Available in bareboat, skippered, and crewed configurations, the Moorings 5200 offers flexible options for a range of charter experiences. One of the boat’s standout features is its expansive social layout. The aft and forward cockpits flow seamlessly together, creating a vast, open space that can seat up to 16 guests—a hallmark of the Moorings and Leopard design philosophy of sociability and connection. The upper lounge area provides an ideal spot for relaxation and sunset gatherings, popular among charter guests at anchor.

Below deck, the 5200 features a thoughtful cabin arrangement. The five-cabin version includes a full-size owner’s suite with a private companionway, plus four double guest cabins. For those who prefer maximum capacity, a six-cabin version replaces the owner’s suite with an additional midship cabin, and both layouts can be configured for crewed or bareboat use. Crew quarters are smartly designed with exterior access, a full head, and shower facilities.

At the helm, the design emphasizes visibility, accessibility, and ease of operation—perfect for charter guests and skippers alike. The double helm seat, high lifelines, and well-placed handrails enhance both comfort and safety, while the low boom and clear sightlines forward and aft make handling the yacht intuitive and secure.

Set to be available for charter as early as December, the Moorings 5200 promises to become a familiar sight in top cruising destinations worldwide. With its refined blend of luxury, practicality, and innovative design, this next-generation catamaran is poised to redefine the charter experience.

The post The Moorings 5200: Redefining the Modern Charter Experience appeared first on Cruising World.

Big news for Caribbean cruisers: Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola has begun construction on a major expansion that will add a third marina basin, increase haulout capacity and create new berthing for the growing fleet of large catamarans and luxury yachts cruising the Caribbean.

The development includes a custom Marine Travelift designed for 60- to 80-foot multihulls, 112 new slips for catamarans, private boats and yachts up to 165 feet, and expanded yard space. The investment is expected to exceed $30 million and will roll out over three years.

“This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to improving facilities for the BVI’s marine community and strengthening Nanny Cay’s position as the heart of Caribbean yachting,” said Cameron McColl, chairman of Nanny Cay. He noted that increased lift capacity and berthing will help serve “the growing number of large catamarans and superyachts operating in the region.”

General Manager Miles Sutherland-Pilch said the demand has been clear. “We were seeing increasing demand from larger multihulls and monohulls, and this project was designed to meet that need,” he said. “The new lift and berths will allow us to handle more vessels efficiently and safely.”

BVI Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley called the expansion the first phase of a broader redevelopment plan for the resort and marina. He said the project represents “a declaration of confidence in our economy, our people and in the Virgin Islands as a premier destination for tourism, maritime excellence and sustainable growth.” Wheatley also highlighted the plan’s workforce impact, citing 91 new jobs and a training partnership with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

Along with expanded marine services, the project includes customer amenities like a new beach, pool, restaurants, retail village and a dedicated classroom for youth maritime programs. Nanny Cay will also continue to serve as home base for the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, which will celebrate its 53rd running in 2026.

With the BVI continuing to attract passagemakers, charter guests and long-range cruisers, the expansion aims to keep pace with the next generation of cruising platforms while reinforcing the territory’s reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier boating destinations.

The post Nanny Cay Breaks Ground on Major Expansion appeared first on Cruising World.

Lagoon, the world leader in cruising catamarans, is expanding its partnership with Ponant Yachting and Sailoé with a new flagship model, the Lagoon EIGHTY 2. The catamaran, named Spirit of Ponant II, will begin operating luxury charters in French Polynesia by late 2026.

The announcement marks the third yacht in Ponant Yachting’s growing fleet, joining Spirit of Ponant in the Seychelles and La Désirade, which splits its season between Corsica and the Caribbean. Each catamaran in the program is designed for small-group exploration, offering a more personal and environmentally conscious sailing experience.

Built at Lagoon’s Bordeaux facility, the EIGHTY 2 reflects the builder’s focus on elegance, performance, and sustainability. With more than 400 square meters of living space, five double cabins, and a four-person crew, the new yacht is designed for fully private charters and tailored itineraries. Guests can expect a mix of refined comfort and hands-on water adventure, including an array of high-end water sports.

“The Spirit of Ponant II reflects the natural evolution of a partnership based on shared values: excellence, innovation, and respect for the environment,” said Thomas Gailly, Lagoon’s Brand Director. “We are honored to support Ponant Explorations Group in developing its premium sailing offering, with a yacht that raises the bar for luxury at sea.”

The project underscores an ongoing alliance between three French yachting leaders. Ponant Explorations Group, renowned for small-ship luxury expeditions, Sailoé Yachting, specialists in Lagoon charters worldwide, and Lagoon, a brand of the Beneteau Group, continue to shape what they describe as “a more intimate and inspiring” style of ocean travel.

With a growing fleet spanning multiple oceans, Ponant Yachting says it aims to redefine modern luxury under sail, matching slow travel, sustainability and seclusion with world-class comfort.

The post Lagoon and Ponant Expand Luxury Sailing Fleet appeared first on Cruising World.

For decades, the world of charter sailing has carried the weight of tradition. At the docks and in the boardrooms, men were almost always at the helm. In recent years, however, the winds have begun to shift. More women are stepping into leadership roles, proving that strength at sea can look many different ways. These women are not only navigating the waters but reshaping the very culture of sailing.

