Sail vs Splendour: LE PONANT & SOLANDGE Head-to-Head
At first glance, comparing the graceful sailing yacht LE PONANT with the formidable motor yacht SOLANDGE seems an exercise in opposition. Both measure around 85 metres and operate with an impressive crew of 34, yet they represent two completely different philosophies of life at sea. The 84.3m LE PONANT, a classic three-masted vessel launched in 1990 and refit in 2022, is a platform for shared adventure. She accommodates an incredible 32 guests across 16 suites, inviting large families or corporate groups to experience the romance of sail in the Caribbean. In contrast, the 85.1m SOLANDGE is a monument to modern motor yachting. A 2013 Lürssen build with a 2024 refit, she is the epitome of private luxury, hosting just 12 guests in six palatial suites. Her domain is the East Mediterranean, and her weekly charter rate from €1,150,000 reflects an experience centred on peerless opulence and service. The choice is not about which is superior, but about the very nature of the charter you wish to create: a grand, communal voyage under sail, or an intimate escape into a world of superlative luxury.
Your decision rests on a single question: what is the purpose of your charter? For a grand-scale event, corporate hospitality, or a multi-family reunion celebrating the joy of sailing, LE PONANT is unmatched in her capacity and spirit. For those seeking the zenith of private, intimate luxury with an almost 3:1 crew-to-guest ratio and every conceivable amenity, SOLANDGE is, simply put, one of the finest motor yachts available anywhere in the world. The choice is between shared adventure and private perfection.
Large groups, corporate charters, or multi-generational families seeking an authentic, adventurous sailing experience with the space and service to accommodate everyone in comfort and style.
The discerning charterer demanding the pinnacle of modern motor yacht luxury, unrivalled personal service, and an opulent, feature-rich platform for an intimate gathering in the Mediterranean.
Specs side by side
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| Length | 84.3 m | 85 mlarger | 0.7 m |
| Beam | 11.9 m | 14 mlarger | 2.1 m |
| Launched | 1990 | 2013larger | 23 |
| Guests | 32larger | 12 | 20 |
| Cabins | 16larger | 6 | 10 |
| Crew | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| Cruise speed | 10 kts | 15 ktslarger | 5 kts |
| Top speed | — | 18 kts | — kts |
| Cruising range | — | 6,000 nm | — nm |
| Charter type | Sailing Yacht | Motor Yacht | — |
| Builder | Custom | Lürssen | — |
| Cruising region | Caribbean | East Mediterranean | — |
| Weekly from (EUR) | €455,000 | €1,150,000 | 695,000 |
Tip: click any column header to sort. Use Δ to surface the biggest spec gaps.
Design & Pedigree
The divergent origins of these yachts define their character. LE PONANT is a custom-built, three-masted sailing yacht from 1990 whose classic lines evoke the golden age of sail. Her naval architecture prioritises grace, stability, and the authentic connection between guest and ocean. While her 2022 refit ensures modern comforts, her pedigree is one of timeless elegance and seafaring tradition. SOLANDGE, by contrast, is a masterpiece of modern German engineering from the revered Lürssen shipyard. Launched in 2013, her powerful, muscular exterior is the work of Espen Øino, arguably the most famous designer of his generation. Her design is a statement of presence and volume, engineered for maximum interior space and on-board features. A 2024 refit keeps her at the bleeding edge of contemporary style. One is a tribute to the art of sailing; the other is a testament to the power of motor yacht design.
On Board Experience
Life aboard these two vessels is fundamentally different. On LE PONANT, the experience is outward-facing. Her expansive, sun-drenched decks are the main stage, inviting guests to witness the majesty of her sails in full flight. Social spaces are designed to foster a sense of community among the 32 guests, with the journey itself providing the entertainment. It is an active, engaging experience built around the sea. The on-board experience on SOLANDGE is a destination in itself. Her interior, a collaboration of exquisite materials and artisanal finishes, is a world of its own. With a dedicated spa, a cinema, a large swimming pool, and a sophisticated beach club, the focus is on providing limitless entertainment and relaxation within the yacht's voluminous confines. Rather than simply travelling upon the water, SOLANDGE offers a private, floating resort where every conceivable luxury is at your fingertips. It is an immersive world of unparalleled comfort and opulence.
