United Kingdom

Southampton Yacht Services Ltd

Delivered in 1904, the 34.1-metre Camper &amp; Nicholsons sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> has entered the market. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/merrymaid/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht Merrymaid, for sale</a>, boasts an impressive history dating back over a century and has been refitted over the years, leaving her in perfect condition for her new owner.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272093/image/large-3421ba6530b5040acfc8b808eb4d1164.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272093"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> was built as Yard No. 167 at the Camper &amp; Nicholsons Shipyard in Gosport, United Kingdom for Mr. T.A. Hardcastle. Constructed from carvel-planked teak on oak frames, with a teak superstructure and decks, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/sailing/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">sailing yacht for sale</a> amazed yachtsmen with her combination of speed and comfort.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/82521/image/large-6b69b48e814853874c4d41eabfae8883.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/82521">After many years of racing, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> received an engine and was re-rigged as a ketch in 1911 to be used for cruising. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht for sale</a> was laid up in Norway for the latter part of the First World War, and was subsequently acquired by Mrs. Elizabeth Workman.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272099/image/large-03ba9d592e8d48c7f6cb46e233d4f82b.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272099">Mrs Workman restored her original rigging system and campaigned her in the Big Class where <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> raced against yachts such as Britannia and the 46.3-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1616" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lulworth46.3m (151'11&quot;)White Brothers1920">Lulworth</a>. During this time, her owner, alongside Charles E. Nicholson, worked on improving <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a>’s already impressive performance abilities.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272095/image/large-d6678ff1278a23a914cbaf44e386d84c.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272095"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> was sold in 1929 to Sir Thomas Royden, chairman of Cunard, who raced and cruised her until the outbreak of the Second World War. Following this, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/camper-nicholsons-shipyard/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Camper &amp; Nicholson yacht for sale</a> was sold again in 1943, where her lead keel and rig were removed.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272100/image/large-67513098951d3aeabcce6e8455af007c.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272100"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> was laid up in Tollesbury, Essex for many years before she changed hands twice more. She was then acquired by a family who kept her as a second home, before she was towed to Heybridge Basin, Essex in 1994 awaiting restoration.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272096/image/large-bb7b90f528b91734aa69876aaddb4835.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272096">The owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> conducted a complete rebuild by Southampton Yacht Service while keeping her original elements and interior style. Following this refit from 2006-2008, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> departed for a three-year voyage, before returning for a complete cosmetic and technical upgrade with Southampton Yacht Service.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272097/image/large-4801c9bd95c7ac83b1cb3ec83490e5b5.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272097"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> welcomes guests onboard with a sumptuous saloon area, complete with classic Chesterfield style sofas and a gas fireplace. The saloon benefits from a large skylight, which illuminates her bespoke coffee table, which can easily be raised to become a dining table.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272098/image/large-2fb3e14a3ccaa8643a8ada82e9727455.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272098">&nbsp;The pedigree yacht features accommodation for up to six guests across a three stateroom configuration. The master stateroom onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> is situated aft, while her remaining two staterooms are located port and starboard. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> is also able to sleep a crew of six.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272094/image/large-331d99620f31177d4bebb0a376d09603.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272094">The sailing gaff cutter yacht features a Martins Rigging and Contender Dacron sails spanning over 953 square-metres. Performance-wise, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5041" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merrymaid34.1m (111'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1904">Merrymaid</a> is equipped with a single 265 horsepower Perkins Sabre engine which provides her with a top speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of eight knots.&nbsp;

34m C&N sailing yacht Merrymaid for sale

Delivered in 1904, the 34m Camper & Nicholsons sailing yacht Merrymaid for sale boasts an impressive history dating back over a century.