One company at the heart of this change is Waypoints Yacht Charters, a boutique charter company where women are steering both vessels and vision. Among them is Waypoints President Kirstie Palmer Tippett, a leader whose own path—starting at the very bottom and working her way up—embodies both resilience and reinvention in the industry.

A Different Touch at the Helm

Kirstie has been in just about every corner of the sailing world, from scrubbing boats to navigating corporate leadership. Along the way, she’s seen firsthand what women bring to the table. 

“The female brings a difference in customer and owner service, a little more boutique – just brings a different approach, a little more delicate,” Kirstie said. 

It’s a subtle shift, but one that matters. Kirstie is known for treating every boat like it’s her own, a detail that sums up her meticulous and whole-hearted approach to management. 

Kirstie manages yachts worth millions of dollars, but her focus isn’t on dollar signs. It’s on people – the owners and her team.

“I want to be accessible to customers, owners, and staff,” she said. “Here, you’re not just part of a corporate company. You’re part of a family.”

In an industry where scale can easily overshadow service, this kind of accessibility makes a real difference.

Headwinds That Still Remain

Despite advances in recent years, social progress is rarely smooth sailing. For women in the industry, old biases linger. 

“The biggest thing is that everybody will turn to the boys before they turn to the girls,” Kirstie notes. 

That reality has shaped her advice to younger women: “Come with the mentality that we are not daft, we can do it.”

Importantly, she doesn’t see this shift as a matter of men versus women. While Kirstie is passionate about the role of women in the industry, she does not want to understate the value of the men on her team. 

“We still need the boys,” Kirstie said. “Bringing the women into the industry as well, it’s bringing equal opportunity to everybody.”

Kirstie’s vision is largely about balance and creating an industry where women and men are seen as equally capable. Sailing has always been male-dominated, but it is entering a new era. Each season makes it more obvious that women are in the industry to stay.

Mentorship as a Compass

Ask Kirstie what’s most important, and she’ll point not to the boats but to the people. 

“I am a big advocate of mentoring. I love to mentor people, men or women,” she said. “If we can continue to mentor and bring females into this industry, it does everything to raise this industry as well.”

Kirstie sees the charter business as wide open with possibilities, and her own team keeps her inspired to keep chasing new opportunities. The cycle of learning and lifting others up mirrors her own early experiences. 

From the beginning, Kirstie was inspired to work from the bottom up. In the early days of her career, one pivotal and life-changing opportunity to do just that came thanks to Peter Twist of Conch Charters.

“He walked into an office and said, ‘Is there anyone here who would like to do the invoices and do owner statements?’ I was willing to stand up and say, ‘I’ll learn that,’” Kirstie recalled. 

That willingness to say yes—to take on new tasks and risk mistakes—is something she still carries with her today. 

“Don’t be scared to get yourself involved within your team and make mistakes. You learn, and you get better. Never be scared of making mistakes. We may not be correct all the time, but we are going to strive to get better,” Kirstie said. 

The Horizon Ahead

Looking forward, Kirstie is optimistic but clear-eyed. More women continue to step into leadership roles throughout the sailing industry each year. These women, however, continue to face age-old challenges like salary inequality. 

For Kirstie, overcoming these issues – and reshaping the cultural mentalities that go along with them – means staying persistent and resilient.

“Stepping into a man’s world, you have to stand up for yourself,” she said. 

With years of experience behind her, she knows she can do just that. She is committed to helping other women realize the same strength within themselves.

Waypoints and the Personal Touch

That confidence carries over into Waypoints itself. Waypoints is a small boutique charter company, and it prides itself on being hands-on. The company is dedicated to making sure people get the best out of their vacations, and it achieves this by being completely approachable.

It’s a philosophy that stands out. In a charter market where corporate expansion often swallows up individuality, Waypoints is determined to keep its scale—and its heart—intact.

That, perhaps, is the most telling sign of the changes happening across the sailing industry. Women aren’t simply finding their way in; they’re altering its course. Women are bringing new priorities: mentorship, attention to detail, and a commitment to personalized service.

The winds of change are steady now, and leaders like Kirstie aren’t just catching them. They’re steering the ship toward a more inclusive, balanced, and human-centered horizon for charter sailing.

Click here to learn more about Waypoints Yacht Charters.

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Stepping aboard a VOYAGE yacht makes one thing clear: This is more than just a boat. The sleek lines of the VOYAGE 510, the well-designed cockpit, the polished finishes—everything feels purposeful. The yacht suggests possibilities beyond simple destinations, hinting at a different way of living.

VOYAGE Charters opens this transformative experience to everyone, extending far beyond the traditional boundaries of yacht ownership. This represents something deeper than a rental program. It’s a direct connection to the brand’s core philosophy that life on the water should seamlessly blend adventure with ease, exploration with connection.

The BVI Canvas

No venue better embodies this philosophy than the British Virgin Islands. It is a legendary sailor’s playground, offering boundless opportunities for adventurers from every background. Here, time moves differently. Schedules are guided by the sea’s ancient rhythms rather than the relentless tick of modern expectations.

Picture the scene: Dawn breaks over Norman Island, where a gentle anchor sway serves as nature’s wake-up call. Morning light paints the sky in peach and lavender hues while coffee brews in a galley that rivals any high-end kitchen. The cockpit transforms into an elegant breakfast table. By the time the fresh papaya disappears, only one delicious decision remains—sail toward the next harbor or savor this moment a little longer?

