APEX VOYAGER
ELITE GLOBAL VOYAGES FOR VISIONARY EXPLORERS BY
01 · THE BOAT
KNYSNA 550
A sleek, modern 55-ft bluewater sailing catamaran: style, luxury and performance in one package, hand-built in Knysna, South Africa.
- Waterline length
- 16.15 m · 53.0 ft
- Draft
- 1.44 m · 4.7 ft
- Mast height above waterline
- 21.0 m · 68.9 ft
- Fuel / water
- 1,000 L / 1,000 L
- Engines
- 2 × 57 hp Yanmar · SD60 saildrives
- Energy
- 4 × 24 V lithium · 4.8 kW generator · solar
BUILDER AND CO-OWNER
Knysna Yacht Company builds the boat and holds 1 of the 6 paying shares in years 1 and 2. Semi-custom: owners and crew help configure it for the sports and the toys.
Photo gallery 12
TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR →
Knysna 550 · 360° walk-through · knysnayachtco.com · Scan to open it on your phone.
02 · THE BOAT
LAYOUT & TOYS
Tap the numbers on the plan.
CABINS 1 TO 3 · GUESTS
3 double en-suite cabins → max 6 guests
CABIN 4 · CREW
Javier and Flavia live aboard full-time
SALOON · OCCASIONAL
2 more can sleep in the saloon → 8 (not ideal)
TOYS ON BOARD
budget $87,000- Kite & wing quiver
- E-foil
- Surf & surf foil
- Paddle boards
- Dive & snorkel kit
- Tender + outboard
- Fishing gear
Equipment · Garmin navigation & autopilot · 3 electric winches · Rocna 55 kg + electric windlass · 100 L/h watermaker · air conditioning · ice maker & BBQ
03 · THE EXPERIENCE
YOU ONLY ENJOY.
Everything else is solved. The crew takes care of it: the route, the boat, the logistics and making it pay.
YOUR PART
- FLY INthe boat waits, ready
- DIVE & SNORKELreefs, walls, turtles
- KITE, WING & FOILcoached at every spot
- EAT, REST, EXPLOREchef, cabins, islands
- TAKE THE FILM HOMEyour weeks, filmed
No route to plan, no boat to fix, no crew to hire, no marina to call.
WHAT IS HANDLED FOR YOU
ROUTE & WEATHER
Seasons, passages, weather windows and the next anchorage, all planned.
BOAT & REPAIRS
Maintenance, servicing, spares and haul-outs, with a direct line to the builder.
LOGISTICS
Marinas, customs, permits, provisioning, fuel, water and your transfers.
GALLEY & SERVICE
Flavia's menus, drinks, cabins and full guest service.
TOYS & COACHING
Gear rigged and ready; instruction and safety in every sport.
MAKING IT PAY
Unused weeks chartered, budgets and costs kept under control.
ADMIN & INSURANCE
Company, crew, licences, insurance and owner reporting.
MEMORIES
Photos and films of your weeks, delivered before you leave.
04 · THE VISION
THE VISION
A five-year westward circumnavigation aboard a brand-new Knysna 550, starting and ending in Knysna, South Africa, where she is built, and following the trade winds to the world's best wind, wave and reef destinations.
FAIRNESS
Equal shares, equal rights, clear rules.
SIMPLICITY
One company, one agreement, one manager.
POWER
Pooled capital buys a boat none of us would buy alone.
HASSLE-FREE
The crew runs the boat; you only enjoy it.
FREEDOM
Your weeks, anywhere on the route.
APEX LIFE
Wind, waves and reefs at their best.
WHAT WE DO
- Explore the most remote nature
- Dive vibrant reefs
- Wing foil around paradise
- Kitesurf uncrowded spots
- Join the ecosystem
05 · WHO IT'S FOR · ACTIVITIES
FOR EVERYONE,
IN EVERY CONDITION.
Couples, families, friends or business: the same boat adapts to who comes aboard and to what the sea offers each day.
Kitesurf and wing foil
Surf, surf foil and paddle boards
Diving, snorkelling and e-foil
Coaching on board by Javier: PADI scuba instructor, IKO kitesurf instructor and e-foil instructor.
06 · THE ROUTE
WESTWARD WITH THE TRADE WINDS
Indicative route, approx. 5 years, Knysna → Knysna. Seasons, stops and timing are set each year at the owners' meeting (weather windows, cyclone seasons, owners' wishes). Optional Mediterranean season.
Tap a stop on the map or a region below.
07 · THE ROUTE
DESTINATIONS
Order and duration per region are indicative. Showcase stops can follow Knysna Yacht Company's boat-show calendar.
