VOYAGE YACHTS, founded by Tom & Deirdre Lubbe and Ian & Jo Stopforth, began its journey with the Simonis-designed VOYAGE 400 in early 1994. Designed for performance, stability, and spacious comfort, the 40ft sailing catamaran was ideally suited for the Caribbean market. After exploring several destinations, the picturesque island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands was chosen as the base for sister company VOYAGE Charters, established in 1995. The first VOYAGE 400 was sold to Robin Downing, who relocated with his family to Tortola to oversee the launch of VOYAGE Charters at Frenchman’s Cay.
By 1996, VOYAGE YACHTS expanded its lineup with the introduction of the VOYAGE 500. With two production lines established in new premises, VOYAGE YACHTS gained international traction. The brand’s reputation for producing fast, durable, and comfortable blue-water sailing catamarans began to grow. VOYAGE YACHTS successfully expanded its reach by supplying charter companies like Sun Yacht Charters while gaining popularity among cruising enthusiasts who valued stability, reliability, and ease of operation.
In 2001, VOYAGE YACHTS achieved a major milestone when the VOYAGE 440 was awarded Cruising World’s Overall Boat of the Year at the prestigious Annapolis International Boat Show — the first catamaran manufacturer to receive this honour. This recognition firmly established VOYAGE YACHTS as an industry leader, redefining the perception of sailing catamarans as spacious, stable, and safe vessels; ideal for cruising, live-aboard lifestyles, and charter vacations. Since then, catamarans have dominated the recreational term charter industry, accounting for a significant share of vessels in operation today.
Building on this success, VOYAGE YACHTS was awarded Cruising World’s Best Sailing Catamaran Award in 2002 for the innovative VOYAGE 580. As the range expanded to include the VOYAGE DC 45 Day Charter boat, VOYAGE Charters strengthened its position as a premium charter provider. Operating from Soper’s Hole, Tortola, the company established a reputation as a ‘Blue Chip’ operation, offering services and facilities that rivalled the best in the industry. By the end of the decade, VOYAGE YACHTS had established a global presence, with its vessels owned and sailed across the United States, Europe, Australia, and the Indian Ocean islands.
In 2013, Robin Downing of VOYAGE Charters purchased Ian & Jo Stopforth’s shares and in 2016 Master Boat Builder Kay Oldenburg acquired shareholding in VOYAGE YACHTS. This marked the beginning of a new phase of innovation. In 2016, VOYAGE YACHTS introduced its first hybrid-electric propulsion system, installed in the VOYAGE 480 model.
VOYAGE YACHTS launched the luxurious VOYAGE 590 in 2019, offering hybrid-electric propulsion as an eco-conscious alternative to traditional diesel drives. The VOYAGE 590’s innovative design was recognized with Cruising World’s 2022 Charter Boat of the Year Award.
During 2025, in its third decade of production, VOYAGE YACHTS, still under the leadership of Tom Lubbe, Managing Director, moved into a new purpose-built production facility. The celebrated VOYAGE 590 was joined by the highly anticipated VOYAGE 510. Having already been nominated for the 2026 Multihull of the Year Awards in the Sail 45’–55′ category, the VOYAGE 510 is due to make her world debut at the 2026 Annapolis International Boat Show.
At VOYAGE YACHTS we are constantly striving to fulfil your yearning for adventure. With the comfort of luxurious accommodation, the confidence of impeccable build quality and unfaltering dedication to durability, we are committed to this dream.
We believe that technology should not be pursued for its own sake but rather to enable our values and commitments. With this objective in mind, we continue to research and innovate.
2026 Multihull of the Year – Sail 45-55′ ft (Nominee)
2022 Charter Yacht of the Year
2003 Best Cruising Multihull
2002 Cruising World Design of the Year
2002 Best Cruising Multihull
