New deliveries and launches understandably benefit from significant exposure across the yachting world, yet, refits of historical yachts are sometimes even more significant events for the sector as these five yachts show.
Length: 39m (128 ft)
Original yard: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (1913)
Refit: Royal Huisman (underway)
The famed financier and avid yachtsman Harold S. Vanderbilt, heir of the vast railway empire, ordered from Herreshoff Manufacturing two schooners, both named Vagrant. The first of them, launched in 1910 and measuring 32 meters, was refitted in 1984 by Peter de Savary and is reportedly still afloat in Japan under the name of Vagrant of Burnham. Meanwhile, the largest of the two, the 39-meter Vagrant is now under reconstruction at Royal Huisman facilities in Vollenhove.
«Thanks to her owner's vision and respect for her legacy Vagrant will not become a piece of forgotten history, but instead will remain a living legend – sailing and enjoyed by many for decades to come», claims the Dutch yard, assuring that the yacht's owner directed to refit the boat inside and out with the utmost respect for her historic value.
Royal Huisman took the challenge and embarked on the project in 2017. The rebuilt began with the sandblasting and preservation of the yacht's 33-meter over-a-hundred-years-old steel hull. At the same time, the iconic boat has to be re-engineered with modern quality materials and board systems. Dykstra Naval Architects is in charge of re-rigging her schooner-rigged sail plan, while Rondal provides bespoke components, including aluminum masts for the inside furling of the fisherman and mainsail.
Guest accommodation will be refurbished and new crew quarters will be designed in-house. All the machinery, including generators, air conditioning, and heating, will be wisely concealed behind wooden panels and cabinetry.
The rebuilt classic yacht is due for re-launch in 2019.
#2. Kentra
Length: 25.6m (84 ft)
Original yard: Fife & Son (1923)
Refit: Fairlie Yachts (1993/2015)
Built for Scottish industrialist, Kenneth MacKenzie-Clark in 1923, the 25.6-meter Kentra has a long racing and round-the-world cruising history, along which she kept changing owners. In the early 50s, the luxury yacht was turned into a venue for glamorous parties, with Christina of Spain, actors Brigitte Bardot and Errol Flynn among the yacht's celebrity guests. She eventually returned to Britain, where she was lying dormant for many years until bought at auctions in 1992 by her current owner, who commissioned Fairlie Yachts for rebuilding the boat that took 18 months to complete.
The full structural restoration required the re-coppering of the yacht's hull. Her copper-bottomed hull, introduced in the 18th century by the British Royal Navy to ensure ultimate resistance over the traditional wooden hulls, makes Kentra a rarity nowadays.
Furthermore, yacht's keel was removed from the aft end in order to balance the weight of the modern machinery. New rigs were constructed from Fife's original drawings. Fortunately, the old deck structures were in good condition and could be reused. Designers had to create new interiors, utilizing the original doors and frames.
After her first refit, Kentra received a new lease of life and even took her owner for an around-the-world voyage between 1999 and 2004. During the second refit, carried out in 2015, the boat's hull had a provisional update with copper cladding meant to protect the hull for another two decades. During winter the historic yacht leads a quiet life very close to her birthplace, although sometimes her adventurous owner braves the contrary weather to cruise western isles.
#3. Williamsburg
Yard: Bath Iron Works Corp (1931)
Refits: 1941,1995
Referred to for good reason as The Floating White House, the 74-meter steel motor boat started out her life in 1931 as Aras, but in 1941 the private yacht was acquired by the US Navy and, refitted into a gunboat, entering service under the name of USS Williamsburg. During the Second World War, the vessel was mainly used for escorting military convoys in the North Sea. One of the boat's most memorable adventures was the secret transfer of 28 treasure chests full of gold bars in 1942.
During the post-war years, under the presidency of Harry Truman, the boat hosted world leaders, including Winston Churchill, and other important politicians, such as George Marshall and Clement Attlee, cruising to Florida, Cuba and the Virgin Islands. In 1953, Williamsburg was replaced as a presidential yacht by the new head of state, Eisenhower, and, thus, was consigned to oblivion.
