About Yacht Denim
A different kind of charter experience
Yacht Denim was created from a lifelong involvement in sailing, boatbuilding and charter boating, with a simple goal: to offer a yacht that genuinely suits the way people cruise the Bay of Islands.
Owner Robert Cross has spent decades involved in sailing holidays both in New Zealand and internationally. In his early twenties he worked as a charter skipper in the Ionian Islands of Greece during the formative years of the Mediterranean bareboat industry, introducing many first-time sailors to charter cruising.
At the same time, Robert maintained a long-term interest in the evolution of cruising yacht design, particularly designs that balanced practical comfort with genuine sailing ability.
That thinking eventually led to Denim.
Built to full MNZ survey standards and based on the respected Elliott 1150 Tourer design by internationally regarded New Zealand yacht designer Greg Elliott, Denim was conceived specifically for the Bay of Islands. The design combines many of the practical liveability features people enjoy aboard catamarans, including the seamless cockpit and saloon layout, while still retaining the sailing qualities of a well-balanced monohull yacht.
Those early experiences shaped the philosophy behind Denim. Robert saw firsthand that the success of a sailing holiday is rarely about aggressive itineraries or advanced sailing ability. What matters most is how comfortable and confident people feel aboard the boat, and how easily the yacht allows them to relax into the experience.
After later raising a family and stepping away from boat ownership for a period, Robert purchased Sail Connections in 2010. As the New Zealand bareboat industry began contracting under increasing regulatory costs, Sail Connections expanded internationally, helping clients arrange sailing holidays throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pacific and beyond.
Every aspect of the boat was considered with practical charter use in mind: stability, visibility, easy movement aboard, manageable systems and comfortable cruising for mixed-experience crews.
The result is a yacht that feels equally suited to experienced sailors wanting an enjoyable boat to sail, and to families or groups seeking a relaxed Bay of Islands cruising experience.
Today Yacht Denim remains a personally managed owner-operated charter operation, offering a more individual and considered alternative to conventional fleet charter boating.
Planning a Bay of Islands Sailing Holiday?
Whether you’re interested in a short weekend yacht charter, a 5-night coastal escape, or a full 7-night bareboat sailing holiday in New Zealand, we’re happy to confirm availability and tailor the experience to suit you.
Contact us to check your preferred dates and receive a personalised charter summary.