08 · THE APEX CREW
JAVIER
CAPTAIN · FILMMAKER · WATERSPORTS INSTRUCTOR
The energy behind the vessel: eight years living more on the water than on land, from small catamarans to a 60 m Perini Navi. He leads the voyage and films it for the guests.
CAREER
2025/26 · CAPTAIN, GREECE
S/Y Aranel, 51 ft Lagoon: crewed luxury charters in the Ionian Sea; 20+ charters on 39 to 50 ft catamarans and monohulls
2020 & 2024 · KITE BOAT CRUISES
First officer, 58 ft catamaran · filmmaker · kite, wing, dive and e-foil instructor · delivery Spain → Bahamas
2022 · S/Y PERSEUS³, 60 M PERINI NAVI
Deckhand, instructor, filmmaker · Atlantic crossing West Palm Beach → Bodrum · Med season, owner aboard
2021/22 · BAKER'S BAY, BARBUDA OCEAN CLUB
Outdoor pursuits and 40+ ft powerboat captain · watersports · media for Discovery Land Co.
LICENCES & INSTRUCTOR TICKETS
- Yachtmaster Offshore 200 GT · sail & motor
- Powerboat Level 2 · STCW · ENG1
- PADI Scuba Diving Instructor
- IKO Kitesurf Instructor
- Lift / Flite e-foil instructor
- DJI / FPV drone pilot
- Freediving, apnea & spearfishing guide
LANGUAGES · PASSPORT
English · Spanish · Portuguese · Spanish passport
09 · THE APEX CREW
FLAVIA
CHEF · STEWARDESS · DECKHAND · PERSONAL TRAINER
Calm energy and an ever-present smile. Fresh juices, premium drinks and nourishing, slow-cooked food: a healthy lifestyle shared with everyone on board, so you feel at home after every ocean adventure.
CAREER
2025/26 · CREW, GREECE
Cook / stew / deckhand, S/Y Aranel (51 ft Lagoon): health-focused Mediterranean menus, guest service, provisioning, interior, deck ops & tender
2025 · FREELANCE CHARTER YACHT CHEF
Delivery crew Hurghada (Egypt) → Syros (Greece), 1,300 NM on a Lagoon 50
2024 · CHARTER YACHT CHEF
41 ft charter yacht (Blue Memories)
2023/24 · AMBROGIO RESTAURANT
Kitchen assistant: menu design, gourmet prep, inventory
LICENCES & TRAINING
- RYA Competent Crew · RYA Day Skipper
- STCW · ENG1
- Food Hygiene Level 2
- Personal Trainer degree (Argentina)
- Culinary Arts Program, South Africa (Dec 2025)
LANGUAGES · PASSPORT
English · Spanish · Italian · Argentinean passport, Spanish residence
10 · MANAGEMENT
ONE ACCOUNTABLE MANAGER
Owners only enjoy. Javier manages the rest, from the build contract to the last mile of the circumnavigation, and reports to the owners.
ALAUNCH PHASE
- Negotiation with Knysna Yacht Company
- Finding and onboarding co-owners
- Company set-up and contracts
- Investment and cash management
- Build specification and supervision
- Toys selection and boat set-up
BDURING THE VOYAGE
- Route, weather and owners' calendar
- Boat, maintenance, repairs and crew
- Logistics: marinas, customs, provisioning
- Licences, insurance and budget reporting
- Charter of unused weeks, making it pay
- Photos, films and content for owners and partners
Compensation: captain salary ($70,000/yr, estimate, included in annual costs) plus one sweat-equity share (1/7) for founding and managing the project, vesting over the 5 years (see Javier in the crew section).
11 · CO-OWNERSHIP
GET MORE FOR A FRACTION
Most yacht owners use their boat only a few weeks a year, yet carry 100% of the cost. Co-ownership turns one exceptional boat, crew and route into a shared asset: a fraction of the price and the hassle, with the same experience.
Hover or tap a share.
CAPITAL & ANNUAL COSTS
split ÷ 6 between the paying shares
USAGE & RESIDUAL VALUE
split ÷ 7 across every share, including the sweat-equity share
OWNING COMPANY
one company owns the boat; a shareholders' agreement sets the rules
KNYSNA YACHT COMPANY
builder of the boat; holds 1 of the 6 paying shares in years 1 and 2, then sells it
MANAGER
Javier runs the boat on the owners' behalf
Estimates in USD; see investment and annual-cost pages. Maximum 6 paying shares; 5 private co-owners needed to start.
