, and I have to say, the Tanna 47 is probably my favorite boat in the entire FP line. It’s structurally sound, fairly techy and good-looking, and it sails very well. 

Nowadays, the naval-architecture office of Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau—the team responsible for designing the Tanna—seems to be ­everywhere, but has a long connection with Fountaine Pajot, having designed the Marquises 53 way back in 1991. The Tanna replaces another Berret-Racoupeau collaboration, the Saona 47, which had a production run of 150 boats. On the Tanna, there are plumb bows that max out the waterline, a pair of windows in each hull, a nifty wraparound coachroof window, and a raised helm to starboard topped with its own Bimini. The aesthetics are clean and crisp. A big upgrade from the Saona is the expanded lounge area on the flybridge with a sundeck and a settee (a signature Fountaine Pajot feature). There’s also an inviting sun pad on the main deck just abaft the trampolines. 

Another positive aspect cited in our Boat of the Year deliberations was the versatility of the two available ­accommodations plans. The Quintet layout, with five ­double staterooms and five heads, is optimized for charter or a growing family. The other layout, called the Maestro, zeroes in on private ownership with a large owner’s stateroom that includes a vanity, desk and en suite head in the port hull. Two double-berth guest staterooms have their own heads in the starboard quarters. 

The central saloon is the same in both versions, with the highlight being the commercial-­grade U-shaped galley to port adjacent to the cockpit’s sliding doors. An efficient and dedicated navigation station is to port, within a few short steps to the raised wheel. The couch and lounging area in the main cabin is sumptuous and welcoming. So too is the dining and seating arrangement in the cockpit; covered by the flybridge, it’s an all-weather space for kicking back or entertaining. 

The resin-infused construction employs a balsa core for a relatively light but solid structure. The standard engine package is a pair of 50 hp Volvo Penta diesels with saildrives, but our test model had the upgraded 60 hp options. At 2,700 rpm opened up, the boat made a solid 9 knots, which was the second-fastest ride in the entire Boat of the Year fleet. 

Another notable feature is the array of flat, flexible Solibian solar panels that are essentially glued to the cabin top. On our test boat, they produced 1,700 watts of electricity—enough to run the primary systems (electronics, fridge, air conditioning) all day long. Fountaine Pajot is serious about addressing environmental concerns in the marine sector, and recently announced the formation of its ODSea Lab and initiative, a platform meant to accelerate technological progress with regard to materials, renewable energy, and electric ­propulsion. The goal is net-carbon-­neutral boatbuilding by 2030, with all-electric models as an auxiliary option across the brand.

Happily, we had just about ideal conditions to conduct a test sail, with 13 to 15 knots of solid breeze coursing across Chesapeake Bay. The Tanna’s primary power source under sail is a traditional, generous, roachy full-battened mainsail, augmented by a high-cut and slightly overlapping jib. Upwind, the boat achieved a tidy 6.5 knots, which ratcheted up to a solid 7 knots once cracked off to a reach. The steering was smooth and even, and driving the big cat was a lot of fun. 

Cat designers have given a lot of thought to sailhandling systems, with separation between the helm and the winches and clutches often being a high priority. I like the Tanna’s setup: a dedicated pod forward of the helm with all the controls, including a set of Lewmar electric winches, ready and at hand. The visibility, of both the seaway and the sail plan, is terrific. For shorthanded sailing, punch the autopilot and step into the pod to make adjustments. It’s simple and elegant at the same time. So, there you have it. The Tanna 47 isn’t just named for that slice of Pacific paradise; it actually has the chops to get you there.

Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 Specifications

Herb McCormick is a ­yachting correspondent for The New York Times and former ­editor-in-chief of Cruising World. An author of five ­nautical books, he’s owned several sailboats, including his current Pearson 365 and Pearson Ensign.

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When Andrew Thompson co-founded Horizon Yacht Charters in 1998, he wanted to bring megayacht-quality service to bareboats. Thompson had worked as captain and crew aboard the larger yachts, and he believed that people chartering bareboats should have every right to expect similarly high standards for their own cruising vacations.

‘Our Mission statement in 1998, was ‘to offer immaculate yachts, exemplary customer service and value for money’, 25 years later, our mission remains the same, and we go the extra nautical mile every day to deliver on that’ he says.

