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2014 65′ HAL WHITACRE Offshore Adventure Pleasure Yacht

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2014 65′ HAL WHITACRE Offshore Adventure Pleasure Yacht boat for sale

Just reduced – way below market value,  $898,500 (cad ).

The core of this yacht design is about function and simplicity. As a proven offshore performer with very economical operating costs, she is an excellent purchase opportunity for the adventurous and knowledgeable boater. Time to Explore and discover the world with this beauty! Everyone who steps on board is impressed by her quality finishing, but then is quickly amazed with the engineered finish that makes her the rugged go anywhere vessel – a must-see!

Mike, the owner of RowDay’O, was thinking of something very special when he was planning the design of this boat. So he reached out to Hal Whitacre, a well-known Naval Architect. Over the course of many years prior, designing and crafting special vessels, Hal used his technical vision and engineering know-how to draw out this design. Optimum safety in challenging seas, strength but light weight, efficient and to achieve this while focusing on Mike’s special requests. This was not an easy task. Mike, an engineer himself, knew right away he had found the right person for his design. They decided on Aluminum because of the high resistance to corrosion, the strength of this metal, and the light weight product which met their demands for efficiency. Zero speed stability was very important as well and that is were Seakeeper came in. The vessel was designed and then handed off to the team from Yachtsmiths International, located in Dartmouth NS, the winners of the “Expert Achievement Award”. This is an incredible design that can withstand anything you can throw at it. But they did not forget about the importance of interior comforts. They brought in a guru who understood the design, and all we can say is wow! The superior finish is at the highest level. Easily she can accommodate 6 in three staterooms, full beam main salon and galley, beautiful wheel house and an upper bridge with fantastic views.

ROWDAY’O boasts Strength, Safety, Comfort & she will get you out to those life experiencing places that you so desire. That is what yachting is all about.

It would be my pleasure to show you this incredible design. You owe it to yourself to start experiencing this beautiful world. The ocean is there, and you just need the right vessel.

Call us today to book a private viewing!

Specifications

Specs from the owner.

• This vessel was built inside and out by the expert team from Yachtsmiths International, in Dartmouth NS (winners of the Export Achievement Award) RowdayO displaces per inch of incremental displacement around 7,000 lbs. 5 tons of incremental weight will put her down around an inch and a half. For a lot of reasons, she loves 9.5/10 kts. Get her up to 18-20 knots and she is as smooth as she gets, then max out 22 knots. She doesn’t really start to make a wake till 8 knots. Just click engines in gear with clean hull and you are 5.5/6 knots. Racing sailboats at 600 rpm. Seakeeper stabilization is effective while moving and as well if you are standing still at anchor. When you are whale watching in 3/5 foot chop and the Seakeeper gyro is on, you only go up and down. Everyone else has clients on board their boats being tossed around while on RowDay-O you enjoy a very different experience.
• A beautiful vessel where folks will hale you on radio to compliment looks. One-of-kind!
• Twin Cummins QSB 6.7 – perfectly matched Turbocharger – quiet operation running on a common-rail fuel system – 480 hp per side – Total 960 hp – (1090 hrs)
• ZF Marine Propulsion #ZF/ZFE 85 IV
• 2.25″ Stainless Steel shafts through SureSeal Self-aligning dripless shaft seal
• Twin VEEM 5-blade props
• Max speed – 22 kn
• Racor Turbine Series fuel filter/water separators
• Delta T Lil Champ Blower system
• Engine room enclosed behind a bulkhead creating a watertight separation from the rest of the boat
• Engine room space is design with access for maintenance in mind. Also added space left for a dive compressor and dive tanks, which can be added

Hull and Deck

• 3/8″ thick Aluminum hull wrapped around a framed super structure
• A complete coating of Mascoat Marine-DTM was applied to the interior aluminum structure, a composite ceramic coating that is exclusively designed for thermal and anti-condensation protection for the harsh marine environment. Leaves no room for corrosion.
• Frames were designed with a thicker aluminum than the hull and boxed for incredible strength. They are also spaced quite close for durability
• Stability is maximized by an installation of the very best system – Seakeeper M8000 Gyro Stabilization – The M8000 is 14 percent more powerful and 44 percent quieter than the M7000A it replaces.
• Stabization is working while moving or at anchor
• Ablative Bottom paint 2018 – Zincs August 2019
• Hull is very well insulated down to the waterline
• Engine room isolated from the rest of the boat with a watertight bulkhead
• Engine space reserved for a dive compressor & dive tank storage
• Large upper deck – 2nd command bridge – open and great storage – kayak cradles
• Exterior Watertight marine door gives access to the flybridge
• Steelhead Marine WD800 crane – 8 ft reach – easily lift marine items to the top deck
• Solid Deck rails are welded to the outside for safety and at a good height
• Aluminum Swim platform extended aft onto the hull – makes for easy boarding and a great diving platform
• Cockpit with plenty of outside space for BBQing and entertaining
• Non-skid deck throughout with Freeman Marine flush deck hatches
• Lewmar Ocean hatches x8
• Interior flooring starts with 1/4″ aluminum plate and covered in 3/4″ solid Jatoba and Maple wood (Double groove on double tongue)
• Bilge pump system was chosen for durability and reliability

