The sailing yachts featured in this section of CharterWave are ones our experts got onboard for less than a day. Our First Impressions are intended to be just that, offering you an insider's quick glance at yachts that have found a way to stand out in the crowd.

For detailed reviews of yachts we've spent more time onboard, go to our crewed charters database of articles.

To view First Impressions of motoryachts available for charter, click here.




Ad Astra
At 57 feet long, this Virgin Islands sailing catamaran got a new crew who made a great impression in late 2007.



Aegean Schatz
This 85-foot gulet is one of two yachts availble for charter in Turkey from the same owner.


 


Aello
Born nearly a century ago and lovingly restored for the Greek charter market, this 124-foot sailing yacht is a picture of Old World class.



Aldebaran
This 57-foot sailing catamaran has a crew that came from much larger motoryachts--and brought their excellent reputation for service with them.


Alexis
She may just be the smallest sailing catamaran available for charter in the Virgin Islands. But good things come in small packages--and at great prices, to boot.




Argonauta V
Looking for a sailing catamaran with an elegant, contemporary, European-style interior? Check out this 62-footer.




Aristarchos
As top-dollar, luxury sailing yachts go, this 131-footer is hard to beat for crewed charters in Greece.




Bahamian Rhapsody
It's not every day you find a reasonably priced sailing yacht with a Jacuzzi on deck! That's what Bahamian Rhapsody offers, and from our few minutes onboard, we think the crew might be even better than the boat.


 
Belline II
If you're looking for a sailing catamaran with a good track record, look no further. This beauty has been wowing guests and brokers for 10 years straight.




Bliss
The chef onboard this Virgin Islands sailing catamaran used to be the personal assistant for Spice Girl Mel B.



Blue Capricorn
With an Italian owner, this Turkish motorsailer is leading its local market in terms of customer service and flexibility.



Blue Piranha
If you want to get onboard one of the best-value crewed yachts in Turkey (heck, in the entire world), then take a look at this 75-foot motorsailer.



Braveheart
Want a little free sailing instruction along with your charter vacation? Capt. Jerry Blair is the man to meet onboard this 54-foot catamaran.





Breanker
This Virgin Islands sailing catamaran was entirely rebuilt by her new owners, to get her back to her former glory days of chartering.




Caribbean Dream
This sailing catamaran and her crew have done dozens upon dozens of Virgin Islands charters.



Carpe Diem II
If you're interested in chartering a gulet in Turkey, this yacht is part of a family of three that have a good reputation.





Conundrum
This 62-foot sailing yacht is owned by a knowledgeable charter industry insider and shows great promise for family-oriented sailing vacations.



Double Feature
As 57-foot sailing catamarans go in the Virgin Islands, this one is a well-maintained beauty with a charming couple who serve as crew.



Drumbeat
The crew onboard this 72-foot sailing yacht have been together longer than most any other in the Virgin Islands.



Drumbeat
This 173-foot sailing yacht used to be known as Salperton--and she still turns as many heads as she did when she originally launched.



Extraordinary
This 63-foot sailing yacht lives up to her name, both in terms of looks and crew service onboard.




Fearless
With lots of upgrades for the 2007 season, this sailng yacht aims to be the best 72-footer out there for charter.



Felicita West
Sailing yachts don't get much more elegant, or much more comfortable, than this exquisite 210-foot beauty.






Glory
At just 36 feet long, this instructional sailing yacht is the smallest in the Virgin Islands Charter League.






INXS
The story of this 76-foot sailing yacht is really the story of her owner, who is thrilled to be a charter yacht captain.





Jess Sea
At 87 feet long, this sailing yacht is an excellent choice for a group of friends who don't want to have to share beds.




Jet Stream
Looking for a yacht that can offer golfing options? This 45-foot sailing catamaran's owner is a former PGA professional and university instructor.





La Dolce Vita
This older but nicely maintained 56-footer is priced to appeal to entry-level clients booking charters in the Virgin Islands.





Lulworth
Sailing yachts don't get much more classic--or elegant--than this gorgeously restored 151-foot racer.




Magpie II
This lovely 54-foot sailing yacht is one of precious few that call the Grenadines home in the Southern Caribbean.




Maltese Falcon
Bound for the record books, this 289-footer is a technological wonder. We only wish we liked her better for charter purposes.




Margaux
This lovely 54-foot sailing yacht is owner-operated in the British Virgin Islands at an entry-level price for parties of four to six guests.





Nikata
Looking for a comfortable cruiser that moves like a racing yacht? Consider this 82-foot Swan sailboat.




Nimrod
Want to sail all day, every day? This 80-footer is built for the job, and has a family-friendly layout, to boot.



Patient Falcon
Renovated for the charter market in mid-2006, this comfortable cruiser is no slouch in the fast-sailing department.






Pride
With owner-operaters who call Maine home, this 58-footer is one of the few sailing catamarans available for charter in New england.



Promenade
A long-time favorite charter yacht for families, this sailing trimaran has a repeat business rate of about 60 percent.




Rusalka
If you want to sail fast but still have luxurious accomodations onboard, then this 78-footer may be the charter yacht for you.


 
Sabore
For a 58-foot sailing catamaran, this yacht has some pretty nifty features. Our favorite is the spa-jet showers in the guest bathrooms.


 
Sayang
This charming 54-foot sailing yacht is run by a couple who started out in yachting as bareboaters on vacation themselves.


 
Sea Chateau
You want water toys? This 50-foot sailing catamaran is striving to have more than any other charter yacht in its class.






Sea Quell
With an on-deck hot tub and a master cabin sauna, this 108-foot sailing yacht offers features that most of her competitors do not.




Selene
The talk of the Western Med in early 2007, this 183-foot Perini Navi sailing yacht is simply stunning.


 


Stenella
Charter brokers and guests alike keep coming back to this 63-foot monohull sailing yacht as a terrific deal with an energetic crew in the Virgin Islands.


 
Sublime
This Irwin 72--one of the more popular monohull sailboat models built for charter--is taking on the competition with continual improvements.




Swish
The chef onboard this 47-foot sailing catamaran took home top honors at a Virgin Islands boat show in late 2007.


Tabasco
With her bright red hull, this sailing yach is one of the most eye-catching in the entire Caribbean.


 
Tachyon
The couple running this sailing catamaran are new to charter, but they have big dreams, good ideas and a sound business plan.



Tenacious
This is the only charter yacht we've found so far that both carries a cannon and claims to be bulletproof.




Three Moons
One of several 72-footer Irwins in the Virgin Islands, Three Moons has a chef who does pedicures and writes cookbooks.



Triumph
So, you want to relax, eat family-style, and do some serious sailing with the family? This nicely priced 64-footer may  just be for you.



True North
There are a few charter yachts out there called True North. This one is a 65-foot sailing catamaran in the Caribbean.





Viking Dream
This sailing catamaran entered the British Virgin Islands crew charter market with new owner-operators in late 2007.




Whisper
This gorgeous sailing yacht is a must-see for anyone who wants to feel like a Vanderbilt on the water. If the crew is half as good as the boat, you can't go wrong chartering here.


 
Wonderful
This yacht's name seems to be right on the money, with the boat winning best chef and best-in-show honors at a single charter event.



Zarik II
This 62-foot sailing yacht is the second to be owned by a Frenchwoman who calls the coast of Turkey her chartering home.



 
Zingara
Brand-new for 2006 and ready to cruise the Caribbean, this sailing catamaran turned a lot of heads at its charter show debut.