A voyage around the world under sail, aboard a 52-meter superyacht equipped with every comfort. Not an experience for a few days, but a project intended to be developed over five years: it is called “The Great Circle” and will take off at the end of 2026.
The Great Circle: a global itinerary aboard Red Dragon
The star of the initiative is Red Dragon, a stunning sailing yacht designed by Dubois Naval Architects, built by Alloy Yachts in 2008 and undergoing a refit in 2022. Coordinating the project on behalf of the owner is Giorgio Passarella, founder of the Monaco-based company Super Yacht Solutions, which has been active since 2011 in the field of customized nautical experiences and high-end brokerage.
The journey of Red Dragon
Departure is planned from Portugal, with initial crossing to the Caribbean. From there the five-year voyage program will touch some of the most iconic areas of world sailing. Each leg of the voyage will be bookable individually: planned destinations include Panama, Galapagos, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Maldives, South Africa, Namibia, Brazil, Miami and New York.
Life on board between comfort and water sports
The experience aims to combine ocean sailing and hospitality of the highest standard. On board are five dedicated guest cabins, chef service, and a range of equipment designed to experience the sea in all its forms: sea bobs, kite equipment, Reverso dinghies, and diving equipment.
The crew consists of eight people led by skipper Damien “Shreda” Duke, a professional with more than 300,000 miles covered and 25 years of experience gained between high-end charters and offshore racing, including the Volvo Ocean Race and Sydney-Hobart.
The luxury charter. A growing market
“The Great Circle” project is part of the premium yacht tourism segment, a sector that continues to show signs of growth internationally. IMARC estimates that the global yacht charter market could grow from the current $10 billion to $16.9 billion by 2034, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4 percent. Europe continues to be the main area of the industry, coming in to generate about 70 percent of global charter-related revenues.
Federico Maselli
