Iara Description

Experience the pinnacle of luxury with the 2017 50´ Fountaine Pajot sailing catamaran, Iara, exquisitely refurbished in 2023. This stunning vessel boasts a master suite and two queen cabins, accommodating up to six guests in absolute comfort. Each queen cabin features an ensuite bath, providing optimal privacy and convenience. Step into spacious, light-filled cabins designed for maximum comfort. The expansive saloon is both practical and elegant, featuring a convertible sofa area and a well-appointed galley. With ample storage throughout, you’ll find every corner of this catamaran thoughtfully designed. Natural light floods the interior through roof and panoramic windows in the saloon, a wide window door leading to the cockpit, and large windows in all cabins. The interior decor exudes coziness, with soft hues and an elegant style that invites relaxation. Embark on a Caribbean adventure in the Virgin Islands, where relaxation and excitement await. Enjoy an array of water toys, including three stand-up paddleboards, a floating dock, snorkel gear, beach games, and fishing equipment. This is more than just a vacation; it´s the experience of a lifetime. Set sail and create unforgettable memories on our luxurious sailing catamaran.

Cruising Area of Iara

Pref. Pick-upTortola, BVI
Other Pick-upInquire
Summer PortTortola, BVI
Winter PortTortola, BVI

Accommodations

Guests6
Cabins3
Crew2
Queen3
Showers4
Wash Basins4
Heads4
TP in HeadsYes
Electric Heads4
Accommodation Details
3 Queen Cabins
Crew in forward starboard cabin

Specification

Length50 Feet
Beam26 Feet
Draft4 Feet
Built2017
Refit2023
A/CFull
A/C NightYes
HammockYes
DeckshowerYes
Bimini TopYes
Gym/ExerciseYes
HairdryerYes
Children AllowedYes
Min Child AgeNone
InverterYes
Voltages220v
Water MakerYes
Water Capacity700L / 185 gal
Ice MakerYes
Internet AccessOnboard WIFI
GeneratorYes
Max Speed15 knots
Cruising Speed8 knots
Turnaround48 hrs preferred, Inquire for
Communications
Inshore WiFi
Irridium GO satellite tel/com

Water Sports

Dinghy (Feet)Highfield 380
Dinghy Hp20
Dinghy Pax8
Snorkel Gear8
Tube8
Floating Mats1
Standup Paddle2
Swim PlatformsYes
Beach GamesYes
Fishing GearYes
Gear TypeOff Shore
Fishing Rods2
Fishing PermitYes
Other Toys
2 Subwings
3 SUPs
Floating Dock
Snorkel Gear
8 Noodles
Fishing Gear - 2 Off Shore 250lb Rods & Hand Line
Beach Games

Scuba Diving Scuba Diving Symbol

ScubaYacht offers Rendezvous Diving only
Air CompressorNot Onboard

Entertainment

Salon Tv/DvdYes
Salon StereoYes
DVDsYes
Board GamesYes
BooksYes
Other Entertainment
Defibrillator
Eisenglass Weather Protection

Cuisine

Special DietsYes
KosherInq
BBQYes

Green Initiatives

Make Purified Drinking WaterYes
Re-Usable Water BottlesYes
Other Green Initiatives
Reef Safe/Ocean Friendly Products Onboard

Iara Crew Profile

Crew Number2
Captain
CaptainPaul Bowring
NationalityUK
LicenseCommercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
Chef/First Mate
Chef/First MateLexy DeRiggs
NationalityAmerican/Vincentian
LicenseCertificate in Culinary Nutrition from Leith’s School of F


In 2017, Paul and Lexy unknowingly began an adventure of a lifetime when they met working for Broadreach as a sailing instructor and scuba diving instructor respectively. During that summer season, they sailed up and down the Southern Caribbean leading groups of 13-17 year olds from all around the world. When parting ways after that summer, they knew somehow it was fate that they would come together again somewhere in the Caribbean Sea. Since then, the couple spent six years in St. Vincent & the Grenadines and stints aboard privately owned vessels across the Caribbean, the UK and the Mediterranean.


Captain Paul was born in the UK but was raised all over the globe. From living in South Korea to the Devon countryside, his fascination with travel and other cultures began quite early. When his family settled in Brixham, Paul and his father bonded through sailing. What started as a hobby soon became a passion, and that passion turned into a career. In 2015, Paul left his life in England as a hotel manager and sailed across the Atlantic. Along with a group of three others, he sailed from the Canary Islands and landed in the Southern Caribbean. After exploring the diverse islands, Paul made Bequia his home, where he captained the jewel of the Grenadines, The Friendship Rose - a classic 100-foot wooden schooner built in Bequia. After three years in this role, he moved on to captain Star of the Sea, a 35-meter motor yacht, for another three years. During this time, he also captained a wide variety of yachts, including his own catamaran, Cataja.