34m classic Camper & Nicholsons sailing yacht Merrymaid for sale

For any passionate sailor worth his salt, sailing aboard a classic J-Class yacht would be the pinnacle of their maritime career. For some however, life aboard the mythic J’s is not just a dream, but an everyday reality, and at times, an adrenaline overload. One of those rare few, is the Suffolk born Englishman, Will Gibbon, who has had the fortune to sail, cruise and live aboard not one, but two of these extraordinary vessels. Will is now in his fourth year as First Mate aboard the original 1933 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/192" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> J-Class, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>, but he began his career in the Class aboard the 41.55-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/792" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Danish Yachts (Company)">Danish Yachts</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/432" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ranger41.55m (136'4&quot;)Danish Yachts2003">Ranger</a>, a Spirit of Tradition J-Class which was built as an exact replica of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sparkman & Stephens, Inc. (Company)">Sparkman &amp; Stephens</a>' Ranger, launched in 1937. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/77147/image/large-d465539bc3e1937d189bed1804c5859f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/77147">SYT’s Francesca Webster, caught up with Will, an old friend and wildly unsuccessful (on her part) first sailing coach, to talk about his entrance to the close knit world of classic yachts, his life aboard the sloops, and his all time best experiences.&nbsp;In his late teens, Will worked on the U.K.’s east coast for sailmaker John Parker at his loft OneSails GBR. The international team at OneSails cut cloth for some of the biggest names in the industry, designing sails for superyachts, as well as classics and dinghies. It was here that Will, already an experienced small boat sailor, began sailing and racing more frequently, eventually meeting English comedian Griff Rhys Jones and joining the race crew of his 1948 Bermudan <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sparkman & Stephens, Inc. (Company)">Sparkman &amp; Stephens</a> yawl, Argyll. After three years as race crew, Will stepped up to the 19-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1110" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="William Fife (Company)">Fife III</a> sloop <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5208" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mariquita38.1m (125'0&quot;)William Fife & Sons1911">Mariquita</a>, joining the permanent crew as deckhand. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/21917/image/large-0b83c5c1372e2212f045eeb9db383f5d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/21917">In 2015, the news was announced that the entire existing J-Class fleet, minus <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>'s sister ship <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/621" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Endeavour39.56m (129'9&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1934">Endeavour</a>, would be coming together in a momentous event at the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda. His passion for classic yachts already ignited, it was Will's firm ambition to join one of the Class and compete in the once in a lifetime regatta. Eventually his dream was recognised, with the invitation to join <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/432" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ranger41.55m (136'4&quot;)Danish Yachts2003">Ranger</a> as deckhand. “The mate at the time was promoted to captain, and he took me on and I worked through the ranks, which is the best way to learn these yachts. Even though <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/432" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ranger41.55m (136'4&quot;)Danish Yachts2003">Ranger</a> has had a refit since I was last aboard, I am still familiar with both of the yachts, having spent so much time aboard.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/195515/image/large-74bdf602eba6143a336b0fe716023033.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/195515">For many sailors who witnessed the 2017 America’s Cup, the spectacular show of the J-Class competition stood out as a pinnacle of the event. Processing through Hamilton Harbour, gigantic flags billowing at their stern, the J-Class yachts truly put on a show, and for Will it was a top moment of his career. “Bermuda is definitely the highlight for anyone that has sailed aboard these yachts in recent years, it is easily the highlight of my career.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/195513/image/large-ce1f6035c0d913dfafb3f22b12e18447.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/195513">It was not all fun and games however, the regatta was a serious affair and every owner, captain and crew wanted to take the top spot during the races. Racing on a yacht coming toward its centenary isn’t without its difficulties, and Bermuda posed some additional challenges for the crew. With the water temperature considerably hotter than the Mediterranean, and the yachts being pushed to their limits, sometimes with only thirty minutes between races. There wasn't much time to catch your breath, “One day we did three windward-leeward courses, which for a J-Class is massive, especially in the small space within the reef in Bermuda. The legs were really short so you’re running everything as hot as possible and down in the engine room it got to about 45-degrees, everything was bubbling a fair amount!”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/195512/image/large-d61bcbf043ee8584ce98502e67664278.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/195512">After Bermuda, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/432" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ranger41.55m (136'4&quot;)Danish Yachts2003">Ranger</a> wintered at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>, and the following season, in 2018, Will joined the crew of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>, now as first mate. