Category Archives: Yacht Manufacturers and Brands

Responsible Sailing: How to Embrace Greener Boating Using the 4 ‘R’s’

Not only are we passionate about bringing you an unforgettable crewed charter catamaran and barefoot charter catamaran experiences, but we also want to help you partake in responsible sailing and protect our oceans. 

Greener Boating 

At its core, to have a more sustainable boating industry is about minimizing the negative impacts on the environment and maximizing the benefits for everyone involved. One aspect of this mission of greener chartering is to promote and incorporate the ‘R’s throughout our entire operation and growing fleet.

These ‘R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle – provide a roadmap for achieving these goals. We take a look into this framework that are the cornerstones to sustainability with regards to Boatbookings: 

Reduce

The first ‘R’ is all about how you can reduce your environmental impact. At Boatbookings, we have made conscious choices to offer a range of greener crewed catamaran charters for you to choose from. We prioritize the selection of yachts we offer to ensure they are showcasing more sustainable technology, ensuring lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. We aim to provide options from catamaran builders such as Silent Yachts, Sunreef Eco, and Fountaine Pajot. 

But our commitment to reducing doesn’t stop there. Our carbon emissions calculator helps us assess and continually improve our environmental practices. 

We advocate for our operators to reduce the amount of waste and pollution while promoting eco-friendly brands. We also encourage our clients and yachts to reduce speed, especially when sailing near vulnerable marine life habitats. Going slow reduces impact and enables clients to soak up the ocean’s magic. 

Reuse 

We ensure that our crewed charter partners regularly maintain and service their fleets to ensure longevity and reduce the need for unnecessary repairs. We also work with partners who are aligned with sustainable practices that reduce resource consumption and waste generation. 

Repurpose

At Boatbookings, we pride ourselves on promoting repurposing by collaborating with companies that repurpose marine waste into innovative products, contributing to a more circular economy. 

We want to raise more awareness about the critical issue of marine pollution that our oceans face. Education is essential in changing consumer behavior and inspiring a new sense of responsibility. 

Recycle 

The final ‘R’ is recycling, which you are probably already familiar with. We advocate responsible recycling throughout our operators and clients. We are always looking for better recycling initiatives within marinas worldwide to facilitate easier recycling for our clients. 

Responsible chartering is an integral part of experiencing the beauty of our oceans. By promoting these ‘R’s, we are not only committed to reducing the environmental impact of our selected fleet but also dedicated to creating eco-conscious charter experiences for our clients. 

Contact us today to discuss our greener crewed charter catamaran options for your next vacation. 

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Greener Catamarans: A Spotlight on Fountaine Pajot

Fountaine Pajot, one of the world’s largest yacht manufacturers, has taken significant strides toward creating greener and more sustainable catamarans. The French shipyard is renowned for its commitment to building great catamarans of the highest quality while prioritizing sustainability.

Aside from their green credentials, the catamarans are spacious, comfortable, and perfect for island hopping in areas such as French Polynesia, the Caribbean islands, and various Mediterranean destinations. 

A Sustainable Vision 

Last year the shipyard launched its vision to lead the environmental transition through its Odyssea 2024 business plan, where the company is planning to deliver net carbon-neutral cruising boats by 2030. For 2023, the mission of this Odyssea plan is to facilitate more research on fuel cells, which will see the implementation of hydrogen-powered motors on the catamarans. 

To achieve these ambitious goals, Fountaine Pajot is leveraging collaborative platforms like ODSea Lab. This platform is helping accelerate technological solutions to transform the choice of materials and implement innovative solutions regarding energy, propulsion, and operations onboard.

Lifecycle Analysis

The End of Life factor is a huge issue to consider for the boating industry and it is one aspect that Fountaine Pajot is particularly focussing on within its catamarans. They are investigating processes to limit the impact on the environment within the boat-building life cycle that include recycling, repurposing, and reusing many of the parts of their cats. 

Greener Propulsion 

To reduce the boating industry’s carbon footprint, the shipyard works with various stakeholders to implement greener parts and equipment that help reduce overall emissions. They do this through two main methods. The first by reducing the amount of transport in its supply chain, and the other by using recycled and bio-sourced materials that can be recycled. 