In his spare time, Paul volunteered with Bequia Junior Sailors, an organization that encourages young people to expand their knowledge and skills within the historical sailing community in the Grenadines. In 2019, Paul transitioned to freelance work, captaining a variety of boats throughout the Caribbean islands. Before embarking on his sailing career, Paul climbed the hospitality ladder, working in various hotels, bars, and restaurants, eventually earning a general manager position at Queen’s Court Hotel & Quayside Hotels in the UK. Paul holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification and an AEC 1.


Lexy was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, but as an island girl at heart, the sea has always felt like home. While living in New York City, Lexy had a career in event planning and marketing, which she continued when she relocated to St. Vincent & the Grenadines (her father’s home country), working for the Bequia Beach Hotel. After a year behind the desk with the sea right outside her office door, Lexy quit her 9-to-5 job to pursue her career as a yoga instructor and started her own studio, Wild Thing Wellness, alongside her family’s Airbnb business, Ohana House Bequia.

In 2019, Lexy began her professional sailing career, acting as first mate and chef aboard Cataja and freelancing with Paul on multi-day charters throughout the Southern Caribbean. For Lexy, cooking is a form of creativity and exploration, so she invites her guests to savor the selections of her carefully curated menu, which is healthy, locally sourced, fresh, and delicious.

“Coming from a multicultural household with roots in the Caribbean and South Korea, my understanding of cooking has always been interlinked with one’s personal history and community. I’m so excited to prepare delicious meals for guests to enjoy as they spend quality time together in some of the most beautiful cruising destinations in the world.”

Each dish fuses luscious local flavors with global inspiration and is truly prepared with love. Some of the best memories are shared around a table with good wine, good food, and good company! Lexy holds a certificate in culinary nutrition and her Food & Hygiene Level 2, and she recently completed a culinary nutrition certificate from Leith’s School of Food & Wine.

As innate adventurers and people-people, Paul and Lexy´s passions for travel and hospitality come together magically through the yachting industry. “We really put in the effort to make our guests feel a true sense of adventure and ease while they’re aboard their home away from home. Through sharing our love for food & sailing we create a high-end adventure that is also authentic and true to us, so our guests truly enjoy a slice of paradise aboard the yacht.”


Yoga Charter Add On Brought To You By Chef Lexy
Lexy is a highly skilled yoga instructor with over 600 hours of training. Her journey began with 200 hours of basic training in New York, followed by 300 hours of advanced training in Portugal. Lexy also had her own yoga studio in Bequia, where she further developed her expertise and passion for teaching. She now offers personalized yoga sessions onboard during your charter, designed to help you relax, increase flexibility, and build strength.

1 session per day and is relative to the sailing itinerary and weather.Available for $150 per session and paid to the instructor.

Iara Calendar

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Iara Reservations & Port Locations

Start DateEnd DateDetails (Holds can be challenged)
Jan 23, 2025Jan 29, 2025Booked: St Thomas, USVI* to St Thomas, USVI*
Jan 31, 2025Feb 07, 2025Hold: Unavailable to Unavailable
Feb 28, 2025Mar 06, 2025Hold: Trellis Bay, Tortola to Trellis Bay, Tortola
Mar 14, 2025Mar 31, 2025Unavailable: British Virgin Islands* to British Virgin Islands*
Apr 16, 2025Apr 22, 2025Booked: Tortola, Trellis Bay, BVI to Tortola, Trellis Bay, BVI
May 11, 2025May 18, 2025Booked: St Thomas, USVI* to St Thomas, USVI*
May 25, 2025May 31, 2025Hold: St Thomas, USVI* to St Thomas, USVI*
Jun 02, 2025Jun 07, 2025Hold: British Virgin Islands* to British Virgin Islands*
Jul 17, 2025Jul 20, 2025Unavailable: British Virgin Islands* to British Virgin Islands*
Aug 01, 2025Oct 31, 2025Unavailable: Unavailable to Unavailable
Dec 28, 2025Jan 04, 2026Hold: St Thomas, USVI* to St Thomas, USVI*
Jan 10, 2026Jan 18, 2026Booked: Tortola, Nanny Cay, BVI to Tortola, Nanny Cay, BVI

