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9 Stunning Wooden Boats That Blend Classic Design With Modern Tech

These 9 yards are still turning out mahogany boats using hand-crafted methods that started centuries ago. the difference they're using the latest engines and hull designs. call it good wood., kevin koenig, kevin koenig's most recent stories.

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There are few more classic sights in boating than a small mahogany runabout splitting the serene waters of a lake in some picturesque locale—be it northern Italy, Lake Tahoe, or a pristine stretch of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There is something almost primal about being on board a boat built from the first material humans fashioned roughshod canoes with.

Fortunately, there are multiple yards around the world that are still building wooden boats—but with modern hulls and systems that eliminate the hassles of owning a vintage yacht. Some build classic-inspired designs from the 1920s through the 1960s, while others focus on contemporary hulls, but with wood instead of fiberglass.

These builders will tell you that their material of choice offers the softest ride available, thanks to its natural properties. They will also say that the prestige of owning one of these boats is all but unmatched in the world of boating—wooden boats have long been a favorite of kings and movie stars. When you catch a glimpse of the beautiful brightwork and gleaming mahogany from the dock, you’ll find they clearly have a point.

Here are 9 of our favorite wooden boatbuilders.

Grand Craft, Genoa City, Wisconsin

“Our boats are few and far between, so the people who look at our boats often say they resemble a piece of art,” says Patrick Gallagher, president and CEO of Grand Craft Boats. The Wisconsin builder is currently focusing on two different models, the Burnham 26 runabout (opening image) and Winchester 36 commuter (pictured above). “The common denominator among our customers is that they want something that sets them apart from their neighbors without being gaudy or ostentatious,” says Gallagher. “A wooden boat is a way to demonstrate that.”

Boesch, Kilchberg, Switzerland

Jakob Boesch built his first boat in the 1890s, and more than a century later, his family continues to merge new technologies with old-world Swiss craftsmanship. Boesch ’s 28-foot 860 has a classically styled mahogany hull with up to 11 layers of wood laid at right angles, sealed with six layers of epoxy and finished with six layers of varnish. Propulsion choices include modern options such as twin 150 kw electric engines for quiet, emissions-free operation or more conventional gas or diesel engines. The runabout’s meticulous craftsmanship disguises a beast of a machine designed for precise handling, tow sports and speed. Equipped with twin 380 hp Ilmor gas engines, the 860 can hit 48 mph.

Spirit, Ipswich, England

The 111-foot Geist , launched in 2021 by Spirit, is the largest single-masted wooden sailing yacht built in the UK since the 1930s, when the America’s Cup yacht Shamrock V ruled the seas. But Geist is much more than a giant sloop. Her eco-conscious owner mandated systems like the first-of-its-kind electric propulsion by Torqeedo—a 100 kw motor fed by BMW lithium-ion battery banks, which recharge while Geist is sailing—while her Rhoades Young interior elevates wood to its maximum potential, showing off sustainably sourced sipo mahogany, teak and walnut in a series of continuously flowing curves. Even her sails are made of recyclable materials.

HackerCraft, Queensbury, NY

Founded in 1908, HackerCraft is one of the most prominent names in the wooden-boat world. The builder does series of boats such as its Sport, Sterling, and Racer models and also takes on full-custom jobs. “The build method lends itself to customization,” says Erin Badcock, Hacker Craft’s COO. “We build on a jig so anything is possible. Our main focus is to maintain the timelessness of the boat, but at the same time we have the ability to do custom designs.” For a builder with timelessness in mind, Hacker also has an eye on the future with its fully electric 27 Sport , which has a run time of up to three hours and a 30-knot top end.

Shearline, Morehead City, NC

Shearline is one of the cluster of custom sportfish builders centered around North Carolina’s famously rough Oregon Inlet. The builder is not uncommon amongst its peers in that it only turns out one or two boats a year. But the firm stands out among sportfish builders in that it’s still building in wood. Using wood instead of fiberglass is a no brainer. “The strength of a tree is in its ability to bend with the wind,” says Chip King, Shearline’s president. “You come off a wave and wood absorbs the shock, whereas fiberglass transfers it. There’s no comparison between the two materials when you want the softest ride possible.”

StanCraft, Hayden, Idaho

From out west comes Idaho’s StanCraft . This 90-year-old brand was founded in 1933 by W. H. “Billy” Young and his son Stanley C. Young. The company has remained within the family, with new boats now built by the third generation. A fourth generation is coming up in the business as well. The builder offers a line of five models, plus full-custom jobs. The boats are notable for the variations seen in its shearlines, which can be straight, broken, or cambered. The company also prides itself on its fit and finish. Each boat, for example, receives 16 coats of varnish, buffed to a mirror shine before delivery.

GarWood Custom Boats, Brant Lake, NY

GarWood Custom Boats is headquartered in New York State’s pastoral Adirondack region, where the multitude of freshwater lakes make an ideal playground for a wooden runabout. The builder constructs its boats using richly grained mahogany, with low-profile, retro lines. The first version of the brand, launched by Garfield Arthur Wood in 1922, was famous for its 33-foot Baby Gar runabouts. The most recent ownership of the brand continued with its racing pedigree, turning out boats like the 22- and 27-foot Speedsters, which can pass the 60-mph mark, a redline that holds real weight for lovers of go-fast boats. Combine that with beautiful wood and you have a one-of-a-kind runabout.

Vandam Custom Yachts, Boyne City, Michigan

Vandam is a fully custom builder that only creates its wooden boats on commission. “We only build one of each boat,” says Jeremy Pearson, Vandam’s worldwide sales manager. “The people that come to us are usually seasoned and know what they liked in previous boats they owned—the lines, the seats, that kind of stuff. We do a lot of listening to the clients. The concept phase is a lot of fun here.” The Michigan yard has turned out a long list of very different yachts, from the Geromino commuter yacht to the pictured downeast-style vessel, with dozens of other styles in between.

Streblow, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Streblow has been building handmade wooden boats for 73 years. Each boat is framed using white oak, with a marine plywood bottom and Philippine mahogany for the outer planking. The attention to detail seen aboard these boats has gained an almost cult-like following, with customers often purchasing consecutive Streblows. Part of this loyalty stems from Streblow’s storage facility, a 17,000-square-foot structure that the builder says can extend the lifetime of a wooden boat indefinitely.

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10 Classic Yachts with Incredibly Glamorous Histories

Each of the classic yachts featured here defined the glamor of her respective era.

By Miriam Cain

Admired for their elegance and desired wherever they go, classic yachts attract a large number of owners and charterers. For those wanting a genuine sailing experience or who want to capture the real romance and thrill of yachting, these historic beauties have an enduring appeal. Every classic has a unique story to tell — whether it’s racing with royalty or hosting the Hollywood elite, or perhaps even serving in the war effort.

And each of the yachts featured here defined the glamor of her respective era. But what is it about these storied vessels that makes every generation of owners prepared to sink time and financial resources into their restoration? Here, Miriam Cain presents 10 of the most exquisite classic yachts afloat today, a handful of which are available for the yacht aficionado to charter or even own.

[See also: Twenty for 20: Innovative Yachts of the 21st Century]

Key facts Builder: Ramage & Ferguson Built: 1906 Refit: 1955, 1991, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2020 LOA: 150.1 ft Number of guests: 10 Crew: 10

One of the finest vintage yachts afloat, Kalizma (pictured top) has an iconic past with a tale steeped in history. Originally commissioned by Robert Stewart, vice commodore of the Royal Eastern Yacht Club (whose wealth came from his Scotch whisky distillery and estate), Minona , as she was named upon her launch, was the first steam-powered yacht to have electric lighting.

Designed by naval architect GL Watson & Co, leading designers of their day, and built by Ramage & Ferguson in Scotland, she is a testament to expert craftsmanship — and has stood the test of time with her classic Edwardian looks and fresh contemporary updates.

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As Minona , she served in the British Royal Navy in both World War I and World War II, serving as an Auxiliary Patrol Vessel between 1914 and 1920, and in 1939 as HMS Minona. During her time as the flagship and base for His Majesty’s Deep Sea Rescue Tug Services in Scotland, she was responsible for saving the lives of crewmen from over 1,100 vessels.