Ground Tackle:

• Maxwell 3500 Windlass supporting 250 ft 3/8 galvanized chain and a Rocna 121 lb. anchor
• Up/Down controlled from the Pilothouse or on deck – Has a counter and an Auto slowdown system when reaches the last 5 ft to while bringing in
• Marine Bollard/Sampson posts rated for heavy towing capacity. One forward and one aft

Interior Layout

The interior is completely custom designed and custom finished. The upper end quality of the wood finishing was exactly what they wanted. This includes the solid 3/4″ Jatoba/Maple flooring, gorgeous cherry walls, the bended radius finishing, solid cherry wood doors everywhere and the exceptional S/S hardware throughout. This is all hand built, one room at a time to perfectly fit the wood beautifully into place.

• Solid cherry wood built in cabinets and drawers throughout the vessel, which maximizes storage for long extended trips
• Salon and galley are on the same level as you enter the vessel
• A few steps up and forward brings you to the pilothouse

The lower level includes:

• Master suite located forward, large queen, Cherry cabinets and shelving, great LED lighting and private ensuite with separate shower
• VIP suite located mid ship, queen size bed with a lot of storage in cedar lined lockers
• Third suite with a large double and a single bed. Huge storage under the mattress. This room can also be adjusted as needed for storage
• All beds designed with multiple storage spaces under the mattress
• Second head located mid ship with separate shower.
• Heads by Jabsco Deluxe Flush electric toilets, with touch pad controller for various water saving features
• Washer/Dryer unit nicely built in and nicely tucked into its own cabinet
• The vessel is heated with a Webasto hydronic heating 4-zone system (Cooler easily added for an air-conditioning feature)
• The galley is located mid-ship to port
• U-shaped layout surrounded by amazing natural light and views to the outdoors
• Princess Modern Euro design counter-top 3 burner propane stove
• Princess Gourmet electric oven built in
• Norcold side-by-side refrigeration units – 12V or 120V
• Beautifully custom fit cabinets and nicely finished counter tops
• Large double S/S sinks w/single lever hot cold water control
• 30 & 50-amp 125V shore power plug ports. Included is a double 30 to 50 amp Y splitter adapter
• Cummins Onan MDKDM 11.5 kW Marine Generator – Quiet, self monitoring with digital display (2200 hrs)
• BLUESEA Electrical panel – Very nicely laid out and labeled
• Victron Energy centaur battery charger 12V 100AMP
• Ship’s Batteries – Rolls 12V -8D AGM-S x5 in parallel (New 2019)
• Start Battery – Rolls 12V -8D AGM-S
• Bow Thruster has its own 24V battery and separate charger
• Windlass is also tied into this battery and charger

Electronics and Navigation

Experienced pilot, the owner created the navigation/electronic package to meet his high standards. The layout of the helm station was very important.

Using the T theory, all your instruments are in front of you, easy to scan at a glance and visually see what your vessel is doing underway. A very clean and well laid-out helm!

• Raymarine c Series Digital display for Chart plotter & Radar
• Raymarine Radome Antenna RD424HD (Clearest and most Detailed)
• Raymarine Digital Auto Pilot
• Raymarine Digital Depth finder
• Raymarine RAY 218 & RAY 55 VHF Radios
• Full array of engine instruments monitoring RPM, Speed, Heat & Oil pressure

Similar layout on the flybridge

Other controls at the helm:

• Seakeeper stabilization activation controller
• Vetus Bow thruster
• DTS engine controls
• Maxwell Anchor up/down control
• Master start control for hydronic heating
• Tank watch monitor
• Sirius XM SR150 Satellite radio with weather receiver
• Fuel – 1000 Gallons – (2×300 usg & 2×200 usg)
• Water -350 usg – (2×175 usg)
• Fuel tanks are raised off the hull to create airflow all around the tank.
• Hot water – 15 Gallon – Very well insulated and is a great power saving unit
• Holding tank – 100 Gallon plastic
• Grey water tank for lower sinks and showers with new pump
• Water maker onboard & rated for 65 usg/hour. It just needs to be hooked up for operation.
• Life jackets
• EPIRB – ACR model RCB – Cat-1 (registered with transport Canada)
• Rescue Ring – Solas Foam by Plastimo
• Large Lewmar hatches allow easy escape if required
• x2 Propane tanks mounted outside on the swim platform
• Propane sniffer detector located inside – near the galley

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47 Custom 2023 Boat For Sale

Asking price: $1,600,000.