Such choices define the essence of a VOYAGE charter.

Design That Speaks

What distinguishes VOYAGE transcends engineering specifications—it’s how that engineering feels in real life, on real water, during real moments.

Consider the VOYAGE 510’s cockpit: Expansive without overwhelming, designed for gatherings that flow naturally between interior and exterior spaces. Its genius reveals itself at sunset when crew members settle around the table, laughter dancing across the water as someone shares freshly grilled fish. It shines equally when solitude calls—offering space for someone to stretch out with a book while others linger in conversation.

Below deck, the balance between luxury and practicality becomes unmistakable. Premium finishes maintain their elegance without demanding precious handling, while spacious layouts never sacrifice functionality. This represents the quiet brilliance of VOYAGE’s design philosophy. The yacht reveals its full character only in motion, on the water, with salt air as witness.

A Gateway to Something Greater

For many sailors, chartering a VOYAGE yacht marks the beginning of a larger journey. Perhaps they’ve long admired the brand’s award-winning reputation—like the VOYAGE 590’s Boat of the Year recognition—noting innovations from afar but never stepping aboard. Chartering extends the invitation: experience this lifestyle, no commitments required.

This opportunity welcomes sailors at every level. Newcomers to sailing can pair with experienced skippers who transform the journey into both education and adventure. Seasoned sailors can take the helm, finding a vessel that rises to meet their expertise. Regardless of experience, guests depart with more than photographs. They carry the lived experience of a lifestyle that no brochure can fully capture.

Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Many companies can provide yacht access for a week. VOYAGE offers transformation.

A week sailing their fleet through the BVIs reveals why so many return again and again. While the yachts themselves are exceptional, the true magic lies in how these vessels create conditions for profound connection—to the sea, to the islands, to companions, and perhaps most importantly, to oneself.

It’s tempting to view yachting through the lens of destinations like famous beaches, vibrant harbors and celebrated snorkel spots. VOYAGE illuminates the enchantment that lives in the spaces between destinations.

This distinction defines VOYAGE’s unique position. Ownership offers one path to this lifestyle, but it’s far from the only one. Chartering provides the same doorway, the same opportunity to step into a world where sailing transcends hobby to become a way of being.

For some, that week-long charter creates a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. For others, it marks the opening chapter of a longer story that eventually leads to ownership. Either way, it provides an authentic taste of what VOYAGE represents: Yachts that transcend mere vessels and journeys that surpass simple vacations.

Whether sailing with VOYAGE for a week or a lifetime, guests don’t simply rent a boat. They embrace the philosophy that the journey matters as much as the destination, and that life’s finest moments often unfold on the water.

Click here to learn more about the VOYAGE 510.

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There’s nothing quite like the first sip of rum at anchor, the light dimming on the sea, the scent of salt and sugarcane in the air. For me, the daily craving started with a gallon jug of punch on a bareboat charter back in 1979. Since then, Caribbean rum and I have had a long, spirited relationship—one sip at a time, one island at a time.

The seventh-annual Caribbean Rum Awards were held this past fall on St. Barts. This competition is all about ­sipping rums, not the more-pedestrian versions used for mixing evening cocktails, where most any good rum will do. Out of 60 rums entered, Martinique’s Trois Rivières Triple Millésime was crowned world ­champion. Kudos to the French.

One of the great joys of sailing the Eastern Caribbean is sampling various island rums as you go. I’ve been doing this for 46 years, ever since a two-week bareboat charter in the Virgin Islands. The boat, a Morgan Out Island, was wide-beamed, lumbering, and about as elegant as a camper van in a cocktail dress. But tucked beside the chart table sat a complimentary gallon jug of rum punch, sweating in the tropical heat.  

That did it. It’s been rum ever since.

Rum is the Caribbean in a glass: sun-warmed sugarcane, salt-laced breezes, and the echo of steel drums somewhere ­onshore. Made from local sugarcane or molasses, rum reflects its birthplace in flavor and color, from crystal clear to ­molasses black. West Indian rum is available in clear or in shades from gold to amber to black. Mix the amber fluid with pineapple and orange juice, add a splash of grenadine, and the drink takes on all the colors of a West Indian sunset.

In the early days, it was always Mount Gay and orange juice for me: simple, cheap, and potent enough to cut through the heat after a long sail. That was in the 1980s, when I could buy a bottle on St. Barts, duty-­free, for $2. And while my rum locker still contains a few bottles of select sipping rums, in more recent times, Cruzan Aged Dark has supplied my daily ration. This reasonably priced amber rum is distilled on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. 

I start with a 24-ounce insulated Yeti coffee mug—it keeps the morning coffee hot and the evening rum chilled, both for hours. Drop in four cubes of ice and 4 ounces of rum, and top it off with 18 ounces of tonic water. A squeeze of lime is ­optional, and dash of nutmeg is nice. 

Each island down here has a distillery or two. Some of these island rums are excellent, most are good, and a few should come with a fire-hazard warning. I once tried a bottle from a roadside shack in Dominica that could’ve doubled as outboard fuel. 