The Aura 51 

One particular model harnessing a more eco-conscious approach is the Aura 51, equipped with an electric propulsion system and intelligent onboard energy management system. This is the first model to offer Fountaine Pajot’s smart electric option. The technology utilized within the Aura catamaran results from the work supported by the ODSea Lab innovation platform. As well as being voluminous, the coachroof design also integrates solar panels.

Charter Today!

Want to charter a Fountaine Pajot yacht today? You can combine a unique, luxurious and silent cruising experience while reducing your carbon footprint, joining the green revolution. Contact the Boatbookings team to find out more about a greener crewed charter with Fountaine Pajot. 

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Embrace Electric: Reasons Why You Should Choose An Electric Boat

The electric boat revolution is well underway in the boating industry, as they are rapidly emerging as the smarter and more environmentally responsible choice for our crewed charter catamarans.

At Boatbookings, we champion the more sustainable choice for our clients. If you are thinking about your next yacht charter, here are some of our top reasons why you should consider choosing electric: 

A Lighter Footprint

When you charter an electric yacht, your journey will have a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Unlike traditional boats that rely on fossil fuels, electric ones are cleaner and greener. One of the most significant benefits of electric boats is that the propulsion is emission-free, meaning harmful substances are not released into the atmosphere. Alongside the lack of emissions, electric boats also eliminate any water pollution. Most of the fuel and oil pollution is caused by everyday oil leaks, refueling, and emissions – this can cause severe harm to marine life. Electric boats do not require fuel and very little oil, so they dramatically reduce water pollution. 

2. Enjoy Nature 

Electric propulsion is much quieter than conventional engines, making the disturbance to wildlife and environments minimal. With rumbling engine noises replaced by virtually silent propulsion systems, you can immerse yourself in nature better and truly enjoy your crewed charter catamaran experience. The aptly named Silent Yachts showcase this benefit of noiseless cruising. 

3. Cutting-Edge Designs 

Electric boats not only harness greener credentials but are also aesthetically and functionally on the leading edge. Newly announced yachts are generally at the forefront of yacht design, blending modernity with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Form and function are certainly not compromised. Sunreef Yachts are one example of this prioritizing sustainability without sacrificing style. The Polish shipyard uses engineering technologies to create lightweight and efficient structures with their patented solar technology while incorporating a range of eco-conscious interiors. 

4. Supporting the shift

Supporting the new electric yachts makes great sense for the future. Regulations are becoming stricter, so going electric will ensure you are “ahead of the curve”. By chartering an electric yacht, you are challenging the conventional norms and helping set new standards for responsible boating. As the demand for electric yachts grows, it will further drive innovation and expand options for the future. 

These are just a handful of reasons why electric boats have advantages over traditional diesel yachts. Deciding to charter an electric yacht is about committing to a more sustainable future for the boating industry. As you plan what crewed charter catamaran you will charter next, consider the impact your choice will have and contact the Boatbookings team to talk about our greener crewed charter catamarans and electric options worldwide. 

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Future Predictions: The Yacht Charter Industry in 2030

We love delving into the future of our crewed charter catamaran industry. There has been so much innovation that it is exciting to speculate on what may come. The entire boating industry has been significantly evolving and transforming for the past decade, especially regarding sustainability.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has already set ambitious targets for 2030 and 2050, and meeting them requires that boat performance is optimized for sustainability from design through to operations. So, what must happen to reach these in the next decade?

Today, we are already witnessing advanced technologies, heightened environmental concerns, and the rise in green chartering. At Boatbookings, we take a look into our crystal ball and set out some of the things we think may happen:

Zero-Emissions & Regulation

There are already potential solutions for a fossil-fuel-free future. Advanced propulsion systems are making their entry, reducing carbon emissions and helping to minimize the industry’s carbon footprint (as well as fumes and noise!). By 2030 there will be even more carbon neutrality projects, including the utilization of electric, hydrogen, fuel cells, and Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO, a sustainable fuel made from used vegetable oils). Alongside the IMO commitment to cut greenhouse emissions from shipping by at least 50% by 2050, we believe that stricter restrictions and regulations will begin to filter through in the next few years.