• Yachts for sale
• 47' Custom

Last updated Sep 28, 2023

47' Custom 2023

Whitacre 47 Performance Offshore Catamaran

The WHITACRE 47 is designed by Hal Whitacre Yacht Design in collaboration with Big House Yachts and James Betts Enterprises.  Our vision believed there was a need for a simpler and more affordable limited production, semi-custom performance cruising catamaran.

While the leading/bleeding edge of technology looks very cool on paper or dockside, it can become an issue once it’s out in service.  The increasing tech found in today’s higher performance multihulls often supports the need for full-time crew.  Our vision brings together performance composites, system and rig simplicities, hybrid energy technologies, and affordability in a limited production, fully customizable offshore catamaran.  Partnering with world-class performance sailboat builder Betts Boats, we’re delivering a epoxy e-glass/carbon composite catamaran with proven and reliable build quality that complements the proven Hal Whitacre engineering and design experience.

Whitacre 47 Hull #1 is in production with expected completion Spring 2024.   Build production slots are available for immediate start with finish projected Spring 2024.

The Whitacre 47 offers the benefit of limited production customization with pricing from $1,160,000 basic sail away to $1,500,000+ for custom upgraded interior layout, equipment, and finishes.

Made in USA - Anacortes, Washington 

Denison Yachting is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Pacific Cruising Yachts LLC.

Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice. She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a specific yacht for sale.

INQUIRE ABOUT 47' CUSTOM

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47' Custom HIGHLIGHTS

• Yacht Details: 47' Custom 2023
• Location: Anacortes, WA
• Engines: Yanmar
• Last Updated: Sep 28, 2023
• Asking Price: $1,600,000
• Max Draft: 7' 4''

47' Custom additional information

• Beam: 24' 11''
• Hull Material: Composite
• Fuel Tank: 2 x 72|gallon
• Fresh Water: 2 x 80|gallon
• Holding: 2 x 20|gallon
• Single Berths: 2
• Double Berths: 4

Schedule a Tour of 47' CUSTOM

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2023 Custom Whitacre 47

$1,600,000.

Whitacre 47 Performance Offshore Catamaran

The WHITACRE 47 is designed by Hal Whitacre Yacht Design in collaboration with Big House Yachts and James Betts Enterprises.  Our vision believed there was a need for a simpler and more affordable limited production, semi-custom performance cruising catamaran.

While the leading/bleeding edge of technology looks very cool on paper or dockside, it can become an issue once it’s out in service.  The increasing tech found in today’s higher performance multihulls often supports the need for full-time crew.  Our vision brings together performance composites, system and rig simplicities, hybrid energy technologies, and affordability in a limited production, fully customizable offshore catamaran.  Partnering with world-class performance sailboat builder Betts Boats, we’re delivering a epoxy e-glass/carbon composite catamaran with proven and reliable build quality that complements the proven Hal Whitacre engineering and design experience.

Whitacre 47 Hull #1 is in production with expected completion Spring 2024.   Build production slots are available for immediate start with finish projected Spring 2024.

The Whitacre 47 offers the benefit of limited production customization with pricing from $1,160,000 basic sail away to $1,500,000+ for custom upgraded interior layout, equipment, and finishes.

Made in USA - Anacortes, Washington 

Specifications

Additional info, basic boat info, engines / speed.

• Make: Yanmar
• Model: 3JH40
• Fuel: Diesel
• Engine Power: 40hp
• Type: Inboard
• Propeller Type: 3 BladeBronze, Folding
• Engine Location: Port
• Drive Type: SailDrive
• Engine Location: Starboard
• Request Info

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Whitacre Yacht Design

10820 N Appleport Ln. Sister Bay, WI 54234

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Whitacre 47 Catamaran Build Video #1

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Pacific Cruising Yachts is proud to announce the development of a new Limited Production Semi-Custom Offshore catamaran – The Whitacre 47.

Contact Pacific Cruising Yachts for more details.

(425) 998-8731 – Mike Mullenberg (Pacific Cruising Yachts)

[email protected]

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2014 Whitacre 68ft Offshore Adventure Pleasure Yacht - Calibre Yachts

ROWDAY'O is a very comfortable long-range motor yacht that is offshore ready. If you want a true-life experience with unlimited options, have a look at this ...

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Revolutionary All Electric Perfomance Catamaran

The most exciting performance-focused catamaran to hit the sailing world, the Open Waters 40 is an all-electric catamaran that leverages the latest in yacht construction technologies designed to maximize the thrill of sailing yet still provide the creature comforts of a multihull.