On being relieved from her wartime duty, Minona went on to have a couple of different owners during the 1940s and ’50s, and during that period she also underwent a significant refit converting her from steam to diesel. It was during the 1960s that the then-named Odysseia made headlines when chartered by Richard Burton and his wife Elizabeth Taylor, and thus began her dalliance with glitz and glamour.

As a frequent guest of Aristotle Onassis aboard his yacht Christina O , Burton was inspired to purchase the classic yacht as a congratulatory gift for Taylor after she earned an Academy Award for her performance in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ? The yacht was subsequently renamed Kalizma , after the stars’ children Kate, Liza and Maria, and refurbished with all new interiors said to have cost more than twice her asking price. Adorned with an art collection with works by Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, and an extensive library, she became their floating home for the next decade.

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It was on board Kalizma while berthed on the River Thames that Burton presented Taylor with the 33-carat Krupp Diamond, also known as the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond. Then, while berthed in Monaco, he gave her the record-breaking $1.5m 69-carat Cartier diamond, which arrived under police escort. Taylor wore the jewel, which became known as the Taylor-Burton Diamond, for the first time on a necklace at Princess Grace’s 40th birthday party.

[See also: Top 10 Explorer Yachts in the World]

A number of royalty, including Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Rainier III, and distinguished personalities such as Rex Harrison and Tennessee Williams, were later guests of the most famous Hollywood couple during their high-profile ownership.

Kalizma has gone on to have a number of owners since then, including serial classic yacht owner Peter de Savary. Kalizma was de Savary’s flagship and floating headquarters for the British team at the 1983 America’s Cup challenge, hosting several spectators in Newport.

Acquired by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya in 2006, and then by philanthropist Shirish Saraf in 2019, she has since been fully restored, rejuvenating her old-world charm with all the luxuries and amenities expected of a modern superyacht. Today she is available to charter in the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific with accommodation for 10 guests in five staterooms, including a stunning master suite, two doubles and two twins.

From €90,000 to €100,000 (approx. $101,800 to $113,100) per week. Contact Tim Morley, founder, [email protected], +33 680 863 091, morley-yachts.com

Shenandoah of Sark

Key facts Builder: Townsend & Downey Built: 1902 Refit: 1972, 1996, 2018 LOA: 178 ft Number of guests: 10 Crew: 12

Built at the turn of a century for American banker Charles Fahnestock, Shenandoah , as she was then known, was one of the most high-profile yachts of her age and a symbol of one the most glamorous eras in yachting. Delivered in 1902 by the Townsend & Downey Shipyard in New York, she quickly gained a reputation not only for her celebrated design but for the parties held on board.

During these formative years Shenandoah played host to some of the world’s most powerful families and international royalty while in her homeport of Newport, Rhode Island. A few years later, Fahnestock retired and sailed her to the Mediterranean, where her reputation as one of the most elegant sailing yachts on the circuit was solidified, with parties held along the Côte d’Azur and Amalfi Coast becoming the most sought-after ticket for the yachting fraternity.

While cruising the Mediterranean, Shenandoah turned the head of German aristocrat Landrat Walter von Bruining, who went on to purchase the three-masted schooner and rechristened her Lasca II. Under Bruining’s ownership, Lasca II spent time in Germany and England, where he enjoyed just one summer in Cowes on the Isle of Wight before World War I broke out.

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Commandeered by the British, she subsequently became the property of British shipbuilder Sir John Esplen, who reinstated her previous name and installed two engines on board. Shenandoah then went through a number of different names and owners, including an Italian prince and the Danish sculpture philanthropist, Viggo Jarl, between the wars. Jarl endowed a substantial part of his fortune on the renamed Atlantide, updating her with new diesel engines and an electricity plant, and embarking on a series of long passages to the West Indies and through the Panama Canal to South America.

At the onset of World War II, Jarl returned to Europe and hid Atlantide from the Nazis, removing her masts and engines to render her useless to either side. Surviving the war, and with her engines and masts reinstated on board, Atlantide continued to turn heads wherever she cruised, and also welcomed European royalty on board, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

After surviving two World Wars, Atlantide’s run of good fortune was apparently over. During the next few decades she went ‘underground’ and is rumored to have seen her fair share of smugglers and gamblers, cruising throughout the Americas and Caribbean, before ending up in the Mediterranean, where she was seized by the French government in a tax scandal.

Following many years of neglect, she was rescued in 1972 by the inventor of the Bic ballpoint pen, Baron Marcel Bich. Restored to her former splendor and christened Shenandoah once again, Bich sailed the yacht back to America as a spectator boat for the America’s Cup — the first time she had been back to her original homeport of Newport for over 70 years.

Shenandoah spent several years under Bich’s ownership, immaculately maintained, before being purchased by industrialist Philip Bommer. Having witnessed Shenandoah sailing when he was just 13, Bommer had spent the ensuing two decades dreaming about owning her, and in 1986 his ambition was fulfilled. Extensively refit and restored once again, Shenandoah became a renowned charter yacht, before once again entering years of neglect.

Rescued once again, refit and refurbished, Shenandoah was an America’s Cup spectator for the second time, this time in New Zealand in 2000, before competing in the Millennium Cup superyacht regatta. Five circumnavigations later, with a number of successful transatlantic races and classic regattas under her belt, and via a number of owners and award-winning refits, the rechristened Shenandoah of Sark is today a perfectly preserved piece of sailing history.

From €110,000 (approx. $124,400) per week. Contact Burgess Yachts, +44 20 7766 4300,  burgessyachts.com

Christina O

Key facts Builder: Canadian Vickers Built: 1943 Refit: 1954, 2001, 2015, 2018 LOA: 325.3 ft Number of guests: 34 Crew: 3

Christina O is a part of yachting legend. Arguably the most famous classic yacht still afloat, the fabled yacht of Aristotle Socrates Onassis has regularly entertained some of the world’s most powerful and famous people. She may not be a classic beauty like Delphine and Talitha but, thanks to the lavish parties hosted aboard by Onassis, with guest lists full of some of the most well-known names of the time, including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Christina (as she was then known) regularly featured in newspapers and on the cover of glossy magazines.

Becoming a part of the zeitgeist of her era — and as famous as some of the Hollywood stars who came aboard — she remains today a visible symbol of the glamorous lifestyle enjoyed by the yachting crowd from the late 1950s throughout the ’60s.

Originally built in 1943 as a Canadian naval frigate, Christina O remains the largest North American-built yacht still afloat. Purchased by well-known yacht owner and Greek shipping magnate Onassis in 1954, she was converted into the yacht that she is today. It is rumored that Onassis purchased the then-named HMCS Stormont for its scrap value of $34,000, and then spent over $4m converting the surplus anti-submarine frigate into the luxury yacht Christina, named after his firstborn child.

In those days this was a vast sum of money, but the investment paid off. Not only did Christina hugely enhance his status and fortune — as a venue for hosting businessmen and politicians, as well as film stars — but she also served as the backdrop for his famous romantic relationships, including his love affair with the renowned soprano Maria Callas. It was on board the converted frigate that John F. Kennedy met his idol Winston Churchill during a dinner hosted by Onassis, and a decade later where Onassis began his courtship of the widowed Jackie Kennedy. The yacht was even their wedding venue.

Despite seeing some deterioration under the ownership of the Greek government, Christina O has been refurbished and refitted; today she retains the fantastic opulence Onassis so extravagantly bestowed on her. In fact, she positively oozes ’50s Hollywood glamor; it could even be said she has only improved with age. As an in-demand charter yacht, her eternal appeal to a modern clientele is proven.

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All the modern comforts and luxuries that are expected on a luxury yacht seamlessly blend with her original features. All of the 17 guest suites have been refurbished, yet maintain the pastel decor selected by style icon Jackie O. The original, mosaic-tiled pool that transforms into a dance floor has also been restored, while the famous Ari’s barstools retain their original upholstery, believed to be sperm-whale foreskin — now there’s a conversation starter when you are perched at the bar.

Christina O is currently cruising the Caribbean and will be available for charter throughout the summer in the Mediterranean. The perfect yacht for large family groups or event charters, her SOLAS status allows up to 34 guests to cruise in total comfort in 17 double staterooms, 14 of which can be converted into twin staterooms.