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a> is one of the busiest yachts in the Class, competing year in, year out, usually participating in four regattas annually. As Will explained, many of the Class’ take a year out after big racing seasons like 2017 because the investment of time means less time for cruising, the other hugely rewarding part of owning a J-Class. The owner of one of the newest J's to the fleet, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/32" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Holland Jachtbouw (Company)">Holland Jachtbouw</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2632" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Topaz42.62m (139'10&quot;)Holland Jachtbouw2015">Topaz</a>, launched in 2015, fortunately shares the enthusiasm for racing clearly displayed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>’s owner, and the two yachts go bow-to-bow at almost every regatta. On the rare occasion that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a> is the only J in the regatta fleet, she stands her ground on handicap against her contemporary counterparts, and in 2019 took the top spot at Les Voiles de St Tropez against the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/799" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Astilleros Armon (Company)">Astilleros Armon</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rambler32.5m (106'8&quot;)Astilleros Armon1982">Rambler</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/276" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="McConaghy Boats (Company)">McConaughy Boats</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/314" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leopard 330.0m (98'5&quot;)McConaghy Boats2007">Leopard 3</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/79974/image/large-b99c0d0e6faa8dddb4ea6cd2c95239e9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/79974">Watching these iconic vessels sparring, be it in the Caribbean or off the coast of Southern France, one is struck by their grace; huge black carbon sails towering over hulls which look like pencils in the water. Despite their classic aesthetic however, these yachts are high performance beasts, as Will noted, “we are always pushing to get every last bit out of the boat, our rigger often reminds us ‘you only have to win by a second’.” Today the entire fleet features carbon masts and sails, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a> has hydraulic winches and Future Fibres rigging, a big upgrade from a few years ago. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/77148/image/large-2b46575ac18ba220f40e375346d82ea0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/77148">When they aren’t competitively racing, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>’s owner joins the yacht throughout the year, and cruising is some of the crew’s favourite time aboard. When asked if a particular moment had stayed in Will's mind, a cruise in Greece when they spotted the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/192" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> 1934 J-Class <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/621" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Endeavour39.56m (129'9&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1934">Endeavour</a>, the vessel which lost to the American defender Rainbow&nbsp;by Vanderbilt, Herreshoff and Burgess, immediately came to mind. The two yachts were sailing along the same reach and the crew from both put their minds to a race.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/94598/image/large-1744f1ef1e5d64f42ace47e5920f5c88.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/94598">With <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/621" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Endeavour39.56m (129'9&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1934">Endeavour</a> almost never competing, and only the permanent crew of seven aboard, it was all hands on deck for their 20-minute spar, “that was a lot of fun, sailing short handed is some of the most fun you have and when we are cruising you go to some amazing places.” Sardinia is also a top spot for Will, and the Rolex Cup is one of his favourite regattas. Life aboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a> also has the additional benefit of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1480" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bystander42.18m (138'5&quot;)JFA Yachts2006">Bystander</a>, a 42.18-metre superyacht that accompanies the J. The superyacht, which was built by JFA Yachts and launched in 2006, carries additional crew, support and supplies and provides the accommodation for the owner after a long day of racing aboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/198077/image/large-07d8e02f9c2d3ccd509f5eda7c490c64.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/198077">For any sailer who hasa spent time aboard the classics, it is impossible not to touch on the maintenance of these yachts, which is a constant hum going on behind the scenes. Unlike their modern counterparts, many of which are made of carbon and GRP with wooden veneers, classic yachts demand constant work to retain them in pristine condition. Last year, while the pandemic raged across the world, and regattas were set aside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>'s team took the opportunity to conduct her 25 year survey. When she was most recently rescued from the mud and restored, latterly in 1997, it was <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/231" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southampton Yacht Services Ltd (Company)">Southhampton Yacht Services</a> that conducted the work. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/69138/image/large-f16e6c423018d56133aed37ba823be08.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/69138">As for the future, Will has other dreams, but he can’t see himself stepping off of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a> any time soon, the possibility of an America’s Cup season in New Zealand, or perhaps the United Kingdom, is too much of a draw. After all, once you’ve conquered some of the most coveted super sailing yachts in the world, how can you tear yourself away...This article was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/news/superyacht-times-newspaper-issue-39" target="_blank">Issue 41 of SuperYacht Times newspaper</a>. To read more stories like this one and to never again miss another issue of the SuperYacht Times newspaper, <a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/report/the-superyacht-times-subscription" target="_blank">subscribe here</a>.