There were a number of attempts to restore the yacht. In the mid-90s she was transferred to Genoa to be converted into a luxury cruise ship under a different name, something that never happened. An urgent appeal of the Italian government saved her for this time being. The US Williamsburg Preservation Society was formed with the goal of reincorporating the former presidential yacht into the American Navy. However, the raise fund campaign failed to collect the necessary $40 million. The legendary yacht eventually sank at her moorings in La Spezia harbor in 2015.
#4. Endeavour
Length: 40m (131 ft)
Original yard: Camper & Nicholsons (1934)
Refit: Royal Huisman (1989), Yachting Developments (2012)
The 40-meter sailing yacht Endeavour was launched in 1934 by Camper & Nicholsons for Sir Thomas Sopwith, English aviation pioneer and yachtsman. Determined to compete for the America's Cup in 1934, he was keen to ensure that the yacht featured the most advanced design possible. For instance, he insisted on applying the aviation technology to the boat's rig and winches.
Over half a century, the award-winning superyacht bounced through a number of owners, her fate often hanging by a thread. She was even sold to a scrap merchant in 1947 only to be saved by another buyer hours before her demolition was due to begin. In the 70s she was about to sink in the Medina River of the Isle of Wight, when two carpenters bought her for £10 and somehow got her afloat, patching the holes in her hull with plastic bags.
In 1984 American yachtswoman Elizabeth Meyer laid her eyes on the wreckage of the iconic yacht and commissioned Royal Huisman to have her completely rebuilt. In five years' time Endeavour left the Dutch shipyard turned into a modern masterpiece, with all-new decks, mast, boom and rigging, an installed generator and mechanical systems and recreated interior. Between 1989 and 1999 the yacht cruised extensively and successfully competed in numerous races.
In 2011/2012 Endeavour underwent a major refit at the New Zealand-based shipyard Yachting Developments, with Dykstra Naval Architects, John Barrett Associates, and Adam Lay design studio involved in the project. The 18-months work required over 100.000 men hours and in excess of 40 tons of material removed and then replaced on the boat, including the whole weather deck being rebuilt with deck equipment reinstalled. 3D modeling was used to design the interior layout, saving but the underfloor engine room and service areas.
The effort paid off, as the yacht won best-refitted sailing yacht at the 2013 World Superyachts Awards. Endeavour is now for sale, asking €17.500.000.
#5. Malahne
Length: 50m (164 ft)
Original yard: Camper & Nicholsons (1937)
Refit: 1960, 1983, Pendennis (2015)
The 50-meter Malahne was the jewel in her original owner’s crown. A British businessman, founder member of F. W. Woolworth & Co., William Lawrence Stephenson commissioned from Camper & Nicholsons a motor yacht for racing and ocean cruising. However, with the outbreak of the Second World War, the boat was enrolled in the army as patrol cruiser. As such, she saw action in the evacuation at Dunkirk and later participated in torpedo target practice in Scotland.
After the war, Malahne passed through many hands, being first refitted and re-classed to Lloyd's in 1960 by order of the famous Hollywood producer Sam Spiegel. Over the two further decades, the classic yacht acted as his production office and luxury hotel for movie stars.
In 1983 Saudi Sheikh, Adel Al Mojil purchased the yacht and had her completely refitted with little respect for the original concept, with a different bow, stern and renewed superstructure. In 2012 Malahne was sold to a reputable client introduced by Edmiston and Burger at an asking price of €550,000. The new owner's brief was to «make Malahne look as if she had been in continuous ownership since she was built».
The «artistic director» of the ambitious restoration project was the classic yachts expert, William Collier of G.L. Watson & Co., who prepared the drawings partially based on the older photos of the yacht. All operations, including the finishing touches, were carried out on site, at Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, making it an essentially British project.
The refit was developed in several stages. After the deconstruction was completed, it took six months only to examine Malahne's construction frame by frame in order to decide what could be saved and what had to be refabricated to meet modern standards.
«The new Malahne had to function with contemporary requirements for air conditioning and technology, all of which had to be contained in an original envelope», explained Guy Oliver, who was in charge of the yacht's interior design.
When rebuilding the vessel, modern materials were used, such as aluminum for the superstructure and composite for the funnel, although updating the steel hull presented a no lesser challenge.