On Grenada, Clarke’s Court and River Antoine produce their own rums. On Bequia, I found Sparrow’s, a rum from St. Vincent. It was just right for mixing my evening libation. On Bermuda, Goslings makes a dark rum that, when combined with ginger beer, becomes a Dark ’n Stormy. Guadeloupe and Martinique have their own distilleries, producing robust French-style rums. On Sint Maarten, Guavaberry and Topper’s offer a dozen spiced and gussied-up varieties. Callwood Rum Distillery in Cane Garden Bay on Tortola has been making rum for more than 200 years. The stone buildings, scorched copper stills and weathered casks feel frozen in time. Callwood’s signature 80-proof cane-based rum—named Panty Dropper—is as famous for its label as its lingering kick.

Rum is the ­Caribbean in a glass: sun-warmed sugarcane, salt-laced breezes, and the echo of steel drums somewhere onshore.

Antigua Distillery Limited offers a variety of sipping rums. Its Cavalier Gold is a fine choice for any West Indian rum punch. If you’re lucky—or persistent—you might find yourself invited to join the Royal Navy Tot Club of Antigua and Barbuda. Under the glow of nautical lanterns in a dockside pub, a band of expats gathers nightly to toast the Crown and history itself. A Royal Navy tale is read aloud, and a full tot of rum—2.4 ounces, not a drop less—is downed in one steady gulp. Saturdays come with the toast: “To our wives and ­sweethearts, may they never meet.”

In 1999, I made my way to Cuba and found myself a few blocks behind El Capitolio in Central Havana, at a place called El Floridita, which Ernest Hemingway once haunted like a regular spirit. This pink, one-story restaurant and bar is eight blocks in a straight line down Obispo Street from the Hotel Ambos Mundos, where Hemingway lived for a while. He would drink a dozen daiquiris in one sitting while chatting with fellow writers such as Ezra Pound, John Dos Passos, Graham Greene, Jean-Paul Sartre, Gabriel García Márquez and Tennessee Williams. The photographs on the walls tell a more complete story from the 1930s to 1950s.

My red-aproned bartender—sleeves rolled, a practiced flick of the shaker—lined up daiquiris like a gunslinger. Rum, lime, grapefruit juice, sugar syrup. Shake. Pour. Repeat. According to William Grimes’ book Straight Up or On the Rocks: The Story of the American Cocktail, this traditional drink is made with Bacardi white rum, fresh lime, grapefruit juice and sugar syrup. It’s shaken, not stirred, with ice, and is served in large goblets. Add six drops of maraschino liqueur for more color. If the bartender skips the sugar, it’s the Hemingway Daiquiri: stripped down, no-nonsense and a little dangerous. Where the classic version is limey and sweet, this one doubles the rum, earning the nickname “Papa doble.” It’s a drink that doesn’t smile back, and after two, neither will you.

Bacardi rum is not available in Cuba now, yet the name is still in Havana, carved into a granite facade—the family’s former headquarters. Today, the rum in Cuba is Havana Club. The Bacardi family set up shop in nearby Puerto Rico and is doing just fine.

Puerto Rico’s piña colada is a sweet, slushy anthem to ­vacation-­mode excess. It’s served in ­hurricane glasses taller than your forearm, usually with a cherry and a paper umbrella. It tastes like sunblock and joy. I once ordered one that came in a hollowed-out pineapple—and briefly considered renting a ­cabana and staying forever. 

For sailors, there’s Navy Grog, made with Pusser’s Rum, water and lime juice. This daily tot was first doled out to British crews in 1655 and then stopped in 1970. The Royal New Zealand Navy still continues the tradition. 

The Painkiller is the BVI’s answer to the mainland’s ibuprofen and acetaminophen—a creamy, coconut-laced concoction that masks its potency behind pineapple sweetness and a dusting of nutmeg. I had my first Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar, slumped in a hammock after a beach landing that required no shoes and one waterproof dry bag. The drink originated at White Bay on Jost Van Dyke, where there’s no dock. Sailors swim ashore with dollar bills stuffed in their swimsuits. The Painkiller goes down really easy. By the second round, the name starts to make perfect sense. It comes in grades: one, two, three—and the fourth should be outlawed. 

On the other hand, rum punch is the Caribbean’s catchall cure: orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, a dash of lime and whatever rum’s on hand, often two or three kinds. I’ve had versions so smooth that they sipped like juice, and others that lit up my sinuses like wasabi. The only ­constant? You don’t stop at one. The recipe starts with ice in a tall glass, ­followed by white or amber rum, then tropical citrus fruit juices such as lime, lemon, papaya, mango, pomegranate and orange. I prefer pineapple and ­orange juice with a splash of grenadine syrup for color.

On Bequia, a variation of rum punch goes like this: one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong and four of weak. That’s lime juice, sugar syrup, rum and tonic water.