Interview with J-Class Velsheda First Mate

SYT sits down with Will Gibbon, professional sailor and First Mate aboard 1933 J-Class Velsheda. 

Velsheda: Life aboard a Golden Age J-Class

Although discussions continue as to what exactly constitutes an explorer yacht, there remains a category of yachts whose exploration credentials are undisputed. Many of the early yacht conversions started life as rugged utility vessels, and have been transformed into true explorer yachts in every sense of the word. Here, we pay homage to two iconic groups of these fascinating early conversions: three German tugs and four Dutch pilot cutters.The tugsA number of large salvage tugs were built for the towage company Bugsier GmbH &amp; Co. KG from Hamburg, Germany between the early 1960s and the mid-1970s. These tugs had plenty of towing power and ice-breaking capabilities, so it should come as no surprise that three tugs ended up being converted into explorer yachts in the 1990s: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/900" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arctic P87.58m (287'4&quot;)">Arctic&nbsp;</a>and her slightly smaller sister ships <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Ranger77.4m (253'11&quot;)">Simson</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2842" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Khozam77.34m (253'9&quot;)">Atlantic</a>. Although we will mainly focus on the conversions of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/900" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arctic P87.58m (287'4&quot;)">Arctic</a>&nbsp;and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Ranger77.4m (253'11&quot;)">Simson</a>, it is interesting to note that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2842" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Khozam77.34m (253'9&quot;)">Atlantic</a> was converted into a yacht support ship for a Middle Eastern ruler and renamed<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2842" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Khozam77.34m (253'9&quot;)">&nbsp;Khozam.</a>Arctic P<img src="/uploads/store/photo/53463/image/large-2293b6a1441b3600990c5c2aca19c677.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/53463">Completed in 1969, the very powerful 87-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/900" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arctic P87.58m (287'4&quot;)">Arctic</a> and her sister were the flagships of the Bugsier fleet for many years. In the early 1990s, however, Bugsier divested of all but one of its large salvage tugs. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/900" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arctic P87.58m (287'4&quot;)">Arctic&nbsp;</a>was sold to a Dublin-based investment firm in 1993 and renamed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/900" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arctic P87.58m (287'4&quot;)">Arctic Research.</a> Soon after, in 1994, she was sold to an Australian owner - whose family still own the yacht today - and sent to Malta Drydocks for an extensive conversion. Kusch Yachts presided over the conversion and redesigned the exterior, while C. Kidston and A. Sassoon designed the new interiors. While her conversion was extensive, the yacht retained her distinctive exterior features. She re-emerged in 1994 as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/900" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arctic P87.58m (287'4&quot;)">Arctic P</a>, a name which she has kept to this day. Accommodating 12 guests and a crew of 25, a range of 20,000 nm and fuel capacity of 1.4 million litres, qualifies her for explorer status.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/27417/image/large-2db6416965548bab6de15a6cb9e826f7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/27417">Sea RangerThe <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Ranger77.4m (253'11&quot;)">Simson</a> was sold in 1994, to famous French owner Jack Setton, known for his taste for unusual yachts. He renamed her <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Ranger77.4m (253'11&quot;)">Simson S.</a> and like her fleet mate <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/900" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arctic P87.58m (287'4&quot;)">Arctic P</a>, she went to Malta for conversion into a yacht under the supervision of Kusch Yachts. She emerged from the rebuild in 1995. Like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/900" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arctic P87.58m (287'4&quot;)">Arctic P</a>, she retained most of her original exterior design after the rebuild, while sporting a completely new interior by Heinz Voller. Setton sold her in 1997, and her new owner, the late Peter Lewis, renamed her <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Ranger77.4m (253'11&quot;)">Lone Ranger</a> while putting her through another extensive refit in Miami. Lewis literally took her all over the world, including Antarctica in 2005. In 2009, Lewis gifted the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Ranger77.4m (253'11&quot;)">Lone Ranger</a> to an ocean research charity before being sold at auction in Antibes in 2013. Under her new name <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Ranger77.4m (253'11&quot;)">Sea Ranger</a>, she proceeded to Romania for a refit. She re-emerged briefly in the Mediterranean in 2014 before heading to Romania again. In 2018, she reappeared off the South of France, looking as good as ever.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/50887/image/large-d471041d58451615e9927766ea8883d2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/50887">The pilot cuttersThe Dutch ship pilot service previously owned a significant number of pilot cutters, which are floating pilot bases. Despite their elegant looks, the cutters were tough vessels, able to stay out on station during the most punishing gales the North Sea could throw at them. During the 1980s and 1990s, the pilot service sold many of these cutters. Enterprising yacht owners quickly saw opportunities to create unique yachts out of four of these vessels: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Capella C59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Capella</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/855" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Intuition II59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Spica</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/723" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Altair III59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Altair</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/632" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akula59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Fomalhaut</a>, which we now know as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Capella C59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Capella C</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/855" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Intuition