Cruising the Grenadines with speed & comfort in Love Knots

"Love Knots" is the sleek, innovative and high-performance 46-foot cruiser by Dufour in France, now available for bare-boat or captained charter from the beautiful southern Caribbean island of Grenada.  

Many ask why we transitioned to a monohull after losing our Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 to Hurricane Irma in September 2017.  That's easy to explain:  While we enjoyed the space to spread out, we found the catamaran's performance was limited in productive wind angles, speed and responsiveness -- and uncomfortable rolling in modest to high seas on the beam.  Basically we wanted our new yacht to be seaworthy as well as comfortable and spacious.  These attributes become all the more important as we decided to move our base further south in the Caribbean - both to get out of hurricane alley (losing one boat is enough!) and to explore a different part of the Caribbean where local folks are welcoming, provisioning is easy and affordable, and it's not necessary to race from one mooring ball to another (as in the BVIs).

Like our former catamaran, the Dufour 460 has three cabins with queen-size beds, three head compartments (two with sinks and toilets plus another with sink and shower), three-zone air-conditioning, and capacity for 140 gallons of fresh water.  The cockpit is spacious with a fold-out table that seats six.  Incorporated in the table are two bins:  One is for dry storage of charts, sunglasses, hats, etc.  The other is refrigerated to keep cold drinks and snacks nearby.  Port and starboard seating is comfortable and the port side converts into a wide, comfortable lounge bed. 

A wide accommodation ladder leads to the saloon, which we find much larger and more comfortable than our former catamaran.  There is comfortable seating for eight or more people, a large dining table that can be converted into a double bed, and a galley is two or three times the size of the Lucia with tons of storage.  Combined with the propone-heated plancha grill, cutting board, and sink located on the transom, Love Knots is designed for people who enjoy eating well as much as sailing well.

There is a BIG difference is in performance underway.  When cruising up the Grenadines, we pass by the catamarans pitching and rolling while motoring into the wind - while we are sailing fast and far more stable in the Atlantic swells typically coming from the east or northeast.  The yacht's hard chines and 14-foot, 9-inch beam keep the boat stable at a comfortable and predictable angle of heel - and the swells simply lift and lower the boat without drama or Dramamine.

Sailing in the Grenadines also is a totally different experience:  The islands are beautiful, the locals are very welcoming, and provisioning is a job with abundant and very reasonably priced LOCAL fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and fish.  And with far fewer charter boats than the BVIs, there is no ugly competition for moorings or anchorage space.  

We hope you will consider Love Knots for your own sailing adventures in Grenada and the Grenadine islands through Dream Yacht Charters.  You will be enchanted by the welcoming spirit of the islande from the time you arrive at Dream Yacht's beautiful base at St. George's - complete with restaurants, shops, shower suites, and swimming pool on site and nearby grocery and boating stores within easy walking distance.  And we always are happy to answer your questions about the yacht or sailing in Caribbean paradise.