CARIBBEAN WORLD SAILING & YACHTING – WEEKLY NEWS
By Publisher Ray Carmen
The Hottest Sailing Stories • Superyacht Gossip • Regatta Buzz • Industry Trends
THE HOTTEST SAILING & YACHTING STORIES (Caribbean & Global)
Antigua’s Regatta Season Heating Up
Preparations are well underway for some of the biggest upcoming events in the region, notably the highly anticipated 2026 Nelson’s Cup Series (Feb 17–20) , already drawing an elite racing crowd — and the triumphant return of the Antigua Bermuda Race in April 2026 after a two-year pause.
RORC Caribbean 600: A Battle of the Titans
All eyes are on February 23, 2026, when the powerhouse super-maxis Black Jack 100 and Leopard 3 face off in what is expected to be one of the most dramatic starts in recent years. Racing fans are already calling it a “duel for the decade.
Caribbean Dinghy Champions: Antigua Rules Again
Antigua continues its remarkable dominance, securing the crown as Caribbean Dinghy Champions for 2025, a major boost for youth sailing across the region.
Rating Rule Revolution
Big news for competitive sailors: The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) has now joined forces with the International Rating Certificate (IRC) to provide dual scoring at Caribbean regattas — a huge step toward global alignment and more equitable offshore racing.
SUPERYACHT GOSSIP & INDUSTRY BUZZ
Antigua Charter Yacht Show: A Star-Studded Line-Up
The Caribbean’s most glamorous charter show (Dec 4–9, 2025) is gearing up to host an extraordinary fleet.
Headline yachts include:
MALTESE FALCON (88m) — the queen of the show
Recently refitted BATELLO (80m)
Brand new Feadship launch ALVIA (76m) making her debut
Whispers along Falmouth Harbour say this could be the strongest lineup in a decade.
Hydrogen Takes Centre Stage
Yachting’s future is here. The 118.8m hydrogen-superyacht BREAKTHROUGH begins its first-ever Caribbean charter season — a milestone moment signalling the green-tech revolution in superyachting.
Transatlantic Migration in Full Swing
The annual fleet crossover is underway, with dozens of megayachts crossing the Atlantic to kick off the Caribbean winter season — still the most sought-after yachting window in the world.
New Charter Giants Join the Market
Among the new elite vessels entering the charter scene:
Vassa (69m, Feadship)
Gigia (85m, Lürssen)
Both expected to top the booking lists for winter 2025/26.
MARKET WATCH — SALES & TRENDS
BVI Dominates 2024 Yacht Sales
The British Virgin Islands led the entire Caribbean yacht sales market last year with over 15% of all transactions.
Grenada Now the Fastest Market to Sell
Grenada claims the title for shortest average time to sale , becoming a surprise favourite for both first-time and luxury buyers.
Pre-Owned Superyachts Surging
Demand for 30–50 metre superyachts has skyrocketed, with brokers reporting the fastest turnover in five years. Owners are purchasing with the intent to be Caribbean-ready immediately.
TREND WATCH - THE FUTURE OF YACHTING
AI Navigation Takes the Helm
AI-assisted piloting suites are the fastest-growing upgrade of the year. Features include route optimisation, weather mapping, collision prediction, and eco-fuel routing — now seen as essential on vessels above 40m.
‘Island Zen’ Interiors
Luxury yacht interiors shift towards Caribbean tranquillity: coral stone, pale neutrals, open-air saloons, spa cabins, and sustainable tropical woods. Designers say “nature calm” is the 2026 look.
Electric Foiling Tenders
This week’s must-have superyacht toy: an all-electric foiling tender that reaches 40 knots in serene, futuristic silence — already a favourite among eco-conscious owners.
ISLAND SPOTLIGHT — CURAÇAO
Curaçao announces a world-class mega-marina capable of hosting yachts up to 120m a bold move positioning the island as a fierce competitor to Antigua and St. Maarten in the high-end marina race.
CHARTER OF THE WEEK — FIRE & ICE ADVENTURE
A breathtaking 75m explorer yacht is offering a “Fire & Ice” Caribbean odyssey:
volcanic spa rituals
a floating ice bar for sunset cocktails
a Dominica-to-St. Lucia private nature immersion
