'I've spent many years sailing aboard high-profile

superyachts – including cutting-edge race boats, traditional

and modern classics and stylish cruisers – but the feelings I experienced

sailing aboard Aegir were most definitely unique.' comments Brian

Benjamin, the man behind this inspirational concept, a successful

British entrepreneur, who wished to combine a cutting-edge race boat

with a stylish cruiser. With this in mind, he commissioned Carbon

Ocean Yachts in Rhode Island, USA, to build a stylish Carbon Ocean 25

metre cruising yacht that would be suitable for transoceanic passages as

well as relaxing cruising. Further to which – with just a few days work

– he wanted to be able to transform the cruiser into a highly competitive

racer, speedy enough to take part at any of the international regattas.

With interior design and naval architecture by UK-based Rogers Yacht

Design, the yacht was two years in build, and launched last December

in freezing temperatures in New England. The crew saw a foot of snow

on deck as they docked in Virginia during their 1,680 mile passage

south to the Caribbean. They arrived in the British Virgin Islands three

days ahead of the owner's daughter and her husband arriving for their

honeymoon, giving them a truly memorable experience of cruising in

the Caribbean.

On approaching the yacht, you are first taken by the beautiful

simplicity of the silver hull and rig, enhanced by the sanded teak deck

with silver caulking. With the sail halyards and lines running below

deck, feeding directly into the four winches – two of which are hidden

away under easy-access flush deck lockers – there is a really clean feel