AI: Smarter Yachts 

We cannot talk about future predictions without considering technological shifts. Having already seen these over the past few years, we expect more to come with enhanced innovation and investment. One of the advancements that will continue is likely to be in AI and autonomous navigation systems, enabling boats to navigate with complete autonomy. The improved algorithms and sensors in the coming years will reduce the risk of human error, enhance safety, and improve efficiency. One shipyard leading the charge on this is Feadship. They have designed various concepts with full autonomy, replacing the standard helm with ‘command centers.’ There will also be more technology onboard boats that help revolutionize how they use and distribute energy; these smarter systems will better monitor consumption, enhancing efficiency.

Futuristic Building – 3D printing and more green materials

The developments in 3D printing are so exciting, and we believe will be transformative in boat building. It is hugely advantageous for manufacturing, whereby components can be made faster and with much less wastage. While at the moment, only a few pioneering companies are producing small boats and spare parts from 3D printing, soon this will expand to larger boats and every build process. With material waste dropping significantly, the process increases sustainability credentials. Alongside the building, shipyards will also begin to utilize greener materials that consider the entire lifecycle and, therefore, have less impact. 

Design Trends

In terms of actual design trends, builders will embrace designs that integrate entirely with natural environments, incorporating more sustainable materials and green living spaces. The interior spaces will blend more with the exterior, bringing the outside in. Many catamaran builders, such as Sunreef, are already working on this concept, and we believe future designs will embrace this biophilic design even more.

More and More Multihulls

At Boatbookings, we love offering our crewed and bareboat catamarans; these boats are the key to the best future. They boast better sustainability credentials such as improved efficiency, fewer emissions, reduced overall impact, and the use of renewable energy sources. Catamaran builders have seen increased demand over the years, and by 2030 perhaps multihulls will be the norm!

Today is just the beginning of a better future. The industry is in a transformative era, and we believe sustainability and technology to enhance experiences will be at the core. Contact our team at Boatbookings today to discuss your future on a greener crewed charter catamaran with us!

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Charter Sustainbly: Spotlight on our new Sunreef 50 Eco, Tiril

We are excited to announce an addition to our crewed charter catamarans. This Sunreef 50 Eco, Tiril, is perfect for those wanting a quiet luxury and a lighter carbon footprint on their charter. 

What makes Tiril more sustainable? 

This isn’t just any charter catamaran; the Sunreef 50 Eco range is electric, innovative, and eco-conscious in design and operation. 

One standout feature is that you can cruise silently with Tiril. The Sunreef is fitted with solar panels, and with energy produced by these and the hydro-generators and wind generators, it boasts silent cruising. The energy is stored in ultralight battery banks, custom-engineered for the Eco range. 

The onboard air conditioning system is revolutionary, designed to keep you cool while conserving energy efficiently and not requiring a noisy generator.

Where will Tiril be?

Tiril will be available for charter across French Polynesia. An incredible, once-in-a-lifetime destination, the islands have plenty to offer. From lush islands and pristine waters to an abundance of tropical marine life. Cruising them in a Sunreef is perfect due to the shallow draft – well suited to easily navigating the atolls and idyllic anchorages. 

Our team can help you with bespoke and tailor-made itineraries, from Moorea to The Tuamotus, helping you explore the best of Polynesia while minimizing your carbon footprint. 

What does Tiril offer?

The Sunreef Eco 50 has four double ensuite cabins and a bunkbed cabin accommodating up to 10 guests. The yacht is fully equipped with everything you will need on a charter and has been finished with eco-responsible materials and sustainable decor.

You cannot cruise French Polynesia without plenty of watersports gear. Trill has sustainable sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and wing foiling equipment. 

Onboard Tiril, you will be well looked after by its crew. Captain Clement has a passion for sailing and sustainability. He has sailed extensively for years and the last few have been spent exploring French Polynesia. He has also created an eco-responsible cocoa trading company. Lili, the cook and host, is a native of the Tuamotus. She will show you the incredible warmth of the people and culture of the islands. She will also ensure the highest level of luxury and comfort onboard. 

Get onboard Tiril today! 

What are you waiting for? To enjoy a greener crewed charter catamaran on Tiril in French Polynesia, contact the Boatbookings team today. We are passionate about our oceans and the impact the boating industry is having; that’s why we make sure we champion these greener alternatives going forward. Make a difference today and book a more sustainable charter option. 

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