Catalyst is a 2025 Fountaine Pajot Samana 59, delivered new to an American couple who live aboard and sail her seriously — a summer in Spain and Portugal, an Atlantic crossing, a winter in the Bahamas, and now a slow passage west through the Caribbean and Panama towards the South Pacific. She is a private yacht first, released for a handful of charters each year, and it shows in the way she is fitted out.
Her defining space is the flybridge — the largest in her class — an open terrace above the sea for daybeds, long lunches, sundowners and stargazing. Below, the salon opens straight through to the cockpit, air-conditioned throughout and run through the night.
What sets her apart is her inventory. Starlink, a large lithium bank, extensive solar and multiple refrigeration systems make her genuinely autonomous in remote anchorages. Her owner is a kiter and foiler, and the watersports locker was built for his own use, not for a brochure — a full kite and wing-foiling quiver, sea scooters, a Subwing, paddleboards and kayaks, with specialist coaches available to come aboard.
Accommodating up to 8 guests in 1 king Owner’s cabin, 3 queen cabins — all en-suite — plus a separate crew cabin.
Eight guests in four cabins — one king-bed owner’s cabin and three queen cabins — each with its own shower, electric head and wash basin. Full air-conditioning throughout, run all night. Separate queen crew cabin.
Included with every charter: a Highfield tender with a 60hp outboard, an e-foil, two electric sea scooters, three stand-up paddleboards (two inflatable, one hard), two two-person inflatable kayaks, a towable wakeboard and kneeboard, a towable tube, a floating water hammock, Subwing, snorkelling gear for everyone aboard, two fishing rods, and beach chairs, umbrella and games for going ashore.
The owner is a kiter and foiler and has equipped Catalyst accordingly. Both the coach and the use of the equipment are charged on top of the charter fee, and quoted once we know how many of your party intend to ride. The package puts a dedicated coach on board with waterproof Bluetooth coaching radios and opens the full locker: Ozone kites from 7 to 12 metres with bars and harnesses, twin-tip and directional kiteboards including an extra-large beginner board, Armstrong and North wing and foil boards, a range of Armstrong foils and masts, Duotone wings from 3.5 to 6.0, and helmets and impact vests in every size. Suitable for complete beginners and for experienced riders wanting to progress — ask us and we will match the coach to your party.
A large shaded flybridge with wraparound seating, oversized sunbeds and 360-degree views — closable when the weather turns, and the best seat aboard for a sunset. Forward of the mast, a dedicated bow cockpit with proper seating sits alongside the trampolines. The main cockpit aft carries a large dining table, bench seating, two daybeds, a guest drinks fridge, a high-capacity ice maker and a projector with a drop-down screen for films under the stars. In the saloon the aft doors and windows retract fully to make one indoor-outdoor room, with a modular dining table, integrated Fusion sound and a 55-inch television that rises out of the galley island.
Starlink connectivity, salon television and stereo, hydraulic swim platform and boarding ladder, deck shower, barbecue, bimini, ice maker, inverter and generator, hair dryers, books and board games. Water maker on board and drinking water tested for purity.
Twin Yanmar 4LV150 engines and a Cummins Onan 17.5kW generator. Cruising speed 7 knots, maximum 12. Large lithium battery bank with extensive solar and multiple refrigeration and freezer systems for long-range autonomy. A Parasailor spinnaker for light airs. No stabilisers.
Yara is an experienced and unflappable captain who puts safety and good seamanship first. She came to yachting through an academic background in tourism and a long stretch in the maritime and hospitality worlds, and the combination shows — the boat is run properly, and guests are looked after without ever feeling managed. Calm, attentive and quietly organised, she makes sure everyone aboard is comfortable, and she has the sense of humour to keep a week relaxed rather than formal. A qualified dive instructor and a committed surfer, she is happiest in the water and glad to share what she knows.
Alica combines a life on the water with a serious interest in cooking. She specialises in fresh Mediterranean food and takes real pleasure in putting a good plate in front of people; her apple crumble has a following among returning guests. Warm and outgoing, she is much of the reason a week aboard Catalyst feels less like a charter and more like being someone’s guest — happy to talk over a drink and laugh about the day, equally happy to leave you alone with a book. She is a qualified dive instructor and a keen surfer, usually first into the water.
All-inclusive fee, per week. The fee rises with the number of guests aboard. Local taxes and permits are additional.
The all-inclusive fee covers all meals on board and cruising permits where applicable. It excludes local taxes and permit fees (14% in the Bahamas), relocation and dockage, communications and crew gratuity. Use of the kite, wing and foil equipment is charged separately from the charter fee, as is the watersports coach; both are quoted once we know how many of your party intend to ride. Christmas charters must end by 26 December; New Year charters begin 27 December or later. A charter waiver is required in addition to the standard contract. Rates are subject to confirmation with the owner.
Catalyst is mid-circumnavigation. Her cruising grounds move with the programme below.
Is SY Catalyst the right yacht?
Share your dates, your group and where you want to go. A broker will confirm availability for SY Catalyst, and show you the alternatives worth comparing before you decide.
Catalyst is a private yacht on a multi-year circumnavigation, released for only four to eight weeks of charter a year. Her availability is genuinely limited and we would rather say so plainly than waste your time. These are the windows worth talking about.
Programme subject to change with weather and the owner’s plans. If a date outside these windows matters to you, ask anyway — we will put it to the owner.
Catalyst is set up for watersports first. Her owner is a kiter and foiler, and she carries the gear — and the coaches — to match.
Every journey begins with a conversation. Tell us what you have in mind — dates, destinations, group size, experiences — and your Odyssea agent will craft a proposal tailored precisely to you.
An invitation-led membership for travellers who choose the ocean often. Preferred rates on yachts and villas, early access to themed departures, and bespoke journey design from our concierge — reach out to find out more.