Accommodation
The accommodation layout is the most telling difference between the two. LE PONANT’s ability to host 32 guests in 16 suites is a rarity in the superyacht sector. This arrangement is perfect for large corporate events, milestone birthday celebrations, or multi-family holidays where togetherness is key. The suites, refreshed in the 2022 refit, provide comfortable and private sanctuaries, but the design emphasis is on capacity and community. SOLANDGE champions the opposite approach: ultimate luxury for a select few. She accommodates 12 guests in six magnificent suites. The volume-per-guest is immense, with a spectacular, panoramic owner’s deck that includes a private office, his-and-hers bathrooms and dressing rooms, and a private outdoor deck with a spa pool. The remaining suites are equally lavish, offering unparalleled comfort and privacy. This is accommodation designed not just for sleeping, but for living in superlative style.
Cruising Grounds & Range
Each yacht is perfectly suited to its primary cruising region. LE PONANT is based in the Caribbean, where her 10-knot cruising speed is ideal for leisurely island-hopping. A sailing yacht charter is about the journey, not the speed of arrival. The experience of harnessing the trade winds to move between Martinique and the Grenadines is the core of her appeal. Her slower pace encourages a deeper connection with the environment. SOLANDGE operates in the East Mediterranean, a cruising ground of greater distances. Her brisk 15-knot cruising speed (and 18-knot top speed) makes light work of passages between the Cyclades or along the Dalmatian coast. She can reposition from a secluded Croatian bay to the buzz of a Montenegrin port with speed and efficiency, maximising the variety of destinations within a week-long charter. Her power provides clients with ultimate flexibility and control over their itinerary.
Crew, Service & Toys
Both yachts carry a complement of 34 crew, but the service style is dictated by the guest count. On LE PONANT, the crew of 34 serves up to 32 guests, a ratio of just over 1:1. This ensures attentive, professional service on a large scale, with a team that includes specialist sailors as well as hospitality staff. Her water toy inventory is necessarily extensive to cater to the needs of a large and active group. On SOLANDGE, the same crew of 34 serves a maximum of 12 guests. This creates an extraordinary crew-to-guest ratio of almost 3:1, facilitating a level of intuitive, personalised service that is second to none. The crew can anticipate every need, from a bespoke cocktail to a private yoga session on the sun deck. Her tender and toy programme is managed with meticulous attention, ensuring that individual guests receive dedicated instruction and support for a premium experience.
Pricing & Value
The financial comparison is stark and speaks to two different definitions of value. LE PONANT’s charter rate starts from €455,000 per week. For a full complement of 32 guests, this equates to a per-person cost of just over €14,000. For a private, fully-crewed 84m yacht, this represents exceptional value. The proposition is access to a unique, large-scale sailing event that would be impossible on almost any other yacht. SOLANDGE’s rate, from €1,150,000 per week, places her in the uppermost echelon of the global charter fleet. For 12 guests, the per-person cost is approximately €96,000. The value here is not measured in capacity, but in exclusivity, pedigree, and an uncompromising standard of luxury. You are chartering a Lürssen masterpiece with a near 3:1 crew ratio and a level of opulence that few will ever experience. One offers incredible value for the group; the other offers an invaluable experience for the individual.
FAQ
- Which yacht is bigger, LE PONANT or SOLANDGE?
- SOLANDGE is marginally longer at 85.1m to LE PONANT's 84.3m, but as a motor yacht, her design provides significantly more internal volume and deck space than the sailing yacht.
- Which is better for families?
- LE PONANT is superb for large, multi-generational family gatherings due to her 16 cabins, while SOLANDGE offers a more intimate, amenity-rich experience for a single family.
- Which has the better water toy programme?
- While both are well-equipped, SOLANDGE's near 3:1 crew-to-guest ratio ensures an exceptionally high level of personal service and instruction for her extensive toy collection.
- Which yacht is the better value for a charter week?
- On a per-person basis, LE PONANT offers exceptional value for large groups. SOLANDGE's price reflects her status as one of the most luxurious and sought-after motor yachts on the market.
Continue comparing
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