The Archipelago Expedition Yacht - our choice is made.

 The Archipelago Expedition Yacht - our choice is made.

Through my online searching, I found mostly used mass produced Gel/fiberglass yachts susch as Lagoons, Leopards, Fountaine Pajot, Beneteau and an occasional siting of a Bali or Prestige.  I was familiar with most of these from my sailing charter days and many are good solid boats. But most are designed with short term chartering in mind or short term live-aboard supplemental chartering.  There were also some hybrid yachts out there, but not many, and again none used.  Then I ran in to a used Archipelago Expedition Yacht on one of my searches.  It was catamaran in design (check that box), it was motored vs. sail (another check box), and it was made of aluminum (nothing wrong with that as I know many work boats, ferries and emergency craft are aluminum).

I watched several YouTubes taken aboard their first hull (now in Norway) and was really intrigued. 
The price point for a new Archipelago 47 was out of my reach, so I was curious about the “used” vessel.  

I wrote the company and got a prompt reply from the CEO, Stephen Weatherly.  He suggested a direct phone call for an initial discussion.  I suggested that that wasn’t necessary (I don’t like bothering CEOs when I’m tire kicking) and I could just put together a list of questions.  Stephen responded that getting on the phone with clients and potential clients was actually one of his more favorite activities and he’d really like to chat directly.

It was a very easy conversation.  Stephen shared his vision for Archipelago yachts and did a lot of listening to me about our desires/uncertainties/dreams and he painted a picture of how this might work.  I also have a soft spot for entrepreneurs and new businesses.  As it turns out the “used” Archipelago 47 was actually not used but unfinished.  A client who ordered 4702 decided at some point that he actually wanted a 52.  That left Stephen with a pile of already cut aluminum now, not paid for, and with nowhere to go.  We was keen on building another 47 with his existing materials and also keen to have to motoring in the Med/Adriatic/Aegean (a hot bed for live-aboard yachts)

Stephen’s vision was to create a go anywhere, anytime, in any ocean, in all climates yacht.  The word yacht is used as he also wants to customize them to be not only be fuunctional for the customers needs but add a bit of fashion and luxury.  As for the go-anywhere side of the story, his first 47 (4701) already has great videos (embedded here) showing it going through some rough seas in the North Sea heading to the Arctic Circle area of Norway (where it is today handling various tourist excursions). 

[By the way, most yacht videos are filmed on flat seas - not the Archipelago Yachts].  The designers of the hull also designed similar craft for the workmen going to windmill farms out in the North Sea.  The boat is made to be ocean going - not just coastal cruising.  It has a range of over 3000 nautical miles, it could get to speeds close to 30 knots…and do it safely.

This seemed ideal, and while I continued my search for other new but mostly used motor yachts I continued my conversations with Stephen:  pros and cons of aluminum; pros and cons of solar/hybrid, pros and cost of diesel engine size, pros and cons of a flybridge (the majority of most sunny weather boats have a smaller living and sometimes navigation space up above the salon — a top deck if you will}, pros and cons of relatively narrower hulls and overall beam compared to the Lagoon class of yacht; pros and cons of a used Archipelago 40 (new) and the “used” 4702; and so on. 

With every conversation, I was getting closer to really wanting an Archipelago 4702.  It was still a little out of my comfort range economically so we worked a barter wherein Archipelago will have certain mutually agreed upon marketing rights to the 4702 [look for us at the Cannes Boat Show in September ’26!]. 

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Finding a Boat -- New vs Used? Gel vs. Aluminium? Solar/Electric vs. Diesel? No Small Task

 Now To Find A Boat - No Small Decision - New vs. Used? Gel vs. Aluminum? Solar Electric vs. Diesel?

Our boat-buying journey centers on a few key criteria: a) We plan to spend much of our time in Europe, exploring the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean Seas, with potential excursions into Europe's rivers and canals. The possibility of traveling from Marseilles to Lyon, France on the Rhone River, and the allure of a river trip through Portugal's Douro Valley, which we've previously driven, are particularly exciting. b) We intend to live aboard the boat during the summer months, escaping the heat of our winter home in Baja California Sur, Mexico – a period of roughly 100 days annually. c) While we don't foresee chartering the boat, our experience with Airbnb makes us open to the idea as a way to offset expenses. d) We've settled on a catamaran configuration for its stability and spacious living areas. e) And, as discussed in an earlier post, we've chosen a motorboat over a sailboat.

With these parameters in mind, the search began. My son, Brent, had come across the Omikron 60, a new Greek-made vessel launched in 2024 that has garnered considerable attention and awards.

This boat, designed with live-aboard retirees in the Mediterranean in mind, boasts impressive range and fuel efficiency.

While appealing in many ways, the Omikron 60 presented a couple of drawbacks: its monohull design (though the layout is attractive) and its relatively large size. The size is a significant consideration, given the cost of dry or wet storage, which is calculated by the foot. Additionally, as a new model, used versions are not yet available.

A trusted and experienced captain, Ben, suggested exploring Silent Yachts. His captain and first mate colleagues had positive experiences with one in Mallorca, Spain. Silent Yachts are all-electric,

live-aboard vessels, distinguished by their "silence" – they rely solely on electric motors, eliminating the need for diesel engines

 

[well, not quite, they rely heavily on a diesel generator(s)]. As a long-time proponent of solar energy, with an all-electric car in California and a home powered approximately 80% by solar, I was immediately intrigued. My exploration of Silent Yachts,

and discussions with Marilyn, solidified our commitment to incorporating solar power, either partially or fully, into our boat's propulsion system.

The question of whether to buy a new or used boat naturally arose. I tend to favor used boats, much like used cars, for several reasons: 1) A significant portion of the initial cost is lost to depreciation as soon as the boat leaves the production dock. 2) It's possible to find nearly new boats in excellent condition, often with low usage and the benefit of thorough independent inspections. 3) A substantial advantage of buying a used boat is that it often comes equipped with a range of valuable items, from essential equipment like lines and anchors to conveniences such as dish towels and safety gear like life preservers and rafts. Of course, used boats also have potential downsides compared to new ones. The primary challenge is the need to compromise on certain preferences, such as the tender launching system, galley layout, or the number of berths. A used boat is rarely a perfect match. However, the cost of a new boat can be prohibitively high, especially considering our intended use and cruising plans.

As the saying goes, "The two best days of a boat owner's life are the day they buy the boat and the day they sell the boat." This saying highlights the abundance of large, gel coat (white fiberglass) motor yachts for sale in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean Seas. However, finding nearly new, live-aboard yachts with full solar or hybrid propulsion is almost impossible. These vessels tend to be kept for longer periods, though exceptions exist. Used solar or electric are virtually non-existent.  It’s clear we were going to have to make some concessions somewhere on our wish list.  Nevertheless, the online search for a used live-aboard yacht led me to a "used" Archipelago Expedition Yacht and a conversation with its CEO and Founder, Dr. Stephen Weatherley, in the UK.

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