The mojito is Cuba’s contribution to the rum drinker’s delight. In my opinion, having done the Hemingway Pub Crawl, Hotel Ambos Mundos makes the best one. Hemingway wrote 1932’s Death in the Afternoon here, about Spanish bullfights. He also started writing Green Hills of Africa here, and worked on To Have and Have Not. The mojitos at this bar come with a sprig of mint so fresh, it still holds the scent of the garden. That mint goes into a tall glass with a lime wedge and a spoonful of sugar, to be mashed into a fragrant pulp by a mallet worn smooth from good use. Then it’s ice, Havana Club rum, soda water, a straw, and a nod from the bartender. The mojito is a refreshing drink with the fiery taste of rum tamed by sugar, lime and grass. One usually leads to two. 
Of course, not every rum drink comes in a frosted glass. Sometimes it’s a tin mug of grog—rum, water, lime and not much else—passed around at anchor as the sun drops. No umbrellas, no fanfare. Just sailors, stories, and a slow burn in the chest.

As I sail among the islands this winter, I’ll be hunting cocktails as much as coves. It’s a ritual now. As the hook sets and the light fades, I head below, reach for the rum, and pour my daily ration. The sea sighs against the hull, and the scent of lime is on my hands as I raise a glass to the islands, to Hemingway, and to another day well-lived under sail. 

For more than 20 years, author and ­photojournalist David H. Lyman has sailed the Eastern Caribbean islands. His Hemingway Pub Crawl is detailed in his forthcoming book, A Maine Yankee in Castro’s Cuba. Find more of his writing and photographs at dhlyman.com. 

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In the early 1980s, Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost were a couple of young naval architecture students in Southampton, England. They decided to merge their talents, and their initials, to create their own design firm. Today, VPLP is a global ­powerhouse with more than three ­dozen employees. It has designed everything from America’s Cup winners to round-the-world record-setters.

VPLP’s first big break came in 1987, when a fledgling French boatbuilder called Lagoon commissioned the firm to draw the lines of a 55-foot cruising catamaran. It was the start of a long and productive relationship. VPLP has produced many more Lagoons since then, including the company’s latest model, the Lagoon 43. It’s a collaboration with exterior designer Patrick le Quément and interior ­designer Nauta Design. 

This background is important for a couple of reasons. First, it speaks to Lagoon’s distinctive, consistent look and style over the intervening years. Second, it helps to explain Lagoon’s DNA. It’s a builder whose cats combine plenty of creature comforts with the performance for which VPLP is known.

Interestingly, VPLP took ­until the late 1990s to introduce what I consider to be Lagoon’s signature design ­feature: the distinctive coachroof treatment that overhangs the ­forward windows and resembles a gun turret. It came with the introduction of the 410 and 470. It’s readily recognizable here on the 43, and the roof itself extends aft and over the cockpit to provide protection from the sun and elements. 

Aesthetically, the lines are clean and uncluttered. The ­waterline is maxed out, the freeboard is ample, and there’s a noticeable chine in the hulls—a nod toward expanded ­interior volume in the staterooms. The raised steering ­station, beneath a hard Bimini top, is to port. (For some unknown reason, this setup is to starboard on most cruising cats.) A series of sun pads and a wraparound settee are adjacent to the helm, a sensible solution to adding upstairs lounging space on a boat not really large enough for a flybridge. The side decks are wide and, with a molded-in bulwark, safe and secure. One of the cooler elements of the exterior plan is the cutouts aft in each hull for side boarding from a dock or dinghy. There are also nice sets of steps in the transoms for swimming or coming aboard.

The interior layout truly ­maximizes the space, making the boat feel much more expansive than its 45-foot-5-inch length overall. (A 25-foot-3-inch beam doesn’t hurt matters.) There are a few innovative items I haven’t seen before, starting with adjacent dining tables in the salon and cockpit that can be configured a dozen (yes, 12) different ways. For example, with the sliding doors open, they can be paired to seat a dinner party. With the doors shut, the salon table can be dropped down with cushions inserted to create a roomy berth. About half of the 43s built are expected to go into charter service, so this flexibility is a necessary feature.

Along those same lines, in the double-berth stateroom aft, there’s a “high-rise” single berth perched over the double. The single can fold down when not in use. Also, that stateroom and the owner’s space, to starboard, can each be accessed from separate entrances in the cockpit, along with access down a few stairs from the main salon. (A charter layout has four double-berth staterooms as opposed to the dedicated owner’s space on our test boat.) Forward is the commercial-grade galley with a four-burner stove. Nearby is a flat-screen TV that can be raised or lowered, and there are fridges inside and outside. Gracious living and entertaining were clearly top priorities. 

Construction is an infused laminate incorporating E-glass and polyester resin that employs a balsa core in the hull, deck and coachroof. The twin auxiliaries are 57 hp Yanmar diesels with saildrives. There’s a solar array topside as well as a generator to meet power needs, and all equipment is top-notch: Raymarine instrumentation, a Quick windlass, Harken winches, Spinlock clutches and Elvstrom sails (including a square-topped mainsail).

During Cruising World’s 2025 Boat of the Year ­contest, we sailed the 43 on a fall Chesapeake Bay afternoon with a pleasant northwest breeze of 10 to 12 knots. Closehauled, the cat clipped along to weather nicely, making just shy of 7 knots. Easing sails and falling off to a beam reach, the 43 still registered nearly 6 knots. The helm was light and responsive, and the boat was quite fun to sail. 

The 43 replaces the popular Lagoon 42 in the brand’s current lineup. That model is a tough act to follow: More than 1,000 of the 42-footers were launched after its introduction in 2016, making it one of the company’s all-time bestsellers. Lagoon has ambitious goals with the new boat, hoping to build a hundred a year. As of this past fall, the yard was off to a great start, with 70 units sold. 