Today, Horizon Yacht Charters has two locations: the main base at Nanny Cay on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, and a second location at Blue Lagoon Marina in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Both locations are known for their exceptional customer service. The base in the BVI is also popular for its restaurants, showers, hotel, beach bar and pool. This location is easily accessible with daily flights from Miami on American Airlines, arriving at Beef Island, Tortola.

“Our company takes great pride in being a local business with local operations, management and staff,” says Kim Struiken, finance and business development director. “Our local roots play a vital role in our success. We are committed to our community and to delivering an exceptional experience to our customers. This combination is part of the formula which sets Horizon Yacht Charters apart.”

Horizon Yacht Charters’ high-quality fleet of about 50 yachts in the BVI includes monohulls as well as catamarans from 34ft – 54ft.  The boats are maintained to a level that Thompson brings from his megayacht days, ensuring that guests can embark on their vacations with complete confidence in the seamless experience they’ll enjoy, regardless of the age of the yacht,(although most are 0-5 years old).

“We excel at providing yachts with all systems in order, with concours cosmetics and detailing “ Struiken says. “Most of Horizon’s staff have been here for many years. The first-ever employee of the company, Courtney Frett, our reservations manager, is still here, 25 years later. Our operations director, Henry Leonnig, has been here for 20 years, as have several other dock staff. They like what they do, and when people like what they do, they excel, and it allows you continuity of service – to offer real quality.” Struiken continues: ‘It is not just about the yachts, it is about the ‘boutique hotel’ level of personalized service you get at Horizon. Jalon Shortte epitomizes this as our larger-than-life Customer Service manager, who delivers boat and chart knowledge with a wicked laugh and a brilliant smile’.

Horizon Yacht Charters offers bareboat charters, skippered charters as well as luxury crewed charters with the added convenience of an all-inclusive package covering high-end gourmet meals, premium drinks, water toys, and more.

American Sailing Association (ASA) classes are also available at Horizon Yacht Charters Sailing School. Students can book a whole boat and cruise with a private instructor, or they can book a single cabin for a week on board a boat with an instructor and other students.

The instructors at Horizon Yacht Charters are top-notch. Just one example is Cara Brown, who, in 2022, was named one of ASA’s outstanding instructors. This award is given to the top 1 percent of all ASA instructors, as determined by student surveys. In 2022, there were 2,155 instructors eligible for the award; only 25 were named winners. And Brown was among just a handful of women in that already selective group.

“Cara is a terrific example of the outstanding team members we have at Horizon Yacht Charters,” Struiken says. “She’s originally from London, grew up in Italy, and has been sailing with Horizon in the BVI since she was a little girl—because her parents have had a series of yachts in our fleet since 2002, and they continue to do so to this day. Her own sailing experience includes the whole Caribbean as well as parts of Britain and Europe, she has a 200 ton yachtmaster licence in addition to her ASA qualifications. Cara is  also a qualified personal trainer, ski coach ( having been Britain’s women’s downhill champion for 5 years) as well as a PADI-certified open water diver. She speaks English, French and Italian fluently,  which means she can help so many people feel comfortable while learning to sail.”

Due to Horizon’s winning combination of top ASA instructors, a highly sought-after location, and exceptional customer service, it has been selected by the American Sailing Association as the destination for its 2024 Lenny Shabes Sailing Festival, scheduled from 16th to 23rd June 2024. Similarly, Jeanneau, one of the world’s leading monohull manufacturers, has also chosen Horizon for their Jeanneau owners rendezvous flotilla from 9th to 16th March 2024, driven by some of the same compelling factors.

Another way that Horizon Yacht Charters stands out is its additional charter broker services. While the staff at the base on Tortola can help clients book bareboat charters aboard sailboats in the Horizon Yacht Charters BVI and St. Vincent fleets, the team will also help clients book boats from other fleets all around the world—any kind of boat, anywhere the clients want to cruise.

“If we have clients who have been with us in the BVI and in the Grenadines, we can help them book a charter anywhere,” Struiken says. “Sometimes, people want to cruise somewhere different, and we are happy to assist with that.”