From €620,000 to €700,000 (approx. $692,000 to $790,000) per week. Contact Morley Yachts, [email protected] , +33 680 863 091, morley-yachts.com

Key facts Builder: Camper & Nicholsons Built: 1928 Refit: 1947, 2009, 2013, 2018 LOA: 147 ft Number of guests: 16 Crew: 12

With a unique and historic pedigree, the Camper & Nicholsons-built Grace has led many lives during almost a century afloat. Built as a luxury yacht in 1928 and originally christened Monica, she was used by the British as part of the war effort. While serving in the Royal Navy as HMS Rion, she sadly suffered serious damage as part of the Dunkirk evacuation fleet.

Rescued by Aristotle Onassis in 1951 and renamed Arion , she played host to iconic figures like Winston Churchill and Elizabeth Taylor. On hearing of Prince Rainier’s engagement to Grace Kelly in 1955, Onassis presented the classic motor yacht to them as a gift for their forthcoming 1956 nuptials.

She was renamed Deo Juvante II , and the couple honeymooned aboard her, cruising Corsica and Sardinia. Acquired by the current owners in 2007, she spent more than two years in the shipyard being restored to her former glory and having additional superyacht luxuries installed, including air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.

Rechristened Grace , she is available for charter in the Galápagos Islands for up to 16 guests and 12 crew. Great attention to detail has been given to restoring her original features, including the original brass ship’s wheel from 1927, which is still inscribed with the yacht’s original name. The master suite, known as the Grace Kelly Suite, is in the original location, while two further master suites and two twin-bedded cabins are all decorated to the highest standards.

Her communal guest areas feature period-style, custom furniture in keeping with her elegant build. In addition to her alfresco dining and lounging areas and hot tub, the toybox is geared towards exploring the Galápagos National Park and includes kayaks, snorkeling equipment and two Zodiac tenders.

From $129,000 to $139,000 per week. Dominic Meredith Hardy, director, [email protected] , +44 781 840 3524, classic-charters.com

Key facts Builder: Great Lakes Engineering Works Refit yard: Scheepswerf Zeebrugge Built: 1921 Refit: 1926, 1997, 2003, 2016 LOA: 258 ft Number of guests: 26, 150 day guests Crew: 26

Commissioned by auto magnate Horace Dodge and named after his only daughter, Delphine is the largest steam-powered yacht ever to be built in the US. Sadly, Horace never got to see the launch of this third private yacht he built, as he passed away just a year before her delivery. However, his wife Anna and their family loved and cherished Delphine , cruising on board her in the Great Lakes and along the East Coast, hosting cocktail parties on board.

With all her luxuries, including 10 magnificent staterooms, a music room, card room, dining room and smoking room, and a crew of 55, she positively defined 1920s East Coast glamor. In 1926, while she was docked on the Hudson River in Manhattan, two cabins caught fire, and with too much water poured in by the fire department, Delphine sank. Unwilling to live without her, the Dodge family salvaged her from the deep and restored her faithfully, with some additional renovations to her interior.

She suffered further, minor damage when she ran aground in the Great Lakes, before being repaired and acquired by the United States Navy at the start of the war to become the flagship for Admiral Ernest King, commander-in-chief of the US Fleet and chief of US Naval Operations during World War II. While still in service as USS Dauntless, she reputedly hosted Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Viatcheslav Molotov as they met with Admiral King to discuss war strategies and prepare the Yalta Convention.

Reacquired by the Dodge family after the war, she was restored to a private yacht and rechristened Delphine once again. Over the next three decades Delphine sailed under numerous ownerships and different names, including almost 20 years spent as a training ship for merchant seamen, until finally being sold (for scrap metal prices) in 1997.

Having crossed the Atlantic for the first time and berthed in the Mediterranean, she was towed to Bruges, Belgium, where she underwent a six-year, $60m restoration. Her new Belgian owner scoured museums and archives for Delphine’s original blueprints, in an effort to ensure that the engineering and architectural refit was faithful to her original design, right down to the 20-ft-tall quadruple steam engines, six-person Turkish bath and hairdressing salon. Even her bespoke tenders, handmade from Honduran mahogany, remain exactly as they were when she was brand new.

Rechristened in 2003 as Delphine by HSH Princess Stéphanie of Monaco , she is today the largest luxury yacht of her era with her original steam engines still in service. To put that into context, her 6-ft-tall propellers are powered by water converted into vapor pressure by diesel fuel. She consumes 600 liters an hour at cruising speeds. When you consider that many modern motor yachts of a similar size use more than 1,000 liters of fuel an hour, Delphine could almost be considered environmentally friendly. Full steam ahead.

$400,000 per week. Contact Lionel Lebugle, manager, [email protected] , +33 621 282 496, ss-delphine.cruises

Key facts Builder: Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft Refit yard: Pendennis Built: 1929 Refit: 2018 LOA: 233 ft Number of guests: 12 Crew: 18

At the time of her launch in 1929, this clipper-bow yacht was christened Haida , after the native people of Alaska and British Columbia. It is the name for which she is best known, and to which she has recently reverted following a comprehensive refit. However, the iconic Haida has sailed through a succession of adventures and has had many different names during her storied life.

Haida’s original commissioning owner spent over a decade cruising the west coast of America, pursuing his interests in marine science and fishing. In 1940, the oceangoing yacht was commandeered for service in World War II by the US Navy. She had a heroic naval career, saving many lives and protecting key installations while patrolling San Francisco Bay.

In 1946, post war, she returned to her role as a private yacht and moved to Alexandria in Egypt, where she cruised for five years before moving to the French Riviera in 1952 — just in time for the birth of the Mediterranean yachting scene.

She has resided in the Mediterranean ever since, under various ownerships of dedicated, high-profile owners, including Löel Guinness, becoming one of the world’s most famous superyachts.

Haida’s recent, award-winning refit by the renowned Pendennis Shipyard has combined the grandeur and elegance of 1930s yachting with state-of-the-art superyacht luxuries. Despite replacing over 100 tons of steel within her hull structure, Haida 1929 (as she is now known) retains the sophisticated and timeless exterior lines originally designed by Cox & Stevens.

Even the original Krupp engines remain, thought to be the oldest working engines of their type. Deck spaces are generous, especially on the recently extended sun deck, which has been split around her iconic funnel. Period furniture and artworks re-create the charm and ambience of her heritage, while a light color palette and modern amenities have been integrated.

Her notable features include a barber shop, spa, hammam, biofuel fireplace, indoor and outdoor cinemas, and stepped pool. Elegant and refined, Haida 1929 is a truly original classic. Refit project management by Edmiston Yachts.

Contact [email protected] , edmiston.com

Key facts Builder: Georgi Dimitrov Built: 1962 Refit: 2018 LOA: 213ft Number of guests: 12 Crew: 17

She may not hail from the golden era of yachting like other classic yachts her size, but this former Soviet spy ship is certainly not short on history. A true gentleman’s yacht, La Sultana has led many lives during her 50-plus years afloat. Originally built in 1962 in Bulgaria for use as a passenger ferry, Aji-Petri (as she was then known) was the fifth of a series of 12 ships that carried passengers and cargo through the Black Sea between the ports of Istanbul and Yalta.

She became a Soviet spy ship in the early 1970s when the Soviet Union took over the entire fleet of passenger ferries operating in the Black Sea to use for military purposes. Officially, she was in service in the North Atlantic for the International Telecommunication Union; however, in reality she was being used to eavesdrop and intercept radio telecommunications between the US and the UK. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Aji-Petri resumed her position as a passenger ferry before being used, in her original form, as a pleasure yacht in Tunisia.

Some 50 years after her build, she was discovered by a French gentleman. It was during a colossal seven-year, multimillion-dollar restoration in Casablanca that the yard unearthed several espionage instruments, including a radioactivity detector and several electronic devices from the Cold War. With the addition of her raised bow, touch-and-go helipad, machinery, piping and wiring, commercial engine and a huge keel, the rechristened La Sultana emerged from the shipyard as a majestic cruising yacht.