Iara Rates / week

The prices shown are for the entire yacht for a week-long (7 nights) charter. Inquire for lowest rate.
Low price: $20,700
(normal rate)
High price: $23,000
(normal rate)

Iara Special Offer!
1 Night Free!
Offer: Iara offers 7 nights for the price of 6 or 6 nights for the price of 5! This promotion cannot be combined with other offers.
Old price: $20,700 - $23,000 / week
New price: $17,743 - $19,714 / week
Minimum nights: 6
Book before: Feb/28/2025
Travel before: Aug/21/2025

Season2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
2024/25 Winter$21,000$21,500$22,000$22,500$23,000
2025 Summer$21,000$21,500$22,000$22,500$23,000
2025/26 Winter$21,000$21,500$22,000$22,500$23,000
2026 Summer$21,000$21,500$22,000$22,500$23,000


Yacht terms: All Inclusive
An all-inclusive charter covers all provisioning and running expenses. This includes a captain and crew that is fully trained and committed to your safety and enjoyment of your trip. A chef will provide the kind of exceptional, personalized meal preparation that you would expect of a five-star restaurant. The listed rate may not include all local taxes, cruising permits, premium beverages and scuba activities. Inquire for more information.

Iara Special Offer 2!
Discount: $2,000!
Offer: Romantic Getaway: Iara offers a $2,000 discount (maybe prorated for less than 7 nights) for charters booked and started between today and February 14th, 2025. As an added bonus, you can relax with a complimentary couples massage onboard, thoughtfully arranged by the crew (based on availability). Cannot be combined with any other promotions.
Book before: Feb/13/2025
Travel before: Feb/20/2025

ADDITIONAL RATE DETAILS


CRUISING GROUNDS: British Virgin Islands
Pick Up/Drop Off: Tortola; inquire for other locations
Yacht: BVI-Based
Crew: Annual Work Permits
BVI Customs & Cruising Permit Fees: Included

MINIMUM NIGHTS: 5, Inquire for less.
For 6 night charters, divide weekly rate by 7 nights X 6 nights.
For 5 nights or less, divide weekly rate by 6 nights X number of nights.

SLEEP ABOARD: Available for half of the daily rate. Includes boarding after 4pm, snacks, welcome cocktails & continental breakfast. Dinner ashore is additional. Select option upon booking.
EXCLUDES: Christmas and New Year´s weeks.

ONBOARD YOGA
Chef Lexy is a certified yoga instructor with over 600 hours.
1 session per day and is relative to the sailing itinerary and weather
Available for $150 per session and paid to the instructor.

HALF BOARD: SUBTRACT $150 per person from weekly rate.
Includes 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners. Requires all other meals on shore at client expense.
2@$20,700 | 3@$21,050 | 4@$21,400 | 5@$21,750 | 6@$22,100

LOCAL FARE: SUBTRACT $75 per person from weekly rate.
Includes 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners. Requires 2 lunches and 1 dinner at client expense.
2@$20,850 | 3@$21,275 | 4@$21,700 | 5@$22,125 | 6@$22,550

25/26 HOLIDAYS: 7 night minimum. Full-Board.
Christmas: $25,000 Must end on or before 12/27
New Years: $28,000 May not start prior to 12/28

ST. MARTIN - ST. BARTH’S - ANGUILLA
February 1st, 2025 to July 1st, 2025
$1,000 per way relocation fee

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
July 1st, 2025 to August 15th, 2025
One Optional relocation charter from SXM to SVG, available for charters booked in VI, SXM, and SVG

Iara Guest Reviews

December 2023 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

Paul & Lexi,
We can not thank you enough for all your hospitality and service.
Our Holiday on Wonderland was magical.
We hope your future voyages bring you much happiness!!
Matt & Diane

March 2022 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

Paul and Alexa,
We had such a relaxing week aboard Felicia with you both! We appreciated your calm dispositions and willingness to teach the boys. Thank you for taking them wake boarding, allowing them to explore the night life of the sea creatures, fishing, tipping over the kayak, exploring the shore and teaching them to sail! The report back to the parents was mostly about how cool Paul was! The food was wonderful! I really appreciated your calm, ´all is well´ disposition. It made for a wonderfully relaxing week for me, thank you! Most definitely one of our favorite trips of all time!
Blessings on your future adventures!
Traci and the gang

February 2022 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

Dear Paul and Alexa,
I tried to write an official sounding review but my thoughts feel so personal that I decided to write it in the form of a thank you letter to you both. I hope this is ok.
Thank you so much for an incredible week aboard Felicia! Wow— you exceeded our expectations on every level. Paul, you’re not only a great captain but your bartending skills are pretty epic! I’m still thinking about those spicy margaritas! Lexy, every meal was excellent and the variety of meals was incredible. You worked tirelessly in the kitchen— always with a smile on your face. Both of you were so patient with us— answering numerous questions, accommodating all requests, closing our hatches when we forgot, and the list goes on and on!
We were expecting the week to be wonderful but the 2 of you made it better than we could have dreamed. You helped us celebrate Tricia´s big birthday in such a fun way— videoing our dance party, letting us hang up decorations, making specialty drinks, providing a birthday cake, and joining in on the fun.