12 · YOUR TIME
YOUR TIME ON BOARD
52 weeks · gold = owner weeks · teal = ocean passages, maintenance and showcase
- Annual owners' meeting sets the route and the calendar for the year ahead.
- Book your weeks where you want them on the route; swaps between owners are welcome.
- Unused weeks are chartered; the net income goes to the owner of that week.
- The crew takes care of everything: the boat is clean, provisioned and ready when you arrive.
13 · PARTNERSHIP
KNYSNA YACHT COMPANY
Knysna Yacht Company is both the builder and a co-owner: it builds the boat, holds 1 of the 6 paying shares for the first 2 years, then sells it, and stays behind the boat as its builder for the whole voyage.
BUILD & DELIVERY
Semi-custom build, configured with owners and crew. Full crew training at the yard.
YEARS 1 AND 2 · SHOWCASE
5 private co-owners + Knysna Yacht Company (1 share). Boat shows, sea trials, filming.
END OF YEAR 2
Knysna sells its share at a pre-agreed price; owners have right of first refusal.
YEARS 3 TO 5 · INTO THE WORLD
6 private co-owners. The builder stays behind the boat with technical support.
PROPOSED, TO BE AGREED
- Knysna holds 1 of the 6 paying shares in years 1 and 2, on the total boat price.
- Extended warranty and technical support during the circumnavigation.
- Commissioning and handover at the start; a refit and check at the end of year 5.
- Exit price formula and right of first refusal; any service network on the route to be confirmed.
FOR KNYSNA
Javier is a filmmaker: continuous adventure films of the 550 around the world and in every sport, later with pro athletes. Plus 2 years of boat shows and its own weeks aboard.
FOR INVESTORS
The builder behind the boat: technical backing and faster fixes, with its own capital at risk (its share advances funds in years 1 and 2). A documented, builder-backed boat with a strong media profile supports resale.
FOR THE CREW
A direct line to the shipyard and full training before departure, so the captain knows the boat end to end.
14 · COMMITMENT
INVESTMENT
ESTIMATES · SUBJECT TO VALIDATIONALL FIGURES IN US DOLLARS
| Knysna 550 list price (build slot #004) | $1,855,000 |
| Extras & options (estimate) | $96,000 |
| Toys (estimate) | $87,000 |
| Total investment | $2,038,000 |
Indicative price, pending Knysna Yacht Company's official quote. Other published slot prices: USD 1.75 M (Dec 2025 slot) and USD 1.32 M (Oct 2026 launch). Excludes delivery, VAT / registration, legal and company fees.
One of the 6 equal paying shares of the total investment.
WHO FUNDS THE 6 PAYING SHARES
At the start: 5 private co-owners + Knysna Yacht Company, the builder (1 share, on the total boat price). From year 3: Knysna's share sold to a new co-owner.
Payment schedule: next page, to be confirmed by Knysna Yacht Company.
15 · COMMITMENT
PAYMENT SCHEDULE & BUILD MILESTONES
TO BE CONFIRMED BY KNYSNA YACHT COMPANY
| # | MILESTONE | TRIGGER / BUILD STAGE | % OF PRICE | AMOUNT (USD) | TARGET DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SIGNING | Pending Knysna's official schedule | — | — | TBC |
| 2 | — | Pending Knysna's official schedule | — | — | TBC |
| 3 | — | Pending Knysna's official schedule | — | — | TBC |
| 4 | — | Pending Knysna's official schedule | — | — | TBC |
| 5 | — | Pending Knysna's official schedule | — | — | TBC |
| 6 | — | Pending Knysna's official schedule | — | — | TBC |
| 7 | DELIVERY IN KNYSNA | Pending Knysna's official schedule | — | — | TBC |
| Total | 100% | $1,855,000 |
SIGNING
Date: TBC
BUILD
Date: TBC
LAUNCH
Date: TBC
SEA TRIALS
Date: TBC
DELIVERY IN KNYSNA
Date: TBC
FIRST OWNERS' MEETING
Date: TBC
Build time approx. 12 months from signing. Milestones, percentages and dates will follow Knysna's official schedule; owners' capital calls will mirror it pro rata.
