This walkthrough offers a full review of the 18.3m Arcadia Sherpa 60 motor yacht, covering everything from the transformer swim platform, solar-powered systems and outdoor entertainment zones to the forward master suite, guest accommodation and engine room layout.
If you're researching innovative owner-operated yachts with IPS drives, low-emissions cruising features and real off-grid capability, this video delivers a first-hand look at what sets the Sherpa 60 apart.
Arcadia Sherpa 60 Key Facts
- LOA 18.28m
- Model Year 2022
- Cabins 2
- Max Speed 19 knots
- Status In Production
- Yacht Type Crossover
- Use Type Weekending
Video Tour
On Deck
You first board the Arcadia 60 Sherpa via the transformer swim platform, and it’s a showstopper. This thing is your passerelle, your swim ladder, your toy lift for a jet ski or small tender. And yes, it’s a big-ticket item, but you’ll understand why the second you step on. At a full 8ft (2.4m) wide, it forms the base of what feels like a private beach club.
On the port side, there’s a storage locker, great for stashing lines. A transom shower is alongside shore power inputs and receptacles for the swim ladder on both sides. A quick-connect fitting for the shower is installed in a hidden slot - and just next to that, a recessed carbon pole slot for the Bimini system. That stows right in the transom area and shades the entire aft zone when in use.
Forward is a large aft sunpad that lifts to reveal deep storage, including the base for the Bimini poles. There’s no shortage of lounging space, and underneath the entire area you’ll find access to the engine room hatch, the gangway controls, and the remote for the transformer platform.
The cockpit is broken into zones that give you four clear uses: beach club, sunpad, a relaxed seating area, and a convertible alfresco dining space. Tables here are hi-lo units, mounted on sliding bases so you can shift and angle them to suit the moment. They also expand to a full-size dining setup. Storage runs beneath both port and starboard seating sections.
There’s an IPS joystick docking station tucked neatly to port if you’re coming in stern-to. Visibility is outstanding from this point. It’s easy to see how an owner-operator could manage the boat comfortably.
Forward of the cockpit is the outdoor entertainment galley and this space really leans into the Sherpa’s quirky appeal. You get a flip-up sink on the port side, space for an electric grill, a wine cooler, a drinks fridge, and more storage compartments. Everything is laid out at bar height - so you can stand, prep, and serve without leaving the social area. Just behind it is the entrance to what would be the optional crew cabin, though on this hull it’s configured for storage and systems access.
Side decks are properly safe and walkable, with high railings and solid bulwarks. As you head forward, that sense of security continues all the way to the bow. There’s a full forward lounge with built-in seating and hidden storage. The anchor system is visible through a dedicated hatch, and there’s access to the windlass and safety chain. Both port and starboard sides of the bow conceal deep lockers so deep that you could almost stand up in them. These are ideal for fenders, wash gear, and lines.
The capstan winch system at first glance looks like just another deck fitting, until you realise there’s a hidden switch. Press it, and the capstan lifts out of the deck on a powered riser. Press again, and it vanishes flush. No trip hazard or compromise on deck space.
Last detail: solar panels. The entire superstructure, including the hardtop, is blanketed in them. This yacht draws real power from the sun - a signature of Arcadia Yachts since day one. And yes, those are the same panels that turned heads when the Sherpa first appeared in the Caribbean. That part hasn’t changed. What has evolved is how well this shipyard has integrates its tech.
Interior Accommodation
The raised pilot house is where the Arcadia 60 Sherpa really starts to show off its unusual layout. You come up a few steps and enter what feels like a light-filled conservatory - glass everywhere, softened by curved edges and warm materials. The surrounding panels are powered drop-down windows. You can fully enclose this space or turn it into an open-air bridge lounge with a flybridge feel. Halfway down, they create a breezy cocoon that blocks the worst of the wind but keeps airflow perfect, and yes, it’s surprisingly cool up here even without the AC running.
