You know that feeling when you finally book the "luxury" getaway you've been dreaming of, only to arrive and realize that luxury is just a fancy name for "standard"? Maybe the infinity pool was crowded, the "exclusive" beach was anything but, or the $1,000-a-night suite felt just like a nice hotel room, only on an island.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
I’ve been there. I’ve chartered the big motor yachts—the floating mansions. They’re impressive, sure, but they’re often loud, feel more like a hotel than a home, and let’s be honest, they sip fuel like a 747.
But what if I told you there’s a secret tier of luxury charter? A place where high-octane performance meets serene, personalized comfort? A vessel designed by sailors but perfected for hedonists?
This is the story of Kiwayu.
This isn’t just a yacht; it’s a Southern Wind SW105RS. And after diving deep into what makes this 105-foot weapon tick, I guarantee you'll look at five-star resorts and cruising boats differently. Get ready for a massive information gain dump, because we're going past the glossy brochure and into the engine room—and the highly protected chef’s galley.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
Part I: The Anatomy of a Superyacht Myth-Buster
Forget the chrome-plated, ginormous superyachts you see clogging up the marinas in Saint-Tropez. The Southern Wind line, and specifically the S/Y Kiwayu, exists in a different universe. This is a blue-water performance cruiser—a yacht built to cross oceans quickly, safely, and in total silence, all while serving you Champagne and Michelin-level cuisine.
1. The Power Play: Farr Yacht Design Meets Carbon Fiber
When you see a yacht this size (32.27 meters, or 105 feet 10 inches), you expect it to be heavy and sluggish. Kiwayu is anything but.
Why? Because she was designed by Farr Yacht Design, a firm famous for creating America's Cup winners and fast ocean racers. Southern Wind, the Cape Town-based builder, then built her not with heavy fiberglass, but with carbon fiber composite.
The Big Reveal (High Information Gain): This carbon fiber hull is the single most important detail about this yacht. It means Kiwayu is incredibly stiff and light for her size. When the wind picks up, the captain doesn’t have to motor; they can truly sail. You can glide along at 12 knots (about 14 mph), powered only by the wind, with no engine noise, watching the Mediterranean coastline slip by. I can tell you, the sense of silence when a massive yacht is flying on canvas is the definition of luxury that no motor yacht can replicate.
2. The Game-Changer: The Telescopic Keel
Here is the technical detail that separates the experienced charter client from the novice, and it’s something almost every competing article misses.
Kiwayu features a telescopic keel.
When She’s Sailing: The keel is lowered, giving her a deep draft. This massive wing of weighted carbon fiber slices through the water, giving the Farr design maximum stability and ensuring she performs like a race boat. She’ll handle the open ocean swells like a champion.
When She’s Anchored: This is where the magic happens. The keel can be retracted, significantly reducing the draft. Most yachts this size have drafts of 15-20 feet. Kiwayu can sneak into shallow bays and pristine anchorages that are totally inaccessible to her larger, deeper-draft cousins.
Think about that for a second. It means your captain can anchor you right up close to a secluded beach in the Cyclades or find a tiny, protected cove on the Amalfi Coast that a 50-meter yacht can only view from afar. That exclusivity is worth more than any marble countertop.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
Part II: Stepping Aboard: The Nauta Design Story
The engineering is performance-focused, but the interior—designed by the iconic Italian studio Nauta Design—is pure, effortless elegance. When I first saw photos of the living spaces, I thought, "This looks like a minimalist, modern penthouse, not a vessel that sails through hurricanes."
1. The Raised Saloon (RS) Advantage
The Southern Wind 105 model is often built with a "Raised Saloon" (RS) configuration. This isn't just a style choice; it's a strategic design element that fundamentally changes the guest experience.
Instead of the main salon being low down in the hull with small portholes, the Kiwayu's saloon is slightly elevated.
The View: This means that even when sitting on the plush sofas, you have panoramic views through the vertical windows and skylights. The entire space is flooded with natural light, blurring the line between the indoor lounge and the turquoise water rushing past the hull.