II59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Intuition II</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/723" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Altair III59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Altair III</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/632" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akula59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Akula</a> respectively.Capella C<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Capella C59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Capella C</a> was a bit older than the other pilot cutters, as she was completed in 1968 by the Gebroeders Pot yard in Bolnes, near Rotterdam. In 1985 she was sold to an Australian owner who converted her into a yacht, based in Monaco. She was now able to accommodate 22 guests across 12 cabins, as well as a crew of 17. Externally, she remained largely unchanged, except for being painted all white. She underwent several refits over the years, the latest taking place in 2008. In 2014, she was sold to an unknown owner, believed to be based in Britain. Most recently, she has been out and about in Scandinavia.Intuition IIBefore Amels delivered its first new build yacht in 1982, the yard built cargo and utility vessels, including a series of three pilot cutters for a division of the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The first of the cutters from Amels was <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/855" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Intuition II59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Spica</a>, delivered in 1973.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/53466/image/large-03eeffd7108cef3434b03f1be4cfaeab.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/53466">She was sold in September 1997 to an American owner and dispatched to Southampton, Britain, to be rebuilt into a superyacht by Vosper Thornycroft and Southampton Yacht Services. She underwent a complete metamorphosis leaving few clues about her previous identity apart from her sturdy hull. Indart signed for the exterior redesign, while Southampton Yacht Services together with Nicholson Interiors drew up a completely new interior providing ample room for 14 guests and 14 crew members. The rebuild was completed in 1998 and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/855" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Intuition II59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Intuition II</a>, as she was now named, spent a lot of time in the USA, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean until she was sold in August 2017 to an unknown owner.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/33233/image/large-39504ba393831a6bf66fe3229aae5c38.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/33233">Altair IIIAmels delivered the next pilot cutter, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/723" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Altair III59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Altair</a>, in 1974. She was sold in 1995 after 21 years of service to a Dutch private owner, who chartered her out to Greenpeace that summer for an eventful campaign against nuclear testing. The campaign had a dramatic ending when she was raided by French commandos in the Italian port of Brindisi in October 1995. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/723" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Altair III59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Altair</a> then set course for a different future. In 1996, she was sold to an American owner, who sent her to the Oceanfast yard in Australia to be completely rebuilt. With a new exterior and interior design by the late Jon Bannenberg, she is arguably the most heavily converted yacht mentioned in this feature. When her next owner bought her in 2000, he put her through another refit at the Arredamenti Porto yard in Genoa, which she visited again in 2003, following a further sale. This time, her bridge deck was lengthened under the supervision of Australian designer, Sam Sorgiovanni. She has remained with the same owner since 2003 and has been cruising the Mediterranean under the name <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/723" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Altair III59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Altair III</a>.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/32981/image/large-ee10ff73b1d61812df4d8dc862b2a1f9.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/32981">AkulaThe last of the three pilot cutters by Amels was the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/632" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akula59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Fomalhaut</a>, delivered in 1974 as yard number 335. She was initially sold in 1997 and renamed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/632" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akula59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Princess Laya</a>. In 1998, she also visited Vosper Thornycroft for a rebuild. Naval architects BMT Nigel Gee provided all naval architecture and structural design for the conversion.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/27181/image/large-01dd695d37cc04d28d329d962f5571f0.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/27181">She emerged in 1999 as the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/632" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akula59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Elanymor</a>, now sporting a flight deck and helicopter hangar, amongst other changes. In 2008, she was sold on, renamed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/632" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akula59.0m (193'7&quot;)">Akula</a> and subjected to a partial interior and extensive exterior refit at H2X in La Ciotat. In 2010, her engines and generators were overhauled in Malta. Although she has been on the market now for a while, she is being kept in perfect condition.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/38762/image/large-c65760229bdd3fc978731fb84248138e.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/38762">Successful trailblazersAll of these seven tugs and pilot cutters were converted into yachts over 20 years ago, yet almost all of them are still highly active and in mint condition: a testimony to the quality of their original build, their smart conversions and loving owners. Most of them are travelling around the world, so be on the lookout!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""><img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/23641/image/large-5807815e2703721ae6618b7a54d59cdb.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/23641"></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;This article is featured in the latest edition of the SuperYacht Times newspaper. <a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription">Subscribe now</a> to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.

