CHAKRA vs LE PONANT: The Powerhouse Motor Yacht or The Grand Sailing Dame?

These yachts have divergent origins that define their character. CHAKRA, a Davenport build from 1998, began life as a commercial vessel. Her 2017 conversion is the key to her appeal, bestowing her with a colossal interior volume and robust, powerful lines rarely seen in a private yacht. She is, by design, an imposing presence on the water. By contrast, the 1990-built LE PONANT is a custom three-masted sailing yacht, a picture of classic maritime elegance. Her recent and extensive 2022 refit ensures her systems and interiors are perfectly aligned with modern luxury expectations, but her soul remains that of a true sailing vessel. Her naval architecture is all about harnessing the wind, offering sleek lines and a graceful heel, a world away from CHAKRA’s unyielding stability and sheer bulk. One was built for purpose and converted to luxury; the other was born for elegant passage-making from the outset.

Herein lies a key differentiator. CHAKRA’s accommodation is one of her most talked-about features: she houses 24 guests in an incredible 21 separate suites. This configuration is almost unheard of in the charter market and provides unmatched flexibility and privacy. It is the ideal layout for corporate charters, groups of friends who are not couples, or large families travelling with extensive staff. No guest feels they have drawn a short straw. LE PONANT's achievement is different but no less impressive. She accommodates a remarkable 32 guests in 16 suites. While offering fewer individual cabins than CHAKRA, her ability to host such a large number on a sailing yacht is exceptional. The choice is clear: CHAKRA offers unparalleled privacy and flexibility for a smaller group, while LE PONANT delivers sheer capacity, allowing a much larger party to experience the charter together.

Service on both yachts is of an exceptional standard, dictated by impressive crew-to-guest ratios. CHAKRA’s 30 crew serve 24 guests, ensuring a highly polished, anticipatory service style befitting a formal motor yacht. The crew are experts in delivering a seamless, five-star hotel experience. With 34 crew for 32 guests, LE PONANT also offers an almost one-to-one ratio. Her service is equally professional but infused with the passion of true mariners; the crew are not just hospitality staff but also expert sailors who manage the complex operations of a large sailing vessel. While CHAKRA's vast hull will likely house a larger array of jet skis and tenders, LE PONANT’s toy collection will be curated to complement the sailing experience, with an emphasis on water sports that connect guests to the ocean environment.