Catamarans are the eco-friendly and luxurious option for those leveling up their seaside lifestyle
Say so long to seasickness. Imagine cruising to the Bahamas or Saint-Tropez without that awful, stomach-churning feeling many of us have felt one time or another on a boat. Well, a maritime adventure on a catamaran nearly guarantees a nauseous-free vacation. What’s more, our current unprecedented times have us looking for ways to safely social distance while not going stir crazy. If you’re one of the lucky ones, with a strong inner ear and stomach, wouldn’t it be nice to travel with a healthy and happy, albeit small, entourage? Miami’s coastal landscape, surrounded by the turquoise sea, is the perfect setting to hop onto a lavish catamaran and let the ocean’s breeze and soothing waters welcome you into summer.
SERENITY YACHTS
These solar-powered catamarans will surely make Greta Thunberg smile. What started off as a family project for husband and wife Boyd and Elizabeth Taylor has transformed into a company that’s changing the catamaran industry for the better.
“We wanted to do something sustainable, and where a difference could really be made,” Boyd says.
The ocean-going vessels, which are built in Turkey, can travel around the world without a drop of fuel (sunshine permitting, of course). Serenity’s 64-foot catamaran boasts 700 square feet of solar panels, while its 74-foot series has nearly 1,200 square feet of panels. The boats are also available with diesel engines and a generator for additional speed and power.
But being powered by renewable energy isn’t Serenity Yachts’ only allure. Boyd has created boats that are unimpeachable by all sides, and that means elevating the luxury of catamarans with a spacious salon, flybridge and fully customizable interior. Serenity Yachts offers eco- cruising without compromising comfort, luxury or space. It provides an unparalleled experience on the water: a breezy, peaceful voyage without the hassle of sails or the rumble of a motor engine. It’s just you, surrounded by nature.
The catamarans, which are delivered in 12-16 months, depending on customization, range from $3.3- $5.5 million. Clients can design their boat layouts from start to finish, including teak decks, hardwood interior floors, stone bathrooms and more.
The three-year-old company has a demonstrator vessel docked in South Florida with hopes of opening up a showroom in Miami next year.
“Getting a boat to Miami, the center of the yachting industry, is the moment we’ve been waiting for,” Boyd exclaims.
It’s what Miami has been waiting for too. These spacious self-sufficient vessels, perfect for social distancing, feel less like boats and more like posh seaside homes you can safely travel in.
SUNREEF YACHTS
A leader in luxury catamaran manufacturing and design, Sunreef Yachts prides itself on building an array of opulent cats (as they are called colloquially) including sailboats, powerboats and eco-electric vessels. The custom bespoke boats, built in Poland, start at 40 feet and go up to a 160-foot mega yacht complete with a nightclub and movie theater.
“We can build a dream catamaran, nothing is off the table,” says Robert Riva, director of sales.
Riva sees catamarans as a growing segment in the pleasure boat industry thanks to their price per square foot, spaciousness, comfort and stability. With offices around the world, including here in the Design District, the 18-year-old company produces about 40 boats per year. Cat prices range from $800,000-$55 million and have a delivery timeline of one year. It also has a charter division that offers buyers a way to charter out their new toy while taking advantage of an appealing tax benefit.
All of Sunreef Yachts’ cat models have an option for solar panels with a lithium battery and electric engines allowing for a zero-carbon footprint voyage from Miami to Bimini or from Cannes to Saint- Tropez. And although these boats boast swanky interiors, speed isn’t something they’re known for. “We’re all about getting there an hour late, but in style,” Riva quips.
That aura of sophistication is evident through the company’s dedication to high-end finishes and a rich design. Clients can customize their new seaside pads any way they want — from adding a Jacuzzi tub in the master bathroom to enclosing the flybridge. Every Sunreef Yachts cat is different. That is what the company is known for, working with clients to build their custom dream vacation home or helping them charter the perfect yacht for a memorable trip, whether that’s a family-friendly vacation or romantic getaway.