Insight: Explorers, the early conversions

Southampton Yacht Services in the U.K. has announced that the 41.15 metre superyacht Cambria has been launched, the process of which can be seen in the following time lapse video. Built in 1928 by William Fife &amp; Sons, the classic superyacht has been undergoing her refit for the majority of the year. Work included the reparation and replacement of almost 200 of her planks, along with substantial work to her stem. The yard reports that around 70% of the planks were painstakingly repaired in order to maintain as much of the original yacht as possible.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/156801/image/large-41c7db9eab15191c57443ef5ebb5d5ba.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/156801">Detailing further work on Cambria, the yard state: “Such extensive work on the hull and stem have also allowed the team to inspect the majority of the keel bolts (all original to the yacht) and perform non-destructive testing to check their integrity. In addition, by removing the bilge area, all the tanks were inspected and hydraulics updated, no mean feat on a wooden boat, originally built in 1928. After careful preparation with a thin sheathing applied, she then had a new paint job that will see this refit last for decades to come.”<iframe frameborder="0" height="320" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/142999992" width="560"></iframe>By Gemma Fottles

Classic 41.15m superyacht Cambria re-launched

Leopard is, without question, one of the most famous names in yacht racing history and Leopard 3 ranks among one of the most stylish and technologically advanced yachts launched. The Supermaxi has broken countless world records and its charismatic owner and leading industrialist, Mike Slade, is one of the most well known figures in the sport. This year, Slade is celebrating 25 years of yacht racing and his 100ft Supermaxi has just completed an extensive refit at the Oyster Group's Southampton Yacht Services yard (SYS). For the last six months, Leopard has occupied the Custom and Refit Hall at the superb SYS waterside facilities in Saxon Wharf, alongside three of Oyster's fantastic, new Oyster 885s, the first of which will be launched in August for Formula 1 racing pundit Eddie Jordan's family trust. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/139868/image/large-76c7ec2292383b93daeac4c203a08b90.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/139868">Leopard will make her return to racing following her refit at SYS in the J P Morgan Round the Island Race on Saturday 30 June, where she will be defending her title and the monohull record set in 2008 of 3hrs, 53 mins, 05 secs. Chris Sherlock, Leopard's Captain for over 20 years, speaks about the six-month project to provide Leopard with a stunning, luxury interior. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/139869/image/large-b15114eca38088e0bc23887e286a30ff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/139869">Why did you decide to put an interior into Leopard? Leopard was always meant to have an interior but for several reasons it was originally built without one. The owner has always wanted to cruise Leopard with his friends and family and he loves to live on board. Besides setting numerous world records and racing at grand prix regattas, Leopard is also in high demand for corporate charter and a full interior would definitely provide better facilities for guests. Why did you decide to bring Leopard to SYS? I know for a fact that if I had taken the boat to another yard and asked them to carry out the work, it would have cost far more than taking it to SYS. I went to several yards I have used over many years. One of them was in France and the labour rate was high and it would mean setting up base in another country with a foreign language. Carrying out the refit in the UK was the best option as the owner is here, the boat is VAT registered in the UK and it is also the yacht's home. In 2009, we used another yard for a major refit, which worked well. However this refit