Sailing Yachts

A large sailing ship with three masts floats on calm ocean waters during sunset, with a distant island or mountain on the horizon under a partly cloudy sky.

Large sailing yachts, whether sloop, ketch, or schooner, come alive in the Caribbean’s steady tradewinds, shaping passages from the Bahamas and Virgin Islands to Antigua, St Barths, and the Grenadines.

Captains plan routes around wind angles, swell, and channels, using the yacht’s rig and sail plan for efficient, comfortable hops while reserving engine time for tight approaches and weather windows.

The region also hosts marquee regattas - think the St Barths Bucket, Superyacht Challenge Antigua, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the RORC Caribbean 600 - where these yachts showcase precision sail handling and tactical teamwork.

Compared with motor yachts, the crew workload skews heavily to deck operations: hoists, gybes, and headsail changes, constant rig checks and tuning, and tightly coordinated maneuvers - often assisted by button-operated automations, yet still demanding sharp timing, communication, and seamanship across the deck.

Engineering and hospitality standards remain on par with motor yachts, yet day-to-day life revolves around the rhythm of the wind and the choreography required to sail a large yacht safely and elegantly.

S/Y SPIRIT OF THE C's + S/Y VERTIGO + M/Y AIR