The Flow: Nauta used a pale oak veneer and light, textured fabrics throughout. This keeps the space feeling airy, Scandinavian-inspired, and incredibly calming. After a long day of sun and sailing, walking into that bright, cool, quiet saloon is the ultimate reset button.
2. The Secret Guest Spaces: Privacy is the Real Currency
Kiwayu is designed for eight guests across four luxurious, en-suite cabins:
The Master Suite: Located in the quietest, most forward section of the yacht. It features a large queen bed, a comfortable sofa, and a well-lit bathroom.
The VIP Cabin: Also forward, featuring a queen-sized bed.
Two Twin Guest Cabins: Located aft of the main saloon.
But the real genius lies in the separation. There are three critical divisions on board:
The Guest Cockpit vs. The Crew Cockpit: The main entertaining cockpit—where you’ll dine, sunbathe, and relax—is entirely separate from the aft section where the crew manages the powerful sailing systems. You get five-star service and performance, without ever having the crew climb over you to adjust a sheet.
The Dedicated Media Room: Forward of the main saloon, there's a separate, comfortable studio/TV lounge area. This means you can have one group enjoying cocktails in the main saloon while the kids (or even the adults who want to chill) are watching a movie on the state-of-the-art entertainment system, all controlled by a sophisticated AMX domotic system. This dedicated space for a small group is rare on a sailing yacht this size.
The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches
Part III: The 5-Star Engine Room: Meet the Crew
This is the part that truly elevates a yacht charter from a holiday to a life-changing experience: the crew. Kiwayu carries a dedicated crew of 5 (and sometimes 6) professionals. That’s nearly a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio.
If you’ve only experienced standard yacht service, prepare for your mind to be blown.
1. The Silent Service: How the Dumbwaiter Changed My Life
Why do I love this?
Because it ensures truly seamless service. The crew aren't constantly hauling trays up the companionway stairs. Your professional chef can plate a five-course meal in the galley, and it is silently delivered to the deck level. It’s a tiny detail, but it maintains the peace, the silence, and the illusion that the food magically appears.
2. The Gastronomy at Sea: Your Personal Master Chef
Forget fixed resort menus. On Kiwayu, the entire culinary experience is personalized before you even step aboard. Weeks before your charter, the crew will send a preference sheet.
I’m talking about asking you:
What’s your favorite cheese?
Do you prefer South African wine or Italian Chianti?
Are you celiac? Vegan? Do you have an inexplicable craving for rare mangoes at 3 AM?
The chef uses this information to provision the yacht perfectly. Your meals aren't "boat food"; they are custom gastronomy served with the exact wine pairing you prefer, often sourced from the local ports you just visited.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
3. The Captain as Your Personal Cartographer
The crew is not just there to serve food and keep the boat clean; they are expert navigators and local guides. When you charter a boat with a telescopic keel and performance speed like Kiwayu, your itinerary is infinitely more flexible.
The Captain will know:
Which tiny island has the only restaurant with a grandmother making true, authentic pasta.
The exact minute to drop anchor to catch the sunset over the most protected cove.
The local weather patterns to maximize your sailing time, ensuring you feel the thrill of the SW105RS platform in action.
You don't follow a fixed map; you collaborate with an expert to design a journey that is literally impossible for 99% of other luxury vessels.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
Part IV: The Itinerary: Performance vs. Pampering
Kiwayu is a global traveler, following the sun and the sailing seasons. This gives you two distinct experiences depending on when you book.
1. Summer Sailing (Mediterranean)
This is the classic, high-glamour season. Kiwayu is typically found cruising the "Hot Spots" of the Western and Eastern Mediterranean:
French Riviera & Monaco: Jet-setting glamour, exclusive beach clubs, and high-end dining.
Italy: The Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, Sicily, and the untouched beauty of the Pontine Islands.
Greece & Croatia: Island hopping in the Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini) or exploring the ancient ruins and crystal-clear waters of the Dalmatian Coast.