For clients interested in buying or selling a yacht, the Horizon Yacht Charters team is also available to help. The company is a distributor for Lagoon, Excess, FP and Nautitech catamarans, Jeanneau, Beneteau  and Bavaria monohulls, as well as ranges of centre console RIB’s and day boats. Horizon also maintains an active brokerage service with a wide range of listings, both in the BVI, and in Grenada, where Horizon also have a yacht management, refit and storage business.

“We are able to support our clients as their boating needs change throughout the years,” Struiken says. “Families grow, plans change, sometimes cruising ideas become bigger sailing ambitions. Our fleet, school, charters and yacht sales allow our clients to progress however they choose. And when they come back to us year after year, they see the same staff, ready to assist them. They feel like they’re coming home.”

“Whether charter client or yacht owner, from the moment of first contact until the final wave goodbye, whether that is a week or decades later,  our top priority is the customer experience. We look forward to welcoming you aboard”.  Struiken concludes.

How to book: Contact the Reservations team at res@horizonyachtcharters.comHome .

How to buy: Contact Robin at robin@horizonyachtcharters.com to find your new dream yacht or explore the selection of brokerage yachts available through Giles at giles@horizonyachtcharters.com.

For more information, please give us a call  on our toll free number (+1 877-494-8787) or visit our website Home .

The post A Winning Bareboat Experience appeared first on Cruising World.

There is nothing quite like a sailing vacation. Whether you’re after sunshine and beam reaches, rum drinks and reggae, or quiet anchorages and adventures ashore, a charter with The Moorings can deliver exactly what you have in mind.

“The British Virgin Islands is our flagship operation and the most popular charter destination in the world”, says Josie Tucci, VP of Marketing for The Moorings. “Over the past few years we have made unprecedented investments in the marina facility and fleet in the BVI, which have all recently been completed. Whether it is your first time visiting us, or you are revisiting The Moorings for the first time in a while, we are confident guests will be pleased with the improvements welcoming them upon arrival.”

From a new watersports shop, to newly-built docks, a new on-site supermarket and remodeled hotel, there is no shortage of upgrades to experience. Also new is the option for a skipper-only charter aboard a dedicated catamaran, in addition to traditional bareboat and fully crewed options. A skipper-only charter is a great choice for anyone who wants a skipper on board to handle all the safety, operation and navigation needs—not to mention bringing in-depth local knowledge along for the ride. With a skipper-only charter, guests are in charge of their own meals. If you enjoy dining ashore at the BVI’s restaurants and bars, then a skipper-only charter can be a great choice.

“The beauty of a charter with The Moorings is that you can enjoy your vacation your way,” Tucci says. “If you want to be fully in command as a bareboater, you can do that. If you want a skipper to handle the boat for you, that’s an option too. And if you want a fully crewed package with a chef to take care of meals, we have wonderful, professional Crews on staff ready to pamper you. However you envision the perfect cruising vacation, The Moorings can make it happen.”

The Moorings flagship base at Road Town, Tortola, had to be completely rebuilt after Hurricane Irma. They took the opportunity to reimagine the base with everything you need to equip your yacht for your itinerary around the BVI. From thenew Moorings Market for provisioning food and beverages (with an online-shopping option), to the water toy rental and watersports shop run by Sail Caribbean Divers, you’ll have everything you need without having to endure an off-base excursion. Just enjoy your first night with dinner and drinks at Charlies Restaurant, featuring  a revamped menu.. There’s also a rejuvenated fleet of sailing catamarans such as the Moorings 4200, the larger Moorings 4500 and the flagship Moorings 5000, each of which won Boat of the Year honors upon launch. The power catamaran fleet now includes the three-cabin Moorings 403PC, the four-cabin 464PC and and the larger 534PC. Prefer a monohull? No problem. As many as 12 brand-new monohull yachts arrive this fall.

And, in great news for anyone traveling from the United States to the British Virgin Islands, American Airlines is now offering seasonal nonstop flights from Miami to Beef Island, Tortola. These flights will operate during the summer and winter months.

Once aboard the boat, the rest of the BVI is yours to discover—explore the magical Baths on Virgin Gorda; sip a Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke; and check out the Indians, one of the best snorkeling spots in the area. 

