If you have a sense of adventure and an even stronger sense of wanderlust, this is one opportunity you do not want to miss. The Oyster 825 sailing superyacht Champagne Hippy is offering a one-year charter circumnavigation for you and seven of your friends and family.
Champagne Hippy belongs to James and Nick Barke (below), brothers and owners of Boats.co.uk Charters. They personally discovered their love of bluewater sailing just last year. In fact, they participated in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (a.k.a. ARC race) aboard the 82’5” (25.15-meter) yacht. The Barkes and their six-person crew completed the transatlantic journey in 15 days. They took 13th place overall, but were also the first Oyster owners to finish. The extraordinary experience convinced them to offer a similarly once-in-a-lifetime experience for cruisers, which can start in 2022.
Upgraded to comply with MCA Stability Category 0, for unrestricted cruising, Champagne Hippy was already a bluewater cruiser. Oyster Yachts conceived the model for sailors wanting to enjoy sandy shores as much as crossing oceans. In fact, the builder says the yacht can put 250 nautical miles under her hull in a day on long passages.
The Barkes have hired a captain and first mate/chef, Dudley and Samantha, who are also partners, to take care of you and your party. Dudley enjoys having guests join in on operations. Sam is happy to let guests cook as well, further enjoying taking you to the best food markets and suppliers.
The duo have sailed around the world, too, so they know first-hand plenty of great places to visit. For example, transiting the Panama Canal, discovering the Galapagos Islands, or exploring the fjords of Norway are all options. So, too, are enjoying the excitement of the Monaco Grand Prix or the bustling sights of the Grand Canal of Venice. The Barkes and the crew will help you put together your yearlong itinerary. Simultaneously, your every nautical mile will receive support from a dedicated concierge team back in England.
The Champagne Hippy charter comes with a hefty price tag: £1 million (about $1.25 million at press time). But, what price do you put on your bucket list?
Boats.co.uk Charters boats.co.uk
Leave a Reply