Great handling and speed

The ESC40 is a 40-ft catamaran designed to be two to three times faster than the typical cruising cat – using carbon fibre to reduce weight and provide increased hull strength.

The twin helm stations are covered by a solar cell-covered roof and come with a 59m2 main sail in addition to three headsails: Jib 26 m ² , FRO 65 m ² and Asail 121 m ² .

The hull is rated to handle boat speeds in excess of 20 knots. With curved retractable daggerboards providing better upwind handling and performance at speed.

The retractable rudders, together with the low draft of 2 ft, allow the boat to cruise in shallow waters and to be beached on the bow or stern.

Regenerative Energy

Thanks to the low weight, higher boat speed and the solar/hydro regeneration systems on-board. The boat is a 100% energy self-sufficient.

The twin electric drives and advanced battery technology allows for quiet, fossil fuel-free cruising.

Using 10 kW motors, the close-quarter power and handling is unrivalled. The folding propeller generates electricity while sailing together with the roof-mounted solar cells, recharging the battery while in operation.

The integrated drives, battery and battery management systems are intelligently inter-connected and provide real-time and predictive insights on power consumption, generation and operational range.

The boat comfortably accommodates four adults and two children, and is sure to bring you all modern comforts such as a 400L water reserve shower and an electric stove.

The hull interior boasts 6’4” of head room with the coach offering even more generous space with 6’8” of head room up to 7 at the aft dinette. The wet deck, spacious with 300 ft ² between hulls features the main stateroom.

Each hull features three deck hatches and six portlights for excellent ventilation while the trampoline across the beam is 305 ft ² of play, relaxation and dolphin viewing.

Our unique construction techniques allows us to manufacture the boat in Canada in a quarter of the time compared to traditional boat building.

We can also build and ship your boat in as early as four months, greatly surpassing the industry standard of 12+ months.

From order to build and delivery, our price compares very favourable to other fast cats.

Faster, cheaper delivery

The boat can be packed in a standard 40ft freight container and be shipped safely anywhere in the world at a much lower cost (up to $50,000 savings) and in a fraction of the time.

Boat owners can now also ship their boat one or both ways between North America, the South Pacific, Mediterranean or the Carribean for a one way cruise or an overwintering.

Vacuum Resin Infusion

Vacuum resin infusion is the process at the heart of our technology and is used for all parts.

The vacuum resin process removes all of the air between the fibres of a part prior to the introduction of the resin.

After the process, our parts are meticulously sanded with variable grit — allowing for maximum paint adhesion on surfaces and smooth, stylish edges.

Core Materials

Core materials are introduced into the part to increase stiffness without increasing weight.

The core is a structural-grade foam with a high shear strength characteristic: if the part is of a complex shape, we cut the foam into sections, thermoforming it to the required shape.

We use five different sizes and densities of foam on the boat, optimized for local strength requirements.

We purchase carbon fiber by the roll and over 35 rolls are used in each boat. We have engineered the laminate schedule to be most efficient in the various areas of the boat maximising strength and reducing weight.

Each meant to be the most efficient for their respective areas. The fabrics are stitched, instead of weaved.

Stitched fabrics do not need to bend over or under other fibre and lay flat, making a stronger part.

At Open Waters, it is our mission to make catamaran cruising more exciting and environmentally sustainable. We’ve set out to create a performance cruising catamaran that will be a joy to sail and that will raise the bar in environmental sustainability.

We have developed a unique  design and manufacturing process, selected high performance  materials that enable us to build a boat that uses less materials and is 50% lighter. As a result it is a lot faster and as a result it is able to generate and store the energy needed to propel it electrically for hours and provide enough energy for on board equipment.

We use high performance carbon fibre and a vacuum infusion process to maximize strength and reduce the use of resin and eliminate resin vapour emissions. We use 100% recycled PET foam core wherever possible and we see the opportunity for incremental use of bio-based epoxy and natural fibres in our future.

As we continue to develop our sustainability roadmap for our boats we will perform a full lifecycle analysis to identify other opportunities to minimize our carbon footprint. 

The unique processes and skills we have developed can be applied and licensed to other marine and recreational vehicles businesses.

Simon Angus

Simon Angus P.Eng is a professional mechanical engineer with a background in project management and a passion for sailing.

He spent his university summers travelling around Europe searching for the best combination of wind and waves in addition to teaching both sailing and windsurfing.

After moving to Canada in 2004, Simon bought a Catalina 27 in Kitimat BC and enjoyed sailing in the Douglas channel with his young family. A career move to Alberta paused his sailing career until he found the joys of chartering sailboats in the Caribbean.

After a 20 year career in industrial engineering and project management he decided to make a change and combined his passion and profession to launch Open Waters Design and Manufacturing in 2016.