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, from The Moorings base at the Marina at Yacht Haven Grande, you can explore all that St. Thomas offers, including abundant shopping and nightlife. Then head out to explore beautiful and laid-back St. John, where you can experience the pristine beaches of Cinnamon Bay, excellent snorkeling at Leinster Bay, and even some hiking trails at Virgin Islands National Park.

Abacos, Bahamas

The Moorings base at the Abaco Beach Resort is located in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, a central location that makes it the perfect place to start your exploration of the Abacos—a longtime favorite destination for cruising sailors. Enjoy sailing in the protected waters of the Sea of Abaco to destinations that include quaint villages such as Hope Town and Green Turtle Cay, and abundant secluded anchorages.

Exumas, Bahamas

If you’re looking for an out-islands experience, an Exumas charter might be for you. Departing from The Moorings base at Palm Cay Marina in Nassau, Bahamas, visitors can then cruise down to the Exuma Cays, a string of 365 islands and cays that stretch for 120 miles. Many sailors who have traveled the world agree that the Exumas are their favorite cruising grounds. Once you go, you will understand. From exploring the mangrove creeks of Shroud Cay and the incredible Thunderball Grotto to the friendly settlement of Black Point and colorful Staniel Cay, the Exumas offer a wide variety of experiences—and unforgettable sunsets on the Great Bahama Bank.

The Magical Med

If your dream sailing vacation includes exploring ancient ruins, villages steeped in history, and a variety of sailing conditions, a sailing vacation in the Mediterranean might be just what you’re looking for. From The Moorings bases in Italy, Greece and Croatia, you can choose the Med experience that suits you best. Looking for sun-soaked beaches, quaint tavernas and excellent scuba diving? Try a charter from Corfu in Greece. Does visiting an abundance of islands offering everything from wild, barren landscapes to historic towns and lively nightlife sound ideal? A Croatia and Dalmatian Islands charter is for you. How about a view of mountain peaks, incredible cuisine, and soaking in hot springs? Check out a sailing vacation from Sicily.

Whichever location you choose, a charter in the Med is an incredible experience. If you are looking to do a bareboat charter in one of these destinations, you will need to have an approved sailing license, such as an International Proficiency Certificate, or have passed ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) or US Sailing Bareboat Cruising courses. No certifications? No worries. Crewed charters are available with a captain and a chef.

And don’t worry if you can’t make up your mind about which destination you want to visit next. With so many fantastic options, it sometimes takes several charters to enjoy them all.

“Some of our guests return to The Moorings year after year, exploring new destinations, trying out new boats, and further improving their own sailing skills,” Tucci says. “The fun can be endless if you’re cruising with family and friends. These are the kinds of memories that will last a lifetime.”

For more information and to start booking your charter vacation, visit The Moorings or speak to a vacation planner directly by calling 800-416-0247.

The post Better Than Ever appeared first on Cruising World.

Did you know that one of the most popular ways to go on a sailing vacation in the Med is to join a flotilla? It’s a relatively novel concept in the North America and Caribbean charter markets, but if you want to expand your sailing horizons, it might be just what you’re looking for—whether you’re a newcomer to sailing or an old salt.

Curious? Let’s look at what a Sunsail flotilla is and what the experience is like by debunking some misconceptions.

What is a Flotilla?

Sunsail pioneered the flotilla charter concept in the 70’s and has since welcomed tens of thousands of sailors from all over the world to this unique social-sailing experience. Celebrating 50 years in business in 2024, Sunsail is the go-to charter provider for bareboat sailing and flotilla vacations. The company’s mantra is that it is run “by Sailors, for Sailors”, and this passion for sailing shines through every part of the customer journey.

 In its most basic form, a flotilla is a group of yachts chartering together with some extra support and a structured itinerary. What does this look like in practice? A Sunsail flotilla typically lasts one or two weeks, and has about eight to 10 participating boats along with a lead boat, which has a skipper, technician (to help with any mechanical issues on the boats) and host. Depending on the route and timing, there might even be an activity coordinator just for kids.

