Capella C Yacht News & Events

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Capella C yacht saloon

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Capella C yacht anchored in Svalbard

Capella C

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/308893/image/large-eb3ffd33801d6559b0ac7454af186627.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/308893">Seen last summer anchored in Portofino, Italy, is the 59-metre expedition yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Capella C59.0m (193'7&quot;)Scheepswerf Gebr. Pot1968">Capella C</a>. Built in 1968 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/882" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Scheepswerf Gebr. Pot (Company)">Scheepswerf Gebr. Pot</a> in the Netherlands and originally designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1125" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Scheepswerf Schouten (Company)">Scheepswerf Schouten</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Capella C59.0m (193'7&quot;)Scheepswerf Gebr. Pot1968">Capella C</a> first served the Royal Dutch Navy as an auxiliary hydrographic vessel, before transitioning to a pilot vessel role in Rotterdam Harbour. Transformed into a luxury expedition yacht in 1985, she later underwent a significant refit in 2017 that modernised her features, adding a full-size helicopter deck, and redesigning her exterior decks to carry two 9-metre tenders. Constructed from steel, the 902 GT yacht accommodates up to 22 guests in 11 staterooms and provides quarters for up to 17 crew members, supporting a high standard of service. Her design includes triple <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1448" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deutz AG (Company)">Deutz AG</a> diesel engines, which enable a maximum cruising range of 4,500 nautical miles at 10 knots, making her suitable for long-range expeditions.&nbsp;

59m explorer yacht Capella C in Portofino 

The 59-metre expedition yacht Capella C, built in 1968, was seen anchored here in Portofino, Italy. 

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/171768/image/large-a64ec852f9689fcf008608df3d903572.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/171768">Built in 1968 as a Dutch pilot vessel, the converted expedition yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Capella C59.0m (193'7&quot;)Scheepswerf Gebr. Pot1968">Capella C</a> returned to her home country this week where she was spotted in Amsterdam. The 59-metre vessel underwent an extensive refit in 1985 and again in 2008 that transformed her into the luxury cruiser we see today. Inside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Capella C59.0m (193'7&quot;)Scheepswerf Gebr. Pot1968">Capella C</a> can accommodate up to 22 guests in 12 cabins and operates with a crew of 17. Built for unforgiving ocean voyages, she is powered by three Deutz-MWM engines giving her a maximum speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots.

59m Explorer yacht Capella C in Amsterdam

The former Dutch pilot vessel from 1968 was spotted in her home country this week where she was moored in the city of Amsterdam.

The expedition yacht Capella C in Amsterdam

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="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/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="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/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="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/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="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/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="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/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="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/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="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/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="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/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!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

Canadian studio ER Yacht Design has today revealed that they are currently working on a complete redesign of the 59 metre explorer yacht Capella C for a London based client. The classic vessel was originally built in 1968 at the Dutch shipyard Scheepsbouwwerf Gebr. Pot in Bolnes, and was subsequently utilised as a pilot vessel in the Dutch navy.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157836/image/large-6691846bb2f6098f09b90866e1fbfa09.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157836">The new design from ER Yacht Design retains the original classical hull lines with a new modernised superstructure integrated sympathetically and seamlessly into the new form of a functional expedition yacht. The studio explains the project further: “The yacht retains the structural backbone of the original hull and fore section of the superstructure, with the addition of a new helideck and extension of the existing accommodation, which offers a full beam owner’s stateroom, VIP suite, six guest cabins and two salons.”<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157837/image/large-723787aed3b5d2dd179af275fb86d3db.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157837">Capella C has undergone several substantial changes over the past five decades, and  in 1985 she underwent an extensive refit which saw her successfully converted to a luxury superyacht with accommodation for up to 22 guests over 12 cabins, as well as a crew of up to 17. Her latest refit was in 2008.By Gemma Fottles

Complete redesign of 60m explorer Capella C

YDL Yachting and Fraser Yachts have sold the 59 metre expedition vessel, Capella C. Launched in 1968 by Scheepsbouwwerf Gebr. Pot, Capella C was originally used as a pilot vessel in the Netherlands.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/150007/image/large-00230cfd37301db9e97d62971cc5af5c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/150007"> In 1985 the vessel underwent an extensive refit, converting her to a luxury superyacht with guest accommodation for up to 22 guests over 12 cabins, as well as ample accommodation for a crew of up to 17. Her latest refit was in 2008, and she features a private owners suite with a generous lounge, children’s quarters and dining area. She is powered by three Deutz-MWM engines giving her a maximum speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots.Richard Earp closed the listing of the superyacht at Fraser Yachts, with Yves di Lena at YDL Yachting acting on behalf of the buyer.At the time of sale, Capella C was listed at an asking price of $4,990,000.

Explorer superyacht Capella C sold

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125157/image/large-2485ed62a3f28eb5d095d37e0e46c6db.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125157">Capella C arriving in DubrovnikBuilt by Scheepsbouwwerf Gebroeders Pot as a commercial vessel in 1968, Capella C was converted into a yacht in 1985 by her current owners. She has her home berth in Port Hercule of Monaco and cruises often in Croatia and Greece during the summer, however she cruised in the United States last year. Here she is pictured while arriving in Dubrovnik on 26 July 2008.By Merijn de Waard