A while back, some friends and I got to spend a week onboard the good ship Luna, a 46’ Nautitech catamaran, one of the boats in the Horizon Yacht Charters fleet. The experience was overwhelmingly positive, and I thought it fit to share my review of the boat, company and charter experience.
First, a bit about me – I have been operating charter vessels in the BVI for the past fifteen years, and spent several years working as a bareboat skipper – you hire a boat and you hire a captain. Suffice to say that I have chartered a multitude of different boats in the BVI, from many different charter companies.
My week onboard Luna was slightly different; it was myself and some good friends, just vacationing, so not a working week for me. Having been on board many bareboat charters in the past, my expectations were low. Bareboats tend to get a bit beaten up and look a bit tatty early on, in my experience – the result of credit card captains not taking the proper care of them, or the management company trying to cut corners in the maintenance. To say that I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. The boat was pristine. Spotless inside and out, and none of the usual bareboat nicks and scratches I’ve come to expect. Understand that I run a high-end luxury crewed charter yacht these days, so I have high standards. I couldn’t find fault. At all. The cushions were immaculate. The towels and bedding new and lacked the usual bareboat mystery stains. The boat was impeccably maintained.
In addition, the boat was equipped way better than any other bareboat I have ever been on. Properly stocked with a good assortment of pots and pans, plates, glasses, cutlery etc – enough to actually cook a real meal, should you so desire. I’m used to a warped pan and maybe a broken spatula on board, but the owners of this boat had spared no expense and kitted her out properly. Fridge and freezer space galore – way more than we needed for the week. An ice maker on board, as well as (if you can believe it) a water maker. Oh, the luxury of hot uninterrupted showers. A/c was ice cold throughout.
Then I got to take her out and put her through her paces. I’d never sailed a Nautitech before – this version is the 46’ flybridge, featuring powered roller-furling in-mast mainsail, with a self-tacking jib. Fully rigged for solo sailing, this boat was an absolute joy to sail. Every line runs straight to the flybridge helm station, and I single-handed the sailing side of things the whole week. Easily. The self-tacking jib was an absolute eye-opener. Honestly, couldn’t be easier. As for electronics and nav equipment, she has everything you could possibly want onboard. Full disclosure here: she’s not a fast boat. She’s built for comfort and ease of use. The roller-furling main means no battens in the mainsail, and the self-tacking jib makes for a somewhat baggy bottom profile. This is not the boat to take racing. If you want to drift along in ease and comfort, though – I highly recommend it.
All in all, I give her a solid five-star rating, with two additional thumbs up. Great boat.
As for my dealings with Horizon Charter Yachts, all I can say is that they were extremely professional and competent. Definitely my best experience ever with a bareboat company. Emails were quickly replied to, information was given clearly and their manner was friendly and courteous throughout. Here again, I cannot find fault at all.
All in all, a great week on a great boat, from a great company. My sincerest thanks. We’ll be back for sure.
Darrel Hearne | February 2021
