Sailing Yachts: absolutely stunning, imposing, fast, stable, and feature unique designs and outstanding performance capabilities. With a vast selection of amenities and water toys sailing yachts are, in fact, gaining lots of popularity in the charter world, leaving guests amazed by charter vacations they offer. Here are some facts about world’s top sailing yachts. Some of these you can rent this summer but some others still remain for private use. 

In the past ten years, industry-leading shipbuilders have returned to the sailing yachts to re-examine how their construction and capabilities can be pushed to the limit, resulting in plenty of designs that have shaken up the industry to prove that canvas and masts are anything but outdated.

From faithful reconstructions to state-of-the-art engineering that allows guests on board to cross oceans using virtually no fuel, these are seven exceptional sailing yachts that demonstrate both the traditional roots of sailing and the boundary-breaking technology that still makes them a viable choice in the modern era.

Black Pearl

Launched by Oceanco in 2016 as PROJECT SOLAR, 106m/248ft luxury ketch BLACK PEARL became the largest sailing yacht in the world. Built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, she is the world’s largest sailing yacht and features the iconic Dynarig setup that has set S/Y MALTESE FALCON apart from all other sailing yachts.

Black Pearl – Exterior

S/Y BLACK PEARL is the work of multiple design houses and studios working in collaboration, with naval architecture from Dykstra Naval Architects, interior and exterior styling from Nuvolari & Lenard and contributions from Ken Freivokh, BMT Nigel Gee and Gerard P. Villate which enhanced her appearance and performance in the water.

There is far more to sailing yacht BLACK PEARL than an impressive size: Her Dykstra have evolved the DynaRig concept since it was first implemented in MALTESE FALCON in 2006, resulting in greater responsiveness and assisting in her ability to reach up to 30 knots in beneficial wind conditions. Solar panels are built into the fabric of the sail, allowing energy to be harvested while underway. Using wind and alternative sources of power, luxury ketch BLACK PEARL can cross the Atlantic using only 20 litres of fuel – an unparalleled achievement in the ship building industry.

S/Y A

Owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko (who also owns a motor yacht by the same name), 143m/469ft sailing yacht A is the world’s largest sail-assisted motor yacht and was built by Nobiskrug in 2015 with the naval architecture of Dykstra & Partners. Philippe Starck, Dölker & Voges worked on her exterior design, while the former also created her stunning interiors.

Sailing yacht A. Photo by Nicolas Canepa

The interior floor space span eight decks and one of the key features of S/Y A is her keel observation pod that uses 30cm-thick glass. Underwater lighting illuminates the hull in a vibrant blue, she has the tallest carbon composite masts in the world at more than 90m/295ft in length and there is a crow’s nest more than 60m/197ft from the ground.

She accommodates 20 guests and a crew of 54, and using twin MTU engines motor sailing yacht A is capable of a maximum speed of 21 knots and a cruising speed of 16 knots.

Maltese Falcon

Forerunner to S/Y BLACK PEARL, 88m/289ft MALTESE FALCON is the first sailing yacht to use the groundbreaking DynaRig to power her across oceans. From concept through to launch, S/Y MALTESE FALCON was almost six years in the making and stole the show at multiple awards ceremonies, accumulating over 10 awards including the Robb Report – Best of the Best 2007 for the Wings & Water – Production Boats category.

Maltese Falcon – Water fun

This aluminium ketch spoils charter guests with luxury amenities including a spa and massage room, a Jacuzzi and an outdoor cinema using one of the mast sails as the screen. Artwork covers the walls and bold materials such as steel, leather and glass create a masculine environment that will sleep up to 12 guests across six individualised cabins.

Maltese Falcon’s availability, rates & more details.

Elena

Built from a classic design by Nathaniel G Herreshoff, this 2009 schooner is a beautiful tribute to the tradition of sailing and uses mahogany panelling in the cabins and authentic details in the fixtures and fittings. She has raced in regattas in the Caribbean and Mediterranean in homage to her 1911 namesake who was the record holder for the 1928 trans-Atlantic race.

Elena

The layout is also based on the original design and she sleeps up to eight guests across four cabins, which offer audio-visual entertainment and air-conditioning in all of the cabins. There is also a choice selection of water toys for time spent at the beach.

Elena’s availability & Summer 2018 rates.

Lamima

65m/213ft luxury phinisi LAMIMA is a wooden sailing yacht that was built in 2014 to a traditional design. The latest modern technology blends seamlessly into her authentic carpentry to provide guests with the best of both worlds both inside her spacious salon with bar and TV entertainment, and out on her deck sunbathing or dining alfresco.

Yacht Lamima – Sailing

Typically spotted cruising the waters of Indonesia or Papua New Guinea, she offers up to 14 guests seven large private cabins, onboard massage therapy treatments and a range of water toys including scuba diving gear and canoes.

Lamima’s availability, rates & how to rent.

Eos

Launched in 2007, 93m/307ft sailing yacht EOS is one of the largest luxury yachts in the world. Her design comes from Bill Langan, and her interiors were completed by Francois Catroux. Built by Lurssen with a refit from Royal Huisman in 2011, she had a brush with disaster when she caught fire in Norway and had to return to the shipyard for repairs. Owner Barry Diller and his wife fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg were ashore at the time and the crew contained the blaze without any injuries while awaiting firefighters.

EOS

Capable of hosting eight guests across six cabins, luxury yacht EOS has been spotted at luxury destinations the world over, cruising at a top speed of 16 knots.

Aquijo

A collaboration between Vitters and Oceanco, 86m/282ft superyacht AQUIJO was the third largest sailing yacht in the world at the time of her launch in 2016. Her contemporary interiors and open-plan layout more often associated with motor yacht proved a breath of fresh air at the awards, winning her Best Naval Architecture – Sailing Yacht at the Showboats Design Awards in 2017 and sending her to the finals for her exterior styling and her interior layout.

AQuiJo © StuartPearce

As more and more modern sailing yachts incorporate a Jacuzzi into the design, it’s easy to forget how innovative S/Y AQUIJO was only a couple of years ago, and her luxurious beach club spa lit from above was an amenity more often associated with motor yachts. Certified as a PADI Dive Centre, S/Y AQUIJO also comes with an excellent range of water toys and is available for charter.

If you wish to charter a yacht or would like to request more information, please contact our professional and friendly brokers.