The more understated cousin of the motoryacht, the sailing superyacht is all about soul

Say superyacht and chances are you’re picturing a sleek behemoth of a motoryacht. A billionaire’s nautical lair. A headline-grabbing vessel with a helipad, moored in a sparkling blue marina. But there’s a whole other class of superyachts. Those that forge the crashing waves, powered by sails.

Superyachts with sails make up a small but significant share of the global fleet. And they’re growing in popularity among eco-conscious buyers drawn to elegant geometries that move silently through water, embracing the power of the wind. Those for whom the magic lies in feeling connected to the sea, to the wildness of the elements, and to a tradition of seafaring that goes back centuries.

Where it all stems from. The original J-Class yachts that kept big-sail tradition elegantly afloat in the early 20th century and took the America’s Cup to new speeds and fortunes. Here the John Pierpont Morgan crew boost the wind for the banking brand in 1901. (Shutterstock)

Sailing superyachts have a DNA steeped in history. J-Class yachts with their colossal sails and classic lines were first built in the 1930s specifically to compete in the America’s Cup,  the original sailing competition that remains the foundation for today’s regattas. At least nine original J-class yachts still circumnavigate bays and willing seas today.

Meanwhile, modern designers draw from this heritage while embracing radical advances in naval architecture and technology. Hybrid propulsion systems, solar panels and hydro-generators that recharge batteries while underway are all part of the modern sailing yacht conversation. Sails themselves have evolved from heavy canvas to ultra-light composite fabrics that can unfurl at the push of a button.

It’s not just wind, it’s human energy. Resting on the one bow moment… The Superyacht Cup Palma, 27 June, 2025. (©Sailing Energy / The Superyacht Cup)

Black Pearl – pictured here in the port of Kotka, Finland – is a high-profile example of the new breed of sailing superyacht. Launched in 2016 in Rotterdam, this 106.7 meter-long vessel with three 70-meter masts is the second-largest of its class in the world. (Shutterstock)

The late owner of Black Pearl, Russian billionaire Oleg Burlakov, was a visionary who pushed for advanced sustainability in the build, including that eye-catching sail configuration – all 3,000 square feet of which can unfurl in under seven minutes. Down below, its internal regenerative propulsion technologies were designed to let Black Pearl cross the Atlantic using only 20 liters of fuel. 

Bee Dunham worked on the yacht and recalls the special feeling of being on board. “When we crossed the Atlantic without fossil fuels,” she says, “it was just incredible. Being out at night and watching the stars was amazing. So was the silence. When you’re sailing, all you hear is the sound of the wind.” 

Toys are part of the deal on sailing superyachts – off-board, onboard, inside and out. On the technical side, Athos (above and below) possesses something rare on sailing vessels, a Dynamic Positioning system that enables precise manoeuvring without anchoring. (Fraser Yachts)

The largest two-masted schooner in the world at 64 meters, Athos has five staterooms and room for 10 crew. (Fraser Yachts)

At 47 meters long, ArtExplorer is the world’s largest aluminum catamaran. It accommodates 12 guests in six cabins with super-sleek interior and exterior design by Nacira. Sculpted by Perini Navi of Tuscany in 2024, it makes light of low winds for all who charter her. (Max Maith) 

There’s a wonderful synchronicity at work here, as onboard micro-chip technologies align with the pull of the elemental. And it neatly demarcates the timeline of how history has used the waves. When the glory days of sailing in the 1930s were interrupted by WWII, and the 1950s conjured different versions of leisure, the world of sailing yachts suffered a little spell in the doldrums. Modern motorized craft zoomed past, creating a noisier wake.

But Toby Allies believes the appeal of the sailing sector is regaining momentum. Allies is group managing director at UK-based builder Pendennis (who undertook technical studies for Black PearI). “The sailing sector has often been viewed as the poorer cousin of the motor superyacht order book,” he says. “However, I do believe interest in sailing is coming back. This is supported from grassroots entry-level sailing all the way up to superyacht events.”

For decades now Pendennis have enthusiastically supported many of the industry’s sailing events, whether the multiple Pendennis Cups in Falmouth, the J-Class Regattas or Antigua Superyacht Challenge. “What’s very special is how these events help to create a real sense of community,” Allies says.

Many owners are enticed by the social aspect of sailing, with regattas and races taking place across the globe all year-round. Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua and Barbuda feels like an if-you-know-you-know kind of marina. (Shutterstock)

Kate Branagh is events director at the Palma Superyacht Cup, the longest-running regatta in Europe. “The Superyacht Cup has always been known as a fun and informal event for owners and their guests and the crews,” she says. “We don’t have a blazers or long trousers dress code, it’s shorts and crew shirts all round.” 

That relaxed spirit has proved infectious. “Over the years we’ve had several guests, completely unaware of the superyacht world, fall in love with the combination of the fun of the racing and interaction between boats and crew – and then go on to buy a yacht themselves,” says Branagh. “It helps that the regattas tend to be in fabulous places to sail, like Palma, Antigua, St. Barths and Porto Cervo!”

Superyacht Adela competes in a September regatta in San Francisco during the America’s Cup, 2013. (Shutterstock)

When winter closes in on Europe, sailing yachts simply relocate to the Caribbean to continue their year-round sunny season. Let’s not say this doesn’t sound thoroughly escapist. But, as Toby Allies holds, there’s something about the sailing community in particular that stays a little more grounded.

For a start, sailing superyacht owners are usually passionate sailors first, collectors of yachts second. Many are driven less by status symbols and more by a lifelong connection to the ocean. That doesn’t mean they sacrifice luxury – on the contrary, builders like Royal Huisman, Perini Navi, Vitters and Baltic Yachts deliver sailing superyachts every bit as opulent as their motor counterparts. But the emphasis lies in performance, heritage and craft more than spa pools and beach clubs.

What also distinguishes the sailing industry’s identity is its energy. At events like the St. Barths Bucket, the Superyacht Cup Palma or the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the largest and most beautiful sailing yachts in the world gather to race. The atmosphere is entirely unlike a static motor yacht show. Here, the yacht is alive, moving, performing and proudly competitive.

Icons of the sail-driven world

• MALTESE FALCON – Perini Navi’s revolutionary square-rigged marvel, still one of the most recognisable sailing yachts in the world.
• AQUIJO – The world’s largest ketch, a collaboration between Vitters and Oceanco, combining sailing power with motoryacht-level luxury.
• SEA EAGLE II – Royal Huisman’s contemporary giant, designed for fast passage-making and sophisticated cruising.
• BLACK PEARL – Oceanco’s radical DynaRig-equipped sailing yacht, designed with eco-efficiency at its core

What’s never automated is the spring of the human response to the surges of wind and wave. Here, crew members bring in the spinnaker onboard J Class Yacht Hanuman during the 2010 Newport Bucket Regatta.  (Shutterstock)

As the superyacht industry moves towards greener solutions, sailing yachts offer something motor yachts cannot: a natural, built-in sustainability advantage. Even the largest sail-driven superyachts can cruise significant distances under wind power alone, cutting fuel consumption dramatically.

For owners increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint—not just for regulatory compliance but for legacy and reputation—sailing superyachts offer a compelling proposition. This alignment of luxury and responsibility resonates strongly with today’s UHNW buyers, particularly a younger generation who see ownership as a statement not just of success, but of values.