You were flexible with the itinerary when suggestions were made and navigated us through some tricky wind and weather. We always felt 100% safe with the 2 of you in charge. (not sure we can say the same about Mark and Lee’s kayaking skills!)
It really was a trip of a lifetime with our dearest friends and we are grateful that you were our crew! Y’all are a Dream Team for sure and I hope we can return to Felicia (or whatever vessel you’re on) in the future!

All our best-
Kristy & Keith

January 2022 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

We had a lovely week on Felicia, sailing around St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. The boat was very spacious and had everything we could want in the way of comforts and water toys. Paul and Alexa did a wonderful job charting our itinerary, finding beautiful locations for us to visit, and generally being very hospitable. Alexa’s cooking was terrific, and the meals generally great.
The Frankel Family

December 2021 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

We had dangerously high expectations for our trip on the Felicia, but I’m glad to say the week far exceeded our best hopes. We spotted Felicia in the bay the day before we boarded her which was exciting and she looked amazing as we boarded her. There is little more exciting than being aboard her doing 13.5 knots as you dart between the islands.
Paul and Alexa were the perfect hosts Paul has abundant energy and is an excellent skipper- very confident and professional. He’s also a superb host which is an impressive combination. He knows the boat, the waters, the islands and the locals and made sure everyday was fulfilling He’s also a very attentive bartender and he is superbly complemented by his ever smiling Alexa. If there is a better chef in the Caribbean I’d be surprised Her range of cuisine was amazing and nothing was impossible! Felicia was an excellent way to see the islands Whether it was day trips to beaches, swimming, lunch or dinner, each day was an experience. Sparrow’s beach club on Union Island was a great afternoon with a lot of cocktails and lobster
Paul and Alexa, many thanks.We shall be back!
The Falconers

December 2021 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

Thank you both for everything you did for us all. It was a blissful experience being on Felicia - you both have a wonderful ability to understand the varied needs of all your guests and accommodate them all to make a very special experience for the whole group. The sailing was exhilarating (particularly the last day’s sail back from Canouan!), Lexy’s cooking was exquisite. … and the Rum punches always arrived without fail just at the right moment! It was just the most fabulous week- thank you both very much indeed. Should you ever make it to Scotland a very warm welcome awaits you!
With love from us both
Duncan and Hilary

December 2021 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

Dear Alexa and Paul,
We had the most wonderful time with you on the Felicia. I was always amazed how you kept your calm - with coping with us old folks!! Getting us on shore - and back on board. I loved watching the sails go up. So we did the real sailing - cutting the engines - it was awesome! Alexa is SO the best cook on the high seas. And Paul was such a kind, courteous, and helpful skipper. The best really!!! We couldn’t of asked for more - I seriously recommend them.
With many thanks,
Bryan & Sara

December 2020 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

Paul and Alexa were just fantastic and we had an amazing time from start to finish. The boat was pristine and a perfect fit for us. The food was excellent. Paul and Alexa were so knowledgeable, incredibly kind and patient with our kids, and very responsive to everything we needed.
-Carolyn & Jerry

October 2020 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht

We had the pleasure to sail with Alexa and Paul for a week around a cluster of Caribbean islands called the Grenadines. Before the charter Paul called us and we started to put together our dream trip. As they have lived in the Caribbean for many years they were able to guide our family through the process and set the stage for a very exciting trip for my husbands 40th birthday.
They were delightful to sail with. Fun but relaxed and consistently working hard to make sure we got everything we wished for. Alexa’s food was sensational, happily catering for our young children while also putting on delicious food for my husband and myself later in the evening.
As they have been living in the area they knew all the best spots. Were able to advise us on some terrific restaurants on our nights out and introduce us to some of their friends at some idyllic locations.
We were blown away and have made sure to tell all our friends of what a fantastic family holiday we had.
We will definitely be keeping in touch with Alexa and Paul and are already planning our next adventure away hopefully sooner rather than later.
-Leandra