Today, her striking interior features Art Deco touches that draw inspiration from the stylish vessels of the 1920s, while the Arabian Nights-inspired decor is both eccentric and exotic. The new layout features an indoor 16-ft counter-current swimming pool and hammam, and seven luxurious staterooms, including a vast master suite on the upper deck, two VIP staterooms on the main deck, and four staterooms on the lower deck, all with en suites — quite a difference from the original build with its 102 cabins.

Her large deck areas include lots of relaxation and entertainment areas, as well as a classically styled spa pool on the foredeck, located forward of the new helipad. With more than a nod to the golden age of yachting, the rebuilt La Sultana is a classic motor yacht for modern times.

€12,500,000 (approx. $14,095,937). Contact Charles Ehrardt, senior sales broker, [email protected] , camperandnicholsons.com

Builder: Camper & Nicholsons Refit: Pendennis Built: 1937 Refit: 2015 LOA: 164 ft Number of guests: 10 Crew: 11

Designed by Charles E Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1937, Malahne is one of just a handful of British-built, pre-war motor yachts to have survived into the 21st century. Originally commissioned by William Stephenson, head of the British arm of the Woolworth store chain and a passionate yachtsman, this classic 1930s gentleman’s yacht has led a glamorous and colorful life, with many ups and downs. Stephenson owned both the J-Class yacht Velsheda and Malahne , and named them after his daughters Velma, Sheila and Daphne, with the first few letters of their names forming ‘Velsheda’ and the last few letters ‘ Malahne .’

She spent her first few years cruising the Mediterranean, and crossed the Atlantic a number of times before being handed over for military needs during World War II. During her time serving as a patrol cruiser in the English Channel, Malahne also participated in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk.

Post war, Malahne passed through a few different hands before being acquired by the legendary Hollywood producer Sam Spiegel, who anchored her off Jordan to be used as a floating office while shooting Lawrence of Arabia. On retiring from her filming duties, Malahne became a fixture along the glittering Côte d’Azur, where Spiegel entertained Hollywood A-listers including Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Jack Nicholson. She also starred in the 1973 murder mystery The Last of Sheila , starring Raquel Welch.

A decade later, she was sold to a Saudi sheikh who renamed her Adel XII and changed her beyond recognition, with an almost sacrilegious angular new superstructure and modern interior quite out of keeping with her classic past. Twenty years later, she passed into more sympathetic hands, and underwent a hugely ambitious restoration at the British shipyard Pendennis. The restoration experts there sought to bring her back to her original classic yacht form, but with the addition of a few 21st-century comforts.

While Pendennis worked on recreating her original hull form and undoing the damage wrought by the previous owner, classic yacht experts GL Watson & Co were drafted to rework her exterior lines; meanwhile, design experts from Oliver Laws — who designed the Art Deco interiors of the Connaught hotel and Claridge’s — set to work on her interior, producing a design more faithful to the original, including a number of original antique 1930s pieces but with a modern Art Deco twist.

Today, thanks to such a comprehensive and sympathetic refit by her devoted British owner, Malahne is a tribute to modern engineering and British craftsmanship. One of the finest classic yachts for charter , she features state-of-the-art equipment and Art Deco interior styling. Were he still alive, there’s no doubt that Sinatra would be delighted to tap his dancing shoes once again on board her stunningly restored teak decks.

From €145,000 to €165,000 (approx. $164,000 to $186,6500) per week. Contact Michaela Beitz-Biggi, head of charter fleet management, [email protected] , +44 207 495 5151, edmiston.com

Key facts Builder: Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft Refit: Devonport Yachts Built: 1930 Refit: 1993, 2009 LOA: 262 ft Number of guests: 12 Crew: 20

With her flared clipper bow, impressive funnels and traditional counter stern, there couldn’t be a more classic-looking yacht reflecting the golden age of yachting than Talitha . Originally commissioned by Russell Algar of the Packard Motor Car Company, the originally named Reveler was sadly not yet delivered by the German shipyard F. Krupp in Kiel when Algar died.

Sold to Charles McCann of the Woolworth family and renamed Chalena, she was later requisitioned by the US Maritime Commission in 1942, and entered service as a gunboat with new armaments mounted fore and aft. Operating under her new military name of USS Beaumont in the waters between Midway Island and Pearl Harbor, she survived the war without serious incident, and in 1946 was decommissioned and returned to private ownership.

Post war, like many of her classic cousins, she spent many years lying abandoned — in her case on the Greek island of Petali, before being rescued by the Australian film producer Robert Stigwood and renamed Jezebel. Stigwood spent millions restoring much of her original elegance, with the addition of modern comforts including air conditioning and satellite communications systems.

Described by The New York Times as a “floating fantasy,” she featured a re-design of the distinctive clipper bow and new teak decks but, sadly, it wasn’t to last and, following some engine problems, she was laid up once again in the late 1980s. In 1993 she was brought to the attention of her next and current owner Sir John Paul Getty Jr.

Under the guidance of legendary designer Jon Bannenberg, she was painstakingly restored to her former glory, with both exterior and interior redesign and brand new engines. The addition of a pair of funnels and an extended wheelhouse was at the time criticized by many, but Bannenberg’s vision proved them wrong when the renamed Talitha G (named after Getty’s second wife) was relaunched to great acclaim, with more than a nod to her 1930s design.

One of the most detailed, distinctive and beautiful classic motor yachts to be relaunched in recent times, Talitha is suitably reflective of an incredibly glamorous era of yachting. Featuring an all-new Art Deco interior with all of the trappings of a modern classic, she is a real head-turner, not only for the Hollywood celebrities spotted on board, but for her own stunning looks.

Builder: Brooke Marine Built: 1939 Refit: 1999, 2016, 2019 LOA : 115 ft Number of guests: 8 Crew: 5

Delivered in 1939 by British shipyard Brooks Motor Craft, the classic sailing yacht Eros has led a colorful past, with lords, ladies and royalty all captivated by her charm and beautiful lines over her eight decades afloat. Originally christened Jeanry , she was commissioned for the daughter and son-in-law of a British lord who unfortunately spent very little time on board her before she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy to participate in the evacuation efforts at Dunkirk during World War II.

Following the end of her wartime service she went on to be owned by Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, second only to Aristotle Onassis in the shipping magnate stakes and also the first man to be called a billionaire. Niarchos rechristened her Eros in honor of the Greek god of love and passion, and under his ownership the wooden schooner became a fixture on the Mediterranean yachting circuit, hosting the cream of European society, including King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.

Niarchos gifted the newlyweds the use of Eros along with his private Greek island, Spetsopoula, for their honeymoon in 1962. The island also hosted Prince Charles and Princess Diana for the latter part of their honeymoon while they cruised through the Mediterranean and Aegean on board the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Eros went on to change ownership just one more time before being rescued by her current owner in 1992. Meticulously restored to her original grandeur over the course of 18 years, she was relaunched in 2016 and now offers the refinement of a bygone era combined with the latest superyacht luxuries. Retaining many original details, including the Admiralty bronze fittings of the ship’s bell and restored Burmese teak planks, her complete overhaul involved repairs and replacements to her steel structure, and over 20,000 new bronze bolts, among many other things.

Today, Eros offers charter guests the chance to experience genuine sailing on a stunning classic yacht, either cruising in the Caribbean or Mediterranean or racing in classic regattas in the Caribbean and New England. Boasting state-of-the-art technology, 22 hydraulically assisted winches and 9,000 sq ft of sail, Eros can reach speeds of up to 10 knots under sail.

And for those looking to simply sit back and relax, her four guest cabins include a master stateroom with private en suite featuring a Jacuzzi bath, a double stateroom with en suite, and two twin cabins with shared bathroom. Out on deck, she boasts numerous seating and lounging areas for socializing, relaxing and alfresco dining.

Eros also offers plenty of on-the-water entertainment, with a great selection of water toys for her more active guests to enjoy.

From $44,000 to $48,000 per week. Contact Dominic Meredith Hardy, director, [email protected] , +44 781 840 3524, classic-charters.com

[See also: What Do We Know About Jeff Bezos and his Yacht?]

This article appears in the 04 Mar 2022 issue of the New Statesman, Spring 2022

Miriam Cain

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WHY BUILD WITH SPIRIT YACHTS

“TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL BE MORE DISAPPOINTED BY THE THINGS YOU DIDN’T DO THAN BY THE ONES YOU DID. SO THROW OFF THE BOWLINES, SAIL AWAY FROM THE SAFE HARBOR. CATCH THE TRADE WINDS IN YOUR SAILS.” MARK TWAIN.