was a lot more technical and the expertise that I needed was very complex. In 1992, Ocean Leopard was refitted at Saxon Wharf and Leopard 2000 had all of the electrical and hydraulic design and engineering carried out there. I took a drive down there and found out that one of the refit halls was available. I was delighted to find out that the same guys were still there 20 years on, which made me confident that I was going to get the job done and, more importantly, I knew that we would work as a team. It was a complex refit and I needed someone to work with us rather than give them the boat. So we started working out a deal with Technical Director, Harvey Jones and Managing Director, Robert Kathro. I wanted SYS to handle the fit out of the new accommodation that would be going into the front of the boat but it had to integrate with the systems that had been so reliable for over four years. So I wanted to use the original team from Australia to design the new systems and SYS to implement it, as it would be far more economical. However this needed everybody to get on and I have to say that the end result is something that we are extremely pleased with. Mike Slade was very impressed with the beautiful interiors that he had seen on Oyster yachts and also as Oyster has built so many boats, they have a really good understanding of what features really work. The original deal was a fixed contract with SYS to provide the new accommodation forward of the saloon but after seeing the standard of the work. I decided to employ them to refit the galley area as well. SYS created the bespoke interior from scratch, manufacturing every piece of the interior on site at Saxon Wharf. We wanted a super-light composite interior but with an Oyster look and I think we have very much achieved that. I have to say that SYS ticked all the boxes; a big enough hall, excellent skilled labour and we have worked with them over the years, which made us feel very comfortable. In the end it was a fair deal for us and for them. In fact, I signed the project off and SYS sent their quality control team down to have a final look and they put in three days of extra work touching up and French polishing, that's the attention to detail that they are accustomed to. We have ended up with a lovely product and it couldn't have worked out better, the quality of their work is fantastic. Southampton Yacht Services +44 (0)23 8033 5266 <a href="mailto:enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk/">www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk</a>

Leopard 3 completes refit at Southampton Yacht Services

Sea Lion, the 21m Abeking and Rasmussen yawl, built in 1953, arrived at Southampton Yacht Services early in 2010. She was in a poor state after many years in Greece, and her new owner wanted to have her completely rejuvenated. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/136325/image/large-bec0d91d18becb34b7821d2870c88d45.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/136325">This summer, as Sea Lion sailed towards the Needles on her way down the Channel, she looked splendid and back in her element. With many new frames, new bronze floors and all new mahogany hull planking, a new deck and coach roof replicating the original, all new equipment and machinery, gleaming new brightwork and fittings, plus entirely new interior joinery, electrics and plumbing, she is ready to face the next 50 years. A new rig by Southern Spars and new Harken deck gear enhance sailing performance and make life a little easier on deck. With such an extensive rebuild, the opportunity was taken to add some innovative new features and update her systems, and to install additional equipment and services into the hull whilst preserving her classic appearance both inside and out. Southampton Yachts Services +44 (0)23 8033 5266 <a href="mailto:enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk?subject=Sea%20Lion%20Rebuild%20seen%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk">www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk</a> By Alex Pope