As for the yacht's interiors, those were inspired by the Art-Deco styling of Eltham Palace in Greenwich. In the new layout, the obsolete engine room on the main deck was replaced by a spacious dining, while the crew quarters were substantially altered. Among many features reminding of the yacht's original period is a pair of rotary-dial wall phones coming from the 50s.
“The challenge of recreating many of the yacht’s features while achieving a faithful restoration of the hull shape has been very rewarding. Together we have brought a historically important yacht back to life,” concluded William Coller in 2015, when the 30 months' project was finally completed.
In 2016 Malahne won Refitted/Rebuilt/Converted Yachts at World Superyacht Awards. She is available for charted from €135.000 per week through Edmiston.
The 42.2-meter motor yacht Song of Songs has entered the market at EUR22,888,000 through Camper & Nicholsons, with Chief Commercial Officer Asia Julien Solari and Sales Broker Della Pearce representing the central agency. The vessel is also available for charter in Southeast Asia.Constructed in 2023 by Heysea Yachts as the first model on their Asteria 139 platform, Song of Songs was designed in collaboration with VYD Studio. The 431GT yacht features a semi-displacement hull powered by twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines, achieving a top speed of 19 knots with a 2,000 nautical mile range at 14 knots cruising speed.The yacht's layout accommodates twelve guests across six cabins, including an upper deck master suite with private aft terrace, a main deck secondary master, and three VIP suites plus one convertible cabin on the lower deck. Crew quarters provide for seven staff members.Notable amenities comprise a 120 square meter sun deck with hardtop-covered dining area and bar, a main deck beach club with transformer platform, and a forward lounge area featuring a hot tub. The contemporary interior design utilizes light oak joinery and marble finishes throughout the living spaces.With 26,300 liters of fuel capacity and average consumption of 320 liters per hour at cruising speed, the yacht is equipped for extended voyages. A 120KVA Kohler generator handles onboard power requirements. The vessel's design emphasizes indoor-outdoor connectivity through extensive glazing and multiple al fresco entertainment areas.Credits: Camper & Nicholsons
July 25, 2025
Nautor Swan will field sixteen yachts in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race, representing nearly the entire production history of the Finnish builder. The fleet includes models ranging from classic Sparkman & Stephens designs to contemporary German Frers creations.The 100th edition of the 695-nautical-mile race begins July 26 from Cowes, Isle of Wight, with a record 451 entries from 34 nations. The course passes Fastnet Rock off Ireland before finishing in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.At a pre-race reception hosted by Nautor Swan Global Service at the Royal Air Force Yacht Club in Hamble, the all-female crewed Swan 46 Anne Bonny received the Spirit of Swan Award. The yacht is sailed by Belgian team "Swanne Bonny."Notable entrants include:Coco De Mer (Swan 62RS)Truwen (Swan 38)Galiana Withsecure (Swan 55)Miri (Swan 48)The participation follows recent Swan successes including ClubSwan 125 Skorpios' 2021 line honors victory and Swan 441 Best Buddies' dual handicap win at the Aegean 600. Simultaneously, the new ClubSwan 28 makes its competitive debut at Lake Garda.Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credits: Nautor Swan
July 25, 2025
Azimut|Benetti Group has completed the renovation of its corporate headquarters in Avigliana, Italy, representing a €50 million investment in the historic facility. The project was inaugurated on July 24 by Chair Giovanna Vitelli and CEO Marco Valle, along with Avigliana Mayor Andrea Archinà and approximately 1,500 employees.The redesign was led by AMDL CIRCLE and architect Michele De Lucchi, who oversaw the restyling of the main building and construction of a new multifunctional pavilion. Settanta7 handled the complete renovation of employee offices, implementing modern workspace configurations to facilitate collaboration. The project included significant upgrades to the building's energy efficiency systems.The new metallic-clad entrance pavilion creates a visual dialogue with the original 1990s structure designed by Gabetti & Isola. Floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout the complex reflects Azimut's nautical design philosophy, mirroring the company's 2003 innovation of replacing portholes with hull glazing. Three panoramic meeting rooms - named Gogamigoga, Goga and Goghina after founder Paolo Vitelli's boats - offer views of the Sacra di San Michele landmark.A new Virtual Reality center serves as the technical hub of the facility, allowing the Style and Technical Offices to collaborate on yacht designs and enabling owners to customize layouts through immersive technology. The workspace redesign eliminates traditional hierarchical office structures in favor of open, transparent environments with shared workspaces."The new pavilion honors our 50-year history while projecting our future," said Giovanna Vitelli. "Like the Louvre pyramid, it represents changing times while respecting the past."The renovated headquarters will become fully operational in September 2025. The project maintains the facility's original architectural character while incorporating modern workplace design principles. No operational disruptions are anticipated during the transition period.