To create a Spirit yacht, is to craft something unique to be cherished and shared. As designs come to life on the page and sections of wood evolve into a hull, the evolution of a Spirit is a fascinating and enthralling process. It is a truly creative and collaborative process between the owner and the Spirit team.

Whether bringing to life a cruising yacht, a competitive racer or a powerful motor yacht, Spirit delivers on each and every client brief.

Inspire your imagination by exploring the online portfolio of Spirit projects, then contact the team to discuss your ideas.

“ONE CAN’T APPRECIATE THE SKILL AND CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT GOES INTO CREATING A SPIRIT UNTIL YOU SEE IT EVOLVING STEP BY STEP. THE PRIDE THAT EVERYBODY TAKES IN THE QUALITY OF THE FINISH IS IMPRESSIVE. ”

WORLD-RENOWNED WOODWORK

Spirit Yachts comprises an award-winning team of craftsmen and women who are committed to showcasing the beauty of wood. Whether its strong Mahogany Sipo ringframes, exposed Douglas fir hull planking or bespoke cabinetry pieces, a Spirit yacht celebrates the natural properties of sustainably-sourced timber.

BEAUTY STRENGTH WARMTH

WOOD IS AT THE HEART OF EVERY SPIRIT YACHT.

The hull construction of a Spirit begins with the laminating of wooden ring frames over full-size computer-generated patterns. The ring frames are positioned upside down onto a ‘strongback’ before the centreline structure is laminated as one continuous structure over the entire length of the hull.

No moulds are used in the construction process of a Spirit. The beam shelves are fitted before the whole assembly is bevelled and faired to take the first fore and aft layer of hull planking.

In the larger Spirits, the central frames are reinforced with carbon inner frames to take the load of the mast, chain plates and high-aspect lead keel below.

The hull planking is stiffened and reinforced by the application of double-diagonal veneers epoxy bonded at 45° before the whole hull is covered with an epoxy glass sheath.

This last phase is not structural but stabilises the timber to allow for the perfect hull paint finish for which Spirit is noted.

For the interior, exposed wooden frames and hull planking provide a natural warmth and beauty. Intricate joinery and exquisite cabinetmaking below deck showcase Spirit’s eye for detail and expertise.

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Home Modern classic

Welcome to Leonardo Yachts. In close collaboration with the leading designers in the yachting world such as Hoek Design and Dykstra Naval Architects, we build daysailers that embody the true essence of a modern classic yacht. Our modern classic sailing yachts combine the timeless appeal of a classic yacht with the cutting edge technology of a modern cruiser. Enjoy the exceptional comfort and unrivaled performance or our Spirit of Tradition yachts, without making compromises on beauty and elegance. Our modern classic sailing yachts truly are the ideal combination of old and new…

Like a true modern classic yacht, our Eagles all have a classic look with the characteristic long overhangs, classic yacht lines and high gloss mahogany varnished exterior woodwork. The looks are completed by the Edson classic steering pedestal with Ritchie stainless steel compass and the stainless steel 7 spoke steering wheel with high gloss varnished mahogany rim. The interior of our modern classic sailboats can be made in different styles from matt varnished mahogany for a truly classic look or a classic styled white interior with mahogany or teak finish. But also light oak is possible or full teak wood, whatever your preference would be.

The classic lines and looks are integrated in a modern sailing yacht. The designs are made with the latest technology giving the yachts very good and easy to handle sailing characteristics. The modern keels in fin shape can be even upgraded for more performance to a bulb shaped deep draft keel making them fast and easily manouvrable. The modern technology can also be found in the electric package for the winches by which adjusting the sails becomes as easy as pushing a button. The sails from North Sails also hold the latest technology with the 3Di design, making the sails very shape stable to increase the sailing performance. To complete a race set-up, a carbon mast and boom can be added to get the most out of the speed. Standard, our modern classic yachts are delivered with Volvo Penta engines, but off course electric propulsion is available for all models.If you share our passion for modern classic sailing, we would be honoured to help fulfil your aspirations. Together we build the most beautiful Spirit of Tradition boats ever seen.

Get in touch and explore all our options.

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Admired for their elegance and desired wherever they go, classic yachts attract a large number of owners and charterers. For those wanting a genuine sailing experience or who want to capture the real romance and thrill of yachting, these historic beauties have an enduring appeal. Every classic has a unique story to tell — whether it’s racing with royalty or hosting the Hollywood elite, or perhaps even serving in the war effort.

And each of the yachts featured here defined the glamor of her respective era. But what is it about these storied vessels that makes every generation of owners prepared to sink time and financial resources into their restoration? Here are 10 of the most exquisite classic yachts afloat today, a handful of which are available for the yacht aficionado to charter or even own.

Kalizma served in the British Royal Navy in both World War I and World War II / ©Morley Yachts

Builder:  Ramage & Ferguson Built:  1906 Refit:  1955, 1991, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2020 LOA:  150.1 ft Number of guests:  10 Crew:  10

One of the finest vintage yachts afloat,  Kalizma  (pictured top) has an iconic past with a tale steeped in history. Originally commissioned by Robert Stewart, vice commodore of the Royal Eastern Yacht Club (whose wealth came from his Scotch whisky distillery and estate),  Minona , as she was named upon her launch, was the first steam-powered yacht to have electric lighting.

Designed by naval architect GL Watson & Co, leading designers of their day, and built by Ramage & Ferguson in Scotland, she is a testament to expert craftsmanship — and has stood the test of time with her classic Edwardian looks and fresh contemporary updates.

As  Minona , she served in the British Royal Navy in both World War I and World War II, serving as an Auxiliary Patrol Vessel between 1914 and 1920, and in 1939 as HMS Minona. During her time as the flagship and base for His Majesty’s Deep Sea Rescue Tug Services in Scotland, she was responsible for saving the lives of crewmen from over 1,100 vessels.

The classic yacht was fully restored in 2020, rejuvenating her old-world charm / ©Morley Yachts

As a frequent guest of Aristotle Onassis aboard his yacht  Christina O , Burton was inspired to purchase the classic yacht as a congratulatory gift for Taylor after she earned an Academy Award for her performance in  Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ? The yacht was subsequently renamed  Kalizma , after the stars’ children Kate, Liza and Maria, and refurbished with all new interiors said to have cost more than twice her asking price. Adorned with an art collection with works by Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, and an extensive library, she became their floating home for the next decade.

It was on board  Kalizma  while berthed on the River Thames that Burton presented Taylor with the 33-carat Krupp Diamond, also known as the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond. Then, while berthed in Monaco, he gave her the record-breaking $1.5m 69-carat Cartier diamond, which arrived under police escort. Taylor wore the jewel, which became known as the Taylor-Burton Diamond, for the first time on a necklace at Princess Grace’s 40th birthday party.

A number of royalty, including Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Rainier III, and distinguished personalities such as Rex Harrison and Tennessee Williams, were later guests of the most famous Hollywood couple during their high-profile ownership.

Kalizma  has gone on to have a number of owners since then, including serial classic yacht owner Peter de Savary.  Kalizma  was de Savary’s flagship and floating headquarters for the British team at the 1983 America’s Cup challenge, hosting several spectators in Newport.

Acquired by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya in 2006, and then by philanthropist Shirish Saraf in 2019, she has since been fully restored, rejuvenating her old-world charm with all the luxuries and amenities expected of a modern superyacht. Today she is available to charter in the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific with accommodation for 10 guests in five staterooms, including a stunning master suite, two doubles and two twins.

From €90,000 to €100,000 (approx. $101,800 to $113,100) per week. Contact Tim Morley, founder, [email protected], +33 680 863 091, morley-yachts.com

• Shenandoah of Sark

Shenandoah of Sark is a symbol of one the most glamorous eras in yachting / Courtesy of Burgess Yachts

Builder:  Townsend & Downey Built:  1902 Refit:  1972, 1996, 2018 LOA:  178 ft Number of guests:  10 Crew:  12

Built at the turn of a century for American banker Charles Fahnestock,  Shenandoah , as she was then known, was one of the most high-profile yachts of her age and a symbol of one the most glamorous eras in yachting. Delivered in 1902 by the Townsend & Downey Shipyard in New York, she quickly gained a reputation not only for her celebrated design but for the parties held on board.