What makes the experience special is all the details—such as sailing routes, moorings and marina stays—are worked out ahead of time, and there is a variety of optional planned activities. Each morning, the flotilla skipper hosts a chart briefing to go over the day’s journey and any weather updates, as well as places of interest to visit. As the boats arrive at the destination, the lead boat crew is there for assistance with tying up at the night’s mooring or dock. The flotilla host plans events, including beach barbecues, punch parties and group dinners, so you can get to know your sailing group. The host can also direct you to the best restaurants, beaches and local attractions.

Sunsail flotillas are primarily available in the Mediterranean at bases in Croatia, Greece and Italy. Each flotilla destination has a unique itinerary, so you can choose something that interests you. Want some action? Try kitesurfing on a Lefkas, Greece, flotilla. Is history your thing? You’ll find an abundance of historical sites to visit on Sunsail’s flotilla route from Dubrovnik, Croatia. For something a little different, Sunsail also offers themed food-and-wine flotillas in Italy.

“Our food-and-wine flotillas have proved incredibly popular,” says Josie Tucci, Sunsail’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We’ve redone our Croatia itineraries to capture even more of the coastline’s natural beauty and architecture, and we recently added another food-and-wine flotilla option in Italy. Our goal is to help Sunsail guests experience the very best of the region, as well as authentic local cuisine, at every stop along these itineraries.”

Still have some questions? Let’s bust some myths about flotilla charters!

Myth 1: I’ll be sharing the boat with strangers

Not true! Each boat on a Sunsail flotilla is booked and sailed individually, just like it would be if you were doing a bareboat charter. Just pick your crew and choose your boat! Alternatively, if you’re new to sailing (or just want to relax more), you can hire a skipper for the duration of the flotilla. Or you can turn the adventure into a real learning experience through the Sunsail Flotilla Hero program, which provides Royal Yachting Association instruction, allowing you to earn certification while on vacation.

Myth 2: We will have to sail in a line from place to place and won’t have any freedom to do what we want.

This is a common misconception about flotilla charters, but nothing could be further from the truth! While there is a set flotilla itinerary, charterers are free to sail as they wish between destinations many itineraries include a free day, allowing crews to set their own agenda. Any planned activities, meals or excursions are optional.

Myth 3: Flotillas are only for beginner sailors.

Flotillas are for sailors of all experience levels. Just like a bareboat charter, however, the skipper of the boat needs to be qualified. If you’re planning on a Sunsail flotilla in the Med, you will need to have certifications through ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) or US Sailing Bareboat Cruising. After that, you can apply for an International Proficiency Certificate, which is the US equivalent to the International Certificate of Competence typically issued by the RYA.

Many recently certified sailors enjoy the structure and additional support flotillas offer, which allows them to get a bit steadier on their sea legs before doing a solo bareboat charter. Are you an old salt but new to chartering in the Med? A flotilla is an excellent way to get familiar with a new cruising ground. Cruising with kids? Sunsail flotillas are great for families and provide opportunities for the kids to make some new friends.

Ian Pedersen, Sunsail’s senior marketing manager, offers one piece of advice for someone looking to try their first flotilla: “Keep an open mind, and embrace the social aspect of the flotilla concept,” he says. “People from all over the world and all walks of life come together to celebrate a week on the water, and that is where lifelong acquaintances and friendships can be made. You begin the week as complete strangers, but shared experiences like this really have a way of bringing people together.”

Start booking by visiting sunsail.com or speak to a Sunsail vacation planner directly by calling 800-734-5254.

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I don’t want to give away anything, but I started bareboat chartering long before multihulls populated the charter fleets. In the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands, bareboats were often tubby monohulls, either power or sail, and usually with single engines.

Luckily, I had a head start on my first multihull charter because I’d been racing beach catamarans like Hobies, and these provided me with valuable insights into the two-hulled world.

While the catamaran has gained in popularity by leaps and bounds over the past couple of decades, the design dates back centuries. At a time when much of the “civilized” world was still gazing at the sea with fear, the Polynesians were making incredible voyages over thousands of miles of open ocean aboard large, double-hulled voyaging canoes.

If you’re planning your first multihull charter after a lifetime of single-hulled boating, be thee prepared. There are significant differences between the two breeds that go far beyond having separated staterooms where you don’t hear everyone else snoring. 