The partnership of VPLP and Lagoon has been a long and lasting one. It shows no signs of slowing down.

Take the Next Step

Price: $710,000
catamarans-lagoon.com

Herb McCormick is a CW editor-at-large.

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Chartering is guaranteed to teach you something. Sometimes it’s a gentle lesson, such as discovering the pure joy of a quiet anchorage that wasn’t even on your itinerary. Sometimes it’s more like a slap from a wet halyard. Either way, every charter adds a few notches to your sailing know-how—and your humility.

Over the years, I’ve come to think of charter trips less as vacations and more as continuing education. Each time out, there’s a new wrinkle: a mystery beep from the nav station, a stubborn mooring ball, a provisioning mishap that results in 5 pounds of cheese slices and no coffee. And so I’ve started keeping an informal mental list—call it the “charter charter.” These aren’t hard rules, exactly, and they’re certainly not gospel, but they are things I’ve learned, usually by doing them the hard way.

Like provisioning. Charter boats are ­often floating paradises, but they are not bottomless pantries. Let your crew loose in a shoreside market without supervision, and you might end up with nothing but snacks, mixers and a healthy debate about whether Coffee mate counts as a dairy substitute. My advice? Appoint a provisioning captain, make a list and, above all, do not forget the coffee. Pro tip: Paper towels can double as coffee filters. You’re welcome. 

Packing falls into a similar category. Every charter begins with someone dragging an oversize rolling duffel onto the dock like they’re about to fly to the French Riviera. Don’t be that person. You’ll end up wearing the same pair of shorts, the same salt-crusted T-shirt and the one hat that doesn’t fly off in 20 knots of trade wind. The rest of it? Deadweight. But if you’re a coffee connoisseur, do pack your favorite beans. Just trust me.

Your crew—whether familial or familiar​—have their own internal ecosystem too. There’s always someone who insists on organizing the itinerary down to the minute, complete with tide tables, wind models and backup anchorages in three languages. Let them. Every crew needs a logistics geek. But every crew also needs a “just happy to be here” type, and someone who insists on helping out with the daily onboard chores. Like dishes. This person is a saint. Extra grog rations might be in order.

As for sailing itself, the gear might get fancier every year, but the sea doesn’t care how many USB outlets your boat has. Batteries still run down, anchorages still get rolly, watermakers may or may not decide to stop making water halfway through the voyage, and marine toilets still operate on black-magic principles. Explaining “pump, pause, pump” to a landlubbing friend is a rite of passage. So is the awkward moment when someone insists that they never get seasick—right before turning the color of Key lime pie.

Then there’s the matter of anchoring. Modern catamarans are wide, comfortable and basically floating condos—but they still swing on a single hook, and scope is not a vibe. Learn the anchoring system. Communicate. Don’t be the crew who drifts too close to the boat flying the dive flag. 

Charter boats these days come tricked out with more amenities than ever. I’ve chartered some that were better equipped than my last apartment. But that doesn’t mean the experience has lost its charm. In fact, the beauty of chartering is in the freedom. You’re not locked into a set itinerary. You don’t have to tick off every must-see beach bar. Some of the best moments come when you go off-script—when weather changes your plan, or when you decide to linger an extra day in that perfect little bay because the breeze feels just right.

And those moments stick with you. That’s what chartering does. It gives you stories. Like the time we set out for what we thought would be a mellow downwind sail and ended up motoring through a dead calm, dodging squalls and learning how to make cocktails with exactly three ­remaining ice cubes. 

The memories that matter aren’t always the picture-perfect ones. They’re the ones where you figured out something together, adjusted on the fly, and laughed about it at the dinner table. Smooth sailing is nice, but a little friction makes the lobster tails taste better and the stories funnier.

Whether you’re eyeing the Med, the Caribbean or the Pacific Northwest—or you’re not quite sure where to begin—if this is your year to finally book that long-awaited charter, get it done. Book the boat. Gather your crew. Toss your flip-flops into a duffel bag and go. The boat might be borrowed, but the dream is all yours.

May you see fair winds, light packing lists, and just the right amount of ice for your Painkillers.

The post The Charter Charter: Lessons from Sailing Adventures appeared first on Cruising World.

For many sailors, the dream of owning a yacht in the Virgin Islands is as picture-perfect as the Caribbean itself. But for some, that dream is also a strategic move that blends lifestyle, business and, in some cases, tax-smart investing. Crewed charter-yacht ownership can be a viable path to spending real time on the water while defraying the costs of boat ownership.

Cruising World Editor-in-Chief Andrew Parkinson sat down with charter expert and BVI Yacht Sales broker Ted Reshetiloff for a deep dive into the world of charter-yacht ownership, based on his personal interactions with client-owners, brokers and charter operators. 

AP: Let’s start with the basics. Why would someone choose to own a professionally crewed charter yacht instead of using the boat solely for private enjoyment?

TR: It’s a great question, and one we hear often from potential buyers weighing their ­options. The truth is, there are a number of compelling reasons why someone might choose the crewed charter model over traditional private ownership—starting with lifestyle and access.