He designed and manufactured an 18ft canoe and developed a plug and mold and his proprietary vacuum resin infusion process.  After the successful build of the canoe, Simon built a high performance 18ft A class foiling sailing catamaran out of  a Carbon fibre and refined the mold construction and vacuum resin infusion process.

After researching the various build steps, Simon started with CNC shaping of a plug, hand finishing and building the hull molds. He also built the mast, Z foils and the Tee foil rudders. After successful trials in Vancouver BC, Simon then set out on his next ambitious project, to design and build the boat he had dreamt about for years.

A boat that could be shipped anywhere in the world, sail on with his family and returned to Vancouver for summer cruising and would be electrically sustainable.

Simon was introduced to Hal Whitacre in 2019 which started a design relationship that has resulted in the creation of the Open Waters ESC40.

Hal Whitacre

Hal Whitacre, owner of Whitacre yacht design since 1984 and is responsible for some of the fastest and most luxurious boats ever built.

Hal is Open Waters Chief Naval Architect and has worked closely with Simon over the past 2 years to produce the detailed designs that make up the Open Waters ESC 40.

Hal has a distinguished career in Naval Architecture graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Naval architecture and Marine Engineering.

Throughout his career he has pushed the boundaries of naval architecture notably designing the Open Class 60 “Imagine”; breaking ground with the largest rig ever put on an Open 60.

Hal also owns and operates Bruce Roberts USA and in that capacity, he has designed over 100 steel and aluminium boat kits in addition to many fiberglass and  wood sail and power boats. Most recently, Hal was the chief Naval Architect for Gunboat Catamarans when they were built in the USA.

Since their move to Europe, Hal has completed 2 gunboat 55’s along with a conversation of a gunboat 55 to a powercat ferry which has recently conducted successful sea trials.

Hal and his wife Tammy split their time between Annapolis, Md and Sister Bay, Wi.  Hal continues to race Lasers during the winter and windsurfs/foilsurfs as much as possible.

Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to traveling through the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, or 9 travel tips to this beautiful land:

1. How do I get there?

Kabardino-Balkaria hosts a large number of both foreign and Russian travelers every year, and has an improving infrastructure able to handle the incoming masses.  Let’s start with the obvious.  You might be a mountain climber or skier coming to enjoy the slopes of Mt. Elbrus.  That means you’re likely arriving on an airplane to Russia.  Here are your travel options:

A. Plane – We advise you fly into the Mineralni Vodi (MRV) airport in the Stavropol Region, which is about 45 minutes from the border of Kabardino-Balkaria.  MRV is the largest airport in the North Caucasus, and has daily direct flights to and from all 3 airpots in Moscow (SVO, DME, and VKO), direct flights from St. Petersburg, and several international flight routes as well, including from Istanbul, Dubai, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Bishkek.  The MRV airport has a growing infrastructure and is the most obvious choice to fly into if going to Elbrus.  From MRV, it’s a 2 hr. drive to Nalchik, and a 3.5 hr. drive to Mt. Elbrus.

That being said, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nalchik (NAL), also has a small regional airport with a daily flight to/from Moscow as well as weekly flights to Istanbul. As is to be expected in most smaller, regional airports around Russia, the service standard at a small airport like this will be minimal.  As a result, we recommend you flying in and out of MRV if able.  It’s a 2 hr. drive to Elbrus from Nalchik.  You can also fly into other regional airports which are 2 hrs. from Nalchik, such as OGZ in North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) or IGT in Ingushetia (Magas).

B.  Car/Public Transport – If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles.  A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.  There are daily mini-buses, or “marshrutkas”, that travel to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Magas, if you’re coming from a neighboring republic.  From the main Nalchik bus station, there is a marshrutka that goes to Terskol (i.e. Mt. Elbrus) daily around 12:30 pm; for that matter,  marshrutkas run daily into every valley of this beautiful republic.  For the seasoned international traveler, you can drive from the country of Georgia up the famed “Georgian Military Highway” through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, cross the border into Russia at the “Verkhni Lars” border stop, and be in Nalchik in about 2.5 hours as well. 

Anyone traveling on their own should download the “Yandex” taxi app, which is Russia’s version of Uber, and has a very user-friendly app with affordable prices.  In smaller villages/towns where Yandex’s service doesn’t reach, just ask a local and they’ll direct you to a friend or relative who can taxi you where you need to go!

C.  Train – Kabardino-Balkaria is also very accessible by the famous cross-country Russian train system if that’s your preferred method of travel.  Almost all trains to the North Caucasus pass through Mineralni Vodi in the Stavropol region to the north, so make sure wherever you are coming from, Mineralni Vodi is one of the stops.  Despite Nalchik having a train station, the city is about 45 minutes from the main railway route that runs diagonal through the North Caucasus, and as a result it’s a bit convoluted to get a train directly to Nalchik.  That being said, the town Prokhladni is a regular stop on trains going to/coming from Baku, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, and Vladikavkaz, so you can always hop off there and find your way by public transport or taxi.