Pardon the pun, but they are, indeed, a different breed of cat.

Basic Handling

Spin the wheel on a monohull, either power or sail, and things happen. Right away. 

Spin the wheel on any cat, and the response time is ­considerably slower. You won’t have time to go below for a coffee, but if the classic saying for skippers is, “Don’t take the boat anywhere your brain didn’t get to a minute earlier,” then the multihull version is probably “several minutes earlier.” 

Every change of direction, such as tacking, requires one hull to speed up and another to slow down. You’ll need to be ready for that sudden drag or you’ll stall midtack. And don’t expect to spin quickly in a marina.  

Close-Quarters Handling

There’s good news and bad news here, and the traits of a multihull will make themselves clear to you in your first minutes as you maneuver away from the charter base.  

Bad news: Cats don’t want to turn. Good news: Two hulls mean, in both power and sail, that you have two well-­separated engines, which gives you immense leverage to spin your boat.

Where a monohull may have to back-and-fill like a car turning around on a narrow street, a cat can spin in nearly its own length. The wide stance and twin engines allow an adept multihull skipper to get in and out of tight places. Learn to use the shifters to aid your turning, especially when you have spectators to impress.

Throttle ­Response

Because the hulls are so slim, a catamaran is much more responsive to the throttle.  

With a monohull pushing a lot of water (especially at maneuvering speeds), adding throttle doesn’t require subtlety. On a cat with little drag, however, be prepared for the boat to jump ahead. You’ll need to finesse the throttles in small increments.

Windage

Most cats (and particularly power cats) have more windage than similar monohulls. Even more important is that their often-shallow draft and absence of a traditional keel give them much less “bite” on the water when in crosswinds. Go slowly when docking in a crosswind so that a sideways-sliding cat doesn’t bite you.

Anchoring

That same windage-versus-­draft means that cats like to “hunt” or “sail” around the anchor rode or mooring pendant.  

Instead of attaching a line to just one bow, use a bridle (usually provided by the charter company) from each hull to a central attachment point forward of the bows. That technique will not only stabilize the boat at anchor in a breeze, but it will also take the jolt and noise out of an anchor chain.

Steering

With a monohull, you can usually set a course and stick to it. But with a cat, quartering seas (either forward or aft quarter) can be a challenge when one hull is trying to go up a swell and the other is coming down. Not only can this create a short motion that isn’t good for Aunt Edna’s tummy, but you’ll also find yourself winding the wheel back and forth to stay on course. Adjusting your course, much like when you’re tacking upwind, can reduce the struggle and make the boat ride much more comfortably.

Running down-sea, skippers should set their speed so that one bow doesn’t “dig in” and try to take over the steering, forcing the cat into a turn. One bow stopped in a swell and the other unencumbered can require considerable steering input. Adjust your course and/or speed accordingly and you’ll be fine.

Beam seas, especially when waves and troughs equal the distance between the hulls, can make for an unpleasant snap roll. But, like the other situations, a slight course change will steady the ride.

Beam

A sail or power catamaran is a lot beamier than a monohull, which is why the cats offer so much room. It doesn’t take a degree in naval architecture to figure out that a 42-foot catamaran with a beam of 22 feet is going to have more available space than a 42-foot monohull with a 13-foot beam.  

But you’ll have to pick and choose your dockage. Don’t be surprised if a marina puts you on the end tie, because the dockmaster can probably get two boats into that same-size slip you were eyeing. Call ahead via VHF radio if you aren’t sure a marina can handle a cat, but rest assured that marinas in bareboat-charter areas are familiar with your needs.

The good news when it comes to beam is that the same wideness gives a cat great stability and a steadiness at anchor that can rival solid ground. 

The many catamarans that populate bareboat fleets around the world offer significant advantages, not the least of which is sheer space. There are large salons, airy galleys, well-separated staterooms, and wide foredecks for young and old guests to enjoy.  

Don’t be put off before your first charter on a catamaran: This is one breed of cat that will have you purring with delight.

Award-winning marine journalist Chris Caswell has been bareboat chartering for more than five decades. He is also the editor and publisher of chartersavvy.com.

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