Solar Winds Sailing Catamaran

Fishing gear goes aboard Solar Winds, a 49ft (14m) sailing catamaran from Bali Catamarans built in 2023, so a day on the water can turn up a catch as well as a swim.

On deck

Her swim platform puts the deck at sea level, a step down into the water for anyone who would rather swim straight from the boat, and with air conditioning and Wi-Fi aboard the interior stays cool and the party stays connected.

Water toys

SUP boards travel with her for anyone who wants to stand up and paddle off from the boat, a floating mat gives the party somewhere to lie on the water itself, and snorkelling gear opens up whatever is under the surface at each stop. A 13ft tender carries the guests ashore and back.

Where she cruises

Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, is where Solar Winds keeps her home port. The British Virgin Islands are the first of five grounds she works; the USVI, St Martin, St Barths and Anguilla are the others.

Accommodation and crew

Four double cabins sleep eight guests overnight, twelve can be aboard by day, and her peak falls in December, January, February and March. Two crew sail and run Solar Winds for those eight, which means the guests take no part in handling her.

Comfort under way

She cruises at 8 knots and makes 11 at most, a sailing pace, so passages between stops are unhurried.

Charter notes

Solar Winds suits a family or a circle of friends who want a crewed boat at this size, and her yacht charter runs by the week or as a shorter stay, so the hire works for a group with a full week free and for a group with less.