Charter yachts prepare for St Barths Bucket 2018

By Rebecca Bradbury 8 March 2018

The 31^st edition of the St Barths Bucket Regatta will welcome an impressive array of sailing yachts to the idyllic island of St Barths for three days of thrilling racing.

A fleet welcome party will kick off proceedings on the evening of 15^th March, before the first day of racing begins the following morning in the sparkling Caribbean waters. The regatta will then conclude on 18^th March with an awards ceremony and closing party.

This combination of competitive on-the-water action and shore-side social activities at Gustavia Harbour makes the regatta St Barths’ second biggest event of the year, only after its world renowned New Year’s Eve celebrations.

sailing yacht SPIIP in action at the St Barths Bucket Regatta

yachts cut through the waters at the St Barths Bucket Regatta

yachts in action at the St Barths Bucket Regatta

Charter yacht Rosehearty cuts through the water at the St Barths Bucket Regatta

Out of the 36 competing yachts, nine are available for charter, and all eyes will be on the 34m/112ft sailing yacht SPIIP from Royal Huisman. She won her class at last year’s meet and is in fine form after winning January's Antigua Superyacht Regatta.

Competing in class C, she will go head-to-head with two regatta regulars: the 32m/105ft charter yacht DANNESKJOLD from Southern Ocean Marine and Southern Wind’s 32m/104ft charter yacht FARFELLA.

Another big name making a re-appearance is the 56m/184ft charter yacht ROSEHEARTY from Perini Navi. She returns to the regatta after two previous class wins, her most recent being just last year.

All eyes will be on the 34m/112ft charter yacht SPIIP from Royal Huisman as she returns to defend her 2017 class title

She will face stiff competition in class D from the 35m/116ft Holland Jachtbouw charter yacht WHISPER and the 33m/108ft charter yacht MARAE, an Alloy Yachts’ build, while the 34m/112ft sailing yacht SOJANA will be representing charter yachts in class B.

Vitters’ 43m/141ft charter yacht KOO and the 52m/170ft Alloy charter yacht Q will also be back in action. Placed first and second respectively in the Les Voiles Blanche class in 2017, their battle for the top spot is expected to be one of the weekend's highlights.

The St Barths Bucket Regatta is a perfect excuse for undertaking a yacht charter, whether it be to join in the racing as part of a regatta charter or to take in all the action from the side lines as part of a charter vacation.