Fun-loving entrepreneur Richard Branson has completed a refit of his 105-foot carbon fiber catamaran and is offering it for charter this season to those looking for a bit of the billionaire lifestyle. Originally launched as the Lady Barbaretta in 2003 and now named Necker Belle, she spent two years being done over at Australia’s Azzura Marine and their in-house fittings division AM Interiors. The speedy little tart is capable of topping 20 knots while under sail and 18 knots under power with all the stability one would expect of a big cat.
The yacht’s 14-metre beam houses four en suite staterooms all above the waterline making for great views. There’s space for eight guests in them along with capacity for two more in the main cabin’s lounge area which can be converted to a double cabin, with bunks for a crew of seven to look after them. The interior has a cool beach house vibe mimicking that of Branson’s exclusive Necker Island retreat in the British Virgin Islands, where she’ll be at the disposal of guests when not out on charter. She’s available in the Caribbean from February starting at €60,000 per week.