2.  What are the best places to stay?

This list could get exhaustive, fast. 🙂  Let’s first look at an overview of the republic’s geography, followed by hotel recommendations:

A. Nalchik – This is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, with a population of around 250,000.  Nalchik is growing and new, modern hotels are being built regularly.  Here are some of our recommendations:

-Modern and comfortable:  Azimut , Butik Otel

-Budget with less frills:  Hotel Rossia , Korona

You could comfortably spend a week in Nalchik, while doing day trips into Kabardino-Balkaria’s beautiful mountain valleys.

B.  Baksan Valley – This is the most traveled road in Kabardino-Balkaria, the road to Mt. Elbrus.  If you have questions about its safety because of travel warnings, please see our detailed blog here of the drive to erase any doubts or fears.  Needless to say, because of the draw of Mt. Elbrus, there are a huge variety of lodging options at the end of this valley, from 4-star to mid-range to budget to hostel.  Here are just a few we’ll recommend from our experience:

-Modern and comfortable 4-star-ish:  Azau Star , Kristall 139

-Budget with less frills 3-star-ish:   Laguna , Povorot

If you’re a mountain climber with your sites set on the summit of Elbrus, you’ll have to spend at least 3-4 nights at Elbrus’s famous base camp at 13,000 feet.  The “barrel huts” are not easy to book directly with, and we highly recommend you do your climb (and hence, have your bookings handled) through a trusted climbing company.  Here are two shelters at base camp we recommend:

-Modern and comfortable:  Leaprus

-Budget with less frills:  Heart of Elbrus Lodge

If you’re interested in climbing Mt. Elbrus and staying in these barrel huts, click  here  to see our climbing itineraries, pricing, and group dates.

C.  Chegem Valley – Chegem Valley is the adjacent valley to Elbrus’s Baksan Valley, and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls as well as being Russia’s top paragliding location.  The “ Paradrome ” has modest accommodations for those wanting to get to know this beautiful valley for a longer period of time.

D.  Upper Balkaria, or Cherek Valley – This is another beautiful mountain gorge not too far from Nalchik.  There is an authentic lodging complex in Upper Balkaria called Tau-El, with amazing local food for meals as well.

E.  Border Zone lodging – Several of Kabardino-Balkaria’s mountain gorges run into the border zone with neighboring country Georgia, i.e. an area that foreigners cannot enter without a special permit from the local government (often taking 2 months to receive).  There is a famous mountaineering lodge in Bezengi Valley, where several generations of Russian mountain climbers have honed their craft in the Caucasus Mountains.  Perpendicular to Baksan Valley (about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus) is Adyr-Suu Valley, where there is a lodge for back-country skiers to stay, while trying their hands (and feet!) on the untouched snow of that valley.  Both these valleys require border permits for foreigners, but are possible to access for the more adventurous!

3.  Top cities to visit?

Most locals would agree that Nalchik is the main city of significance to visit in Kabardino-Balkaria, but let’s be honest, even more would say, “Just go to the mountains!”  Tirnauz is the capital of the Elbrus district, and is an interesting town to spend some time in, with its unique location in the mountains and place in Soviet history as a once-booming mining town.  The main thing to consider in visiting Nalchik and other cities in the lowlands, is the chance to experience Kabardian culture and food.  Whereas the deeper you go into the valleys, the more you’ll encounter Balkar culture and food.

4.  Best local foods to try?

There are 3 types of food that come to mind, when spending time in Kabardino-Balkaria:

A. Khychiny – This is one of the staple national dishes of the Balkar people, and what you’ll inevitably be served if guests of local Balkars.  It’s a thin buttery flat bread, sometimes cooked with fillings of cottage cheese, fresh greens, or potatoes.  It is often slathered in butter, but wow is that some tasty greasy goodness! 🙂

B.  Shashlik – Shashlik is a MUST for any visit anywhere in the North Caucasus!  Most people would agree that it’s the national food of the entire region.  Shashlik is meat shish kabobs; while pork and turkey can be found in some parts of the Caucasus, lamb or chicken are the preferred shashlik meats of choice in Kabardino-Balkaria. 

C.  Soup – No matter where you are in Russia, you’re sure to find a local soup that people love.  Kabardino-Balkaria is no different.  Especially in the winter months in the mountain valleys, there’s nothing better than to come inside from the cold weather and warm your body up to a bowl of hearty Caucasus soup.  Whether Georgian kharcho or local Balkar lakhman, make sure to try your hand at one of these soups with a side of fresh baked bread/lavash!

