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St. Barth's BucketUp close and personal with the sailing giants

Martin Hager

 · 29.03.2025

St. Barth's Bucket: Up close and personal with the sailing giants
The first YACHT readers' trip on board the "Sea Cloud II" was a complete success. From 7 to 17 March, the participants experienced an impressive 950-nautical-mile trip to the most beautiful Caribbean islands with a box seat at the legendary St Barths Bucket superyacht regatta.
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Relaxed regatta scene on board the 42-metre "Vijonara". At the Bucket, the owners steer their yachts themselves. Sailing professionals assist with the sheets and winches.
Photo: Martin Baum/Pantaenius

There is no better way to experience the beauty and diversity of the Caribbean in such a short time than on this "Sea Cloud II" cruise, which set off from St. Maarten this year for the first time with YACHT readers.

950 nautical miles with the "Seacloud II" to the most beautiful Caribbean islands

In nine days, the Canadian captain Kathryn Whittaker (Yacht 17/24) steered the 117-metre windjammer over 950 nautical miles through the Atlantic and to seven dream destinations in the Caribbean - Dominica, St Lucia, Îles des Saintes, Norman Island, Jost Van Dyke, Vigin Gorda and finally to the St Barths Bucket finale off Gustavia, before heading back to St Maarten in the direction of Philipsburg. To the great delight of all the guests, the dedicated captain had the 2758 square metres of sailcloth set every day, which required the deployment of 20 deckhands each time, who raised the 23 sails of the three-master to the wind in a perfectly choreographed sequence. "It takes between 45 minutes and an hour; hoisting the sails is only slightly quicker," Kathryn Whittaker explained.

30 yachts had registered for the spectacular sailing show

On some days, trade winds of 20 to 25 knots ensured fantastic sailing weather and a top speed of 9.5 knots, which the captain also clearly enjoyed. In preparation for the highlight of the trip - the St Barth's Bucket - YACHT editor-in-chief Martin Hager gave detailed presentations on "the world of superyachts" and "the history of the bucket". This year, 30 yachts had entered the most spectacular sailing show for superyachts. On two of the three regatta days, the "Sea Cloud II" guests were able to watch the regatta action from the Lido deck or RIB. The windjammer's anchorage directly in front of the harbour entrance to Gustavia was also a source of excitement.

The superyacht density off Gustavia is high

"There is no other place in the world - except perhaps Monaco at the end of September - where the density of superyachts is as high as during the winter months off St. Barth. Here, yacht spotters like me get their money's worth," enthused Martin Hager, who, as editor-in-chief of YACHT's sister magazine BOOTE EXCLUSIV, has been dealing with the floating superlatives for 20 years. In addition to the bucket participants, who sailed for the silver champagne bucket with lengths between 27 and 56 metres and divided into seven classes, numerous anchored sailing and gigayacht innovations also caused a stir.

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Predicate: Voyage with "Seacloud II" - absolutely recommendable

Martin Hager's conclusion is clear: "The readers' trip was a great experience, thanks to a varied itinerary, wonderful guests and readers and the excellent service on board. For me, of course, as for our readers, the St Barth's Bucket a highlight that I have written about so often, but which I have now been able to experience live for the first time. The event is something very special. The atmosphere in the Race Village in the harbour of Gustavia is thrilling, the yachts are sailed in a sporty manner, and all this in a dream Caribbean setting." Rating: absolutely recommendable.

Anyone who would also like to experience the Caribbean cruise will have the opportunity to do so again next year. As a YACHT reader, you will also enjoy exclusive benefits. The next "Sea Cloud II" voyage to St Barth's Bucket will take place from 6 to 16 March 2026 and can already be booked now. Please send enquiries to: mail@yacht.de

Martin Hager

Martin Hager

Editor in Chief YACHT

Martin Hager is editor-in-chief of the titles YACHT and BOOTE EXCLUSIV and has been working for Delius Klasing Verlag for 20 years. He was born in Heidelberg in 1978 and started sailing at the age of six, in an Opti of course. This was soon followed by 420s, Sprinta Sport and 470s, which he also sailed on the regatta course with his brother. His parents regularly took him on charter trips through the Greek and Balearic Islands. Even at a young age, it was clear to him that he wanted to turn his passion for water sports into a career. After graduating from high school and completing an internship at the Rathje boatbuilding company in Kiel, it was clear that he did not want to become a classic boatbuilder. Instead, he successfully studied shipbuilding and marine engineering in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital and focused on yacht design wherever he could. His diploma thesis dealt with the “Testing of a new speed prediction method for sailing yachts”. In 2004, the superyacht magazine BOOTE EXCLUSIV was looking for an editor with technical and nautical background knowledge, a position that was perfect for Martin Hager. The application was successful and a two-year traineeship was arranged. After twelve years as an editor, the editorial team changed and he took over responsibility for BOOTE EXCLUSIV as editor-in-chief in 2017. After long-time YACHT editor-in-chief Jochen Rieker moved to the role of publisher, Martin Hager also took over the position of editor-in-chief of Europe's largest sailing magazine YACHT, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, at the beginning of 2023. When he's not working on topics for the two water sports titles, Martin Hager likes to go out on the water himself - preferably with kite and wingfoil equipment or on a little after-work trip across the Alster.

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