The Kiwayu Difference: While other motor yachts are fighting for dock space in Capri, your captain can use that shallow draft to tuck into a peaceful anchorage near the Faraglioni rocks, allowing you to paddleboard in private at dawn.
2. Winter Sailing (Caribbean)
When the Med cools down, Kiwayu crosses the Atlantic to the warm, steady trade winds of the Caribbean, focusing on the Leeward and Windward Islands.
Antigua, St. Barts, St. Martin: Perfect sailing conditions, where the boat truly shows its speed.
The Experience: This is less about sunbathing and more about the thrill of the ocean. Imagine carving through the turquoise waves between St. Barts and Anguilla, the sails full, the yacht leaning into the wind, and you are sitting in the protected cockpit, holding a perfectly chilled glass of rosé. This is what sailing luxury is all about.
The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches
A Sample Itinerary I'd Design (The Tyrrhenian Dream)
If I were chartering Kiwayu for a week in the Mediterranean, this is the high-information, high-satisfaction route I would demand, leaning entirely on the yacht's unique capabilities:
| Day | Destination & Focus | Kiwayu Advantage |
Day 1 | Naples to Capri (West Side) | Anchor outside the crowded main port, utilizing the shallow draft to tender into the less-visited, exclusive side of the island for dinner. |
Day 2 | Sailing to Ponza Island | A full day of performance sailing (10+ knots) to the lesser-known Pontine Islands. Lunch prepared by the chef while under sail. |
Day 3 | Ponza & Palmarola Exploration | Use the Seabobs and paddleboards to explore the sea caves and pristine coves of Palmarola, a nature reserve inaccessible to most large vessels. |
Day 4 | Corsica (Bonifacio) | A long, fast overnight sail to the dramatic cliffs of Corsica. The crew manages all the sailing, and guests sleep soundly in their quiet, comfortable cabins. |
Day 5 | Corsica to Sardinia Crossing | A high-performance sail across the Strait of Bonifacio, one of the world's greatest sailing grounds. Anchor in the Maddalena Archipelago (Sardinia), diving straight off the swim platform. |
Day 6 | Sardinia (Costa Smeralda) | A day of water sports: waterskiing and wakeboarding using the tender in the morning, followed by a refined dinner in Porto Cervo. |
Day 7 | Disembarkation (Olbia) | A final sunrise breakfast on deck before a short motor to the airport. |
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
Part V: The Charter Economics: Decoding the Price Tag
Let’s talk numbers. Because if you’re reading this far, you’re curious about the ultimate cost of this secret weapon. Kiwayu's charter rate is around €80,000 to €90,000 per week (roughly $91,000 to $97,000 USD), depending on the season.
If that number made you drop your phone, hold on. That is the base charter fee, and here is the crucial information you need to understand that competing articles hide in fine print: The cost is always "Plus Expenses."
1. The Real Total Cost: The APA System
The yacht industry operates on MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) terms, which require the charterer to pay an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA).
What is the APA? It’s an additional lump sum, typically calculated as 30% to 35% of the base charter fee, paid in advance. For Kiwayu, this means an extra €24,000 to €31,500 upfront.
What does it cover? This is essentially a floating expense account for everything not included in the base fee:
Fuel: For the yacht's engine (when sailing is impossible), the tender, and the water toys.
Food & Beverages: All your personalized provisions, including fine wines and spirits.
Port Fees/Dockage: The cost of staying in glamorous marinas like Monaco or Porto Cervo.
Local Taxes/VAT: Sales tax can add another 10-20% depending on the country.