5.  Top Hole-In-The-Wall restaurants:

Of course, for a republic of this size, we’re bound to leave at least a few great local joints off our list, but here are a few to get you started. ***Note:  Restaurants in the North Caucasus are much better known for their food than their service, so prepare for tasty food, but manage your expectations about service:

-Elbrus – Kogutai Restaurant at Mt. Cheget – While this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall restaurant per se, it’s one of many to choose from in the Cheget tourist village, and we have found them to provide consistently good food and service.  Kogutai has a nice interior, and maybe most important, an English-language menu with good pictures. 🙂  There also is a nice outdoor patio with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

-Nalchik #1 – Tameris Restaurant – This is a cafe with a relaxed atmosphere in the capital Nalchik.  Local tour company Elbrus Elevation has taken foreign groups there on multiple occasions and always had good experiences.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 3. 

-Nalchik #2 – Cafe-Bar Oasis – You have to know where this restaurant is to find it, but once inside, you won’t regret it!  There is a unique cafeteria-style ordering process, that includes several dishes being cooked on the spot once ordered.  You can sample local Kabardian dishes here.  The seating area is very modern and a pleasant atmosphere to have a meal in.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 2. 

-Upper Balkaria – Tau-El Restaurant – This is the restaurant part of the Tau-El Tourist Complex in Upper Balkaria.  Whether spending the night or just passing through, make sure to stop here for a meal!

6.  Must-See Sites

This republic is so chock full of “must-see” destinations, it’s impossible to narrow the list down.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started: (***Mt. Elbrus is a no-brainer and we’re assuming that’s on your list)

A. El-Tyubu and Paradrome – This is an amazing area towards the end of Chegem Valley.  Many tourists visit the famous Chegem Waterfalls and don’t drive any further down this gorge, which really is a shame.  El-Tyubu is a picturesque Balkar village with several historical sites to see, including some ancient mausoleums.  The real gem of the area, though, is the Paradrome , which is Russia’s premier paragliding destination.  The combination of the scenic surrounding mountains and constant winds produces almost daily conditions to sail through the beautiful Caucasus sky.  Highly recommend!

B.  Upper Balkaria – Also known as Cherek Valley, the entire drive to the actual village of Upper Balkaria is one big destination.  First, you can spend time at the 3 consecutive “ Blue Lakes ”, one of which is one of Russia’s deepest lakes with an underground spring.  Then, the drive itself becomes an adventure, as you pass by steep rock walls with a huge drop-off on the other side.  If you’re able to walk this part of the road, that is a bonus!  Once you’ve made your way through the valley walls, the region opens up into a beautiful panoramic view.  Many years ago, there were multiple villages in this region, but they’ve since been condensed into one main village.  You can see some of the ancient Balkar towers that their ancestors used to live in as well.

C.  Djili-Suu – Although hard to pronounce and not easy to get to, Djili-Suu is one of those places in the North Caucasus that people rave about that you “have to” visit.  It’s actually on the North side of Mt. Elbrus, and more accessible from the Mineral Waters region (2 hrs. from Kislovodsk).  The base camp for Elbrus climbers summiting the mountain from the North side is at Djili-Suu.  This area is famous in Russia for its numerous natural healing springs, as well as unique climate conditions that make for beneficial, long holidays for seeking a respite from their daily grind.  There are wide swaths of land available for camping, with probably the most unrivaled views of Mt. Elbrus in the North Caucasus.  Make sure to check this out!

7.  Off-the-beaten path destinations

A. King’s Waterfalls (Tsarskie), or Gedmisht – Probably the valley in Kabardino-Balkaria with the least amount of hype is the Malka Valley, which is the northernmost valley and mainly runs through the Kabardian lowlands.  At the point where the villages end, though (Khabas), the asphalt turns into dirt and the hills start to rise, culminating with the incredible King’s Waterfalls, or as one friend put it, Avatar Waterfalls.  These stunning waterfalls are best visited in the early summer, when everything is lush green and the water flow is strong, with many streams of water flowing down the earth’s surface.  The different colors are incredible and it’s hard to look away.  Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls, enjoy a meal of shashlik at one of the nearby lunch huts.  Having an off-road vehicle is ideal to visit these falls, but worth the time and effort!

B.  One-seater chair lift at Elbrus – As the infrastructure at Mt. Elbrus has modernized, some of the more “authentic” experiences have gone to the way-side.  This is one experience still available, though!  From the 2nd (11,000 ft.) to 3rd level (12,500 ft.) of Mt. Elbrus (whether skiing, going to base camp, or just touring), there is a single-seater chair lift for 100 rubles each way (less than $2).  This is an amazing experience if you have the time.  It’s 8-10 minutes each way, and a surreal experience of the majestic Caucasus mountain range surrounding you, skiers silently passing you by underneath, and in general enjoying the silent expanse of nature all around.  The chair lifts are from the Soviet times and so it feels like something from a different era.  For mountain climbers, the newer group cable car gives better access to most of base camp, but several huts are pretty close to this chair lift, so it still may be a good option for you.