During these formative years  Shenandoah  played host to some of the world’s most powerful families and international royalty while in her homeport of Newport, Rhode Island. A few years later, Fahnestock retired and sailed her to the Mediterranean, where her reputation as one of the most elegant sailing yachts on the circuit was solidified, with parties held along the Côte d’Azur and Amalfi Coast becoming the most sought-after ticket for the yachting fraternity.

While cruising the Mediterranean,  Shenandoah  turned the head of German aristocrat Landrat Walter von Bruining, who went on to purchase the three-masted schooner and rechristened her Lasca II. Under Bruining’s ownership, Lasca II spent time in Germany and England, where he enjoyed just one summer in Cowes on the Isle of Wight before World War I broke out.

Commandeered by the British, she subsequently became the property of British shipbuilder Sir John Esplen, who reinstated her previous name and installed two engines on board.  Shenandoah  then went through a number of different names and owners, including an Italian prince and the Danish sculpture philanthropist, Viggo Jarl, between the wars. Jarl endowed a substantial part of his fortune on the renamed Atlantide, updating her with new diesel engines and an electricity plant, and embarking on a series of long passages to the West Indies and through the Panama Canal to South America.

Shenandoah of Sark is today a perfectly preserved piece of sailing history / Courtesy of Burgess Yachts

After surviving two World Wars, Atlantide’s run of good fortune was apparently over. During the next few decades she went ‘underground’ and is rumored to have seen her fair share of smugglers and gamblers, cruising throughout the Americas and Caribbean, before ending up in the Mediterranean, where she was seized by the French government in a tax scandal.

Following many years of neglect, she was rescued in 1972 by the inventor of the Bic ballpoint pen, Baron Marcel Bich. Restored to her former splendor and christened  Shenandoah  once again, Bich sailed the yacht back to America as a spectator boat for the America’s Cup — the first time she had been back to her original homeport of Newport for over 70 years.

Shenandoah  spent several years under Bich’s ownership, immaculately maintained, before being purchased by industrialist Philip Bommer. Having witnessed  Shenandoah  sailing when he was just 13, Bommer had spent the ensuing two decades dreaming about owning her, and in 1986 his ambition was fulfilled. Extensively refit and restored once again,  Shenandoah  became a renowned charter yacht, before once again entering years of neglect.

Rescued once again, refit and refurbished,  Shenandoah  was an America’s Cup spectator for the second time, this time in New Zealand in 2000, before competing in the Millennium Cup superyacht regatta. Five circumnavigations later, with a number of successful transatlantic races and classic regattas under her belt, and via a number of owners and award-winning refits, the rechristened  Shenandoah of Sark  is today a perfectly preserved piece of sailing history.

• Christina O

Christina O is arguably the most famous classic yacht still afloat / ©Stef Bravin

Builder:  Canadian Vickers Built:  1943 Refit:  1954, 2001, 2015, 2018 LOA:  325.3 ft Number of guests:  34 Crew:  3

Christina O  is a part of yachting legend. Arguably the most famous classic yacht still afloat, the fabled yacht of Aristotle Socrates Onassis has regularly entertained some of the world’s most powerful and famous people. She may not be a classic beauty like Delphine and Talitha but, thanks to the lavish parties hosted aboard by Onassis, with guest lists full of some of the most well-known names of the time, including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Christina (as she was then known) regularly featured in newspapers and on the cover of glossy magazines.

Becoming a part of the zeitgeist of her era — and as famous as some of the Hollywood stars who came aboard — she remains today a visible symbol of the glamorous lifestyle enjoyed by the yachting crowd from the late 1950s throughout the ’60s.

As an in-demand charter yacht, her eternal appeal to a modern clientele is proven / ©Stef Bravin

In those days this was a vast sum of money, but the investment paid off. Not only did Christina hugely enhance his status and fortune — as a venue for hosting businessmen and politicians, as well as film stars — but she also served as the backdrop for his famous romantic relationships, including his love affair with the renowned soprano Maria Callas. It was on board the converted frigate that John F. Kennedy met his idol Winston Churchill during a dinner hosted by Onassis, and a decade later where Onassis began his courtship of the widowed Jackie Kennedy. The yacht was even their wedding venue.

Despite seeing some deterioration under the ownership of the Greek government,  Christina O  has been refurbished and refitted; today she retains the fantastic opulence Onassis so extravagantly bestowed on her. In fact, she positively oozes ’50s Hollywood glamor; it could even be said she has only improved with age. As an in-demand charter yacht, her eternal appeal to a modern clientele is proven.

All the modern comforts and luxuries that are expected on a luxury yacht seamlessly blend with her original features. All of the 17 guest suites have been refurbished, yet maintain the pastel decor selected by style icon Jackie O. The original, mosaic-tiled pool that transforms into a dance floor has also been restored, while the famous Ari’s barstools retain their original upholstery, believed to be sperm-whale foreskin — now there’s a conversation starter when you are perched at the bar.

Christina O is the perfect yacht for large family groups or event charters / ©Stef Bravin

The Camper & Nicholsons-built Grace has led many lives during almost a century afloat / ©Classic Charters

Builder:  Camper & Nicholsons Built:  1928 Refit:  1947, 2009, 2013, 2018 LOA:  147 ft Number of guests:  16 Crew:  12

With a unique and historic pedigree, the Camper & Nicholsons-built  Grace  has led many lives during almost a century afloat. Built as a luxury yacht in 1928 and originally christened Monica, she was used by the British as part of the war effort. While serving in the Royal Navy as HMS Rion, she sadly suffered serious damage as part of the Dunkirk evacuation fleet.

Rescued by Aristotle Onassis in 1951 and renamed  Arion , she played host to iconic figures like Winston Churchill and Elizabeth Taylor. On hearing of Prince Rainier’s engagement to Grace Kelly in 1955, Onassis presented the classic motor yacht to them as a gift for their forthcoming 1956 nuptials.

Grace is available for charter in the Galápagos Islands for up to 16 guests and 12 crew / ©Classic Charters

Rechristened  Grace , she is available for charter in the Galápagos Islands for up to 16 guests and 12 crew. Great attention to detail has been given to restoring her original features, including the original brass ship’s wheel from 1927, which is still inscribed with the yacht’s original name. The master suite, known as the Grace Kelly Suite, is in the original location, while two further master suites and two twin-bedded cabins are all decorated to the highest standards.

Her communal guest areas feature period-style, custom furniture in keeping with her elegant build. In addition to her alfresco dining and lounging areas and hot tub, the toybox is geared towards exploring the Galápagos National Park and includes kayaks, snorkeling equipment and two Zodiac tenders.

Delphine is the largest steam-powered yacht ever to be built in the US / ©SS Delphine Cruises

Builder:  Great Lakes Engineering Works Refit yard:  Scheepswerf Zeebrugge Built:  1921 Refit:  1926, 1997, 2003, 2016 LOA:  258 ft Number of guests:  26, 150 day guests Crew:  26

Commissioned by auto magnate Horace Dodge and named after his only daughter,  Delphine  is the largest steam-powered yacht ever to be built in the US. Sadly, Horace never got to see the launch of this third private yacht he built, as he passed away just a year before her delivery. However, his wife Anna and their family loved and cherished  Delphine , cruising on board her in the Great Lakes and along the East Coast, hosting cocktail parties on board.

With all her luxuries, including 10 magnificent staterooms, a music room, card room, dining room and smoking room, and a crew of 55, she positively defined 1920s East Coast glamor. In 1926, while she was docked on the Hudson River in Manhattan, two cabins caught fire, and with too much water poured in by the fire department,  Delphine  sank. Unwilling to live without her, the Dodge family salvaged her from the deep and restored her faithfully, with some additional renovations to her interior.

Delphine the largest luxury classic yacht of her era with her original steam engines still in service / ©SS Delphine Cruises

Reacquired by the Dodge family after the war, she was restored to a private yacht and rechristened  Delphine  once again. Over the next three decades  Delphine  sailed under numerous ownerships and different names, including almost 20 years spent as a training ship for merchant seamen, until finally being sold (for scrap metal prices) in 1997.