This level acts as your main saloon, galley, dining space and helm. To port, the galley is compact but smart. There’s a double sink, a Bosch four-burner cooktop, top-loading fridge, front-access fridge, and a compact Bosch dishwasher tucked discreetly in a drawer. If you’ve ever tried to source one of these in the US, you’ll know they’re hard to come by. Drawers and cupboards are hidden behind panels, and there’s a pop-up TV lift embedded into the cabinetry too.
When the windows are dropped halfway, the entire galley feels like it’s outdoors. It turns into a proper open kitchen where you can prep and serve in the breeze.
Opposite, a dining banquette seats 6 comfortably. The table is transformable as it drops or lifts depending on use and can expand to host a larger group. There’s storage underneath and behind the settees, making use of every bit of available space. The finish is clean, modern, and distinctly Italian - light oak tones, brushed metals, and integrated lighting. It feels more like a boutique hotel than a conventional yacht saloon.
Every surface and piece of cabinetry is softened at the edges. There’s a sense that this space was designed for real movement: stepping through with drinks, sitting cross-legged at the table, leaning back into the view. The flow between saloon, galley and helm is completely open. From the galley you can see forward through the windshield or back toward the cockpit.
Owner's Cabin
The owner’s cabin on the Arcadia 60 Sherpa breaks from the norm. Instead of being amidships or in the stern, it’s located far forward under the raised pilot house, almost at the very bow. That’s an unusual move for a 60-footer, but it pays off in unexpected ways.
You enter through a pocket sliding door into a bright, calming space. Because of the Sherpa’s wide bow flare, the bed is queen-sized at the top (about 180cm or 5.9ft wide) but narrows toward the foot, giving you room to move without wasting space. It’s not a boxed-in rectangle. It feels sculpted into the yacht.
There are nightstands on both sides, each with double drawers. On first glance it looks minimalist but hidden throughout are sleek, push-to-open lockers and integrated cubbies. Lighting is warm and ambient, tucked into indirect recesses that give the room a soft, architectural glow.
Behind concealed panels is a full-height wardrobe with hanging space and shelves, plus a small lockbox built into a shelf nook. The wardrobe doors are near flush with the walls, so at a glance they just blend in.
You also get those wraparound views, a rare thing this far forward. The location under the wheelhouse gives you angled hull windows that bring in natural light from low down, so even though you’re in the bow, it doesn’t feel buried. There’s a surprising sense of openness.
Guest Accommodation
The guest accommodation is located starboard, forward of midships. The ceiling height gives the whole space an open feel, and the layout continues the soft-edged, integrated design that runs throughout the yacht.
There’s a fixed double berth, flanked by bedside ledges that are perfect for keeping phones, books, or tablets within reach. Lighting is set into the ceiling in recessed strips, and there's a quiet, indirect glow from behind panels that helps the space feel warm without being overly lit. It’s subtly Italian in feel.
A full-height hanging locker sits just inside the cabin with AC access panels beneath. At the foot of the bed, you’ll find drawers built into the base, plus a pair of sculpted bedside compartments.
Just outside the cabin, there’s access to the day head, which also serves as the guest bathroom. Step inside and you find a layout that mirrors the owner’s ensuite, but scaled slightly smaller.
There’s a shower with a bench seat, side storage cubby, and a deep ledge for products. The head and sink are positioned to maximise the space, and once again, the mirror setup is clever - lifted just enough to allow light in from the hull window behind. It’s one of those tricks you only notice when someone points it out. Under-sink storage is generous, and the valve access for hot and cold water is clearly marked and easy to reach.
Performance
All the way aft, mounted on centerline, is the Seakeeper gyro stabiliser which is a serious addition for a 60-footer. It's positioned between the twin IPS drives and forward of the transom, right where you'd want it for balance and service access. Just ahead of that sit the Volvo Penta D8 IPS 600 engines - two of them, rated at 435 horsepower each. The generator is installed centrally, nestled between the two main engines, but with enough room on either side to allow for straightforward servicing. It's not boxed in. You can reach the belts, filters and service points without performing yoga.