C.  Abandoned Mines above Tirnauz – Tirnauz is about 1 hr. from Mt. Elbrus, and a town everyone drives through to and from the mountain.  Although today it looks old and half-abandoned, it was a booming mining town in the 20th century.  About a 45-minute drive above the city with an off-road vehicle, you can see the remains of the mining operations.  Learning about this history combined with the breath-taking views of the Baksan Valley and even into Georgia, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t visiting this place.  This is a great spot to see eagles soaring in the sky, as well as admire the Soviet city plan of Tirnauz from above.

8.  What do I need border zone passes to visit?

In Russia, any area within 5-10 km of a neighboring country, without a clearly delineated border (i.e. in the mountains) is considered a special border zone, and patrolled by Russian border guards.  This area IS accessible to all Russian citizens with their passports, but is NOT legally accessible to foreign citizens UNLESS you have a special permit from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau).  These permits are accessible, either through a tour operator or local friend, but require you to submit your application 45-60 days in advance.

Areas in Kabardino-Balkaria that are worth a visit if you have a border zone pass:

A.  Bezengi Wall – This is at the end of the Bezengi Valley, and holds a place of lore among Russian mountain climbers.  Many mountain guides go through training in this valley.  Five of the Caucasus Mountain’ range’s highest seven peaks are a part of the Bezengi Wall, so you can imagine the draw it has for climbers. There are great areas for trekking and camping in this area. 

B.  Adyr-Suu Gorge – This remote valley runs perpendicular to Baksan Valley and is about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus.  It’s marked at the entrance by a relic of the past, a car lift from Soviet days that auto-cranks your car (and you) about 50 meters up the mountain.  After 45-60 minutes of driving on gravel road, the gorge opens up into a flat valley with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  The Adyr-Suu Alpine Lodge is at the end of this valley and where back-country skiers base out of during the acclimatization phase of their Mt. Elbrus ski tours.  This is truly a place where you can experience untouched powder!

C.  Mt. Cheget (Elbrus) – Cheget is a neighboring mountain to Mt. Elbrus and where many climbers will acclimatize, both at its base and while doing some hikes.  It also is famous in Russia for its free-ride terrain for more experienced skiers.  Standard access to the chair lifts and mountain are available to all (i.e. mountain climbers don’t need to worry about accidentally crossing into the zone), but anyone wanting to summit the peak of Cheget OR visit the beautiful Cheget Lake needs a border permit. 

Foreigners violating the border zone areas is considered a serious offense in Russia; make sure to do your due diligence if wanting to visit one of these areas!  We highly recommend using a local tour operator and always traveling with a local person if visiting one of these areas.

9.  Any cultural “do’s” or “don’t’s” to be aware of

Kabardino-Balkaria is a fascinating republic with a combination of traditional and modern society.  The more you interact with local people, the more you’ll see a mixture of Muslim faith, post-Soviet mentality, and ancient local traditions all wrapped together.   

Kabardians mainly live in the lowlands (Nalchik, Baksan, and lowland villages), while Balkars primarily live in the mountain valleys (Elbrus, Chegem, Upper Balkaria, etc.).  There is a large population of Russians in the region as well.  Foreigners visit every area of the region regularly, and so local people are used to and will welcome your presence.

Come with an open mind to learn about these peoples, their traditions, and their land.  You won’t regret your trip to Kabardino-Balkaria!

***Want to learn more?  Here are several self-published resources from the podcast “ CaucasTalk ” related to Kabardino-Balkaria:

– Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria (audio version of this blog)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 1)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 2)

– Interview with Local Elbrus guide

– Climbing Elbrus: Interview with American guide

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 1)

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 2)

– Skiing in the North Caucasus (Elbrus and more)

READY TO EXPERIENCE KABARDINO-BALKARIA FOR YOURSELF?

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• +1 704-810-4296
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Travel Information

• We no longer offer travel services to Russia. See Caucasus Quest Tours for new destinations
• Is it Safe to Travel to the Caucasus in 2024?
• Climbing Kazbek & Kilimanjaro: Comparing two 5,000+ meter peaks
• How to Train to climb Mt. Kazbek in Georgia

Our Elbrus Climbing Tours

• Climb Elbrus South Route
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• Climb Elbrus & The Capitals
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Russia Cultural Tours

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ALL Travel Services to Russia and Mt. Elbrus have been indefinitely suspended as of Feb. 2022.

Explore our new tour branch Caucasus Quest to climb Mt. Kazbek (5,054 meters) in Georgia or for immersive cultural touring experiences in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.