Having crossed the Atlantic for the first time and berthed in the Mediterranean, she was towed to Bruges, Belgium, where she underwent a six-year, $60m restoration. Her new Belgian owner scoured museums and archives for  Delphine’s  original blueprints, in an effort to ensure that the engineering and architectural refit was faithful to her original design, right down to the 20-ft-tall quadruple steam engines, six-person Turkish bath and hairdressing salon. Even her bespoke tenders, handmade from Honduran mahogany, remain exactly as they were when she was brand new.

Rechristened in 2003 as  Delphine  by HSH Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, she is today the largest luxury yacht of her era with her original steam engines still in service. To put that into context, her 6-ft-tall propellers are powered by water converted into vapor pressure by diesel fuel. She consumes 600 liters an hour at cruising speeds. When you consider that many modern motor yachts of a similar size use more than 1,000 liters of fuel an hour,  Delphine  could almost be considered environmentally friendly. Full steam ahead.

The iconic Haida has sailed through a succession of adventures / ©Edmiston Yachts

Builder:  Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft Refit yard:  Pendennis Built:  1929 Refit:  2018 LOA:  233 ft Number of guests:  12 Crew:  18

At the time of her launch in 1929, this clipper-bow yacht was christened  Haida , after the native people of Alaska and British Columbia. It is the name for which she is best known, and to which she has recently reverted following a comprehensive refit. However, the iconic  Haida  has sailed through a succession of adventures and has had many different names during her storied life.

Haida’s  original commissioning owner spent over a decade cruising the west coast of America, pursuing his interests in marine science and fishing. In 1940, the oceangoing yacht was commandeered for service in World War II by the US Navy. She had a heroic naval career, saving many lives and protecting key installations while patrolling San Francisco Bay.

Haida’s recent, award-winning refit by Pendennis has combined the grandeur of 1930s yachting with state-of-the-art superyacht luxuries / ©Edmiston Yachts

She has resided in the Mediterranean ever since, under various ownerships of dedicated, high-profile owners, including Löel Guinness, becoming one of the world’s most famous superyachts.

Haida’s  recent, award-winning refit by the renowned  Pendennis Shipyard  has combined the grandeur and elegance of 1930s yachting with state-of-the-art superyacht luxuries. Despite replacing over 100 tons of steel within her hull structure,  Haida 1929  (as she is now known) retains the sophisticated and timeless exterior lines originally designed by Cox & Stevens.

Even the original Krupp engines remain, thought to be the oldest working engines of their type. Deck spaces are generous, especially on the recently extended sun deck, which has been split around her iconic funnel. Period furniture and artworks re-create the charm and ambience of her heritage, while a light color palette and modern amenities have been integrated.

Her notable features include a barber shop, spa, hammam, biofuel fireplace, indoor and outdoor cinemas, and stepped pool. Elegant and refined, Haida 1929 is a truly original classic. Refit project management by Edmiston Yachts.

La Sultana has led many lives during her 50-plus years afloat / ©Camper & Nicholsons

Builder:  Georgi Dimitrov Built:  1962 Refit:  2018 LOA:  213ft Number of guests:  12 Crew:  17

She may not hail from the golden era of yachting like other classic yachts her size, but this former Soviet spy ship is certainly not short on history. A true gentleman’s yacht,  La Sultana  has led many lives during her 50-plus years afloat. Originally built in 1962 in Bulgaria for use as a passenger ferry,  Aji-Petri  (as she was then known) was the fifth of a series of 12 ships that carried passengers and cargo through the Black Sea between the ports of Istanbul and Yalta.

La Sultana’s striking interior features Art Deco touches that draw inspiration from the stylish vessels of the 1920s / ©Camper & Nicholsons

Some 50 years after her build, she was discovered by a French gentleman. It was during a colossal seven-year, multimillion-dollar restoration in Casablanca that the yard unearthed several espionage instruments, including a radioactivity detector and several electronic devices from the Cold War. With the addition of her raised bow, touch-and-go helipad, machinery, piping and wiring, commercial engine and a huge keel, the rechristened  La Sultana  emerged from the shipyard as a majestic cruising yacht.

Today, her striking interior features Art Deco touches that draw inspiration from the stylish vessels of the 1920s, while the Arabian Nights-inspired decor is both eccentric and exotic. The new layout features an indoor 16-ft counter-current swimming pool and hammam, and seven luxurious staterooms, including a vast master suite on the upper deck, two VIP staterooms on the main deck, and four staterooms on the lower deck, all with en suites — quite a difference from the original build with its 102 cabins.

Her large deck areas include lots of relaxation and entertainment areas, as well as a classically styled spa pool on the foredeck, located forward of the new helipad. With more than a nod to the golden age of yachting, the rebuilt La Sultana is a classic motor yacht for modern times.

Malahne is one of just a handful of British-built, pre-war motor yachts to have survived into the 21st century / ©Edmiston

Builder:  Camper & Nicholsons Refit:  Pendennis Built:  1937 Refit:  2015 LOA:  164 ft Number of guests:  10 Crew:  11

Designed by Charles E Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1937,  Malahne  is one of just a handful of British-built, pre-war motor yachts to have survived into the 21st century. Originally commissioned by William Stephenson, head of the British arm of the Woolworth store chain and a passionate yachtsman, this classic 1930s gentleman’s yacht has led a glamorous and colorful life, with many ups and downs. Stephenson owned both the J-Class yacht  Velsheda  and  Malahne , and named them after his daughters Velma, Sheila and Daphne, with the first few letters of their names forming ‘Velsheda’ and the last few letters ‘ Malahne .’

She spent her first few years cruising the Mediterranean, and crossed the Atlantic a number of times before being handed over for military needs during World War II. During her time serving as a patrol cruiser in the English Channel,  Malahne  also participated in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk.

A 2015 refit produced a design more faithful to the original / ©Edmiston

A decade later, she was sold to a Saudi sheikh who renamed her  Adel XII  and changed her beyond recognition, with an almost sacrilegious angular new superstructure and modern interior quite out of keeping with her classic past. Twenty years later, she passed into more sympathetic hands, and underwent a hugely ambitious restoration at the British shipyard Pendennis. The restoration experts there sought to bring her back to her original classic yacht form, but with the addition of a few 21st-century comforts.

While Pendennis worked on recreating her original hull form and undoing the damage wrought by the previous owner, classic yacht experts GL Watson & Co were drafted to rework her exterior lines; meanwhile, design experts from Oliver Laws — who designed the Art Deco interiors of the  Connaught hotel and Claridge’s  — set to work on her interior, producing a design more faithful to the original, including a number of original antique 1930s pieces but with a modern Art Deco twist.

Today, thanks to such a comprehensive and sympathetic refit by her devoted British owner,  Malahne  is a tribute to modern engineering and British craftsmanship. One of the finest classic yachts for  charter , she features state-of-the-art equipment and Art Deco interior styling. Were he still alive, there’s no doubt that Sinatra would be delighted to tap his dancing shoes once again on board her stunningly restored teak decks.

There couldn’t be a more classic-looking yacht reflecting the golden age of yachting than Talitha / ©Unkown

Builder:  Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft Refit:  Devonport Yachts Built:  1930 Refit:  1993, 2009 LOA:  262 ft Number of guests:  12 Crew:  20

With her flared clipper bow, impressive funnels and traditional counter stern, there couldn’t be a more classic-looking yacht reflecting the golden age of yachting than  Talitha . Originally commissioned by Russell Algar of the Packard Motor Car Company, the originally named  Reveler  was sadly not yet delivered by the German shipyard F. Krupp in Kiel when Algar died.

Sold to Charles McCann of the Woolworth family and renamed Chalena, she was later requisitioned by the US Maritime Commission in 1942, and entered service as a gunboat with new armaments mounted fore and aft. Operating under her new military name of USS Beaumont in the waters between Midway Island and Pearl Harbor, she survived the war without serious incident, and in 1946 was decommissioned and returned to private ownership.

