Maiden Voyage of Distant Shores IV
This year, longtime international cruisers, best-selling authors, award-winning videographers and TV personalities, Paul and Shard, will be making the maiden voyage aboard their brand-new Enksail Orion 49, Distant Shores IV, a custom aluminum expedition sailboat designed to their specifications based on 35 years of bluewater sailing.
Following their shakedown cruise to Norway and Svalbard this summer 2024, they are inviting guest crew members, Beginner through Advanced, to join them on various legs of their voyage offshore to the Canary Islands, then on a transatlantic crossing to the Caribbean. Winter 2025, includes island-hopping in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Then another Atlantic passage to the magical Azores. (See schedule and descriptions below.)
The Boat
Nowhere else will you get the opportunity to sail with such experienced sailors aboard a brand-new high-tech million-dollar yacht like Distant Shores IV.
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Built in the Netherlands by the highly skilled team at Gebroeders van Enkhuizen Yachtbuilders in Makkum at the gateway to the North Sea, Distant Shores IV is constructed with strong lightweight aluminum designed for the riggers of high latitude sailing in ice and snow to champagne sailing in the tropics.
Distant Shores IV is outfitted with the latest navigation and safety equipment and has as a hybrid electric power system. A Sail Away Week aboard Distant Shores IV is a great opportunity to try out this new technology!
Most sail handling can be done from the safety of the cockpit due to electric furling and electric winches and the boat has crisp brand-new high-tech sails.
Although the boat is built for performance offshore sailing, comfort is key. The pilot house allows for indoor helming and navigation in foul weather. In the tropics it is an air conditioned haven.
The large lithium battery bank plus solar power and electric re-gen also permits many household comforts such as a watermaker, electric cooking, microwave oven and many other galley appliances as well as an onboard entertainment centre.
To add to the fun, there is fishing tackle, snorkeling gear and water toys aboard for your use.
And let's not forget offshore communications! Distant Shores IV is outfitted with a Starlink marine system for high-bandwidth offshore internet connectivity so you can be in touch with the world from the ocean as easily as from your home or office.
Want to come along for the sailing adventure of a lifetime?