For many people, the idea of owning a 50-plus-foot catamaran is incredibly appealing, but the financial and logistical realities can be a deal-breaker. Purchase price, insurance, dockage and annual upkeep add up quickly. Then there’s the challenge of managing the boat—often located in the Caribbean or Mediterranean—while living thousands of miles away. It’s a full-time commitment that doesn’t align with most owners’ lifestyles.

That’s where the crewed-yacht model offers real advantages. By placing the vessel into a professional charter program with full-time crew, many of those burdens are lifted. Owners can enjoy peace of mind knowing that the boat is being actively maintained and operated by professionals. In fact, we often see better long-term care in crewed yachts than in those that sit idle between seasonal owner visits.

Financially, there’s an upside as well. Most crewed yachts for sale come with existing ­bookings in place, providing immediate revenue and an established client base. While it’s not a get-rich scheme, the ­charter income can offset a ­significant portion of the ownership costs​—and in some cases, even ­generate passive or semi-active income.

But beyond the dollars and logistics, what really motivates many owners is the lifestyle enhancement. Charter ownership offers flexibility, access to a premium yacht, and the ability to share unforgettable experiences with friends and family, all while knowing that your asset is working for you when you’re not aboard. For many, it’s the gateway to a yachting life that they otherwise couldn’t justify or afford.

AP: What do the numbers really look like? How do owners balance personal use with ­generating charter income?

TR: Once you own a crewed yacht in the Caribbean, the dream starts to take shape. You’re planning your next getaway and imagining anchoring off secluded beaches, with a ­cocktail in hand. But then comes the real question: How many weeks a year do you actually plan to spend on board? And is this primarily a lifestyle play or a financial one?

Owners need to decide early on how much charter activity they want. Some aim to maximize income, booking 20 or more weeks per season to make the most of high-demand charter windows. Others take a more balanced approach, modeling out their expenses and choosing to charter just enough to offset annual costs while preserving prime weeks for personal use.

Charter rates vary based on the boat, but to give you an idea, a crewed Leopard 50 catamaran can bring in around $25,000 per week for an ­all-inclusive charter. So, if you’re asking yourself, Is it cheaper to own or to charter? then you need to compare apples to apples. Let’s say you want to spend eight weeks a year sailing the islands. Chartering a comparable crewed yacht for that amount of time could easily cost you upwards of $200,000 annually. But as an owner, those weeks can be paid for by your charter income—and you’re spending them on a professionally crewed, well-maintained yacht that’s yours.

So the financial equation ­really comes down to how much you use the boat and how you value the lifestyle. For many owners, it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about accessing a level of experience that they couldn’t otherwise justify or afford without the charter model in place.

AP: Are there any tax benefits to owning a crewed charter yacht?

TR: Absolutely—and it’s one of the most important parts of the conversation for US-based ­buyers. Under the right circumstances, there are several tax strategies that can significantly reduce the cost of ownership, particularly if the yacht is operated as a legitimate business with the intent to generate profit. That said, these benefits are complex and must be carefully structured in consultation with a tax professional who understands maritime assets.

One of the key areas where owners might find advantages is bonus depreciation. This has been one of the most powerful incentives in recent years. If a yacht qualifies as a business asset, owners might be able to depreciate a significant portion of the purchase in the first year. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, that meant up to 100 percent depreciation, though this percentage has started to phase down. Still, there are signals that it might return to the full deduction under new legislation. To qualify, you must be operating the yacht as a ­bona fide business.

Another advantage can be the Section 179 deduction. Similar to bonus depreciation, Section 179 allows for the immediate expensing of certain business assets, including—​under the right conditions—charter yachts. It’s subject to limits, but it can be a valuable tool for those looking to reduce taxable income early in ownership.

There’s also deductible operating expenses. If the yacht is actively chartered and treated as a business, many ongoing costs might be deductible. That includes dockage, maintenance, crew salaries, insurance, fuel, provisioning, marketing, and even travel expenses ­related to managing the yacht.

Loan-interest deduction is another possible advantage. If you finance the purchase, the interest on that loan also might be deductible—again, provided the yacht is used for legitimate business purposes. This can ease the financial load, especially in the early years of ownership.

With sales tax, depending on how the purchase is structured and where the vessel is delivered, some owners can defer or even avoid paying sales tax altogether. Some take delivery in tax-advantaged jurisdictions or form ownership entities in states or territories with more-favorable laws.

Also worth noting is that the IRS draws a line between active and passive income. If you’re materially involved in running the charter business, you might be able to offset losses against other active income. If it’s considered a passive activity, the benefits are still there but ­applied differently.

There’s also the 1031 like-kind exchange. This applies mostly to real estate, but there have been instances where commercial yacht owners have successfully used this strategy to defer taxes when upgrading to a newer vessel. It’s not common, but it’s worth exploring with your CPA if you’re scaling up.

Bottom line: The tax advantages can be substantial, but they require intentional planning, proper documentation and professional guidance. For many owners, the savings can help make the numbers work and turn a luxury purchase into a viable investment.

AP: What’s the deal with buying a crewed charter yacht that’s already up and running, with bookings already lined up?

TR: For buyers looking to step into the charter world with minimal friction and maximum financial upside, purchasing a turnkey crewed yacht with existing bookings is a smart move. These yachts are already up and running, often with a full calendar of charters secured months in advance. That means you’re not starting from scratch. You’re stepping into a revenue-generating business from day one.