Talitha features an all-new Art Deco interior with all of the trappings of a modern classic / ©Unkown

Described by The New York Times as a “floating fantasy,” she featured a re-design of the distinctive clipper bow and new teak decks but, sadly, it wasn’t to last and, following some engine problems, she was laid up once again in the late 1980s. In 1993 she was brought to the attention of her next and current owner Sir John Paul Getty Jr.

Under the guidance of legendary designer Jon Bannenberg, she was painstakingly restored to her former glory, with both exterior and interior redesign and brand new engines. The addition of a pair of funnels and an extended wheelhouse was at the time criticized by many, but Bannenberg’s vision proved them wrong when the renamed  Talitha G  (named after Getty’s second wife) was relaunched to great acclaim, with more than a nod to her 1930s design.

One of the most detailed, distinctive and beautiful classic motor yachts to be relaunched in recent times,  Talitha  is suitably reflective of an incredibly glamorous era of yachting. Featuring an all-new Art Deco interior with all of the trappings of a modern classic, she is a real head-turner, not only for the Hollywood celebrities spotted on board, but for her own stunning looks.

The classic sailing yacht Eros has led a colorful past, with lords, ladies and royalty all captivated by her charm / ©Classic Charters

Builder:  Brooke Marine Built:  1939 Refit:  1999, 2016, 2019 LOA : 115 ft Number of guests:  8 Crew:  5

Delivered in 1939 by British shipyard Brooks Motor Craft, the classic sailing yacht  Eros  has led a colorful past, with lords, ladies and royalty all captivated by her charm and beautiful lines over her eight decades afloat. Originally christened  Jeanry , she was commissioned for the daughter and son-in-law of a British lord who unfortunately spent very little time on board her before she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy to participate in the evacuation efforts at Dunkirk during World War II.

Following the end of her wartime service she went on to be owned by Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, second only to Aristotle Onassis in the shipping magnate stakes and also the first man to be called a billionaire. Niarchos rechristened her  Eros  in honor of the Greek god of love and passion, and under his ownership the wooden schooner became a fixture on the Mediterranean yachting circuit, hosting the cream of European society, including King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.

Eros offers charter guests the chance to experience genuine sailing on a stunning classic yacht / ©Classic Charters

Eros  went on to change ownership just one more time before being rescued by her current owner in 1992. Meticulously restored to her original grandeur over the course of 18 years, she was relaunched in 2016 and now offers the refinement of a bygone era combined with the latest superyacht luxuries. Retaining many original details, including the Admiralty bronze fittings of the ship’s bell and restored Burmese teak planks, her complete overhaul involved repairs and replacements to her steel structure, and over 20,000 new bronze bolts, among many other things.

Today,  Eros  offers charter guests the chance to experience genuine sailing on a stunning classic yacht, either cruising in the Caribbean or Mediterranean or racing in classic regattas in the Caribbean and New England. Boasting state-of-the-art technology, 22 hydraulically assisted winches and 9,000 sq ft of sail,  Eros  can reach speeds of up to 10 knots under sail.

And for those looking to simply sit back and relax, her four guest cabins include a master stateroom with private en suite featuring a Jacuzzi bath, a double stateroom with en suite, and two twin cabins with shared bathroom. Out on deck, she boasts numerous seating and lounging areas for socializing, relaxing and alfresco dining.

Eros  also offers plenty of on-the-water entertainment, with a great selection of water toys for her more active guests to enjoy.

• glamorous histories

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55.4m | Ailsa shipbuilding co. | 1902

34m | Hall russell | 1964

33.5m | Feadship | 1939

SEA MONSTER

32m | Custom | 1953

32m | Chantier de l'esterel | 1963

26.51m | Feadship | 1963

26m | Thetis ware | 1890

1960 CUSTOM CRUISER

25.9m | Custom | 1960

24.4m | Trumpy | 1955

24.38m | Trumpy | 1947

M/V UNION JACK 80 HERITAGE TUG

24.38m | Custom built | 1941

23m | De vries lentsch (dutch built) | 1958

CELEBRATION

22.85m | Trumpy | 1964

22.85m | Consolidated | 1930

22.5m | Feadship | 1964

22.25m | Henry hinckley | 1956

21.76m | John trumpy & sons | 1958

21.5m | Fife | 1936

19.81m | Tug | 1953

1940 CUSTOM BOAT HOUSE

19.2m | Custom | 1940

SILVER ROMANCE

17.68m | Silver yachts | 1956

16.38m | Luders | 1965

16.15m | Jakobsen & peterson | 1936

1963 CHRIS-CRAFT CONSTELLATION

15.84m | Chris-craft | 1963

1950 MONK DOUBLE CABIN CRUISER

14.32m | Monk | 1950

14.32m | Classic | 1930

1962 CHRIS-CRAFT CONSTELLATION

13.86m | Chris-craft | 1962

12.9m | Matthews | 1962

1955 COLIN ARCHER 42

12.8m | Colin archer | 1955

11.27m | Egg harbor | 1963

1930 BLANCHARD LAKE UNION DREAMBOAT

10.97m | Blanchard | 1930

10.97m | Constellation yachts | 1962

1962/2022 SPARKMAN AND STEPHENS CUSTOM PILOTHOUSE

10.66m | Sparkman and stephens | 1962

MISS CAROLINE

10.36m | Custom | 1952

1954 CHRIS-CRAFT COMMANDER

9.72m | Chris-craft | 1954

1961 BERTRAM 31

9.44m | Bertram | 1961

1932 GAR WOOD TRIPLE COCKPIT

8.53m | Gar wood | 1932

1932 HACKER-CRAFT TRIPLE COCKPIT

8.53m | Hacker craft co | 1932

1934 HISTORIC DODGE TRIPLE COCKPIT

8.05m | #1 hull | 1934

1963 LYMAN SPORTSMAN

7.61m | Lyman | 1963

1940 GAR WOOD SEDAN

7.44m | Garwood | 1940

1940 CHRIS-CRAFT DELUXE RUNABOUT

7.01m | Chris-craft | 1940

1928 CHRIS-CRAFT CADET TRIPLE COCKPIT

6.7m | Chris-craft | 1928

1930 CHRIS-CRAFT TRIPLE COCKPIT RUNABOUT

6.7m | Chris-craft | 1930

6.47m | Century boats | 1965

1959 CENTURY CORONADO

6.4m | Century boats | 1959

1946 CHRIS-CRAFT CUSTOM RUNABOUT

6.09m | Chris-craft | 1946

1954 CHRIS-CRAFT KIT BOAT

4.26m | Chris-craft | 1954

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Construction update on Atlante Yachts' first 35m explorer yacht

Construction is progressing on the Atlante Classic 25, the first unit in Atlante Yachts ' 34.5-metre explorer series. The hull and superstructure are now joined with the yacht undergoing works at Mengi Yay 's shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey.

Delivery to her "experienced Northern European" owner is scheduled for spring 2025.

The Atlante Classic 35 is a modern interpretation of the full displacement explorer yacht, with Atlante Yachts committed to an all-Italian design. Exterior and interior design is therefore owed to VYD Studio , while naval architecture will be completed by Arrabito Naval Architects . 

Accommodation is across five en suite cabins. Interior renderings reveal a fresh, contemporary style with floor-to-ceiling windows, light-wood wall panelling and a gentle colour palette of blues and greys. The design was developed with extensive input from the owners, including the choice of high-quality Italian materials and fabrics. 

Leisure highlights include a beach club with an unfolding transom and ample entertainment areas across its three decks. The hardtop sundeck is the main communal area, fitted with fixed sunpads, an al fresco dining area with U-shaped sofa seating and a dry bar.

"With the layout of the Atlante Classic 35 we have aimed to achieve a perfect equilibrium within the parameters of length, beam and within a very high volume of 330GT usually only available in vessels several metres longer," said Paolo Dose of VYD Studio. "This allows a harmonious balance between accommodation, living, exterior and technical areas."

Powered by twin Volvo Penta engines, the Atlante Classic 35 will have a cruising speed of 11 knots and a range in excess of 5,000 nautical miles.

According to BOATPro , Mengi Yay has seven other hulls currently under construction.  The shipyard recently delivered the first unit in its 47.5-metre series, Serenissima I , which will debut at this year's Monaco Yacht Show .

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