Our Vessel

The Brisa Elegante is a one-of-a-kind luxurious two-masted Gulet sailing out of Marina Pez Vela Quepos/Manuel Antonio. She was built by world-class craftsmen in 2010 in Turkey. She is the only Gulet of this class and size in North America offering charter guests exquisite comfort and a unique sailing experience.

Featuring two expansive teak decks – both situated with grand banquet tables, a bbq grill, wet bar, multiple spacious lounge areas, and an ample selection of water toys.

Our Story

Brisa Elegante was commissioned to be built in 2008 by the Fethiye Seme Gulet Boatyard in Turkey. It was launched 2010 as Barcelona Explorer and cruised the Mediterranean Sea for a few years. The original owner of Barcelona Explorer actually lived at the shipyard for more than a year to supervise the building of his ship and to bring in his own ideas.

The Barcelona Explorer is an Ayna Ketch with a “mirror-aft”. This ship style has the advantage of a very spacious aft cabin with a panoramic view, the perfect place for an extended cruise or a honeymoon!

The ship has a few features that are uncommon in a traditional gulet. The most obvious is the very large foredeck with ample space to roam around or for functions. Also, the mahogany hull gives her the elegant look and extreme strength.

The ship has a few features that are uncommon in a traditional gulet. The most obvious is the very large foredeck with ample space to roam around or for functions. Also, the mahogany hull gives her the elegant look and extreme strength.

During her first years, she was operated in the Mediterranean, offering week-long cruises.

In 2014, in anticipation of an Atlantic crossing, the original 1 3/8” (35mm) pine hull was replaced with 3” (776mm) African mahogany to further add to the schooner’s stability and durability. New teak decks and an electrical conversion to North American standards was also done at this time.

She passed the ultimate stress test while sailing through the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic Ocean to Florida, a journey of more than 6000 miles (10,000 km).

Based out of Florida, by 2015 Barcelona Explorer provided charter cruising near Great Abaco Island, Bahamas until Hurricane Dorian crippled the island in 2019.

Like many ships serving the tourist industry, this vessel had a very quiet 2020 and spent much of it in drydock getting maintenance work, including extensive wood refinishing. On the way to drydock, the old tender boat was “lost at sea”. Using the sails in rough seas would have improved the stability overall, but in this case, the tender was literally bounced off its moorings.

In January 2021, Barcelona Explorer began extensive surveys and sea trials to prepare for her new home and new name Brisa Elegante in Costa Rica. After the voyage through the Caribbean and Panama Canal, you will have the opportunity to experience the fantastic pacific shore of Costa Rica on a luxurious sailing cruiser!

BE Original

the Brisa Elegante

Boat Type – Pilothouse, Gulet

Built / Refit – 2010 / 2014

Builder – Fethiye Seme, Turkey

Length Overall – 100 Ft

Weight – 70 tons

Beam – 26 ft

Max Draft – 8 ft 6 in

Cabins – 8 with full ensuite

Flag – Costa Rica

ENGINE IVECO Diesel 460 HP

RIG Schooner

BE Rejuvenated

AMENITIES

Each cabin is dressed with custom luxury fabrics and linens. The spacious decks and lounge areas allow for ample space to enjoy time by yourself or to gather together with friends and family. Soak up the sun on the sun deck, read a book or take a nap on the comfortable back couches, sit around the large banquet tables and enjoy cocktails, snacks, or a card game.

Included in the charter and for your pleasure are an array of water toys including stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, kayaks, fishing gea

BE Well

CULINARY CREATIONS

Our amazing chef Ivan is formally trained and freshly prepares a variety of snacks and meals for your cruise.

Most day cruises include a “fresh from the Pacific” fish dinner, with rice and locally grown fruit and vegetables. We are happy to accommodate any personal dietary needs.

We will work with you to design a menu of culinary creations for special events and multi-day cruises.

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