Electric Moorings 368
Sailors who think green can now charter green, too. That’s the intention of The Moorings, which introduced the first Moorings 4300 electric catamaran at the 2007 edition of Strictly Sail Miami in February. Tested over the last year as part of The Moorings charter fleet in the British Virgin Islands, the boat is built by charter-company partner Robertson and Caine of South Africa and relies on a DC generator system as well as propulsion units from Glacier Bay (www.glacierbay.com/ossa_powerlite.asp).
Such a system delivers efficient powering without requiring an additional large bank of batteries. The boat relies on a single diesel-powered DC generator, which drives the electric motors mounted under the aft bunks in both hulls.
According to The Moorings, the unique system combines Glacier Bay’s OSSA Powerlite propulsion unit with an
OSSA Powerlite DC generator system, which also feeds the boat’s other house systems. Overall, the system’s advantage is that a single fossil-fuel engine produces enough DC power to run everything from propulsion to air-conditioning and refrigeration.
The charter company will continue to test the catamaran while it’s available for charter in the B.V.I. The electric cat is also available for purchase in 2008 through The Moorings’ Advantage Yacht-Ownership Program. Contact the company for details about chartering (800-368-9991, www.moorings.com) and yacht ownership (800-521-1126, www.moorings.com/ yachtownership.asp).
Charter Company Offers Sailing and Diving
Horizon Yacht Charters and Indigo Divers have launched an eight-night sail-and-dive package that’s designed to accommodate sailing divers. Spend three nights ashore, with up to five dives, and five nights sailing a Horizon yacht between 40 and 50 feet in length.
The charter company and the dive business, as well as shoreside accommodations, are situated at Jolly Harbour Marina, in Antigua. Divers are required to have an Open Water PADI certificate. Complimentary refresher courses are also offered for those who haven’t dived for a year or longer.
After spending two days exploring some of the 40 dive sites off the western coast of Antigua, guests then board one of the fleet’s three-, four- or five-cabin monohulls or catamarans. After a boat and chart briefing, guests then set sail for the anchorages and azure waters of Antigua and Barbuda. Skippers are available for groups with insufficient sailing experience.
Package prices range from $2,400 to $3,100 depending on the time of year. To find out more, contact Horizon (www.antiguahorizon.com and info@antiguahorizon.com). Horizon is the authorized Caribbean dealer for Fountaine Pajot cats and the regional dealer for Bavaria Yachts.
