Each week, we spotlight one yacht worth knowing. Not just for how it looks or the amenities it has on board, but for how it changes the experience of where you are. This week, our chosen charter yacht is the incomparable 105-metre Oceanco sailing legend, Black Pearl (not to be confused with the fictional, legendary pirate ship of the same name from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series), currently available for charter with IYC.
Black Pearl Charter Yacht: A Sailing Icon
The instigator of a thousand Instagram stories every time it shows up at a marina or sweeps across an ocean, Black Pearl charter yacht is truly breathtaking to behold, and what it’s hiding inside is even cooler (spoiler alert: it is a technical marvel). Built back in 2018, charter yacht Black Pearl only entered the charter market in late 2024, and is now offering travellers incredible, globe-trotting experiences across the West and East Mediterranean the Caribbean, Central and South America, the South Pacific and more.
Sporting one of the world’s most famous silhouettes, charter yacht Black Pearl’s iconic looks are shaped by three 70.6-metre DynaRig carbon masts and nearly 32,292 sqft (3,000 square metres) of sail, which can be deployed in an incredible seven minutes. This goes some way in explaining its reputation as one of the most technologically advanced boats ever built.
Where Design Meets Ambition
As a yacht which truly deserves the often overused description of ‘game-changing’, charter yacht Black Pearl was the logical conclusion of the superyacht design and build heavyweights of Oceanco, Ken Freivokh Design, Nuvolari Lenard, BMT Nigel Gee, and Gerard P. Villate coming together and basically rewriting what was thought to be possible for a super sailing yacht.
This also explains Black Pearl’s generous collection of trophies, including being awarded ‘Best Sailing Yacht 60m and above’, ‘Sailing Yacht of the Year’ at the World Superyacht Awards 2019, ‘Best Naval Architecture for Sailing Yachts” at the Boat International Design & Innovation Awards 2019, and ‘Best New Supersail’ by Yachts International in 2017.
Black Pearl charter yacht is, in many ways, a yacht of both superlatives and firsts. From its build to its technological make-up to its amenities, it is defined by being utterly extraordinary.
To name just a few, sailing yacht Black Pearl has the biggest exterior cinema screen in yachting (spanning 14 by nine metres), is the largest sailing yacht to date to utilise its high-tech DynaRig system (which allows for all sails to be set or furled in just seven minutes via push-button control), and is widely viewed as the most sustainable sailing superyacht out there.
Lighter Footprints, Longer Journeys
Although the question of whether a charter yacht can ever be truly ‘sustainable’ is not without its complications, Black Pearl’s eco-credentials are admittedly impressive. Designed for eco-friendly cruising, Black Pearl can harness regenerative energy from its propellers while under sail to generate electricity. Indeed, its pioneering propulsion system means it can cross the Atlantic without burning a drop of fossil fuel, with a range of 5,400 nautical miles.
Putting this into context, on a recent passage from Tenerife to Antigua (under 10 days), Black Pearl used just 16,000 litres of fuel while sailing most of the way. Motor yachts of a comparable size, making the same crossing, would typically burn around 100,000-150,000 litres of fuel. Crunching the numbers, Black Pearl is completing this ocean passage on roughly one-sixth to one-tenth of the fuel a similar-sized motor yacht would use. How does it do it?
In simple terms, Black Pearl charter yacht is able to do this by sailing efficiently whenever there is wind to do so, and using its engines mainly as backup or for low-wind periods.
Cinema, But Not as You Know it
So, you’ve made it on board Black Pearl. Where do we begin? You could head straight to the epic sun deck, where you can soak up 360-degree sea views, enjoy a drink at one of the two well-equipped bars, or experience the largest exterior cinema screen in yachting for yourself, which is created by projecting onto the entire bottom sail.
At the Helm
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a sailor, this area also doubles up as a helm station where you can learn to steer this amazing yacht for yourself, under the trusty guidance of true industry legend and sailing veteran, Captain Chris Gartner.
Unlike many smaller boats where the jacuzzi has to be drained when she’s in motion, Black Pearl charter yacht can be enjoyed on the move, whether you are motoring or sailing moderately. Although Black Pearl is indisputably a sailing yacht to the core, the breadth and quality of her amenities rival any large motorised charter yacht on offer.
Space to Reset
Head to the vast foredeck for all of your charter wellness needs, which is a popular area for yoga, PT sessions, and sunset cocktails on beanbags surrounded by twinkling lanterns.
Then, you can head down below the main deck, where Black Pearl’s night lounge and wellness area form a versatile retreat focused on health, relaxation, and entertainment. This space can be configured as one expansive open lounge or divided into three separate rooms using sliding partition walls, allowing complete privacy for different activities.
The gym on board Black Pearl charter yacht is on the starboard (right) side of this lounge area, and a dedicated massage/therapy room is found on the port (left) side, alongside a hammam/sauna, a large shower, and a beauty salon that can also serve as a medical/hospital room when needed.
A central juice or vodka bar (depending on your mood) anchors this space, while integrated scuba diving facilities and tender-landing shell doors on both port and starboard connect the lounge directly to the sea and to the main aft pool deck above.
A Pool That Transforms with You
Naturally, no epic charter experience would be complete without reference to this large swimming pool on board. Found on the main deck, Black Pearl charter yacht’s swimming pool is particularly cool, thanks to its adjustable floor, which means it can function as a deep exercise pool with a counter-current jet, a shallow children’s pool, or be raised fully to create extra deck space, with direct access down to the swim platform.
Wherever in the world it charters, Black Pearl charter yacht is brilliantly set up for on-water fun and has a full complement of water toys, including Jet Skis, e-foils, SEABOBS, windsurfing kit, kites, and an inflatable dock extending the yacht’s footprint to around 138 metres.
Sleep, Perfected
As for where to sleep when you’re finally tired of all the fun, Black Pearl charter yacht’s bedrooms are all found on a single lower deck, sleeping 12 travellers.
A full-beam master suite can be divided into two cabins with his-and-hers bathrooms, complemented by two spacious VIPs, a twin cabin, and a flexible cabin with two singles and a Murphy bed, all positioned low in the hull for maximum quiet and stability at sea.
The Case for Black Pearl
Equal parts revolutionary in its engineering as it is enjoyable to experience, a Black Pearl yacht charter has few comparisons out there. Still on the fence about its appeal? Answer this: Where else in the world could you take the helm of a 105-metre super sailing yacht for yourself, or immerse yourself in a Hollywood blockbuster under breathtaking ocean stars.
Black Pearl charter yacht is currently available for charter with IYC, from €850,000 per week plus expenses.
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