16 · COMMITMENT
ANNUAL RUNNING COSTS
ESTIMATES · SUBJECT TO VALIDATIONOPERATIONS
| Maintenance | $23,000 |
| Insurance | $17,000 |
| Marinas | $17,000 |
| Crew food | $4,500 |
| Diesel | $2,500 |
| Dinghy | $2,500 |
| Outboard | $2,500 |
| Kite gear | $3,500 |
| Dive gear | $6,000 |
| Subtotal | $78,500 |
CREW SALARIES · CREW OF 2
| Captain & Manager: Javier Darder | $70,000 |
| Chef & Hospitality: Flavia | $60,000 |
| Relief crew, day help & instructors | $52,000 |
| Subtotal | $182,000 |
| Total per year | $260,500 |
Estimates. Salary lines are estimates (no amounts stated in the reference deck). Insurance and maintenance are placeholders pending a bluewater insurance quote and a maintenance plan for a Knysna 550.
$217,083 over 5 years
Years 1 and 2: Knysna pays 1/6.
Add-ons, toys, running costs, salaries and charter figures are USD estimates converted from the original EUR budget at 1 EUR = 1.16 USD and rounded (≥10k → nearest 1,000; 1k to 10k → nearest 500; <1k → nearest 100).
17 · COMMITMENT
CHARTER RECOVERY
ESTIMATES · SUBJECT TO VALIDATIONAny week an owner does not use can be chartered to guests through brokers. The crew is already paid, so each charter week generates a high net contribution for the owner of that week.
| Charter price per week | $34,000 |
| Broker commission (20%) | −$6,800 |
| Guest food | −$2,000 |
| Fuel | −$700 |
| Cleaning | −$600 |
| Net income per charter week | $23,900 |
Charter rate to be validated for a Knysna 550 with crew and toys in each region.
cover the $43,417 annual cost of one share.
- Each share has 6 weeks a year: use them, charter them, or mix.
- 1 charter week ≈ $23,900 net to the owner, about 55% of a year's running costs.
- Charter bookings are managed by Javier with brokers. Knysna Yacht Company may also refer clients (to be agreed).
18 · COMMITMENT
FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY
ESTIMATES · SUBJECT TO VALIDATIONINVESTMENT CALCULATOR
Pick how many of your 6 weeks a year you charter out. Results per paying share, over 5 years, in USD, with the exact v4 model.
CHARTER WEEKS / YEAR
| Investment per paying share | |
| Running costs, 5 years | |
| Residual value (60% of $2,038,000, ÷ 7) | |
| Charter income, 5 years | |
| Net result, 5 years |
NET RESULT BY CHARTER WEEKS PER YEAR
WITH CHARTER OF OWN WEEKS
| CHARTER WEEKS / YR | NET OVER 5 YEARS | OWN WEEKS LEFT / YR |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | −$382,064 | 6 |
| 1 | −$262,564 | 5 |
| 2 | −$143,064 | 4 |
| 3 | −$23,564 | 3 |
| 4 | +$95,936 | 2 |
| 5 | +$215,436 | 1 |
| 6 | +$334,936 | 0 |
Tap a row to load it in the calculator.
PER PAYING SHARE, 5 YEARS (USD)
| Investment per paying share | −$339,667 |
| Running costs, 5 years | −$217,083 |
| Residual value (60% of $2,038,000, ÷ 7) | +$174,686 |
| Net result, no charter | −$382,064 |
Without charter: ≈ $12,735 per week of use (30 weeks over 5 years), for a crewed 55 ft catamaran in the world's best destinations.
MODEL ASSUMPTIONS (V4)
All shown figures are derived live from these inputs. Every share is the same: Knysna's share (years 1 and 2) follows the same per-share figures.
Estimates for discussion only: indicative boat price, assumed residual value of 60% after 5 years, unvalidated cost and charter assumptions. Excludes taxes, financing and FX. Not an offer of securities or a guarantee of returns. Knysna's share is held in years 1 and 2 and then sold; per-share figures are the same for every paying share.
19 · NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS
AGREE TERMS WITH KNYSNA YACHT COMPANY
Build slot and official quote, semi-custom configuration, 1 share in years 1 and 2, exit price formula and builder support terms.
VALIDATE THE NUMBERS
Bluewater insurance quote, charter rates per region, crew costs and maintenance plan.
CO-OWNER CONVERSATIONS
Secure 5 founding co-owners (non-binding expressions of interest first), with Soul Drifter Adventures' network; line up a buyer for Knysna's share from year 3.
COMPANY & AGREEMENT
Set up the owning company and shareholders' agreement: vesting, Knysna exit, right of first refusal.
SIGN THE BUILD · SET SAIL
Sign the build contract → approx. 12 months build → delivery in Knysna → first owners' meeting → set sail.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
YOU ONLY ENJOY · WE HANDLE THE REST
JAVIER SÁNCHEZ DARDER
FOUNDER · CAPTAIN & MANAGER
[email protected]+34 675 57 27 25
beamfilms.com · @BeamFilms