The Transparency You Need: The crew tracks every penny spent on the APA. If they underspend, you get a full refund at the end of the trip. If they overspend (e.g., if you demand non-stop motoring or drink the entire cellar), you top it up.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
| Estimated Total Cost Breakdown (One Week, High Season) | Cost (EUR) | Notes |
Base Charter Fee | €90,000 | Yacht rental, crew wages, standard maintenance. |
APA (35% Estimate) | €31,500 | Fuel, provisions, dockage, water toys fuel. |
VAT/Taxes (Example: 12% Croatia) | €10,800 | Varies by cruising area and local tax laws. |
Estimated Total Outlay | ~€132,300 | Before crew gratuity (which is typically 10-15%). |
Yes, it’s a staggering amount, but when you break it down for 8 guests, it becomes clear you are paying for an experience that is entirely tailor-made, perfectly executed, and delivers the highest level of privacy and personalization available on the water.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
Part VI: Toys, Tech, and The Ultimate Vibe
A luxury yacht charter is now synonymous with the "toy box." And Kiwayu, being a modern performance cruiser, is packed with everything you need to connect with the water.
1. The Tender and the Fun Factory
The large tender garage at the stern (the back of the boat) is a technological marvel that keeps the deck clean and uncluttered. It houses the Williams SportJet 435 tender—a rapid, luxurious dinghy used for transferring you to shore, towing water toys, or whisking you away for a private sunset cocktail on a remote beach.
But the real fun comes from the gear:
The Seabob: If you’ve never used one, you haven't lived. It’s a handheld, electric water sled. I remember trying one off a similar yacht—it feels like being a dolphin. You can skim along the surface or dive underwater to swim alongside fish, all powered by a quiet, electric motor. Kiwayu carries at least one, ensuring endless aquatic entertainment.
Paddleboards and Wakeboards: Perfect for tranquil mornings in the anchorage.
Snorkeling Equipment: Always high-end, ensuring everyone can appreciate the vibrant marine life the captain navigated you to find.
2. The Tech That Keeps You Connected (Or Disconnected)
In 2024, true luxury is the choice to connect or disconnect. Kiwayu is equipped with state-of-the-art communication and entertainment systems. This includes high-speed satellite internet (VSAT is standard for vessels of this class), ensuring that if you absolutely must hop onto a video call, you can do so seamlessly.
However, the real goal of this yacht is to leverage its performance to deliver a level of tranquility that no other vacation can touch.
The ultimate vibe isn't a pulsing dance floor; it's the silence of the sea. It's the moment the Captain kills the engine, the sails fill, and the only sound is the gentle rush of the carbon fiber hull slicing through the ocean swells. That is the feeling that ruins every other vacation, because you realize everything else is just noise.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
3. The Unrivaled Feeling of Sailing
Let’s be honest, many charter yachts are motor yachts that feel like floating, air-conditioned hotels. Kiwayu is a Southern Wind, and Southern Wind means sailing.
The sheer scale of the rigging, the polished carbon mast, and the custom North Sails—it’s designed to perform. You’re not just taking a boat ride; you are part of a massive, silent machine harnessing the wind. It’s an exhilarating, primal feeling that connects you directly to the environment you are exploring.
It’s the difference between being a passive passenger and being an active participant in an adventure.
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| The one hidden feature that lets this 105ft superyacht steal all the best beaches |
The Verdict: Why Kiwayu Will Ruin Your Expectations
I started by saying this 105-foot yacht is a secret weapon that can ruin your future vacations. I stand by that.
You'll be ruined for standard luxury: You’ll never again tolerate a crowded infinity pool or a mediocre resort meal after experiencing total, personalized isolation and a private chef.
You'll be ruined for motor yachts: Once you taste the silent speed of a 105-foot carbon fiber rocket slicing through the water, the noisy drone of a fuel-guzzling motor yacht will feel crass.
You'll be ruined for fixed itineraries: You’ll never be satisfied with a pre-planned route when you know that a telescopic keel could have taken you into that pristine, secret anchorage the captain pointed out but couldn't reach.
The Southern Wind Kiwayu represents the perfect balance: the performance of a high-end racer combined with the unparalleled comfort, privacy, and six-star service of a superyacht. It’s not just a holiday; it’s a masterclass in the art of living well on the ocean.
If you ever get the chance, don't just book a yacht; book a Southern Wind. Book the experience that changes your definition of freedom.