Along the port and starboard bulkheads, you’ve got all the key systems arranged cleanly. Fuel filters and Racors are mounted with proper clearance. You can see the sea strainers from the hatch and get to them without removing half the furniture. The hydraulic pack for the garage door is installed just forward of the machinery space, along with additional breakers for the 24V systems. The watermaker sits forward too, with membranes and filters right where you’d expect them. You could change them standing up.
Further forward in the machinery bay, you’ll spot the fire suppression system and the manually operated bilge manifold - a beefy unit that allows you to direct suction to multiple bilge zones or reverse flow for firefighting. Even the manifold is labelled and reachable, not buried behind another system. That kind of setup is rare, especially on boats that prioritise interior volume over mechanical layout.
Performance-wise, the numbers stack up well for a boat with this much onboard tech and usable space. The Sherpa cruises comfortably at 16.6 knots and can push up to 19.5 knots at full tilt. With a fuel tank capacity of 3,400 litres and the Volvo IPS system handling thrust and maneuvering, she’s efficient, responsive, and designed to run smoothly whether you’re coastal cruising or hopping between islands. The hull’s fibreglass construction keeps weight manageable, and the solar panel array significantly reduces reliance on the generator for hotel loads, extending your time at anchor.
Ownership Considerations
Ownership of the Arcadia Sherpa 60 comes with real-world benefits that make a difference over time. At 33 tons, she’s relatively light for a full-volume cruiser, and paired with twin Volvo Penta IPS600 pod drives, fuel burn is surprisingly reasonable, typically in the 100 to 120 litres per hour range at 20 knots. That’s not exactly frugal, but it’s more efficient than many shaft-driven boats in this bracket, and noticeably lower than jet or surface-drive setups.
The coachroof solar array is one of the most effective in the category. In normal use, it comfortably covers daytime hotel loads while at anchor, from aircon and refrigeration to lighting, water pumps and AV systems. That means fewer generator hours, lower diesel use, and a quieter boat when it matters most. Combined with the inverter-battery setup, the Sherpa is one of the few sub-20m cruisers that rewards off-grid time.
As for annual running costs, owners based in a southern UK marina and logging 50-60 engine hours per season should expect to budget in the region of £35,000 to £40,000. That covers berthing, insurance, servicing, antifoul, anodes, haul-out and polishing. IPS servicing is a little pricier than for shafts, but offset by the ease of docking and improved fuel performance. While the machinery spaces are accessible enough for hands-on maintenance, most owners will likely need to bring in service support for the annuals.
Weighing up the alternatives, you might also want to consider boats like the Pardo E60 or Bluegame BGX63 as both similarly pitched at experienced hands-on owners looking for a distinctive, semi-custom platform.
In Summary
For owners who want to cruise independently, entertain comfortably, and manage the boat without a full-time crew, the Arcadia 60 Sherpa offers a rare mix of smart systems, real-world space, and standout design. It’s not loud, but it leaves a mark.
Looking to own a Arcadia Sherpa 60? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Arcadia Sherpa 60 Yachts for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Arcadia Sherpa 60, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used yachts for sale and find your perfect yacht today!
Specifications
- Builder Arcadia
- Range Sherpa
- Model Sherpa 60
- Length Overall 18.28m
- Beam 5.58m
- Draft 1.32m
- Hull Fibreglass
- Cabins 2
- Berths 2
- Yacht Type (Primary) Crossover
- Use Type (Primary) Weekending
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
- Fuel Capacity 3,400 Litres
- Fresh Water Capacity 730 Litres
- Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta IPS600
- Engine economic speed 12 knots
- Engine max range (speed type) 854 (nm)
Arcadia Sherpa 60 Layout
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Open Deck
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Standard sunpads
![Open Deck Arcadia Sherpa 60]()
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Optional U-shaped seating with tables
![Open Deck Arcadia Sherpa 60]()
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Lower Deck
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Standard master suite layout
![Lower Deck Arcadia Sherpa 60]()
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Optional 2 cabin layout
![Lower Deck Arcadia Sherpa 60]()
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Optional crew cabin
![Lower Deck Arcadia Sherpa 60]()
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