Major rebuild of sailing yacht Sea Lion completed at Southampton Yacht Services

At 43 metres, moving the superyacht Hetairos out of the refit bay at Southampton Yacht Services was always going to be a spectacle. Gleaming in her new livery of jet black with gold trim, she is even more spectacular than when she arrived in October 2010, a fitting tribute to her original builders, Abeking &amp; Rasmussen. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/135450/image/large-c154ba4e86776dcad428a068f4f1e88e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/135450">The winter refit at the yard encompassed the removal of the 6.5 ton, 7.5m long bronze centreboard and all accompanying control systems, service work to the rudder, winches and windlass servicing and a thorough service of the main engine, shaft and propeller. The removal of the centreboard and service of the beautifully designed control mechanism – all in bronze – was an intriguing challenge. Years of extensive cruising, and latterly some racing, had exacted its toll, but the fundamentals of the systems remained sound and having removed all the components from the keel box and serviced the two 30-ton hydraulic rams and control system she has returned to the water as good as new. A fabulous paint job on the topsides, masts and spars and a major rig overhaul has ensured this elegant Bruce King design is ready for a summer season cruising the Mediterranean. Southampton Yacht Services +44 (0)23 8033 5266 <a href="mailto:enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk?subject=Southampton%20Yacht%20Services%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk">www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk</a>

Superyacht Hetairos refit completed at Southampton Yacht Services

The Oyster Group has announced the appointment of Robert Kathro as Managing Director of Oyster’s wholly owned subsidiary, Southampton Yacht Services (SYS), with effect from 6 April 2010. Robert, who qualified as a Naval Architect, has a strong and varied background in manufacturing and the marine industry, combining technical and strategic consultancy experience. Robert’s appointment strengthens the SYS team, whilst allowing founder, Piers Wilson, who will remain on the board, to phase into his retirement over the next few years without the loss of his valuable and in-depth knowledge of boat building and the refit industry. Robert’s appointment also allows SYS Technical Director, Harvey Jones, to continue to expand on the essential role he has developed over the past year with Oyster’s superyacht project at RMK Marine in Turkey, where his depth of superyacht knowledge and technical input has already benefited the shape of the project there. A new team of Oyster and SYS skills will provide the Customer and After Sales support for the Oyster superyachts in the future. SYS plays an increasingly important role in the Oyster Group, currently building the first in class of the new Oyster 625, as well as a number of new Oysters from 60-82 feet, whilst at the same time expanding on its refit and restoration business, for which the company has an enviable track record. Southampton Yacht Services +44 (0)23 8033 5266 <a href="mailto:enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk?subject=Southampton%20Yacht%20Services%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk">www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk</a>

New MD appointed at Southampton Yacht Services

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/130675/image/large-0869a6dcbdb84713ebb082d5ef4415d4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/130675">Intuition II in the CaribbeanThe 59 metre expedition superyacht <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/855">Intuition II</a> was built by Amels in 1974 as the Dutch pilot vessel Spica, Intuition II was rebuilt to a superyacht in 1997 by Vosper Thornycroft with the help of Southampton Yacht Services who were involved in the design of the superstructure modifications and fit-out of the wheel house, sky lounge, Owner's and Captain's private suites, and the teak decking on her weather and guest decks.By Maarten Janssen

Superyacht Intuition II in the Caribbean

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126580/image/large-55115a4c43b25e2897e42cea7fcbfbef.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126580">Intuition II off Virgin GordaThe 59 metre expedition superyacht Intuition II pictured off Virgin Gorda on 1 January 2009. Built by Amels in 1974 as the Dutch pilot vessel Spica, Intuition II was rebuilt to a superyacht in 1997 by Vosper Thornycroft with the help of Southampton Yacht Services. Intuition II often cruises in the USA and the Caribbean with her New York based owner.By Merijn de Waard

Intuition II off Virgin Gorda

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126329/image/large-d6bbd1d74d5703c28e0eeb6e638236e8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126329">The William Fife designed schooner Altair in AntiguaThe William Fife designed gaff-rigged schooner Altair in Antigua on 27 December 2007. The 40 metre sailing yacht was built by William Fife &amp; Sons in 1931 in Fairlie, UK and in 1987 she was restored by Southampton Yacht Services. Altair has had many owners in the past and these days she is owned by an American film maker. By Merijn de Waard