Zeepaard Yacht Charter

About Zeepaard

Zeepaard is a 37.18 meters (122 feet) expedition yacht, delivered by JFA Yachts in 2003 and refitted in 2011. She was originally built and delivered as Axantha I, a purpose-designed research vessel from the French yard, and she carries that exploration background into her charter career. The exterior, interior and naval architecture are all the work of Vripack, the Dutch design studio, and the yacht went on to circumnavigate the world on a private voyage of more than 50,000 miles through 39 countries before entering the charter market.

Ten guests sleep in five en suite cabins, served by a crew of seven. In summer she cruises the Mediterranean, from the Adriatic coast to the French Riviera, and in winter she moves to the Caribbean, a dual-season schedule that reflects the long-range design.

Guest Accommodation

Zeepaard accommodates 10 guests in five en suite cabins: one master suite and four double cabins. The layout keeps the crew areas forward and the guest areas aft, so the passage is quieter for the people who paid for the tickets. The Vripack interior is finished in European cherry wood, and the classic styling has held up well since delivery.

The main salon is the largest guest space onboard. It combines a seating area, a dining table and a bar, with bookshelves that give the room a study-like character. Aft, the open sun deck adds further lounge space, so guests can choose between the teak-lined interior and the deck at the end of a day at anchor.

Onboard Amenities

The main salon is the center of life aboard. Windows wrap around the space, and the layout pairs a lounge with a dining table and a bar counter, all finished in cherry wood. The bookshelves make a practical escape on rough days.

The aft sun deck has wicker loungers, cushioned seating and an alfresco dining area, with room for meals under cover or in the open. A larger elevated sun deck sits above it, a deliberate feature on a yacht designed for remote cruising, where a high vantage point is part of the point of going.

• Bar
• Sun Deck

Cruising Performance

The aluminium hull and superstructure were built to Lloyd’s class, and the high bow is the most visible sign of her research vessel origins. It pushes water down and away, which makes her steadier under way in exposed water than a conventional hull of similar size. Twin 475hp Caterpillar engines give her a cruising speed of 10 knots and a top speed of 13 knots.

Fuel tanks of 54,000 litres support the long-range mission. Current charter listings quote a range of up to 7,000 nautical miles, while the original builder specification is 5,100 nautical miles at 11 knots. Either figure is well beyond the norm for a yacht of 37 meters, and it is what allows her to move between the Caribbean in winter and the Mediterranean in summer without refuelling at intermediate ports.

Toys & Water Equipment

Her toy locker suits the adventure brief. The selection leans toward active water sport rather than lounging, which fits a yacht designed to reach the less crowded bays.

• Two BIC open sailboats
• Jet skis
• Water skis
• Kite surfboards
• Wakeboards
• Scuba diving and snorkeling equipment
• Canoes
• Windsurfers
• 2 x 7.62 meters (25 feet) tenders with 50hp engines

The two BIC open sailboats are the most distinctive items on board. They extend the sailing element of the charter beyond the mooring, and they suit the exploratory brief that defines her.