Iwj Lyra Yacht Charter

About Iwj Lyra

New Zealand builder Thackwray Yachts delivered this sailing yacht, measuring around 98 ft (30 m), in what’s reportedly the mid-1980s, with sources split between 1984 and 1986. Guests number up to 8, spread across 4 cabins, with a crew of around four to five looking after them. Built for long-distance, blue-water sailing rather than short coastal hops, she now operates as part of Island Windjammers’ small-ship sailing program under the name Lyra.

What sets this sailing yacht apart from a typical crewed charter is how she is booked. Rather than chartering the whole vessel for one group, Island Windjammers sells IWJ Lyra on a per-cabin, small-ship cruise basis, with fixed sailing dates and professional crew throughout. This arrangement suits travelers who want an authentic sailing experience and don’t need, or don’t want to pay for, exclusive use of the entire yacht.

Her build is distinctly utilitarian by modern superyacht standards, and that is part of her appeal. The hull is steel, topped by an aluminium superstructure, a combination chosen for genuine ocean passages rather than dockside appearances, and her layout, rigging and deck spaces still reflect that original working-boat brief decades later.

Guest Accommodation

IWJ Lyra sleeps up to 8 guests in 4 cabins: two king suites and two queen staterooms. Because cabins are sold individually rather than as part of a single private charter, solo travelers and couples can book just the space they need without chartering the entire yacht.

Each cabin is set up for genuine liveaboard sailing rather than static dockside comfort, reflecting the yacht’s design for ocean passages. Guests sharing the vessel on the same sailing dates will typically be other small groups or couples rather than one combined private party, which is worth knowing before booking if privacy for a larger group is the priority.

Onboard Amenities

Onboard, IWJ Lyra offers Wi-Fi connectivity and air conditioning throughout the guest accommodation, both useful for a yacht that spends extended periods at sea between island stops. Deck space is generous for a sailing yacht of this size, giving guests room to spread out for sunbathing or simply watching the sailing.

A range of water toys is available for guests to use during anchorage stops, including:

• Waterskis
• Wakeboards
• Kayaks
• Paddleboards
• Snorkelling equipment
• Fishing equipment
• A watersport tender for ship-to-shore transfers

• Air Conditioning
• Wi-Fi

Performance & Range

Under sail or power, IWJ Lyra typically makes around 9.5 knots. She can push to 11 knots when conditions call for it, though her hull and rig were never intended to chase speed records. Carrying over 9,400 litres of fuel gives her the legs for roughly 2,000 nautical miles between fill-ups, well suited to the multi-day island-hopping her current sailing program follows.

That profile favors steady, scenic sailing over fast point-to-point cruising, which fits her current role on multi-day, fixed-itinerary sailing programs rather than flexible, short private charters. Guests booking her through Island Windjammers should expect a relaxed pace built around the sailing itself, not just transit between anchorages.

IWJ Lyra Charter Locations

IWJ Lyra is reported to be based in Athens, sailing Greece’s Cyclades and Saronic Gulf during the May to October charter season. This puts her among the islands of the Greek Mediterranean, where protected anchorages and short sailing distances between islands suit her multi-day cruise format well.

Her cruising grounds and schedule are set by Island Windjammers’ published sailing calendar rather than a flexible charter booking, so guests should confirm current departure dates directly before planning travel around a specific itinerary.

Island-hopping across the Cyclades and Saronic Gulf keeps sailing distances short between stops, which suits IWJ Lyra’s fixed, multi-day cruise format better than a long open-water passage would. Guests typically move between a handful of islands over the course of a single sailing, with time ashore built into the schedule rather than spent purely at sea.

IWJ Lyra Charter FAQ

Can I charter IWJ Lyra exclusively for my own group?

IWJ Lyra is sold by her operator, Island Windjammers, on a per-cabin, small-ship cruise basis rather than as a traditional whole-boat weekly charter. Guests book individual cabins on fixed sailing dates alongside other guests, so full exclusive use of the yacht is not the standard booking arrangement.

How many guests and cabins does IWJ Lyra have?

IWJ Lyra accommodates up to 8 guests across 4 cabins: two king suites and two queen staterooms, supported by a crew of around four to five.

Where does IWJ Lyra sail?

She is reported to be based in Athens, sailing Greece’s Cyclades and Saronic Gulf between May and October each year, following Island Windjammers’ current sailing calendar.

What is IWJ Lyra’s cruising speed and range?

Expect a cruising speed around 9.5 knots and a top speed of 11 knots, with fuel capacity sufficient for roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range.