One key benefit of that approach is immediate cash flow. Yachts with active charter schedules typically come with prebooked weeks—sometimes a full season or more. That gives new owners immediate income, which can help offset expenses right out of the gate.

There’s also the established market presence. A boat that’s been operating successfully has something money can’t easily buy: reputation. Repeat clients, positive reviews and name recognition all can lead to consistent bookings year after year.

Also, most turnkey yachts are sold with a seasoned crew already on board and a trusted management company running day-to-day operations. That means you’re buying into a system that works: Everything from maintenance and provisioning to client service is ­handled by professionals.

If you want hands-off ownership, this is a way to get it. Not every owner wants to be involved in the logistics of running a charter business, and with a well-managed operation, you don’t have to be. Many owners simply enjoy their owner-­use weeks and let the team handle the rest.

In the Virgin Islands especially, many of these operations are supported by experienced clearinghouses, which are local charter hubs that manage bookings, hold client deposits, oversee crew contracts and help navigate local regulations, ­including work permits and customs compliance.

For buyers who want a blend of lifestyle and financial return, a turnkey charter yacht offers one of the most efficient paths to ownership. It’s a proven model with fewer unknowns—and a faster route to making your dream yacht work for you.

AP: How do owners structure their yacht purchases?

TR: There’s no one-size-fits-all model, but many owners have built successful operations by combining smart tax planning, realistic income goals, and a clear understanding of what they want from ownership, whether it’s lifestyle, income or both.

Some owners set up legitimate yacht-charter businesses, allowing them to take advantage of tax incentives such as depreciation and deducting operating expenses. Others get creative with financing and ­entity structures to optimize their tax position and cash flow. The common thread is that they’re working with experienced professionals—brokers, tax advisers, maritime attorneys—who understand how to structure things properly.

From the clearinghouse perspective, I agree with Dick Schoonover at CharterPort BVI. He says that for most crewed catamarans, the typical break-even point for a 40- to 50-footer is around 10 to 12 charters a year. At that size, annual crew costs for a captain and chef can run around $1,800 per foot. Many crews aim to book 20 or more weeks per year, motivated not just by salary but also by guest gratuities.

With the larger luxury cats, such as Lagoon 620s and 70- to 80-foot Sunreefs, the owner will need more-experienced crews and bigger budgets. Those boats can charter for $100,000 or more per week. Owners might see only 10 to 15 charters a season, but at that rate, the math can still make sense.

Schoonover does caution that after about five years in charter service, a yacht typically needs a refit. At that point, owners either invest in the upgrade or list the boat for sale—often with a strong charter track record and client base that adds real market value.

And one other note: A small number of top charter brokers control the majority of bookings. So aligning with the right team—on the dock and in the marketplace—is key to ­long-term success.

For anyone considering this path, hearing these real-world stories can make the possibilities feel a lot more tangible. With the right setup, it can be both a smart investment and a deeply rewarding lifestyle.

AP: Any parting advice for someone thinking about taking the plunge into crewed ­charter-yacht ownership?

TR: At the end of the day, owning a crewed charter yacht—­especially one based in the Virgin Islands—is about finding the right balance between lifestyle and financial sense. Some folks are drawn to the tax benefits, others to the idea of stepping into a business that helps offset the cost of owning a beautiful yacht in paradise. And for many, it’s a bit of both.

But here’s the real ­takeaway: This isn’t the kind of thing you want to figure out alone. Between the charter ­regulations, tax angles, crew ­logistics and quirks of Caribbean ownership, there are a lot of moving parts. It just makes sense to talk to people who’ve helped others do it ­before—ideally folks who live and breathe this world year-round.

Whether you’re looking at a ready-to-go yacht with bookings already on the calendar or dreaming about refitting a boat into your ideal floating getaway, getting the right info up front can save you time, money and headaches down the road. 

Owning a crewed yacht can be incredibly rewarding. It just helps to go into it with your eyes wide open and a good chart to follow. 

The post The Charter Equation: How To Unlock Yacht Ownership Benefits appeared first on Cruising World.

For the fifth year in a row, The Moorings has been recognized with Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award in the “Things To Do” category for its charter operations in the British Virgin Islands. The award places The Moorings among the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide based on consistently strong guest reviews.

“Winners are calculated based on the quality and quantity of the millions of reviews, opinions, and ratings collected on Tripadvisor,” the company explains. “With over 8.7 million businesses listed on Tripadvisor, these awards are a true testament to the outstanding service and quality that winners consistently provide to their guests.”

The recognition comes as The Moorings’ BVI base has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Following the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017, the company invested in a comprehensive rebuild of its flagship location. Improvements include new docks, a renovated hotel, an on-site supermarket, and a refreshed fleet featuring the latest cruising catamarans and monohulls.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded this award once again,” says Ian Pedersen, Senior Marketing Manager for The Moorings. “It is a testament to the hard work that has gone into rebuilding our flagship destination in the past few years, and a validation that the changes we have implemented are having the desired positive impact for our guests.”

With more than five decades of charter expertise, The Moorings remains one of the most recognized names in global yacht chartering. For many sailors, the British Virgin Islands continue to represent a quintessential cruising ground, with steady trade winds, protected anchorages, and short passages between islands—an ideal setting for a first-time or repeat charter vacation.

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