Sailing Catamaran vs Power Catamaran in the BVI – Real Yacht Comparisons

Most clients start with one assumption: this is simply a question of whether you want to sail or not. – That’s not the full story.

In the BVI, the real decision is usually about how you want the week to feel: pace, comfort, space, system performance at anchor, and how “itinerary-driven” your trip is. Plenty of sailing catamarans are just as luxurious as power cats—on many modern charter catamarans, the mast is simply part of the package, not the defining feature. And because there are still more sailing catamarans than power catamarans in the BVI market, excluding sailing cats can unnecessarily limit your best options for dates, layout, and crew quality.

Here’s how we guide clients—based on touring and reviewing hundreds of yachts at the USVI/BVI charter shows, and stepping onboard the real boats guests book.

We’ve been aboard every yacht referenced in this guide, including Lagoon 77 sailing catamaran AEOLUS, Sunreef 80 sailin catamaran ENDLESS HORIZON, Lagoon 78 power catamaran JAN’S FELINE, Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67 sailing catamaran LIQUID SKY, Sunreef 68 power catamaran MARIA THERES, and Lagoon 78 power catamaran SIETE MARES.

Which type is better for a one-week charter in the BVI?

Choose a sailing catamaran if you want luxury sailing

Most sailing catamaran charters in the BVI motor plenty—and that’s normal. You’re not dependent on wind, and your captain will sail when it improves the day. For many guests, the standout moment of the week is exactly that: sails up, engines off, gliding between green islands in silence. You still get comfort and stability, plus the option of sailing when it makes sense.

Power catamarans are best when you want a bit more speed and luxury over sailing

If sailing isn’t a priority, power catamarans are often the easiest way to maximize comfort and time. Not because the BVI is “far,” but because predictable, faster hops can turn the day into more swimming, more lounging, and less waiting. Many power cats also lean into comfort-first engineering—bigger battery banks, more solar, quieter nights—because builders can allocate space and design effort away from the sailing rig and into guest experience.

Can you actually sail in the BVI on a charter?

Yes—just don’t expect “seven days of perfect sailing.”

In practice, sailing catamarans may motor a significant portion of the time, especially when guests want a busy itinerary. Some routes also don’t line up neatly with wind direction. For example, going directly between certain points without motoring can mean longer, tack-heavy passages—and very few guests want to trade 5–6 hours underway for “pure sailing” when the alternative is arriving earlier and enjoying the anchorage.

The right mindset is not all-or-nothing. Modern sailing catamarans are designed to motor comfortably when needed and sail beautifully when conditions are right. Crews often put sails up even for an hour or two between close anchorages because guests love it.

Speed changes the week (and Anegada is the proof)

Power catamarans are faster—and in a one-week BVI charter, that changes how the week feels.

The BVI isn’t about long passages. It’s about how quickly you can reposition and how smoothly the onboard rhythm runs. Faster cruising can mean:

earlier arrivals
longer afternoons at anchor
less compression around meals and activities

Anegada is the classic example. Many sailing-cat itineraries skip it because it can be awkward for wind/time. On the right power cat, Anegada becomes far easier to include without turning it into a long transit day.

And there’s a crew reality most guests don’t see: timing matters onboard. When meals, water toys, and anchoring all stack up, predictable travel times make the whole operation smoother—especially on yachts with smaller crews.

Why power cats often feel more “villa-like”

Power catamarans often deliver a different kind of layout freedom.

Without the rig and the constraints that come with it, builders can open up flow, push ceiling heights, expand social zones, and design the yacht more like a floating residence. Many power cats also have more “solar real estate,” which supports stronger battery/solar setups and quieter nights at anchor.

But—sailing cats can be just as luxurious. In the modern charter market, a lot of high-end sailing cats are built as floating villas first, with sailing as an option. The luxury difference is not “sail vs power.” It’s the specific yacht, its spec, and how it’s operated.

Quiet nights at anchor: solar and battery setups

This is a big one for guests, and it’s finally getting more attention.

Both sailing and power cats can do comfortable anchor life, but many newer power cats are heavily spec’d for solar + battery + efficient systems, which can reduce generator hours and make the experience quieter at night. When it’s done properly, it’s a genuine quality-of-life upgrade: less background hum, better sleep, and a more “off-grid” feel without sacrificing comfort.

Sailing cats: what clients love about them

Even if you only sail part-time, sailing cats deliver a specific vibe: you feel the wind, the movement, the journey. It’s not just transport—it’s part of the holiday. For many groups, that’s the point of choosing a sailing cat in the first place.

And because the BVI fleet still leans heavily toward sailing cats, this category often gives you the best selection of layouts, crews, and price points.

Some sailing cats truly match power cats in luxury

Endless Horizon, a Sunreef 80, is a sailing catamaran that changes expectations. With its beam, flybridge layout, and finishing, it feels every bit as luxurious as a power cat.

“The big flybridge with a bar… the downstairs cockpit is very large as well with a big 1,200 kilo tender lift where we can turn it into a sort of lounge area as well.”

Sunreef doesn’t chase sailing performance — they focus on delivering a five-star experience with sails as an option. We recommend Endless Horizon to guests who might typically go for a power cat, but still like the romance of sails going up when the breeze is right.

If sailing performance is your priority, pick a cat built for it

Not all sailing catamarans sail the same. Many high-end charter cats are designed as floating villas first—heavy displacement, big flybridges, lots of volume—which is great for comfort but not always great for sailing angles or speed under sail.

If you genuinely care about sailing performance (not just “sails up for an hour”), we look at the things that actually change it: weight, sail plan, hull design, and how the boat is configured. This is where certain models stand out—cats like LIQUID SKY (Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67) are a good example of a sailing cat that can deliver a more responsive sailing experience than the heaviest luxury-focused platforms. Tell us how important “real sailing” is to you, and we’ll filter accordingly.

Eco-conscious catamarans are becoming a real category

We’re seeing more clients ask for sustainability without giving up comfort—and some yachts are now built to deliver exactly that. The practical benefits are real: larger solar arrays, bigger battery banks, efficient systems, and materials that improve comfort (for example cooler decking that’s easier on bare feet).

When it’s done properly, this isn’t just a “green” story—it improves the charter. Less generator runtime means quieter nights at anchor, less fuel burn, and a more off-grid feel without sacrificing air conditioning or modern convenience. If that matters to you, we’ll point you to yachts that are genuinely set up for it, not just marketed that way.