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. Benetti designs, builds and sells composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. The fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom to meet all the needs of the market. Benetti belongs to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Azimut|Benetti Group
July 25, 2025
The first unit of the Ferretti Yachts 800 was launched on July 18 at the company's Cattolica shipyard. Measuring 24.47 meters in length with a 5.91-meter beam, the model completes the brand's flybridge range renewal initiated in 2018.Developed by Ferretti Group's Engineering Department and the Strategic Product Committee chaired by Piero Ferrari, the yacht features exterior design by architect Filippo Salvetti and interiors by Ideaeitalia. A version with shortened swim platform (maintaining 24-meter overall length) will be available for French market compliance.The main deck incorporates a 7-square-meter beach area with glass parapet, connecting to a crew section with three cabins accessible via portside walkway. Interior spaces feature 2-meter ceilings and extensive glazing, with the showcased unit displaying Classic styling with warm tones. The layout includes a living area with corner sofa, separate dining space with galley access, and isolated crew circulation paths.Accommodations comprise a master suite, VIP cabin, and two guest cabins totaling eight berths, all with en-suite bathrooms. The 40-square-meter flybridge offers an al fresco dining area, bar unit, and flexible aft lounge space.The inaugural unit is powered by twin 1800 hp MAN V12 engines, achieving a top speed of 31 knots and cruising at 27 knots. The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group
July 24, 2025
Sanlorenzo will debut its new 33-meter SL110A motor yacht at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 9-14, 2025. The vessel represents the latest iteration of the shipyard's asymmetrical design series, following previous SL102A and SL106A models.Developed in collaboration with Zuccon International Project for exterior design and Piero Lissoni for interiors, the SL110A combines structural innovation with performance capabilities reaching 27 knots. The asymmetrical hull configuration provides 15% more interior volume compared to conventional designs through strategic spatial planning, including staggered port and starboard gangways that maximize usable area."The asymmetry is not just aesthetic: it unlocks greater interior space, uninterrupted views, and a feeling of openness that transforms life on board," stated Sanlorenzo CEO Tommaso Vincenzi.The yacht's redesigned bow area replaces traditional anchor storage with an integrated sea-facing terrace and swimming pool. Retractable bulwarks create 8 square meters of additional deck space when anchored, while a pivoting stern platform accommodates both tender and jet ski storage. The full-beam master suite spans 45 square meters with direct access to the foredeck pool area.Interior accommodations include five cabins for 10 guests, with two convertible twin/double staterooms. Crew quarters provide six berths in three cabins with a separate mess area. Material selections feature Calacatta marble, resin-finished ceilings, and engineered wood paneling throughout living spaces.Bernardo Zuccon of Zuccon International Project noted: "Asymmetry on SL110A is not simply a formal gesture - but a tool to reshape the spatial harmony onboard." The design eliminates 30% of traditional structural obstructions compared to previous models, improving sightlines across 210 square meters of total deck area.Technical enhancements include upgraded sound insulation in engine compartments and improved stabilization systems. The flybridge offers configurable layouts as either sun lounge or dining space, while the main deck lounge incorporates sliding glass walls that expand to create a 22 square meter waterside terrace when stationary.Production will continue at Sanlorenzo's La Spezia facility, with the Cannes display model being the first of six scheduled builds for 2026 delivery. Base pricing starts at €18 million before customization options. The SL110A represents the continued development of Sanlorenzo's asymmetrical series, which currently accounts for 40% of the shipyard's motor yacht orders.Sanlorenzo was founded in 1958 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.60 to 73 meters in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
July 24, 2025